Yoder, the Senior Director of Marketing and Affiliate Management with the Illinois Farm Bureau, will be at the Peoria County Farm Bureau on Tuesday, January 31, at 9:00 a.m. to help sort through crop insurance options. Yoder brings a wealth of knowledgeable and experience on the topic.

Illinois farmers have until March 15 to sign up for spring federal crop insurance policies. High input costs, volatile grain markets, and uncertain weather, pose risks for farmers and their grain operations. Federal crop insurance offers one way to protect farmer’s grain assets and protect them against a potential price decline.

One of the new options for farmers in 2012 that Yoder will cover is the Yield Trend Endorsement.

Please call the Peoria County Farm Bureau at 309-686-7070 with reservations. There is no cost for Farm Bureau members. Light refreshments will be served.

Federal truck regulations affect the vast majority of farmers in Illinois. Significant changes in Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations were established, then reversed in 2011—some of the answers are pending. USDOT# and UCR registrations are still widely misunderstood. Come join us and learn about these and other trucking laws that apply to farmers.

Peoria County Farm Bureau® will host a 2-hour seminar beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, that addresses these regulations. The seminar will focus on trucking laws important to farmers and will recap key fundamentals. In addition, you’ll have the chance to ask your questions.

• New & Pending Laws Impacting Motor Vehicle Operation
o FMCSA and the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations—changes in 2011
o USDOT Number Registration
o Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
o Linking the Medical Card to the CDL
o Form 2290 and the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax
• Recap of Fundamentals
o Federal Bridge Formula (80,000#) Weight Limits
o Drug & Alcohol Screening

Presenting the seminar will be Kevin Rund who, for 30 years, has specialized in farm transportation issues for the Illinois Farm Bureau®. In addition to his presentation, Rund will provide take-home materials addressing these topics.

Come to the Farm Bureau on January 25. Learn something new and improve your understanding of today’s motor vehicle law. You’ll be better able to sort “coffee shop talk” from real world requirements, saving you expenses and headaches.

The seminar is free courtesy of Peoria County and the Illinois Farm Bureaus®, but advance registration is requested. Please call (309) 686-7070 to reserve your place at this informative On-the-Road Seminar.

South Side Trust & Savings Bank, at its December 2011 Board Meeting, announced the promotions of Michele Anderson to Vice President & Trust Officer, William Russell to Vice President & Investment Officer, David Schrader to Vice President & Loan Officer, Emma Vandeveer to Vice President – Marketing & Sales, Christina Eckstein to Assistant Vice President & Compliance Officer, Leigh Harkless to Assistant Vice President – Branch Manager, and Rhonda Litwiller to Trust Operations Officer.

Anderson’s responsibilities include trust administration, business development, and trust investments. Anderson graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Business Administration and Marketing and recently graduated from the three-year Cannon Trust School, and was also certified at that time as a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor. She currently serves as the Chair for the Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois, is a City of Peoria Planning Commissioner, a member of the Rotary Club of Peoria-North serving on their Foundation Board, member of the Strengthening Families Allocation Panel for the Heart of Illinois United Way, member of the Full Service Community Schools Advisory Council and a member of the Estate Planning Council of Central Illinois.

Russell is responsible for managing the bank’s Raymond James Investment Center, offering financial and retirement planning to individuals and businesses. He also manages South Side Bank’s investment portfolio and serves on the bank’s Trust Investment Committee. Russell was named one of the nation’s Top 50 Bank Investment Representatives in 2010 by Bank Investment Consultant Magazine and has earned a position as a member on Raymond James Executive Council for the past six years. He holds a Series 7 (Registered Representative), Series 24 (Registered Principal), Series 63 and 65 (Registered Investment Advisor) as well as an Illinois Life and Health Insurance License. He volunteers for many charities including St. Jude and Easter Seals.

Schrader has been with South Side Bank for 22 years and has over 35 years of banking experience. He graduated from Lincoln College and is responsible for the management of the commercial loan portfolio, including business development. Schrader currently serves on the Illinois Business Financial Services Loan Committee.

