May activities at Proctor Hospital

• May 3 – 4 – Masquerade Jewelry Sale – 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily in Hospital Lobby. Sponsored by Proctor Service Auxiliary.
• May 17 – Seniors on the Go – Free @ Hult Center for Health Education 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with lunch provided. CALL 692-9595 FOR RESERVATIONS
• May 18 – Counseling Center Coffee Connection Series – Free program – “Writing from the Heart” With Wisnu Meier, MA, NCC, LCPC; Explore different ways of writing to change the way you feel and think about yourself. Register at 309-689-6001.
• May 23 – Medicare Help Desk – Free – 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Hospital Lobby. No appointment necessary.

Clogging Dance Activities and Beginner Clogging Classes

River Valley Cloggers dance together each Monday from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. in the Methodist North at Allen Rd. building on the third floor.

Clogging for Beginners classes are available through the Peoria Park District on Mondays starting June 4 from 5:30 -6:15 p.m. at the same location. All are welcome!!!

For further information about River Valley Cloggers, contact Margie Ashburn at 699-0066. For further information about the Beginners classes, contact Gloria Phelps of the Park District at 681-2859. Class information and registration is also online at www.peoriaparks.org or in the Summer Playbook available at the Peoria Park District and Peoria Public Library locations.

Koehler pushes plan to prevent phone bill fraud

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is sponsoring legislation to keep unwanted charges off of consumers’ phone bills. The legislation would go a long way toward ending the phone scam known as “cramming.” Cramming is when a third party company places an unwanted charge on a customers’ phone bill.

Cramming charges can range from $9.95 to $45 per month. They often appear on bills as seemingly legitimate services and are not limited to residential phone customers. Crammers often trick consumers into “signing up” for during telemarketing calls.

Koehler’s legislation, House Bill 5211, prohibits third-party billing altogether. It allows for limited exemptions for charities, operator-assisted dialing, and companies that have contractual business relationships with the telephone company.

Koehler’s plan has passed the Senate Commerce Committee and will now be considered by the full chamber.

Methodist May Community Health Screenings

The Methodist Wellmobile will be bringing free health screenings to the following community locations during May. Screenings include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and lung functions.  A 12-hour fast is required for cholesterol and blood sugar testing. Free heel scans to measure risk of osteoporosis are available at some screenings.

• May 2-Methodist Medical Group Internal Medicine – 2709 N. Knoxville- 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• May 8-Picket Fence-310 N. 4th Street-Chillicothe – 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• May 12-Methodist Atrium-900 Main Street – 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• May 14-Methodist Medical Group at Chillicothe -525 Sweetbriar- 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• May 16-Riverview Senior Living-500 Centennial Drive-East Peoria- 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
• May 18-Methodist Medical Group at Farmington – 158 E. Fulton- – 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• May 21-Methodist Medical Group at Washington – 205 Cummins Lane-8:30 – 11:30 am
• May 24-Methodist Medical Group at Peartree – 6831 Peartree Ln – 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• May 29-Methodist Medical Group at East Peoria -200 River Road – 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

For more information call 672-5900.

Emma L. Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in Media Announces Media Internship Opportunities for 2012

The Emma L. Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in Media announced its student-intern recruitment schedule for 2012. The Foundation is currently recruiting nationwide for multi-year, paid internship positions at media companies across the U.S.

Minority students  who are graduating high school seniors or college freshmen, have at least a 3.0 GPA, an interest in the media industry, and plan to attend a four-year college are eligible to apply to the program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents, and speak and write English fluently. A list of cities where the internships are available and other information about the program can be found on the Foundation’s web site atwww.emmabowenfoundation.com.

May 24 – 27 – 2012 Heart of Illinois Senior Games & Fine Arts Festival – @ Peoria Riverplex, 600 NE Water St. Call (309) 686-2860. Admission varies. The 13th Annual Heart of Illinois Senior Games and Fine Arts Festival features participants age 50 and older participating in sports competitions, art exhibits and fun events such as Wii Bowling and Bingo. The purpose of the games is to encourage and promote an active lifestyle to individuals 50 years or older.

Methodist Medical Center’s Mobile Mammography May Schedule

The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of May, 2012.  Methodist features all digital mammography equipment providing improved, faster and more comfortable exams.

• May 1-Methodist at Morton, 1909 N. Morton, Morton
• May 11-Methodist Medical Group at Princeville, 223 E. Main St
• May 15-Methodist Medical Group at Lacon, 1112 E. Fifth Street
• May 17-Heartland Clinic, 1701 W. Garden, Peoria (am)
• May 17- Harrison School, 2702  W Krause Ave (pm)
• May 18-St. Augustine Manor, 1301 Northeast Glendale Ave,  Peoria
• May 19-Methodist at Morton, 1909 N. Morton, Morton
• May 21-County Market, 1090 E. Fort St., Farmington
• May 22-Methodist at Pekin, 1800 Broadway, Pekin
• May 24-Heartland at Carver Clinic, 711 W. John Gwynn Jr. Ave.,
• May 25-Cherry Tree Shopping Center, Washington
• May 29 -Methodist Medical Group at Chillicothe, 525 Sweetbriar,
• May 30-Brandon Wood retirement Community, 730  West Jefferson
• May 31-Heartland Clinic, 2321 Wisconsin Avenue, Peoria

There is no need for a doctor’s order for a screening mammogram if you’re 40 or over. If you are uninsured or underinsured, tell us when you call for an appointment. You may qualify for a free mammogram. Call for an appointment at 671-8282.

