llinois American Water Files Rate ReqApproximately $180 million of infrastructure investments drive request; Cost for water service remains at about a penny per gallon for typical customer

Today Illinois American Water filed a rate case with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) requesting an increase in rates of approximately $7.06 per month for a typical residential customer using 4,500 gallons of water per month in the Peoria District service area. Rates will not change until the fall of 2012, following ICC review and approval.

A typical customer in the Peoria District will continue to receive quality, reliable water service for about a penny per gallon. The company’s request would increase the monthly bill for a typical residential customer to approximately $43.65 a month (excludes fire protection charges, municipal taxes and franchise fees, which vary by community). The water company cannot increase rates on its own. The process before the ICC typically lasts 11 months and requires the company to provide thousands of pages of documentation to show that the rate request is needed.

Illinois American Water’s ongoing investment in water system improvements and the increasing costs of delivering quality, reliable service to customers are the main drivers behind today’s rate request. The proposed increase reflects approximately $180 million in investments across the state, including approximately $55 million in the Peoria District, not reflected in current water rates.

There is no immediate impact to customers. Following today’s filing, a comprehensive review process by the ICC is the next step in the rate-making process. Public hearings and opportunities for public comment are part of the process, under the direction of the ICC.

Illinois American Water’s rates are based on the full cost of providing water service, as reviewed by the ICC. The company works to control operating expenses while balancing the need for regular investment in the water system. While many municipally-owned water systems are able to cover costs with taxes, fees and other revenue sources as a way to keep water bills lower, investor-owned, regulated water utilities are required to recover all costs through water rates charged on the customer’s water bill.

Many communities are facing the challenges of aging water systems and associated rate increases. The U.S. EPA says the nation’s water utilities will need to make more than $335 billion in infrastructure investments — $15 billion in Illinois — over the next 20 years to replace thousands of miles of pipe and for upgrades to treatment plants, storage tanks and other assets to ensure public health.

NINE AREA STUDENTS HONORED FOR HOLIDAY CARD DESIGNS

Nine area students have been honored by CEFCU and Children’s Hospital of Illinois for having their designs selected for the 2011 Brighten A Child’s Life holiday greeting card program.

CEFCU has sponsored the contest for 27 years. Students throughout central Illinois submitted entries in various categories. The CEFCU Brighten a Child’s Life greeting card sale generated more that $25,000 last year to benefit Children’s Hospital.

The 2011 winners, hometowns, schools, & categories are:

• Jessica Laughlin, 9, of Normal – Grove Elementary School (5-10 Year Old Category)

• Ashley LaFayette, 14, Normal – Parkside Junior High School (11-15 Year Old Category)

• Taylor Beccue, 17, Pekin (Tremont High School) (16 Year Old+ Category)

• Angie Koch, 15, Tremont (Tremont High School) (Inspirational Category)

• Elizabeth Costello, 18,  Bloomington  (Normal Community High School) (Corporate)

• Celine Estes, 17, Tremont (Tremont High School)

Runners-Up are:

• Ariana Serratos Normal (Grove Elementary School)

• Sophia VanSlyke Peoria (St. Thomas Grade School)

• Abby Ladwig Tremont (Tremont High School)

This year’s cards include two from Celine Estes of Tremont who was an award winner in 2010. Celine tragically died in a car accident in January. Her cards are being sold in a dual pack – her entry from 2011 and her winning card from 2010.

The cards cost $10 for a package of 20 and are available at the following locations: All CEFCU member centers; Hy-Vee in Peoria; OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of Illinois gift shops; the Children’s Hospital Foundation offices in Peoria and Bloomington.

Take Tea with the Ladies of the Titanic November 12 at Peoria Public Library

Peoria Public Library will host the elegant ladies of the Titanic on an imaginary voyage on November 12 at 11:00 a.m. at North Branch and at 3:00 p.m. at Main Library.

This free program encourages Edwardian dress and is appropriate for ladies ages 10 and up. Attendees will enjoy a lovely tea party while learning about the most fascinating voyage of an era. Elegant Edwardians such as Lady Astor and  Mrs. J.M. Brown sailed on the Titanic. Learn about the times and read a “character card” as part of the program to learn what happened to the various passengers.

