The Peoria Park District Glen Oak Amphitheatre presents Madagascar 3 on July 15, with a pre-show performance by Camp OnStage at 7:30 p.m. Movie begins at dusk. Cost is $.50 per person.
Movies are projected onto the Glen Oak Amphitheatre’s band shell, located in Glen Oak Park. Pack some snacks or purchase some from the concession stand.
Visit www.peoriaparks.org for the complete Family Flicks schedule or call (309) 688-3667 with questions.
Beginner Cake Decorating Class
The Peoria Park District’s Cake Decorating for Beginners class for ages 12+ runs on Mondays, July 15-August 12, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Franciscan Rec Complex. Cost is $44/residents, $52/non-residents. Register using code 56562.
Students will improve their baking skills and learn to decorate their cakes with borders, flowers, leaves, cartoon characters, roses, and script writing.
For more information or to register, visit www.peoriaparks.org or call (309) 688-3667.
Romantic Couples Massage Class
The Peoria Park District’s Romantic Couples Massage class at KP Chiropractic is on Tuesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. Cost per couple (18+) is $26/resident, $33/non-residents.
Add a little something extra to your relationship by learning the art of a relaxing massage. A licensed massage therapist will teach partners techniques to relieve stress and sooth sore muscles.
For more information or to register, visit www.peoriaparks.org/health-classes or call (309) 688-3667.
NEW! Leather Wristband & Coin Pouch Class
The Peoria Park District’s new Leather Wristbands and Coin Pouches class for ages 5+ is July 20 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Tandy Leather Company. Cost is $12/residents, $14/non-residents. Register using code 56566.
Students learn the different types of leather, to stamp/emboss leather and how to dye their project.
For more information or to register, visit www.peoriaparks.org or call (309) 681-2854.
Peoria-Bloomington, July 5, 2013 – Kevin Dill joined the Easter Seals team as the Executive Vice President of Operations effective July 1, 2013. Dill is part of the Executive Leadership Team and is directly responsible for accounting and finance, client financial services, human resources, information technology, facilities and 6 Sigma/Performance Improvement.
Dill has extensive leadership experience having served as executive director for two special education associations. He has worked effectively to execute long-range strategic plans, manage multi-million dollar budgets, oversee facilities and manage human resource functions.
Dill earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University and a Master of Science in Education from Illinois State University. He also holds an Educational Specialist Degree from Eastern Illinois University.
Steve Thompson, President & CEO of Easter Seals said, “I look forward to having Kevin as part of the Easter Seals team and am confident that the Easter Seals mission will be significantly enhanced under his leadership.”
In other employment news, Jim Runyon has been named Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Governmental Affairs. In his new role, Runyon will join the executive team and have direct responsibility for the leadership and oversight of Child & Family Connections of Central Illinois. He will also provide key leadership and management of strategic initiatives and governmental affairs. Runyon has been with Easter Seals seven years.
Shawn Gleason was named Director of Information Technology & Facilities. He will ensure information technology systems are well-integrated throughout the Easter Seals organization and provide direct oversight of all facilities. Gleason has been with Easter Seals two years.
Property’s $44 million investment offers new amenities that will appeal to corporate travelers, convention attendees and other guests
PEORIA, Ill., (JUNE 28, 2013) – Peoria’s Grand Lady, the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette Hotel—an iconic Downtown landmark for the past 86 years—will reopen at 3 p.m. today. Closed in December 2011, the impeccably restored, full-service hotel at 501 Main St. is sure to dazzle visitors and guests with its historic beauty and modern amenities.
“My firm conviction has always been to give Peoria a full-service hotel that makes the city proud. The public and guests can expect historical integrity, stunning interiors and modern amenities, state-of-the-art life and safety mechanicals, and Marriott flag and management,” said Developer Gary Matthews, president of EM Properties. “This is your hotel, Peoria. Come see the historical and charming, yet modern hotel in Peoria’s downtown—Peoria’s Grand Lady.”
