Peoria – Last month, the National Association of Counties (NACo) announced Peoria County as a winner of a 2014 Achievement Award in the category of Environmental Protection and Energy for the County’s submission “Becoming a Leader in Sustainability.” The Peoria County Board adopted an internal sustainability plan in August 2011 that demonstrates the County’s desire to be a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability for its facilities and operations, as well as for the community. The award program focused on the County’s implementation of its Sustainability Plan, as described in a 2013 Progress Report. Both the Sustainability Plan and two-year Progress Report are available on the County’s website at http://www.peoriacounty.org/countyboard/sustainability-plan/.

For more information about the award, please contact Jenny Fulton, Director of Strategic Communications, at (309) 672-6918.

Batman Day – Wednesday, July 23^rd

Holy 75^th Year Anniversary, Batman!  Celebrate 75 years of Batman at the library!  Check out any graphic novel in the library’s collection and receive a prize bag with buttons, posters, tattoos, and Batman masks provided by DC Entertainment!  You can also enter a trivia contest to win your own Batman comic!  All ages are welcome! Chillicothe Public Library District. Call 309-274-2719.

Event Will Showcase 4K Content on Sony 4K Projector

PEORIA—AV Performance Innovations announces Grand Reopening at Studio 29 showroom on Thursday, July 31 located at 6523 N Galena Rd, Peoria, IL. This free event will be open to the general public from 5-8pm following a private media preview at 4pm.

Throughout the evening representatives from top brands, like Sony, Sonos, MartinLogan, Anthem and Lutron, will be giving product demonstrations and providing insights about best practices for integrating new media into the home. The theater room will be previewing 4K content from a Sony 4K projector, in addition to a custom designed 7.1 surround sound theater system.

When asked about the Grand Reopening, AV Performance Innovations owner Jesse Cochran said, “This event gives us the opportunity to say thank you to our clients for their support over the past 6 years, and the chance to share our passion with the community.”

The company was started by Jesse Cochran and Chris Scholl in 2008, and has continued to grow over the years despite the economic downturn. Both owners agree that the best way to celebrate success is to share it with others. AV Performance Innovations owner Chris Scholl said, “I can’t wait to show people what we have been up to in the showroom.”

Guests can visit our event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/233853793491251/ to RSVP and stay informed about event updates.

For more information, please contact Maggie Hunter at 309-266-9111 or by email at maggie@avperformanceinnovations.com.

AV Performance Innovations is a custom home electronics company specializing in home theaters, home automation, whole home audio and video systems, surveillance and central vac. The company started as a two-man crew in 2008 by owners Jesse Cochran and Chris Scholl. They are now located in Studio 29 showroom and have a talented team of technicians that will execute a job the right way every time. For more information, visit www.avperformanceinnovations.com/. 

Who:             7^th & 8^th Grade Girls
WHAT:          4G STEM Camp
WHEN:          Monday July 14 – Friday July 18
WHERE:        See schedule below for suggested times and locations

Developing free-flowing pipeline of current and future leaders is critical to our region’s economy.  The Greater Peoria region exported more merchandise per capita than any other place in the United States in 2010, exporting $29,284 worth of merchandise per person. Regional exports totaled an estimated $11.1 billion, making Greater Peoria the 22nd largest export market in the country, according to the International Trade Administration.

A core initiative for this group is to develop programming marrying talent development and retention with a new “vitality” for talent cultivation among youth throughout our region.

It was the combination of these factors that led to planning of the 4G STEM Camp (Girls + Games + Gadgets = Genius!).  Partners from Bradley University Center for STEM Education, Illinois Central College, Economic Development Council of Central Illinois, Workforce Alliance Central Illinois, The Office of Math, Science and Engineering Technology Education at UIUC, and University of Illinois Extension came together to plan a weeklong day camp for girls entering 7^th and 8^th grade. The camp will run from Monday July 14, 2014 until Friday July 18, 2014.

The ultimate goal is for this program to be a transformative experience for the participants that will spark their interest in careers in the STEM field and increase the size and diversity of the local STEM workforce.  Studies have found that engagement in STEM activities increases the likelihood that students will choose STEM fields when they enter college.  One study found that 25% of the pre-college students participating in a university’s STEM engagement program eventually entered STEM majors as college students on that university’s campus (Zirn-Birkhimer and Holloway 2008). 

Workforce Alliance of Central Illinois an organization commissioned by Focus Forward Central Illinois.  Through a collaborative effort, the Workforce Alliance invests in the talent development pipeline to integrate education, training, certification, and employment.  Partner organizations in this event include: Illinois Central College, Bradley University, Economic Development Council of Central Illinois, University of Illinois Extension and UIUC Office of Math, Science and Engineering Technology Education. 

