The not-for-profit organization Look. It’s My Book! is holding a fund raiser with dinner, music and literary entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the Mt. Hawley Country Club, 7724 N. Knoxville, Peoria.

The event, which is open to the public, costs $75 per person, with reservations due by April 13 to Susan Davis, 563 E. High Point Road, Peoria, IL 61614.

Jamie Brown, principal of Roosevelt School and former principal at Hines School will speak on the impact of Look. It’s My Book! There will also be a fun literacy test with the winning table receiving champagne and an operatic-style serenade.

A silent auction and raffle will add to the entertainment.

Look. It’s My Book! is committed to providing six new books each year to every Peoria School District pupil in kindergarten through fourth grade.

Children select the books with Look It’s My Book! from a list vetted by Accelerated Reader, a program used by District 150. Research shows that the best way to motivate children to read is to have books on a subject that interests them. That’s why it’s critical for them to choose their books. At the same time a child’s reading skills and school performance improve if there are books in the home.

For further information visit the website www.lookitsmybook.org or
call 309/691-9266 or email janeteroth@yahoo.com. Contributions to Look. It’s My Book! are tax deductible.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse Brings Awareness to the Issues Child Abuse by hosting the 4th Annual Prevention Kick-Off Event

WHO: Community Agencies and Coalitions who work with children.

GUEST SPEAKER – Greg Williams, Educator and Child Advocate – Co-Founder of Reagan’s Rescue, whose mission is to spread awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome and raise funds for families and children. This effort was in response to the death of his granddaughter.
WHAT: Kick-Off event to include a lunch and opportunities for discussion.

WHEN: Thursday April 4, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Center for Prevention of Abuse – 720 Joan Ct., Peoria, Illinois 61614

WHY: To join together as a united community to raise awareness of the terrible tragedy of child abuse and neglect and to promote specific ways to join in the effort of prevention.

To make a reservation or learn more about child abuse prevention contact Sara Dillefeld at 309-691-0551

There are just a few Peoria Park District Adult Softball League spots open for both Men’s 12” and Co-Rec 12” on each day, Sunday through Friday. Plus, if you sign up your team to play on Fridays, you’ll get a $75 discount! League play begins April 14.

Regular Men’s 12” team registration fee is $375/resident, $415/non-resident, and Co-Rec 12” is $300/resident, $340/non-resident. Player fees for both leagues are $18/resident, $25/non-resident.

Registration packets are available online at www.peoriaparks.org/softball and at the Glen Oak Park Pavilion.

For more information on the Peoria Park District’s adult softball program, call Nick McDuffee at (309) 681-2867.

Peoria, Ill. – An exhibition celebrating the world travels of Miss Jean Morron will open on April 7 at the Peoria Historical Society’s Pettengill-Morron House on Moss Avenue in Peoria. At the exhibition, literally hundreds of items will be on display, from Miss Morron’s vast collection of Louis Vitton luggage (complete with Cunard and White Star Line baggage stickers) to souvenirs, first-edition books and trinkets she picked up from around the world. The exhibition will be open from April through September on the first Sunday of each month.

In 1912, Jean Morron took her first world tour with her father via steamship. After that trip, travel became her life passion. At the exhibition, visitors will be able to view Miss Morron’s wardrobe, custom dinnerware and fine china along with pieces of art she purchased on her trips abroad. The exhibition will highlight Miss Morron’s favorite cities, including Paris and London, as well as U.S. locations like New York City and Boston.

“When we started digging into the world travels of Jean Morron, we discovered all kinds of unique, one-of-a-kind treasures,” said Walter C. Ruppman, Executive Director, Peoria Historical Society. “We thought that an exhibition at the Pettengill-Morron house would be a great way to present them to the community.”

The exhibition opens Sunday, April 7, and will continue through September. The exhibit will be open from 1-4 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month during that time. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children. Other times and dates for private/group tours can be scheduled by calling the PHS office. For more information, visit peoriahistoricalsociety.org or call 309-674-1921.

The Peoria Historical Society’s roots can be traced back to 1839 and was officially incorporated in 1934. Since that time, the Society has sought to preserve and promote the unique history of the central Illinois River valley. Today, the Society continues to protect and celebrate the heritage and history of the great city of Peoria.

Friday, April 5th through Saturday, April 6th @ Par-A-Dice Hotel

The Peoria World Affairs Council presents “Is the Arab Spring Turning to Winter?: Democracy Movements, Islamist Movements, and an Uncertain Future,” featuring sessions and addresses by area professors and national dignitaries.

The conference runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Cost is $125/general public; $100/PAWAC members and students. Call (309) 677-2454, or register online at artstix.artspartners.net.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in an effort to unite the community behind the cause, The Center for Prevention of Abuse will host its fourth annual Prevention Kick-Off Event on Thursday, April 4th, at 11:00 a.m. at its Peoria location, 702 Joan Court.

Educator, child advocate and co-founder of Reagan’s Rescue, Greg Williams, will serve as guest speaker, and the event includes lunch and opportunities for discussion. To reserve your spot, call (309) 691-0551.

On Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. Adam Miller, renowned American folksinger and storyteller will perform a free concert at Peoria Public Library Lakeview Branch.

One of the premier autoharpists in the world, Adam Miller is a natural-born storyteller. An accomplished folklorist, historian, musicologist, and song-collector, he has amassed a remarkable repertoire of over 5,000 songs. Miller accompanies his rich, resonant baritone voice with lively finger-picking acoustic guitar and stunningly beautiful autoharp melodies. A masterful entertainer who never fails to get his audience singing along, he has distinguished himself as one of the great interpreters of American folktales and folksongs, and as a performer who appeals to audiences of all ages.

For more information or questions about attending the concert call 309-497-2143.

CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc., has received the NISH Certificate of Achievement for 2012. The certificate is presented in recognition of the high standards of performance CWTC has maintained throughout the past year in providing a product/service for the Federal government under the AbilityOne® Program.

CWTC Executive Director Patti Gratton says, “We are extremely honored by this acknowledgement from NISH. Their recognition endorses CWTC’s mission of maximizing the independence of adults with disabilities.”

NISH is a national non-profit agency that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities through a national network of more than 550 non-profit agency partners to fulfil contracting needs for the Federal Government, commercial businesses and government contractors.

For more information contact Patti Gratton at 686-3300.

CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc., provides programs and services to adults with disabilities; enriching their quality of life, promoting social change, and optimizing their potential for independence.

Janesville, WI – APRIL 1, 2013 – Blain’s Farm & Fleet plans to build a new 127,000 square foot store and remain in Village of Morton. Blain’s Farm & Fleet has been a member of the Morton community since 1974. The new store will be located on the south side of Courtland Avenue at the intersection of North Morton Avenue.

“Frankly, we have known for some time that we’ve outgrown our old location. The facility is no longer representative of what we have grown to become as a retailer nor support the image we want to project to the shopping public,” said Robert Blain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

“During our search for a site that will support the long-term growth of our operation, we seriously considered locating in other communities. Many were quite receptive and eager to lure us away with some very attractive municipal development inceptives. Given that each site we evaluated had its own pluses and minuses, our decision to remain in Morton came down to two things. One was our corporate culture. Our founders made the decision almost 40 years ago that Morton was the right place to put down roots and invest their hard-earned money. Over the years, Morton and the surrounding communities have been very good to us, and it is our wish to continue to support our founders’ decision. The second was our ability to work with the Village administration to address not only the developmental needs of our site but their broader view of addressing the needs of the surrounding area in order to support the orderly, future growth that will promote economic health for the community as a whole.

“As we began the process of weighing the concept of a new store, possible site evaluations, and community locations, our first meeting with Morton officials was in early June last year. We met with Morton Economic Development, Village President Durflinger, and Village Trustee Newhouse to discuss our options in Morton and the
challenges those options presented. Then and throughout our dealing with the Village, we found President Norm Durflinger and Trustee Steve Newhouse, as well as Public Works Superintendent Craig Loudermilk, Planning and Zoning Officer Roger Spangler, along with Village Attorney Tom Davies, to be firm yet practical minded in representing the interests of the Village. All the while, they worked to strike a balance of pro-business support that makes financial sense for both parties and at the same time serves to promote the economic health and vitality of the Village that we are making this major financial investment in. It is a true partnership that is a long-term win-win for everyone!”

Terms of Blain’s Farm & Fleet’s business development agreement with Village include:

 Village purchase of existing Blain’s Farm & Fleet 89,000 square foot facility on a 15-year, no interest loan for two million dollars.
 Construction of the new Blain’s Farm & Fleet will generate in excess of $100,000 in Village fees.
 Conservative estimate of 40 percent increase in sales tax revenue to the Village that is rebated from State of Illinois each year.
 Approximately $70,000 incremental increase in additional property taxes paid to Village on an annual basis.
Local economic benefits:
 Company looks to add 20 additional jobs on top of the current 87
 Upwards of 20 different building trades and over 270 tradespeople will touch the project. Blain said, “It is our hope to work with as many qualified, locally based contractors as possible. We are very early in the building plan development phase so no bids have been let or contracts awarded.”
 At present, start date will hinge upon receiving the necessary village approvals. Assuming everything progresses in a timely and orderly manner, opening of the store will be July of 2014.

The Peoria Park District’s 50 Rock program for 50+ Adults announces the following new events for spring 2013:
• Historic Beginnings Park Tour—April 13, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Climb aboard our Park District vans and take a trip back in time on our first Historic Beginnings Park Tour. Learn the fascinating history and behind-the- scenes facts about our four original parks: Glen Oak Park, Bradley Park, South Park (now Trewyn Park) and Madison Golf Course. Some walking is required, and this tour will conclude with lunch at the beautiful Luthy Botanical Garden. Fee: $22/person—includes tour, lunch, snacks and beverages.

• 50 Rock Rocks the Peoria Zoo: Behind the Scenes Tour—April 20, 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Don’t miss this extraordinary chance to go on a “behind the scenes,” educational guided tour, especially designed for 50+ adults! This tour takes you into Zoo areas the public doesn’t usually see. You will learn all about the animals and their care and then tour the areas outside of the Zoo, where the young tigers will (hopefully) be out playing. Around 11 a.m., the group will break for a yummy lunch. Expect a wonderful morning of fun, animals, learning and a little relaxation. Fee: $30/person—includes tour, lunch, snacks and beverages.

• 50 Rock Grafton Ziplining Adventure—April 27, Departs 7:00 a.m.
What better way to ROCK your day than ziplining with 50 Rock! Board our Park District vans and relax on the way to Grafton, Ill., where you will enjoy nine zips for a total of two miles of ziplining fun. Afterward, we will travel on to the Grafton Winery & Brewhaus for some time to recount our experiences and enjoy a delicious lunch (on your own). Fee: $99/person—includes transport-tation, ziplining, snacks and beverages during travel.

• Canoeing on the Mackinaw—May 11, Departs 8:00 a.m.
Come paddle your way down the beautiful Mackinaw River as experienced escorts guide you on a two-hour canoe trip. All equipment is provided, and experience is not necessary. Afterward, we will travel to the Mackinaw Winery for a tour/wine tasting, lunch and relaxation. Fee: $45/person—includes canoeing, box lunch, snacks and beverages while canoeing.

To register or for additional information, call Gloria Phelps, Coordinator, 50 Rock/50+ Adults Programs at 681-2859 or email gphelps@peoriaparks.org .