Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Girl Scout Movement
Juliette Gordon Lows assembled the Girl Scout meeting with 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912. Since then, Girl Scouting has grown into the world’s preeminent leadership development organization for girls, serving 2.3 million girls annually. In honor of its 100th anniversary, Girl Scouts of the USA has declared 2012 the Year of the Girl. Girl Scouts of Central Illinois is marking the occasion in collaboration with the more than 20,000 girl members we serve across 38 counties in central Illinois.
As Girl Scouts across the nation celebrate the organization’s centennial, Girl Scouts of the USA will use this unique moment in its history to launch the ToGetHerThere campaign, the largest, boldest advocacy and fundraising cause dedicated to girls’ leadership in the nation’s history. The multiyear effort will seek to create balanced leadership—the equal representation of women in leadership positions in all sectors and levels of society—within one generation.
A comprehensive new research study, ToGetHerThere: Girls’ Insights on Leadership, commissioned by GSUSA in partnership with GfK Roper, reveals that while girls are generally optimistic about their futures, they still see glass ceilings in today’s society that will get in the way of achieving their leadership potential. The study, based on a telephone survey of 1,000 girls ages 8–17, found, for example, that close to three in five girls think that a woman can rise up in a company but will only rarely be put in a senior leadership role.
The ToGetHerThere cause campaign formally begins the work of breaking down the barriers that are keeping girls from reaching their potential as leaders. The campaign will seek to motivate all adult members of society—individuals, corporations, governments, and likeminded organizations—to do their part to support girls and will place this issue front and center on the national agenda.
For more information on Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and the ToGetHerThere campaign visit www.girlscouts-gsci.org or call our office at 877-231-1446.
HAVE A BALL AT MS CARNIVALE
Peoria’s Tenth Annual MS Carnivale Raises Funds to Benefit People Affected by MS
More than 600 guests will bask in the revelry and savor the food, flavor and flair of musicians, entertainers, a raffle and a silent auction at the tenth annual MS Carnivale. This Mardi Gras-themed celebration will be hosted by the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at the Par-a-Dice Hotel, 7 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, IL 61611 on Friday, March 16, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. Guests are invited to don their most festive attire and dance the night away. MS Carnivale includes French Quarter-style fare, complimentary wine, free parking and a cash bar.
The spirit of this event is to educate, entertain, and fundraise for the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society. Tickets are $100, $50 of which is tax-deductible, with proceeds benefitting the 20,000 people throughoutIllinois affected by MS. It is anticipated that over $100,000 will be raised at this year’s event.
Call Suzette Miller-Saurs at 309.673.4448 or email: suzette.miller@nmss.org for info regarding sponsorship, donations and volunteer opportunities, and visit MSillinois.org to learn more, donate and purchase tickets.
Peoria Public Library Offers Free March Events for Middle School/High School Students
Middle School/High School
Mondays & Tuesdays, March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, & 27 – Project Next Generation – Lincoln Branch Front & Center – 6:00-8:00 p.m. – This mentoring program, sponsored by Secretary of State Jesse White, is for Middle school students. It offers opportunities to develop personally and learn new skills & technology. Grades 5-8. Registration required. 497-2600
Tuesday, March 6 – Front & Center: Healthy Living, Happy Bodies – Lincoln Branch – 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Learn the proper way to care for your body. Ages 12-18. 497-2600
Thursday, March 22 – Library Hunger Games – North Branch – 6:00-7:30 p.m.- Test your Hunger Games knowledge and see if you can survive the Cornucopia Challenge. Tributes get an opportunity to design their own token to take into the Games. Grades 7-12 welcome. 497-2120
GREEN VIEW PARTNERS WITH THE PEORIA ORCHID SOCIETY FOR THEIR ANNUAL “ORCHID SHOW”
Green View Nursery will partner with the Peoria Orchid Society for their annual Orchid Show on Saturday, March 10, 2012. There will be orchid seminars, demonstrations and orchids for sale throughout the day. The event will be held at Green View Nursery located at 2700 West Cedar Hills Drive, Dunlap, Illinois.
The event is 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.
Orchid Event Seminar Schedule:
10:00 a.m. “De-Mystifying the Orchid” – Seminar by Yvonne Hall, Peoria Orchid Society. This simple seminar on Orchid Basics perfect for those new to the world of Orchids.
