The City of Peoria, in partnership with the Peoria Neighborhood Alliance, held a press conference today, at 11:30 a.m., in City Hall’s Council Chambers to kickoff the 2013 Regional Neighborhood Network Conference (RNNC).

The 2013 RNNC will be ‘Playing in Peoria!’ September 19th – 21st, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel. Over 400 neighborhood leaders, elected officials, community activists, and corporate executives, from 22 cities across five Midwest States will meet in Peoria to learn about current, successful neighborhood-improvement strategies and techniques to further develop our community. The conference will provide high-level workshops, training sessions and keynote speakers to educate and “drive positive change in our neighborhoods.”

Press Conference Speakers include:
Mayor Jim Ardis
Councilman Ryan Spain
Corporate Sponsor(s)
Councilman Eric Turner

Representatives from RNNC member cities will be in attendance and available for interviews, along with the speakers, after the press conference.

For more information about the history of the RNNC and Peoria’s 2013 RNNC, please visit www.rnncpeoria2013.com.

The Peoria Park District’s Donovan Golf Course and Madison Golf Course will open Friday, March 22. Opening times dependent on conditions; call either course before coming out. Online tee times not available for tomorrow.

Madison: (309) 673-7161
Donovan: (309) 691-8361

All other Peoria Park District Golf courses are still closed. The Golf Learning Center & Academy is open daily from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

More information on Peoria Park District Golf is available at www.ppdgolf.org.

Hopedale, IL – As part of Hopedale Medical Complex’s (HMC) commitment to excellence in promoting good health and wellness to all, health care professionals are available to speak to your non-profit group.

Here are some topics:
Depression in the Elderly
Weight Management from a Wellness Perspective
Nutrition Education for Children and Adults
Sports Medicine: Fueling for Sports and Fitness, Dietary Supplements in Sports
Peripheral Vascular Disease: Managing Stroke Risks
Cardiovascular Health Disease Prevention and Management: Reduce Your Risk Through Monitoring Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Heart Healthy Eating, and Nutrition
Cancer Prevention: Melanoma, Breast, Colorectal, Esophageal, Uterine, Lung, and Prostate
Pain/Symptom Management: Acupuncture for Migraines, Arthritis
Atrial Fibrillation: The Latest Management and Treatment Options
When Should I Take My Child to the Doctor versus the Emergency Room
Respiratory: Asthma, Emphysema, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Diabetes: Nutrition, Eyes and Foot Care
Long-term Care Options Including Respite Care, Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes
Smoking Cessation
Work Conditioning Program
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Common Sense Health Practices for Seniors: Assume Responsibility for Their Health as a Partner With Their Physician
Long-term Planning, Advanced Directives, Living Will and End of Life Issues
Medicare and Insurance Plans: Are You Confused?
Controlling Health Care Costs in Your Family
HMC has an extensive group of professionals who can present various health-related topics. For more topic ideas, visit HopedaleMC.com.

Learn more about scheduling a half-hour to one-hour presentation with an HMC professional by contacting the HMC Marketing Department at marketing@hopedalemc.com or 309-449-4012.

PEORIA, IL – In cooperation with Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) passed legislation out of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, which came from Simon’s Classrooms First Commission.

“As schools across the state are facing budget shortfalls, we must do everything that we can to help school districts that are trying to make good financial decisions,” said Gordon-Booth. “This bill will help school districts reorganize more easily as they look to partner with other districts to save money and deliver better services to students.”

The Classrooms First Commission was tasked with identifying ways for school districts to reduce duplicative administrative spending and increase educational offerings. House Bill 2267 contains three suggestions from the Class Rooms First Commission’s final report.

Under this proposal, non-contiguous school districts within 30 miles of each other would be allowed to consolidate. Schools districts that have an enrollment of fewer than 750 students would be allowed to participate in an expedited dissolution. This means school districts would be able to dissolve without a referendum vote. This legislation would also allow school districts waiting for school construction funds to delay consolidation until those funds have been awarded.

“We must continue to help schools find innovative ways to use the resources they have to help our children succeed,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Simon. “This legislation will make it easier for school districts to put their students first by dedicating resources to expanding opportunities, and I would like to thank Rep. Gordon-Booth for her continued work to move this bill through the House.”

House Bill 2267 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. For more information, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or e-mail her at repjgordon@gmail.com.

Peoria, Ill. – An exhibition celebrating the world travels of Ms. 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 Ms. Morron’s vast collection of Louis Vuitton 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 Ms. Morron’s wardrobe, custom dinnerware and fine china along with pieces of art she purchased on her trips abroad. The exhibition will highlight Ms. 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 1:00 – 4:00 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.

Peoria, IL — March 20, 2013 — The Sixth Annual Pet Pantry Easter Egg Hunt for dogs will take place on Saturday, April 6 at the Oakwood Dog Park in Morton, IL. Participating dogs will enjoy running around, getting to know each other and eating tasty treats. The event costs $6 per dog, with all proceeds donated by The Pet Pantry to Foster Pet Outreach.

Parking at the Dog Park is limited and only a limited number of participants can participate every hour. Interested pet owners can reserve a time from 10 am to 1 pm online at http://www.thepetpantry-peoria.com/egghunt/index.html or by calling 309 383-4145.

No reservations are required for the Public Session, from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Wes Hoerr, the new owner of The Pet Pantry, said, “We encourage all pet owners to bring their dogs for a fun, socializing event. While your dog is enjoying Easter treats with other dogs, you will also be helping us to raise funds for Foster Pet Outreach. All proceeds will benefit the foster dogs with the continuing rising cost of food and veterinarian care.”

