Rock Island, IL - January 24, 2012 - Jonathan Wallace, candidate for State Representative in the 72nd District, released the follow statement about fourth quarter fundraising totals:

"While we formed our committee after all the other challengers, we are proud to report the most individual contributors," said Wallace. "Numerous individual contributors and in-kind donations show a great multitude of people contributing rather than a few special interests."

Wallace raised $10,992.04, $7300 in-kind contributions and $3692.04 in total receipts.  Of the total receipts $2442.04 are contributions under $250.

"Two-thirds of our receipts have come from small, grassroots contributions," said Rafe Thrasher, Treasurer for Wallace for Illinois.  "The demographics of our contributors show that people are clearly fed up with Pat Verschoore and his tax increases."

Wallace added, "Our grassroots organization has become a well-oiled machine with a campaign office, staff, and an extensive volunteer list. We will continue to raise money to spread our message of individual liberty and fiscal responsibility in a State sorely lacking in both."

Jonathan Wallace is the new person running for State Representative in the 72nd District.

For more information about Wallace visit http://www.jonathanwallace2012.com.

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The new year is already well under way. Job deadlines - or job searching - has begun anew, and the stresses of bills, kids in school again, and the sometimes endless treadmill of daily life can make us forget those New Year's resolutions we made not so very long ago.

Physician and healer Amnon Goldstein, who has earned an international reputation for his practice of both Western and Eastern medicines, says it's time to slow down and re-evaluate.

"You've heard it said before and you know it in your heart, but it's the external pressures  that leave us feeling stressed, depressed, disappointed and overwhelmed," says Goldstein. "Add to that the lingering economic troubles, families in flux and all of us working harder just to maintain our standard of living and it's easy to forget the most person to take care of first is - you."

Those resolutions to exercise more, eat healthier foods, meditate or otherwise tend to spiritual needs, they should be priorities, Goldstein says. They will ensure you're stronger, happier, and better able to manage the external pressures, maybe even with a smile.

Quiet contemplation and a focus on spiritual growth - no matter one's religion or beliefs - will lead to a clearer vision of how to accomplish the goals set for this year, Goldstein advises.

"Spirituality is no longer linked only to religion," says Goldstein, the author of the recently released book Screwed: The Path of a Healer (www.iuniverse.com), a title that reflects the twisting nature of his global journeys as a healer and his own experiences with depression, divorce and illness.

"More and more people understand that they must nurture both body and spirit, which is why they make the sorts of resolutions they do. No matter how difficult your life, it will become easier and more joyful if you keep to those goals."

Israeli-born Goldstein has practiced medicine around the world using conventional Western, traditional Eastern and less-familiar spiritual and mystical methods. In Screwed, he chronicles the path to wellness, understanding and enlightenment, a journey that takes the traveler to unexpected places.

Goldstein has known the horrors of war, witnessed the birth of new nations and experienced the mysterious healing powers of unconventional medicine. As a physician he has explored unconventional approaches to age-old physical and mental health challenges, embracing an over-arching philosophy that a life well-lived is not one which follows a straight or uncomplicated path.

Goldstein advocates proper nutrition as the basis for good health (no overeating, no dairy, no sugar), and exercise and meditation as the foundation of healthy living.

"We can live healthier and more fulfilled lives by looking inward," Goldstein says. "Most of us will find that we have everything we need to celebrate the holidays in one form or another - either a healthy family, a warm home or some aspect of our lives that brings meaning. Expectation of perfection at this time of the year is toxic to our minds and spirits. Every healing is self-healing, but we need to take the time in the midst of our busy lives to take care of ourselves."

About Amnon Goldstein, M.D.

Amnon Goldstein is a physician with more than 40 years of experience in conventional Western medicine and holistic and Eastern medicine. He has specialized in trauma care, vascular surgery and hypnosis, and has done in-depth study into the evolution of HIV and cancer research and treatments. A resident of Florida, Dr. Goldstein retired from medicine but continues to travel the world, learning, teaching and sharing with others the healing powers within each person. He is the father of three grown children.

Program Supports Safety Instruction, Infrastructure Development and Encourages Alternative Modes of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD - January 24, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced $21.7 million in Illinois Safe Routes to School grants to schools and communities across the state. The federally-funded program is designed to enable and encourage children to walk and bike to school safely.

"These projects enhance roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure within communities, which is important in keeping both drivers and pedestrians safe," Governor Quinn said. "Encouraging children to walk and bike to school not only makes school routes safer, but also improves the quality of life for Illinois residents by easing traffic congestion and reducing emissions."

The 229 funded projects support sidewalk repair and equipment for police and crossing guards. The funding includes $1.5 million to assist communities with safety training, educational materials, and public service announcements encouraging safe walking and biking to school. This will help ensure a consistent statewide program and favorable outcomes from the Safe Routes to Schools projects.

"The Illinois Safe Routes to School grants help us build pedestrian-friendly roads and sidewalks while educating students and families on the importance of alternative forms of transportation and the benefits of an active lifestyle," Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider said. "With these funds, we are also able to help communities implement projects aimed at lowering fuel consumption and air pollution."

"This is exciting news for the entire state," said Ron Burke, Executive Director of the Active Transportation Alliance, an advocacy organization that works to improve conditions for biking, walking and public transportation. "When we make bicycling and walking to school safer and more convenient, we are making our air cleaner and helping more kids get active and healthy."

Illinois Safe Routes to School is a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, designed to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school and encourage a healthy lifestyle from an early age. The program also facilitates projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of primary and middle schools.

For more information about the Illinois Safe Routes to School Program and to view a list of funded projects, visit http://www.dot.il.gov/saferoutes/SafeRoutesHome.aspx.

IRVINE, Calif.–Digital Book World Conference 2012 is the site of this year's Publishing Innovation Awards, and the prize for best entry in the App Fiction category has been awarded to Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged."

It is remarkable for a classic novel to receive such a leading-edge award fifty-five years after publication.

Curated by New American Library/Penguin Group editors and the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI), the app brings together the classic, unabridged text, and rarely seen archival materials to add a new dimension to the reader's experience of the work, author's life, and philosophy, in a truly unique immersive literary experience.

Rarely seen material included in the app:

• Videos and audio excerpts from the author on main topics from the book
• Full-length audio lectures by Rand, including a Q&A on Objectivism, an outline of its basic principles, and commentary on the state of business and government
• Handwritten, original manuscript and notes pages by the author
• An illustrated timeline of the author's life and major works
• Informative articles on the author and her philosophy of Objectivism
• Memorable quotes throughout that can be easily shared via Facebook, Twitter and email
• A photo gallery of early images of the author
• Discussion Guide

ATLAS SHRUGGED Amplified Edition for the iPad / $14.99, downloadable at the iTunes store/Penguin Group (USA) is on sale now.

For the app website, visit the iTunes App Store.

For a video demonstration of the app, click here.

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