“FORE THE FUN OF IT” at PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM

Tickets are now available for the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s “FORE the Fun of It,” an evening of miniature golf, unlimited culinary delights and drinks, plus live music. This fundraiser will take place on Friday, May 3 from 6:00-10:00 p.m.

Fourteen Peoria-area restaurants and caterers will each provide one or two of their signature dishes for guests to enjoy as they putt around a specially-made miniature golf course set up inside the museum. The evening begins with a cocktail hour and silent auction from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Golfing, food-to-fill, and music from the Sally Weisenburg Trio continues until 10:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to all skill levels, with a special award for the best team-theme (name and costume). Raffle tickets for an iPad Mini and $500 gift certificates from Jones Bros. Jewelers and Hearth and Patio are also being sold now to the general public ($10 each, 5/$45, 10/$80).

Tickets for the event are just $55 for a single, $100 for a couple, and $190 for a foursome. Reservations can be made online at www.PeoriaRiverfrontMuseum.org. Contact Kala Pierce at 309-863-3010 or kpierce@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org for further details.

City of Peoria Yard Waste Collection Begins April 1, 2013

The City’s collection of yard waste for 2013 will begin on Monday, April 1st, for the residents served by Peoria Disposal Company (PDC).

Yard waste set out for collection must be in:

· Garbage cans marked “Yard Waste Only” which do not exceed 45 gallons in size not over 50 pounds in weight;

· Paper yard waste bags may not exceed 30 pounds in weight;

· Bundles should not exceed five feet in length or 50 pounds in weight;

· Large 95 gallon wheeled tote carts compatible with the lift mechanism on PDC’s vehicles clearly marked “Yard Waste Only.”

Any cans, bags or bundles which do not meet the above requirements will not be collected.

Each collection route serves approximately 1,200 homes each day and adhering to the size and weight limits is essential in avoiding injuries to collection employees. The tote carts can be either purchased or rented directly from PDC. For more info, go to www.pdcarea.com or call Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) at (309) 6784-5176, ext. 1.

COME EXPLORE THE “ZOO AFTER DARK”

What happens when the lights go out at the Zoo? Come to the Zoo and find out. Meet animals up close, learn what a night house is, and which animals are nocturnal. Bring your family or invite your friends to come along for this special tour on Friday, April 26. Zoo After Dark tours begin at 7:00 p.m. and run until 9:00 p.m. The cost of the tour is $20 per person. For questions or to register, call the Peoria Zoo at (309) 681-3559 or check our website at www.peoriazoo.org.

Keep Electronics Waste (e-waste) out of the landfills

Electronics waste (“e-waste”) is the fastest growing waste stream in the World. Although representing only around two percent of solid municipal waste, electronics account for more than seventy percent of heavy metals and toxic waste found in landfills.

In 2009, the U.S. produced more than three million tons of e-waste…. less than twenty percent was recycled.

For Earth Day 2013, ATR is challenging businesses, residents and government entities to join the One Million Pound Challenge to keep one million pounds of e-waste out of landfills! Between April 15th-22nd ATR aspires to collect 1 million pounds of e-waste nationwide through hosting a variety of events and company employee e-waste drives through out the week. ATR is currently looking for corporate partners interested in participating the initiative. ATR is encouraging local entities in West Michigan, Central Illinois and Texas to get involved, as well as larger companies with multiple sites across the U.S.

In 2012, ATR recycled 15 million pounds of e-waste, and has shown rapid expansion and increased capabilities since then, transforming to a coast-to-coast e-waste processor with multiple sites throughout the U.S.

“We are getting a lot of questions from people regarding why we would commit ourselves to such a big endeavor, said Whitney Ehresman, Business Development Manager at the ATR Grand Rapids, MI site. “We are prepared to mobilize the resources needed to make this 1 million pound collection a success, and we are excited for more opportunities to promote sound environmental practices through e-waste collection.”

“Really, the biggest objective for us is to raise awareness about the implications surrounding e-waste when it is not properly managed,” said Ehresman.

