Peoria Public Library Lincoln Branch will host “An Evening with The Heritage Ensemble” on February 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in honor of Black History Month. Led by Sharon Samuels Reed, The Heritage Ensemble has been in existence for 12 years. Whether it is through their singing or the message in their music, The Heritage Ensemble strives to tear down walls and build bridges between all people. This program is free and for all ages. Call 309- 497-2120 for more information.

Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) visited the Central Peoria Fire Station this week to receive award from local fire departments and the Mutual Aid Box Alarm Systems (MABAS). This award was in recognition of Gordon’s support of emergency responders. Gordon was presented the award by Peoria Fire Chief Kent Tomblin (pictured) and Chillicothe Fire Chief and MABAS Director for District 36 Bruce Vaughan. MABAS is a coalition of fire departments from across Illinois that assist each other in emergencies. District 36 includes fire departments from Peoria County.

Senara (formerly operating as Kramer Chiropractic and Acupuncture Center) celebrates its new 12,000-square-foot building and name change

Senara Health and Healing Center & Spa (Senara) invites the public to its grand opening event at 2208 W. Willow Knolls Road in Peoria on Friday, February 10. The event takes place from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. to celebrate the opening of Senara’s 12,000-square-foot building that is the new home to the company, which had operated since 1998 as Kramer Chiropractic and Acupuncture Center (Kramer). (The official move to the building on December 19, 2011 completed the company’s transition from operating as Kramer to Senara.) The building also houses the 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Senara Spa—the first full-service spa retreat of its kind in downstate Illinois with a true spa feeling and environment.

At the grand opening, Senara will provide soft drinks, wine and light hors d’oeuvres, along with entertainment by Dennis Close. Tours of the facility, which was designed with an emphasis on green and environmentally friendly building practices, will be offered throughout the evening. In addition, complimentary samplings of Senara’s massage, stress screening, make-up consulting and yoga services will be offered at the event. There will also be periodic drawings for door prizes, including Senara health-related merchandise and gear, as well as gift certificates. The public will also have an opportunity to meet and speak with Senara’s professional staff stationed throughout the building and ready to answer any questions from those attending.

Senara requests those planning to attend the event RSVP by February 1 by visiting ExperienceSenara.com/grandopening. The public can also telephone 309-693-9600 to RSVP.

“This Center is a dream come true for my wife, Penny, and me, and our staff,” said Dr. Keith Kramer. “Our move here allowed us to offer the total package of health and healing services. We’re hoping for a huge turnout for the grand opening, so that everyone can see just how special a place this is. It’s a place where our staff is devoted to helping guide our guests in living a healthy lifestyle, so they can truly Live Life Well.”

Penny Kramer added, “There’s just been so much curiosity about the building and our services—especially our fantastic spa. Our current guests have told us they can’t wait to attend and get a behind the scenes look at Senara during the grand opening, and they’re excited to bring their friends to see Senara. It should be a fantastic evening for all attending—a lot of fun.”

CWTC’s “Stamp A Stack of Greeting Cards” fundraiser registration has been extended. The event, scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM will allow attendees to create an assortment of 10 greeting cards with envelopes, perfect for any occasion. Pre-registration cost is $30.00 and includes lunch and all supplies.

“Creating beautiful homemade cards is a rewarding way of spending time with family and friends,” according to event organizer Leslie Buhl of CWTC. “Whether you are a seasoned card maker or a beginner, you will have a great time!” Advance registration is required. Checks must be sent in advance to CWTC, 3215 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604. All money raised goes directly to programs and direct services for CWTC consumers.

For more information contact Leslie Buhl 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.

Who: CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc.
What: CWTC Stamp A Stack of Greeting Cards
Where: 3215 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604
When: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 10:00AM to 2:00PM.

Illinois American Water announced today that the application process is now open for its 2012 Environmental Grant Program to support innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies through partnerships.

The company will award grants of up to $10,000. The program is designed to support diverse types of activities, such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.

“Illinois American Water is committed to ensuring water quality through testing and treatment, as well as through consumer education and community source protection programs,” said Karla Olson Teasley, Illinois American Water President. “We are all environmental stewards in protecting our water supplies, and this program is one way we help communities play an active role in this important effort.”

