July 22, 2013 – Easter Seals will host three programs for children with disabilities and special needs during the month of August. All programs will be held at the Easter Seals Peoria Center, 507 E Armstrong Ave., Peoria.

The Inspired Arts Academy, in partnership with Easter Seals, is opening all of their classes this fall to children with special needs. “Sample the Arts,” a preview of IAA classes, is being offered on Thursday, August 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Easter Seals. “Sample the Arts” will give children with special needs and their families an opportunity to experience art, music, and dance. A child may participate in one or all three classes. Information on how to enroll in the Inspired Arts Academy will be available. Refreshments will be provided. There is no cost to participate. Call 309-686-1177 or e-mail parentsupport@ci.easterseals.com to reserve your spot.

A group designed for children, ages 7 to 10, who show symptoms of anxiety will begin Monday, August 12. The Anxiety Group provides a structured environment for children to learn and practice skills such as self-calming techniques, ways to reject irrational thoughts, realistic problem-solving skills, and enhancing relationships with family and other significant people in their lives. The group meets on Monday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. through mid-December.

Splashercise, a warm water exercise class for children, ages 6 to 18, with disabilities or special needs will begin Tuesday, August 20. The class, led by a licensed therapist, focuses on age-appropriate strengthening, range of motion and stretching, weight bearing, balance and endurance activities in a warm water environment. Children and adolescents with post-orthopedic surgery, juvenile arthritis, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, diabetes, asthma, and autism will benefit from this program. The class meets on Tuesday from 5 to 5:45 p.m. for six weeks. There is a $65 fee and scholarships are available.

Registrations for all programs are being accepted. Call Jennifer Simpson at 309-686-1177, extension 2202 for additional information or to register.

(Peoria, IL) — The City Public Works Department is scheduled to have a public meeting regarding the Warehouse District TIGER II Washington Street Projects on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, 4:00 PM at the Peoria Chiefs Ballpark Stadium, located at 730 SW Jefferson Avenue.

As part of the City’s plan to encourage new development in the Warehouse District, the City was awarded a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grant program. This project will not only rebuild the street network, but also improve safety, accessibility and aesthetics for residents and businesses in the Warehouse District.

In addition, the City of Peoria’s Washington Street Improvement Project, which extends from Hamilton Boulevard to MacArthur Highway through downtown Peoria, aims to transform Washington Street into a safer and more attractive facility for motorists and pedestrians. Both projects provide a cohesive design and theme for streetscapes throughout the Warehouse area.

If attending the meeting, enter through the Administration Entrance doors on Oak Street. Parking is available in the Chiefs/Staff/Player parking lot which can be accessed by turning into the alley off of Oak Street.

Public involvement activities including newsletters, monthly status meetings, web updates and meetings with individual property owners will continue until the project is complete. If you have any questions regarding public involvement activities, please contact Karen Dvorsky, P.E.
at kdvorsky@terraengineering.com or (309) 472-3132 or visit the website at www.warehousedistrictpeoria.com.

Tuesday, August 6th, is the 30th Anniversary of National Night Out Against Crime. The purpose of Night Out is to celebrate neighborly relationships and to strengthen collaboration between residents, businesses, and the police.

Throughout the evening Peoria district City Council members will deliver a Night Out Proclamation to the events in their districts. Police officers will also visit events. Reimbursement of up to $250 is available to neighborhood associations which have registered to host a Night Out event. For information about a particular event please call the contact person on this list. Or contact Steve Fairbanks, Neighborhood Development Specialist at 494-8250, or cell: 645-6020.

NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME- August 6, 2013 – Registered events

EVENTS IN THE 1ST DISTRICT:
Olde Towne South NA – Contact: LaVetta Ricca; Phone: 637-2741
Location: 700 – 800 blk S. Greenlawn Ave. Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Madison Manor HA – Contact: Tyson Pokarney ; Phone: 453-6581
Location: Manor Parkway turnaround – Time: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Smith Street NA – Contact: Martha Riley; Phone: 966-1790
Location: 1700-1600 blocks- West Smith Street – Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Spring Grove NA – Contact: Darlene Rutherford; Phone: 676-6216
Location: 716 W. Spring Hollow Ln. – Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Gooselake NA – Contact: Linda Smith; Phone: 637-1033
Location: John Gwynn Park – Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

EVENTS IN THE 2ND DISTRICT
Center Bluff NA – Contact: LeeAnn Bronson, Phone: 685-4527
Location: Columbia Park @ McClure & Bigelow – Time: 6 p.m. -8 p.m.

Columbia Terrace North NA – Contact: Bernadine Nolan; Phone: 688-2644
Location: Dayspring Park (Bourland & Chester); Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Biltmore Heights NA
Location: Unity Church, 3127 N. Avalon – Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

(COLLABORATION)
University East NA and Orchard District NA – Contact: Greg Speck – Phone: 645-1332
Location: Franklin School (807 W. Columbia Tr.); Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

North Florence NA – Contact: Robin Timm; Phone: 685-4466
Location: 3326 N. North St.; Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Sterling Oaks NA – Contact: Faw Lane; Phone: 360-6271
Location: Salvation Army; (2903 W. Nebraska Ave.) – Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

EVENTS IN THE 3rd DISTRICT
(COLLABORATION)
Glen Oak Park NA, East Bluff United NA and East Bluff Serenity NA
NEIGHBORHOOD PEACE WALK – Contact: Lisa Fisher ; Phone: 685-1424
Location: St. Bernard’s School parking lot; Time: 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Knollcrest HA – Contact: Nicole Pepperell; Phone: 264-8168
Location: Corner of Chelsea Pl. & Ridgemont – Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

EVENTS IN THE 4th DISTRICT
Woodbridge Manor NA – Contact: Shar’Ron Ford; Phone: 635-0398
Location: Woodbridge Manor (On Marybelle Ct. off W. Reservoir Blvd.)
Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Wardcliffe NA – Contact: Barb Honings; Phone: 360-8313
Location: Memorial Christian Church (2507 W. Newman Pkwy.)
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Hamilton Park NA – Contact: Mike Stringer; Phone: 361-1111
Location: Golf Street (in Hamilton Park ) – Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

EVENTS IN THE 5th DISTRICT
(COLLABORATION)
1. Chadwick Place HA
2. Chadwick Estates HA
CP: Contact: Randy Peterson; Phone: 692-4137
CE: Contact: Becky Sandburg; Phone: 966-0933
Location: Cul de sac on N. Stonecrest Ct.,
In Chadwick Estates – Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Woodbrook Manor HA – Contact: Linda Gramlich; Phone: 339-5535
Location: 2316 W. Carriage Lane – Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Deerbrook Estates HA – Contact: Maureen Smith; Phone: 648-9326
Location: 11005 N. Tall Oaks Ln.; Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
East Northgate Park HA – Contact: Bruce White; Phone: 691-8646
Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 6801 N. Allen Rd. – Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Hickory Grove HA – Contact: Dayne Bowers-Dewhurst; Phone: 240-5023
Location: Copper Dr. @ Miners Dr. & Jubilee Ln. – Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Willow Knolls RRA – Contact: Aaryn Jennings; Phone: 648-4017
Location: Pavillion at park on Jim Graves Way; Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Rollingbrook HA – Contact: Victoria Stanislovaitis; Phone: 992-8119
Location: Common area on Brookshire Dr. between Paddington Ct. & Chatsford Ct.
Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Coppercreek HA – Contact: Diane Vespa; Phone: 645-8608
Location: Prairie Creek Court – Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Lynnhurst HA – Contact: Trevor Selle; Phone: 208-6560
Location: 6524 N. Post Oak Rd. – Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m

PEORIA, IL—Peoria Riverfront Museum is partnering with the Peoria Park District Riverfront Division for a very unique “Take a Stab at the Riverfront!” event on Friday, September 13, 2013. This dinner and a movie event kicks off at the Gateway Building downtown Peoria at 6:30 p.m. with a movie-themed meal, cash bar and Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ movie in the Giant Screen Theater beginning at 8:00 p.m. Cost is $30 for dinner and a movie.