To sign up for the One Million Pound Challenge or find more information, please email sales@atrecycle.com.

http://www.atrecycle.com/index.php/home/one-million-pound-challenge/

http://www.atrecycle.com/index.php/atr-unveils-detail-of-one-million-pound-challenge/

Bring the Kids to Mother Nature’s Story Corner at Forest Park Nature Center

The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will host Mother Nature’s Story Corner on April 6th. There’s nothing like a good nature story to brighten your day. Drop by with the kids and enjoy a rhyme or two – best for ages 3 to 7. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated. For more information, contact the Nature Center at (309) 686-3360.

Peoria Park District Hosts Dance Recital

The Peoria Park District will host its spring dance recital, “Dancing with Our Stars” on Friday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Peoria Players Theatre. Admission:$3. Tickets are available at the Franciscan Recreation Complex. Students enrolled in Ballet, Broadway Bound, Broadway Bitsies, Musical Theatre Performance, Street Jazz, Explosion Cheer & Dance Teams, or Pom Pon will demonstrate their skills learned in class. Call 681-2861 or go to www.peoriaparks.org.

Peoria County’s Health Status Remains Mediocre – Annual Rankings serve as a call to action to improve community health

Peoria County continues to have moderately healthy residents when compared to the rest of Illinois, according to the annual County Health Rankings released today by the University of Wisconsin, Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

This is the fourth year of the Rankings Report which ranks the overall health of counties in all 50 states to provide a snapshot of how healthy people are and how long they live. Researchers used many standard measures and factors to assess the overall health including health behaviors, social and economic factors, rates of smoking, uninsured adults, number of primary care providers, access to healthy foods, and air pollution.

The 2013 County Health Rankings reveals that Peoria County ranked in the middle for overall health when compared to the 102 counties in the state. The Rankings provides the details on factors the influence its health rating and why Peoria County ranks high at 7th in clinical care but only 66th in overall health.

In reviewing the Rankings Report, Greg Chance, Administrator at the Peoria City/County Health Department, states, “The Rankings help counties see what is affecting the health of their residents so they can see where they are doing well, where they need to improve, and what steps they need to take as a community to improve health. A significant change in health factors from past years suggests the challenge to becoming a healthier community lies in changing health behaviors. As a community, we need to use a systems approach to influence health and promote health improvement policy on many behavioral issues like tobacco-free communities, violent crime, and reducing our high STD and teen birth rates.”

Chance adds, “Current community efforts to improve Peoria County’s health status resulted in the Peoria County Community Health Needs Assessment and Improvement Plan. This planning document identifies priority community health challenges within Peoria County and outlines suggested intervention strategies to improve health status in Peoria County.”

To view the County Health Rankings Report, visit their website at: www.countyhealthrankings.org. For more information on the Peoria County Community Health Improvement Plan and other important public health issues, visit the Peoria City/County Health Department website at www.pcchd.org.

Spring into Fitness at FRC!

Begin your spring fitness at the Peoria Park District’s Franciscan Recreation Complex (FRC)!

Drop-in Yoga: Mondays at 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., and Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. $4.50/drop-in

Pilates Plus-Core Strength: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting April 23 at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $48/residents, $54/non-residents. Register using code 53861.

Zumba: Tuesdays beginning April 2 at 5:30 p.m. (code 53875) and Thursdays beginning April 4 at 5 p.m. (code 53881). Cost is $34/residents, $38/non-residents.

Stretch-Flex-Relax: Wednesdays beginning April 3 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $38/residents, $43/non-residents. Register using code 53894.

More complete descriptions and online registration can be found at www.peoriaparks.org/frc or by calling FRC at (309) 677-6705.

Maintain Your Brain Introductory Luncheon on April 4th

Come to an introductory luncheon to our ground-breaking program to help you “Maintain Your Brain.” There is a lot to fear about memory problems as we get older, but the good news is that there is a lot that can be done about it. Learn why it’s important to begin taking steps now to protect your brain from future memory problems.

This Introductory Luncheon is presented by Dr. Uday L. Deoskar, Internist and Geriatrician.

