Bishop Hill Fiber Guild will meet on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Methodist Church in West Jersey, Illinois when Lee Breeggemann will show us how to make a “sit-upon.”

We will also continue our 2014 Back-To-Basics Fiber Study of Down Sheep Breeds by becoming acquainted with the characteristics, qualities, and primary uses of the Dorset sheep breed presented by Ray Lynn Williams.

All persons interested in fiber (spinners, knitters, crocheters, basket makers, beaders, weavers, etc.) are welcome to attend.  Should you wish further information about the meeting or directions to West Jersey, please contact Char Rickey at 309-472-7085 or email tospinwool7@aol.com

EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS — More than a century after Clara Barton first recruited nurses to support the U.S. Army, the unwavering commitment of the American Red Cross to members of the U.S. military, its veterans and their families continues to grow and develop.
The Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces work continues today with many people around the world, including Cheryl Searcy, a 22-year veteran of the Red Cross. Recently, Searcy spent five months with the Red Cross team at Bagram Air Base near Kabul, Afghanistan.
Searcy grew up hearing her father’s stories as a fighter pilot in World War II, and she gained a real respect for the military through his stories. She honored the service he provided to his country by dedicating her Red Cross service in Afghanistan to him. Four days after returning home, she hopped on a plane to Arizona to share her experiences with her father. “He was very proud,” Searcy stated.
In Afghanistan, Searcy helped at the Red Cross center on the base. Troops can receive emergency messages, make a phone calls home and celebrate the holidays at the center. “I think I always understood the mission [of the Red Cross],” Searcy stated. “I’m not sure I understood the value of the mission. And there was no missing it in Afghanistan.”
Searcy will be the keynote speaker at a special reception tomorrow, June 24, to share her experiences with central Illinois at the Par-A-Dice. This event is free and open to the public. “We are very excited to host such a special event,” said Anne Fox, Chief Executive Officer. “Many of our local 182nd were stationed at Bagram Air Base, so her experience will be meaningful for many here at home.”
Event Details:
Memoir from Afghanistan
Par-A-Dice Hotel, East Peoria
6:00pm Reception
6:45pm Program

PEORIA – A new law sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler’s will soon make it easier for farmers and other vendors to sell their products at farmers markets throughout the state.

 Under Illinois’ current system, local health departments set the rules for buying and selling food at farmers markets, which has resulted in a hodge-podge of conflicting regulations. Koehler’s new law allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to establish a single set of regulations for the entire state.

 “Farmers markets are such an important link between the people who truly grow our food and the consumers,” said the Peoria Democrat, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Creating a single, statewide standard will make it easier for more farmers to participate in more markets.”

 For example, state law requires that all raw meat be kept under 41 degrees. However, right now some local health departments require that all meats be sold frozen. Some say that farmers must use mechanical refrigeration units. Others allow coolers and ice packs.

 “This change would be very helpful for local growers like me,” said Doug Day, owner of Spring Bay Farm in Woodford County. “It would lower our costs, both in time and money.”

 The law also creates rules for offering samples and requires labels that make it easier for customers to identify where the food they buy was grown or produced.

 Illinois has more than 375 farmers markets with more than 1,000 farmers and other vendors. They connect farmers and other producers directly to customers, providing locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, cheeses, meats, nuts, baked goods and more.

 Many now accept credit cards and debit cards, and the state has pushed to make the markets more accessible to food stamp users. Farmers markets often offer fresh produce at rates that are competitive with – or even cheaper than – grocery stores.

Professional juggler Jason Kollum specializes in balloon-twisting and stilt-walking performances for children and families. Jason will host two free shows at both Peoria Public Library North Branch and Peoria Public Library Lincoln Branch on Monday, July 14. Jason will be performing at the North Branch at 11:00 a.m. and then at the Lincoln Branch at 2:30 p.m. The program will last approximately one hour.

The family-friendly program, “See a Juggler, Be a Juggler” is free and geared towards all kids of all ages. The show is 100 percent total-participation, and interactive with every family member that attends. Jason will juggle balls, clubs, rings, spinning balls, giant beanbag chairs, and much more. At the end of the show Jason lets the kids join in and practice some of their juggling skills.

The program encourages kids to use their imagination, and practice team building skills with one another. For more information call (309)497-2143.

Peoria County – Sheriff Michael D. McCoy is pleased to announce that the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office is now providing Live Scan, an electronic fingerprinting service, for State of Illinois applicants. Sheriff McCoy explains the system’s benefits as being “more efficient and more foolproof than ink prints. In fact, we’re no longer offering ink fingerprinting if we can submit the prints electronically. I think people who need prints for work, to volunteer, or for any other number of reasons will be pleased with the new service and the result.”

 The electronic fingerprinting service includes but is not limited to:

• Employment
• Licensing
• Volunteer service for special groups
• Liquor license
• Illinois Concealed Carry
• Health care
• Financial institutions
• Private security

Location:         Peoria County Courthouse, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, 324 S. Main St. Room B-20, Peoria, IL 61602

Hours:            Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Fee:                 $60.00 for fee applicants; $40.00 for Uniform Conviction Information Act applicants – (Payable by cash or check)

Requirements: State of Illinois identification, and

Location (ORI) where the fingerprints are to be sent

Contact Info:  Captain Gaa, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office at 309-672-6040

CWTC is rallying with Morton Collision Repair’s race team as U.S. Armed Forces Veterans employed by CWTC will be among the first to sign the car July 2nd while veterans throughout central Illinois are invited to add their names as well.