In regards to the work on University, Illinois American Water wants to ensure folks are aware that the road restoration is needed due to main breaks which occurred late last week and the resulting repairs.  Repairs have been made and water service restored to affected customers. We thank residents and businesses for their cooperation as our team and contractors complete the necessary work in this area.

Special event to thank those who helped after tornadoes

Washington, IL – A reception to honor the hundreds of volunteers who gave selflessly of their time and efforts after the Nov. 17, 2013 tornadoes that devastated central Illinois will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 12, 2014, at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington. 

The event will afford the opportunity to say a special “thank you” to the volunteers who stepped up immediately and for months afterward to give comfort as well as their sweat and muscle. More than 800 volunteers from six states have been invited to the reception co-sponsored by Homeway Homes and AdCo Advertising Agency. 

Those in attendance will be asked to share their stories about the storms, in voice or in pictures and/or video. A special website, www.thankyouvolunteers.com, has been established to collect those memories. A final archive of the volunteer stories will be presented to the Washington Library at a later date.  

Refreshments will be served.

8th Annual fundraiser moves to East Peoria’s Levee District

Peoria, IL – The 8th Annual Kids’ Day, presented by G&D Integrated and RLI, will take place on Saturday, July 26th from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at an ALL NEW LOCATION – The Levee District in East Peoria.  Attractions for the day include informational booths, The Unique Twist, The Glitter Fairy, The Zoo Lady, bounce houses, a superhero cake walk, ongoing family friendly entertainment and much more.  All proceeds from the event go to benefit Crittenton Centers’ Crisis Nursery.  For more information regarding the event, call Crittenton Centers at 674-0105 or visit www.crittentoncenters.org<http://www.crittentoncenters.org>.

Crittenton Centers has been serving the Peoria community for 122 years.  Our mission is to protect and nurture children and families in the Peoria community.  Crittenton Centers’ services include: The Crisis Nursery, Child Development Center, and Family Services.  To learn more about Crittenton Centers, please visit our website at www.crittentoncenters.org<http://www.crittentoncenters.org>.

Celebration will include a dedication of new Butterfly Garden to Don Ullman

Peoria, IL -On Wednesday, July 16th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Crittenton Centers will be hosting the 3rd Annual Garden Open House and Celebration. Community members are invited to enjoy the garden area and walking trail.  Tours of Crittenton Centers’ facility will also be provided.

At 6pm, there will be a special dedication of our new Butterfly Garden to the late Don Ullman.  Don was a former Board Emeritus and longtime supporter of Crittenton Centers.  He passed away in October 2013.  Crittenton Centers’ Community Garden is supported in part by Salem Lutheran Church and Bethal United Methodist Church.  Crittenton Centers is located at 442 W. John Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria.

Crittenton Centers has been serving the Peoria community for 122 years.  Our mission is to protect and nurture children and families in the Peoria community.  Crittenton Centers’ services include: The Crisis Nursery, Child Development Center, and Family Services.  To learn more about Crittenton Centers, please visit our website at www.crittentoncenters.org<http://www.crittentoncenters.org>.

Sign and Sing Story Time – 10:30am Wednesdays,  July 28^th – Ages 0-5 – Join Abbey Cook of Communication Junction for a 30 minute interactive Story Time designed to engage your child and encourage their love of books. Each Sign and Sing Story Time is created around a theme and filled with stories, songs, movement and bubbles! This program made possible by the Dr. Harold Johnson Memorial Fund.

Preschool Story Time – Stories, music, crafts and other fun activities! For ages 3-5 and their caregivers. 10:15am Thursdays, July 17th and 24^th and…6:30pm Tuesdays, July  22nd.

Storytots Story/Play Time Caregivers are invited to bring children ages 18-35 months for a story program followed by open play time. 10:15am Fridays, July 26th.

World Travelers – 2pm – 3pm Tuesday, July 29^th – Grades 3-7 – Experience cultures from around the world! Meet people from other countries, taste new food, and try crafts and games. Registration required, Call for more info.

Lego Club – 3pm Wednesdays, July 16th and 30^th – We’ll supply the legos – you bring your imagination! Monthly building challenge and free creation time!

Books+Tea – July 28 – “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak – Books+Tea is a book club for adults who enjoy reading and discussing a variety of books. We meet from 6:30 to 7:30pm one Monday a month at the Chillicothe Public Library. Join us for tea, refreshments, and stimulating conversation! Call for more Info!

Call 309-274-2719 for more info