PEORIA, IL – PEORIA, IL – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, renaming a portion of Interstate 74 to the “Ray LaHood Highway” will be unveiled on Wednesday, July 2.

“Every day we see examples of how Democrats and Republicans are not working together to address problems our state and country are facing,” Gordon-Booth said. “Part of Ray LaHood’s legacy will be that he was never afraid to reach across the aisle to do what was best for his constituents.”

Gordon-Booth’s House Joint Resolution 35 designates Interstate 74 from the Murray Baker Bridge to the Sterling Avenue Exit as the Ray LaHood Highway. Prior to becoming Secretary of Transportation in 2009, he represented Central Illinois in Congress. While serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, LaHood helped secure funding to improve I-74.

“Renaming this part of Interstate 74 is a small way our community and state can show its appreciation for Ray LaHood’s lifetime of service,” Gordon-Booth said. “I would personally like to thank Secretary LaHood for the wonderful example he set for me and other elected officials.”

For more information, please contact Gordon-Booth’s constituent services office at 309-681-1992 or RepJGordon@gmail.com.

To celebrate Peoria’s unique history as the Whiskey Capital of the World, the Peoria Historical Society, in partnership with CityLink, is launching a new “Roll Out the Barrel” Trolley Tour starting on Saturday, July 12 at 1:00 p.m. The tour, which will be narrated by a certified guide, will begin and end at Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 SW Water St., downtown. Tours will last about an hour and a half.

“Peoria once featured a riverfront lined with distilleries and breweries,” said Mark Johnson, President of the Peoria Historical Society. “This tour focuses on the places and people, the mansions and neighborhoods involved with these industries.”

Tour tickets cost $15 and can be reserved by calling Kelleher’s at (309) 673-6000. Passengers under 65 must pay an additional $1 fare to the trolley driver. The tour will run every Saturday at 1 p.m. in July and August. From 1850 to Prohibition, the volume of whiskey distilled, aged, bottled and shipped made Peoria the whiskey capital of the world. The large distilleries, breweries, and extensive stockyards here also created the second largest grain market in the country.

The new tour joins three other tours in July-August: the Grandview Drive and Springdale Cemetery tour and the ever-popular River City Tour which depart from Harp & Thistle in Peoria Heights on alternating Thursday and Friday mornings at 10:30 a.m.; and the Naughty-to-Nice tour that traces Peoria from its earliest days to its four All-America City awards, departing from Kelleher’s on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. The full schedule is available at http://www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org/announcements.aspx?ID=5

Peoria Historical Society seeks to enhance the quality of life in the Peoria area by cherishing memories and collecting, preserving and displaying items relating to local history; encouraging and supporting historical research and education; and promoting and sustaining public interest in the history and contributions of area people and organizations.

Join in Battle Against Park Zombies

Pekin, IL  July 1, 2014 —  Can you survive in a world that wants to eat you?  If you think so, then test your metal at Pekin Park District’s “Zombie A-Park-Alypse, on Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.   Participants will meet at Soldwedel Program Center, just off Rte 98, adjacent to McNaughton Park.  Following a brief orientation all participants will venture into a designated area of McNaughton Park for the survival games.

Parents with children, teens, and adults of all ages will enjoy playing with Nerf guns in the woods!  Anyone can attend this event as a zombie or as a survivor.  Those who wish to be a zombie may dress appropriately if they wish to do so.  Survivors can bring any foam dart shooter of their choosing such as those made by Nerf or other manufacturers.

All participants must be pre-registered no later than one week prior to the Zombie event.  There is a limited number of survivor slots open but unlimited zombie slots.  Have fun and see if you will last.  The cost to participate is $10 per person, or $20 per family.  To register call: 309-347-PARK (7275).

The Soldwedel Program Center is located just off Route 98, adjacent to McNaughton Park and the Rockin’ “P” Riding Stables.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler will be joining Midstate College to host a job fair today, July 1. Dozens of employers, including Caterpillar, the City of Peoria, Kindred Hospital, insurance agencies and more, will be on hand accepting resumes.

 When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 1

Where: Northwoods Mall, 2200 W. War Memorial Drive, Peoria

Additional opportunities:

– A preparation workshop on June 24 at Midstate College

                        – “Wardrobes in the Workplace,” presented by Dress for Success at noon during the job fair

 Employers will be accepting applications from veterans, the unemployed, the underemployed, recent college graduates and anyone else who is looking for new career opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to dress professionally and bring copies of their resumes.

  For more information, visit www.midstate.edu.

The Peoria Park District’s Youth Soccer League for Mighty Mites (age 4), Pee Wees (age 5 or K) and Kickers (grades 1-2) runs August 11-September 27. Weekday practices and Saturday games take place at Mossville Soccer Complex. Registration deadline is July 28. Cost is $43/residents, $48/non-residents.