The 14-story hotel has been remodeled from top to bottom. All 286 guest rooms, public spaces, four ballrooms and seven meeting rooms are luxuriously designed and decorated. The well-appointed hotel design, along with the renowned Marriott service, delivers a high-tech and high-touch guest experience. The “Great Room” lobby concept, integrates the front desk, business center, lobby bar and restaurant area for a unique and sophisticated environment. The signature restaurant, Table 19, will twist and elevate regional American favorites by incorporating seasonal produce and sourcing the finest local ingredients whenever possible. Handcrafted cocktails and a global wine list will further satisfy the tastes of the truly cosmopolitan crowd.
“Our hotel has a rich heritage in the City of Peoria and we welcome the opportunity to preserve this tradition,” said Laura Lojas, the hotel’s general manager. “The exquisite refurbishment and quality craftsmanship will immerse guests in genuine sophistication—whether they are here for work or play.”
Renovations to the Pere Marquette are part of a three-pronged Downtown hotel project. Of the $93 million cost, about $44 million was dedicated to the hotel, the new 400 space parking deck at Fulton and Monroe streets and a pedestrian skywalk that will connect the complex with the Peoria Civic Center. The other main component of the project is a 10-story, 116-room Marriott Courtyard Hotel, which will be built adjacent to the Pere Marquette. The companion hotel will cost about $15 million and will be completed by the second half of 2014. Marriott will manage both the Pere Marquette and the Courtyard Hotel.
Opened on Jan. 5 1927, the Hotel Pere Marquette cost $2.5 million and featured 500 guest rooms, each with its own bathroom. It was named after Father Jacques Marquette, the French explorer, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, the Hotel Pere Marquette underwent several renovations, and hosted five sitting presidents as well as other famous celebrities and entertainers. Today, the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette Hotel has been restored to its full elegance and offers visitors modern amenities while simultaneously paying tribute to its historic past. This one-of-a-kind hotel will continue to be part of Downtown Peoria for years to come.
For more information about the hotel, visit: www.PeoriaMarriott.com
PEORIA, IL — Legislation supported by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) requiring schools to implement and practice an emergency drill to prepare faculty and children for a scenario where a gunman enters the building was recently signed into law.
“This measure will help protect our students and teachers in the event of an emergency,” Gordon-Booth said. “This new law will ensure everyone in our schools knows how to safely and quickly react to dangerous situations. I will continue pushing for legislation protecting our children.”
Senate Bill 1625 requires schools to develop an evacuation or reverse evacuation plan for possible shooting incidents. Local law enforcement officials will be asked to work with each school to find a date to practice this drill with students and staff. After participating in the drill, law enforcement will give each school a report regarding improvements that can be made to their safety plan.
Currently, schools are required to have safety drills for school evacuation, bus evacuation, law enforcement, and serve weather. School evacuation and law enforcement drills are both based on incidents involving hazardous materials and bomb threats. This new law keeps the reasons for school evacuation the same, but changes law enforcement evacuation to include a suspicious person entering the building.
“When children and adults have practiced how they should act in an emergency, they can be prepared for the unthinkable and unpredicted,” Gordon-Booth said. “Through these drills we are teaching our children who to trust in emergency situations and giving law enforcement the opportunity to learn the layout and design of schools. It is important that teachers and first-responders know how to work together to protect our children.”
For more information about this or other pieces of legislation, please contact Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992.
Bloomington-Normal, July 3, 2013 – Easter Seals Walk With Me will be held Saturday, July 13, at the Corn Crib in Normal, Illinois. Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m., with the walk stepping off at 9:30 a.m. The one-mile walk around the Corn Crib Stadium is short on mileage, but big on heart.
Walkers will be teamed with a local child who is receiving or has received Easter Seals services. All proceeds benefit Easter Seals programs and services in our community to offer help and hope for children with disabilities and developmental delays and their families.
