ARE YOU MY TYPE? PROCTOR CENTER BLOOD DRIVE
Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center and the JEMS Girls Basketball Team will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, February 22 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at Proctor Center, 309 S. DuSable in Peoria. Did you know?
• Your type can save 3 other’s lives.
• While African-Americans comprise nearly 13% of the U.S. population, they represent less than 1% of blood donors.
• Some African-Americans have rare blood types that are unique to the African- American community. Your blood type may be someone’s only hope for survival. Find out your type. Call Proctor Center at 673-9183 or 1-800-GIVE-BLOOD (1-800-448-3543) for an appointment. For more information call Proctor Center.

Free Screenings at Proctor May Enhance
Independence and Help Keep You Active
The Therapy Department at UnityPoint Health-Proctor is offering free balance screenings the second Wednesday of each month from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Hospital Lobby. This short four-step screening will provide a vital assessment toward keeping participants active, helping to identify any impairments such as weakness, loss of motion, sensory problems, or misalignments that may limit that person’s independence. Registration is not necessary. The screening takes just a few short minutes. Contact Kalie at (309) 674- 7874 or kaliew@ptsinc.org for more info.

Peoria Public Library’s Main Branch to Host “Changing America” Exhibit Celebrates Abolition and Civil Rights Movement
“Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963” a national traveling exhibit which explores the relationship between two great people’s movements for equal rights, will open at Peoria Public Library Main Library on the Main Floor on January 27 and remain through March 6.
“Changing America” examines the events leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and the March on Washington in 1963. Both grew out of decades of bold actions, resistance, organization, and vision. One hundred years separate them, yet they are linked in the larger story of a struggle for liberty which brought together different races, classes and ideologies and had a profound impact on the generations that followed. The exhibition tells the story of how these two pivotal events came into being, a century apart, and how they helped put the nation on a course to fulfill its commitment to liberty and justice for all.
The exhibit will be highlighted with programs that will provide further information and discussion. On Saturday, January 25th at 2:00 at the Main Library, “Ruffians and Wiseacres: Peoria’s History with Antislavery” will be presented by Dr. Stacey Robertson, Oglesby Professor of American Heritage, Bradley University. Her presentation will include a lecture with time for questions and answers. On Saturday, February 22nd at 2:00 at the Main Library the film “Slavery By Another Name” will be shown and a discussion of the film will follow facilitated by Dr. Stacey Robertson. This film and discussion program is also made possible by Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle A special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
The exhibit was created to commemorate the two pivotal achievements on their 150th and 50th anniversaries. It explores the historical context, accomplishments and limitations as well as their impact on the generations that followed. The stories are told with large panels of photographs and accompanying explanation. Free public programming will help Peorians understand the significance of these events and the relationship between these two great people’s movements.
“Changing America” is presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling exhibition is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

It’s All About Chocolate at Proctor Hospital
The SB Chocolate Show, sponsored by the Proctor Service Auxiliary, has moved up its show date to Tuesday, February 4 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, February 5, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Don’t miss all the great chocolate treats, nuts, jams, jellies and even some nice BBQ sauces!

February Activities at the Hult Center for Healthy Living
Yoga, Tai Ji, Aerobics, Meditation and more – Throughout February at the Hult Center for Healthy Living. Call the Center at 692-6650 for details.

Methodist Wellmobile at Hult – Tuesday, February 4 – Free and low-cost screenings; education, Hult Center for Healthy Living, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Announces New President
The Board of Directors of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and Cal MacKay, CEO of the Greater Peoria Business Alliance has announced the appointment of Jeffrey Griffin as Chamber President. Griffin will assume responsibilities beginning on February 10.
Griffin and his family will be moving to Peoria from Wooster, Ohio, where he most recently worked for Edward Jones. Before that, he served as President of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce and served on the Wooster City Council. As Chamber President, Griffin was influential in recruiting and retaining thousands of new jobs and developing a quality workforce in Ohio, Wooster and Wayne County. Griffin also served on the Boards of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio and the Wayne Economic Development Council & Main Street Wooster; he also served on the City of Wooster’s Finance, Public Utilities and Public Properties Committees.
Griffin is looking forward to his move to Peoria and building relationships with members, the business community, and community leaders. “Rosy and I are honored to join the Peoria Area Chamber along with our three children. We take this responsibility very seriously and look forward to many quality years in Peoria. The community is so strong now and we will work hard to grow our economy.”
Griffin was selected through the national search process after the Board engaged Waverly Partners, LLC as its executive search firm. Mary Ardapple has been serving as Interim President since June. Ardapple stepped into the role as a small business owner; her experience and energy empowered staff to better understand the issues small businesses face. Ardapple’s leadership was instrumental in launching tiered dues, obtaining member input on critical issues, and creating more opportunities for business leaders to connect with elected officials. Her efforts were successful in moving the mission of the Chamber forward during a period of transition.

