Three projects at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, totaling $93,145, have been accepted for funding by the OSF Saint Francis Foundation. The funds are made possible by community support of the Foundation.

Funding in the amount of $39,465 will be used for the purchase of a “Sim Baby.” Used for staff training, this technology is an infant patient simulator that is realistic anatomically and in terms of clinical functionality. The use of such mannequins for simulating healthcare scenarios for training purposes has proven extremely effective. 

The Illinois Neurological Institute at OSF Saint Francis will purchase Inner Cool Therapy, which costs $14,180, for use in regulating body temperature. This technology provides neurological protection following cerebral ischemic events, such as non-hemorrhagic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, other cerebral hemorrhage, head trauma, post-operative aneurysm surgery, cardiac arrest, status epilepsy and spinal cord injuries.

You can celebrate Mother’s Day and National Preservation month this year at the historic Prairie Mills Windmill in Golden, IL on May 11th with two settings, 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., served buffet style in the Windmill Hall.

The meal will include ham, baked chicken breast and dressing, green beans and carrots, potato, salad bar with tea, coffee and dessert. Cost is $12.00 adult and $5.00 children (ages 4-11). Children 3 and under eat free.

Advanced paid reservations are required by calling Bob Reason at 217-696-4672.

BU News conference Tuesday, April 29th 

Bradley University will release its Comprehensive Alcohol Action Plan  during a news conference at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday in the Wyckoff Room of Cullom-Davis Library on the Bradley campus. 

The plan was developed by a special committee of faculty, staff and students appointed in February by Bradley President Joanne Glasser. 

President Glasser and student body president Jordan Ticaric will  present the plan, which is a broad-based set of recommendations aimed at addressing the use and misuse of alcohol by students. 

Parking is available on Bradley Avenue in front of Swords Hall and behind Comstock Hall off Institute.

Peoria Art Guild Announces Children’s Drawing Contest:

It’s Time to Monkey Around!Winning artwork will be used in the logo of a Peoria-based startup company 

In conjunction with the Art Fair at Junction City, June 7-8, 2008, Junction City and the Peoria Art Guild are sponsoring a competition for young artists. Children ages 14 and under are invited to draw the cutest, craziest monkey they can imagine for a chance to win the $500 grand prize and the use of their artwork in the logo of a local startup company. The contest runs May 1 – May 26, 2008. 

The winning artwork will be displayed at the Art Fair at Junction City, and the winning artist will be honored at the Art Fair awards breakfast, June 8, 2008. Beginning May 1, 2008, entry forms may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: 

The Peoria Art Guild

Peoria Public Library -  203 Harrison St., Main Branch, & the Lakeview Branch

Gallery Cyd’s Gourmet Kitchen - Junction City Shopping Center

Entries may also be submitted by mail to the Peoria Art Guild. Visit www.hoinews.com May 1, 2008, to learn more about the contest, download the entry form, and submit drawings online. 

For more information about the Peoria Art Guild, visit: www.peoriaartguild.org

For more information about Junction City, visit: www.newjunctioncity.com

Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Schedule for May-2008 

The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of May 2008. Unless otherwise listed, the van will be in these locations from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Methodist now features all digital mammography equipment providing improved, faster and more comfortable exams. 

May 2-Cub Foods-5001 N. Big Hollow Road - Peoria

May 13-Methodist at Morton-1909 N. Morton-Morton

May 14-Methodist at Pekin-1800 Broadway-Pekin

May 15-Methodist at Mt. Hawley-Women’s Health-7725 N. Knoxville-Peoria

May 16-Cornerstone Baptist Church- 3115 W. Harmon Hwy.-Bellevue

May 19-Dr. E Rufus, 12123 W. Farmington Rd.-Hanna City

May 21- Wal-Mart-2071 N. Main Street-Canton

May 22-Methodist Medical Group at Chillicothe-525 Sweetbriar-Chillicothe

May 29-Illini Family Medicine-201 Cummins Lane - Washington 

There is no need for a doctor’s order for a screening mammogram if you’re 40 or over. Call for an appointment at 671-8282

