Lt. Governor's tent highlights Illinois Reads authors

SPRINGFIELD - July 31, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today announced plans for the 2014 Illinois State Fair, which include a Back-to-School Book Drive, a book giveaway and readings by Illinois Reads authors, including Newbery award-winning author Joan Bauer. Simon also will present the annual Agriculture Day awards and make her fourth annual appearance with her band, Loose Gravel.

"The Illinois State Fair is a much-loved tradition, and it is one that my family and I have enjoyed for many years," said Simon. "This year I am excited to showcase Illinois authors, including a recipient of the Newbery Award, in my tent. I encourage families to stop by and promote a love of reading for all generations of fairgoers."

As an ambassador to Illinois Reads, Simon is partnering with the Illinois Reading Council to showcase live readings, a book giveaway and a book drive at her tent during the 10-day fair. Visitors may drop off new or gently used children's books to be donated to Springfield schools, and also register to win the 35 books selected for Illinois Reads 2014, a literacy project aimed at children and adults.

Illinois authors selected for Illinois Reads 2014 and 2013 will appear in Lt. Governor Simon's tent, including Joan Bauer, a New York Times bestselling author, whose awards include the Newbery Honor Medal and the Chicago Tribune Young Adult Literary Prize. She will read from her youth novel "Rules of the Road," named one of the top young adult books of the quarter century by the American Library Association. Bauer is originally from River Forest (see complete reading list below).

On Governor's Day, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and Loose Gravel will perform from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Shed. The Carbondale-based blues band debuted at the state fair three years ago and is the only group fronted by a constitutional officer to perform.

On Ag Day, Simon will celebrate Illinois' rich agricultural heritage by presenting the Ag Day Awards to families who have farmed in the state for at least 100 years. A resident of southern Illinois, Simon is chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council and advocates for agriculture education. Simon's husband, Perry Knop, comes from a family that has farmed over a century near Steeleville.

Lt. Governor Simon's tent is located at the intersection of Main Street and Brian Raney Avenue, across from the Emmerson Building and will be open Friday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information about Illinois Reads, please visit www.IllinoisReads.org.

LT. GOVERNOR SIMON'S STATE FAIR EVENTS

EVENT: Ag Day Awards
DATE: Tuesday, Aug. 12
TIME: 12:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Director's Lawn, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield

EVENT: Loose Gravel performance
DATE: Wednesday, Aug. 13
TIME: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Shed, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield

AUTHOR APPEARANCES AT THE LT. GOVERNOR'S TENT

Friday, Aug. 8

EVENT: "Hollywood on Lake Michigan" by Michael Corcoran

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A retrospective on a century of Chicago's relationship with the movies. Author Michael Corcoran is a certified Chicago tour guide and lecturer. Recommended for students in grades nine through12.

EVENT: "The Fourth Stall" by Chris Rylander

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

A humorous tale of crime, betrayal and school. Author Chris Rylander lives in Chicago. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

EVENT: "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" by Edward Kelsey Moore

TIME: 3 to 5 p.m.

The New York Times bestseller tells the tale of three small-town Indiana women as they stick together through 40 years of life, love, and the blues. Author Edward Kelsey Moore was born in Indiana and lives in Chicago. Recommended for adults.

Saturday, Aug. 9

EVENT: "Rules of the Road" by Joan Bauer

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Awkward, 16 year-old Jenna learns life lessons as she drives her crusty old employer cross country in a bid to save the family business in this New York Times bestselling novel. Newbery Award-winner Joan Bauer is originally from River Forest. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

EVENT: "Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer" by Carol Brendler

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

Winnie Finn is determined to win a prize at the county fair for her worms, even though there's no worm prize... Carol Brendler has lived in Palatine, Oak Park and Mokena. Recommended for students in kindergarten through second grade.

Sunday, Aug. 10

EVENT: "The Journal of Best Practices" by David Finch

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The New York Times bestselling story of the author's journey of self-improvement after he and his wife learn he has Asperger Syndrome. David Finch lives in Northern Illinois. Recommended for adults.

EVENT: "Peep!" by Kevin Luthardt

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

A young boy makes a new friend when a baby duckling hatches and starts following him around. Author, muralist and University of Illinois graduate Kevin Luthardt lives in Illinois. Recommended for children up to age 4.

Wednesday, Aug. 13

EVENT: "Charlie Collier, Snoop for Hire: The Homemade Stuffing Caper" by John V. Madormo

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Twelve-year-old private eye Charlie Collier is on the trail of a lost parrot in this puzzle-filled first installment of an ongoing series. Author John Madormo, lives in Naperville. Recommended for students in grades three through five.

