(Peoria, IL / July 18, 2013) Nine clinical nurse specialists at the Illinois Neurological Institute Comprehensive Stroke Center at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center have been granted Stroke Certified Registered Nurse credentials (SCRN) through the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing.

Stroke nursing practice includes clinical practice, consultation, research, administration, or education in the neuroscience field. Certification is an important credential that attests to the achievement of specialty knowledge beyond basic nursing preparation. It is evidence of clinical expertise and leadership in neuroscience nursing practice.
SCRN status is granted for five years and is renewed through validation of continuing education or re-examination. There are currently more than 200 nurses who have earned the SCRN designation.

The following INI nurses have earned the designation (hometowns included):
Lori Augspurger RN, BSN, CNRN, SCRN (Peoria)
Janet Burnham RN, CNRN, SCRN (Dunlap)
Nate Bryant RN, BSN, CNRN, SCRN (West Peoria)
Lisa Flier RN, BSN, MSN, APN/ACNP, CNRN, SCRN (Mapleton)
Jan Jahnel RN, CNRN, SCRN (Washington)
Amanda Lesage RN, BSN, SCRN (Kewanee)
James McDermott RN, BSN, CCRN, SCRN (Princeton)
Cindy Mead RN, BSN, CNRN, SCRN (Eureka)
Teresa Swanson-Devlin RN, BSN, CNRN, SCRN (Peoria)

Come celebrate the opening of the 2013 season on July 22rd. This year, we’re serving apple cider donuts and coffee all day long, Monday through Friday of our opening week. There are several exciting attractions throughout the orchard. Enjoy the fresh peaches, sweet corn and tomatoes that are at the peak of the season!

Enjoy lunch on the farm featuring sandwiches, wraps and salads or try a dinner special. Top off your meal with a dessert of apple pie and ice cream, caramel apple or homemade fudge! Enjoy your special gathering in our garden dining area, perfect for birthday parties, family reunions, get‐togethers, you name it, Tanners is a fun location for events. Call Tanners at 493‐5442 for availability.

Tanners Orchard is a great place to have some family fun on the farm. From our apple cider and fresh produce to the Apple Bin Bakery and our Back 40 Fun Acres expanded playground with petting zoo, Tanners has something for the whole family.

During the months of July and August, Tanners Orchard will be open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday thru Saturday.

The 2013 GCS Cigar Summit comes to Peoria, Friday and Saturday, July 26th and 27th. The annual event this year will be held at Jimmy’s Bar, 2801 W Farmington Rd., West Peoria and is sponsored by the Gentleman’s Cigar Society of Peoria.

GCS spokesperson Mark Little says, “This is not only a great opportunity for those who enjoy cigars to get together, but also an opportunity for those people who are new to cigars to learn and ask questions. It’s not just for your seasoned cigar smokers.”

Cigar representatives will be in attendance to sell cigars as well as answer questions. Jimmy’s will also provide liquor tastings Friday evening and Saturday and Cuban sandwiches will be available during the event. There will also be raffles during weekend with all proceeds donated to Cigar Rights of America.

For information, contact Mark Little at mlittle@gentlemanscigarsociety.com

What: GCS Cigar Summit
Where: Jimmy’s Bar, 2801 W Farmington Rd., West Peoria, IL 61604
When: Friday, July 26, 5-10PM; Saturday, July 27, 12 Noon – 8PM.
The GCS Cigar Summit is free and open to adults, 21 and older.

Contact: Mark Little at mlittle@gentlemanscigarsociety.com

All classes take place at Francican Rec Complex in August

Drop-in Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. $4.50/drop-in

Zumba: Thursdays beginning August 1 at 5:00 p.m. (code 56133). Cost is $34/residents, $38/non-residents.

More complete descriptions and online registration can be found at www.peoriaparks.org/frc or by calling FRC at (309) 677-6705.

Please join us for the Focus Forward CI Milestone Celebration!

Come celebrate the plan that will take our region where no region has gone before. The celebration event will review the progress Focus Forward CI has already made in the region, share the many assets that the Discovery Milestone identified and announce the 5-year strategy that was developed through our 5-County alliance to reach our previously announced 5-year goals. Come find out how these measureable goals will result in over 20,000 new high wage jobs and add $1.75 Billion in wages that can benefit you and your families.

Focus Forward Central Illinois (FFCI) is a collaboration a 5-County Region driving community change to create one region with infinite possibilities.

We started a movement that includes hundreds of volunteers working together to come together as One Region to expand business, enhance education, increase training opportunities, boost economic progress and improve our quality of life.

Join us and experience a unique Star Trek themed awards presentation and CELEBRATE all we have accomplished in Phase I of our Journey to increased prosperity for all through active collaboration.