Bradley student wins scholarship at mock trial competition

Three Bradley students recently participated in the fifth annual National Undergraduate Diversity Mock Trial  Competition held April 4, at John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Junior political science major Matthew Allen won a $3,000 tuition waiver at John Marshall Law School as a member of the second place team. ”The competition is unique in that it creates teams from students from three different schools into one diverse team,” said Bradley mock trial coach and local attorney, Scott Paulsen.  “Because the students don’t work together until the weekend of the tournament, preparation and sound legal skills are required to succeed.”

            Mr. Allen can take advantage of the scholarship award in the fall of 2009, if he chooses to attend John Marshall Law School. “This is the first time Bradley has participated in this competition, but we will likely compete again because there is a significant financial award available to our students,” said Paulsen.  “Law school is expensive, and every little bit helps.”

            Also participating were juniors David Mullner, whose team placed fourth, and Sarah Shadnia.  Students were given case materials in advance and prepared for both attorney and witness roles.  Students from ten schools participated including Carroll College, Indiana University, The Citadel,
Middle Tennessee State University, Kennesaw State, Loras, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Robert Morris, and  University of Illinois Chicago.

Bradley University Theatre named winner of the Internet2 IDEA Award

Bradley University today won a national award for innovative use of Internet2 technology for its cutting-edge 2007 production of “The Adding Machine.”            The Bradley University Theatre production was named a 2008 IDEA (Internet2 Driving Exemplary Applications) Award winner by Internet2, a national networking consortium, at its spring member meeting in Arlington, Virginia.

            The award recognizes leading innovators who have created and deployed advanced network applications that have enabled transformational progress in research, teaching and learning.

            Bradley’s innovative multimedia production of Elmer Rice’s “The Adding Machine,” produced last spring, was a dynamic intermedial collaboration that integrated remote actors from various locations onto the stage in Peoria using advanced videoconference technology. The performance, created in collaboration with the University of Waterloo and the  University of Central Florida, also utilized virtual scenery, recorded video, avatar performers, photographs, graphics and sound to create one of the most visually powerful live performances. Bradley continues to explore and innovate performance techniques with these technologies for in other theatrical events.  ”We are excited to extend this latest round of IDEA Awards to our colleagues who have truly pushed the boundaries of new technology and networking to make significant progress in their individual application fields,” said Jack Suess, vice-chair of Internet2 Applications. “In doing so, these applications and their collaborators also serve as models for the entire community and we believe in turn will open new opportunities for a broader sector of our members and partners.”

            Chosen from many distinguished nominations, the winning submissions were judged on the depth of their positive impact on their primary users, their technical merit, and the likelihood the application would be more broadly adopted.

            “The convergence of theatre performance, production and dramaturgy with multimedia, streaming video technology and advanced networking systems brought many talented individuals together to literally re-invent the stage with The Adding Machine,” said  Bradley University president Joanne K. Glasser. “Collaboration on an unprecedented scale was central to the success of this innovative project, which was created by dynamic  interdisciplinary teamwork among five academic and administrative units on the Bradley campus; enthusiastic interaction with local and national commercial and professional partners; and the international inter-institutional collaboration with our colleagues at the University of Waterloo and the University of Central Florida. Supporting this interactivity was the advanced networking infrastructure that served as the vital conduit that connected it all together. Without Internet2, this work would have gone–literally–nowhere. We are humbled and grateful to Internet2 for this prestigious award.”            “The Adding Machine” chronicles the life of Zero, a hapless cog spinning aimlessly in the corporate world. His career as an accountant at a behemoth firm has languished at the bottom rung for 20 years, his marriage is a charade, and his friends live cloned copies of his life. When Zero is replaced by a machine, we follow him on an amazing journey through life and beyond.