Location: Biaggi’s Restaurant

Date: Thursday, April 4th

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Cost: $10.00 per person (includes lite lunch)

Reservations: 309-663-5810 or online at: http://www.deoskarhealth.com/medical/brain-health/

A collaboration between SIU School of Medicine and Deoskar Integrative Health

New Garden Design Series Classes from Luthy Botanical Garden

April 6 – 13 – The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present its latest Garden Design Series of classes on two Saturdays this spring: April 6th and 13th. From plants to history to design, we will look at a variety of garden topics to inspire and better prepare you for the upcoming garden season. With each topic, we will discuss characteristics and concepts applicable to your own garden, big or small. Select the individual classes of interest or take the entire series and enjoy a discounted price. The 2013 series will include the following classes:

1. The Spring Garden – For the Gardener, spring is a busy time. Take the time to celebrate the season as it comes roaring back to life. We will explore all things spring: flowering trees, bulbs, wildflowers and lilacs! Location: Glen Oak Pavilion Board Room

Saturday, April 6, 10-11 am Fee: M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15

2. The Botany of a Cocktail (Instructor: Bob Streitmatter) – Throughout history, most cultures have developed some form of alcohol using plants as the source. Especially here in Peoria there is a rich history, involving distilleries and breweries and, of course, Prohibition. Our discussion will focus on the plants and processes involved in making beer, wine and spirits. Along the way, we will travel through time and around the world to learn how the Botany of a Cocktail has changed the world. Location: Glen Oak Pavilion Board Room Saturday, April 6, 12:30-1:30 pm Fee: M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15

3. Tremendous and Tantalizing Trees (Instructor: Bob Streitmatter) – We will discuss trees that perform best in Central Illinois. Because trees have such an amazing impact on our lives, we will also cover some of the amazing culture and history associated with trees. Weather permitting, we will take an optional 45-minute tour of Glen Oak Park and Luthy Botanical Garden. Location: Glen Oak Pavilion Board Room and Tour. Saturday, April 13, 1:45-2:45 p.m. (tour 2:45-3:30 p.m.) Fee: M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15 permitting, we will take an optional 45-minute tour of Glen Oak Park and Luthy Botanical Garden. Location: Glen Oak Pavilion Board Room & Tour Saturday, April 13, 1:45-2:45 pm (tour from 2:45-3:30 pm) Fee: M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15

4. Vegetable Gardening 101 – We will cover the basics of vegetable gardening from soil prep to planting and maintenance. Whether considered a classic, new introduction or heirloom, we will discuss vegetables of all kinds. Location: Glen Oak Pavilion Board Room. Saturday, April 13, 10-11 am; Fee – M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15

5. Perennials That Play in Peoria (Instructor: Bob Streitmatter) – This class will cut through the confusion and focus on the “perennials that really work.” The discussion will cover how to design and work with perennials. Our focus will be the perennials that are enduring, long-lived and low maintenance, including many natives and new introductions. Location: Glen Oak Pavilion Board Room. Saturday, April 13, 12:30-1:30 pm; Fee – M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15

6. Greenhouse Classics: Beautiful Begonias and Kickin’ Coleus (Instructors: Melissa Davis and Elona Mason ) – There are so many wonderful old favorites as well as cool new cultivars. In our exploration of Begonias, Coleus and Geraniums, we will debut specimens from the new Begonia & Geranium Collections. Location: Glen Oak Pavilion Board Room. Saturday, April 13, 1:45-2:45 pm; Fee – M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15.

7. Botanical Garden Backstage Pass (Instructors: Melissa Davis and Elona Mason ) – At the Garden, the transition to spring is an amazing process. Go behind the scenes to learn about our floral shows, collections and production. You will get an Exclusive Preview and Early Shopping Experience ($20 limit) of our 2013 Spring Plant Sale! Location: Luthy Botanical Garden. Saturday, April 13, 3-4 pm; Fee – M/R/NR: $10/$13/$15.

Select individual classes of interest or take the entire series and enjoy a discounted price (Fee – M/R/NR: $60/$79/$89)! You must be 16 or older to attend.

For more information about the Garden Design Series or how to register, see the 2013 Winter/Spring Peoria Park District Playbook, visit www.peoriaparks.org (click on Luthy Botanical Garden, under Facilities), or call (309) 686-3362.

Tax Help at the Library

Peorians have come to rely on Peoria Public Library during tax season. Now that all forms are electronic and taxes are filed electronically, the public computers and our free wifi are great tools. We do still carry plenty of paper tax forms as well, but only the most common ones. Others can be printed for you if you are not comfortable with finding and printing them yourself.

