CONGERVILLE (Sept. 4, 2013) – What can you learn about safety from hotdogs, grapefruit and chicken thighs?

Premier Fabrication is bringing in nationally-renowned safety expert Jay Jacobs to demonstrate for its employees the importance of safety and the results of unsafe work choices through a unique presentation from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Premier facility located in Congerville, Illinois.

“We all have different learning styles. Safety, performance, results – none of that happens if it isn’t personal at an individual level,” said Premier President Scott Aberle. “Jay Jacobs shows what being safe means at a practical and emotional level. This is an investment in our employees and demonstration of our dedication to safety as a top priority at Premier.”

Jacobs will review eye safety, hand and foot protection, and more. A professional speaker for 30 years, Jacobs has done presentations in 32 states from large companies and privately-owned businesses and small production facilities and warehousing operations. He’s also done training for the U.S. Air Force.

Premier continues to put a spotlight on safety throughout the year including monthly safety meetings, safety discussions and ongoing training. Premier recently rolled out an equipment reimbursement program that offers employee discounts and reimbursements on safety boots and prescription safety glasses.

Premier employs nearly 150 employees and provides complete design and manufacture of numerous products that meet unique custom fabrication needs including fabrication services, commercial structural services, custom fixtures, prototypes, and sells numerous types of raw steel. Key markets served include farm machinery & equipment, construction & conveyor equipment, power

(Peoria, IL)­­— The intersection of Allen Road and Alta Road will re-open to traffic on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

This intersection has been closed to traffic since April 18, 2013 when sinkholes appeared in the pavement over the partially collapsed pipes. The intense rains and high water creek levels that run under the intersection caused the pipe failure.

Otto Baum Company, Inc. was the low bidder for the repair project, and construction started on July 8, 2013. Federal Disaster Assistance funds will reimburse the City of Peoria for approximately 70% of this $1.3 million repair project.

For more information on the road closure, contact Scott Reeise, Public Works City Engineer at (309) 494-8800.

Meet the animals from A to ZOO! at Peoria Zoo’s Zoo Tots Program, an education program for children ages 2 to 4. Zoo Tots is designed for you and your child to explore the amazing world of animals. Fee for each class is $5 for Zoo members/$11 for non-members.
Sa: 9/14 or Th: 9/19 – 10-10:50 am – N is for…
Th; 9/26- 10-10:50 am – More N is for…
Sa: 11/9 or Th: 11/21 – 10-10:50 am – O is for…
Sa: 12/14 or Th: 12/19 – 10-10:50 am – P is for…

Please pre-register for these classes by calling 681-3513. If you have questions or for more information, call the Peoria Zoo Education Department at 681-3513.

Calling all shutter bugs to the first annual Photo Safari at the Peoria Zoo. The photographs must have been taken here at the Peoria Zoo. The Zoo will accept 8X10 entries, in either color or black and white, from participants ages 5 and up. Photos should not be framed or matted. On the back of the photo, please place your name, age, address, and phone number.

Participants are limited to two entries and will be judged in the following categories: Best Action Shot and Best Overall Shot. Winning entries will be chosen from the following age groups: Youth (ages 5-17) and Adult (ages 18 and up).

All entries must be received by November 2 at 5:00 pm. Entries will not be returned and will become property of the Peoria Zoo. Photographs will be displayed in the Tropics Building November 9 from 10:00-4:00 and winners will be announced at 11:00. They will continue to be displayed in the tropics building until December 7.

Along with photographs, we will also display art done by our own animals at the Peoria Zoo. From armadillos to turtles, check out the next great artists right here at the Zoo! Some art will be available for purchase just in time for Christmas.

The Peoria Zoo is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; gates close at 4:30 pm.

Admission is: Adults 13 & over – $9.00; children 3-12 – $5.25; children 2 and under – free; and Senior Citizens – $8.00.

For questions about the contest, please contact Jill Roderick at (309)681-3513.

What happens when the lights go out at the Zoo? Come to the Zoo and find out. Meet animals up close, learn what a night house is, and which animals are nocturnal. Bring your family or invite your friends to come along for a special tour: Friday, September, 27. Zoo After Dark tours run from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The cost of the tour is $20 per person. Minimum of 10, limit of 20 participants.

