(Peoria, IL / April 17, 2013) – April has been designated National Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Awareness Month. CHERUBS is a national CDH organization which promotes CDH awareness and funding for research.

The local CDH Clinic is based in the Pediatric Surgery Center at Children’s Hospital of Illinois. The Peoria area CHERUBS will be holding a celebration and awareness parade on April 20.

WHAT: Peoria Parade of CHERUBS
WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2013
WHERE: Glen Oak Park Shelter, 2218 N Prospect Rd, Peoria
TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 PM; Parade starts at 2:30

A CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully form, allowing abdominal organs into the chest cavity and preventing lung growth. CDH occurs in one of every 2500 births – half of the babies diagnosed with CDH do not survive. The cause is not known.

The CDH follow up clinic was established at Children’s Hospital in 2003 under the direction of Dr. Rick Pearl, pediatric surgeon.

On-site contact for the parade is Kristin Aigner, CDH Clinic nurse. For more information For more information contact Kristin at 309-371-8566 or Kristin.L.Aigner@osfhealthcare.org.

To learn more about CHERUBS visit www.cdhawarenessday.org

Edwards Coal Plant Violating the Clean Air Act, Putting Community’s Health at Risk

WHAT: On Thursday, the Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance will hold a press conference at a local homeowner’s yard with dramatic views of Ameren Illinois’ Edwards coal-fired power plant to announce the filing of a lawsuit for Clean Air Act violations from the coal plant’s emissions. The lawsuit is being filed in U.S. District Court by the Sierra Club, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Natural Resources Defense Council and Respiratory Health Association.

The Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance is a community group recently formed in the Peoria metro area in response to concerns over local air and water pollution caused by the Edwards coal plant. The Edwards coal plant has been polluting Peoria’s air, water, and communities for over a half century, and contributing to seven premature deaths, ten heart attacks, and more than 100 asthma attacks each year, according to a study by the Clean Air Task Force.

WHEN: Thursday, April 18, at 10:30 AM

WHERE: 4601 West Route 24, Bartonville, IL

RAIN OR SHINE- there will be overhead coverage in the event of rain

Directions: Take Route 24 south from Bartonville; turn right/west onto Tuscarora Road and then turn left onto the access lane toward the split-level ranch house facing out over Route 24. The press conference will be on the private lane.

WHO: Joyce Blumenshine, Sierra Club Heart of Illinois Group Chair; Andrew Armstrong, Attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center; Ann Alexander, Attorney with Natural Resources Defense Council; Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs at Respiratory Health Association; Joyce Harant, Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance; Robin Garlish, Pekin resident, mother of asthmatic children

PEORIA, IL- In honor of “National Heathcare Decision Day,” state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) is encouraging individuals to take the time and write down their own healthcare plan.

“Caring for a sick or dying loved one is a difficult situation,” said Gordon-Booth. “This is made even harder when you also have to make a life-changing decision for the person receiving medical attention. That is why I want to urge everyone to create a healthcare plan and discuss it with their family and friends.”

National Healthcare Decision Day was established to educate the public about the importance of planning for future healthcare decisions. Studies have shown that most Americans have not created an advance healthcare directive in case they are no longer able to speak for themselves. These may include a living will, power of attorney, or designating a healthcare surrogate.

“By creating a healthcare directive, you are ensuring that your wishes will be followed by the doctors and nurses caring for you,” said Gordon-Booth. “Having recently dealt with the death of my 50-year old brother, I know from personal experience how difficult these decisions can be on a family. Please take the time to make these important decisions and share your choices with your loved ones.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent services office at (309) 681-1992 or by e-mail repjgordon@gmail.com.

The Peoria Park District’s Golf Learning Center is offering free “Spring Into Golf” clinics on Saturday, April 27. Sign up by calling (309) 690-7162. Limited to 20 people per session.
Ages Time
7-11 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
12-16 2:15-3:15 pm
17+ 3:30 pm-4:30 pm

Also on Saturday, April 27, ages 50+ can participate in free Senior Clinics. Sign up by calling (309) 690-7162. Limited to 20 people per session.
Time Topic
2:15-3 pm Full Swing
3:15-4 pm Chipping
4:15-5 pm Putting

Free Season Ticket Holder clinics will take place on May 5, May 12, and May 19. Sign up by calling (309) 690-7162. Limited to 20 people per session.
Time Topic
2:15-3 pm Full Swing
3:15-4 pm Chipping
4:15-5 pm Putting

Peoria Park District’s Franciscan Recreation Complex (FRC) is looking for interested businesses in the arts, crafts, and home-based field to display their wares at a Craft & Vendor Sale on Saturday, May 18 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost is $25 per booth space.
More information, including registration forms, can be found at www.peoriaparks.org/frc or by calling FRC at (309) 677-6705.