For anyone interested in what might be the world’s most famous voyage, this free program will return you to an lost era.  For more information call 309-497-2120.

GREEN VIEW PLANS
CANNED FOOD DRIVE IN NOVEMBER

Green View Nursery, an expert in plants and landscaping, will host a canned food drive from November 1^st through November 30^th.  The goal is to raise at least 500 lbs of food for Midwest Food Bank a local shelter based in Peoria. Items needed: canned fruits & vegetables, canned meat, canned meals, boxed meals, cereal & peanut butter.

Customers can bring items to the store anytime in November where there will be designated drop off boxes for the donations.

Green View will also be hosting their Holiday Open Houses on November 5 and November 13. Customers will have the chance to get the first look at this year’s designer theme trees, wreaths, garlands and greenery. A wonderful selection of ornaments, permanent pre-lit trees & other holiday decorations will be on display.

From November 5^th – December 17^th Green View will hold free holiday decorating seminars at 10:00 a.m. each Saturday.

The food drive, open house and seminars will take place at the Dunlap facility, located at 2700 West Cedar Hills Drive. Seminars are free and open to the public. For more information call Green View’s Garden Center at 309.243.7761 or visit Green View’s web site at www.greenview.com.

Local Authors Norm Kelly & Bob Sulaski Book Signing

Local authors Norm Kelly and Bob Sulaski will appear together at a joint book signing on Saturday, November 12 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch to talk about their books False Face and 59 Years of Drumsticks and Pigskins.

Kelly, author of False Face, is well known for his tales of Peoria crime, gangsters and prohibition. False Face is fiction but loosely based on Kelly’s experiences as a private investigator. Barn burnings and a serial killer challenge the local sheriff to track down a killer in this latest tale.

Sulaski was co-captain of the 1952 Woodruff High School football team that played in the last Woodruff-Spalding Turkey Day game. He wrote 59 Years of Drumsticks and Pigskins to memorialize the memory of this Peoria sports tradition that started with a “Peace Conference” game in 1915 and ended in 1973.  Several generations of Peoria men and boys played in and watched this annual rite.

A portion of the proceeds of all book sales go to support the Friends of Peoria Public Library. Call 309-497-2120 for more info.

Annual Methodist Service League Gift Show

The Methodist Medical Center Service League members will hold their 61st annual Gift Show Saturday, November 5, 2011 in the lobby of the Methodist Atrium, 900 Main St., from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission & parking are free.

The Service League Gift Show is known for its high quality handmade items at reasonable prices. A wide variety of clothing for infants and toddler clothes, toys, hand made doll clothes, fashionable jewelry, holiday decorations & party items, gift-wrap & stationery, gift baskets, & everlasting silk floral arrangements make it easy to complete holiday shopping in one stop. Antiques & collectibles are also offered at affordable prices. Home baked goods are offered on the lower level as well as a Gourmet Section featuring homemade candies.

Proceeds from the Gift Show support patient care services at Methodist Medical Center. Most recently, contributions to the Foundation from the activities of the Service League have supported complimentary patient transportation, mobile mammography services and upgrades to equipment and technology in the newborn nursery.

Winter Bicycling Tips

The weather becoming cooler is no reason to put your bicycle in a corner of the garage and stop riding. With some tips and a few rides, you will soon find that winter riding can make you smile at winter forecasts.

Clothing

One of the most obvious things that you will need to consider is what to wear. Wear a thin hat that fits under your helmet and covers your ears. Many winter cyclists also wear something to cover their lower face and neck. What you wear on your hands will depend on how cold it is and what type of riding you will be doing from full fingered gloves that are wind resistant, for milder weather, to ski gloves or windproof mittens over gloves.

For your body, layers are key, with having the outermost layer being windproof and water resistant or waterproof. Zippers, in the front as well as your underarms, can help prevent you from overheating. If you are not cold when you start, you are probably overdressed.

