Peoria – The Peoria County Regional Office of Education is pleased to announce the hiring of a new director of Professional Development, Cindy Dollman. Dollman has a background in special education, adapting instruction for bilingual learners, and supporting the implementation of Response to Intervention and multi-tiered support systems.

Dollman has a broad educational background including four masters’ degrees in special education, teaching and leadership, reading, and administration. She is well-versed in best practices of professional development for adult learners.

Dollman has provided high quality professional development on a wide-range of topics including: utilization of data to improve instructional outcomes; best practices in reading and the incorporation of reading into content-area instruction; intervention strategies for mathematics; differentiation and scaffolded instruction; the Charlotte Danielson framework; Sheltered Instruction Observation protocol; WIDA standards; social-emotional learning and support systems; standards-aligned instruction and assessment practices; student goal-setting; and effective teaming practices.

The Peoria County Regional Office of Education looks forward to the knowledge and experience Dollman brings to her position. For more information on this appointment, please call the Regional Office of Education at (309) 672-6906.

Have you ever wanted to perform on the Peoria Players stage or wondered what it is like to work behind the scenes? Now is your chance to find out! Join us for our annual Get Acquainted at the theatre on Sunday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. Meet the directors of our 2013-2014 season and enjoy performances from our upcoming shows. Sign up to help on any show this season! Admission is free.

Our 2013-2014 season includes All Shook Up, Les Miserables, Barefoot in the Park, Meet Me in St. Louis, Oliver!, The Miracle Worker, Shrek The Musical, and Smokey Joe’s Café – The Songs of Leiber and Stoller.

Peoria, Ill. (July 1, 2013) – Illinois American Water’s Peoria District is investing approximately $1.5 million to enhance water service in Peoria. The investment includes replacing approximately 2,100 feet of 2-inch water main with 8-inch water main and transferring about 190 water services in Peoria’s El Vista Subdivision. This investment project will enhance and maintain water quality, reliability and fire protection.

According to Chris Johnson, Senior Operations Manager for the Peoria District, “This project will ensure reliable water service as well as provide easier access to water infrastructure.”

A majority of the existing water services included in the project are located at the rear of customer property. Transferring the services to the newer, larger main located in front of customer property will help to decrease main breaks. The project will also help to eliminate inconvenience to customers and their property.

Illinois American Water’s main replacement program focuses on replacing mains where leaks occur, corrosion has caused damage or the size of the pipe is no longer sufficient to meet current daily demands. “The age of the pipes coupled with corrosion makes main replacements and transferring services necessary,” said Johnson. “Illinois American Water continues to invest annually in its systems to ensure that local water quality and service continues to be as good as or better than local, state and federal quality standards.”

Once all service lines have been transferred to the new water main, the existing main will be disconnected and abandoned in place. Abandonment in place helps to avoid large scale disruption to customer back yards. The entire project, including restoration of customer properties, is expected to be completed by October 2013.

The U.S. EPA reports that the nation’s water utilities will need to make more than $384 billion in infrastructure investments by 2030 to ensure public health. These investments include replacing thousands of miles of pipe and upgrades to treatment plants, storage tanks and other assets. Illinois American Water’s investment in the Peoria District is just another example of continuous investments and improvements being made, helping to meet the demands of today’s customers and planning for the future.

About Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

Have a safe holiday with special tips for travel, water safety, fireworks and outdoor cooking

The American Red Cross would like everyone to enjoy a safe summer holiday, and offers these special tips on travel, water safety, fireworks and outdoor cooking safety to help you and your loved ones have a great weekend.

Travel tips to keep you safe on the highway:
· Carry an Emergency Preparedness Kit in your trunk.
· Buckle up, slow down and if you plan on drinking, designate a driver.
· Be well rested and alert; give your full attention to the road.
· Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see well, especially at night.
· Pay attention to the forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms.
· Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.

Firework safety:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, an estimated 5,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms from June 22, 2012 and July 22, 2012. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:
· Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
· Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
· Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
· Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
· Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
· Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
· Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Safe Grilling:
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your Fourth of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:
· Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
· Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
· Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
· Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
· Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

Water safety at the pool and beach:
· Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
· Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice “reach supervision” by staying within an arm’s length of young children and weak swimmers.
· Watch for the “dangerous too’s”… too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
· Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.

For more Red Cross Fourth of July safety tips, please visit arcillinois.org/tip-library/fourth-of-july-safety.

Peoria Park District tennis lessons are divided into Red (beginner), White (intermediate) and Blue (advanced) levels for ages 6-17 on weekdays. A variety of age-appropriate lessons are available at each level.

Red Level lessons begin July 15 and 16. Cost is $30/resident, $35/non-resident. Grips, court rules, serves, basic strokes, and lead-up games are taught to participants with little to no experience.

White Level lessons begin July 15 and 16. Cost is $40/resident, $45/non-resident. Students should be able to hit a fairly solid forehand, backhand and know serve basics.
All Blue Level lessons begin July 15 and 16 at Richwoods High School at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $40/resident, $45/non-resident. Students should have solid strokes and be eager to learn advanced strategy.

