Peoria – Peoria County and the City of Peoria are currently accepting applications for their Peoria City/County Citizens Leadership Academy. This free program offers citizens a unique opportunity to learn about municipal and county governments through a joint curriculum. Classes meet Wednesday evenings September 18 – November 6, with a graduation ceremony at the County Board meeting on November 14 and at the City Council meeting on November 12; a complete course schedule is attached. The course is limited to 25 residents of Peoria County. Residents can download an application at http://www.peoriacounty.org/communications/civic. Application deadline is now September 13, 2013.

The Citizens Leadership Academy provides participants a hands-on learning experience through mock activities, facility tours, and open discussions with elected and appointed officials. Class participants will learn about city and county governments, including public works functions, public safety, the judicial system, fire and rescue, and recycling.

The Citizens Leadership Academy creates a network of individuals who possess a commitment to improving their community and who demonstrate the necessary skills to emerge as leaders. Taught by elected and appointed officials, the free program inspires residents to take a more active role in guiding future policy decisions, be it through the elections process, by voicing concerns during public meetings, or by running for public office.

For more information or a paper application, call Meghan Smith, Peoria County’s Communications Specialist, at 495-4862, or Steve Fairbanks, City of Peoria’s Neighborhood Development Specialist, at 494-8250.

Oct 5 – 2nd Annual Pink Promise Celebration Survivor Fashion Show & Luncheon – Luncheon & Style Show at noon. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy shopping with the special vendors and exhibits. Par-a-Dice Hotel Ballroom in East Peoria. Tickets: Survivors $15; General Admission $40; Table of 10 $350. Reservations due by Sept. 30. Go to: www.komenmemorial.org

On Thursday, September 19 at their National PCC Day celebration, the members of the Peoria Postal Customer Council will learn of the decision as Postal Customer Councils and PCC members from across the country are recognized for their hard work, dedication and partnership.

The Peoria PCC won the Bronze Award last year and has been striving to earn the Gold Award this year.

The Postal Customer Council® (PCC®) program plays a critical role as a valuable resource for business mailers. They are a direct conduit for the mailing industry with the Postal Service. By providing educational and networking opportunities, the PCC keeps their members informed and poised for success in an ever-changing industry.

Their mission is to promote, support, and foster close working relationships between the U.S. Postal Service and business mailers; facilitate information sharing and idea exchange with business mailers about Postal Service products, programs, services, and procedures; and to help PCC industry members and their organizations grow and develop professionally through focused educational programs.

For more information log on at www.peoriapcc.org .

Peoria, IL (September 10, 2013) — Bradley University is ranked fifth among colleges and universities of its type in the Midwest by U.S.News & World Report in the magazine’s 2014 guide to America’s Best Colleges. Bradley has moved up one spot from last year’s ranking and continues to be the top-ranked university in Illinois in this category.

The report also ranks Bradley as seventh in the “Best Value” category and the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology continues to receive national recognition as one of the best undergraduate engineering programs in the country.

Bradley President Joanne Glasser said the campus is pleased to once again be recognized as one of the best institutions in the Midwest by such a highly respected publication. “Our faculty, administration and staff continue to work diligently to offer students a world-class education that links academic excellence, experiential learning and leadership development,” Glasser said. “Bradley’s continual ranking among top colleges and universities, among other key factors, is indicative of our momentum toward becoming an institution of national distinction.”

This marks the fifteenth consecutive year that Bradley has been ranked by U.S.News & World Report as a top Midwestern university that provides a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs.

According to the report, Bradley had the highest graduation rate among the 108 Midwestern universities on the list, nearly 70% of freshmen enrolled at Bradley were in the top 25% of their class, the retention rate for freshmen was 87 percent, and the student/faculty ratio was also among the top at 12:1.

U.S.News & World Report rates hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide and serves as a valuable tool for students and parents when making the difficult decision of choosing a college. Learn more about the methodology and review the entire list at www.usnews.com/bestcolleges.

Bradley also received recognition recently in the Washington Monthly Magazine’s Best Bang for the Buck listing. It ranks the economic value students receive per dollar. Learn more on this ranking at http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings_2013/bangforbuck_masters_rank.php.

The U.S.News & World Report’s ranking combined with recognition from The Princeton Review, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and other ranking publications is further independent confirmation that Bradley students are receiving an outstanding educational experience.

Bradley also is listed among the top 20% of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. The Military Friendly Schools list is available at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com.

Peoria, IL –The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) is pleased to award the 2013 EPIC Grants for a total of $7,010. These grants were made possible by the Emerging Philanthropists in Central Illinois Fund (EPIC).