For your feet, wearing thick socks is a good idea; but, make sure that you still have wiggle room in your shoes. If your toes are too cramped, it will reduce circulation which will make your feet colder. Options range from bike shoes with shoe covers, hiking or heavy boots with flat pedals or winter bike shoes. For longer rides when it is really cold, some use adhesive toe warmers. Another reusable, but more expensive option, are heating inserts you can put in your shoes that hook up to small batteries.

Where to Ride

During the winter, you may find it easier to stay warm on mountain bike rides. The trees tend to block the wind and you are usually going slower than if you were on pavement, so there is less of a wind chill effect. After a heavy snow, it will usually take a few days for the snow to get packed down enough for the trails to be rideable.

Many still do plenty of riding on pavement in the winter as well. Most paved paths are not plowed and tend to not be rideable on skinny tires until the snow thaws. Immediately after the streets have been plowed, streets can still be slippery; but, within a day or so the pavement is usually clear and dry.

Hydration

Keeping your water from becoming ice is a little harder. Hydration systems can work if you remember to blow into the tube when you are finished drinking. Insulated water bottles are another option. Keeping a bottle in your jersey pocket can also work, as your body heat keeps the water from freezing.

Bike Maintenance

Bikes ridden during the winter will need more “TLC.” Road salt and water can cause excess wear on your bike. Clean your bike frequently and be sure to wipe down your bike after every ride.

The more, the merrier.

Riding with a group always makes it seem less cold.  And, the more you ride, the less brutal the weather seems. “I ride in the winter to stay fit, save money and stave off the cold weather blues.” said Gin Kilgore, Bike Winter co-founder and a program manager at the League of Illinois Bicyclists. Riding in the winter can allow you to enjoy extra holiday festivities without worrying about extra pounds. For more tips on riding in winter, visit www.bikelib.org.

The League of Illinois Bicyclists (LIB) is the statewide advocate for all Illinois bicyclists, promoting bicycle access, education and safety. For more information and bicycling-related resources, visit www.bikelib.org.

November Book Clubs at Peoria Public Library

The following book clubs will meet in November and are open to new members. Discover the joy of discussing a great book with others this month!

Biography and Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m.at North Branch to discuss The Poisoner’s Handbook:  Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum.. Deborah Blum shares the untold story of how poison rocked Jazz Age New York City. In The Poisoner’s Handbook Blum draws from highly original research to track the fascinating, perilous days when a pair of forensic scientists began their trailblazing chemical detective work, fighting to end an era when untraceable poisons offered an easy path to the perfect crime. A beguiling concoction that is equal parts true crime, twentieth-century history, and science thriller, The Poisoner’s Handbook is a page-turning account of a forgotten New York.

Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m.at North Branch to discuss New Tricks by David Rosenfelt. Andy Carpenter gains possession of an adorable Bernese puppy whose owner had been brutally murdered. However, his playful new friend is valued by several people, many of whom are willing to resort to violence to get what they want.

The Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club meets on November 14 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Nightlife Rob Thurman. Call 497-2149 for more information and meeting location. Trolls, vampires, and other preternatural creatures dwell in New York City, where humans are oblivious to their presence. Carl Leandros is only half human. His father’s dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares, and he and his entire otherworldly race are after Carl.

A Little Romance Book Club meets on Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. at North Branch to discuss Coming Home by Mariah Stewart. Vanessa finds a home in St. Dennis until her past catches up with her and she turns to Grady Shields for help.

The Evening Love to Read! Book Club will meet on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Branch to discuss The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock by Donald Spoto. This is the definitive life story of Alfred Hitchcock, the enigmatic and intensely private director of such memorable films as Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, The Birds, and more than forty other films. Spoto traces Hitchcock’s life from his English childhood through the golden years in Hollywood when he became one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.

Lakeview’s Leaky Cauldron will meet on Wednesday, November 30 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This book club is open to all ages. For more information and meeting location, call 309-497-2200.