AARP has, for many year, offered free assistance with filling out tax forms. Remembering that these tax preparers do this work as volunteers, and volunteers are harder to come by, they now only offer this service at North Branch. From February 6 through April 11, someone will help you with your simple tax forms on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The tax preparers are in the Seminar Room at the back of the library.

If you were hoping to get help nearer to downtown, ask at any library desk and our staff will help you find other sources of free help for filling out tax returns.

In other news, those who have used the Circuit Breaker program in the past should be aware that most of that program has been discontinued and Peoria Public Library will not have those forms.

Remember that we also have many reference materials that can help you understand how to file your taxes. A librarian will be happy to help you find what you need.

Metro Peoria Speakers Bureau

The Metro Peoria Committee has established a speakers bureau to help raise awareness of the joint partnership between the City of Peoria and Peoria County governments. The committee, comprised of three County Board members and three City Council representatives, helps identify, investigate, and implement collaborative efforts for better service delivery to citizens. Service clubs, community-based organizations, schools, or other groups wanting to learn more about local government matters such as service delivery, collaborative efficiencies, citizen engagement, or transparency are encouraged to contact Jenny Fulton, Peoria County’s Director of Strategic Communications, to schedule a speaking engagement for Metro Peoria Committee members: Call 672-6918 or email: jfulton@peoriacounty.org.

The Pet Pantry Announces 6th Annual Pet Pantry Easter Egg Hunt For Dogs

All Proceeds to Support Foster Pet Outreach

The Sixth Annual Pet Pantry Easter Egg Hunt for dogs will take place on Saturday, April 6 at the Oakwood Dog Park in Morton, IL. Participating dogs will enjoy running around, getting to know each other and eating tasty treats. The event costs $6 per dog, with all proceeds donated by The Pet Pantry to Foster Pet Outreach.

Parking at the Dog Park is limited and only a limited number of participants can participate every hour. Interested pet owners can reserve a time from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. online at http://www.thepetpantry-peoria.com/egghunt/index.html or by calling 309 383-4145.

No reservations are required for the Public Session, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Wes Hoerr, the new owner of The Pet Pantry, said, “We encourage all pet owners to bring their dogs for a fun, socializing event. While your dog is enjoying Easter treats with other dogs, you will also be helping us to raise funds for Foster Pet Outreach. All proceeds will benefit the foster dogs with the continuing rising cost of food and veterinarian care.”

Phyllis Espinoza, recording secretary, of Foster Pet Outreach said, “We are thrilled that The Pet Pantry has made us the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs. The money raised will help us continue our mission by providing funds to help us afford to bring more homeless and abandoned animals into our foster care and find them a forever home.”

Keep Peoria Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup

Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 a.m. to noon

Keep Peoria Beautiful will again sponsor the Great American Cleanup, a citywide spring litter cleanup on April 20th. Neighborhood associations, organizations, school*, business, churches or service groups are invited to form a team to participate.

This year there will be a friendly competition to see which organization can collect the most litter. The contest will have three categories:

1. Commercial (for businesses and for-profit organizations) – The winning business will receive a traveling trophy to be placed in their business for one year.

2. Non-commercial (for neighborhood associations, churches, clubs and service organizations) – The winning group will receive a beautiful tree to be planted at the location of their choice.

3. Schools (elementary, middle, and high schools) – The winning school will receive a beautiful tree to be planted at the location of their choice.

So, recruit volunteers, watch for more information and an application or go to the website: www.keeppeoriabeautiful.org.

On cleanup day, Keep Peoria Beautiful will provide the trash bags, yard waste bags and gloves that your team will need to make a difference. Light refreshments will be provided on a first-come, first served basis after the event.

Call at 672-6288 or email suedewey@sbcglobal.net for any questions.

Schools wishing to participate may hold their cleanup anytime during the week of April 22, since school is not in session on Saturday.

ADULT SPRING SOCCER LEAGUE PEORIA PARK DISTRICT

The Peoria Park District will offer an Outdoor Adult Co-Rec Soccer League at Bielfeldt Park. The eight-game season runs Sunday afternoons from May 5-June 30, except for Sunday, May 26. The league will play 25-minute halves and use a 7-on-7 format (with two females at all times). The individual player fee is $35 for residents and $40 for non-residents. The registration deadline is Friday, April 26.