Event Details:
Date: July 30, 2013
Time: 4:30pm to 7:30pm Program at 6:00pm
Location: Gateway Building, Water Street, Peoria Riverfront

Public Welcome

Please register to attend this celebration via the FFCI Facebook page and register through the following link or type the url directly into your browser:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e7rsb5ls5d89c6e5&llr=qfofzonab

Peoria, IL (July 18, 2013) Bradley University is considered among the top twenty animation and game design schools in the Midwest according to a recent article by Animation Career Review.com.

Animation Career Review considers academic reputation, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of the program and faculty, value as it relates to tuition, and geographic location in determining the top schools.

This is the second consecutive year Bradley ranked 15th on the list that includes DePaul and The Ohio State universities and the Kansas City Art Institute.

Bradley offers programs for aspiring game designers through the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts and the Computer Science and Information Systems Department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Slane College’s Department of Interactive Media offers B.A. and B.S. programs in Interactive Media with concentrations in Game Design, Animation and Visual Effects, and Web and Application Design. The Department also offers a Game Design and Interactive Media Minor.
A B.S. in Computer Science with a Game Technology or Game Software concentration and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems with a Game Technology or Game Software concentration are offered through Bradley’s Computer Science and Information Systems Department. The Department also offers a Master of Science degree in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Computer Game Technology.

Bradley University is a private, independent university that sits on 84 acres just one mile from downtown Peoria. Founded in 1897, Bradley University is home to 5700 students enrolled in more than 100 undergraduate programs and 36 graduate programs. Ranked number six overall among Midwest universities by U.S. News & World Report, Bradley University is listed as one of the nation’s “Top Undergraduate Schools to Study Video Game Design” by Princeton Review.

The Peoria Park District’s Proctor Center has cancelled the outdoor movie that was scheduled for Saturday, July 20 at the center.

For more information call 673-9183.

Nonprofit Leader Training for Central Illinois

Eileen Setti
Ruby & Associates
309/339-9635

Mark Roberts
Community Foundation of Central Illinois
309/674-8730

Chuck Weaver
Leaders Change Peoria
309/360-4779

The fourth training series for nonprofit board members, staff and volunteers is being offered on August 21st. “The Fundamentals of Nonprofit Business” is an ongoing series of continuing education opportunities for nonprofit leaders in central Illinois . Each session offers a different topic that relates to a specific aspect of nonprofit management and administration. Target audiences will change as topics will relate to board, staff, volunteers or managers. The Community Foundation of Central Illinois, Chuck Weaver’s Leaders Change Peoria Foundation and nonprofit consultants Ruby & Associates organize the series.

The next session, “Strategic Planning: Making Your Dreams Come True” will be held on August 21st, 2013 in the auditorium of the Peoria Public Library located in downtown Peoria, IL from 1:00 – 4:00PM. Nonprofit Executive Directors/CEOs, staff and board members are invited to attend. There is no cost for this training, but registration is required. To register, visit www.communityfoundationci.org and click on “The Fundamentals of Nonprofit Business Series” link under “Quick Links.”

Local experts presenting: Eileen Ruby Setti, Partner with Ruby & Associates will present “Plotting Your Course” and Martha Herm, Executive Director of The Center for the Prevention of Abuse on “Navigating Your Course”. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and network in small groups. There will also be a speaker question and answer section.

“The Fundamentals of Nonprofit Business” is a collaborative effort designed to impact the nonprofit sector by offering quality training on issues relevant to our community. Each session includes a focused discussion concerning the central Illinois nonprofit sector as a whole. The intent is to create an open dialogue within the sector in a neutral setting. Therefore, professionals and nonprofits will not only benefit from the training content, but have the opportunity to network and more importantly to participate in an organized dialogue about our community.

Past “Fundamentals of Nonprofit Business” topics have covered board leadership, legal issues and fundraising strategies related to the nonprofit sector. More than 200 hundred local professionals have attended past trainings. Former presenters include:
· Bill Cirone, President and CEO of Federal Warehouse Company
· Chris Monroe, CEO and Founder of CPS
· Mark Spenny, President and CEO of CEFCU
· Eileen Setti, Partner at Ruby & Associates
· Clete Winklemann, President and CEO of Children’s Home Association of Illinois
· John Sahn, Of Counsel with Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White and Frederick
· Mark Roberts, CEO of the Community Foundation of Central Illlinois
· Steven Thompson, CEO of Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington

“The Fundamentals of Nonprofit Business” is organized through the efforts of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, Chuck Weaver and Leaders Change Peoria and local nonprofit consultants, Ruby & Associates. This is the fourth training, graciously underwritten by a generous contribution from Bill Cirone of Federal warehouse Company.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois manages a fiscal account for any contributions given to the project. To make a donation, please call 309-674-8730. Gifts can be designated to “The Fundamentals of Nonprofit Business.”

