CW Notes

            Like all-star games or concerts with impressive guest artists, director Stanley Kramer’s 1963 comedy “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” appeals to film fans by boasting appearances by the best comic actors of its time.

             Downtown Peoria’s Apollo Theater is showing the classic at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.

            With a thin plot about stolen money and an increasing group of people desperately seeking it, the elaborate, 155-minute chase movie stars – in alphabetical order – Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Joe E. Brown, Sid Caesar, Jimmy Durante, Stan Freberg, Leo Gorcey (of the Bowery Boys), Buddy Hackett, Buster Keaton, Don Knotts, Jerry Lewis, Ethel Merman, Carl Reiner, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, the Three Stooges, and Jonathan Winter.

            Leading the epic is one of the few non-comics in the cast: Spencer Tracy, as a police officer, seeming suitably befuddled — and smart.

            The zany, non-stop romp won an Academy Award for sound effects editing and was nominated for five other Oscars.

             The suggested donation at the Apollo is $5 and $4 for kids, students and seniors. For details call (309) 673-4343.

Friday, November 14

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. - Buffalo Wild Wings of Grand Prairie. Selected favorite menu items available for purchase. Served by the staff of the restaurant. 

4:00 p.m. - Drawings for wonderful gifts like a One Night stay at the Wingate by Wyndham,
Grand Prairie. 21 and Over to register. Also, a Signed Collectible from Isabel Bloom. 18 and over. No purchase necessary. Must be present to win. One entry per family. 

4:00 p.m.-  Demonstration: Arranging a Festive Display on Your Holiday Mantle. FREE. Learn tips on how to add a designer’s touch to your mantle or tabletop. 

4:00 – 6:00 p.m. - Live Music by Paul Hamilton. FREE. Paul was awarded: Most Promising Co-Songwriter of the Year - new gospel in 2005, along with Most Promising Co-Songwriter of the Year - new country, 2005. He has performed with Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, Emmy Lou Harris, and worked with Jerry Garcia. At Hoerr Nursery, he will be performing Christian contemporary songs as well as songs of the season! 

Saturday, November 15

10:00 a.m. - Demonstration: Seasonal Container. FREE. Learn designer tips on how to change your summer or fall containers into festive, decorative focal points at your door or patio. These are ideas you can do yourself! 

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. - Buffalo Wild Wings of Grand Prairie. Selected favorite menu items available for purchase. Served by the staff of the restaurant. 

Thursday, November 20

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. -  Free Coffee Sampling by Not Your Average Joe, an independent coffee shop in
Dunlap, IL. 

5:00 p.m. -  Garden Talk: “Creating a happy habitat for birds in your winter landscape.” Dr. Richard Coon. Learn wonderful tips on making your landscape a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. Dr. Coon is a Wildlife Research Biologist & Migratory Bird expert. 

Friday, November 21

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. -  Free Coffee Sampling by Not Your Average Joe, an independent coffee shop in Dunlap, IL. 

4:00 p.m. -  Make-It-And-Take-It: FRESH Holiday Wreath*. Register in advance in the Garden
Center. $39/person. Darlene Jones, Artist/Designer, will lead this session. All supplies provided. This session will work with lovely fresh products. Finished wreath will be appropriate indoors or out. Perfect for door, gate, garage, gazebo, pergola, or even on your holiday table! Saturday, November 22

10:00 a.m. noon  - Free Coffee Sampling by Not Your Average Joe, an independent coffee shop in
Dunlap, IL. 

10:00 a.m. - Demonstration: Arranging Your Holiday Mantle FREE. Learn tips on how to add a designer’s touch to your mantle or tabletop. 

4:00 p.m. - Holiday Drawings! Prizes include a Willow Tree Collectible signed by the artist. No purchase necessary. Must be present to win. 18 and older. One registration per family. 

*All materials provided. No experience necessary. These Make-It-&-Take-It Sessions fill quickly. Call (309) 691-4561 or stop by the Garden Center at Hoerr Nursery to sign up.

            The Peoria Park District’s W. H. Sommer Park will host a Civil War Winter Quarters construction on Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.           

History comes to life at Sommer Park as Civil War soldiers construct winter quarters and prepare for their winter encampment. Living historians in authentic uniforms will use period tools and construction methods to build handmade wooden shelters to protect themselves from the approaching winter weather. Activities will also include mail call, drill and ceremonies, and daily camp life.

Koerner Road between Route 150 and Charter Oaks Road, west of the Shoppes at Grand Prairie. The Civil War Winter Quarters construction is open to the public. Admission is $5 per vehicle. For additional information, call Sommer Park, (309) 691-8423.

Dr. Scott Reid and Dr. Brian Heywood, two vascular surgeons from Mid Illini Surgical Associates (MISA), will offer FREE visual screenings for varicose veins on: 

 Monday,  November 17th  from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Methodist Atrium Building on Main Street in
Peoria .  Although appointments are preferred, walk-ins will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis

Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. 

Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights, IL 61616 Forest Park Nature Center presents Kat Parsons in concert for an acoustic evening of piano, guitar and unforgettable vocals in the warm rustic surroundings of the Nature Center Museum. Dubbed a modern day Carole King, Kat Parsons has been enjoying a blossoming career since releasing her recording No Will Power on March 29. In April, she appeared on the cover of the well-known industry bible, Music Connection Magazine, joining the likes of Shania Twain, Gretchen Wilson, Joss Stone, Phil Ramone and Moby, who have also been the subject of cover stories this year. Other recent print media coverage includes articles in Billboard and The Boston Globe.           

