The annual Illinois River Sweep kicks off Saturday, September 18 in communities up and down the river from Lemont to Grafton. Since 1999, the non-profit organization Friends of the Illinois River has been coordinating this statewide effort to beautify and raise awareness of one of the most unique resources in the Midwest. Illinois River Sweep is an annual event in which thousands of citizens assemble for a day of volunteer action to protect and celebrate our river and natural heritage. In the Peoria area, please pre-register by calling 309-686-3360. Day of registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Forest Park Nature Center. Sweep hours at 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. or longer if you’d like.

Since 2003, the Peoria Illinois River Sweep has grown from 10 volunteers to over 250. Since then, more than 400 tires and 500 bags of trash, along with various large items such as couches, bed frames, and even a telephone booth, have been removed from local river banks.

Naturally, this event needs volunteers to make it a success. Volunteers get free commemorative t-shirts (while they last) and protective gloves, along with all other items needed to clean the shores of our river and streams. To volunteer in the Peoria area, contact JD Russell at 686-3360 or arrive at Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights, at 8:30 a.m. on September 18. In other communities, go to www.friendsoftheillinoisriver.org in order to find the closest River Sweep Captain.

Peoria sponsors include Friends of the Illinois River, Peoria Park District, Peoria Mayor’s Litter Committee, Illinois American Water, Trefzger’s Bakery and The Butcher Block.

For over 35 years, Bill Staines has traveled across North America delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs and coffeehouses. A New England native, Bill became involved with the Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960s and emceed the Sunday hootenanny at the renowned Cub 47 in Cambridge. Bill quickly became a popular performer in the Boston area. In 1971, a reviewer stated he was “simply Boston’s best performer.” A decade later, in 1980 and 1981, the annual reader’s poll of The Boston Globe again selected him as a favorite performer.

Payment for reserved seating is available at the Nature Center’s Trailhead Nature Store. General admission seating is available at the door. Concert fees are $7 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, and CORE members receive $1 off. For more information, contact Forest Park Nature Center, (309) 686-3360.

Learn more about Bill Staines at www.acousticmusic.com/staines.

Author: Sam Saladino

Erebus: Nightmare of a Social Worker

The fodder of dramatic film screen writers but vividly true to life, the story of Erebus – Nightmare of a Social Worker details young adults striving to survive and to overcome personal and social addictions in today’s promiscuous society. Somewhere near Chicago, Erebus unearths the corruption of a young girl sold into prostitution by her incestuous father, and the honorable action of two married counselors who fight the system on her behalf which nearly destroys them.

The Midwest Book Review, said of Saladino’s novel, “Intelligent – A work worthy of the highest praise.”

Sam Saladino has taught school, dealt with troubled adolescents as a specialized foster parent, counselor and supervisor at a children’s home. Moving from the frying pan into the fire, he worked as a crisis interventionist and as a child abuse/neglect investigator. Currently, he is a foster/adoptive parent trainer, editor for a newsletter, and regional reporter, residing in East Peoria, Ill.

“The need for increased support could not be more urgent, given that more than 10 million people in Pakistan are in need of humanitarian relief,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services for the American Red Cross. “Given this dire need, we are using reserve funds in addition to donations received for Pakistan to get more aid into Pakistan more quickly.”

As of September 2, 2010, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and their partners have:

• Reached 66,969 families (468,643 people) with food items
• Reached 28,404 families (198,828 people) with relief supplies such as blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen sets and hygiene sets.
• Distributed tents and tarpaulins to more than 173,600 families to date
• Provided emergency health assistance to more than 81,500 people
• Provided over 4.2 million patient consultations in flood affected areas
• Supported vaccinations for measles, polio, tetanus and tuberculosis in flood-affected districts across the country.

The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network is also increasing its response, with an increased appeal to help more than 900,000 people for 18 months. Seven Red Cross Emergency Response Units for relief, logistics, water and sanitation, and health are being deployed to support the ongoing relief efforts.

You can help people affected by disasters, like the floods in Pakistan, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross International Response Fund online at http://www.redcrossillinois.org/central-illinois-red-cross-donations or by mailing your donation to the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter, 311 W. John Gwynn Jr. Ave. Peoria, IL 61605. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Peoria Area Chamber PAC, as I have seen the results of their efforts to make our area more business-friendly and a great place to live and do business,” said Gordon. “I believe that our partnership is crucial to meeting the needs of small businesses, prospective business owners, employees and area families. I will continue working to listen to the concerns of all district residents, because they deserve a representative who is engaged and responsive.”

