Donations for Kellar’s Fall Rummage Sale will be accepted Mon-Fri, September 23 – October 4th from 7:00 – 8:30 AM and 3:30 – 5:30 PM. Donations can be dropped off at Kellar Primary School’s gym (6413 N Mt Hawley Rd, Peoria). For Saturday or Sunday (Sept 28-29 and Oct 5-6) please e-mail Jen at jen.m.adler@gmail.com to schedule a time for a donation pick up. Everyone who provides a donation will receive a coupon ($2 value) for free admission to the Sneak Peak of the sale that will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, October 18th.

Items that we will accept include: gently used baby, kid and adult clothes and shoes, household goods, books, toys, outdoor ware and sports equipment.

(Peoria, IL / September 17, 2013) – Is your child’s safety seat correctly installed in your car? Is it correctly fitted? Do you know?

Join Children’s Hospital of Illinois on Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Kohl’s East Peoria store.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available to educate parents and caregivers on proper fitting and installation of car seats.

The event is free. Call 877-277-6543 for an appointment. Each appointment takes about 30 minutes.

The Peoria Park District would like to invite the public to the anniversary celebration for Proctor Center’s Centennial. We have several events scheduled for all ages, including:

* Tuesday, September 24: Open House and Tours throughout the day. Tours will be 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; 2:00 – 4: pm; and 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
* Wednesday, September 25: Senior Day and Public Health Fair. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
* Thursday, September 26: Kids Day Spectacular fun day and carnival. 4:00 – 7:00 pm
* Friday, September 27: Proctor Center Time Capsule Burial. Join us as we bury our 100th Anniversary Time Capsule at Proctor Center at 10:00 am!

Admission is free for all events.

Proctor Recreation Center was originally endowed as an independent recreation center. John C. Proctor, who died June 22, 1907, bequeathed his estate to a group of trustees to establish the John C. Proctor Recreation Center and Public Baths, to provide “if practicable, free baths for the worthy poor of the city.”

The architectural firm of Hewitt and Emerson of Peoria designed Proctor Recreation Center in the Classical Revival style. Proctor Recreation Center opened in 1913. On October 23, 1934, Proctor Recreation Center reopened under the ownership of the Park District. The Proctor Center building was deemed a building of historical significance, thanks to architect Frank Emerson. It was considered a “fine example of quality architecture in the Classical Revival style of 1913.”

In 2009, the facility received a grant from OSLAD/LWCF to enhance recreation opportunities at one of the PPD’s oldest sites. This grant application was in direct response to community input. Planning for this project began in 2007 and continued into 2008, culminating with a June 17, 2008 meeting at the park where residents urged Park District staff to upgrade the playground and basketball courts and add extra lighting for safety.

Improvements enabled by the $212,500 OSLAD grant and $250,000 in HUD/EDI funds include:
• Totally redesigned fully accessible, multi-age playground with equipment for both 5-12 year olds and 2-5 year olds
• Redeveloped basketball courts and bleachers
• Sand play areas to enhance creative play for those attending programs and day camps
• Walkways and benches to provide rest areas for visiting adults with children
• Total renovation of exterior restroom building

Proctor Center will celebrate more centennial events in October, November and December of this year. Please call Proctor Recreation Center at 673-9183 for more information or check out the Proctor Center page on the Peoria Park District website http://www.peoriaparks.org/proctor-rec-center. Proctor Recreation Center is an official Safe Haven Site for Peoria’s community.

The Second District Congresswoman Will Be in Attendance from Noon to 1:00 p.m. Sept. 24th.

Peoria Ill, Sept. 16, 2013: Ghantous & Almasi law office is proud to announce that it will be hosting a fundraising luncheon for Congresswoman Robin Kelly on September 24, 2013. The event will take place at the Dries Lane offices of the law firm, and will run from noon to 1:00 p.m. Anyone interested in supporting the second district congresswoman is welcome to attend.

To RSVP to this event, supporters can email finance@robinkellyforcongress.com or call (312) 264-6529. The offices of Ghantous & Almasi, where the luncheon will take place, are located at 3100 N. Dries Lane, Suite 201, in Peoria. Parking is available and lunch will be provided.