Sign up in-person at the Glen Oak Pavilion. You can download registration forms online at http://www.peoriaparks.org/adult-soccer. For more information, contact Matt at 681-2866 or msuellentrop@peoriaparks.org. Website: www.peoriaparks.org.

500,000 Times Each Year a Child gets into Medicine or gets the Wrong Dose?

67,000 Children treated in Emergency Rooms Each Year for Medicine Poisoning

Today Safe Kids Worldwide® released a new research report that found kids are getting into medicine at an alarming rate. Every minute of every day, a poison control center receive a call about potential medicine poisoning for a child age five and under. And 67,000 times each year, or every eight minutes, a young child goes to the emergency room for medicine poisoning. This is a 30 percent increase over the past ten years.

In its report entitled An In-Depth Look at Keeping Young Children Safe Around Medicine, Safe Kids examines data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, information from poison control centers and findings from several focus groups among moms. The report reviews what is happening in households that leads to these disturbing numbers and offers parents simple things they can do to protect their children.

“Ask any parent, and they will tell you they store medicine where children can’t get them,” said Lynn Geier, Safe Kids Peoria Area. “But they are might not be thinking of pills stored in purses, vitamins left on counter tops or a diaper rash remedy near a changing table.”

The increase in exposure reflects the increase in medicines in the home. Most adults take medicine or vitamins on a regular basis; eight out of ten adults took at least one medicine or vitamin in the past week, and three out of ten adults took five or more. But they don’t always keep them up and away from kids. In 86 percent of emergency room visits for medicine poisoning, the child got into medicine belonging to an adult.

“Curious kids can get into trouble fast,” added Lynn Geier. “It only takes a few seconds for children to get into medicine that could make them very sick. Take a look around your house to make sure all medicine is up and away and out of sight.”

Tips to Keep Kids Safe Around Medicine

· Put medicine and vitamins up and away and out of sight. (In 67 percent of emergency room visits for medicine poisoning, the medicine was left within reach of the child, such as in a purse, on a counter, or under a sofa cushion.)

· Even if you are tempted to keep it handy, put medicine out of reach after every use.

· Look around your home for products you might not think about as medicine, like rubbing alcohol, eye drops or gummy vitamins, and store them out of the reach of children.

· When you have guests in your home, offer to put purses, bags and coats where kids can’t get to them. (In 43 percent of emergency room visits for medicine poisoning, the child got into medicine belonging to a relative, such as an aunt, uncle or grandparent.)

· Be alert to medicine in places your child visits. Take a look around to make sure there isn’t medicine within reach of your child.

· Program the nationwide poison control center number (1-800-222-1222) into your phones.

· Visit SafeKids.org for more tips on safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal of medicine.

National Poison Prevention Week is March 17 – 23, 2013.

Download the report at:

http://www.safekids.org/assets/docs/ourwork/research/2013-medication-safety-report.pdf

Download the video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOtBnKXiTOk&

feature=youtube

Download the complete list of safety tips at: http://www.safekids.org/assets/docs/safety-basics/safety-tips-by-risk-area/2013-medication-safety-tip-sheet.pdf

About Safe Kids Peoria Area Coalition – Safe Kids Peoria Area works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids Peoria Area is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Peoria Area was founded in 1999 and is led by Children’s Hospital of Illinois and American Red Cross. For more info, visit safekids.org or call Children’s Hospital of Illinois Safety Information Line at 1-877-277-6543.

ICC Prime Plus/Adult Community Program Participants to Receive Discounted Registration Fee For Returning Civility to Public Discourse Symposium, April 16

The Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service at Bradley University will present Returning Civility to Public Discourse, a half-day symposium featuring top national, state and regional speakers on the critical need to restore civility in the public service arena. The event will take place Tuesday, April 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center Ballroom at Bradley University.

The keynote speaker is Jim Leach, Chairman of the National Endowment of the Humanities, and a former 30-year member of Congress.

For more information and to register, go to: http://cce.icc.edu/ccewebfiles/images/Civility_evite(10).pdf

to download the invitation.

Parking is available at the university’s Main Street parking deck.

