CW Notes

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois received the 2008 Chairman’s Community Service Award from Caterpillar Inc. More than 70 employees from Caterpillar’s Global Finance & Strategic Services Division volunteered nearly 400 hours to serve as junior Achievement Classroom Consultants for students in the Peoria School District 150 and various other schools during the fall 2008 semester.This is the third year for the Chairman’s Community Service Awards. Of the six Team Awards provided over the last thirteen years, Junior Achievement has received the Team Award twice – in 2006 and in 2008.

Filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille may be remembered most for Biblical epics such as The Ten Commandments and Samson and Delilah, but the director also made 17 other motion pictures, and one of his best – The Greatest Show on Earth – is scheduled to show at downtown Peoria’s Apollo Theater on Saturday, July 11.  Starring Charlton Heston, Cornell Wilde, Jimmy Stewart, Betty Hutton and Dorothy Lamour, The Greatest Show on Earth is a great example of the Hollywood epic in the 1950s, when the movie industry was coping with TV competition by producing features television couldn’t do. The Academy Award-winning film is about a traveling circus and all the romance, glamour, intrigue and danger a tough ringmaster can manage.. The suggested donation at the nonprofit Apollo is $5 and $4 for kids, students and seniors. For details call (309) 673-4343.

Peoria Players Theatre presents the 13th annual Summer Youth Theatre this August!  Bye Bye Birdie will star young talents, ages 14 to 20, in one of the most enjoyable musicals of our time.  Directed by Travis Olson, this musical is a satire done with the fondest affection, and tells the story of a rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. Bye Bye Birdie is the tops in imagination and good old fashion fun!  “An English Teacher,” “What Did I Ever See in Him?,” “Put on a Happy Face,” “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” “Kids,” “Rosie” and “Spanish Rose” are musical theatre classics.  The production runs at 7:30 pm on August 6, 7 and 8, and at 2:30 on August 9.  Tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for patrons 18 and under, and will be on sale July 13.  Call 688-4473 or visit us online.  Catch a sneak preview of Bye Bye Birdie on Saturday, July 11 — 9:30 am at the Riverfront Market, and 1:00 at The Shoppes at
Grand Prairie (behind Bergners).

Someone you know—a neighbor, a friend, or a person who attends your house of worship, may be experiencing elder abuse.  During this rough time in our economy, there is an increasing concern with financial exploitation of the elderly.  The Center for Prevention of Abuse is seeing an increase of close to 50% in cases.  Here is what you should know:
 

Signs of Financial Exploitation: (FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION is the misuse or withholding of an older person’s resources by another, to the disadvantage of the elderly person and/or the profit or advantage of someone else.)  FINANCIAL INDICATORS           
* Unpaid bills when income is adequate           
* Food, clothing & care needs not being met           
* Overcharged for rent or services           
* Personal loans not repaid           
* Complaints of thefts of property or money           
* Missing checks, jewelry or other valuables           
* Power of attorney signed by confused person           
* Suspicious changes in title to property           
* Caregiver overly concerned with person’s money           
* Promises of lifelong care in exchange for assets           
* ATM transactions by home-bound elder           
* Utility shut-offs or threats of shut-offs           
* Large telephone bills run up by caregiver           
* Checks for food, etc, written over amount needed           
* Large or unusual bank transactions          
HOW DOES A PERSON MAKE AN ELDER ABUSE REPORT? 

 * Call the Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior Hotline or your local elder abuse agency. 
· The Center for Prevention of Abuse - For Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Stark, Woodford and Fulton Counties (309) 637-3905
  · Department on Aging’s Senior Hotline during regular business hours: 1-800-252-8966 

· Department on Aging’s After-Hours Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-866-800-1409 

* The reporter should be prepared to answer the following questions to the best of his or her ability: 

· The alleged victim’s name, address, telephone number, gender, age and general condition; the best time to contact the person; and, if he or she knows the report is being made 

· The alleged abuser’s name, gender, age, relationship to victim and condition 

· The circumstances which led the reporter to believe that the person is being abused, neglected or financially exploited, with as much specificity as possible 

· Whether or not the alleged victim is in immediate danger and if there is any danger to the worker going out 

· Whether or not the reporter believes the client could make a report himself or herself 

· The name, telephone number and profession of the reporter 

· The names of others with information about the situation
 · If the reporter is willing to be contacted again, and
 · Any other relevant information 

* Even if the reporter does not have all of the above information, the call should be made with as much information as possible.  Depending on the seriousness of the allegations, a trained caseworker will make a face-to-face contact with the victim within the following time frames: 
· 24 hours for life threatening situations 
· 72 hours for most neglect and non life-threatening physical abuse reports 
·  7 calendar days for most financial exploitation and emotional abuse reports 

* The Elder Abuse and Neglect Act provides extensive protections to all reporters.  Anyone who makes an elder abuse report in good faith is exempt from civil or criminal liability.  A reporter’s name cannot be released without the reporter’s consent or by order of a court.  Anonymous reports are also accepted

The Golden Historical Society is hosting their 5th Annual Heritage Days on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday July 19 at the Prairie Mills Windmill, Golden, IL. The 22nd Annual Sweet Corn Dinner in the Windmill Hall will feature brats and pork chops with all the traditional sides.   Please note: Heritage Days this year will be held a week earlier than in the past. 

Heritage Days will begin on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. and continue on Sunday, July 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Food and beverages will be available both days. There will be activities for the whole family as they step back in time and experience life in the late 19th century, see an operating windmill and learn how families lived and worked in a small German community in the late 1800’s. 

