The deadline for making nominations for the inaugural The Peorian of the Year award has been extended to January 13, 2012. Sponsored by The Peorian, the award will be awarded in April 2012 to a person who is playing an important role in Peoria’s present while paving the way for a bright future. Along with the award, a $10,000 donation will be made to a local non-profit organization selected by the winner. Nominations are being accepted online at ThePeorian.com/award

“We created this award to celebrate those who are making a difference not only in the lives of others, but in our community as a whole,” said Julie Russell, The Peorian publisher.

Finalists will be selected by The Peorian editorial board and featured online, in the magazine and on The Peorian on TV. Community voting will take place from March 1 through March 31, 2011. The winner will be announced at the annual The Peorian of the Year luncheon to be held in April. The luncheon will feature a nationally prominent speaker as host. Details and rules can be found at ThePeorian.com.

The Peorian is a magazine focusing on Peoria’s past, present and future in a way no local publication has done before. It is published six times a year, while its website features daily and weekly updates. Along with its print and web counterparts, there also is The Peorian on TV, a weekly half-hour TV show hosted by Paul Gordon and airing on WHOI on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. The Peorian is edited by Gordon and features writers Peter Couri, Kevin Kizer and Cathi Hawkinson.

The legendary and brilliant Marx Brothers will usher in the new year at downtown Peoria’s non-profit Apollo Theater on Saturday, Jan 14 with “A Day at the Races.”

Directed by Sam Wood – the accomplished filmmaker behind the camera for such classics as “Our Town,” “Pride of the Yankees” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” this 1937 comedy is a thorough Marx Brothers romp. A patient in a sanitarium persuades a horse doctor (Groucho) to take over the facility, and, predictably, chaos and hijinx ensue.

Co-starring Harpo and Chico, the 111-minute gem also features Maureen O’Sullivan and Allan Jones for the musical and romantic back story, plus the inimitable foil Margaret Dumont.

A few memorable short subjects starring other Hollywood comedy giants will precede the feature.

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

In an effort to tackle bullying in our schools, State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is calling attention to a new state law that empowers school boards to punish students who make online threats to fellow students or school personnel..

“The Internet, Facebook and other new technology have changed the way we communicate with each other,” Gordon said. “No matter where we are or what we are doing, we are able to send messages to the entire world. While there are many benefits to our new methods of communication, there are drawbacks that include cyberbullying.”

A new law, House Bill 3281, takes effect on January 1 and allows school boards to suspend or expel students who make an explicit threat to a teacher, employee, or another student over the Internet. This law was passed in response to a growing number of cyberbullying cases seen throughout the country.

“While children are growing up they learn that their actions have consequences. In a time when new media and technology has changed the way children interact with each other and the adults around them, they must know that what they decide to post and share on the Internet can have consequences as well,” Gordon said. “I am glad that schools now have tools to help stop bullying outside of the school yard and that will keep our schools healthy and safe places to send our children.”

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

Tree of Lights Campaign Pushes Past $1,100,000- Hopes for Great Final Month

The familiar bells that ring for The Salvation Army have come to an end for another year. The Salvation Army wishes to thank all the stores in the Tri-County area that again hosted the kettles this year, including the newest site- Bass Pro Shops in East Peoria.

“We are very appreciative of the support of the stores agreeing to help out with the kettles for The Salvation Army,” says Major Thomas McDowell, Peoria Corps Officer for The Salvation Army. “Central Illinois has always come through at the kettles, both in terms of volunteering and donating to The Salvation Army.”

The kettles wrapped up with a successful two-day kettle match that produced over $26,000 in kettles on December 22nd and 23rd. With some counter kettles yet to be collected, kettles have brought in over $275,000.

All funds support seasonal and year round programs for those in need. Now that the kettles are done, the Tree of Lights Campaign continues, with corporate donations, personal solicitations and direct mail the main avenues utilized by The Salvation Army to reach the goal. “We are grateful to the many generous individuals, companies and concerned people who help us reach this very important goal,” said Major Evie Diaz, Divisional Commander. “The month of January and the support we will get from people throughout Central Illinois will be vital to our success. We hope that everyone has a safe and blessed New Year.”

To date, $1,146,693, or about 73%, has been donated towards the $1,575,000 goal. Donations to the Tree of Lights Campaign can be made by mailing to The Salvation Army, PO Box 1468, Peoria, IL 61655, online at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/heartland, or by calling (309) 655-7220 to charge on American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover.

The Central Illinois Youth Symphony will host Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist and Roosevelt University string program director Richard Hirschl for a seminar titled “Choosing and Preparing for a Career in Music Performance.” It will be held on Thursday, January 12th at 6 p.m. at the First Mennonite Church in Morton, located at 250 S. Baltimore Ave. The seminar is free and open to the public.

This Free program is an educational and experiential workshop will teach you how to focus some of your daily energy on improving your ability to relax and pave the way for a calmer and peaceful body, mind, and spirit. The workshop will take place Friday, January 20, 2012, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with presenter

Donna Nordwall, MSW, LCSW, of the Counseling Center at Proctor Hospital. Held in Proctor Professional Building Classroom 1 on the campus of Proctor Hospital. To register, please call (309) 689-6001.