Saturday, Aug. 16

EVENT: "1 Zany Zoo" by Lori Degman

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Foxes who steal keys, beavers who cook chili and hyenas who play the blues are some of the things you might see before the gates open at this zany zoo. Author, mother and special education teacher Lori Degman lives in Vernon Hills. Recommended for children up to age 4.

EVENT: "The Bully Book" by Eric Kahn Gale

TIME: 1 to 3 p.m.

Eric Haskins must find the mysterious Bully Book to figure out how he has been turned into the school's punching bag. Born in suburban Michigan, Eric Kahn Gale lives in Chicago. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

EVENT: "Dark Life" by Kat Falls

TIME: 3 to 5 p.m.

Set in a world where the oceans have risen and humanity lives partially undersea, a young ocean floor farmer must defend his home from outlaws. Kat Falls teaches at Northwestern University and lives in Evanston. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

Sunday, Aug. 17

EVENT: "Dark Life" by Kat Falls

TIME: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Set in a world where the oceans have risen and humanity lives partially undersea, a young ocean floor farmer must defend his home from outlaws. Kat Falls teaches at Northwestern University and lives in Evanston. Recommended for students in grades six through eight.

The Food and Drug Administration is trying to get a handle on new smoking products, including electronic cigarettes, with newly proposed regulations that include banning sales to minors and requiring manufacturers to register all of their products and ingredients with the FDA.

"I like these proposals; the public needs clarity on smoking alternatives because we have 42.1 million adult tobacco smokers [CDC, 2012] who may be able to benefit from them," says Anthony Sarvucci, CEO of American Heritage International, (www.americanheritageonline.com), a company that develops e-cigarettes expressly for adult tobacco smokers who want to quit but have not succeeded.

"The bottom line is that we know how terrible traditional cigarettes are for people, but there has been a vacuum of information about e-cigs, which leads to a great deal of misinformation, some fear-mongering, and even simply making stuff up."

Sarvucci gives four reasons why some e-cigarettes are easily a better alternative.

•  According to the American Lung Association, the average cigarette contains acetone, found in nail polish remover; acetic acid, an ingredient in hair dye; ammonia, a common household cleaner; arsenic, used in rat poison; benzene, found in rubber cement; butane, used in lighter fluid; cadmium, active component in battery acid; carbon monoxide, released in car exhaust fumes; formaldehyde, embalming fluid; hexamine, found in barbecue lighter fluid; lead, used in batteries; naphthalene, an ingredient in moth balls; methanol, a main component in rocket fuel; nicotine, used as insecticide; tar, material for paving roads; and toluene, used to manufacture paint.

•  "Adult consumers of e-cigarettes deserve to know what they're smoking," says Sarvucci, who adds that minors "absolutely should not be smoking or vaping, period." American Heritage's vapor fluid contains water and three food-grade quality ingredients - kosher vegetable glycerin and vegetable propylene and natural flavoring, and the nicotine is derived naturally. "We're the only e-cigarette company for which all of the e-juice ingredients are sourced and mixed in the United States," he says. "Fluid for most other e-cigarettes is sourced and mixed in China and it often contains dozens of ingredients."

•  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarettes harm nearly every organ in your body and cause dozens of diseases. Cigarette smoke causes more deaths - combined - than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol consumption, motor vehicle injuries and gun incidents. "We've made significant progress against cigarette smoke in recent decades, but it's not only a problem of the past," he says. Almost half a million Americans will continue to die each year, even though they know the statistics as well as anyone, because they are severely addicted. "Mimicking an authentic smoking experience, like my company tries to do, at least gives these people a better option that's also healthier for the people around them," Sarvucci says.

•  Smokers deserve hope ... In American culture, we have a can-do attitude that is unique to the world, which largely accounts for our influence. We often have a tough time, however, admitting that an individual has a problem that's beyond his or her control. Smoking cigarettes is that problem for more than 40 million of our friends, family and neighbors.

"Look – I wouldn't have gotten into this business if it were to create new smokers," Sarvucci says. "I went this route because, yes, it's a highly profitable space, but it's also an extremely helpful alternative for traditional smokers. If you're a nonsmoker, ask yourself: What would you rather have in your body, a few edible compounds, water and naturally sourced nicotine, or nicotine accompanied by the chemical used to exterminate rats?"

About Anthony Sarvucci

Anthony Sarvucci is the CEO of American Heritage International, (www.americanheritageonline.com), a publicly traded company that manufactures, distributes and sells disposable premium electronic cigarettes. The product uses ingredients that are exclusively sourced and mixed in America, and is designed strictly as an alternative for tobacco smokers and chewers. Sarvucci is past president and co-founder of Prairie West Oil and Gas Ltd. and serves as an investment banking consultant.