Midstate College is proud to announce the hiring of Nicole Owens as Accounting Clerk. Nicole has many years of experience in administrative support, and in her most recent position served as an administrative assistant for Farnsworth Group.

As Accounting Clerk at Midstate College, Nicole will focus primarily on accounts payable and student accounts. In her new position, Nicole is really looking forward to learning more about the accounting field and getting to know new people.
For more information, please contact Ashley Spain, arspain@midstate.edu or 309.692.4092 ext. 1040

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will be speaking at a seminar on Hate Crimes and Bullying. It will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at ICC’s Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria Campus.

While admission to the conference is free, registration is required by calling the college or by going to the Link to Hate Crimes Summit here: http://apps.icc.edu/register/hcs/index.php

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing awarded Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees to 62 students, Master of Science in nursing degrees to 13 students during its December graduation ceremony.

MSN program students graduating with distinction, along with their hometowns:
Chillicothe: Melissa Duhs, Theresa Temborius
Dunlap: Edward Etherton
East Peoria: Stefanie Manley
Morton: Elizabeth Hayes, Lori Wagner
Pekin: Melanie Reeves
Peoria: Diana France, Holly Swisher
Washington: Linda Cooper, Richard Ellis

Others receiving MSN degrees:
Glasford: Stacy Wilson
East Peoria: Erin Ziegle

The Sister M. Ludgera Memorial Award was presented to Linda Cooper of Washington.
Masters graduates are considered for this award based on leadership as demonstrated by outstanding nursing practice based on clinical judgments; caring patient interactions; and problem solving abilities; or outstanding teaching abilities as evidenced by the ability to meet teaching objectives; providing excellent classroom organization; use of a variety of teaching methods; and, incorporating active learning.

BSN students graduating Summa Cum Laude:
Buda: Angela Bickett
East Peoria: Brandy Schierer
Lowpoint: Amy Durst
Morton: Amanda Steffen
Pekin: Jaclyn Kelly
Peoria: Terri Schaber, RN
Irvine, CA: Melinda Leyden

BSN students graduating Magna Cum Laude:
Flanagan: Tyler Detwiler
Morton: Robin Strange
Woodhull: Kaitlin Holt

BSN students graduating Cum Laude:
Elmwood: Jenny Smiles
Peoria: Tracie Markey, RN

The Excellence in Nursing Award given to Robin Strange of Morton.
Nominees must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average and are considered on the basis of involvement and contribution to the College, community, and profession in relation to the following criteria: dependability, accountability, enthusiasm, leadership, caring, positive attitude, and professional role model.

The Nursing Achievement Award was presented to Tracie Markey, RN, of Peoria. The Nursing Achievement Award recognizes an RN graduate with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average on the basis of involvement and contribution to the College, community, and profession in relation to the following criteria: dependability, accountability, enthusiasm, leadership, caring, positive attitude, and professional role model.

Other students receiving BSN degrees:
Bartonville: Karen Reaktenwalt
Bloomington: Danielle Campbell, Rokhia Doumbia-Fortney
Bradford: Meghan Odell
Brimfield: Elizabeth Blane
Canton: Alesa Smick
Cazenovia: Reta Kacir
Chicago: Elenmor Umali Achurra, Kaitlyn Hacker-Williams
Chillicothe: Paula Baize, Cody Gibbs
Downs: Brittany Roop
East Peoria: Rebecca Griffin, Nicole Hurd
Elmwood: Jarrod Grimm, Justin Grimm
Farmington: Mallorie Menold
Glasford: Bianca Junker
Havana: Madison Donaho
Hudson: Laura King
Lewistown: Cassi Sweet, Caitlyn Welker
Macomb: Kamie McKee
Metamora: Carly Hill, Ryan Reliford
Morrison: Sydnee Ivey
Normal: Jill McConnell, Kathleen Smith
Northbrook: Shayna Schwartzman
Peoria: Emily Clark, Janie Cobb, Michele Dudley, Britney Durst, Susan Hughes, Nicole McEnroe, Elaine Meritt, George Mullen, III; Mindy Stickling, Rachal Waldschmidt, Jada Warmick
Princeville: Sandra Bender
Washington: Ashley Aeschliman, Michelle Armstrong, Hailey Fairfield, Kayla Fussner, Ada Oguejiofor, Robert Roy
West Peoria: Elena Contreras