The Peoria area’s roller derby league, the Peoria Push Derby Dames, will host their season opener on January 7 at the Peoria Civic Center in the Exhibition Hall. Proceeds will benefit Peoria Rescue Ministries, in keeping with the Push tradition of bouting to benefit local charities. A “newbie” bout will precede the main event, with the Hard Knocks going up against the Polka Bots.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door or on peoriarollerderby.org. Children age 6 and younger are free. The bout will be family friendly.

Designated drivers can enjoy free nonalcoholic beverages at participating bars

The American Red Cross along with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Baumgarten Distributing are making it easy for revelers to designate a sober driver this holiday season. Each year, the Red Cross and their partners team up to offer free, non-alcoholic beverages to designated drivers.

On New Year’s Eve at participating locations, designated drivers can enjoy free nonalcoholic beverages in special “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” cups. Bars will hang banners and posters indicating their participation the event. New this year, bars will also hand out buttons with the message: “You drink and I’ll drive.”

Participating locations include:
•BG Karaoke, 5605 S. Adams St., Bartonville, IL
•Firehouse Bar & Grill, 4925 N. Galena Rd., Peoria Heights, IL
•Goodfellas Pub & Pizza, 1414 N. 8th St., Pekin, IL
•8th Street Station, 1440 N. 8th St., Pekin, IL
•Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 SW Water St., Peoria, IL
•Sully’s Pub, 121 SW Adams St., Peoria, IL
•River Valley Bowl, 1000 Western Ave. Henry, IL
•Crusen’s, 2117 West Farmington Road West Peoria, IL

“New Year’s Eve is a time for celebrating the former year and welcoming the new,” said Marie Dietrich of the Red Cross Injury Prevention Department. “We don’t want people to start the year off on the wrong foot, so we want to remind everyone to celebrate responsibly and always designate a sober driver.”

Twenty people were assisted after their home fires last weekend.

The Christmas holiday did not bring tidings of comfort and joy for some area families… it brought ashes and sadness.

· On Friday, December 23, there was a fire on Butler Street in Peoria. The Red Cross responded and helped the family of eight.

· On Saturday, December 24, there was a fire on Crystal Avenue in Bartonville. The Red Cross helped the family with their emergency needs and also worked with PAWS to provide shelter for their 5 dogs. There was also a fire in Pekin on Christmas Eve. Red Cross volunteers are still trying to get in touch with the family to see how we can help.

· On Sunday, December 25, there was a fire in Wyoming, IL. Red Cross volunteers were there that morning to help the family with their emergency needs. Also, on Christmas Day, there was a fire on Lauder Court in Bartonville. The Red Cross responded to the fire, but the thankful family declined any assistance.

· On Monday, December 26, there was another fire in Peoria on Mohawk Trail. The Red Cross assisted the family.

Trained volunteers meet the immediate emergency needs of these families by providing food, shelter, clothing and health and mental health services to address their basic human needs. Red Cross volunteers are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to reach out to our neighbors in need.

“We are so thankful for our Red Cross volunteers who often give up their own holidays with their families so that they can respond to a local home fire,” says Anne Fox, CEO of the Central Illinois Chapter. “And, we are so grateful to our community. Their gifts of goodwill and kindness enable the Red Cross to respond whenever and wherever we are needed.”

Ashley Bauer, Emergency Services Outreach and Education Coordinator, was on-call over the Christmas weekend and met with many of the families. “Fires don’t take a break during the holiday season,” says Bauer. “No one wants to see a family go through a home fire, especially on Christmas. I am just glad that I was able to help the families.”

For more information on how to prevent a home fire or to give a gift of support to the local Red Cross, please visit www.redcrossillinois.org.

The nation’s largest auto show producer, Motor Trend Auto Shows, announces the 18th annual Iowa Illinois Regional Auto Show, coming to the Davenport RiverCenter Friday through Sunday, Feb. 10-12. The event, which showcases 2012 autos, and some 2013 models is a joint effort of auto dealers of 18 counties in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.
Show times are:

* Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10 & 11 10:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.
* Sunday, Feb. 12 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Special events during the show include: Guests will be offered a chance to win $10,000 in the Break the Bank Code Contest.

* Friday is Quad City Times Day at the show. Special promotions are planned.
* Sunday: Family Day — Kids 12 and under free with paid adult. Personal appearance by famed cartoon character Scooby Doo sponsored by MediaCom . There will be a petting zoo, jumpy inflatables, and professional balloon artists making animal characters for kids and perform magic tricks.

More information will be coming as special vehicles are announced.
Proceeds from the Auto Show benefit the Iowa –Illinois Regional Auto Show Scholarship Fund. Over $175,000 has been given to college bound and trade school students to date. $30,000 is expected to be given at this year’s VIP Premier Event.

For more information, visit www.quadcityautoshow.com or call Nissi Marketing at (563) 388-6744.