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 p.m.
Saturday, February 4, 2012: Party in the Pits* from 11:30 am – 1:30 p.m.
Shows at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

*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.

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, 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.

URS is hosting a job fair on Tuesday, January 31st from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the hopes of hiring over 50 full time employees. The job fair will take place in the Hazen Room on the ground floor of the Associated Bank Building located at 111 NE Jefferson in downtown Peoria. For questions, please contact Patti Neuhalfen at patricia.neuhalfen@urs.com or by calling 309-676-0699.

Peoria Area SeniorNet is sponsoring an Open House on Saturday February 18, 2012 at 10:00AM at the First Baptist Church at 411 W. Lake Avenue in Peoria. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce prospective new students to SeniorNet and to answer any questions they might have about computers and computer classes. The second event is registration for our spring 2012 classes. It will be on Saturday, February 25, 2012. Registration will take place any time from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the First Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall. Mail-in registration is also offered for those who cannot attend, however, on-site registration is recommended in order to ensure that students are placed in a class or in classes that are suitable for them. The deadline for mail-in registration is March 1, 2012. Most classes will begin during the week of March 12, 2012. For more information call 1-800-872-4651, ext. 1510 and leave a message. A SeniorNet volunteer will return your call and answer any questions you may have. Registration documents and a detailed schedule of classes are also available on our web site at www.PeoriaAreaSeniorNet.org. Click on the Spring Classes button.

The purpose of the Open House is not only to introduce prospective students to SeniorNet but also to provide a forum where present and future computer users acquire information that will help them make choices when buying computers, selecting computer accessories, and choosing computer courses. SeniorNet instructors and coaches will be available for one-on-one questions and discussions with the attendees. Students may also register for spring classes after the presentation and discussion.

All spring classes will be held at the First Baptist Church in Peoria. Classes will include: Computer Fundamentals for Windows 7, Intermediate Fundamentals for Windows 7, E-Mail for the Beginner, E-Mail for the Intermediate Computer User, Introduction to Scanners, How to Use the Internet, Facebook/Social Networking, Microsoft Excel 2007, Computer Maintenance/ Security, Quicken 2011, Digital Camera Tutorial, Digital Photo Editing/Slide Show, Print Artist Version 23, and Premier Photo Elements 8. Lab time will also be available at the First Baptist Church for those students who want to spend extra time on their class work with SeniorNet tutors. One-session seminars on topics of interest will also be scheduled on Fridays.

Peoria Area SeniorNet is sponsored by Illinois Eye Center and PNC Bank.

“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” came out 50 years ago this Spring, but the western directed by four-time Oscar-winning filmmaker John Ford remains as timeless as the Old West.

It’s scheduled to screen at downtown Peoria’s non-profit Apollo Theater on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Starring Academy Award winners James Stewart, John Wayne and Edmond O’Brien, the 123-minute drama revolves around an idealistic attorney (Stewart) recalling when he and rough-and-tumble cowboy (Wayne) joined forces to fight local gunslinger Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin, in a terrific performance).

It has a philosophical subplot, too, as the lawyer has achieved political success on an undeserved reputation and remains troubled by the legend. The cowboy – who utters “pilgrim,” in what would become a line long associated with Wayne – knew it didn’t matter.

Co-starring O’Brien as a newspaperman and Vera Miles as the lawyer’s wife, the Oscar-nominated picture (for costume design) also features an A-list of western actors including Lee Van Cleef, Andy Devine, Denver Pyle, Strother Martin, Ken Murray, Shug Fisher and Jack Pennick, plus outstanding character actors John Carradine and Woody Strode.

The last of Ford’s black-and-white westerns, the nostalgic “Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” also features music by Alfred Newman and a hit song by ‘60s rocker Gene Pitney.

Show times at the Apollo are at 7:00 p.m. Donations are $5 and $4 for kids, students and seniors. For details call (309) 673-4343.

Methodist Medical Center has announced the January Employees of the Month. Their peers in the areas of patient care, nursing, and non-nursing support recognize three separate employees each month for their outstanding service to patients.

The three selected were Corrie Ricca of Peoria for Nursing Services. She is a Nurse on the Pediatrics Unit. Also selected were Robin Hudson of Peoria who works with Methodist Medical Group Cardiovascular Services in the area of Patient Care and Teresa Welton of West Peoria for Non Nursing Support. Teresa works at the Methodist Child Care Center.

All three will be honored at a hospital reception January 18th, 2012.

Peoria Public Library is collecting photos and names of area men who served with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) so they can be honored at a program on Friday, March 9 at Peoria Public Library North Branch. In Illinois the CCC built parks in Illinois including Starved Rock State Park and Black Hawk State Historical Site along with other work.
Peoria Public Library will show images the public provides and reserve special seats for CCC members and their families. Please call 309-497-2120 or email programmingdept@ppl.peoria.lib.il.us to share your information or reserve a seat for a CCC member.

