Need time away from house and gardening work? Peoria Heights Music Festival is this Friday and Saturday, August 2-3, at Tower Park , free admission. Friday, August 2nd from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Saturday, August 3rd from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Band Line-Up: Friday, Aug. 2 . . . 5:00 Truman’s Ridge; 7:00 Roundstone Buskers; 9:00 Paige and the Reverent Few. Saturday, Aug. 3 . . . 1:00 The Midnight Special; 3:00 Heath & Greg; 5:00 Robin Crowe Band; 7:00 Caribbean Sol; 9:00 Drive Train featuring Nick Boettcher.

Focus Forward CI, the regional economic development organization, celebrated its one-year milestone July 30, 2013 at the Gateway Building in Peoria. The new comprehensive economic development strategy involves public-private partnerships with regional businesses and 5 counties in Central Illinois: Peoria, Mason, Logan, Woodford and Tazewell. Working together, Focus Forward CI will implement five S.M.A.R.T. goals within the next five years:

Creating 13,190 new jobs across the region (1,319 new jobs at $53,715/year and 11,841 new jobs at $48,832/year)

Improving the pay rate of more than 19,000 existing jobs by $5,000/year
Ramping up the attainment of bachelor and graduate degrees by 2,300 from the 2012 estimate of 68,719

Increasing the 25-to-44-year-old age bracket from 25 percent of total population to 30 percent by 2017; and

Increasing overall population to 386,475 by 2017, up from the 2010 estimate of 375,218.

Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy an afternoon on Franciscan Rec Complex’s front lawn listening to Peoria POPS Orchestra’s Swing Band on August 11 from 3-5 p.m. This free concert is co-sponsored by the West Peoria Residents Association and the Peoria Park District.

More information can be found at www.peoriaparks.org/frc or by calling FRC at (309) 677-6705.

Once again the historic Prairie Mills Windmill in Golden Illinois will be the setting for a fun filled evening of mystery and good food. The evening will begin with wine tasting hosted by the Ridge View Winery from 5:30 until the introduction of the mystery characters at 6:30. Wine may be purchased throughout the evening both by the glass and bottle. Because wine will be available at this event attendees must be twenty-one years of age or older.

After the introduction of the characters a prime rib dinner will follow and clue gathering will begin. The first person to successfully solve the mystery will win a prize.
The mystery has the following circus theme: The ringmaster is nowhere to be found, but his top hat is in the lion’s cage, and the lion is not hungry! More deaths and Tarot Card clues left at the scenes of the crimes add to the mystery, but the show must go on! If you’ve ever thought of running away to join the circus, you may want to think again!
The cost for this evening of fun and a great dinner is only $18.00 per person. Space is limited, so reservations are required. (This is an audience participation event, so if you would like to be an actor, let Lisa know when you call for reservations.)

Call LISA at 217-938-4305 for more information and reservations and check the website, www.goldenwindmill.org for more information about this event and more happenings at the Prairie Mills Windmill, Golden, Illinois.

The CEO COUNCIL is rolling out a brand new website today. Our newly designed website,www.peoriabusiness.org, features information about CEO COUNCIL members, as well as committee and project updates. The new website will include information about topics and issues relevant to the business community.

As a member-based organization, the CEO COUNCIL works to enhance the regional business community through collaboration. We are currently working on a variety of regional initiatives including the downtown Peoria revitalization- warehouse district, identifying regional education and workforce gaps, and producing the 2014 Regional Economic Scorecard.

The CEO COUNCIL’S new website is up and running. Be sure to visit the new website atwww.peoriabusiness.org to learn more about the Greater Peoria Business Alliance, CEO COUNCIL, and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

The CEO COUNCIL is a partner organization to the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and a part of the Greater Peoria Business Alliance.

For questions, please contact Rachel Wadle at 309-495-5974 or rwadle@peoriachamber.org.

The fun and energetic musical All Shook Up opens next Wednesday evening, August 7! A regional premiere here at Peoria Players in 2008, All Shook Up was such a hit among audiences that we have brought it back to our stage! Jeremy Kelly starred in the original production, and this time around, he is taking on the role of director. Jeremy has an incredible cast and production staff who have been in rehearsal all summer and are ready to bring the excitement to you! Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, this musical is a love story about a roustabout and a small town girl that features such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” Performances are August 7, 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 pm, and August 11 at 2:00. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for patrons 18 and younger. We are offering special rates of $15 adults and $12 for patrons 18 and younger on August 7 only. To reserve tickets with a Visa or MasterCard, please call 688-4473 or visit us online. Also, catch a sneak preview of All Shook Up this Saturday morning at 10:00 at The Riverfront.

PEORIA, IL – Continuing her efforts to honor and assist those serving in our nation’s armed forces, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth is collecting cell phones for her annual Cell Phones for Soldiers drive.

“For the men and women who are serving our country overseas, staying connected to their family can be difficult,” said Gordon-Booth. “Each cell phone donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers provides members of the military with 2.5 hours of talk time with their loved ones back home. I am proud to be partnering with this wonderful organization again this year to help our troops connect with their loved ones.”

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a non-profit organization that has raised millions of dollars in donations. The organization delivers approximately 12,000 free calling cards to our soldiers on a weekly basis. Collected equipment will be sold to Mindful eCycling and the proceeds are used to purchase calling cards that are given to U.S. military personnel serving around the world. Cell phones and chargers can be donated and recycled at the following locations:
• Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth’s District Office, 300 E War Memorial Drive, Suite 303, Peoria
• Peoria Heights Public Library, 816 E. Glen Ave., Peoria Heights
• Limestone Township Building, 1501 W. Garfield Ave., Bartonville

“By donating unused cell phone at any of the collection sites, you will be providing comfort to soldiers serving overseas and their families,” Gordon-Booth said. “I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to drop off an old phone and support military families.”