Evening lessons for ages 8-11 begin July 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Richwoods High School.
Complete descriptions and schedules can be found in the current Playbook and online at www.peoriaparks.org/tennis, or call (309) 688-3667 with questions.

The Peoria Park District’s Co-Rec Sand Volleyball Short Season League begins July 14 and runs through August 18 at Bradley Park. Teams of 6 (at least 2 women) will play on Sunday evenings.

Team fees are $150/residents, $165/non-residents.

Registration packets are available at http://www.peoriaparks.org/adult-volleyball-leagues and at the Glen Oak Park Pavilion.

For more information, contact Matt Suellentrop at msuellentrop@peoriaparks.org or (309) 681-2866.
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PEORIA, IL – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth is encouraging children and their parents to take advantage of a program offered through the Peoria Park District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) aimed at teaching area residents how to fish.

“During the summer it is important to make sure our children have safe and safe activities,” Gordon-Booth said. “This program allows children who live in urban areas to experience the outdoors in a way they might not be able to otherwise. I strongly encourage area residents to check out this great program.”

The Peoria Park District receives funding through IDNR to administer the Urban Fishing Program. The fishing clinic includes information on fish and other aquatic life and basic rules and regulations for fishing. Children also receive hands-on instructions on baiting a hook, tying a knot, casting and other important fishing skills.

Each clinic lasts approximately 90 minutes, during which participants are provided all of the necessary equipment for catch-and-release fishing. The program is designed for children under 16-years-old, but all are welcome to take advantage of this free program. The clinics will take place at Glen Oak Park in Peoria.

“Fishing is a great way for families to spend time together outdoors, and our urban fishing clinics give thousands of children each summer a chance to experience the fun of fishing,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller.

For more information about the Urban Fishing Program, please contact the Peoria Park District at (309) 688-3667. Additional information can be found by contacting Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent services office at (309) 681-1992 or by email at repjgordon@gmail.com.

The Police Department invites residents to join police officers for hot dogs, chips and soda, on Saturday, July 13th at two neighborhood locations.

The first picnic will be held on the South Side from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on the campus of Thrive Capital, formerly Blaine-Sumner School, 919 S. Matthew St. The second picnic will be held on the East Bluff at 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., on the grounds of the East Bluff Community Center, formerly St. Bernard’s School, located at the intersection of Nebraska and New York Avenues.

Residents and children are encouraged to attend to get to know their neighborhood police officers.

To volunteer or contribute to the picnics call: 494-8250.

Peoria – Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) reminds pet owners to take special care of their pets during the Fourth of July holiday. The safest place for your pet during the holiday is inside, away from fireworks. Pets may panic and run away when frightened by fireworks or the sometimes chaotic atmosphere of the holiday.

Many pets are injured during the Fourth of July holiday. Whether at a backyard cookout or a community fireworks event, pets can become frightened. A frightened animal can bite, putting itself and others in danger. The best place for pets during any fireworks display is at home or inside where it cannot be injured or lost.

If you lose your pet or see an injured animal, please call PCAPS at 309-672-2440 or the Peoria Emergency Communications Center at 309-674-3131. The animal shelter is closed on Thursday, July 4, for the holiday, but animal control officers remain on duty throughout the holiday to respond to calls for stray and injured animals.

For more information, please call PCAPS at 672-2440.

Have Your Child “Bake with the B.O.S.S.”
The Peoria Park District’s Baking with the B.O.S.S. class for children ages 5-16 takes place at the Christian Center on Saturday, July 13 from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $35/residents, $43/non-residents. Register using code 56554.
Taught by Cookie Shack bakers, students will learn how to make their own cookie dough from scratch, decorate sugar cookies, read recipes, sift ingredients, and learn of the tools needed for baking. Each participant will receive a grab bag or a discount coupon.
For more information or to register, visit www.peoriaparks.org/craft-classes or call (309) 688-3667.

Concerts in the Park at Franciscan Rec Complex
Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy an afternoon on Franciscan Rec Complex’s front lawn listening to SideTracked on July 14 from 3-5 p.m. This free concert is co-sponsored by the West Peoria Residents Association and the Peoria Park District.
Another concert will take place on August 11 featuring Peoria POPS Orchstra’s Swing Band from 3-5 p.m.
More information can be found at www.peoriaparks.org/frc or by calling FRC at (309) 677-6705.

Leather Tablet Case Class
The Peoria Park District’s Leather Tablet Case class for ages 16+ is July 13 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Tandy Leather Company.
Cost to construct a small case (Nook) is $18/residents, $21/non-residents. Register using code 56564. Cost to construct a large case (iPad) is $23/residents, $27/non-residents. Register using code 56565. 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.

Enjoy The Pirates! Showing at Glen Oak Amphitheatre
The Peoria Park District Glen Oak Amphitheatre presents “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” on July 8. Gates open at 8 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.