The Peoria Area Chamber Political Action Committee Board evaluates candidates who represent the Peoria area on the county board and in the Illinois General Assembly based on their voting records, candidate surveys, interviews, and area recommendations. They endorse candidates who they feel will be the best advocates for their goals of economic development, cultivating a thriving business community and presenting the united voice of local business to government.

In her candidate survey, Gordon stated her priorities as creating an environment that fosters economic growth, holding the line on state government spending, and putting constituents ahead of lawmakers. Gordon feels that any possible increase to officials’ salaries should be subject to voter approval, and state spending should undergo a line-by-line examination to root out wasteful expenditures. Gordon opposes an income or sales tax increase, as she believes tax increases would further slow the economic recovery for both individuals and businesses.

“Representative Gordon has surprised many in the local business community as a positive influence in Springfield,” said Tom Landon, Chairman of the Peoria Area Chamber Political Action Committee. “In a very difficult political arena, she has been able to deliver for the community and we believe she will continue to do the right thing for businesses and jobs in the Peoria area.”

Jehan Gordon represents the 92nd Representative District, which includes all or portions of Bartonville, Bellevue, Edwards, Kickapoo, Norwood, Peoria, Peoria Heights and West Peoria.

The 8-week Fitness for Parkinson’s summer session focuses on providing a medically supervised program to improve flexibility, endurance, balance, strength, and overall well being. It will consist of functional activities, breathing techniques, postural awareness, ambulation training, and whole body stretching.

The classes are 60 minutes long with a group education and discussion component following the exercise session.

WHEN: September 21 – November 11, 2010; Tuesday & Thursday

TIME: 11:00 AM – Noon

WHERE: RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center, 2nd Floor Aerobics Studio, 600 NE Water Street, Peoria

COST: RiverPlex Members – $50 Non-Members – $80

Physician approval is required to participate and will be obtained by OSF Saint Francis staff. If you have previously participated in a session, it is not necessary to obtain another consent. Classes are for all fitness levels.

To register or for more information, call 309.282.1623.

A mix of parents and students will be coming the 2nd Wednesday of every month, to assist in the packing of lunches, serving in the “Lunch With Love” soup kitchen, helping in the day care, packing grocery parcels in the food pantry and cleaning in the shelter. The group will be at The Salvation Army each time from about 9:15 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

“We are very grateful to the school, the parents and the students for choosing us as their charity of choice this school year,” said Rich Draeger, Assistant Development Director for The Salvation Army. “Hopefully they will be able to learn more about the people we serve as well as help us by providing some manpower for the various tasks they will be doing.”

For more information, contact Amanda Wilton, Volunteer/Special Events Coordinator at 655-7220 or Rich Draeger at 253-9909 or 655-1348.

Monday, September 13, 4-5:30 p.m. – Methodist Atrium, 900 N. Main St, Ste 530, Peoria

Thursday, September 16 – call for appt, space is limited – Park Court, 600 S. 13th St., Ste E, Pekin

Friday, September 17 – call for appt, space is limited – Clinic office, 1051 W. South St., Kewanee

Participants should wear shorts or skirts for screening. Registration is required and space is limited. Those who are interested should call (309) 672-5975 or (800) 706-6472 for an appointment. Dates and locations are subject to change.

During September, Cold Stone Creamery® locations will host a month-long fundraising celebration to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.

These stores will work together raising funds to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions throughout Illinois. Cold Stone Creamery has partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2002, generating $3.2 million in donations. Eleven-year-old wish kid Kate teamed up with Cold Stone Creamery’s Tastemaster™ Ray Karam to create her own ice cream Creation to celebrate the alliance this year. Kate was named “Junior Tastemaster” as she created her special Creation with caramel-apple ice cream mixed with extra apples, graham crackers and chocolate flakes.

Throughout the month, every Cold Stone store will sell paper Wish Stars for $1 each. The celebration will reach its peak with the ninth “World’s Largest Ice Cream Social.” On September 30, 2010, Cold Stone locations will give away a 3-ounce portion of “Kate’s Creation” from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. in exchange for a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In addition, the site contains market information, surveys, access to important data such as property tax information, zoning regulations, current news, and links to organizations related to commercial real estate. This innovative website is like no other in the area and will serve as a rich resource of information for buyers and sellers alike.

DLA Creative has been providing customized marketing and website solutions to Central Illinois for more than 17 years.