Sample beer & wine samples from local distributors and wineries at the 3rd annual Beer & Wine Tasting on Friday from 4:30 – 8:30 pm at Barrack’s Cater Inn (located at 1224 W. Pioneer Pkwy. in Peoria). Admission is $25 in advance or $30 at the door and includes a souvenir glass, beverage samples, appetizers and a silent auction. SAMS Rescue is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that provides no-cost spay/neuter service and are raising money for a no-kill animal shelter in the Elmwood/Brimfield area.

The Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association’s 2013 Central Illinois Auto Show will feature its 34 dealers displaying over 300 vehicles from 30 different manufacturers at the Peoria Civic Center from Noon – 8 pm on Friday, 11 am – 8 pm on Saturday ad from 11 am – 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for ages 16 & older and free for ages 15 & under with a paid adult. Friday is Senior Day with ages 60+ admitted at ½ price ($2.50) and Sunday is Family Day where two adults and children age 15 & under are admitted for $8. For more information, visit http://www.peoriaautoshow.com

Daycare Providers are invited to attend a free storytime workshop on Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Peoria Public Library Lincoln Branch. Led by experienced storytime librarian Mary Ortiz, the workshop will share simple ideas on how to liven up storytimes, toddler lap sits and even puppet shows.

Everyone who attends will receive a certificate of participation and light snacks will be provided. The workshop is sponsored by Peoria Public Library and Child Care Connection. Those planning to attend or who want more information are asked to call 309- 497-2600.

Be prepared to protect and treat your pet with Red Cross training

CENTRAL ILLINOIS – April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great opportunity for pet owners to brush up on tips from the American Red Cross to keep their animals safe and healthy as we head into spring and summer.

HEAT STROKE: Heat stroke is one of the most common problems pets face in the warmer weather when they are not yet used to the warm temperatures. Pet owners should remember that the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees in warm weather and should not leave their animals in the car. This can quickly lead to heat stroke. The signs of heat stroke include:
· Heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down.
· The pet’s gums may be brick red, they may have a fast pulse rate, or they may not be able to get up.

If someone suspects their pet has heat stroke, they should take the pet’s temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring the pet to the veterinarian immediately as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

OTHER HAZARDS: Open doors and windows can be hazardous to a pet. The animal may try to get outside, increasing the risk of falling from windows or being hit by a vehicle. Some plants and flowers can be hazardous. Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.

PET FIRST AID: Courses are available at many Red Cross chapters on how to care for your pet. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic responsibilities like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters. Visit Redcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available.

EMERGENCIES AND YOUR PET: Don’t forget to include pets in planning for emergencies in your home or neighborhood:
· Make plans to take your pets with you if you have to evacuate. Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, boarding facilities will accept pets.
· Assemble an easy-to-carry kit with emergency supplies for pets: Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers
· Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener
· Current photos of the pets

For more pet safety tips and information, please visit arcillinois.org/tip-library.

PEORIA, IL — Ansel Adams: Western Exposure opens at Peoria Riverfront Museum April 13. The exhibition encompasses more than 120 photos by Adams, some of which have rarely, if ever, have been shown publicly. Also included are drawings, camera equipment and personal items that belonged to the photographer. Ansel Adams is considered one of the most renowned photographers of the twentieth century, best known for his black-and-white photos of the American West.

Peoria Riverfront Museum is the only venue in the Midwest to display Ansel Adams: Western Exposure. The exhibition is curated by Adams’ daughter-in-law, Jeanne Adams. Jeanne and her husband, Michael Adams, son of the photographer, have lived in Adams’ Carmel Heights, CA. studio for more than twenty years. Together, Jeanne and Michael have meticulously gone through the Adam’s photos and archives to create this unique exhibition.

Ansel Adams: Western Exposure aligns with the museum’s multiple disciplines: art, history, science and achievement. The exhibit will be on display in Peoria Riverfront Museum until September 22, 2013.

In 2006, a different Adams collection, owned by his daughter Anne Adams Helms, was exhibited at Lakeview Museum. The exhibit was heavily attended, drawing visitors locally and regionally.