Talk About Good Book Club will meet Wednesday, November 30, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the North Branch to talk about Secret of the Mansion and The Red Trailer Mystery by Julie Campbell, Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon, and The Happy Hollisters by Jerry West. Secret of the Mansion: Thirteen-year-old Trixie Belden and her friends search for hidden treasure in a mysterious mansion owned by an old miser. The Red Trailer Mystery: While traveling by trailer in upstate New York to find a runaway, Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler investigate a case of mysterious trailer thefts. Tower Treasure: Joe and Frank discover the location of stolen jewels and papers and help remove suspicion from an innocent man. The Happy Hollisters: The adventures for the Hollister family begin as soon as they move into their new house on the shore on Pine Lake in Shoreham. First, the moving van carrying their toys and their father’s important new invention disappears. Next, they learn that their house may be haunted, with a treasure hidden somewhere inside!

Methodist Offers Forum on “Living Well with COPD & Asthma”

Methodist Medical Center will be offering a free public forum on “Living Well with COPD and Asthma” as another in the series of Coffees with the Doc.

Dr. Myrna Orbana will explain the two main types of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and how to best manage these lung conditions to improve the quality of life. Dr. Orbana is an experienced physician board-certified in Pulmonary Medicine, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Medicine.

“Coffee with the Doc” will be held Thursday, November 17 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. at Methodist on North Allen Road, 2338 W. SUD Parkway at the intersection of Route 6 and North Allen Road.

This event is free but seating is limited. Call to reserve your seat at 636-9500.

Bradley University Receives $300,000 Grant from Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation

Bradley University received a grant award of $300,000 over two years from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation to aid three schools in Peoria School District 150.

Bradley, in collaboration with District 150, will use the funds to hire personnel to assist with the implementation of the full service community schools model at Manual Academy, Harrison Community Learning Center and Trewyn K-8 School, as well as develop the Mobile Parent Resource Center. The staff will coordinate programs & services during non-academic hours, build relationships with students, teachers, administration, parents, neighborhood residents and the larger community, and reach out to the community to meet the needs of students and families at the designated schools.

Bradley, its College of Education & Health Sciences & the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service were appointed Lead Agency for Peoria’s Full Service Community Schools Initiative in 2010 by the Peoria School District 150 School Board.

Tickets Available for 125th Anniversary Gala for The Salvation Army

The Peoria Salvation Army is celebrating 125 years of service in Peoria and that will be the focus of  the “Be a Shield” Gala and Silent Auction to be held at the Four Points by Sheraton at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11.

Tickets are now available by calling 655-1341. Tickets are $75 each or a table of 8 for $600.

For more information, please visit:

www.usc.salvationarmy.org/heartland or call Rich Draeger at (309) 655-1348. For tickets, please call Susan Moore at (309) 655-1341

2011 Collectible Limited Edition ROLAN JOHNSON CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Heading Avenue Franciscans, are selling the Limited Edition 2011 Rolan Johnson Christmas Ornament titled “The Good Shepherd.” The inspiration for the seventeenth annual Christmas ornament is Rolan’s 1992 Christmas card. It is approximately 3″ x 5″, two-sided, and encased in a 24kt. gold-plated brass frame.  For information on purchasing or ordering, call the Development Office at 309-674-2005. Proceeds from the ornament fund-raiser benefit the sisters’ retirement fund.

• The Christmas Ornament is available at:
• Jones Bros. Jewelers – Grand Prairie Dr.
• Morton Community Bank locations
• Bronze Frog – Junction City
• Geier Florist – West Peoria
• Harp & Thistle Imports Ltd. – Peoria Heights
• Immaculate Conception Convent – West Peoria
• Kay’s Hallmark – Washington and Metro Center
• Lagron Miller – Peoria
• Picket Fence – Chillicothe
• Skin Dimensions at Soderstrom Dermatology
• St. Mary’s Convent – Metamora
• The Dwelling Place – Normal

26^th Annual Coats for Kids Program Underway

The Salvation Army, Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and WEEK TV are sponsoring the 26th annual Coats for Kids program to make sure that every child in our community has a winter coat this season.  Used or new coats in children’s and young adult sizes are now being collected and cleaned until December 3.  Over 31,400 coats have been collected, cleaned and given out to area children in need. Applications and coat distribution will be done at  The Salvation Army’s Sylvia Fites Family Service Center at 417 N.E. Jefferson St.