            Collaborators on the project were George H. Brown, director and chair of the Department of Theatre Arts at Bradley; Jim Ferolo, art director and chair of the Multimedia Program at Bradley; Chuck Ruch, Associate Provost of IRT at Bradley; Gerd Hauck, chair of the Department of Drama and Speech Communication at the University of Waterloo; and John Wayne Shafer of the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre.

            For more information about the Bradley University production of The Adding Machine see http://addingmachine.bradley.edu/. Internet2 is the foremost U.S. advanced networking consortium. Led by the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. Internet2 brings the
U.S. research and academic community together with technology leaders from industry, government and the international community to undertake collaborative efforts that have a fundamental impact on tomorrow’s Internet.

      For more information about the Internet2 IDEA Awards, visit http://www.internet2.edu/idea/.

Bradley MBA students win national competition

A team of Bradley University MBA students placed first in the Society for the Advancement of Management International Case Competition in Washington D.C. on Friday, April 4, besting teams from 38 other schools. The team prepared a strategic turnaround and execution plan for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, which has seen a consistent decline in sales and profits over the last several years.  After researching Krispy Kreme’s operations and financial data, they detailed a new strategic direction for the firm through a three-year plan, including goals and milestones for each year. 

Team presentations lasted 15 minutes with 10 minutes of questioning from judges. This was the first Bradley University team to compete in the international competition.

Team members included Helena Racicka, Hana Syslova, Jennifer Franczak, Abishek Manmadhan. The team advisor is Dr. Larry Weinzimmer.

“This competition was an excellent opportunity to showcase our students,” said Dr. Weinzimmer, professor of strategic management. “These students worked extremely hard  and we are very proud of them.”

“By participating in the competition, we had a chance to apply knowledge from academic courses and improve our analytical, problem-solving, presentation and team-building skills, ” said team member Helena Racicka.  “I am very happy Bradley supported us.”

The Society for Advancement of Management was founded in 1912 by the colleagues of Frederick Taylor, the “Father of Scientific Management.” It is a non-profit organization run and advanced by hundreds of volunteers that share an interest in becoming better managers. The Society’s international headquarters is located in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Professor and therapist changes roles to battle Alzheimer’s: Richard Taylor PhD to speak at Family Caregiver Night, Education Conference 

On every street and around every corner, there are people who possess the qualities of a hero. One such role model is Richard Taylor, a former psychologist and current Dementia patient who reaches caregivers and individuals with early-stage and early-onsetAlzheimer’s. 

Throughout his life, Taylor has thrived in many different career paths. He has worked as a debate coach, management trainer, professor, therapist and psychologist to name a few. Spending time with family, gardening and reading also enriched his busy lifestyle. 

In 2000, Taylor’s daughter whispered, “There is something wrong with Dad,” into his wife’s ear. A year later, at the young age of 58, Taylor was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s. 

After the diagnosis, he reacted positively by using his knowledge and experiences as therapist and psychologist to give a fresh perspective of Alzheimer’s. He has taught in the Peoria area before the Alzheimer’s diagnosis.  He has become a dedicated speaker to people with dementia, family members, professional caregivers, physicians and politicians. In his March 2008 Newsletter,Taylor states that he is often traveling about, communicating with about 500 people per week. 

Although words might not come as easily now, Taylor also battles Alzheimer’s by engaging others with his writing. Originally he wrote essays so he could better understand what was happening inside of him. Eventually he wrote to share his experiences with those with Alzheimer’s and caregivers. 

One of his main focuses is to communicate the effects of Alzheimer’s to others. In 2007, he wrote Alzheimer’s from the Inside Out, which contains more than 80 personal essays on his journey with the disease. “I race up and down the corridors of my mind, frantically seeking to make sense of what’s going on around me. Sometimes this process makes me even more lost, and I become lost about why I am lost!” Taylor writes. 