11:30 a.m. “Beyond Phalaenopsis” – Seminar by Larry Stratton, Master Gardener, Peoria Orchid Society. Ready to explore more exotic species of Orchids? Learn about how to build and care for your own diverse orchid collection.
1:30 p.m. “Orchids Under Glass – Orchid DisplayWorkshop” – Demonstration by Beth Haag, Green View, A/P Manger & Dale Ehmke, Peoria Orchid Society. Watch a step by step demonstration on how to re-pot orchids and new ways to display them in your home. Bring in your root bound orchids for re-potting or pot up a new orchid with an expert. A variety of orchids, terrariums, pots and potting mix will be available for purchase.
PEORIA PARK DISTRICT MARCH ACTIVITIES
LOGAN REC CENTER’S SPRING GARAGE SALE – Peoria Park District’s Logan Recreation Center is hosting a Spring Garage Sale on March 3 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm at Logan Center, 1414 S. Livingston. So bring your unwanted items to set up your own sales table at Logan Center. Cost for space rental is $10 if you bring your own table and $20 if you use one of ours. Multiple tables are available for rent. The event will be held indoors in case of bad weather. call 676-8179.
PROCTOR CENTER MARCH MADNESS – The Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center is hosting a March Madness event on March 15 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. for adults ages 18+. Join the 3-point contests, free throw contest, and 3-on-3 competitions during the evening while watching the games on our big screen television. FREE. Call 673-9183.
BAKING WITH THE BOSS – The Peoria Park District “Baking with the Boss”workshop is for kids ages 5-13. This one-day class meets on either March 17 or April 21 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at The Cookie Shack.This class will teach kids about baking supplies and ingredients, how to read recipes, and how to sift dry ingredients. Participants will make their own cookies from a recipe and decorate their own cakes. Fee:$37 for residents/$44 for non-residents.Register at Glen Oak Park Pavilion or call 681-2854.
TAKE A BIRDING TOUR OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER – The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center & the Peoria Audubon Society will host a “Birding Tour of the Illinois River” on March 3, from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This trip will take in some of the bird migration hotspots along the Illinois River. Preregister at 686-3360. The fee is $35 per person, which includes lunch & transportation. C.O.R.E. members and Peoria Audubon members discount of $5.
LEAFLESS TREE I.D. CLASSES – The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center hosts “Leafless Tree I.D.” on March 4, at 1:30 p.m. Winter tree identification should not “leaf” you stumped. The session is open to ages 14 and up. No fee, but donations requested. Call 686-3360.
HOOKED ON CROCHET – The Peoria Park District offers Hooked on Crochet (Intermediate) for ages 9 and up, from March 10 through April 14 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Class meets at the Franciscan Recreation Complex, located at 908 Sterling Ave. in West Peoria. Students should have a basic knowledge of crochet or have completed a basic crochet class. You will receive a supply list for this course upon registration. Fee: $40 for residents/$46 for non-residents. Register at the Glen Oak Pavilion or call 681-2854.
INTERMEDIATE KNITTING – The Peoria Park District offers Intermediate Knitting from March 10 – April 14 from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Class meets at the Franciscan Recreation Complex, located at 908 Sterling Ave. inWest Peoria. Students should have a basic knowledge of knitting or crocheting and have completed a beginning class. Knowledge of basic arithmetic will be helpful. You will receive a supply list for this course upon registration. Fee: $40 for residents/$46 for non-residents. Register at the Glen Oak Pavilion or call 681-2854.
STAGING YOUR HOME AT THE PEORIA PARK DISTRICT STAGING YOUR HOME
The Peoria Park District offers a class, Staging Your Home for ages 18 and up. Two sessions will be offered: March 15 and April 19 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This one-day class meets at the Franciscan Recreation Complex, located at 908 Sterling Ave. in West Peoria. Learn the professional tips, tricks, & techniques that will make your home more organized and appealing. Fees: $18 for residents/$22 for non-residents. Register at the Glen Oak Pavilion or call 681-2854.
EVENING UNDER THE STARS with WINTER CONSTELLATION HIKES – The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will hold Winter Constellation Hikes on March 23 from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. On this guided tour, we will explore the winter sky’s constellations. Program may be cancelled in the case of overcast skies. The event is open to the public and all ages are welcome. The fee is $2/person ($1 for CORE members).
