SCORE is introducing some new free evening workshops for small businesses. There seems to be a lot of demand for the E-business workshops in particular. The workshops will launch in the second half of January 2012.

The first series is called “E-Business” now. This is a series of five (5) stand-alone workshops and accompanying “How-To” guides, each focusing on a particular business issue and the technology solutions that are available to small businesses with an emphasis on use of social media. The series starts and continues on the 3rd Thursday of each month starting 19 January 2012. Tammy Finch will present E-Business Now.

The second series is called “Simple Steps for Starting your Business.” This is a five-part series of pre-business workshops to help attendees reach a “go or no-go” decision for a start-up and develop the requisite elements of a business plan. The content is designed to work in conjunction with mentoring and includes homework for the client to complete. The series starts and continues on the 4th Thursday of every month starting 26 January
2010. Robin Albright will present Simple Steps for Starting your Business.

Both workshops will be held from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Fondulac Public Library at 140 E. Washington St. East Peoria, IL.

[editor’s note: CWNotes will try to print all election-related activities of area candidates]

Dr. Jeff Baldi of Morton, seeking the Republican nomination for Tazewell County Coroner in the March 20, 2012 Primary Election has accepted an invitation to participate in a “Meet the Candidates” Night hosted by the Morton 9/12 Tea Party.

Dr. Baldi and his wife Joyce reside in Morton, Illinois and are the parents of four children.

Midstate College is proud to announce the hiring of Nicole Martinez as Financial Assistance Officer. Nicole comes to Midstate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources and Marketing from Loyola University Chicago and has over 9 years of relevant experience including past positions in management, marketing and sales.

Nicole chose Midstate College because of the family-friendly atmosphere. In her words, “After working at an Online University for 3 years, I really took an enjoyment to working in the education field. When I moved to Peoria from Chicago earlier this year, I was looking for an opportunity at a college or university. Midstate College stuck out in my mind that it was a family-owned, private institution. After learning more about the college and atmosphere, I knew that it was where I wanted to be.”

For more information, please contact Ashley Spain, arspain@midstate.edu or 309.692.4092 ext. 1040

Midstate College is proud to announce the addition of Gale Grant of Caterpillar Inc. to the Board of Directors. Ms. Grant attended Midstate College to obtain an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Services in July, 2002, and returned to Midstate to receive a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in May, 2011. She has also served on the Midstate College Paralegal Advisory Board since 2002.

Ms. Grant comes to the Midstate College Board of Directors with over eight years of Paralegal Services experience in the Peoria community. She is currently a Paralegal II at Caterpillar Inc.

Gale looks forward to continuing to engage with Midstate College in her new role. In her words, “I am honored to join the experienced Board of Directors for Midstate College. I look forward to contributing my skills and knowledge to this visionary higher educational institution, and as an alumnus, I am very excited to continue working closely with the College in the years to come.”

Midstate strives to keep alumni of the College engaged in both the College and the local community. Ms. Grant’s position serves as an alumni liaison to the Board of Directors.

For more information, please contact Ashley Spain, arspain@midstate.edu or 309.692.4092 ext. 1040

$10 gets you in the door and includes food and refreshments during networking before and after the program. (MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: NOVUS)
===================================
Starts at 5:30 pm on Thursday, January 19th at the PeoriaNEXT Innovation Center at 801 West Main Street.
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Go to www.novusnetworking.com to register…or email jeh@bradley.edu
(mention NOVUS in the Subject line).

If you have questions, call 677-4321.

OSF Saint Francis Wellness Services is offering a fitness class specifically designed for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

The 8-week Fitness for Parkinson’s session focuses on providing a medically supervised program to improve flexibility, endurance, balance, strength, and overall well being. It will consist of functional activities, breathing techniques, postural awareness, ambulation training, whole body stretching, and even Tango Dance!

The classes are 60 minutes long with group education and discussion following the exercise session. Physician approval is required to participate and will be obtained by OSF Saint Francis staff.

WHEN: January 10 – March 1, 2012 – Tuesday & Thursday
TIME: 11:00 AM – Noon
WHERE: RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center, 2nd Floor Aerobics Studio @ 600 NE Water Street, Peoria
COST: RiverPlex Members – $50 Non-Members – $80

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that is chronic and progressive. Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, with 60,000 diagnosed with the disease each year. Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before age 50.

To register for the fitness class or for more information, call 309.282.1623.

The Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) recently honored marketing, public relations and communications professionals from across the state.