Menu for “Take a Stab at the Riverfront:”
Chicken (a.k.a. The Birds) w/ a bread knife (a.k.a. Blackmail) stuck in it.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (a.k.a.Frenzy)
Green beans w/ onions and diced red pepper
Tossed salad with dressing
Raspberry Torte cake w/ red drizzle (a.k.a. Psycho)

To purchase tickets, visit www.PeoriaRiverfrontMuseum.org

Seniors teaching Seniors

Peoria Area SeniorNet is sponsoring an Open House on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 9:00AM at the First Baptist Church in Peoria. The church is at 411 W. Lake Ave. at North St. Park in the lot behind the church and use the west entrance. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce prospective new students and computer buyers to SeniorNet and to answer any questions they might have about computers. The Open House will be followed by registration for fall classes from 10:00AM to noon. For more information about SeniorNet and class schedules, go to the SeniorNet web site at www.PeoriaAreaSeniorNet.org. For other questions, call 1-800-872-4651 ext. 1510. Leave a message and a SeniorNet volunteer will return your call.

The purpose of the Open House is not only to introduce prospective students to SeniorNet, but also to provide a forum where present and future computer users acquire information that will help them make choices when buying computers, selecting computer accessories, and choosing computer courses. SeniorNet instructors and coaches will be available for one-on-one questions and discussions with the attendees.

SeniorNet volunteers will entertain questions from the attendees and discuss such things as what computer you should buy, what courses you should take, and what computer programs are available to you. You may also want to talk about that computer you received as a gift.

Students may register for SeniorNet Fall Classes following the Open House. Former students and those already familiar with SeniorNet may skip the open house and arrive between 10:00AM and noon to register for classes. Use the east entrance to register.

Peoria Area SeniorNet is sponsored by Illinois Eye Center and PNC Bank.

Registration is now open for Peoria’s 2013 Regional Neighborhood Network Conference (RNNC) playing in Peoria September 19-21st at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel. To register, visit www.rnncpeoria2013.com. Register by August 18, 2013 to get the early registration rate of $100 and for a chance to win a 32” Flat Screen TV!

Join over 400 neighborhood leaders, elected officials, community activists, and corporate executives from many states across the Midwest as they come together to share and learn about current, successful neighborhood-improvement strategies and techniques to further develop our community. This year’s conference will feature high-level workshops and training sessions, as well as inspiring keynote speakers all focused on “driving positive change in our neighborhoods.”

Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for keynote speakers Dave Meslin and Earl Johnson. If you’re unable to attend the conference, but would still like to be a part of the dynamic learning and sharing experience about positive change in our cities’ neighborhoods you can purchase a ticket to hear these inspiring speakers.

Dave Meslin, a “Community Choreographer” with 15 years experience producing grassroots, non-partisan community campaigns designed to influence both the public as well as decision-makers, will provide tips on effective communication, organizing and advocacy in his speech entitled Redefining Apathy and Building a Culture of Engagement. Meslin will speak at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20th, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel. Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of 10 and include a buffet style breakfast beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Earl Johnson, a U.S. Army Veteran and President of Come Home Baltimore, will share his experiences of mobilizing veterans to transform a blighted Baltimore neighborhood through housing rehabilitation and grassroots community development in his speech entitled We Are Home So Let’s Rebuild America! Johnson will speak at 12:55 p.m. on Friday, September 20th, following a plated lunch beginning at 12:15 p.m. at the Four Points Hotel. Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of 10 and include the plated lunch.

Tickets can be purchased in the Mayor’s Office or by contacting Chayne Chamberlain at (309) 494-8519 or cchamberlain@peoriagov.org. Keynote speaker tickets are $50 each or $80 for both speakers. More information about the keynote speakers can be found at www.rnncpeoria2013.com.