To qualify, proposed projects must:
• Address a source water or watershed protection need in the community
• Be completed between May 1, 2012 and November 30, 2012
• Be a new or innovative program for the community, or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program
• Be carried out by a formal or informal partnership between two or more organizations
• Provide evidence of sustainability (continued existence after the American Water grant monies are utilized)
• Be located in an Illinois American Water service area

In 2011, Illinois American Water awarded seven grants totaling over $28,000. A panel of judges selected the winners from over 30 grant applications and awarded grants as follows:
• Spring Lake Nature Park in Streator, Ill. received their requested grant amount of $1,427 in full for the West Trail Bridge Project. This project helped to decrease sedimentation in Spring Lake and provide appropriate crossing of the watershed.
• Lisle Park District in Lisle, Ill. received a grant of $4,500 for the Woodglenn Park Renovation and Wetland Detention Interpretation Project. This project incorporated environmental and educational signage and activities at the park’s already established wetland area. By using the available landscape, the Lisle Park District increased awareness in regards to a wetland’s far-reaching benefits.
• Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. was awarded a grant of $5,500 to create the River Action League. The River Action League mobilizes citizens for watershed health. The group provides training and sample collection kits to volunteers so they can collect water samples from the Illinois River. The samples are analyzed for the determination of water resource needs locally.
• St. Clair County Health Department in Belleville, Ill. received their requested grant amount of $2,000 in full for the Water Resource Management and Sustainable Development Project. This project addresses ground water protection needs by providing educational presentations to employees, residents and students.
• McHenry County Government Water Resources Division received a grant of $6,200 for their Rain Garden and Xeriscaping Educational Project. The project educates residents and landscapers in McHenry County on the benefits of native landscaping through the use of model gardens. Educational materials were also created and provided through this project.
• Tazewell County Health Department in Pekin, Ill. was awarded a $3,800 grant for the Winter Snow and Ice Conference. This event addressed the need for increased awareness in the community about the rise in chlorides in ground water. The event provided education to the region’s snow and ice operators on more sustainable application techniques of road salt.
• Great Rivers Land Trust utilized a grant of $5,000 to construct a filter pond on the grounds of The Nature Institute in Godfrey, Illinois. The purpose of the project was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a two tiered filtration system to prevent sediment and impurities form reaching our streams and rivers.

Grant information and application forms can be found online at www.illinoisamwater.com. Applications must be postmarked by March 10, 2012, and mailed to Karen Cotton at Illinois American Water, 123 SW Washington, Peoria, IL 61602 or emailed to: karen.cotton@amwater.com.

Remaining Mail Donations & Business Contacts Will Hopefully Help Achieve $1,575,000 Goal

The annual Tree of Lights Campaign for The Salvation Army will come to an end with a Victory Celebration planned for Friday, February 3 at The Salvation Army Corps Community Center at 2903 W. Nebraska. But until that evening, The Salvation Army will be busy with its remaining mail donations and business contacts to hopefully push the campaign to a successful conclusion. At the end of the day Friday, the campaign stood at $1,427,246, with $147,754 to go to reach the announced goal of $1,575,000 by the end of the week, February 3.

“We are so appreciative of the support of people throughout the tri-county area for The Salvation Army again this year,” says Major Evie Diaz, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army. “Central Illinois is a very generous area, and we hope these last few days will help through mail donations and business contacts.”

All funds support seasonal and year round programs for those in need. The campaign continues through February 3, with corporate donations, personal solicitations and direct mail the main remaining avenues utilized by The Salvation Army to reach the goal.

“There are literally hundreds of generous individuals, companies and concerned people who help us reach this very important goal,” said Jim Moore, Honorary Tree of Lights Co-Chair. “It is not too late to drop a check in the mail, and we certainly hope and pray that the remaining support we get from people throughout Central Illinois will be enough to get us to the finish-line this season.”

The Tree of Lights of Campaign concludes with a Victory Celebration at 5:30 pm, on Friday, February 3 at the Peoria Corps Community Center in Peoria.

Donations to the Tree of Lights Campaign can be made by mailing to The Salvation Army, PO Box 1468, Peoria, IL 61655, or by calling (309) 655-7220 to charge on American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover.

The Central Illinois Chapter of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals is proud to announce its 2012 Board of Directors. The chapter, which began in 1982, is celebrating its 30th year in existence in 2012.

As one of AFP’s 200 chapters worldwide, the Central Illinois Chapter members encompass a broad spectrum of professional experience and backgrounds representing diverse organizations in the areas of health, human services, education, religion, the arts, and more.

This year’s board of directors is listed below, followed by their place of employment):
President- Kristen Berchtold, CFRE (PARC)
President-Elect – Kimberly Weeks, CFRE (Big Brothers, Big Sisters)
Past President, Governance & Scholarship Chair, Mark Roberts, CFRE (Community Foundation)
Secretary – Beth Reusch (YMCA)
Treasurer – Bree Ann Hohulin (Illinois Central College Educational Foundation)
Assistant Treasurer – Kirstin Marshall (Methodist School of Nursing)

