The Peoria Chapter of the National Organization for Women will meet on Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakeview Public Library. The feature speaker will be Anna Palmer, who will present a look at how female leadership in adolescence helps hone and develop a woman’s leadership style with: “Run Like a Girl and Win.”

 Refreshments will be served. For further info, call Dolores Klein at 688-0319 or Nancy Long at 688-3419.

iPods, mp3 Players and Hearing Loss 

Evidence continues to mount that personal listening devices can cause hearing loss.

It’s estimated that 12.5% of children ages 6-19 (about 5.2 million) have noise-induced hearing loss.                                                            

At OSF Saint Francis Medical Center , May is “Better Hearing and Speech Month.”

Users listen to iPods or mp3 players continuously for hours without needing to change a CD or recharge. They often turn up the volume on these devices in order to overcome “NOISE” such as lawnmowers, buses, street noise and airplane engines to name a few.         

Safe exposure limit for one day: 85 decibels for 8 hours. Lawn mower noise is about 80-85 decibels. If an mp3 player and/or iPod is used while mowing, the user will like turn the volume loud enough to hear the music which may put the output of the device at approximately 100 -105 decibels.  At that level, listening should only be for 8 -15 minutes. A typical vacuum cleaner emits 70 - 85 decibels. Every time the volume is increased by 3 decibels, listening for half as long will produce the same risk of hearing loss.   

PEORIA PARK DISTRICT EXTENDED REGISTRATION HOURS 

            The Peoria Park District will have extended registration hours for the dates of Tuesday, May 27 through Friday May 30. During these dates the Glen Oak Pavilion registration office will be open until 5:00pm. Sign up for your summer classes and programs! For a full listing of offerings go to www.peoriaparks.org.

India Fest 2008 Makes a Splash at the Peoria Riverfront May 17! 

The seventh annual India Fest, co-sponsored by the Indo-American Society of Peoria and the
Peoria Park District, comes to the Peoria Riverfront on Saturday, May 17th. People of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy Indian food, music, dance, crafts, and informative sessions on Indian culture. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

India Fest is a celebration of the multicultural traditions that showcase India’s heritage and vibrant culture. The Indo-American Society of Peoria (IASP) is committed to bringing greater awareness of Indian culture to the larger community of Peoria and Central Illinois. IASP continually seeks to collaborate with local and regional organizations in creating opportunities for enriching existing dialog. 

India Fest 2008 represents an excellent opportunity to discover more about the Indian culture. Visitors can enjoy authentic culinary delights, shop for ethnic dresses and curios, browse traditional arts and crafts displays, get a henna design painted on their hand, or try on an Indian outfit for a memorable photograph. 

Informational speakers will present an array of topics on Indian culture. Join us to learn the art of ancient healing techniques such as yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation. Attend a mini-workshop on the “tabla,” a popular Indian percussion instrument that is part of the fabric of classical, popular and religious music of the Indian subcontinent.

 Experience AUTHENTIC Indian cuisine! Traditional dishes including Tandoori, curries, rice preparations, vegetarian, and vegan meals will all be part of the featured culinary delights. Enjoy a cup of “masala tea” or savor the delights of Indian ice-cream, the “kulfi,” and mango cup cakes. 

Once again, India Fest will feature the ANNUAL CRICKET MATCH between two dominant central Illinois teams – Peoria and Bloomington . Don’t miss the action! Come enjoy the game that grips the entire nation! The match begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Festival Park Sports Field. Watch and learn the game of cricket at the ANNUAL Cricket 101 clinic at Noon. 

Non-stop entertainment continues into the evening with popular dances, songs and pulsating music that will keep you on your feet. Featuring the best of talent from Peoria , Bloomington , Chicago and the
Central Illinois region, India Fest 2008 celebrates the Indian culture through fusion dance performances from a medley of Indian and American artists, scintillating tabla performances and Bollywood style live music bands! 

Admission at gate is $6 for adults; $4 for children and free for children under 5. Tickets can be purchased in advance: $5 for adults and $3 for children.

 For more information, visit Indo-American Society of Peoria website at www.indoam.org or email admin@indoam.org and The Peoria RiverFront online at http://www.myspace.com/riverfrontevents or call 309-689-3019.

6^th Annual Fort Creve Coeur Spring Rendezvous

Experience camp life from 1680 – 1850

Costumed men, women and children at Fort Creve Coeur to portray living in that era. 

May 24^th and May 25^th from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Great food!

Free parking Gate fee is $2 per adult. Children under 12 are free with an adult.

American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter to Hold 91st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 21^st. Reception is at 5:45 p.m. and the dinner is at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at  Wildlife Prairie
State Park, Hespell Deck. The Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold its 91st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at Wildlife Prairie State Park. 

Jim Nowlan, College Professor, author, elected official, newspaper publisher and political advisor will serve as the event’s guest speaker. 

In addition, new board members for the Central Illinois Chapter will be elected at the Annual Meeting.  To register, call the Red Cross at (309) 677-7272, ext. 200 or visit www.redcrossillinois.org. The cost is $25 per person.

Monday, May 12th is Peoria Neighborhoods Night at O’Brien Field!

Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Game starts at 6:30 p.m.

200 Peoria citizens, kids and City Council will be there!

 Pride Pals will be on hand to meet and greet and run the bases at 4th inning

Join the fun!