HOW TO FEED A GIRAFFE WITHOUT A STEPLADDER – Join us at Peoria Zoo for a light breakfast in the Africa! classroom. Two sessions scheduled: March 24 or March 25 from 9:00-10:30 am. We’ll teach you about the tallest land mammals while watching the giraffes enjoy their breakfast. You’ll also learn what makes Taji and Vivian so special. Cost: $7.50 for members/$15.00 for non-members. Call 681-3513.
Easter Egg Events at the Peoria Park District
EASTER EGG-CITEMENT @ LOGAN REC CENTER
The Peoria Park District’s Logan Recreation Center is hosting Easter Egg-Citement Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31 from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Kids ages 4-12 can search Logan Center for hundreds of candy-filled eggs including eggs with special prizes! There will be games, coloring contests, face painting, and more. Admission is FREE. The event will be held indoors in case of rain. For more information contact Mike at Logan Center at 676-8179. Logan Center is located at 1414 S. Livingston in Peoria.
EASTER EGG HUNT @ PROCTOR REC ENTER
The Peoria Park District’s Proctor Center is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 3-12 years on Saturday, March 31 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Easter is always fun when you can play games, search for hundreds of candy and prize-filled eggs at our Easter Carnival. Enjoy games such as the egg toss, the golf hole in one, and jelly bean guessing game. Plus you can meet the Easter Bunny! Candy will be provided as children ages 3-12 scramble to retrieve colorful eggs. Admission is $2 for members/$3 for non-members. For more information call 673-9183.
Hearts at Home 2012 Conference to be Held at ISU March 16 – 17th
For moms, it’s easy to focus on what’s next instead of what’s now. But, what if moms took a step back and learned how to enjoy the unique stage of life they are experiencing right now? What if they learned to live in the MOMent?
Moms in all seasons of their mothering journey and from all circumstances will be coming together at Hearts at Home conferences in 2012 to learn how to focus on the bigger picture and stop sweating the small stuff.
Expert advice from women representing diverse facets of motherhood, including Michelle Duggar, wife, mother, New York Times Best Selling author and star of the TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting; and Dr. Juli Slattery wife, mother, author, and family psychologist at Focus on the Family, will give moms the rare chance to gain a fresh perspective, regardless of the age or stage of motherhood they are in. Along with workshop speaker Marla Cilley, aka “The FlyLady,” who is a bestselling author, and founder and host of the popular website: wwwflylady.net, more than 28 workshops provide moms the unique opportunity to design their day around their own needs.
In the MOMent, the 2012 Hearts at Home National Conference is coming to the Bone Student Center on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, IL, March 16th-17th, 2012. Moms are encouraged to grab some friends and come and learn to delight in an ordinary day. Slow down. Be refreshed. And live fully in the beauty of the moment they are in.
For more information about the conference and to register, visit www.heartsathome.org.
Farmers Share of the Food Dollar Breakfast on March 10
This year will mark the 12th annual Farmers Share of the Food Dollar Breakfast sponsored by the Peoria County Farm Bureau. The breakfast is an effort to help educate the public on the safe and affordable crops that American farmers produce. It will be held in the Youth Building at Exposition Gardens in Peoria on Saturday, March 10. Breakfast will be served by Farm Bureau members from 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
The price this year is 85 cents. It is calculated based on the farm value of the menu items. The menu includes two pancakes, two 2-ounce whole hog sausage patties, two scrambled eggs, an 8-ounce glass of Prairie Farms milk, and an 8-ounce glass of Orange Juice. How is the price figured? It’s the value of the wheat in the pancakes, the market price of a pig, the farm value of eggs, the value of milk picked up on the farm, and the farm value ofFlorida orange juice solids.
Along with a delicious, fresh cooked breakfast, people will have an opportunity to win a $10 Kroger gift card. Brochures will be handed out at the entrance listing a variety of farm facts. Correct answers from participants will be awarded a gift card. Approximately 200 full color photos of rural scenes submitted by members for the Farm Bureau photo contest will be displayed. Peoria County farm equipment dealerships will exhibit tractors inside the building.
New this year will be an exhibit titled Barnyard Discoveries. Ron Wasson of rural Peoria County created an educational exhibit which features “live” miniature farm animals. Both children and adults will be able to walk through the eye opening trailer exhibit.