Ghantous & Almasi, previously known as Ghantous Law Offices Ltd., is a law firm based out of Peoria, IL. The owner is 26 year legal veteran Leo Ghantous and his partner is Andrew Almasi. They focus on personal injury, family law, and DUI defense. These Peoria attorneys are known for their personalized counsel and attention to detail in the representation of their clients. For more information see the law firm’s website at www.ghantouslaw.com. The company can be reached by phone at (309) 672-1444.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly was elected to represent Illinois’ 2nd District on April 9, 2013. As a former State Representative, Kelly brings extensive legislative experience to the second district. She successfully sponsored bills to protect consumers from fraud, support economic development and increase the minimum wage. She also led the fight for landmark legislation to protect victims of domestic violence and improve public safety. Additional information can be found at http://robinkelly.house.gov/about/full-biography.

On Thursday, September 19th from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm, there will be a one-day road closure on the half-block of Oak Street between Adams and Meyer Alley due to storm sewer repair. Oak Street will be open at the other half-block from Meyer Alley to Jefferson Street. The intersection at Meyer Alley and Oak Street will remain open.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Warehouse District TIGER II Project, please visit our website at http://www.warehousedistrictpeoria.com or contact Karen Dvorsky at kdvorsky@terraengineering.com or at (309) 472-3132.

Due to a water leak we were forced to close down Westbound traffic on West Forrest Hill Ave today, September 17th.

Crews are currently working on identifying the source of the leak and making repairs. We expect repair work to be completed by the end of the day with restoration to begin tomorrow morning. The road will be reopened as soon as all restoration to the road is completed.

We appreciate your patience with us on this issue.

Peoria, IL – Who will be voted the best celebrity dancer in the Peoria Area? Find out on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at 6:00 PM at the Par-a-Dice Hotel and Casino Ballroom when CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Peoria County presents its largest fundraiser, the 8th Annual, “CASAblanca – Dancing with the Local Stars”.

The event will feature eight Peoria Area dignitaries, business leaders, and celebrities paired with eight of the area’s talented instructors in a dance competition. Guest judges and event attendees will determine the “2013 Critics Choice Award” at the end of the dance competition. Do you have a favorite dancer? You can vote for them (in the form of dollars donated) to determine the “2013 People’s Choice Award”. Each dollar equates to one vote. So, donate $25 and your favorite dancer will receive 25 votes. Visit our website at http://www.casapeoria.org/CASAblanca/CASAblanca-vote.html make sure your favorite dancer wins!

The Local Stars and Dancing Pros include:
Lesley Matuszak, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Peoria, with Mike Hinchman, Adjunct Professor, Illinois Central College and dance instructor strutting their stuff with an East Coast Swing/Rhumba Mix.
Teri Cook, Owner, Cook Travel and Cruise, with Apollo Shaw, Dance Instructor, Peoria Latin Vibe Dance Company floating across the floor in Bachata style.
Sarah Zallek, MD, OSF St. Francis Hospital, with Hal Weatherford, Dance Instructor, Just for Fun, creating smooth moves with the International Fox Trot and American Smooth.
Cynthia Kennedy, Attorney, Bryan Cave LLP, with Darren Jackson, Editorial Designer, Peoria Magazines and dance instructor mixing it up with West Coast Swing/Jive Mix.
Carl Cannon, CEO, ELITE, with Emoke Hergart, pharmacist and dance instructor spicing it up in Latin/Salsa style.
Saverio Fato, Office Managing Partner, Price Waterhouse, with Dominique Alexandre, CASA supervisor and dance enthusiast dancing Argentine Tango.
Tom Schlink, Commercial Loan Officer, PNC Bank, with Stanzia Weatherford, RN and dance instructor at Just for Fun, dancing Ballroom Compilations.
John Bearce, Peoria area businessman, with his granddaughter, Lauren Pschirrer, Professional Ballerina, dancing the Waltz. Diana Scott will coach the family pair.