Life skills from that era will be demonstrated on the windmill grounds and in the east wing of the mill. Blacksmithing, quilting, churning butter, coopering (bucket making), chair caning, treadle sewing and other old time crafts will be presented by demonstrators in period clothing. Children can participate in old time activities and individuals will exhibit equipment used in the agricultural pursuits needed to support the mill. In addition to demonstrators, vendors will exhibit their crafts and wares. 

Windmill and Museum tours will be ongoing from 10:00 – 4:00 on Saturday and 10:00 – 4:00 on Sunday for a fee of $3.00. The gift shop will be open during the same hours with several new items of interest available.

During the summer tourist season, the windmill, museum and gift shop is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (May 1 through October 31) and by appointment or chance throughout the year. Admission is $3.00 for adults and $1:00 for children, kindergarten through 12th grade. Group tours are also available and may include a meal featuring German traditions, fine china and linens. To arrange for mill and museum tours, contact Norma Beckett @217-696-4678 or any board member for special arrangements.  The Windmill Hall can also be rented for special events, family reunions, wedding and anniversary celebrations and can be reserved by contacting Kay Lord @ 217-696-2514 or 217-696-2360.  

Make plans now to visit the Prairie Mills Windmill, Golden, Illinois, to join us for Heritage Days AND at another time for a special visit to learn a unique part of the area history.

 Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois would be receiving a grant for $200,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). The grant will be used to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.

 “I’m grateful for this grant which will allow Goodwill Industries to continue their important work of helping veterans reintegrate back into the workforce,” said Schock.  “Especially in a time of war, it’s absolutely crucial we commit resources to ensuring our veterans have the appropriate emergency shelter, counseling and employment assistance.”

 “This grant will allow us to provide employment and vocational services in combination with our traditional housing support,” said Patty Fuchs, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries. “Far too many veterans are homeless and with this support, and the support of the VA and Congressman Schock, we can continue to help veterans get back on their feet.”

 HVRP grantees enroll thousands of homeless veterans annually in programs that involve emergency shelter, substance abuse counseling and treatment (including long-term treatment using the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities if necessary), job counseling and referrals, employment assistance, transportation, housing and clothing.  The general practice is to deal with homeless veterans from a holistic perspective, with the ultimate goal of putting these veterans in meaningful employment.  Job counseling, resume preparation, job development and placement are among the services that may be provided.

With the state’s budget picture still in flux, state Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is making sure that promises made last year to local schools to preserve special education are honored by the state. 

“Special education programs provide valuable learning and life experiences for students and their loved ones,” Gordon said.  “While the budget for the current fiscal year is still being worked on, this funding for special education was something that was appropriated last year and our current situation shouldn’t deter us from keeping that promise.”

This week, Governor Quinn signed legislation sponsored by Gordon that sets aside $17.5 million for special education funding under the direction of a law established in 2008.  That law states that schools districts cannot receive less for special education extraordinary expenses than they did in 2007, when a formula change was instituted that resulted in less funding for hundreds of schools around the state.  However, when the law was implemented it was discovered that a drafting error resulted in the funds being unavailable. 

The plan backed by the Peoria lawmaker will correct the error so that districts can receive the money that was intended for them in Fiscal Year 2009.  The law is revenue neutral since the money had previously been appropriated and will now simply be moved to the intended fund.

Under the new law, Pleasant Valley School District 62 will receive $34,819.49, Norwood Elementary School District 63 will receive $18,314.28, Pleasant Hill School District 69 will receive $61,778.85 and Peoria School District 150 will receive $909,815.40 in funding as promised.

“Like everyone else, our schools are struggling financially and students with special needs shouldn’t be victims of that struggle—especially because of a problem with statutory language,” Gordon said.  “As a member of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, I will continue working to make sure the students in our region are not shortchanged.”

MENDED HEARTS PEORIA CHAPTER TO MEET

Organization seeks new members 

In an effort to provide support for a growing number of heart patients in the tri-county area, the
Peoria chapter of Mended Hearts is seeking new members.

Mended Hearts is a national nonprofit support organization affiliated with the American Heart Association. It is a support group of individuals who have experienced some type of cardiac event themselves and, in turn, visit with current patients, their spouses and families to help with the emotional recovery from heart disease. With 280 chapters nationwide, Mended Hearts is the nation’s largest heart-related patient support group.

The Peoria chapter meets the second Thursday of each month at the RiverPlex in Peoria. The next meeting will be July 9th at 6:00 p.m.

The goal of the Peoria chapter is to increase membership and continue to provide encouragement, support, education, and socialization for the cardiac population.

For more information about Mended Hearts, contact nurse practitioner Tammy Sarmiento at OSF Saint
Francis Medical Center at (309) 655-7292.

The First Annual Mackinaw Valley Vineyard Art & Wine Festival will be held Sunday July 12 from noon – 6:00 p.m. at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard and Winery.  Local artisans will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and sell their artwork. The artists invited specialize in ceramics, glass, wood, metal work, jewelry, oil painting and fiber.  The BMW Car Club Illini Chapter members will also be hosting a “Show & Shine” for interested art and car buffs.  Wine tasting will be featured in the Art Pavilion as well as the tasting room, food will be available and there will  be live music performed throughout the day  

Admission is free, so please come out and support the arts community.Check www.mackinawvalleyvineyard.com or call 309-359-WINE for details and other events.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will be hosting a Flood Risk Information Open House on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library (Auditorium), 107 N.E. Monroe. The Open House will provide residents with an opportunity to review a recently completed preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps. 

The general public is invited to review preliminary floodplain maps and learn about risk in their community. There will be no formal presentation, so those interested may drop-in during this event to talk one-on-one with FEMA and State DNR representatives. For more information, contact Joel Intrieri at (312) 408-5220 or David Schein at (312) 408-5539.