A silent auction will raise funds for the Peoria County Farm Bureau Foundation. The Foundation financially supports the Ag Literacy program which is bringing agriculture to over 1000 Peoria County 3rd -6th grade students on a monthly basis. The Foundation also supports agriculture-related scholarships, with a value of $1000, to Peoria County students enrolled in a two-year college or four-year university.
Soy candles, skin lotion made from soybeans, glass and surface cleaner made from corn, and new 2012 Peoria County plat books will be available for purchase.
For further information contact the Peoria County Farm Bureau at (309) 686-7070.
Free Peoria Public Library March Events for Grade School Children
Grade School
Front & Center: National Youth Art Month – Lincoln Branch – Join Lincoln Branch as we celebrate National Youth Art Month. Show your artistic side and let your talent shine. Students can drop off a painting or drawing any time in the month of March to display at Lincoln Branch. Grades 4-8. 497-2600
Thursday, March 1 – Science Sleuths – North Branch – 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Join us each month to learn how the library can help you explore the mysteries of the universe. Experiments, outdoor exploration and fun included! Children 3rd-5th grade. 497-2102
Saturday, March 3 – Make It! Take It! Crafts – North Branch – 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – While looking for some fun books, stop in the Children’s Activity Room and make a cool craft. While supplies last. Ages 4-10. 497-2100
Saturday, March 3 – PAWs to Read – North Branch – 1:00-2:00 p.m. – Meet and read to therapy dog book buddies. Ages 8-11. Registration required. Call 672-2447.
Tuesday, March 13 – Front & Center “Ye Pot o’ Gold” Scavenger Hunt – Lincoln Branch – 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join this fun-filled scavenger hunt! Ages 5-12 welcome. 497-2600
Wednesday, March 14 & 28 Crafty Afternoons – Main Library – 4:00-5:30 p.m. – Join us twice monthly on Wednesdays in the Children’s craft area for some crafting fun. Grades K – 6th can drop in anytime between 4:00 and 5:00 to do the day’s craft while supplies last. 497-2000.
Peoria Public Library FREE March Events for Infants, Toddlers, and PreSchool Children!
Infant/Toddler
Monday & Thursday, March 1, 12, 15, 26, & 29 – North Branch
and Wednesday, March 14 & 28 – Main Library
Tiny Tots Storytime – 10:30-11:10 a.m. – Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your child and other parents of little ones as you sing, clap, listen, and explore together. Rhymes, stories, songs, and a social time where both children and parents can interact with each other will be part of this lively session. Babies 12-23 months and their caregivers are welcome. 497-2000
Tuesday, March 6, 13, 20, & 27 – Toddler Time Tuesdays – McClure Branch – 10:00-10:20 a.m. Songs, fingerplays, stories, and lots of fun! Ages 18 months to 2 years old. 497-2700.
Preschool
Tuesday, March 6, 13, 20, & 27 – Fun Time Storytime – Lincoln Branch – 10:00-10:30 a.m. – Fun stories, songs, & lots of fun! March 13 will be a special St. Patrick’s Day storytime and March 20 will be a special Spring Time storytime. Ages 3-6. 497-2600
Wednesday, March 7, 14, 21, & 28 – Fun Time Storytime – McClure Branch – 10:00-10:30 a.m. Fun stories & songs for children ages 3-6. 497-2700
Friday, March 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 – Fun Time Storytime – North Branch – 10:15-10:45 a.m. Fun stories & songs for children ages 3-6. 497-2100
Monday & Thursday, March 5, 8, & 19 – North Branch
and Wednesday, March 7 & 21 – Main Library
Tadpoles Storytime – 10:30-11:00 a.m. – Are you looking for a storytime that is just right for your 2 or 3 year old? Join us for stories, songs, activities, and easy crafts that are a perfect fit for little ones who are too big for the baby storytime but not quite ready for the preschool storytime. Children ages 2 – 3 years and their caregivers are welcome. 497-2000
Tuesday, March 13 – 4H Preschool Nutrition Program – Lincoln Branch – 10:30-11:00 a.m. Come and enjoy a fun story and a nutritional snack! 497-2600
Wednesday, March 21 – 4H Preschool Nutrition Program – McClure Branch – 10:30-11:00 a.m. Make a fun and healthy snack. Ages 3-6. 497-2700