Benefits the Cornerstone Academy for Performing Arts & the Underground Arts Society

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 at the Cornerstone Building, 321 NE Madison, Peoria
5:30 Cocktails; 6:30 Dinner & Performances; 8:30 Dancing

$100 per couple includes a four course dinner, live performances, Champaign toast, and roses delivered to your table. Fine artists will be on site to show and sell their work, and a photographer will be available to take a portrait of you and your sweetheart. $400 per table. Sponsorship levels available. Black Tie optional.

To purchase tickets call Karen Cassidy at 309-620-3164 or email cornerstoneacademyballet@hotmail.com

The Peoria Park District offers a class, Hooked on Crochet (Beginner), beginning Saturday, Jan. 28 through March 3 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. The class meets at the Franciscan Rec Complex, located at 908 Sterling Ave. in West Peoria.

In this class for ages 9 and up, participants will learn basic crochet stitches such as chain, single crochet and double crochet. You’ll leave with an in-depth knowledge of crochet terms and helpful hints. If you wish to do additional work outside of class you can create 7×9 inch rectangles to donate for a “Warm-Up America” afghan. You will receive a supply list for this course upon registration.

Registration fees are $40 for residents and $46 for non-residents. Register at the Glen Oak Pavilion or online at www.peoriaparks.org.

For more information, contact Samantha Neal at 681-2854 or sneal@peoriaparks.org. Visit us online at www.peoriaparks.org.

Back by popular demand, Concordia Lutheran School is again offering CSI: Peoria on Wednesday, February 1 at 9:15 a.m. This creative, hands-on approach to student recruiting welcomes area preschoolers to experience the Concordia Science Institute (CSI).

“The children were amazed by how much fun they could have while learning,” says Allison Rogers, Director of
Preschool and Child Care at Redeemer Lutheran Church. “We loved CSI last year and are very excited to be
coming back!”

Preschoolers and their parents make slime, create life-size bubbles, and experience the science of sound at CSI.
The program demonstrates the school’s interactive science lab and instructional expertise. Participants also stop in
the computer lab to explore the school’s newest software: Gateway to Technology and Rosetta Stone Language.

Concordia has made great strides in enhancing the science, math and language curriculums with interactive and
hands-on technology, according to Paul Thompson, Concordia Principal. “Parents and preschoolers are amazed by
the creative science instruction. Our faculty is top notch and they have the equipment to teach in dynamic ways.”
CSI reservations are necessary. Contact Concordia for more information at pthompson@concordiapeoria.com or
691-8921.

Concordia Lutheran School is a nationally accredited school with about 200 students currently enrolled
in kindergarten through eighth grade. Registrations are being accepted now for fall 2012 enrollment.

Peoria Public Library North Branch will change library hours to be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. beginning Saturday, February 4.

Since opening May 14 of 2011, the branch had been open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, although all other branches open at 10:00 a.m. After gathering statistics for the past 6 months, it was noted that people were not using the branch between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00, but many people were coming in just before 5:00. The change in hours will better meet the needs of the North Branch users.

Guest Speaker – Wisconsin State Senator Jon Erpenbach

5:30 Reception with Cash Bar
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Program

Itoo Hall, 4909 W. Farmington Road, Peoria, IL 61604

To purchase tickets call West Central Illinois Building Trades Office at 674-9243 or go to the office at 400 NE Jefferson, Suite 403, Peoria, IL 61603. Tickets will be required for admittance, and tickets will be available at the door.

Senator Erpenbach serves south central Wisconsin, representing constituents from urban, rural and suburban areas of the region. A former radio personality and communications professional Jon was right at home in the National Media with the Events of the past year in Wisconsin in regards to the anti- union legislation and the petition drive to recall Governor Walker.

Jon is a member of the Dane County NAACP, Monroe Noon Optimists, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, League of Women Voters, and the League of Conversation.

$500 Club Raffle Tickets
Tickets will be available for purchase at the event. First drawing of 2012 will be during the dinner.

$500 Sponsor
$300 Table of 8
$30 Per Person in Advance
$35 at the Door

Monday, January 23, 2012

12:00 PM Memorial service for the 29th anniversary of Vernon “Butch” Gudat’s passing
Location: Lutheran Cemetery, 914 N. Pleasant Street, Peoria, IL

Monday, January 23, 2012

1:00 PM Presentation of Butch Gudat Fund Scholarship and Grant Awards
Location: Central Illinois Fire Training Center, 7130 N. Galena Road

2012 marks the 29th anniversary of Captain Vernon “Butch” Gudat’s death fighting the Main Street apartment complex fire in downtown Peoria. Captain Gudat sustained fatal head injuries on January 23, 1983 when a brick wall in the burning building collapsed. He served with the department for 16 years. No Peoria firefighters have given their lives in the line of duty since.

This is the fifth year that scholarships will be awarded in honor of Captain Gudat. Butch Gudat’s son, Mike Gudat and daughter, Michele Gudat established the Butch Gudat Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Illinois as a living legacy to their father. The fund provides college scholarships to qualifying children and grandchildren of career and volunteer firefighters in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

The 2012 scholarships will be awarded to Burl Rolett of Peoria Heights and Kelsea Sollberger of Peoria. The winners were chosen from a pool of fourteen applicants based on academic performance and short essays. In the essays, students were asked to give an example of courage that inspires them, explain the importance of family and friends in their lives and share a way they demonstrate dedication to their communities. Each of the winners will receive $1,500 to be used for tuition and books.

