April Happenings
thru April 8 – Lily Show at Luthy Botanical Gardens. Call 686-3362.
April 5 – “Understanding Your Tax Bill,” from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at ICC’s North Campus on University St. This workshop give property owners in Peoria County a chance to learn how property taxes are determined and how the property taxes are distributed to taxing bodies. Register by calling 690-6900 or at: www.icc.edu/acp; select “Know Your Community” in the workshop schedule.
April 7 – Giant Easter Egg Hunt and Bunny Breakfast – from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Wildlife Prairie State Park. Buffet selections are kid-friendly. Cost $8.95 for teens & adults and $6.95 for children 12 and under. Also includes general admission to the park.
April 7 – Mother Nature’s Story Corner – from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Forest Park Nature Center. Best for ages 3 – 7. Donations appreciated for admission. Call 309-686-3360.
April 8 – Weaver Ridge Easter Brunch – from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Weaver Ridge Golf Club. Wonderful food choices. Seating begins at 9:00 a.m. Call for reservations: 691-3344 x 18.
April 9 – Dinosaur Egg Hunt – at Lakeview Museum from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. This egg hunt with a twist includes activities in the galleries, light snacks in the lobby and dinosaur fun for all. Activities begin at 1:00 p.m. Dinosaur costume contest at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 is the Dinosaur Egg Hunt. Admission: $6.00 adults/$4.00 youth/ $5.00 senior/ members free. Call 686-7000.
April 10 – June 26 – A GriefShare class to give support & encouragement to those who have lost loved ones will be offered at First United Methodist Church of Peoria. Class is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The cost of the class is $15.00 for a workbook. The class will be in the Parlor on the first floor of the 116 NE Perry Avenue building. Free parking next to the church. Light refreshments served; feel free to bring a “sack dinner.” To register, call 309-673-3641 or go to www.griefshare.org/findagroup/groups/25050. Childcare is available upon request at time of registration.
April 10 – Art Club at Lakeview Museum from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Coffee & treats served along with interesting discussions of pre-selected art works or artists. Call 686-7000. Admission: Free
April 12 – The next meeting of the Peoria County Genealogical Society will discuss the history of the United States Census. Fred Fry, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at Bradley, will explain how it is done, how it affects the country, population and changes that come about because of the census. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library North Branch (3001 W. Grand Parkway off Townline Rd behind Menard’s).
April 12 – 15 – “See How They Run” presented by Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre, Goodfield, IL. Call 965-2545 for more info about dates and pricing.
April 13 – The Peoria Historical Society celebrates “A Night to Remember” at 5:30 p.m., at Flanagan House Museum, 942 NE Glen Oak Ave. The event commemorates the Titanic and recognizes those local organizations celebrating 100 years or more. Boarding tickets cost $30, with reservations due by April 6 to Peoria Historical Society, 611 SW Washington St., ph. (309) 674-1921.
April 13 – Wine & Cheese Under the Stars – at Lakeview Museum from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Host Sheldon Schafer will take you on a guided tour of the universe! Refreshments included. Pre-registration encouraged. Call 686-7000. Admission: $25.00 for members and $30.00 for non-members.
April 14 – 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs – from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Oakwood Dog Park, Main St., Morton. Admission is $6.00 per dog. Pet Pantry & Morton Park District hosts this event to benefit Foster Pet Outreach. Call 383-4145. Each Easter egg contains prizes, redeemable that day for treats, food samples, coupons, and gift certificates.
April 14 – 15 – 1st Annual Eric Albers “Strike Out Cancer” Memorial Softball Tournament at Avanti’s Dome Outdoor Diamonds, Pekin, IL. Call 840-4198. $200 Team registration fee. Men’s, Women’s, or Co-Ed teams welcome. 1st & 2nd place prize.
April 15 – St. Martin Chamber Players in Concert presents “Titanic: In memoriam” at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 3000 W. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria at 3:00 p.m. The program will include selections from the playlist of the Titanic “band.” An offering will be accepted. A reception at the church will follow the performance. Call 682-8977.
April 19 – Peoria Symphony Chamber Players will present “The Genius of Beethoven” at Eureka College at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10.00. Call 467-6318.
April 19 – “Preparing to Survive” from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. A family’s ability to successfully weather a severe storm or any type of catastrophic disaster is directly correlated to their preparedness. Having an emergency plan and supplies in place before disaster strikes will help ensure one’s safety after the disaster. Participants will learn life-saving information to help families survive and thrive when disaster strikes Central Illinois. For more info call (309) 672-6918.
April 21 – Art that Rocks – a night that fuses the world of classic rock and classic dance! This one time performance will be held at Four Points, Washington and will be presented by Peoria Ballet. Call 690-7990.
April 22 – 23 – Clean Water Celebration – to be held at the Peoria Civic Center, the Peoria Riverfront and the GAR Hall. Students, teachers, community leaders and the general public are invited to come learn to improve water quality, to think critically and creatively about adequate and safe water supplies and to promote the wise use of natural resources.
April 26 – DIY Home Energy Audit – Tired of paying high utility bills? Want to learn how to reduce the energy usage in your home? Determine how much energy your electronics use, which light bulbs to choose, how to use a programmable thermostat and how to find & seal air leaks! $15 at ICC North from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
April 26 – “Financial Assistance for Homebuyers” from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Learn to get 3% cash back on loans to fund closing and/or down payment costs, and up to $2000 annually in federal income tax credit. Peoria Countygovernment participates in Assist 2012, a Homebuyers Assistance Program that provides financial assistance to qualifying homebuyers. For more info call (309) 672-6918
April 29 – Oct 28 – Pioneer Days @ Sommer Park. Recurs every seven months on the last Saturday of the month from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Learn firsthand the daily life of rural Peorians in the mid 19th century. Admission is $2 per person for ages four and up. Call 691-8423.