Free Balance Screenings at Proctor May Enhance Independence – The Therapy Dept. at UnityPoint Health-Proctor is offering free balance screenings beginning Wednesday, February 12 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Lobby at Proctor. The short four-step screening will provide a vital assessment toward keeping participants active and helping to identify any impairments such as weakness, loss of motion, sensory problems, or misalignments that may limit that person’s independence. Registration is not necessary. The screening takes just a few short minutes. Free balance screenings will be provided the second Wednesday of each month at the Hospital. Contact Kalie at (309) 674-7874 or kaliew@ptsinc.org with questions and for more information.

PROCTOR HOSPITAL FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS
alonetogether Grief Support Group – Mondays – 4:30-6:00 p.m. alonetogether is a grief support group, open to the community, that meets Mondays from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in Group Room 4 of the Counseling Center at UnityPoint Health-Proctor. If you are experiencing grief from loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, loss of a pet, or experiencing grief of any kind, please attend. For more information contact Steve at 689-6018 or steve.wilson@proctor.org
Free Screenings at Proctor May Enhance Independence and Help Keep You Active – The Therapy Department at UnityPoint Health-Proctor is offering free balance screenings the second Wednesday of each month from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Hospital Lobby. This short four-step screening will provide a vital assessment toward keeping participants active, helping to identify any impairments such as weakness, loss of motion, sensory problems, or misalignments that may limit that person’s independence. Registration is not necessary. The screening takes just a few short minutes. Contact Kalie at (309) 674- 7874 or kaliew@ptsinc.org for more information
Yoga, Tai Ji, Aerobics, Meditation and more – Throughout February at the Hult Center for Healthy Living. Call the Center at 692-6650 for details
Methodist Wellmobile at Hult – Tuesday, February 4 – Free and low-cost screenings; education, Hult Center for Healthy Living, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Kids Konnected – February 15 – 1:30-3:00 p.m., refreshments provided – Compassion, support, friendship, and learning for kids, ages 5-18, whose lives are touched by a parent or caregiver with cancer. Made possible, in part, by a grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Peoria Memorial Affiliate. Hult Center for Healthy Living – Call (309) 692-6650.
SENIORS SAVE THE DATE! Seniors on the Go 13th Annual Health Fair – March 19 @ 7:30-11:30 am. Free. The Hult Center for Healthy Living, Humana, and UnityPoint Health-Methodist l Proctor are proud to present the 13th Annual Seniors on the Go Health Fair (55+), featuring speakers, exhibitors, door prizes, refreshments, health screenings, blood screenings and more. No appointments needed. For more information, contact Julie at 692-6650.