Peoria, IL – Muir Omni Graphics, a second-generation family-owned business and a leading manufacturer of industrial graphics and markings, is proud to announce its 50th year in business.

Since 1963 Muir Omni Graphics has been providing some of the world’s leading manufacturers, utility companies and service organizations with turn-key decal production and management solutions including OEM markings and decals, fleet and corporate vehicle markings, corporate identity markings, control panels and fascias, warning labels and signage, and specialty graphics. The company was originally founded as Muir, Molleck and Pelini in 1963 by the late Don Muir. Today, this family-owned silk screen printing business specializing in the off-highway, construction, farm equipment and transportation markets is led by Muir’s son, Andrew, and has recently begun transitioning business ownership to its employees.

“When I joined the company in 1982, the country was in a deep recession,” said Andrew Muir, President of Muir Omni Graphics. “We needed to find a way to retain the high quality decals we were producing without putting ourselves at economic risk. I have seen too many companies fail when presented with such challenges and I am proud to say that instead of failing, we flourished. We have incorporated many lean practices into our core business processes and have cross-trained our employees in a multitude of business units to ensure continuity. We are proud at the longevity our employees possess, as well as the long-term client relationships we have retained.”

“Because of this, we wanted to honor those accomplishments and reward our employees by moving the company to an ESOP. Not only does this show our employees how much we value their loyalty, commitment and vast knowledge base, it also should impress upon our customers dedication to them as well. They will know that they have company owners working to get the job done right, not just employees.”

The MUIR focus has always been the relationships with their clients – the global mix of products and services, and their unique ability to fulfill the total needs of their clients. The integration of customer support, quality assurance, engineering, sophistication, energy, experience and technology forms a highly specialized service organization.
“Throughout our history, we have never lost sight of meeting the quality and service expectations of our clients”, said Andrew Muir. “The 50th Anniversary is a testament to our continued dedication to both our clients and our employees.”

Muir Omni Graphics is proud to have enjoyed 50 years of achievement and success. Gained through a combination of strategic planning, continous improvement and lean manufacturing processes, they are looking forward to many more years to come.

About Muir Omni Graphics
For fifty years, Muir Omni Graphics has been providing some of the world’s leading manufacturers, utility companies and service organizations with turn-key decal production and management solutions, including OEM Markings and Decals, Fleet and Corporate Vehicle Markings, Corporate Identity, Control Panels and Fascias, Warning Labels and Signage, and Specialty Graphics. www.MuirGraphics.com.

UnityPoint Clinic and home care provider UnityPoint at Home

Peoria, IL-(April 16, 2013)—Iowa Health System (IHS), which Methodist Health Services Corporation joined in 2011, is now UnityPoint Health (www.unitypoint.org). This new name for the nation’s fifth largest non-denominational health system reflects the way its hospitals, physicians and home care entities are transforming health care delivery through patient-centered coordinated care.

In Central Illinois, UnityPoint Health – Methodist includes Methodist Medical Center, Methodist Medical Group (now UnityPoint Clinic), Methodist Home Health (now UnityPoint at Home – Methodist Home Health), and Methodist Hospice (now UnityPoint Hospice – Methodist Hospice).

UnityPoint Health got its start in 1993 as Iowa Health System. Since then UnityPoint Health has grown to encompass eight major geographic regions in Illinois and Iowa. In 2011, Methodist became the eighth senior affiliate.

“Over the years, as our team-based approach has developed and our services have expanded, we have become a point of unity for the patient. Our new brand is an expression of what we mean to our patients: people who work together to provide the best outcome for every patient every time,” said Bill Leaver, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health.

The new name and brand logo were unveiled to system leaders and employees earlier today. This change symbolizes the difference between the former hospital-centered health care process to one that more effectively addressed the total care of all patients, whether they were at a physician clinic, a hospital or home. The move to a physician-led organization focusing on patient care coordination is ongoing.

“The way we deliver health care is fundamentally changing,” said Debbie Simon, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health – Methodist. “We needed a new name that reflects that we are providing even more coordinated care by putting the patient at the center of everything we do. The new system name says there is a shared commitment throughout UnityPoint Health to providing this better kind of health care.”

The change to become UnityPoint Health follows several years of innovation and discussions between the organization’s regions, board of directors, physician leadership and management teams regarding health care changes and how to best position the organization for the future.

Dr. Alan Kaplan, president and CEO of UnityPoint Clinic and senior vice president and Chief Clinical Officer of UnityPoint Health, said “For the patient, care coordination is much more than a physician making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment at a moment in time. It means having a doctor who leads a team to help the patient over the time it takes to get well and stay well. It sounds simple, and from the patient perspective it should be. The challenge for organizations is to transform from the traditional way of delivering healthcare to one in which everyone is truly aligned and focused on what really matters—you. UnityPoint Health is doing that.”