Post-walk activities include bounce houses, face painting, refreshments and more. Area mascots will also make an appearance at the event.
Sonja Reece, Honorary Chairwoman of Walk With Me, invites you to be one of 1,500 walkers at this year’s event. Event sponsors are CVS Caremark, Amway, Century 21, Mass Mutual Financial Group, and CEFCU.
Create a team or register as an individual. Online registration is available at www.walkwithme.org/bloomington . For information contact Carly Wilson, Senior Development Associate, at 309-663-8275, ext. 224.
The entire community is invited to celebrate Peoria’s All America City Award on Wednesday, July 10th from 5-7pm at the Peoria Civic Center. It will be a jam packed community celebration that you shouldn’t miss.
We will be unveiling a new, yearlong community art initiative to “Build a Block” that will showcase Peoria’s All America City Award. It’s your chance to be a part of the permanent commemoration of this prestigious award. Those who attend the celebration on July 10th will be among the first to be involved.
Members of the Peoria Chamber’s Young Professionals Organization along with the ELITE Pulses of Hope drum Line will perform “Peoria’s Story” just as they did to the National Civic League in Denver. You will get a chance to see firsthand why the judges said Peoria’s performance set a new standard for the All America City Award presentations.
We will have the new Peoria All America City T-shirts, window decals and lapel pins on sale and you will have a chance to learn how local business can help promote and benefit from this national designation.
There will be free food, free parking and free entertainment so please join us to celebrate Peoria’s All America City Award on July 10th from 5-7pm at the Peoria Civic Center.
(Peoria, IL)—Pennsylvania Avenue between Peoria Avenue and California Avenue will be closed starting Tuesday, July 9, 2013. The closure will last until December 1, 2013 to allow for the reconstruction of this section of pavement. Access will remain to the OSF parking lot on Pennsylvania Avenue across from Peoria Avenue and the access to Easter Seals building will be at Armstrong Avenue.
For more information, contact Peoria Public Works Engineer, Scott Reeise at (309) 494-8818.
Tuesday, August 6th is the 30th anniversary of the National Night Out Against Crime. Night Out is held each year to celebrate neighborhoods and to foster positive relationships between resident, businesses, City staff and the police. In Peoria, neighborhood associations host block parties typically between 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Neighborhood associations that are registered with the City of Peoria may request up to $250.00 in reimbursement for Night Out related expenses. The deadline to register is July 19th. Night Out documents are available on the City’s Website at: Neighborhood Programs or by contacting Steve Fairbanks at 309 / 494-8250.
(BRIMFIELD, IL) – August 3, 2013, Brimfield will be closing down streets to showcase some the Tri-County’s finest vehicles in the area. Brimfield is proud to sponsor the exciting 7h annual Super Cruise In for Diabetes for the American Diabetes Association.
The day of the Cruise In will start with a bags tournament at 3:00 p.m. Team register for $20 and will start at 2:00 pm behind the Brimfield American Legion. There will be cash prizes for the winners. From 4:00p – 8:00p the streets will be lined with vehicles shining with pride showing their support for the American Diabetes Association. There will be a People’s Choice and a Committe’s Choice awarded to selected participants. Please contact Joe Arbogast at (309) 678-3639 with any questions regarding the Cruise In.
Downtown Brimfield will be full of activities for the whole family. There will be food (pork chop sandwiches, etc) available for purchase and an Ice Cream Social at Brimfield’s historic L.L. Guyer Cabin, which will also be available for tours, fun filled activities for the kids including a dunk tank and games, and fire prevention awareness provided by the Brimfield Fire Protection District. The event has grown drastically since its inaugural Cruise In 7 years ago. Last year, over 125 vehicles entered the event, while hundreds of people came out for entertainment, food, and to support the great cause. This family event has something for everyone!
There will be silent auction items available for everyone to bid on throughout the day with the winners being announced at 7:00 p.m.