More information is in the current Playbook and online at www.peoriaparks.org/soccer, or call (309) 688-3667 with questions.

The Peoria Park District’s Adult Co-Rec Sand Volleyball Short Season League begins July 13 and runs through August 17 at Bradley Park. Teams of 6 (at least 2 women) will play on Sunday evenings. Team fees are $150/residents, $165/non-residents.

Registration packets are available at www.peoriaparks.org/volleyball  and at the Noble Center.

For more information, contact Matt Suellentrop at msuellentrop@peoriaparks.org or (309) 681-2866.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS — After the recent storms, minor flooding is forecasted for many areas in central Illinois. The Illinois River is expected to rise above flood stage by early tomorrow morning and continue to rise to near 19.3 feet by Saturday afternoon. The American Red Cross is urging caution to central Illinois residents in areas prone to flooding to exercise caution and follow these preparedness tips.

Prepare and respond with these tips:

• Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS)

• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

• Return home only when officials have declared the area safe.

Download the Red Cross Flood App

The free Red Cross Flood App gives smart phone and tablet users instant access to local and real-time information, so they know what to do before, during and after a flood. The content is available in English and Spanish. The app includes location-based, audible NOAA flood and flash flood watches and warnings – even if the app is closed. Find it here:

http://www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps/flood.

Additional tips for responding before, during and after flooding can be found here:

www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/flood.

Hopedale, IL— (June 9, 2014)  Miss Mona’s Child Care and Preschool, located within Hopedale Medical Complex in Commons East, is celebrating their 15^th anniversary of “Nurturing the Whole Child” on July 6 ,2014.

With the help of a bequest from Mona Nafziger, a retired teacher, Miss Mona’s opened its doors on July 6, 1999 as a child care center devoted to caring for children of HMC employees. Over the past 15 years, Miss Mona’s built a reputation of providing individualized, quality daycare at affordable prices. Miss Mona’s Child Care is a year-round program with certified teachers who plan curriculums for all of the age groups.  All staff is CPR and first-aid certified and the child care center meets all criteria for safety and learning.  Miss Mona’s Childcare offers the HMC staff and community an excellent childcare facility.  Our providers are dedicated to the “Children First!” philosophy and have a family approach by giving a warm and caring experience to all.  Classes address all levels of child development including language, social, physical and emotional growth.

Miss Mona’s will be celebrating its 15^th Anniversary with a community bake sale on July 15 and with an open house birthday party in August.  Watch for more information on those events coming soon.

There will be a limited time for open enrollment of community children between August 11-22.  For more information, call Miss Mona’s director, Opal Meyer, at 449-4933.

Hopedale Medical Complex is committed to promoting outstanding healthcare, healthy lifestyles, health education, and wellness. Visit www.HopedaleMC.com to learn more about the services offered at Hopedale Medical Complex, which is just 10 miles south of Morton, off Interstate 155 (Exit 19).

Online Voter Registration is now available in Illinois.  Voters may register to vote or update their voter registration online. In order to register or update your registration online, applicants must provide the following:

1. Illinois Driver’s License number or Illinois Secretary of State issued state ID
2. Date the license or ID was issued
3. The last four digits of your Social Security Number
4. Your birth date

The information will be matched with an existing Illinois Drivers License or Illinois Secretary of State issued state ID.  If you are already registered to vote, the information provided will be used to update your voter registration.

If you do not have an Illinois Driver’s License or Illinois Secretary of State issued state ID number you must register using a paper based option.

Please visit our website at www.peoriaelections.org for more information or to participate. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Peoria Board of Election Commissioners at (309) 494-8683.

 The Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is proud to present LYLE LOVETT and His Acoustic Group in concert Sunday, October 26, 2014 6:00 pm in the Peoria Civic Center Theater.

Since his self-titled debut in 1986, Lovett has evolved into one of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers. His work, rich and eclectic, is the most beloved of any living artist working today.

Executive Director for the PSO, Susan Hoffman, states, “We are very excited about this presentation of Lyle Lovett. The PSO has been expanding its scope of cultural activities over the past four years and we are happy to bring an American popular artist of Mr. Lovett’s caliber to Peoria. This special event will provide great enjoyment to all and help to support the PSO.”

A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift of storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention defying manner that breaks down barriers. Lovett has appeared in 13 feature films, and on stage and television. Among his many accolades, besides the 4 Grammy Awards, he was given the American Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award; and was recently named the Texas State Musician.

Garden & Gun recently called Lovett “one of America’s most beloved/singer/songwriters,” and he was featured in the coveted “What I’ve Learned” column in the February 2012 issue of Esquire.

Tickets start at $48 and are available by calling 309.671.1096 or online at www.peoriasymphony.org.

For More Information Contact:

Viki Burnett, Marketing Manager

309.495.0563

vburnett@peoriasymphony.org