Delphi, IN: Lindsey Sullivan
Lakeville, MN: Anna Davidson

February 11th FUNDRAISER GREAT FOR FAMILY

If you’re looking for a great family project or looking to chase away the winter blues, attend CWTC’s “Stamp A Stack of Greeting Cards” Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. Attendees will create an assortment of 10 greeting cards with envelopes, perfect for any occasion. The 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. Whether you are a seasoned card maker or a beginner with no experience, make plans now to join the fun! Register in advance by sending a check to CWTC, 3215 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604. Registration deadline is Friday, January 27th. 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.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria will hear speakers on the electric choice referendum, which will be on the March 20 primary ballot in many central Illinois communities.

These referendums will ask for voter approval to allow a governmental body to bid out residential electrical service to an alternative supplier. But any resident can ‘opt-out — that is, choose not to participate.

Peoria has an agreement with a consultant, Good Energy, to educate the public about the referendum. City officials feel that residents will save money – but is the devil in the details?

Two speakers have agreed to appear, environmentalist Tracy Fox of Global Warming Solutions and Chris Setti of the city of Peoria. Other experts also may speak.

The event begins at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Peoria Public Library North, 3001 W. Grand Parkway, Peoria (behind Menards off Allen Road). It is free and open to the public.

The South-West Kiwanis Club was recently entertained by the E.L.I.T.E. Musical Group at its Thursday noon meeting. Carl Cannon, Assistant General Manager of Recreation at the Peoria Park District with Youth Outreach, is mainly responsible for the formation of this band under the direction of Jeff Mosher who introduced each member: Damairuis Redwick, saxophone; Mat Zahner, key-board; Jay Nash, trumpet; Maggie Sloter, trombone; Ethan Mosher, guitar; and Jeff Adams, drums.

The E.L.I.T.E. Musical Group played a superb mix of Jazz and Big Band. They opened with “Blue Monk”, followed by a brief a sing-a-long of “Joy to the World” lead by long-time South-West Kiwanis member and former Mayor Jim Maloof. The group also played “Take Five”, “Night Train”, and “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning”.

Mr. Cannon mentioned that the band was a hard act to follow. Mr. Cannon described the E.L.I.T.E. Youth Program and how the concept has helped improve student behavior in Peoria schools. The concept was first applied to high school. It was introduced into Trewyn about a year ago and there has been much improvement in student behavior and grades. Mr. Cannon showed many of the positive changes with the aid of progress charts for Trewyn students. Mr. Cannon then accepted a $959.00 check from South-West President Conley Stutz to help E.L.I.T.E. with their youth programs.

Mr. Cannon recognized S-W Kiwanis member, Anthony Gardner, for his work in the E.L.I.T.E. Youth Program. He has known Anthony since he was a young boy and mentioned he has recently graduated from Bradley. Anthony is an E.L.I.T.E. coordinator, helping with the 12-week training programs.

Throughout his comments, Mr. Cannon mentioned how the E.L.I.T.E. concept was similar in many ways to Kiwanis and mentioned that as his program was coming together they looked like Kiwanis — they did what they did based on what was right.

For more information, find us on the web at www.PeoriaKiwanisS-W.org .

[One of my readers pointed out that I had left out info I where I found this new item. Actually, I found two mentions of it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-berkon/dick-cheney-claims-presid_b_411739.html
http://www.somethingyoushouldread.com/articles/article.php?id=668]

Seriously????

Former Vice President Dick Cheney recently claimed that President Obama’s new haircut is a sign of “Letting terrorists win”

Really??? I hadn’t even noticed and I’m an avid news watcher.

Understandably, the President has no comment.

It’s a hair cut, not a Presidential proclaimation!