Phyllis Espinoza, recording secretary, of Foster Pet Outreach said, “We are thrilled that The Pet Pantry has made us the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs. The money raised will help us continue our mission by providing funds to help us afford to bring more homeless and abandoned animals into our foster care and find them a forever home.”

ABOUT FOSTER PET OUTREACH – Foster Pet Outreach is a local non-profit organization whose main focus is to help provide for the well being of animals in our community. Animals are fostered in members’ homes until they are permanently adopted into responsible homes. The socialization and basic training provided helps to make the animal more adoptable.
 In addition, Foster Pet Outreach spays or neuters dogs and cats in their care, to reduce the numbers of unwanted pets and assists families who adopt their pets with adoption counseling and follow-up. For more information go to www.fosterpetoutreach.org

ABOUT THE PET PANTRY – The Pet Pantry provides a select assortment of dog and cat foods, delivered to your home every week anywhere in the tri-county — and there is never a delivery charge with a qualifying purchase. The Pet Pantry’s competitively-priced formulas are 100% complete nutrition for your pet’s life and include no by-products, no chemical preservatives, and no fillers. Their made-in-the-USA pet foods have no imported or recalled ingredients. And you will never lift a heavy dog-food or cat-food bag again. And they come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. More information at www.thepetpantry-peoria.com or by calling 309 383-4145.

(March 20, 2013 / Peoria, IL) OSF Saint Francis Medical Center will open the doors on the OSF Maternal Fetal Diagnostic Center, home to the newly relocated OSF Medical Group – Perinatal Associates, on March 26, 2013.

The new center combines Maternal Fetal Services at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and OSFMG Perinatal Associates, 4911 Executive Drive, Peoria. As of March 21, the Executive Drive location will be closed and all services relocated to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

The OSF Maternal Fetal Diagnostic Center is located in Suite 1200, Zone 2 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Patients will be seen Monday through Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM beginning March 26.

Dr. Michael Leonardi, Dr. Thomas Gross, and Dr. Yolanda Renfroe – all board certified Maternal-Fetal subspecialists – along with Advanced Practice Nurses Terrah Cornell and Elizabeth Whelan, will continue to provide medical care.

The group provides high-risk pregnancy services to approximately 6,500 patients a year from throughout a region that stretches from Interstate 80 south to Lincoln, IL and from the Iowa to Indiana borders.

“This centralized and expanded location will allow us to provide easier and greater access to services for our patients and medical staff,” said Lorie Helle, OSF Maternal Fetal Diagnostic Center manager. “We look forward to continuing to provide the highest quality care to our patients, not only thorough this new outpatient center in Peoria, but also in our regional clinics in Bloomington and Moline.”

For more information on services at the OSF Maternal Fetal Diagnostic Center, call 309.624.7811 after March 26.

Begin your spring fitness at the Peoria Park District’s Franciscan Recreation Complex (FRC)!

Drop-in Yoga: Mondays at 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., and Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. $4.50/drop-in

Pilates Plus-Core Strength: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting April 23 at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $48/residents, $54/non-residents. Register using code 53861.

Zumba: Tuesdays beginning April 2 at 5:30 p.m. (code 53875) and Thursdays beginning April 4 at 5 p.m. (code 53881). Cost is $34/residents, $38/non-residents.

Stretch-Flex-Relax: Wednesdays beginning April 3 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $38/residents, $43/non-residents. Register using code 53894.

More complete descriptions and online registration can be found at www.peoriaparks.org/frc or by calling FRC at (309) 677-6705.

Golf lessons for all ages start this April at the Peoria Park District’s Golf Learning Center. Adult outdoor, adult women-only, and family lessons ensure your game will at its best this spring.

Adult outdoor lessons cover everything from driving to putting in these four 1.5 hour classes. Cost is $55/residents, $60/non-residents. Dates and time are below:
Register with code:

Day-Date Time
Tu: 4/2-4/23 5:30-7 p.m. 54795
W: 4/3-4/24 5:30-7 p.m. 54796
Th: 4/4-4/25 5:30-7 p.m. 54797
Tu: 4/30-5/21 5:30-7 p.m. 54799

Beginners golf for women only lets you get acquainted to the game in six 1-hour sessions beginning Saturday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $55/residents, $60/non-residents. Register using code 54787.

Golf family lessons allow children to learn with their parents. These six 1-hour lessons are for ages 7 and older. Cost is $55/adult residents, $60/adult non-residents; $40/child residents, $45/child non-residents. Dates and times are below:
Register with code:

Day-Date Time
Sa: 4/6-5/11 10:30-11:30 a.m. 54790
Sa: 4/6-5/11 11:45 am-12:45 p.m. 54791

For more information call the Golf Learning Center at (309) 690-7162.

Peoria, IL (March 20, 2013) “God, Darwin and Intelligent Design: Why Evolution Matters in America Today,” is the subject of a lecture at Bradley University on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Michel Student Center ballroom. Admission is free and open to the public.

Dr. Kenneth Miller, professor of biology at Brown University and author of the critically acclaimed book, “Only a Theory,” will deliver the lecture sponsored by Bradley’s Intellectual and Cultural Activities Committee.

Miller has been called “the public guardian of evolution in America.” A highly regarded scientist and a Roman Catholic, he believes God and Darwin’s Theory of Evolution can co-exist. In “Only a Theory” and in his talks, he examines the battle between evolution and intelligent design, and its implications for how science is practiced in America.