EPIC is an initiative designed by CFCI to invigorate emerging community leaders to join together as philanthropists. The group is comprised of a cross section of professionals in the community who like to have fun, but who also want to positively impact the quality of life in central Illinois. Together, EPIC members build the EPIC Fund, an endowment to address community needs through grant making.

2013 EPIC Grants

Peoria Art Guild was awarded $2,050 for: Express Yourself! A program targeted towards individuals (4th through 12th grade) suffering from ADD or ADHD to improve academic achievement, help with behavioral management skills, and develop communication skills.

Easter Seals-UCP was awarded $4,060 for: Academy for Autism Curriculum Development. The funds will be used to create the most appropriate curriculum for children aged 5 to 13 years with autism at the newly-opened Academy for Autism, a collaboration between Children’s Home and Easter Seals.

For more information about EPIC and the EPIC Grant visit: www.communityfoundationci.org and click on EPIC Fund.

(Peoria, IL / September 9, 2013) – The monthly meeting of the Better Breathers Club will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2013 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM in Classroom 1 at the RiverPlex in downtown Peoria.

The program will focus on pulmonary function testing, presented by Sean Blaum, RRT, and sleep studies, presented by Lisa Coates, RRT.

Anyone dealing with lung or breathing problems is welcome to attend. It is requested that those attending not wear perfume or cologne to meetings as it may bother other participants with breathing difficulties.

For more information about the Better Breathers Club, contact Sara Shull at the RiverPlex at 309.282.1646.

(Peoria – September 9, 2013) – Tom Hammerton has been named President/Chief Development Officer of OSF HealthCare Foundation. He succeeds Roger Meyer.

In his new position, Tom will provide leadership for an integrated development program to include
Major Giving, Planned Giving, Annual Giving and Community Events. Additionally, he will provide overall leadership, direction and management for all OSF fundraising activities and provide community outreach.

“I’m looking forward to working together to enhance the culture of philanthropy throughout the OSF Ministry,” said Hammerton.

Hammerton, from Peoria, has been Vice President for the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation Council since May 2008. He was instrumental in garnering a record-breaking amount of contributions to support the Children’s Hospital Milestone Project. Prior to joining OSF, he worked for nine years as an Associate Vice President for Bradley University where he was responsible for raising money and managing the development staff.

Peoria, Ill. (Sept. 9, 2013) – Illinois American Water has issued a traffic alert in Peoria. The intersection of Main Street and University Avenue continues to undergo road repairs as a result of a recent water main break. To make the road repairs, lane closures and traffic detours are necessary.

The intersection is reduced to right-hand turns and one through-traffic lane in each direction. To ensure safety of workers and motorists, drivers should use caution, obey traffic signs and follow detour routes. It is recommended that drivers avoid this area if at all possible.

This is a temporary repair. Permanent road restoration will be made in the next few weeks. A notice regarding these repairs will be issued when more information is available.

About Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services
to approximately 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 14 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

Pekin, IL September 9, 2013 – Area educators are invited to attend a special workshop at Pekin Park District’s Soldwedel Program Center, that explores the wonders of nature through the eyes of a child. Program facilitator Julie Gianessi will present “Growing Up Wild”, Tuesday, October 8, 2013 / 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills. The workshop is especially appropriate for pre-school through grade two teachers, day care providers, Head Start teachers, and parents who home school. The workshop presents curriculum written especially for children ages 3-7 and is correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young People Standards and the Head Start Domains. It meets Criteria requirements of Environmental Education Certification and CEU credit is available with the completion of a homework assignment.

In addition to receiving CEU credits, each workshop participant will also receive a 128 page teaching manual filled with innovative lesson plans, step-by-step instructions, copy me pages, healthy snack ideas, connections to art, math, science, and the national early childhood standards and more. A boxed meal will be provided during this evening training. Registration fee is $40. To register, call 309-347-PARK (7275).

When: Saturday, September 21, 9:00 a.m.
Where: Meet at Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N. Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights
Pre-registration: Ongoing (call 309-686-3360)
Day of Event Registration: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Sweep Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The annual Illinois River Sweep kicks off Saturday, September 21 in communities up and down the river from Chicago 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 8:00 a.m. at Forest Park Nature Center. Sweep hours at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or longer if you like.

Since 2003, the Peoria Illinois River Sweep has grown from 10 volunteers to over 400. Since then, more than 500 tires and 1,000 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 will receive protective gloves and trash bags, 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 21.

Peoria sponsors include Friends of the Illinois River, Peoria Park District, Illinois American Water and The Nature Conservancy.