Free Dental Services to be Provided May 18th

Area dentists to participate in Free Dentistry Day

Adults 18 and older in the Peoria community will have the opportunity to receive either one free filling or one free extraction at Willow Knolls Family Dental located at 7310 N. Villa Lake Dr, Suite B in Peoria on Friday, May 18th.

Dr. Ryan Dee of Willow Knolls Family Dental, along with Dr. Thomas Devlin of Smile Design Center, Dr. Susan Isawumi of Affordable Dentistry Today – Peoria, Dr. Bela Joshi of Peoria Family Dental Care and Dr. Ann Marcotte of Affordable Dentistry Today – Bloomington, will be improving the oral health of needy citizens as part of Free Dentistry Day, a day dedicated providing dental care to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance.

“Now more than ever, there are people in Peoria who need dental services but have no means to afford them – whether they’re out of a job, or just don’t have dental insurance,” said Dr. Dee. “This event is a great opportunity for us to share our time and resources with those less fortunate and give back to the community we serve.”

“Our team is committed to lifetime dental care because good oral health is integral to overall health,” said Dr. Devlin. “By participating in this program, our goal is to engage patients and encourage them to adopt an ongoing oral care program and a lifelong regimen of preventative care.”

Either one free filling or one free extraction will be given to those 18 and older on Friday, May 18th, between 8 am – 3 pm at 7310 N. Villa Lake Dr., Suite B in Peoria. For more information, please call 309-691-9072. Appointments will be accepted on a first come first served basis the day of.

One third of Americans are living without dental insurance and current economic conditions leave little room to afford dental procedures. Without events like Free Dentistry Day, dental care simply isn’t an option for many uninsured people.

About Willow Knolls Family Dental, Smile Design Center, Affordable Dentistry Today and Peoria Family Dental Care

Dr. Dee, Dr. Devlin, Dr. Isawumi, Dr. Joshi, Dr. Marcotte and their teams are proud members of the Heartland Dental Care Family. Based in Effingham, IL, Heartland Dental Care, Inc. is one of the leading dental practice management groups in the United States with over 360 affiliated dental practices located within 20 states. For more information, visit www.HeartlandDentalCare.com.

SOUTH SIDE TRUST & SAVINGS BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS

South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a subsidiary of Mid Illinois Bancorp, Inc., held its Annual Meeting on April 9, 2012 where its Board of Directors elected David F. Cochran to Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Mark W. Joseph to President, and Gregory C. Rice to Executive Vice President. Other promotions include Clint A. Naugle to Vice President Retail Branch Administration and Marilyn J. Strickfaden to Assistant Vice President Commercial Lending.

David F. Cochran, David L. Golwitzer, William C. Schwab, David H. Bettinghaus, Timothy M. Ward, Joyce M. Eagleton, Steven J. Fawley, Kevin E. Colgan, Mark E. Matuszak, Michael J. Stone, Jeffrey W. Ward, Karen M. Jensen, Mark W. Joseph, and Charles D. Karpowicz were elected to the Board of Directors.

Peoria Park District’s Bicycle Safety Town Purchases 40 New Bicycles with Assistance from the Illinois Valley Wheelm’n and Illinois Cycle & Fitness

The Illinois Valley Wheelm’n will present the Peoria Park District with a donation of $1,800. This donation, coupled with Illinois Cycle & Fitness’ agreement to provide a 50% discount, makes possible the replacement of all 40 bicycles at Bicycle Safety Town.

A presentation of the donation and unveiling of the new bicycles took place on Tuesday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. at Bicycle Safety Town, located at 6518 N. Sheridan Road in Peoria. Second grade students from Glen OakCommunity Center will be present to ride the new bicycles.

The Peoria Park District acquired Bicycle Safety Town in the mid-1970s and has been teaching bicycle safety courses ever since. Each year, Bicycle Safety Town teaches safety courses to over one thousand students, including every District 150 second grader and many students from other area schools. Bicycle Safety Town sits on 2.91 acres of land, and consists of 3,961 feet of curves, one-way streets, a four-lane divided highway, traffic signals, overpasses, ramps and 79 various traffic signs.

Luthy Botanical Garden to Celebrate National Public Gardens Day May 11 with Tours, Free Admission

The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will celebrate the fourth annual National Public Gardens Day with free admission and Garden tours on Saturday, May 11.

Tours of Luthy Botanical Garden are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on May 11. For free admission to many other participating public gardens on National Public Gardens Day, you can download a voucher on the Better Homes and Gardens website, BHG.com. Vouchers will not be required for free admission to Luthy Botanical Garden on that day, however.

National Public Gardens Day is a national day of celebration that invites communities to explore the beauty of their local green spaces while raising awareness of the important role public gardens play in promoting conservation, education and environmental preservation. Annually scheduled on the Friday preceding Mother’s Day weekend, schools, families, garden enthusiasts and visitors are invited to visit public gardens in their local community for special events and activities. A partnership between the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and irrigation product and service provider Rain Bird, the 2012 event will showcase the contributions of public gardens with special events at many of the more than 500 North American public gardens.

GREEN VIEW GARDEN CENTER HOSTS
ANNUAL HERB & VEGETABLE FEST MAY 5th

Green View Nursery, an expert in plants and landscaping, will be holding their Annual Herb & Vegetable Fest on May 5th at 2700 West Cedar Hills Dr.

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.

• 10:00 a.m.  “Herbal Bouquets”
• 11:30 a.m.  “Choosing Herbs that Work for Your Garden”
• 1:00 p.m.  “Patio Produce”

To reserve seating please call Green View. Come for a day of edible delights & garden advice.