Distribution of the coats will begin Monday, November 7 until all the coats are distributed.

Coats can be dropped off at all area Jim Maloof Realty locations, various OSF medical offices and Outpatient Centers in the Tri-County, and American Family Insurance outlets.  Other locations include Alexander Financial Services in Washington, WEEK TV and the Northwoods Mall.

Special collection events will be held on Monday, November 21 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Great Hall in the Peoria Civic Center, during the annual Santa Claus Parade on November 25, and on Saturday, December 3rd at the Peoria Rivermen Hockey game.

For more information contact Rich Draeger at 655-1348. For barrel locations and program information, please contact The Sylvia Fites Family Services Center, 655-7272.

Relive Peoria’s Turkey Day Football Tradition November 21

Woodruff  football co-captain and author Robert L. Sulaski will transport football fans through 59 years of Peoria Thanksgiving Day football games on Monday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch with photos, headlines and tales of the games won and lost.

Sulaski, a member of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, memorialized the long tradition of holiday football games in Peoria in his book 59 Years of Drumsticks and Pigskins after a group began holding reunions of Turkey Day participants.  He has collected the stories by Peoria’s sports writers, complete with headline, as well as numerous photos. Catch glimpse of early players with no helmets grappling on what was to become the site of the Bradley University library. Team photos and tales of football heroics continue through 1973 when the tradition ended.

Over the years, paid attendance for the 73 games totaled 350,000. Players went off to war, became community leaders and brought their own sons to watch and then play in the games. Sulaski knows the stories of the teams, the coaches and the players who participated and his photos will bring the stories to life at this free presentation that will be enjoyed by all ages.  Call 309-497-2021 for more information about the program.

Community Foundation of Central Illinois Awards more than $82,000 in Community Grants Program

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved the Distribution Committee’s recommendation to fund 23 grant proposals during the September 2011 funding cycle, granting in excess of $82,000.

“In an economy where every single charitable dollar is critically important, we are pleased to provide more than $82,000.00 in funding to 23 worthy organizations in Central Illinois”- Mark Roberts, CEO, Community Foundation of Central Illinois.

The following non-profit organizations received funding during the September 2011 Community Grants cycle:

