Value can't be placed on gifts from the heart. And the stainless steel birdbath recently stolen from the grounds of the Racine Literacy Council falls in that category.

It was stolen sometime between 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and 10 a.m. Nov. 1. The theft was reported to the police. The birdbath was made by the employees of Jensen Medal Products in honor of Brian Jensen and presented to the Racine Literacy Council on May 24, 2004.

Jensen was a friend and supporter of the Council's endeavors, said executive director Kay Gregor. Jensen contributed fireplaces for fundraisers, assisted in the Council's capital campaign and donated a custom-made board of directors table to the organization.

"Brian believed in the Council's mission and always encouraged his employees to further their education," Gregor said. A reward will be given for information leading to the birdbath's return. For more information, call (262) 632-9495.

Nominations sought for Educators' Hall of Fame

The K-12 Education Outreach Office in the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside is accepting nominations for the Southeastern Wisconsin Educators' Hall of Fame.

A group of teachers and a friend of education will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a dinner and program at Carthage College.

Teachers nominated for the Educators' Hall of Fame must have five or more years of involvement in area education and must have made a significant impact on area education. Their accomplishments may include local recognition of teaching excellence by students and parents, state and/or national recognition as an education contributor, participation in community and educational organizations and development or support of important school programs.

People nominated in the Friend of Education category can be honored for volunteer service in schools or classrooms; for curriculum enhancement by supplying material or donating time; for community leadership in support of schools; for participating in educational and/or extracurricular activities; for enhancing public perceptions of schools and educators; and for promotion of positive change in education.

Current, retired or deceased teachers, support staff, administrators, school board members or community leaders can be nominated. Individuals and members of school districts, institutions and educational organizations can make nominations.

Nomination forms must be submitted by Friday, Jan. 4. They are available from local school administrators or principals or by calling Shannon McGuire in the Center for Community Partnership K-12 Education Office at (262) 595-2309.

Free cholesterol health program

More than 106 million Americans have cholesterol levels higher than the desired amount, according to the Centers for Disease Control. High cholesterol can lead to other health risks such as heart disease and stroke. To help the community learn more, Aurora Health Center is presenting a free program on cholesterol health Monday.

How is high cholesterol diagnosed? What are the signs and symptoms of high cholesterol? What can you do to limit the risk factors of high cholesterol? To answer these questions and learn more, join Dr. M. Shakil Aslam, a cardiologist, during a free cholesterol program from 6-7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, at Aurora Health Center, 8348 Washington Ave.

Free cholesterol screenings will be available from 5-6 p.m. prior to Aslam's talk. The session will be held in the community education room. Registration is required. To register, please call (800) 499-5736 or log onto

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/events/_hidden/search.asp?ID5415

Phyllis Sides is a reporter for The Journal Times. This column, about the good stories of good people in Racine County, appears each week. She can be reached at (262) 631-1714 or by e-mail at

psides@journaltimes.com