Other Board positions include:
Government Relations Chair – Roger Meyer, CFRE (OSF Healthcare Foundation)
Vice President Membership – Robin Ballard (Illinois Central College Education Foundation)
Vice President Professional Advancement – Rachel Sprenkle (Nature Conservancy)
Vice President External Affairs – Emily Happach (Childrens Home)
Vice President Public Relations – Rich Draeger, CFRE (The Salvation Army)
Diversity Chair – Shelley Smith, CFRE (Bradley University)
Foundation Development Chair – Jenna Cicciarelli (Lakeview Mueseum)

At-Large Board Members:
Julie Witte (Easter Seals)
Jeff Parmenter (Big Brothers/Big Sisters)
Mike Fifhause (WD Boyce Council, Boy Scouts)
Danielle Easton (Crittenton Centers)
Pam Perilles (Peoria County CASA)

The chapter holds monthly meetings designed to help inform its membership about trending topics and issues in the fundraising world as it pertains to their agencies throughout central Illinois and beyond. For more information, visit our website at www.afpcentralillinois.org .

Tickets starting at just $10 for Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® on sale at Peoria Civic Center

Feld Motor Sports℠ announced today that tickets for Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, the world’s premier monster truck series, are now on sale. Monster Jam events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats for kids ages 2 – 12 only $10 and adults starting at $15. Tickets are on sale now at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com.

Monster Jam will be performing at the PEORIA CIVIC CENTER on:
Friday, February 3, 2012: Show at 7:00 pm
Saturday, February 4, 2012: Party in the Pits* from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Shows at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

*The Party in the Pits (preceding the Saturday 2:00 pm show for an additional $10 fee) gives fans the opportunity to view the monster trucks up close, meet the drivers, take pictures and get autographs.

GRAVE DIGGER is back and celebrating its 30th anniversary with a specially painted truck. First time trucks to the Peoria area include HOT WHEELS and SAMSON and returning trucks include RAMINATOR, RAMMUNITION and RAP ATTACK.

Feld Motor Sports℠ is teaming up with local Boy Scouts to help CRUSH HUNGER in the Peoria area. From 11:30 am – 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012, Boy Scouts will be collecting canned goods in the Great Hall/Lobby at the Peoria Civic Center.

Every fan donating at least one canned good will be entered to win 4 front row tickets to next year’s show, along with a package of official Monster Jam® signed merchandise. All canned goods collected will be donated to the W.D. Boyce Council’s spring canned food drive that benefits local food pantries. During the 2:00 pm performance on Saturday, monster trucks will “crush” a car in tribute to this food drive, and the prize package winner will be also be announced.

Monster Jam will be performing at the PEORIA CIVIC CENTER on:
Friday, February 3, 2012: Show at 7:00 pm
Saturday, February 4, 2012: Party in the Pits* 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Shows at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
*The Party in the Pits (preceding the Saturday 2:00 pm show for an additional fee) gives fans the opportunity to view the monster trucks up close, meet the drivers, take pictures and get autographs.

GRAVE DIGGER is back and celebrating its 30th anniversary with a specially painted truck. First time trucks to the Peoria area include HOT WHEELS and SAMSON and returning trucks include RAMINATOR, RAMMUNITION and RAP ATTACK.
Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.
Monster Jam events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats for kids ages 2 – 12 only $10 and adults starting at $15. Tickets to the Party in the Pits are an additional $10 per person. Tickets are on sale now at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com.
Monster Jam, sanctioned by the United States Hot Rod Association®, is the most popular monster truck tour, performing to over 4 million fans annually at the most prestigious arenas and stadiums throughout the world. Monster Jam® shows consist of three main fan-favorite elements – the pit party, racing and freestyle.

For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
For ticket information, contact the Peoria Civic Center Box Office at 309-673-3200.
For more information on Monster Jam, log on to www.MonsterJam.com.

As part of an effort to recognize the contribution from local businesses to non-profits in our community, Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) recognizes the Federal Companies as the “Good Neighbor” Business for the month of January.

“Companies throughout our region are helping social service agencies and often times these actions go unnoticed by the community. With the challenges that businesses are facing, we need to applaud companies who are going the extra mile to help their community,” Gordon said. “I want to thank the Federal Companies for all of the assistance that they provided FamilyCore.”

FamilyCore nominated the Federal Companies for helping them move filing cabinets to their office. FamilyCore helps strengthen families through a variety of programs including counseling, education, and outreach services.

“Federal Companies has graciously donated their time, manpower, and trucks to pick up and deliver donated office equipment to FamilyCore on two separate occasions,” said nominator Debbie Ryva, Development Director at FamilyCore. “With the nature of our business we are constantly in need of file cabinets. This has been a tremendous savings for our agency in these difficult economic times.”

For more information about Gordon’s “Good Neighbor” Business of the Month Award, or to receive a nomination form, please contact Rep. Gordon’s constituent services office at 309-681-1992 or e-mail her at repjgordon@gmail.com. Nomination forms are also available at her website, www.housedem.state.il.us/members/gordonj.