Thousands of people in the Peoria area are thinking about starting a business
Greater Peoria SourceLink can help them get started and succeed
Small businesses are the engines that grow local economies and create jobs. According to the Small Business Administration, they employ up to 80 percent of all U.S. workers. Recognizing this statistic, Peoria County has recently launched Greater Peoria SourceLink at www.GPSourcelink.org to make it easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners to find the resources they need to grow and expand their business.
Greater Peoria SourceLink’s network of resource partners largely consists of nonprofit organizations that provide services to grow small businesses in the greater Peoria area. These organizations include small business development groups, government entities, loan and financing programs, Chambers of Commerce, community development organizations, technical or legal assistance providers, and organizations specializing in helping women or various ethnic minorities. In turn, Greater Peoria SourceLink provides its resource partners with free marketing of their classes, events, and other services; qualified referrals; and greater community awareness.
“By making resources and funding more readily available and easier to find, our region can create a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem for startups to grow and thrive,” said Thomas H. O’Neill, chair of the Peoria County Board. Although established by Peoria County and funded through a regional HUD Sustainability Grant, Greater Peoria SourceLink is intended to be a regional tool, helping entrepreneurs across the entire region. “Its use serves as a major component of our economic development strategy and will ultimately help enhance our regional competitiveness,” O’Neill elaborated.
To learn more visit Greater Peoria SourceLink at www.GPSourcelink.org.
Peoria Pops Orchestra to Perform “The Best of the Best” on Friday, July 11
The Peoria Park District’s Peoria Pops Orchestra will present “The Best of the Best,” a concert featuring some of the best music the Pops has ever performed, on Friday, July 11, 7:00 p.m., at Five Points Washington.
Conductor Harold Greene has gone back through the Peoria Pops repertoire and selected some of the most compelling, powerful and beautiful music in their library. From John Williams and Andrew Lloyd Webber to George Gershwin and Rogers & Hammerstein, from Broadway and classic movie themes to the concert stage and legends of Jazz – this is sure to be another great night of music and memories with the Peoria Pops Orchestra! Bring the family or a friend to this musical feast, and savor The Best of the Best!
Five Points Washington is located at 360 N. Wilmore Rd. in Washington, IL. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students or groups of eight or more.
For more information or tickets, please call (309) 444-8222. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.fivepointswashington.org.
Bradley University in Top Five in College Return on Investment Report
Bradley University is ranked fifth among private universities and seventh on the combined list of public and private universities in the State of Illinois in PayScale, Inc.’s fifth annual College Return on Investment (ROI) Report.
Bradley placed in the top five with Illinois Institute of Technology, Northwestern, Lake Forest College, and the University of Chicago. Based on an analysis of PayScale’s 40 million career profiles, the report examines the return on investment at 1060 colleges and universities nationwide.
PayScale, creator of the largest database of individual compensation profiles in the world, has the salary data to rank hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities based on total cost and alumni earnings.
Traffic Pattern Changes on Jefferson to be Delayed Due 4th of July Holiday
In consideration of the upcoming 4th of July Holiday, the traffic pattern changes on Jefferson are being delayed. Jefferson will remain as is (one-way).
The current dates for the traffic pattern changes are:
JEFFERSON STREET:
Beginning Monday, July 7, 2014, Jefferson Street will become two-way traffic from Walnut Street to Persimmon Street. One lane will be open in each direction.
On-street parallel parking will be accommodated on both sides of Jefferson from Persimmon Street to Oak Street, and on the ballpark side of Jefferson from Oak to Walnut Street. Through the rest of the summer, expect occasional construction work in the parking lanes for installation of light poles and tree planting.
Resurfacing work and sod installation is scheduled for later this year, though we will let you know more detail as the time comes.
ADAMS STREET:
Beginning Monday June 30, 2014, Adams Street will be reduced to one lane, going north toward downtown, from Persimmon Street to Walnut Street. The south-bound lane of Adams Street from Walnut to Persimmon will be closed to accommodate construction of the west side of Adams.
All of Adams Street will be one-way for the rest of the construction season.