Overall, Taylor wants to change perceptions by opening up communication between those affected by Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. “It is not easy, reading other people’s minds, especially when they have Alzheimer’s disease! Maybe it is time we sit across thetable from each other and talk. I may not like what you have to say, and you may not like what I have, but at least we will be heard, at least we will know for sure what the other person wants to happen and why they want it to happen and how they want it to happen. That is lots and lots more than we know now, about each other and ourselves.” 

In his essay entitled A Choice - Not an Echo, he further demonstrates how those with Alzheimer’s disease are still normal and complete individuals, capable of making their own decisions. Taylor describes how even though these people need help, others should not take on the responsibility of making every decision for them. “Enable me to continue to make my own decisions. The decision making process may take longer for me than in the past but it is really, really important that I stay in charge of myself.” 

Taylor adds that when he and others involved in a recreation group were given adequate choices, they had a better time choosing which games they truly wanted to play. “We always enjoy each other’s company and sometimes the bridge playing reaches levels of brilliance (or so we tell each other).” 

Many different caregivers are considered heroes for their time, patience and daily support given to those battling Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association, Central Illinois Chapter, will host two upcoming events in April to assist these caregivers and help themunderstand more of Taylor’s knowledge. 

On Monday, April 28, the agency will present a FREE Family Caregiver Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria, IL. The Family Caregiver Night is a FREE educational program for family caregivers, friends and loved ones of persons with Alzheimer’s that teaches participants how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s. 

Richard Taylor, Ph.D., will be presenting on his early-stage Alzheimer’s experiences. Sandra Lutz, R.N., a certified Laugh Leader, will be speaking about introducing healing laughter into Alzheimer’s caregiving. 

On Tuesday, April 29, the Alzheimer’s Association, Central Illinois Chapter, will present the Lee. L Morgan Education Conference entitled “Dignity Through the Stages” to be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Par-A-Dice Hotel, 21 Blackjack Blvd. in East Peoria, IL.  The Lee L. Morgan (former Caterpillar Chairman) family recently donated a sizeable amount to help finance agency expansion and programs like the Education Conference.  The amount of the large donation is embargoed until late April to coincide with an official PR event.  Other Conference sponsors include OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. The Lee L. Morgan Education Conference is a one-day conference for  healthcare professionals focusing on how to understand and care for persons with dementia. 

Speakers include Richard Taylor, Ph.D., discussing his experiences with Alzheimer’s to change hearts and minds; Julian Dean, M.A., presenting on imparting dignity through the stages; Gabe Billiet, Pharm.D, discussing new trends in Alzheimer’s medications; and Sandra Lutz, R.N., a certified Laugh Leader, speaking on introducing healinglaughter into Alzheimer’s caregiving. 

Taylor stresses how difficult changes should not prevent caregivers and those with Alzheimer’s from living in the present. “Please do not mourn the fact I am not who I was, or who you want me to be, or we both miss this moment.” 

For reservations or more information please call the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at 309.681.1100 or 800.272.3900.

          The City of Peoria Clean River Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 29th, to review technologies and methods that could be used to reduce sewer overflows into the Illinois River. The meeting will be open to the public.           

     The meeting will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 300 W. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria. Agenda items will also include an update on negotiations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).           

     Since last year, the City of Peoria has been studying the impact of sewer overflows on the
Illinois River and also how the sewer system and treatment plant function during wet weather, when overflows occur. Using the results of that study, the City is now looking at available solutions for controlling overflows. The Clean River Committee will review and provide comments on the city’s analysis to date. Public meetings also will be held later this year when a more detailed analysis has been completed.           

     The Clean River Committee was formed in May 2007 to provide advice and recommendations to the Peoria Department of Public Works as it develops a long-term plan to control combined sewer overflows and protect the Illinois River.   

     U.S. EPA and IEPA are requiring cities with combined storm-and-sanitary sewers, like Peoria, to develop long-term plans to comply with the Clean Water Act and state sewage treatment requirements.  This plan must be submitted by December 2008.             