PEORIA PARK DISTRICT FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS
ANNUAL WINE AND ROSES EVENT – The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present its annual Wine and Roses event on Saturday, February 8, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in a special way with friends, family…or a very special someone! Experience a feast for the senses, an evening of great music by the Joe Metzka Trio accompanied by delicious appetizers, desserts, a candy buffet and a cash bar—all in the lush tropical setting of the Botanical Garden Conservatory. Call for tickets before this event is sold out. Admission is $12.50/person or $25/couple—ages 21 and over only. For tickets or additional information, call 681-3506.
ANNUAL BOOK SALE @ FOREST PARK NATURE CENTER – The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will hold their annual book sale on Saturday, February 8, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 9, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. (reduced price sale). This is a great place to find unique nature-related books and help support your Nature Center at the same time. There will be books on everything from gardening and wildlife to environmental philosophy and nature-inspired fiction—and the sale will include plenty of general fiction and non-fiction books as well. Come for a browse and take home a good read or two! To donate books or for more info, call 686-3360.
“GARISH BUT GREEN … & PINK” GARDEN SHOW
The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present its “Garish but Green…and Pink” Garden Show, February 14 through March 2, during regular Conservatory hours. Join some hard working garden gnomes and flocks of pink flamingos for a wonderful Garden show! We reinvent the best of the worst of landscaping faux pas, spotlight green, sustainable practices for your home and garden, and add a little fun time to this cold Illinois winter. Bring the entire family—the kids will get a kick out of this outrageous display! Regular Conservatory admission applies: Adults (ages 13 and over) $2.50; Garden members and children 12 and under are free. For more info, call the Garden at 681-3506.
HAPPY FEET SOCCER PROGRAM – The Peoria Park District will offer Happy Feet for ages 2-5. Sessions start the week of February 17 at the RiverPlex and Lakeview Recreation Center. The registration fee is $36 for residents and $41 for non-residents. A variety of times are available. This soccer program is a perfect starting point for developing skills as it is non-competitive and uses fun techniques to train advanced motor skills, dynamic dribbling, shooting skills and fitness. For more info & to register online, visit www.peoriaparks.org. Call 681-2866 or email: msuellentrop@peoriaparks.org.
LITTLE PINT ALL STAR SPORTS – Little Pint All Star Sports classes for ages 3-4 start the week of February 19 at Franciscan Recreation Complex and February 22 at Lakeview Recreation Center. Classes introduce children to athletics by covering a new sport each week using scaled down equipment. It covers the basic rules and skills of basketball, football, baseball, floor hockey and soccer. Cost is $27/resident, $32/non-resident per class. Register at www.peoriaparks.org/sports or call (309) 681-2866.
LITTLE PINT SOCCER
Little Pint Soccer classes for ages 3-4 start the week of February 17 at Franciscan Recreation Complex and February 22 at Lakeview Recreation Center. Classes provide an introduction to the fundamentals of soccer, including passing, dribbling and shooting. Cost is $27/resident, $32/non-resident per class. Register online at www.peoriaparks.org or call (309) 681-2866.
JOHN H. GWYNN JR. ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM: FASHION THROUGH THE AGES – Celebrate 100 years with Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center with the John H. Gwynn Jr. Annual Black History program on Thursday, February 20 from 6:30-8:00 pm. This year’s program, “Fashion Through the Ages,” will reflect on African-America fashion over the years. If you would like to share a special story, please contact Jonelle McCloud at 309-673-9183. Refreshments will be served. FREE event. In conjunction with the event is a Blood Drive sponsored by the American Red Cross and the JEMS Girls Basketball Team. The blood drive will be conducted Saturday, February 22 from 8:30 am-2:00 pm at Proctor Center. Please call to make an appointment at 309-671-9183. Proctor Recreation Center is an official Safe Haven Site for Peoria’s community. For more information call Proctor Recreation Center at 673-9183.
ARE YOU MY TYPE? PROCTOR CENTER
BLOOD DRIVE – Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center and the JEMS Girls Basketball Team will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, February 22 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at Proctor Center, 309 S. DuSable in Peoria. Did you know?
• Your type can save 3 other’s lives.
• While African-Americans comprise nearly 13% of the U.S. population, they represent less than 1% of blood donors.
• Some African-Americans have rare blood types that are unique to the African- American community. Your blood type may be someone’s only hope for survival. Find out your type. Call Proctor Center at 673-9183 or 1-800-GIVE-BLOOD (1-800-448-3543) for an appointment. For more information call Proctor Center.
DO GIRAFFES SLEEP STANDING UP? & MORE AT PEORIA ZOO – Have you ever wondered… “How much do rhinos eat in a day?” or “Where do giraffes sleep?” All this and more will be answered during the Peoria Zoo’s Behind the Scenes tour that is scheduled for Saturday, February, 22 at 9 am. This hour long tour will take you into areas the public doesn’t normally get to see, you can learn more about the animals and how we care for them. Cost of the tours is $22 per person and includes Zoo admission. Other Behind the Scenes tours are scheduled for Saturday, March 29 and April, 26 at 9 am. For questions or to register, call the Peoria Zoo Education office at (309) 681-3559 or check our website at www.peoriazoo.org.
TWIST AND SHOUT WITH JUNGLE JAMBOREE PROGRAMS – Peoria Zoo offers Jungle Jamboree, for ages 4-8. Kids will explore a musical world as they encounter animals and the world around them. Parents are welcome to attend but are not required. If attending, parents also pay the fee. Fee is $10 for members/$15 for non-members. Sat., Feb 22 – 9:30-11:30 am – Singing Safari. Please pre-register for these classes by calling 681-3559. If you have questions or for more information, call the Peoria Zoo Education Department at 681-3559.
HOME EDUCATOR CLASSES @ PEORIA ZOO
Science has never been more exciting, with up-close animal encounters, tours, experiments and more. Each month is a new topic and helps to meet state standards for home schooled children. Classes will usually be divided into age groups (5-8 years and 9-13 years) and will run simultaneously. Registration is required. Parents are welcome but not required to attend (parents will have to pay if attending). If classes fill, alternate dates may be available. Min/Max: 10/30. Fee is $6 for members/$12 for non-members for each.
W: 2/12 – 10:00-11:30 am – On the Road Again (Migration). Please pre-register for these classes by calling 681-3559. If you have questions or for more info, call 681-3559.