Peoria, Illinois (July 19, 2013) – UnityPoint Health – Methodist has been ranked as one of the best hospitals for 2013-14 in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report. The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 24th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients.

Methodist was ranked #18 in Illinois. It is also one of only four hospitals out of 32 —and the only one in Central Illinois—to be recognized as a Best Hospital in Northwestern Illinois. U.S. News rated Methodist High Performing in seven adult specialties, including Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Nephrology (kidney disease) and Gastroenterology & GI Surgery. In addition, Methodist ranks well above the national and state averages for patient satisfaction, with 81% of patients saying they would definitely recommend Methodist.

U.S. News evaluates hospitals in 16 adult specialties. In most specialties, it ranks the nation’s top 50 hospitals and recognizes other high-performing hospitals that provide care at nearly the level of their nationally ranked peers.

“A hospital that emerges from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of,” said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. “Only about 15 percent of hospitals are recognized for their high performance as among their region’s best. Just 3 percent of all hospitals earn a national ranking in any specialty.”

U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, the adequacy of nurse staffing levels and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties.

The specialty rankings and data were produced for U.S. News by RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Using the same data, U.S. News produced the state and metro rankings.

PEORIA— Peoria Riverfront Museum in collaboration with the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a Pin Swap Social event for the National Softball Association (NSA) participants Wednesday, July 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

All museum galleries, The Dome Planetarium and Museum Store will be open until 8 p.m. for NSA visitors. The Giant Screen Theater, featuring Despicable Me 2, and concessions will be open for business to NSA visitors and the general public.

The Fogelberg Foundation of Peoria is excited to announce the 4th annual Dan Fogelberg Celebration Weekend, happening August 30 & 31, 2013 (Labor Day weekend) in Peoria , IL . Please mark your calendars, and make plans to join us for what is sure to be another grand tribute to the musical legacy of Dan Fogelberg!

Our host hotel will once again be the Four Points Sheraton. Rates start at $109/nt for rooms including breakfast, or you can reserve a room for $99/nt without breakfast.

August 30th – Friday Night Welcome Party — We will be enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of the Cornerstone Building for our kick-off party, which is 7:30 pm to midnight. Featured will be Fogelberg tribute artists from around the country in an acoustic “unplugged” format.

August 31st – Plans for Saturday will include a reunion picnic at the Dan Fogelberg Memorial site in Riverfront Park from 12 – 4 pm, which will include a food vendor and Fogelberg song circles. A Dan Fogelberg Tribute Concert at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with a post-concert reception begins at 7:30 pm. The guest artist for this year’s Celebration Weekend feature concert will be the Don Campbell Band from Cape Elizabeth , Maine . This is Don’s first appearance at the event and we are thrilled to have him and his band. Don recently released a 2 CD DF Tribute album, “Kites To Fly”, to great success and was just nominated for “Tribute Album of the Year” from the Independent Music Awards.

Hotel reservations may be made and tickets to the Friday night and Saturday night events are available at www.dfpeoria.com. For more info, please email FFoP co-founder, Deb Jelinek at deb@dfpeoria.com.

Peoria – Residents can now locate area cooling centers on Peoria County GIS maps. The Central Illinois Region Cooling Centers map provides locations of known American Red Cross cooling centers in the Peoria area. The map can be found at http://peoriacountygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/OnePane/basicviewer/index.html?appid=7cff384d660c4e829db0d575491ee6f6.

Users can locate the Central Illinois Red Cross Region cooling centers on the new GIS map. The user can click on a cooling center icon to find out the cooling center location, address, and hours of operation. Aerial photo and street view basemaps are also available by clicking the basemap icon at the top of the page. Users can also refer to the map key on the left side to find cooling centers in nearby Red Cross regions.

GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. The goal of the Peoria County GIS Division is to provide customers with efficient and dynamic geographic interfaces (digital maps) that are as dependable as they are useable. See other mapping related tools and products at http://gis.peoriacounty.org.

For more information, please call Josh Thompson at 309-495-4840.