STATE STREET:
Weather permitting, State Street will be reduced to one-way traffic from Water Street to Adams Street for one-day only, on Monday, June 30th . Access to the Post Office and State Street businesses will be available via Walnut Street. This temporary lane closure is needed for pavement work at State and Washington Street.
Please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through construction work zone. For questions or comments regarding the Warehouse District TIGER II Project, visit:http://www.warehousedistrictpeoria.com or email:
dvorsky@terraengineering.com or call (309) 472-3132.

Red Cross Encourages Lightning Safety
The American Red Cross wants to help educate people about the dangers associated with lightning, and what you should do to stay safe. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages. Thunderstorms and lightning occur more at this time of the year, but can happen year round.
With dry conditions and red flag warnings in western parts of the country, lightning strikes pose an additional threat with the potential to ignite wildfires. In Colorado, which is currently facing devastating wildfires, lightning starts around half of the wildfires where gusty winds fan the flames, spreading the wildfire.
At any given time, nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are occurring somewhere on earth. The Red Cross has important steps you and your loved ones can follow to stay safe during a thunderstorm:
• Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for the latest weather forecasts.
Even if there isn’t a threat of tornadoes in your area, people can access emergency preparedness information and receive severe thunderstorm watch and warning alerts by downloading the American Red Cross Tornado App.
As the storm approaches, take shelter in a building. If you are driving, pull off the roadway and park. Stay in the car with the windows closed and turn on the emergency flashers. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside of the vehicle. If you are inside, you should:
• Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
• Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.
• Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job.
If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are not safe.
If you are swimming, clear everyone from the water at the first sound of thunder or first sight of lightning. Have everyone move inside, if possible. The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends waiting 30 minutes after the last lightning sighting or sound of thunder before resuming activities.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), lightning injures an average of 300 people and causes about 80 fatalities each year. People struck by lightning can suffer permanent injuries or long-term symptoms including memory loss, sleep disorders, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, irritability, weakness, fatigue, depression and others. If someone is struck by lightning, check for burns and other injuries. If the person has stopped breathing, call 9-1-1 and begin CPR.

July Activities at Chillicothe Library
Sign & Sing Story Time – 10:30am Wednesdays, July 14th and 28th. Ages 0-5 – Join Abbey Cook of Communication Junction for a 30 minute interactive Story Time designed to engage your child &encourage their love of books. This program made possible by the Dr. Harold Johnson Memorial Fund.
Preschool Story Time – Stories, music, crafts and other fun activities! For ages 3-5 & their caregivers. Upcoming Dates: 10:15am Thursdays, July 10th, 17th and 24th. And … 6:30 pm Tuesdays, July 8th, 15th and 22nd.
Storytots Story/Play Time – Caregivers are invited to bring children ages 18-35 months for a story program followed by open play time. Upcoming Dates: 10:15am Fridays, July 5th, 12th and 26th.
Books+Tea – June 30 – “Bad Monkey” by Carl Hiaasen – book club for adults who enjoy reading and discussing a variety of books. Meet 6:30 – 7:30 pm one Monday a month at the Chillicothe Public Library.
Global Party Snacks – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Tuesday, July 8th. Make and eat snacks enjoyed by teens around the world! For Teens! Register by July 3rd.
Kids Cook: Cool Treats for Hot Days! 2:00 pm Monday, July 14. Learn to make food enjoyed by kids around the globe! For Kids! Register by July 7th.
Lego Club – 3:00 pm Wednesdays, July 16th and 30th. We’ll supply the legos – you bring your imagination! Monthly building challenge and free creation time!
ZUMBA! – Sessions will now be Mondays & Thursdays, 6:15 – 7:15 pm, and will be open to everyone (not just the ladies). Come on in and join the party!
Peoria Public Library
Main Branch Activities in July
Crafts-to-Go – 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. – Kids ages 5 – 12 can pick up a craft packet at the 1st Floor Information Desk any time we’re open. Ask for a Craft-to-Go, take it home.