• The American Cancer Society, IL Division, Inc. was awarded $5000 for: Patient Navigation program from the Caterpillar Community Leadership Fund and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• The American Red Cross was awarded $7150 for: Youth Education program from the Fontaine Earle Fund.
• Bureau County Health and Wellness Clinic NFP, Inc. was awarded $5000 for: Primary Medical Services for Uninsured & Low Income clients from the Community Impact Fund.
• The Center For Prevention of Abuse was awarded $2500 for: Making Our Shelter a Home: Protecting Victims of Violence from Bed Bugs from the Merle and Barbara Glick Fund.
• Central Illinois Youth Symphony was awarded $1050 for: Trumpet Masters Class & Clinics from the George A. Fulton Charitable Fund and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• Common Place, Inc. was awarded $5388 for: Soul Expression from the Robert W. Leu Family Charitable Fund and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• Crittenton Center was awarded $3700 for: High Reach Curriculum from the Pete and Mildred Donis Charitable Fund, the Cilcorp Education Fund, and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• Easter Seals was awarded $4125 for: Care Coordination and Counseling Services-CIOAT from the Scott Heimdal Fund.
• Girl Scouts of Central Illinois was awarded $3000 for: Automated External Defibrilators for Camp Tapawingo from the Thomas and Ellen Foster Fund and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• Heart of Illinois Harvest was awarded $1186 for: Transportation of Donated Food from the Merle and Barbara Glick Fund.
• Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley was awarded $2840 for: Mental Health Matters-Community Education program from the Whitney Grotts Endowment Fund.
• Methodist Medical Center of Illinois was awarded $3700 for: Healthy Living from the Sandra and Richard Ullman Unrestricted Charitable Fund.
• PARC was awarded $2554 for: Young Adults Educational program from the Mental Health Remembrance Leadership Fund, the Thomas and Ellen Foster Fund, and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• Peoria Ballet was awarded $4000 for: Sugar Plum Dreams from the Russell F. & Eleanor Sikes Peters Performing Arts Fund, and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• Peoria Promise Foundation was awarded $5000 for: Year 4 Funding from the Yeomans Fund.
• Peoria Symphony Orchestra was awarded $5000 for: Educational Outreach for 2011-2012 Season from the Louis and Selma Neumiller Fund, the Mildred L. Arends Musical & Cultural Activities Fund, and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• Special Olympics Illinois was awarded $1663 for: Young Athletes from the William L & Mary E. Kella Fund, the Marion & Warren Bohner Fund, and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund.
• TEEN Challenge was awarded $656.28 for: Stay Sharp from the Merle and Barbara Glick Fund.
• University of Illinois Springfield was awarded $8855 for: UIS Conservation Academy from the CFCI Community Works Endowment Fund, the Stephen A. & Bonnie Gosselin Community Works Fund, and the Rinkenberger Community Works Fund.
• Westminster Infant Care Center was awarded $2800 for: Transportation program from the Ross E. and Susan M. Canterbury Fund and the For the Family Fund.
• Why Not Now? Inc was awarded $1700 for: A New Dock from the Louise Flora Howard Memorial Fund and the Marion and Warren Bohner Fund.
• Women’s Pregnancy Center was awarded $4200 for: Classes for Cribs program from the Caterpillar Community Leadership Fund.
• YWCA of Pekin was awarded $1667 for: Living with Literature-Writing Our Stories program from the Merle and Barbara Glick Fund.

FCAI Announces Recipients of Community Care Project Grants

Ten Social Service/Non-Profit Agencies from Peoria, McLean & Tazewell Counties Receive Grants Totaling $10,000.

The Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI) Central Chapter awarded Community Care Project grants to ten recipients. These ten organizations received their checks at the FCAI’s annual Community Care Project Grant Awards Dinner, held October 25, 2011.

The Community Care Project assists area social service agencies and non-profit organizations by providing monetary grants to help them continue their missions.

Grant Recipients:

• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Crittenton Centers
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Minier Police Explorers Honor Guard
• Operation Safe
• Peoria Park District Police Explorers
• Peoria Rescue Ministries
• YWCA of Mclean County
• Center for Prevention of Abuse

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to Keynote Bradley University Symposium

Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, will discuss the new 6-year federal farm bill during a keynote address at a national public policy symposium at Bradley University on November 3rd.

“The Future of Midwest Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability” is the title of the symposium that will be held in the Peplow Pavilion in the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center from 8:00 a.m. – Noon. Admission is $25. Register online at /www.bradley.edu/continue or call 309.677.2820.

Secretary Vilsack’s presentation will begin at 8:30 a.m.

State senators David Koehler and Darin LaHood will speak during the program along with Marc Miller of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Colleen Callahan, Illinois Director of USDA Rural Development, Mike Baroni, Vice President of Economic Policy for ADM, and a number of others. In addition, Bradley students will present research projects as part of the event.

Share Your Literacy Skills with an Adult Wanting to Improve their Reading and Writing

Common Place would like you to consider sharing your literacy skills with another English-speaking adult who wants to improve their reading and writing.  The Adult Literacy Program staff at Common Place will offer Volunteer Orientation and Tutor Training on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Common Place; Saturday, November 5, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; and a follow-up session (required) Saturday, November 12, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Cost is $20 for materials and advanced registration is required.  To register, or for more information, call Carol Turbett at 309-674-3315.

Arby’s Announces the Opening of a New Peoria Location

Arby’s Restaurants is proud to announce the opening of a new Arby’s location near the Westlake Plaza on Sterling Avenue, next to Interstate 74 and across from Northwoods Mall. The restaurant will be opening its doors early November and will host a Grand Opening on 11/11/11. This new restaurant replaces Arby’s University Street location which closed on October 20, 2011.