The Peoria City/County Health Department is hosting two free public presentations on “The Science of Wastewater Treatment” to help residents of Peoria County better understand the need for treating onsite wastewater on their property. The featured speaker is Tony Smithson of A Smithson & Associates of Vernon Hills. Two presentations will be held Tuesday, April 16. The first presentation will be from 11:30am to 1pm. The second presentation will occur at 6pm as part of the inaugural meeting of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Workgroup. Both presentations will take place at the Gateway Building, 200 NE Water Street, Peoria, IL 61614.

Smithson is an expert in the area of civil engineering, specializing in land development, stormwater management, wastewater treatment, and construction services. Wil Hayes, Director of Environmental Health at Peoria City/County Health Department explains the need for the information sessions,” The presentations are designed to help explain the science behind onsite wastewater treatment and help owners better understand how private wastewater treatment systems function and their relationship to public health concerns and environmental regulations.”

The presentations will focus on helping individuals gain a better understanding of wastewater treatment and the challenges faced by homeowners, developers, and contractors during the planning, installation, and maintenance of an onsite wastewater treatment system. Hayes further adds, “Attending one of the meetings is highly recommended to anyone who is concerned about groundwater protection or whose home is served by an onsite wastewater treatment system or private septic system. These should be informative presentations with current explanations of safe wastewater treatment practices.”

For information on the public meetings, call Wil Hayes, Director of Environmental Health at 309-679-6160. For important information on other Public Health issues, visit the Peoria City/County Health Department website at www.pcchd.org.

PEORIA, IL –State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) is reminding families that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“As state representative, I believe that one of my greatest responsibilities is to help protect Illinoisans, especially children,” said Gordon-Booth. “Child abuse is still all too common in our community. I am committed to doing everything that I can to stop child abuse and making sure are children are safe.”

As part of these efforts, Gordon-Booth recently supported legislation that removes the statute of limitation on child sex crimes, including criminal sexual assault and abuse. House Bill 1063 would allow people who were victims of these crimes when they were under the age to of 18 to come forward at any time. The bill gives law enforcement the opportunity to prosecute for these crimes.

Under current law, crimes can only be prosecuted if it happened within the past three years for felony charges and 1.5 years misdemeanor charges. Although there currently are some exceptions, House Bill 1063 would eliminate all statutes of limitation for certain sex crimes committed against a minor, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated sexual abuse, and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

“Often when children are the victims of sexual abuse and crimes, they are too afraid to tell an authority figure immediately,” said Gordon-Booth. “This legislation makes sure the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes are held responsible, regardless of how much time it takes for the victim to share their story.”

House Bill 1063 passed the House unanimously and awaits further consideration in the Senate. For any

With Less Than Five Weeks Left in the Tax Season, Now is the Time to File Your Return and Get Ahead of the Last-Minute Crowds

Peoria IL April 4th– The clock is winding down, with less than five weeks left until the IRS’ tax filing deadline on April 15, also known as ‘Tax Day.’ As the countdown begins, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® is sharing with Peoria-area taxpayers the benefits of filing their returns sooner than later. More than 20,000 qualified Jackson Hewitt tax preparers are conveniently accessible at 6,800 locations across the U.S. to help filers accurately prepare their returns.

“Americans lost valuable time this tax season due to the late season start, and they were further set back by the tax form and tax credit delays,” said Mary Jo Roberts, Area Manager, who operates Jackson Hewitt offices in the Peoria-area. “But, now there is no reason to wait. Taxpayers who have yet to file should do so as soon as possible, and get ahead of the eleventh-hour dash.”

In these last weeks of the tax season, Roberts offers five reasons to not delay filing your return any further:

Increase your current and previous refund amount(s) — Rushing at the last minute to file can often lead to costly mistakes, such as overlooked deductions and credits. Make sure you have enough time to compile all the information and documentation that will help accurately increase your refund or lower your tax liability. You also have until April 15 to file an amended return for up to the three previous tax years. If you feel Uncle Sam may owe you more money on your 2009 income tax year return from an overlooked deduction or credit, don’t miss out on what is rightfully owed to you – because after April 15, the 2009 return is locked out from amending.