For questions or to register, call the Peoria Zoo at (309) 681-3559 or check our website at www.peoriazoo.org.

Have you ever wondered… “How much do rhinos eat in a day?” or “Where do giraffes sleep?” All this and more will be answered during the Peoria Zoo’s Behind the Scenes tour on Saturday, September 28 or October 26 at 9:00 a.m. These hour-long tours will take you into areas the public doesn’t normally get to see, you can learn more about the animals and how we care for them. Cost of the tours is $22 per person and includes Zoo admission.

For questions or to register, call the Peoria Zoo Education office at (309) 681-3513 or check our website at www.peoriazoo.org.

Science has never been more exciting, with up-close animal encounters, tours, experiments and more. Each month is a new topic and helps to meet state standards for home schooled children. Classes will usually be divided into age groups (5-8 years and 9-13 years) and will run simultaneously. Registration is required. Parents are welcome but not required to attend (parents will have to pay if attending). If classes fill, alternate dates may be available. Min/Max: 10/30. Fee is $5 for members/$11 for non-members for each class.

W: 9/11 10-11:30 am Monkeying Around: Primates
W: 11/13 10-11:30 am On the Brink: Success with Endangered Animals
W: 12/11 10-11:30 am Under the Sea: Oceans

Please pre-register for these classes by calling 681-3559. If you have questions or for more information, call the Peoria Zoo Education Department at 681-3559.

Peoria – The Peoria County Board’s Minority Business Ad-hoc Committee is hosting a free informational meeting for minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners and entrepreneurs (collectively, MBEs) on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 regarding access to capital and bonding for contractors. Local MBEs are encouraged to attend the meeting held at the HUB Peoria facility from 6:00-7:30 pm. HUB Peoria is located at 919 S. Matthew Street in Peoria.

The meeting will feature a panel of speakers talking about gaining access to capital for business development and obtaining bonding for construction projects. Committee Chair and County Board Member Rachael Parker explains, “Not only will this meeting help Peoria County continue to identify specific areas of need to facilitate expansion and development of minority businesses, but it also offers us a more public venue to raise awareness of business opportunities and resources currently available in our community.” Previously, the Ad-hoc Committee garnered input from the MBE community through a needs assessment survey and a series of outreach meetings held last year.

The Minority Business Ad-hoc Committee meets regularly, at 4:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in Room 402 of the Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street. Committee meetings are open to the public. For more information on the Committee or its quarterly public meetings, please contact Mark Rothert, Assistant County Administrator for Economic Development, at (309) 672-6056.

Everyone is invited to an old-fashioned barn dance, Friday, September 20 at Camp Wokanda in Mossville. The fun starts at 7:00 p.m. First time dancers and families are welcome. No partner needed. ever-popular string band Too Old To be Controlled will provide the music. Jim Hicks and Gail Hintze will teach all the dances.

Admission is $5, with a $20 maximum for families. You are invited to bring a snack to share.

For more information and directions, call Gail Hintze, 274-5358 or 868-7163.

PEORIA – The Community Foundation of Central Illinois announced a $5,000 grant to The Salvation Army help facilitate disaster training. “We are new to disaster support, but after the spring floods, we reached out to discuss needs with partners like The Salvation Army and the Red Cross, and we decided training support was a key component,” said Mark Roberts, Community Foundation of Central Illinois CEO, in announcing the grant.
The donation will enable The Salvation Army to conduct a two-day Emergency Disaster Services seminar on Thursday, September 12 and Friday, September 13 at its Eagle Crest Camp near Washburn, Illinois. The program seminar will include introduction to emergency disaster services, disaster food service training, ServSafe training and Safe from Harm presentations. For those already certified, there will also be Train the Trainer workshops as well. “Our mission is to serve those in need, whether it be the residents affected by disasters or the volunteers and emergency crew workers at the disaster site,” said Captain Jeff Carr, Finance Secretary for The Salvation Army. “The Salvation Army is grateful to the Community Foundation for this grant, which help us better train and equip volunteers.” For more information, please call The Salvation Army at 655-7220 or the Community Foundation at 674-8730.