Cost: The 20% discounted fee is $40 per person, instead of the $50 general fee.

Methodist Seeks Hospice Volunteers

Methodist Hospice Services is seeking caring, compassionate individuals to join our team of dedicated volunteers. Flexible, individualized opportunities range from assisting patients and families to working on administrative or special projects. Free volunteer training sessions will take place April 22nd, 23rd, and 25th.

To obtain a volunteer application or inquire about the program, contact Kristen or Karen at 309-672-5746. Join our team and make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.

Peoria Symphony Orchestra Named the 2013 Professional Orchestra of the Year

The Illinois Council of Orchestras has announced that the Peoria Symphony Orchestra has been named as the 2013 Professional Orchestra of the Year

This prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Council of Orchestras recognizing excellence in the field of music performance.

According to Greg Clemons, ICO Awards committee chair “There were a number of highly qualified applicants this year in that particular category and the selection of a winner was a difficult decision for the committee. The ICO Awards Committee voted unanimously in favor of the PSO for the award.”

The award will be presented by a representative of the Illinois Council of Orchestras in the near future.

Pretty in Pink – Pink Bake Sale

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Team Proctor is hosting a bake sale fundraiser Friday, April 26, 2013 10:00 a.m.- until it’s all gone All proceeds benefit Team Proctor’s donation to The Susan G Komen Memorial for the Cure

*Calling all Bakers, Chefs & Weekend Kitchen Warriors we need your fanciful bakery goods to sell at the Bake Sale. We’re looking for all the donated bakery goods we can sink our teeth into … but they gotta be pink! Please. All donations will be accepted the morning of the sale from 7:00-9:00 a.m. in the Hospital Lobby. If you plan to donate please email Julie Fromm at julie.fromm@proctor.org or call Julie at ext. 6216

PEORIA LAWMAKERS RENEW FOCUS ON PUBLIC PENSION CRISIS

House advances bill addressing cost-of-living increases

With a collective focus on getting control of Illinois’ public sector pension crisis, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) and state Rep. David Leitch (R-Peoria) furthered their push for meaningful reform aimed at ensuring the retirement security of area constituents while being fierce stewards of taxpayer dollars.

“We must continue to work collaboratively to craft a solution to our pension crisis with all stakeholders committed to getting the job done,” said Gordon-Booth. “While nothing about this issue is easy, it is incumbent upon the Legislature to take affirmative action to halt our continued fiscal decline due to ballooning pension debt.”

Under House Bill 1165, passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) would be based on the first $25,000 an employee earns. Any salary beyond that threshold would receive an additional $750 each year. Taking into consideration lower-income annuitants, retirement plans valued at less than $25,000 would still be eligible to receive 3% compounded adjustments until they reach the threshold.

The COLA changes passed by the House are projected to save the state $15.1 billion in contributions to the State Employees Retirement System (SERS), and result in savings of more than $100 billion when including the General Assembly, State Universities and Downstate Teachers’ retirement systems, each of which are included in the legislation. COLA’s already earned remain will remain in place, and changes will only impact future cost-of-living adjustments for current and future retirees.

“A few of us opposed the financially irresponsible bill to create the 3% compounded COLA to begin with,” Leitch said. “Now that the day of reckoning has arrived, we must deal with the mess that threatens the very sustainability of the pension systems themselves.”

Additionally, under House Bill 1165, current and future retirees would have the year in which they can receive their cost-of-living adjustment delayed. While retirees who are age 67 and older would be unaffected by this delay, those under age 67 would have their COLA paused until either they reach age 67 or until the 5th anniversary of their retirement, whichever comes first.

For more information, contact state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth at (309) 681-1992 or state Rep. David Leitch at (309) 690-7373.

Holocaust survivor, co-author of “Four Perfect Pebbles” at Bradley April 9

Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor and co-author of “Four Perfect Pebbles,” will give a presentation at Bradley University on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Marty Theatre in the Michel Student Center.

The presentation is free for people of all ages but registration is requested. Register online at: www.bradley.edu/continue or call 309.677.3900. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:30 p.m.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan speaks of perseverance, determination, faith, and hope. Her story is one of survival – her own and her family’s – mother, father and brother, Albert. Trapped in Hitler’s Germany, they eventually fled to Holland but were soon caught in the Nazi web. For 6½ years, they lived in refugee, transit and prison camps, including Holland’s Westerbork and Germany’s Bergen-Belsen, where Anne Frank died.