The Critics Choice Award will be judged by:
Jim Buda, Executive Vice President, Law and Public Policy, Caterpillar Inc.
Diana Hall, CEO, Bard Optical
Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, Supreme Court of Illinois
Jennifer Lee, promoting Art Harmony in Central Illinois

The event will be emceed by Sandy Gallant, WEEK News 25 anchor and meteorologist, and is co-chaired by Kathleen Monge and Aneta Youngblood, both members of the Board of Directors of CASA of Peoria County. Tickets may be purchased for $150 per person or $1500 for a table of ten by calling the CASA of Peoria County office at 309-669-2939 or online at www.CASAofPeoria.eventbrite.com. The evening will feature food and cocktails, silent and live auctions, and the competitive dance contest. Sponsors of CASAblanca include: Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, Essential Wellness Pharmacy, Gwenne and Alan Henricks, G&D Integrated, CMFI, and Lisa Murphy Web Design. Call the CASA office at 309-699-2939 to learn how to become a sponsor of CASAblanca.

To purchase tickets to CASAblanca: www.casaofpeoria.eventbrite.com
To vote for your favorite dancing partners: http://www.casapeoria.org/CASAblanca/CASAblanca-vote.html
Website www.casapeoria.org

The Peoria City/County Health Department announced today that it will actively support the National Restaurant Association’s annual National Food Safety Month in September by showcasing its commitment to food safety education. This year’s annual food safety campaign spotlights the increasing importance of food allergen awareness and safe food handling to help prevent and avoid the spread of harmful bacteria from one food surface to another.

This annual food safety campaign strives to heighten awareness about the importance of food allergen safety to the public and encourage additional food safety training for all food industry employees. The Peoria City/County Health Department will be partnering with the Peoria County Board of Health and the Food Safety Workgroup from area restaurants to:

• Promote National Food Safety Month by providing educational emails and handouts to the local food service workers.
• Host a coloring contest for 3rd grade students throughout Peoria County to encourage good hand washing technique.
• Provide educational presentations to the public to learn more about food allergens and safe food handling.

“We are excited about participating in this month-long campaign,” said Carey Panier, Assistant Director Environmental Health at Peoria City/County Health Department. “Food safety is, and always has been, one of our highest priorities. We take food safety education very seriously and we are focusing on raising awareness about food allergies, how to prevent reactions, and proper food safety procedures.”

Panier further states, “Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions. The Big 8 food items that cause most reactions in people are milk, soybeans, peanuts, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, eggs, and wheat. The best step to avoid these reactions and keep people safe is by preventing cross-contact.”

• Avoid cross-contamination of allergens by washing hands, cookware, and utensils after handling food.
• Use separate cookware and cooking oils when preparing food for guests with allergies.
• Read food labels to be aware of ingredients that may cause allergic reactions.

For more information about National Food Safety Month visit the website www.foodsafetymonth.com. For more information about important Public Health issues, visit the Peoria City/County Health Department website at www.pcchd.org.

As most of you know, Peoria is hosting the RNNC (Regional Neighborhood Network Conference) this year!

There will be a tour thru the East Bluff, highlighting the Kansas St. Initiative, the Impact Zone and the Community Center at Bernard Hall. We would like to organize a clean-up on Wednesday, September 18th from 4:30-7:00 p.m.

EBNHS will supply the garbage bags. Please meet at the EBNHS, 1839 N. Wisconsin for garbage bags and an assigned area. I look forward to showing off all of our hard work!!

Thank you in advance. If you have any questions, please call Kristina @ 685-3066 or 370-1220

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, 400 HAMILTON BOULEVARD, PEORIA, ILLINOIS

Thursday, September 19, 2013 – 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.- Grand Ballroom
Friday, September 20, 2013- 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Sessions)

Grand Ballroom, Salon A, Salon B, Conference Room I, Conference Room II ,
Conference Room IV, Hamilton Room and Madison Room. (There will also be Mobile
Tours)

4:45 PM-8:30 PM – Oktoberfest on the Riverfront & Cruise on the Spirit of Peoria
8:30PM- 12:AM- Four Points Hamilton Room

The Mayor’s Round Table for Elected Officials takes place on Friday, September 20th at
2:15p.m. in Conference Room IV.

Saturday, September 21, 2013-7:00 AM- 12 PM (Sessions)
Grand Ballroom, Salon A, Salon 8, Conference Room I, Conference Room II,
Conference Room IV, Hamilton Room and Madison Room. (There will also be
Mobile Tours)