MID ILLINI SURGICAL ASSOCIATES TO HOST FREE SCREENINGS

FOR VARICOSE VEINS 

            Dr. Scott Reid and Dr. Brian Heywood, two vascular surgeons from Mid Illini Surgical Associates (MISA), will offer FREE screenings for varicose veins on Monday, June 16th and Monday, July 21st in the Methodist Atrium Building on Main Street in Peoria . Each event will run from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Although appointments are preferred, walk-ins will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis.            

     “If you are one of the many who suffer from the discomfort of varicose veins,” Dr. Reid said, “then we encourage you to call us to schedule an appointment on one of these days to be sure to get your 15-minute screening.  It’s free, easy and painless, so you can’t lose!” He added that those who want to be screened should come in shorts or a dress so that their legs are exposed for the screening. 

Raising Awareness           

An estimated 25 million people in the United States have varicose veins.  A leading cause is attributed to venous reflux disease, often occurring from “incompetent” or “leaky” valves in the large vein running from the ankle to the groin in each leg. In addition to varicose veins, other symptoms may include leg pain, fatigue, swelling and skin ulceration.  This condition can be progressive if left untreated, and symptoms may worsen with time.           

· About 72% of women and 42% of men in America will experience varicose veins by the time they are in their 60s.

·  Peak incidence of venous insufficiency occurs in women aged 40-49 years and in men aged 70-79 years.           

·  Common risk factors include multiple pregnancies, family history, obesity and professions where long periods of standing are required. 

MISA is hosting the FREE screening events to help educate the community about the dangers of venous and vascular disease, along with risk factors, prevention and treatment options. As part of the program, they will introduce their newest treatment – the VNUS Closure® procedure by VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc. 

VNUS Closure® Procedure - “Patients with venous reflux disease can now be treated with the VNUS Closure procedure, a minimally invasive treatment alternative,” Dr. Reid, explained. “In fact, patients treated with this procedure can typically resume regular activities in a day. That’s significant because vein stripping surgery has been the most traditional treatment in the past, and it has often often resulted in a much longer recovery time. As many people who have varicose veins know, they can be quite painful, so VNUS Closure may be the best answer for many of those who have been putting off treatment.”           

Patient satisfaction with the VNUS procedure has been high, due both to shorter recovery and less pain. In fact, reports indicate 95% of VNUS Closure patients refer their friends for the procedure. VNUS Closure is also widely embraced by physicians and covered by most insurance companies.  

  For more information or to schedule an appointment for a FREE screening, contact MISA at 309-672-5975 or 800-706-MISA (6472). Additional details can be found on their website at www.misateam.com.

The 17th Annual Return to Pimiteoui Pow Wow will be held May 31 and June 1, 2008, at W.H. Sommer Park, on Koerner Rd. off Rt. 150 west of the Shoppes of Grand Prairie) in Edwards, IL. 

It is a gathering of Native and Non-Native Americans from all over the country to sing, dance, and share each other’s company. This is a wholesome family centered event with free, ample parking and handicap accessibility. The large cultural center offers hands on activities for children and adults such as corn grinding, beading, finger weaving and working with clay. Storytelling and educational exhibits including specialists on plants, herbs, salves and gourds will also be featured. Artists from around the country will demonstrate Native American arts such as bow making, carving, flint knapping, flutes, beading, etc. There will be a primitive camp that depicts a living history of the 1600’s including tipis. Traders will be selling silverwork, jewelry, books, music, arts, and crafts. Food vendors will be selling fry bread, corn dogs, hot dogs, and soft drinks during the entire event. 
 

Central Illinois is fortunate to have dedicated drum groups, Spirit of the Rainbow and Eagle Ridge, performing. 

Schedule of Events: Saturday, May 31^st
10:00 am - Grounds open to the public-Cultural Center, Traders, Food Vendors, Demonstrators and Primitive camp open
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm & 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Gourd Dancing in the Dance arena
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm  & 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Grand Entry of all the dancers followed by intertribal dancing in the dance arena

Sunday, June 1st
10:00 am - Grounds open to the public - Cultural Center, Traders, Food Vendors, Demonstrators and Primitive camp open
10:30 am - Interfaith Worship Service - Open to the Public
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Gourd Dancing in the Dance arena
1:30 pm -  4:30 pm - Grand Entry of all the dancers followed by Intertribal dancing in the Dance arena

Admission to Pow Wow – $5.00 per car

MANUAL HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION proudly announces their

97th Annual Alumni BanquetAll alumni are invited to join in this celebration on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Barrack’s Cater Inn Banquet Center, 124 W. Pioneer Parkway, Peoria, IL 61614 from 5:30-9:30 P.M. Cocktails (Cash bar); 6:30 P.M. Banquet and Scholarship Awards Tickets are $22 per person and can be purchased by mailing payment to the MHS Alumni address above. 

For almost a century, the Manual High School (MHS) Alumni Association has been making a difference in the lives of MHS graduates. At each alumni banquet, the highlight of the evening is when scholarships are awarded to MHS graduating seniors. Last year, twenty students were awarded $2,000 first-year scholarships. In addition, several second year $1,000 scholarships were awarded to 2006 scholarship winners. The Alumni Board will again be awarding scholarships at this year’s alumni banquet.  If funds are available, second year scholarships will also be awarded. As higher education expenses continue to rise, the Alumni Board would like to do more for our graduating Manual seniors. Only your continued support can make this happen. As we congratulate the graduating seniors, please see contact information above and join us at this year’s alumni banquet. If you are unable to attend the banquet, donations may be mailed to the MHS alumni address above.