Author Bill Jamerson will perform a musical story-telling program about “Roosevelt’s Tree Army” that planted 3.5 billion tress nationwide, built parks, helped farmers and provided young men with income and future.

“Dollar-A-Day Boys, A Musical Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps,” is Friday, March 9 at 4:30 p.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch. His novel, Big Shoulders, follows the life of 17-year-old recruit from Detroit and his experiences. Jameson has also produced a PBS documentary, and recorded original songs about the CCC. His website http://billjamerson.com/history.asp offers a short video about the CCC.

High school students can learn strategies to prepare for the ACT and SAT college entrance exams during a 5-session class offered at Bradley University in February and March.

The classes will be held on Tuesday evenings, February 21, 28, March 6,13, and 20. They will familiarize students with the testing format and environment; sharpen test-taking strategies; and review content in English, math, reading and science.

The cost is $75 for ACT Review only; $75 for SAT Review only $75; or $85 for both the ACT and SAT Review. The deadline to register is February 15. Registration information is available online at http://www.bradley.edu/continue/act-sat/index.html.

The Methodist College of Nursing announced its December graduating class for 2011. A total of 59 graduates were honored in ceremonies Saturday, December 17, 2011 at the Par-a-Dice Hotel in East Peoria.

Keynote speaker for the event was Pam Robbins BSN, RN, Past President of the Illinois Nurses Association. Graduating students receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing included:

December 2011 Graduates

Jamie Alderman of Morton
Petrolina Anosike of Chicago
Abigail Ault of Princeville
Melissa Bara of Washington
MaryAnn Blackburn of Washington’
Hannah Bressert of Mackinaw
Brittany Brown of Bloomington
Ashley Candler of Delavan
Nicole Coyle of Pekin
Sandra Crawley of Henry
Rebecca Currie of Decatur
Jenna Darnell of Peoria Heights
Gerry Davis of Peoria
Rachel Davis of Peoria
Amanda Eaves of Henry
Jessica Eilers of Henry
Amber Farlin of Green Valley
Kayla Farris of Peoria
Megan Fetters of Washington
Jessica Gibson of Normal
Kathryn Goerss of Morton
BreAnne Green of Orion
Melissa Horton of Tremont
Katherine Joseph of Peoria
Megan Kelly of Morton
Kyle Kiesewetter of Metamora
Alaina Knaak-Taylor of Bartonville
Kelly McPhillips of Peoria
Christin Mullen of Hanna City
Amanda Nimmo of Bloomington

Methodist December Graduates

Michelle O’Connor of Normal
Andrew Patterson of Pekin
Tabitha Peak of Pekin
Tiffany Penn of Abingdon
Ashley Phillips of Canton
Morgan Rummel of East Peoria
Angela Sally of Creve Coeur
Ryan Shute of Morton
Theresa Skibba of Peoria
Brandy Spann of East Peoria
Rebecca Spencer of Washington
Jamie Steubinger of Washington
Vicki Stobaugh of Elmwood
Julian Taylor of Bartonville
Amanda Walden of Peoria
Melissa Williams of Glasford
Breanne Williams of Manito

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has reaccredited The C. Duane Morgan Sleep Disorders Center at Methodist Medical Center for a five year period.

To receive ASSM accreditation, a center must meet or exceed all standards for professional, quality healthcare as set forth by the ASSM Standards for Accreditation of Sleep Disorder Centers.

AASM Accreditation of Sleep Disorders Center acts as an indicator to patients and referring physicians that a facility is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a professional membership organization dedicated to assuring quality care for patients with sleep disorders, promoting the advancement of sleep research and providing public and professional education.

The Salvation Army Nears Final Weeks of Tree of Lights Campaign

At the middle of January, The Salvation Army continues its efforts to meet the level of need in the tri-county area. In addition to our recent Christmas efforts, we are seeing a consistent need for the most basic of necessities, as rising food costs are resulting in increases in our Salvation Army food pantries.

“The kettles may be gone and the bells silenced for another year, but these next few weeks are crucial to our Tree of Lights Campaign,” said Major Evie Diaz, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army. “We are thankful for the continued generosity of central Illinois and are looking forward to a fantastic finish to the Tree of Lights Campaign.”
The recent Christmas outreach of The Salvation Army resulted in food baskets for 2,720, over 16,000 toys and more than 1,635 coats being given to children and families in need.

As of Friday, January 13, the overall campaign has raised $1,284,590 of its $1,575,000 campaign goal, or about 82%. The remaining few weeks will include direct mail receipts, business contributions and other donations to hopefully reach the goal.

To donate, simply send a check to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1468, Peoria, Illinois, 61655, donate online at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/heartland, or call 655-7220 to donate with Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Express.