CHICAGO (July 17, 2013)—Potbelly Sandwich Shop will open its doors at 318 W. Washington St., East Peoria, Wednesday, Aug. 7. This will give area residents the chance to experience the lively, neighborhood hangout that makes Potbelly Sandwich Shop “The Best Place for Lunch.”

The franchise store is family owned by longtime Peoria residents and business leaders, Scott and Lara Ackerman, and Jeff and Kim Ackerman. “Lara, Jeff and I are lifelong Peorians and we all have strong ties to the local community,” Scott said. “We graduated from Bradley University and the Ackermans are third-generation graduates. We are excited to bring the Potbelly neighborhood experience to our home town.”

Scott worked in the family dry cleaning business after graduating. Klean-Rite Cleaners was a company started by Scott and Jeff’s grandfather, Ralph Ackerman, and passed on to their father, Denny Ackerman, who worked there his entire career. Scott has since started Ackerman Ortho, which is a medical device sales company. He owns the company and currently runs it with younger brother, Tommie Ackerman.

Jeff worked the last 10 years in sales and management in the golf industry. He will be the general manager of the new Potbelly Sandwich Shop. Lara has spent the majority of her career raising their four boys—Ian, Alec, Evan and Andy. Kim has had a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, both in the Chicago and local markets. She is also a full-time mother to Adele and Charlette.

“We all really like Potbelly and its leadership—we feel their values match up well with ours,” Kim said. “They do things the right way. We respect that and wanted to be part of it. Plus, we love the food and the atmosphere.”

The Ackermans hope to have locations on both sides of the river, but they all are excited about the Levee District and everything happening there. “We are thrilled to be a part of it,” Scott said. “We are also pleased that our youngest brother, David, is joining our Potbelly team.”

David will be the assistant manager at the East Peoria shop. “With so many family members making this shop ‘the best place for lunch,’ we are already looking for possible Potbelly opportunities in Peoria,” David said.

The new shop will partner with Fondulac District Library during its pre-opening event, the Oven Warming Party, to raise funds for the organization. “We are excited about all of the new things the library has going, and we look forward to a long relationship,” Jeff said. Plus, we really like the idea of helping our neighbor.”

Known for its good vibes in addition to great sandwiches, live music has been a part of the Potbelly experience since the first shop opened in 1977. Neighborhood musicians put a little rhythm into lunch by performing live at Potbelly Sandwich Shops around the country. Musicians interested in performing at the new East Peoria Potbelly should contact the shop manager.

Potbelly has built a passionate, loyal following of fans who spread the word about the fun, energetic atmosphere and great food. The unique Potbelly experience is defined by its combination of toasty warm sandwiches, hand-dipped shakes, tasty made-to-order salads, as well as friendly and lively people. “Our goal is to make people really happy, and we can’t wait to get started,” Lara said.

This is the first Potbelly Sandwich Shop to open in East Peoria and the shop will staff approximately 25 employees and managers. The location is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday.

About Potbelly Sandwich Shop
From its humble beginnings as a small antique store on Chicago’s North Side in 1977, Potbelly has grown from one to more than 280 shops serving neighborhoods in 18 states. Potbelly has built its reputation as a mealtime hangout spot, where great food, friends, eclectic décor and live, local music combine to create an atmosphere unlike any other. For more information, visit www.potbelly.com or access the company press kit from the Potbelly Press Room.

About Fondulac District Library
Fondulac District Library provides current, accurate, high-demand and high-interest materials primarily to district residents by acquiring, organizing and disseminating books, non-print materials and services that help educate, enrich, entertain and inform. Fondulac District Library is committed to the support of a culture of lifelong learning in the community.

PEORIA, IL—The Peoria Riverfront Museum has been awarded LEED Gold certification for new construction, an exclusive honor that rewards environmentally friendly features. This certification is the first of its kind in new construction for Peoria and the surrounding area. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This certification was designed by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings.

To celebrate this new award, the museum will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, at the museum’s Sun Plaza on Water Street. Peoria Riverfront Museum Board Chair Dave Ransburg will be speaking along with Peoria County Board Chair Thomas H. O’Neill III, Peoria County Board Member Andrew Rand and Peoria Riverfront Museum Vice-Chair Dan Daly.

The museum has many green features throughout the facility, from solar panels to recycled flooring and electric car chargers. Museum visitors can explore 34 of the many sustainable features by taking a ‘Green Tour’ of the building, a self-conducted tour showing elements of the museum and its operation that contributed to our LEED Certification.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum certification adds to the evolving story of sustainability in Peoria’s region. Other sites that are on track for LEED certification or have already been certified under a different category include Caterpillar Visitors Center, Caterpillar Headquarters, Bradley University Hayden-Clark Alumni Center, Bradley University Westlake Hall and more.

For more details on Peoria Riverfront Museum’s green features and certification, click here or contact Susan Bergschneider. Learn more about LEED and its rating systems.