     For updated information about the combined sewer project and overflow warnings, visit the project Web site at www.peoriacso.org.

Central Illinois Agency on Aging’s 11th Annual “Celebrating Seniors” will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., at Peoria’s Exposition Gardens, 1601 W. Northmoor Rd., Peoria.Last year, approximately 700 seniors and caregivers from Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Stark, and Marshall Counties attended this great event by private automobiles and specialized bus service.  Everyone will be informed and inspired. 

Proctor Hospital offers FREE Glucose & Blood Pressure Screenings as well as total cholesterol screenings for $4.00. Anyone interested in the Glucose or Total Cholesterol screenings must fast 8 hours prior to the screenings. In addition, information will be provided on services, assistance with prescription medicines, home repair, legal issues, and much more!  Seniors and caregivers choosing to do so may enjoy a delicious hot lunch, free of charge.  Free limited transportation is also available, on a first come first serve basis.  Registration begins April 7, 2008.  You must register by calling 674-2071. 

Plenty of help will be available for those who are disabled or handicapped.  Approximately 100 volunteers, including high school students, will be available to assist.  Additional volunteers are always welcomed.  Each person who walks through the door will receive a “goody bag” to start their adventure. Caregivers will have the opportunity to “pamper” themselves in the Caregiver Booth. 

Admission to this event will only be $1.00.  Mark your calendar today to attend the 11th Annual Celebrating Seniors Event at Exposition Gardens on May 17, 2008!

Fifty local artists exhibiting in fine art and fine craft were recently selected by a panel of art professionals at the Peoria Art Guild for the 3rd Annual Junction City Art Fair to be held on June 7 - 8, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Junction City.  For the first time, art images were judged utilizing a completely digital process through Juried Art Services, a computerized service specializing in art fair artist application and selection.  Selected artists had to live within a 100-mile radius of Peoria to exhibit in this local-artist-only show that boasts $15,000 in artist awards for exceptional work.  All art work is original in a variety of mediums including jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, wood, glass, mixed media, metal and fiber. 

Local artists invited to exhibit in this year’s fair include:

Sharron Zimmerman, Argenta; Randy Carlson, Bartonville; Jeanne Abels, Jeffrey Little, Bloomington; Michael Schwegmann, Patricia Lindbloom, Susan Northrup, Lisa Kesler, Brian Sullivan, and John Sweitzer, Champaign; Chuck Flagg, Chillicothe; Darren Miller, Decatur; David Vernon, Delavan; Tom Gross and Tracey Frugoli, East Peoria; Jean Robison, Goodfield; Lisa Groth, Hopedale; Dee Solomon, Macomb; Linda Wilmont, Metamora; Rozanne Hubbard, Morton; Charlotte Behrens, Mount Carroll; Cydne Labonte, New Berlin; Fernando Cornejo, Normal; Jacob Grant, Jerry McNeil, Ken Tiessen, Cis Carlson, Sandy Svob, Hiram Toraason, Henry Litchfield, Vin Luong, Ryan Reed, Adrienne Risby, James Jenkins, and Dorothy Thornton, Peoria; Cindy Pringle, Pesotum; Ann Maxwell-Weisbrod, Princeton; Dwight Crane, Rantoul; Jack Wohlstadter, Rock Falls; Mindy Diaz, Rock Island; Daniel Copeland, Rushville; Harrison Phillips, Savoy; Bobbie Johnston, Barrie Bredemeier, and Beverly Fagan, Urbana; Ronnie Bell; Virginia; Sandra Schmitt, Lisa Garrison, Marlene Miller, and Dennis Belcher, Washington; John Swise, West Peoria.

New to this year’s art fair will be an expanded Kids Art Festival, a wider variety of food and beverages and live music.  The June event is the one of two major fundraisers for the Peoria Art Guild.  The nationally-recognized Fine Art Fair will be held September 27-28, 2008 on Peoria’s Riverfront. Call the Peoria Art Guild for more info at 637-2787.