The Butch Gudat Fund also provides grants to Tri-County fire departments to assist with purchase of educational materials, installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other community fire prevention efforts. A grant in the amount of $750 will be presented to Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District, represented by Chief David Tuttle Scholarships and grants are awarded each January.

The Butch Gudat Fund was established to create a living legacy in memory of Peoria Fire Captain Vernon “Butch” Gudat. The fund is a charitable foundation for assisting Tri-County firefighters, their families and their communities. It will provide $1500 college scholarships to qualifying children and grandchildren of career and volunteer firefighters in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties and fire prevention grants to Tri-County fire departments.

More Families + More Money = More Hope

As The Salvation Army programs grow because more families need assistance, so does the need for continuing community support. “It really is a blessing that the central Illinois area is so generous,” says Major Evie Diaz, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army. “This year, thanks to generous support, we again were able to help so many more families than before. That also means however, that we need more funding support than before.”

Last year, The Salvation Army raised over $1,430,000 which helped to fund the programs and services that help families who are in need, both during the holiday season and year round. All of the programs offered by The Salvation Army are funded in part by the Tree of Lights Campaign. The programs help to provide families with food, shelter, caring, and hope. The generosity of the community not only provides toys and food baskets at Christmas, but also other programs such as Lunch With Love and The Salvation Army’s Eagle Crest Camp.

Already during the 2011 Christmas season, The Salvation Army in Peoria has:
*Distributed 2,720 food baskets, serving over 6,675 individuals
*Distributed gifts and toys to 4,628 children
*Distributed 1,635 coats to children
*Served 5,645 meals through our Lunch with Love program (Nov & Dec)
*Provided a safe haven for 352 men in the Safety Net Shelter

With just three weeks left in this year’s Tree of Lights Campaign, $1,348,991 dollars has been raised to date, but there is still work to be done in order to realize the campaign goal of $1,575,000. Donations are still needed, and can be mailed to The Salvation Army, PO Box 1468, Peoria IL 61655, or charged to American Express, MasterCard, or Visa by calling (309) 655-7220, or online at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/heartland.

Radon Gas Identified as Leading Cause of Cancer

The World Health Organization & Environmental Protection Agency have announced a call to action for Americans to test their homes for Radon Gas, which has recently been identified as the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the U.S.

The EPA has officially designated January 2012 to be National Radon Action Month in the United States.

Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas that seeps out of the ground and can enter homes and other buildings. Since Radon is invisible and odorless, the only way to know if a home has dangerous levels of the gas is to conduct a radon test. Radon problems have been found in every county in the U.S. so the Surgeon General is recommending that all homes are tested.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as many as eight million homes in the U.S. currently have dangerous levels of Radon Gas. They also predict that if action is not taken to correct this problem, between 15,000 and 22,000 deaths will occur in 2012 from exposure to the gas. This is a health threat of epidemic proportions that needs immediate attention.

Radon causes more deaths each year in the U.S. than any other in-home hazard including fires and carbon monoxide deaths combined. For more info about Radon Gas, go to the National Radon Month website: www.RadonMonth.org.

State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) will be co-hosting an event for small businesses with the Illinois Department of Financial Regulation and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. The “How to Access Capital for Your Business” Workshop will be held on Friday, February 10 from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, located at 801 W. Main St. in Peoria.

“Over the past few years it has been very difficult for businesses to find banks that are willing to make loans. Small business growth is a key component of our economic recovery, and making sure businesses and lenders are talking to each other is necessary,” Gordon said. “This event will be an opportunity for lenders to meet with businesses that are looking to grow and for businesses to meet those individuals who can help them in securing financing.”

In small groups, lenders will have the opportunity to present their loan information to small businesses. Lenders will be moving to groups of small businesses throughout the morning in order for all businesses and lenders to make connections with each other.

“It is my hope that small businesses will be able to form relationships that will allow them to grow and create jobs through increased access to capital funds,” Gordon said. “I will continue working with local economic developers to support policies and outreach efforts that position area employers to invest in creating more job opportunities.”

If you are interested in attending the “How to Access Capital for Your Business” Workshop, please RSVP to Rep. Gordon’s Office at (309) 681-1992 or repjgordon@gmail.com

Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) will be holding Satellite Office Hours in Kickapoo and Limestone Townships next week.

“As a legislator it is important to be accessible to my constituents, no matter where they are. That is why I have satellite office hours throughout my district,” Gordon said. “If you have questions or concerns that you think my office might be able to help with, please feel free to stop by at our upcoming office hours.”

Gordon’s Office will be having upcoming office hours at L Kickapoo Township Hall (10025 W. US Highway 150, Edwards) from 1PM to 3PM and Limestone Township Hall (1501 Garfield Ave., Bartonville) on Wednesday, January 25 from 9AM to 11AM. A representative from the office will be there to answer questions and address any concerns that you might have.

For more information, please contact Rep. Gordon’s constituent services office at 309-681-1992 or e-mail repjehangordon@gmail.com.