For more information about this or other upcoming legislation, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or repjgordon@gmail.com.

Peoria – Join Peoria City/County Health Department in celebrating August as Breastfeeding Promotion Month in Illinois by attending a special community Breastfeeding Support event at Neighborhood House on August 7th from 2:30pm to 5:00pm. Area agencies are planning a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family to raise breastfeeding awareness and to support mothers to choose breastfeeding. The celebration also occurs during the World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7, promoting the theme “Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers”.

Curt Fenton, Director of Child and Family Health at Peoria City/County Health Department, states, “This special event will highlight the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of community support. Mothers need the support of fathers, grandparents, and other friends and family members to be successful. Moms returning to work or school need support of employers and institutions to continue to provide their babies with the benefits of breastfeeding for the first year of life.”

Breastfed babies receive protection against infection, and gain other long-term health benefits. Breastfeeding mothers lose weight more quickly and have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Breastfeeding reduces the lifetime risk of obesity for both baby and mom. This results in significant cost savings to families and the health care system. Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed babies and strengthens that special bond between mother and baby.

According to Fenton, “Breastfeeding is a critical issue in our community. Our national goal is to increase breastfeeding to over 80% by 2020; yet last year slightly over half of mothers in Peoria’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program tried breastfeeding their infants and only about a third of Peoria’s African American babies on WIC were breastfed. Even when mothers are able to get off to a good start, all too often in the weeks after delivery there is a sharp decline in breastfeeding. In Peoria County, by 6 months of age, when all babies should still be breastfeeding, those numbers drop to about 14%.”

The Peoria City County Health Department’s WIC program will have trained staff at the Neighborhood House community event. WIC staff includes a peer breastfeeding counselor, nurses, and nutritionists, who are Certified Lactation Counselors with specialized training to counsel and support mothers in successfully breastfeeding their infants.

For information about Breastfeeding Promotion Month activities, call the Peoria City/County Health Department WIC Program at 309-679-6535. For other information on Public Health issues visit our website at www.pcchd.org.

Peoria, IL – Council Members Eric Turner and Chuck Weaver will be hosting their monthly Breakfast Chat at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 1st in City Hall Room 112. (Please note the change in room location.) The City of Peoria’s new Public Works Director, Mr. Mike Rogers, will be this month’s guest speaker.

The monthly Breakfast Chat meetings were established in 2009 to give citizens an opportunity to sit down with Council Members and other City of Peoria Staff to discuss a variety of topics and concerns. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Free & innovative family event featuring a Men’s & Women’s Health Center, Kid’s Health Corner and Community Center with screenings and resources for everyone

Peoria, IL – On August 3, 2013 Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service is hosting an interagency Community Unity Day & Health Fair on August 3, 2013. This event which is free and open to the public, will take place at Peoria Friendship House, located at 800 NE Madison, Peoria, IL 61603. Access to a variety of health screenings, medical services and community resources will be available in English and Spanish.

The health fair goal is to empower our community to take charge of their health and make healthy choices leading to a “Healthy Happy Community.” Breast cancer, dental hygiene, bleeding disorders, general health and wellness education are just a few of the many topics that will be covered at our event. Physical activities will include Zumba and exercises through a local Beachbody Coach.

There will be over 30 information booths, as well as free screenings for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, risk for Peripheral Artery Disease, and a Spirometry test to assess individual’s lung functions. (Please note: a 12 hour fasting period is required for the Glucose Screening.) Dental Screenings will be available for children just in time for school.

New this year… we are opening a Men’s Health Center & a Women’s Health Center that will feature specialized information including presentations and services as it pertains to each gender. Women will be able to enjoy free massages! Special giveaways for those that attend the centers!

“In this economy we know how easy it may be for people to leave their health related issues or concerns at the end of their list of priorities. Sometimes we don’t realize how much doing so can affect our lives, our family and community. Yet this year’s health fair promises to remind everyone of the importance of making their health a priority.” Sandy Arreguin, Program Director of Latino Outreach and the A.C.E.S. Program at the Peoria Friendship House. “We want people to know that there are agencies/businesses in our community that have their best interest in mind and they are here to help.”

One of the main priorities of the health fair is to promote breast cancer awareness thanks in part to the Memorial Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. While we want women to get screened for breast cancer through mammograms; we also want them to learn about early detection and ways to check in the comfort of their own homes. We hope to be part of the effort to save lives by detecting problems at a treatable stage.

This event is a collaborative effort between:
Catholic Charities
Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center
Dress for Success Peoria
Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services
Memorial Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Salud Latina/Latino Health
Vocational Rehabilitation Management of Illinois

Funding is possible through the generosity of our sponsors; CEFCU, Aetna and the Memorial Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure.

There is no charge to attend the Health Fair and all services and activities provided will be free of charge. For more information, please call Sandy Arreguin, Program Director of Latino Outreach and A.C.E.S. Program at (309) 671 – 5200.

Who: Annual Community Unity Day & Health Fair
What: To promote a “Healthy Happy Community” offering health related direct services, information, and referrals to residents of Peoria and surrounding communities in English & Spanish
When: Saturday, August 3, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Where: Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, 800 NE Madison, Peoria, IL 61603