(Peoria, IL / July 22, 2014) –  The Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is pleased to acknowledge it has received its largest monetary gift to date. The planned gift was made by Ada Oetgen of Peoria, an alum and former faculty member, who died in February at the age of 89.

The $1.5 million gift will be used to establish the endowed Ada Oetgen Memorial Scholarship Fund and will be used for student scholarships.

Miss Oetgen was a 1945 graduate of Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing, as it was known then. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Bradley University in 1952 and a Master of Arts in Nursing in 1959 from the University of Chicago.

Miss Oetgen joined the School of Nursing faculty, teaching anatomy and physiology, microbiology and trends and issues. As the school transitioned to the College of Nursing in the 1980s, Miss Oetgen was an integral part of the planning and transition. For the College, she taught pathophysiology along with trends and issues. She retired from the College of Nursing in 1994.

“We are always so thankful for people like Miss Oetgen who have a special place in their heart and look out for those who are the best of the best but might need help fulfilling their passion of caring for others,” said Keith Steffen, President and CEO of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. “Her gift is consistent with our Sisters’ Mission of serving with the greatest care and love.”

“Ada Oetgen was dedicated and passionate about teaching and students learned so much from her,” said Patti Stockert, Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing President, who served on the faculty with Oetgen for fifteen years. “The gift comes at an opportune time as the College sees the need for institutional scholarships for students continuing to grow. Last year, 89% of our BSN students received some type of financial assistance. The scholarships given in her name will help many students pursue their dream of a nursing career.”

There will be a display in the College lobby honoring Miss Oetgen, including items related to her long nursing career.

Peoria – The City of Peoria Municipal Band continues its 77^th continuous season by playing three concerts this week. 

On Friday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Philomena Church (3216 N Emery Ave), the Band performs their only Friday evening performance of the season.  Katie Burnham and Anton Grasch will be there to sing in this one hour performance. Guest should bring their own lawn chairs.

The Peoria Municipal Band was formed in 1937 through the efforts of Local 26 of the American Federation of Musicians and interested citizens. Current band members come from all walks of life, many are currently music teachers in the local schools. They are selected by audition and then commit to a full season of rehearsals and performance. Hundreds of thousands of people have enjoyed their music since 1937. Today, with the support of the City, the band continues the long-standing tradition of excellence in music. The Peoria Municipal Band plays free concerts at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday in the Warehouse District and each Sunday in Glen Oak Park through August 10.  A full schedule and details can be found at www.peoriamunicipalband.com. 

AGENDA

•  Discuss Presentation by Purdue University at July 11 Technical Working Group Meeting
• Discuss Preferred Products
• Develop Schedule for Acquiring Products
• Other
• Schedule Next Meeting Date
• Adjournment

For more information, please contact:

This seminar is designed to help homeowners make strategic choices for their new home. No products, services, or contractors are being sold

Open to the Public!

The best time to implement energy efficient measures is during the planning and construction stages of building a new home. This seminar is designed to present an

overview of energy efficiency measures in the home and how to make strategic decisions that will impact the comfort and efficiency for the life of the home.

Topics:

• • What makes an energy efficient home
• • What features to consider – insulation, heating & cooling equipment, structural, water heating, lighting, appliances
• • How the energy codes have changed
• • How to build beyond code

Bio: Todd Abercrombie is an energy consultant and president of Peoria-based Evergreen

Home Energy Consultants, Inc. He works with homeowners and contractors to test, diagnose, and troubleshoot the performance of homes and buildings and to present cost effective solutions. He is certified professional by the Building Performance Institute and is credentialed by the U.S Green Building Council as a LEED Green Associate.

309-253-2242 www.evergreenhomeenergy.com

Dates & Locations

• Tuesday, August 12th – 6:00PM – 7:30 PM. @ Dunlap Public Library
• Wednesday, August 27th – 6:00PM – 7:30 PM. @ Pekin Public Library
• Wednesday, September 24th – 6:00PM – 7:30 PM. @ Peoria Public Library – North Branch
• Tuesday, October 7th – 6:30PM – 8:00 PM. @ Washington District Library
• Monday, October 20th – 6:30PM – 8:00 PM. @ Fondulac District Library, East Peoria

The 2014 GCS Cigar Summit comes to Peoria this Friday and Saturday, July 25^th and 26^th. The annual event will be held at Jimmy’s Bar, 2801 W Farmington Rd., West Peoria and is sponsored by the Gentleman’s Cigar Society of Peoria.

Cigar representatives will be in attendance to sell cigars as well as answer questions. New this year will be cigar rolling demonstrations as well as a Dominoes tournament! Jimmy’s will also provide liquor tastings Friday evening and Saturday and Cuban sandwiches will be available during the event. There will also be raffles during weekend with all proceeds donated to Cigar Rights of America.