As the Chicago Review puts it, Kat brings a “performance that reveals a passion and intimate detail well-suited to a small stage, with a sound big enough to fill an arena.”            

Kat Parsons was born to parents Darrell and Julie Parsons in one of Europe’s most prominent musical cities, Vienna. Her father was an opera singer in the Vienna Opera House, her mother a professional pianist and singer. Kat’s entire extended family are musicians, her father’s side coming from a deep bluegrass tradition and her mother’s side, from a jazz tradition.            

Parsons has studied piano, majored in theatre at Northwestern University, and has opened for Jim White, The Fixx, Dave Mason, Maria Muldaur, Spin Doctors, The Knack, Jonathan Brooke, Shannon McNally, Lori McKenna and Charlotte Martin in her professional career.            

Entertainment World states: “Kat’s vocals and sound will stand up against Norah Jones even on the coldest day in Chicago.”            

Reserved seating available: $7/adults, $6/ages 12 and under. Call 686-3360 for more information.

The Peoria Chapter of National Organization for Women (NOW) will host a brunch as a post-election celebration for women who ran for elective office at the Downtown Public Library on Saturday, November 15th at 10:00 a.m.

 For more info, call Nancy Long at 688-3419 or Dolores or Ed Klein at 681-0311

Aroma Therapy - Wander around and enjoy the herbs available in the GardenHouse. Robust basil plants, some parsley and rosemary. Plant a windowsill container and enjoy the fresh, engaging aroma in your home. Or enjoy scents of the season from fresh greens (due the week of November 17) to lightly scented Colonial Candles. 

Music Therapy - Eclectic collection of specially tuned wind chimes offers a very distinctive, thoughtful gift for a friend or to yourself! Enjoy contemporary Christian music and seasonal holiday music performed LIVE by Paul Hamilton, awarded: the Most Promising Co-Songwriter of the Year-new gospel in 2005, along with the Most Promising Co-Songwriter of the Year-new country in the same year. FREE. 4-6pm Friday, 11/14. Learn more about Paul Hamilton 

Or, sit and enjoy the variations of sound from our many fountains. Large or small, in a variety of styles, each fountain has its own distinctive sound. Come listen! 

Art Therapy - Learn how to “artistically” arrange decor on a mantle or tabletop. Free demo, 4pm, 11/14 and 10am, 11/22. Plus, join us to create a wreath at our Make-It-&-Take-It Workshop, 11/14 or 11/21. Professional artists, Darlene Jones and Jane Mason, will each lead one session. Leave your stresses behind as you tap into your artistic creativity! No experience needed. Click for details. 

Retail Therapy - Wonderful, whimsical ornaments, holiday decor, sparkle, “glam” and tradition in the Garden Center. Ask us for gift ideas in all price ranges. Consider a Gift Card for teachers, neighbors, service providers, and more. Gift cards available in beautiful envelopes in any amount and they never lose value.  Holiday at Hoerr Nursery!50% off HOUSE PLANTS - great for home or office. We’ll put decorative foil around your house plant purchases for FREE! 

In conjunction with Five Senses Spa and Salon, Jones Brothers Plaza, we are pleased to offer you a complimentary paraffin wax treatment with the purchase of a manicure or pedicure at Five Senses Spa and Salon. Please read certificate for all details. Qualifying Purchase: $100 Gift Card at Hoerr Nursery. 50% off ALL STATUARY. While supply lasts. 

 ”We have a lovely selection of statues: there’s a variety of angels, children, religious figures, animal themes - lots of choices. A statue is a really nice gift for anyone wanting to create a special ambiance in their landscape. And, at 50% off, it makes it a great deal for you, too.”  

The Peoria Zoo is pleased to announce the addition of several animals to their Zoo family this week. The following animals, which will be featured residents of the new Africa! exhibit opening next spring, have arrived at the Zoo and are getting acclimated to each other, their surroundings and their caretakers:           

5 Colobus Monkeys (2 older females, 2 juvenile males and 1 baby male)           
1 Female Lion           
2 Female Red River Hogs           
4 Thomson Gazelles           
2 Male Giraffes           
2 Weavers (African birds)
1 Male Grevy Zebra

          As part of their 2008 “Songs from the Woods” concert series, the Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will host a concert by Lou and Peter Berryman on Saturday, November 8, at 7:00 p.m.           

          Lou and Peter began playing music together in high school during the ‘60s. With Peter on guitar and Lou on the five-string banjo, early influences of American and British musical comedy and folk music fed a growing repertoire of original songs. In 1999 and 2002, they performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, chosen as Wisconsin’s representative for Wisconsin State Day. They have appeared on national programs such as NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion and Weekend Edition, and they tour across North America throughout the year.           

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.

             The Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center will host their annual Nature Art Show and Sale November 22 through December 24. Local artists will display and sell their nature and wildlife artwork at the Nature Center during this time. Come out for a look and see the abundance of artistic talent in this area!           

          On Saturday, November 22, the Nature Center will host a Nature Art Show Open House from 2 to 4 p.m.  In addition to the art show, you can meet the artists and enjoy some refreshments as well. If you can’t make it to the Open House, come see the nature art during regular business hours through December 24.            

          There is a large variety of art media represented in this show, including nature photography, paintings, woodcarvings and more. Be sure to warm up around the stove, enjoy a hot drink, and stop in the Trailhead Nature Store for unique, earth-friendly Christmas gifts!  It’s a great way to spend a winter afternoon!

           Forest Park Nature Center is located at 5809 Forest Park Drive in Peoria Heights. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. The trails are open daily dawn to dusk.