While incarcerated with her family and deprived of food, clothing and living essentials, Marion imagined her loved ones as what is now the title of her book, Four Perfect Pebbles. If the pebbles did not die, her family would likewise endure. Six days before the British captured Bergen-Belsen, the family was placed above the “death train” destined for Auschwitz. Before reaching Auschwitz, the war ended and Russian troops freed the Blumenthals.

In her presentation, she applies the lessons learned to society today and asks her audience to be tolerant of others and not stereotype individuals based on religious belief, race, color, or national origin.

The presentation is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University and is funded from a “Lagniappe” grant from The Bernard Osher Foundation.

Low Vision & Hearing Info Day at Peoria Public Library April 26, 2013

We will be at the North Branch of the Peoria Public Library at 3001 W. Grand Parkway, Peoria, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26th for a Low Vision & Hearing Info Day. Free of charge and plenty of parking will be available. Our theme will be “Staying Independent When Your Eyes & Ears Need Extra Help”, and we’ll have lots of magnifiers, large print & audio books, & daily living tools for visitors to try out. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call the Peoria Library at 309-497-2068.

PPD Adult Spring Soccer League

The Peoria Park District will offer an Outdoor Adult Co-Rec Soccer League at Bielfeldt Park. The eight-game season runs Sunday afternoons from May 5-June 30, except for Sunday, May 26. The league will play 25-minute halves and use a 7-on-7 format (with two females at all times). The individual player fee is $35 for residents and $40 for non-residents. The registration deadline is Friday, April 26. Sign up in-person at the Glen Oak Pavilion. You can download registration forms online at http://www.peoriaparks.org/adult-soccer. For more info, call 681-2866 or msuellentrop@peoriaparks.org.

Soccer Program for Ages 2-3 and Grades K-5

Peoria Park District’s Happy Feet Soccer program is for ages 2-3 at Detweiller Park beginning April 8 and 9. Participants focus on developing skills in a non-competitive environment. Cost is $36.

A Soccer Skills Camp clinic for children in grades K-5 will be held April 2-4 at Detweiller Park. Put on in conjunction with the Peoria Soccer Club, participants will work on basic soccer skills. Cost is $25/resident, $35/non-resident. Complete information and registration is available at www.peoriaparks.org/youth-soccer

Gordon-Booth Passes Classrooms First Legislation Out of Committee

In cooperation with Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) passed legislation out of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, which came from Simon’s Classrooms First Commission.

“As schools across the state are facing budget shortfalls, we must do everything that we can to help school districts that are trying to make good financial decisions,” said Gordon-Booth. “This bill will help school districts reorganize more easily as they look to partner with other districts to save money and deliver better services to students.”

The Classrooms First Commission was tasked with identifying ways for school districts to reduce duplicative administrative spending and increase educational offerings. House Bill 2267 contains three suggestions from the Class Rooms First Commission’s final report.

Under this proposal, non-contiguous school districts within 30 miles of each other would be allowed to consolidate. Schools districts that have an enrollment of fewer than 750 students would be allowed to participate in an expedited dissolution. This means school districts would be able to dissolve without a referendum vote. This legislation would also allow school districts waiting for school construction funds to delay consolidation until those funds have been awarded.

“We must continue to help schools find innovative ways to use the resources they have to help our children succeed,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Simon. “This legislation will make it easier for school districts to put their students first by dedicating resources to expanding opportunities, and I would like to thank Rep. Gordon-Booth for her continued work to move this bill through the House.”

House Bill 2267 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. For more information, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or e-mail her at repjgordon@gmail.com.

Opening Scramble Golf Tournament

Join us for the first tournament of the season! Sign up now for the Peoria Park District’s Opening 2-Player Scramble held at Donovan Golf Course on Saturday, April 6. Entry deadline is Sunday, March 31. Cost is $35/team, plus green fees. Entry forms are available on-line at www.ppdgolf.org and at all PPD courses.

For more information on the Peoria Park District’s tournament program, call Golf Operations at (309) 689-3329.