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 25

• 5:00              Summit Opens
• 5:00 – 7:00  Brewers Distributing – Sampling
• 6:30              Cigar Rolling Demonstration
• 7:00 – 8:00  Wirtz Beverage – Sampling
• 7:00 & 8:30 Raffle Drawing

Saturday, July 26

• 12 Noon          Summit Opens
• 12 – 1:00          Baumgartner Distributing – Sampling
• 1:00 – 2:00       Marketplace Selections – Sampling
• 2:15                 Raffle Drawing
• 2:30                 Cigar Rolling Demonstration
• 2:00 – 3:00       Southern Wines & Spirits (Jim Beam Portfolio)
• 3:00 – 4:00       Domino Tournament
• 3:30                 Guinness Ice Cream from Spotted Cow
• 3:45                 Raffle Drawing
• 4:00 – 5:00       Wolfe Distributing – Sampling
• 4:15                 Cigar Rolling Demonstration
• 4:45                 Long Ash Contest
• 5:45                 Raffle Drawing
• 6:00 – 7:30       Brewers Distributing – Sampling
• 7:45                 Raffle Drawing

The GCS Cigar Summit is free and open to the public. Contact:  Mark Little at mlittle@gentlemenscigarsociety.com

Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance (CIHCA), Sierra Club Highlight Path for Communities to Transition Away from Risky Coal

What: On Wednesday, CIHCA members will gather in Peoria to release and discuss a new in-depth report that outlines the high levels of risk that Dynegy’s coal-fired power plants put on communities across Illinois.

Dynegy is a Texas-based energy company that acquired several coal plants throughout central and southern Illinois in the past year. Many of the coal plants operated by Dynegy – including the E.D. Edwards coal plant in Bartonville – are outdated and lack modern pollution controls. According to a report from the Clean Air Task Force, pollution from Dynegy’s Illinois coal plants contributes to 177 deaths, 2,986 asthma attacks, and 274 hospital visits annually.

Acknowledging Dynegy’s aging fleet of coal plants, the report outlines the importance of building responsible transition plans for Illinois communities like Peoria that have been saddled with decades of coal pollution and are ready to build local clean energy economies.

Following the press conference, CIHCA members will deliver the report to local officials.

• When: Wednesday, July 23rd, 10:30 AM
• Where: Peoria City Hall – 419 Fulton St.
• Who: CIHCA and community members

Speakers:

Robin Garlish, Pekin Mother of asthmatic child

Kady McFadden, Sierra Club

Carrie Otto, Prairie Rivers Network

Dave Weiman, Central Illinois Branch of the Interfaith Alliance

You are invited to attend and learn more about computing and other newer technologies. The Open House will begin with a short presentation on Peoria Area SeniorNet. Volunteer Instructors and Coaches will be on hand to answer your questions concerning computers, photography, communication devices and much more!

This Open House is free and open to all.  Registration for Fall classes will follow the Open House.

FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 800-872-4651 EXT 1510 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE.

OR, GO ONLINE TO www.PeoriaAreaSeniorNet.org FOR MORE INFORMATION AND OTHER CLASS REGISTRATION OPTIONS.

As Central Illinois residents, we are lucky to live in one of the most diverse migratory flyways in the world called the Mississippi Flyway. Nearly half of North America’s bird species, and about 40 percent of its waterfowl, spend at least part of their lives in the Mississippi Flyway. Join us  Saturday, August 2, 11 am to 2 pm to celebrate our fine feathered friends through games, activities, and up close animal encounters. Learn about the birds who call Peoria Zoo home as well as those found in your very own backyard! Regular admission will be charged – Adults 13+: $9.00; Children 3-12: $5.25; Senior Citizens: $8.00. Consider a Family Membership and you’ll receive unlimited FREE admission to the Peoria Zoo for one full year, plus other great benefits!

Fun Bird Facts for a couple of highlighted Peoria Zoo Bird residents:

Emu   

• Calls consist of booming, drumming and grunting. The booming is created in an inflatable neck sac and can be heard up to 1.2 miles away.
• Second largest bird by height in the world.

Red-Tailed Hawk

• The eyesight of a hawk is 8 times as powerful as a human’s. They can spot a mouse from a height of 100 ft.
• Sit and wait for food by watching from an elevated perch. They also hover in strong winds.

• For questions call the Peoria Zoo at (309) 681-3509 or check our website at www.peoriazoo.org.

Science has never been more exciting, with up-close animal encounters, tours, experiments and more. Each month is a new topic and helps to meet state standards for home schooled children. Classes will usually be divided into age groups (5-8 years and 9-13 years) and will run simultaneously. Registration is required. Parents are welcome but not required to attend (parents will have to pay if attending). If classes fill, alternate dates may be available. Min/Max: 10/30. Fee is $6 for members/$12 for non-members for each class.

Please pre-register for these classes by calling 681-3559. If you have questions or for more information, call the Peoria Zoo Education Department at 681-3559.

Find out how a baby zebra finds their mother in a crowd of zebras when you join us at Peoria Zoo for a light breakfast with the rhinos and zebras in our Africa! classroom. We’ll teach you more about these amazing animals while watching them enjoy their breakfast too.

You can register for either day: Saturday, August 9 or Sunday, August 10, 9:00 am-10:00 am. Cost of this event is $7.50 for members and $15.00 for non-members.

For questions or to register, call the Peoria Zoo Education office at (309) 681-3513 or check our website at www.peoriazoo.org.