Ryan Bunton, driver of the Morton Collision Repair #6R sporting its new patriotic paint scheme, will have his car on display at CWTC, Wednesday July 2nd from 11AM-1PM. Veterans will begin adding their signatures at 11:30 and the public is invited to stop by to meet Bunton and take pictures. The team is putting the spotlight on their winged sprint car for the Independence Day weekend race at Knoxville Raceway.

Ryan manages Morton Collision Repair and was the 2002 Jacksonville Speedway Rookie of the Year. He got into the sprints after a successful quarter midget career that saw him win the 1997 ALQMA Indoor Dirt Championship. He went on to win the National NMMA championship in 1999 before getting into the sprints. He first hit the road with the MASS series in 2008, finishing fourth in points. He followed that up with a runner-up finish the next year. Hitting the All Star series proved successful in 2009, finishing fourth in points. He has been running at Knoxville Raceway the past three seasons, and has a quick time to his credit. He finished fifth at the Front Row Challenge in Oskaloosa in 2012, and worked his way into the top ten in Knoxville 410 points last season.

For more information contact Rick Stephenson 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 & Morton Collision Repair Sprint Car Signing

When: Wednesday, July 2, 2014, 11AM-1PM

Where: CWTC, 3215 N. University Street,  Peoria, IL 61604

Photo courtesy of Morton Collision Repair

It’s that time of year, when kittens overwhelm animal shelters across the country, and Peoria County’s shelter is no exception. Litters of kittens arrive daily at Peoria County Animal Protections Services (PCAPS) and it is a struggle to find them homes. To promote more cat adoptions and in recognition of Adopt-a-Cat Month, the Peoria County Board approved a special “fee-waived” adoption promotion for cats and kittens for thirty days.

 “Unfortunately, our kittens have to compete for homes with all the other kittens in the community that are given away free,” explains Lauren Malmberg, Shelter Director. “This special promotion of no adoption fee for thirty days means we can place cats and kittens that have already had their initial vaccinations, been spayed or neutered, and have a micro-chip. In addition, we provide adopters one month of free pet health insurance. With all these benefits, our kittens are even better than free!”

 If you’re ready for a new feline friend, please visit the shelter Monday thru Saturday between noon and 5:00 p.m. to see all the kittens and adult cats available for adoption. Although the fee is waived, adopters must still comply with the adoption requirements and complete an application. However, once approved, adopters will not be changed an adoption fee for a cat or kitten in the next thirty days, courtesy of the County Board.

 Don’t forget that on Saturday, June 21, PCAPS will offer cats, kittens, and dogs for adoption at “Pets on the Prairie” at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. And, as always, PCAPS features cats at PetCo, 801 W. Lake Avenue, every day. Interested adopters can interact with the cats and take one home directly from the store! The waived adoption fee for cats and kittens applies to both the June 21 event and the daily adoptions at PetCo.

 This summer, bring a new cat or kitten into your family and take advantage of this great promotion. Contact the shelter at 309-672-2440 to adopt a new pet, or visit www.pawspeoria.com to view all the animals waiting for new homes at PAWS.

(Peoria, IL / June 19, 2014) – Children’s Hospital of Illinois, in partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, is proud to announce Payton McDonald as the “Champion” ambassador for the state of Illinois!  Payton, 11, of Metamora is a Children’s Hospital patient, and one of 52 Champion Ambassadors selected across the country to share his story illustrating why children’s hospitals need local support.

Payton was a very active 8-year-old when he fell into a diabetic coma in August 2011. He awoke without any major complications except for the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. Since then, the Pediatric Diabetes Resource Center at Children’s Hospital has played a big role in Payton’s life, helping him manage and treat the disease.

During his year as a Champion Ambassador, Payton will appear at local events, educating others about Children’s Hospital and why fundraising makes a difference for kids like him. In November, he’ll travel to Washington D.C., and Orlando, Florida to promote Children’s Hospitals on a national level.

A blog dedicated to Payton’s travels during his year long journey is also being launched. Since he’s an avid sports fan, it’ll be called “Payton’s Playbook.”  The public is encouraged to check it out at www.childrenshospitalofillinoisfoundation.org

EAST PEORIA – Nearly 200 supporters attended the inaugural Children’s Home Leaders of Tomorrow Awards Luncheon on June 18 at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino. St. Paul Baptist Church Family Life Director Kristie Hubbard provided an invocation which called for action for the sake of our children. World-renowned keynote speaker Jim Conway of Search Institute (picture attached) delivered an inspiring presentation.

During Conway’s high-energy keynote address entitled “The Power of Relationships”, attendees learned about the building blocks of healthy development for young people and how communities can be transformed through the power of simple acts. Conway stated,“Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” He encouraged those gathered to make connections with youth in the community. Merely noticing and acknowledging young people can go a long way.

Master of Ceremonies Edward Sutkowski presented the Leaders of Tomorrow Awards to Caterpillar Foundation, Dr. John Erwin and Heartland Community Health Clinic for their dedicated and thoughtful work in the areas of protecting, teaching and healing our local community.

Clete Winkelmann, President and CEO of Children’s Home Association of Illinois, stated, “I hope Conway’s message excites and motivates the attendees to boost community action. It’s very simple to make a difference in the life of a child. It’s all about positive relationships. Take time and engage youth in our community which in turn will give children a childhood and a future.”

For more information on the Leaders of Tomorrow Luncheon and Search Institute’s Developmental Assets, please contact:
Jody Smith-Brown at 309-687-7423 or jbrown@chail.org