The strategic plan of UnityPoint Health is focused on a new care coordination model, expansion and organizational growth at the system and local level. There will be no change in management, structure or staff involved in this brand change. Overall, UnityPoint Health employs more than 24,000 individuals throughout Illinois and Iowa, and each region will maintain its existing leadership and local boards of directors.

Today, UnityPoint Health is one of the nation’s most integrated health systems. Through relationships with more than 900 physicians and providers working in more than 280 UnityPoint Clinics, 29 hospitals in metropolitan and rural communities and home care services throughout its eight regions, UnityPoint Health provides care throughout Illinois and Iowa.

“While the name of our organization will change to reflect our focus on integrated care coordination, UnityPoint Health will continue to deliver the best outcome for every patient, every time,” Leaver said. “It’s our mission and commitment to patients and families. UnityPoint Health is a leader in health care. We are far ahead of other health systems and the time to announce our progress is now.”

PRAIRIE FIBER ARTS GUILD
Discover the Fiber Arts! Fiber Artist Dana Baldwin . . .

Dana’s love of fiber arts began at an early age, living with her family in Spain. She noticed an elderly woman dressed in mourning sitting in front of a medie-val castle knitting the most intricate and beautiful lace. Mesmerized, Dana thought it was like “magic” and her love affair with all things fiber began.

Dana’s work is influenced by the vibrant colors and music of Spain, Portugal and Northern Africa. Her mother, an accomplished artist, introduced her to some of the world’s most famous museums.

Dana creates wearable works of art from recycled clothing. Her pieces have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

As Dana says, “my work is motivated by my love of the imperfect. There is beauty in imperfection. My recycled clothing is made ‘free hand’ meaning I don’t follow patterns. I look for the interesting aspects of a particular item and work with that. Each piece is lovingly recreated and given a new place center stage.”

Dana will vend her beautiful wearable art pieces at the Folk, Fiber & Friends Weekend 2013 Marketplace at Three Sisters Park Pavilion, 17189 N. Rt. 29, Chillicothe, Illinois 61523, Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Marketplace is open to the public with free admission and parking. We are pleased to present Midwestern vendors representing a wide variety of fiber arts media. There will be fiber arts demonstrations by local Guilds throughout the day and a fundraiser for Paws Giving Independence.

The event is sponsored by The Fiber Universe.
For more information, contact:
Janis Straesser, Prairie Fiber Arts Guild (jastraesse@sbcglobal.net)

Save $100/couple!
Reserve by April 26.

We still have some openings available!

This cruise is all about Abraham Lincoln! Lincoln gave speeches in Peoria, Springfield (of course) and Alton. Alton was just on of the many towns that played host to the Lincoln/Douglas Debates.

We depart Peoria on this three day, two night excursion on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and travel through two locks and dams on the first day, Peoria and LaGrange locks with a landing Wednesday evening in Meredosia, Illinois. From the landing in Meredosia, motor coaches transport you to The President Abraham Lincoln hotel in Springfield, Illinois. Breakfast will be at the hotel followed by a tour of the Lincoln Museum. You will catch the Spirit of Peoria for lunch and proceed down the Illinois River to Grafton. That evening we will spend the night at the largest state park in Illinois, Pere Marquette lodge.

Friday morning starts with breakfast at the lodge, then a short cruise down to Alton, IL. Lunch will be served on the boat along with more river-lore and live entertainment. The trip concludes with a bus tour of historic Alton and tour of The National Great Rivers Museum at the Mel Price Lock & Dam.

Ticket cost includes meals, entertainment, luggage handling, non-alcoholic drinks on the boat, taxes and gratuities as well as transport back to Peoria.

Sales office hours:
9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
info@spiritofpeoria.com
800-676-8988
309-637-8000

Physical & Mailing Address:
Spirit of Peoria
100 NE Water St
Peoria, Illinois 61602

Peoria – Help raise awareness of child abuse by joining “Hands Around the Courthouse” on Friday, April 19, at noon in the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza, 324 Main Street, downtown Peoria. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Youth Services Network Panel is hosting its 6th Annual Hands Around the Courthouse event to draw attention to the 1009 pending child abuse and neglect cases in Peoria County.

During the event, advocacy and justice officials will say a few words about the unfortunate cases still pending and the importance of child abuse prevention. Speakers include Mark Gilles, Associate Judge 10th Judicial Circuit; Peoria County State’s Attorney Jerry Brady; and Channing Petrak, M.D. of the Pediatric Resource Center.

Persons attending the event will have an opportunity to tour the Mobile Parent Resource Center, a renovated school bus equipped as a mobile classroom that provides on-site educational programs, early childhood screenings, and resource information to parents in the community. The Mobile Parent Resource Center is a collaboration of Bradley University, Peoria Public School District 150, and the City of Peoria.

Organizers of “Hands Around the Courthouse” appreciate Radio Peoria for providing sound and participants are encouraged to wear blue to show their support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information about the event, please call Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA at (309) 669-2939.