Ice Cream Coloring Contest – 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. – In honor of National Ice Cream Month preschoolers through 3rd graders have a chance to win a $20 gift card to Dairy Queen. Come to the Main Library 1st floor Information Desk. Ask for the ice cream coloring sheet, take it home, color it and bring it back with your name & phone number on the back. You will be entered into the drawing for the Dairy Queen gift card and get a coupon for an ice cream cone at Dairy Queen. While supplies last.
Pets and Paws Fun Booklet – 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. – Stop at the 2nd Floor Information Desk and pick up a Pets & Paws Fun Booklet. Each month there will be a booklet designed especially for 4 – 7 year olds and also one for those 8 – 12 years old. If you finish all the activities in the booklet, bring in your finished booklet to the 2nd Floor Information Desk, show it to the librarian and receive your prize. While supplies last.
July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 @ Main Library: Toddler Time – 3:00-3:30 p.m. for ages 18 months to 2 years.
July 14 @ Main Library – Pride & Prejudice Below Stairs: The Untold Story – 6:30-8:00 p.m. It is a truth universally acknowledged that all fans of Jane Austen will adore Longbourn, the new novel by British author Jo Baker. Jane Austen fans will not want to miss this opportunity to hear touring British author Jo Baker speak about Longbourn, a companion to Pride and Prejudice. Admission free, reservations requested. Books available for purchase @ event; get your book signed by Jo Baker. Call (309) 497-2150 to reserve a ticket.
July 19 @ Main Library – Minecraft – 12:00-3:00 p.m. Create amazing structures, battle terrible things, and claim your territory in Minecraft! Ages 8 to 14 are invited to join us for 3 hours of uninterrupted play. Space limited, so call 497-2150 to register.
July 26 @ Main Library – 24/7 Learning with the Library: Electronic Resources for Students – 2:00-3:00 p.m. Students of all ages, school settings, & skill levels! Join this interactive instruction session to learn how students can receive free, online homework help from an expert tutor, prepare for standardized exams with online study guides and practice tests, and much more, all with just their Peoria Public Library card and access to the internet.

Local Realtor and Neighborhood Advocate Receives Honor from Community Organization West Bluff Council
Local realtor and longtime West Bluff neighborhood resident/advocate John McDonald is the recipient of the 2014 West Bluff Council “Pillar of the West Bluff Award.”
McDonald, who was nominated by local artist Russ Joseph, has lived and worked in the West Bluff for more than 25 years and is the current owner of Kallister Realty. Joseph wrote, “Despite these (West Bluff) neighborhoods often having a stigma of being “borderline” or even “bad,” John has taken an active part in their revitalization – helping organize and promoting neighborhood events and litter cleanups. In fact, he can still be seen on a daily basis keeping current on his streets cleanliness and aesthetic value. He has also kept his business, Kallister Realty, in the West Bluff, even though he has been offered better deals to move elsewhere, and the company continues to actively promote and specialize in West Bluff homes, where other realty companies shy away from the area.”
McDonald has worked on the City Housing Commission and the City Historic Preservation Commission. He has also served as president of the University East Neighborhood Association, the West Bluff Council, and West Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services. He is currently a member of the Moss Bradley Revolving Fund Board and the represents the Orchard District neighborhood on the West Bluff Council.
The Pillar Award is presented each year to recognize individuals for outstanding service to the West Bluff area. “John is one of those people who have truly made a foundational contribution to our area,” said West Bluff Council president Conrad Stinnett. “He has ties to both our business and residential communities and has benefited each group with his unique and positive perspective. He leads efforts to improve our area, as well as encourages and supports those residents who lead other improvement efforts. His strong expertise and love for our community have certainly helped positively move the West Bluff forward. The members of the West Bluff Council and I are very pleased to recognize him this year.”
The Pillar Award was presented at the June 26th meeting of the West Bluff Council at the Sunbeam Building on Sheridan at Main. The West Bluff Council is a pro-active community organization comprised of 8 West Bluff neighborhood associations, the West Main Street Redevelopment Association and Bradley University. For more information, please call Conrad Stinnett at 309-494-9821