Miller Group USA, LLC, based out of Bloomington, Ill., and operates the Central Illinois Arby’s franchise, which includes 18 locations throughout the region. Kim Oberbillig is the company’s Director of Human Resources.

“We are very excited about our new restaurant near Westlake Plaza. It will be modern and conveniently located,” said Oberbillig. “While our University Street restaurant has been a part of the Peoria community for many years, we decided to take advantage of this new opportunity which, unfortunately, requires the closing of the University Street restaurant. We thank our loyal customers and hope they will visit our new restaurant on Sterling Rd.”

Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurants, founded in 1964 by Leroy and Forrest Raffel, has over 3,600 restaurants worldwide. Today, Arby’s rich heritage is comprised of several multi-generation franchise owners. In fact, Jim Raffel, founder Leroy’s son, owns and operates three locations in Maine.

New Recycling Bins Installed Downtown

Keep Peoria Beautiful, in collaboration with Peoria County, the City of Peoria, PARC, and the Illinois EPA, is rolling out new recycling bins to be installed along downtown Peoria sidewalks.

Beginning next week, people eating lunch outdoors will be able to recycle their beverage containers. Bins for the collection of plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans will be placed next to garbage receptacles located around the courthouse grounds. Additional bins will be placed along streets in the central business district. The bins will be clearly marked with acceptable items so the public will know what types of recyclables can be placed inside.

The new recycling bins will further enhance the City of Peoria’s recycling program.

Peoria County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Volunteers

If you feel compelled to “protect and serve,” consider volunteering for the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). The Sheriff’s Office currently has one of the best, if not the best, auxiliary deputy programs in the state of Illinois and is seeking to grow its membership. Auxiliary deputies are primarily used for traffic control at special events such as the Prairie Air Show and the TT races. They are also used, however, as parade escorts and for search and rescue. The mounted division of the auxiliary deputies has participated in hundreds of hours of search and rescue training and is an invaluable resource when the need arises. As a result of the program’s success, the PCSO is continually seeking volunteers to become auxiliary deputies.

The Sheriff’s Office is also implementing an initiative to supplement the auxiliary deputy program: a volunteer program for owners of all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and horses. These volunteers would be called upon to assist primarily with search and rescue efforts as opposed to traffic control. Sheriff Michael D. McCoy describes a scenario that would likely activate this new volunteer program: “If we have an emergency in a corn field in rural Peoria County, we want to be able to call in nearby volunteers with ATVs to help us respond to that emergency. It could be an elderly person with Alzheimer’s who became disoriented or a high school student detasseling corn who became ill; regardless, we would be able to find the individual quicker with the help of volunteers.”

Responsible persons who are interested in serving their community as an auxiliary deputy or as an ATV, snowmobile, or mounted volunteer are asked to call Lieutenant Mark Molleck of the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office at (309) 697-8515.

TOM KASTLE CONCERT AT FOREST PARK NATURE CENTER

The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will host a concert by Tom Kastle on Saturday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m., as part of the Nature Center’s 2011 “Songs from the Woods” concert series.

Tom Kastle is a singer, songwriter, tall ship captain, and teller of tales based in the Great Lakes, who has traveled the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Pacific. He has one foot in the singer/songwriter world, where his original songs run from the romantic to the nautical. His ballad Cold Winds has been covered by performers in the U.S., England and the Netherlands. The other foot is firmly planted in the traditional maritime world, where he is a shanty singer and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain. This hands-on background in tall ships and maritime music led to an invitation by Andy Cohen to be a “professor” at “Folk University” at the 2009 International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis with Enoch Kent, Tracy Schwartz and Ginny Hawker. For more info visit www.tomkastle.com.

Payment for reserved seating is available at the Trailhead Nature Store. General admission seating is payable at the door. Concert fees are $7 for adults, $6 for children, and CORE members receive a $1 discount. Call (309) 686-3360.