Plan your next vacation — Does winter have you thinking of sandy beaches or beautiful vistas? Vacations are a great way to enjoy your tax refund and you can start planning for your next one as soon as you file. With the IRS reporting an average refund amount of approximately $3,000, you can use that money to prepay for your trip, take advantage of great travel deals and look forward to a relaxing vacation.

Stop identity theft — Tax-related identity theft has been a growing problem that affected taxpayers are often not aware of until they file their returns. While the IRS has dozens of identity screens in place to protect taxpayers, the best way to protect yourself is to file your return early. When you file, you block your social security number from being used to file a fraudulent return. As soon as you have all of your tax documents, make sure to file before someone else does.

Lower taxes by increasing your retirement fund — Contributing to your retirement fund is a great way to lower your 2012 tax liability. There is still time left to put up to $5,000 ($6,000 if age 50 or older) into a traditional IRA.

Avoid sequester setbacks — If you are planning to file for an extension, there will likely be less IRS staff to help you after April 15. The downside of keeping staffing levels the same for the remainder of the tax season is that the IRS will need to catch up with its required budget cuts. As a result, late filers may experience a noticeable slowdown if trying to reach IRS phone support.

Roberts added, “On average 75 percent of taxpayers get a tax refund. But, if you are among the 25 percent that owes additional tax dollars, you can still benefit from filing sooner because you have more time to save money in advance of the April 15 due date.”

To speak with a tax preparer or make an appointment at a Peoria Jackson Hewitt location, please call: 800-234-1040

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is an industry-leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with 6,800 franchised and company-owned locations throughout the United States, including 2,800 located in Walmart stores nationwide, and more than 400 Sears stores in the United States and Puerto Rico for the 2013 tax season. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® also offers an online tax preparation product at www.JacksonHewittOnline.com. For more information, or to locate your neighborhood Jackson Hewitt® office, visit www.JacksonHewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040. Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter, or check out Jackson Hewitt’s “On the Street” video series, hosted by Chief Tax Officer Mark Steber and available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/jacksonhewitt.

April 19 – 21, 2013 at Three Sisters Folk Art School
17189 Illinois Rt. 29, Chillicothe, IL 61523

2013 is bringing a new and exciting fiber arts event to Central Illinois!

A new fiber arts guild formed in the Peoria area in 2012 – Prairie Fiber Arts Guild – and they are collaborating with The Three Sisters Folk Art School on the “Fiber” portion of their “Folk, Fiber and Friends Weekend 2013” April event (http://qa.threesistersfolkartschool.com). The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2013 through Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Three Sisters Park, 17189 Illinois Rt. 29, Chillicothe, IL 61523. The event is sponsored by the Fiber Universe. Free admission and parking!

On Saturday, April 20, 2013, Prairie Fiber Arts Guild and The Fiber Universe will present the “Folk, Fiber and Friends” Marketplace at the Pavilion in Three Sisters Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Midwest vendors will offer a wide variety of fiber arts and folk art items for sale. Entertainment will be provided by the Folk Art School Dulcimer musicians and storytellers. A “Fiber Arts Experience” for adults and children, ongoing throughout the day, is designed so attendees may observe a variety of fiber arts demonstrations and try – “hands on” – a new or different Craft.

On Sunday, April 21, 2013, we will be hosting a “fiber-in” for anyone in the area who would like to bring their wheel, loom, needles or whatever and work on a project and meet other fiber arts enthusiasts.

Peoria, IL (April 4, 2013) Dr. Robin Nusslock, a clinical neuroscientist and assistant professor of psychology at Northwestern University, will deliver a lecture, titled “Happiness and Mental Illness: Too Much (or Too Little) of a Good Thing?,” on April 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Michel Student Center ballroom at Bradley University.

The talk will examine the role that abnormalities in brain regions involved in generating positive and rewarding emotions play in psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction.

Dr. Nusslock was recently recognized by the Association for Psychological Science as a 2013 “Rising Star” in the field of psychological science.

A poster session will be held prior to the colloquium from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the lobby outside the ballroom. Honors students from the Department of Psychology will display posters summarizing their research and will be present to discuss their projects.

The annual honors colloquium and poster session are sponsored by the Daniel J. Elias Endowment Fund at Bradley.