ISHMPR sponsors the Pinnacle Awards to recognize excellence in healthcare marketing and public relations. This year’s competition included more than 150 entries from nearly 50 hospitals and healthcare systems across the state of Illinois.

Members of the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Marketing teams were recognized for these winning entries:

AD CAMPAIGN:
Award of Excellence – Let It Shine (Perfect Score): hippo agency, Judy Winkler (Director of Marketing)
Lee Angst, Erin Powers, Heidi Wessler (Graphic Designers)
Award of Merit – INI Spine: Vickie Parry (Marketing Manager)
Lee Angst (Graphic Design Manager)

ANIMATION:
Award of Merit – Let it Shine: Scott Lungwitz (Web Content Specialist)

INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN:
Award of Excellence – Heart Attack Ad Campaign: Pam Thompson (Marketing Manager)
Lee Angst (Graphic Design Manager)

OUTDOOR:
Honorable Mention – Let It Shine Digital Campaign: Judy Winkler (Director of Marketing)
Lee Angst (Graphic Design Manager)

SPECIAL EVENT:
Award of Excellence – Let It Shine Opening Events (Perfect Score)

TV AD:
Award of Excellence – Let It Shine (Perfect Score): hippo agency, Judy Winkler (Director of Marketing)

BEST OF SHOW:
Let It Shine Ad Campaign

Common Place wants you to please consider sharing your literacy skills with another English-speaking adult who wants to improve their reading, writing or math. The Adult Literacy Program staff at Common Place Family Learning Center will offer a Tutor Orientation and Training Workshop on Thursday, January 26 from 5:30 – 7:45 pm (at Peoria Public Library North Branch), and on Saturdays, January 28 and February 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (at Common Place). A registration fee of $10 for books and materials is requested and advance registration is required. To register or find out more about our unique program, please call Stephanie at Common Place Family Learning Center, 309-674-3315.

State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is highlighting a series of laws aimed at preventing domestic violence, protecting victims and their families, and strengthening penalties for abusers.

“Domestic violence does not only affect the victim, but their family, friends and community,” Gordon said. “We must all work together to put a stop to abuse. Please reach out to victims to let them know that help is available to them, and do not hesitate to report any abuse you witness. We need to all need to do our part to send the message that abuse will not be tolerated.”

Rep. Gordon backed House Bill 3365, which takes effect on January 1st and prohibits offenders convicted at any time of domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery from obtaining a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card. Prior to this law, dangerous offenders could buy guns if their conviction occurred before 1997. The new law aims to prevent all individuals with records of domestic violence from owning firearms, and put felons who violate their parole by obtaining guns back in prison.

Several new protections for victims and their family members were also passed into law. House Bill 1928 ensures that parole boards listen to objections from victim’s family members, friends or neighbors, expands the definitions of “victim” and “victim impact statements,” and prohibits victim’s statements from being subjected to requests under the Freedom of Information Act. House Bill 277 makes it a felony for a registered sex offender to harass or stalk a previous victim or that victim’s family.

“Part of my job as state representative is to ensure that we have the necessary laws that will keep our community safe.” Gordon said. “I believe that these laws will encourage victims of domestic to speak out and help prevent violence. I will continue to support laws that help make our communities safe and sound.”

For more information, please contact Gordon’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or email repjgordon@gmail.com

Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is calling attention to two new laws that will take effect on January 1 that change the rules of the road in Illinois.

“With the new year comes over two hundred laws that were passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor, and I believe it is important to let my constituents know about changes that will affect them, especially when it can change their everyday activities like driving,” Gordon said.

One such law, which was supported by Gordon, will allow motorcycles to go through a red light when the light system fails to detect the presence of a motorcycle and turn from red to green. Often because of the light weight of motorcycles, sensors at red lights do not detect that they are waiting for the light to change. This new law will permit motorcycles to move through a red light after waiting a reasonable period of time and yielding to oncoming traffic.

Another change for drivers is that all individuals must wear a seat belt when they are in a motor vehicle. Currently, adults are exempted from wearing a seat belt when in the backseat of a vehicle. The new law states that all individuals must wear a seatbelt, regardless of age. Exceptions were made for taxicabs and emergency vehicles.

“As drivers get on the road January 1st, they must be aware of these changes. Drivers are held responsible for the safety inside of the car and need to make sure that all of their passengers are buckled. Drivers must also be aware of the changes in the law for motorcycles to protect themselves and motorcyclists,” Gordon said. “Please be aware of these changes and stay safe on our roads this coming year.”

For more information, contact Gordon’s office by calling (309) 681-1992 or via e-mail at repjgordon@gmail.com.