A fundraiser will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2011, for the re-election of Peoria County Circuit Clerk Robert Spears. The event will be hosted at Brewer’s Distributing located at 2421 W Townline Road, Peoria, IL. The function will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Come out and enjoy food, beverage and visit with Bob Spears and friends. Donations will be accepted.
The weather becoming cooler is no reason to put your bicycle in a corner of the garage and stop riding. With some tips and a few rides, you will soon find that winter riding can make you smile at winter forecasts.
Clothing – One of the most obvious things that you will need to consider is what to wear. Wear a thin hat that fits under your helmet and covers your ears. Many winter cyclists also wear something to cover their lower face and neck. What you wear on your hands will depend on how cold it is and what type of riding you will be doing from full fingered gloves that are wind resistant, for milder weather, to ski gloves or windproof mittens over gloves.
For your body, layers are key, with having the outermost layer being windproof and water resistant or waterproof. Zippers, in the front as well as your underarms, can help prevent you from overheating. If you are not cold when you start, you are probably overdressed.
For your feet, wearing thick socks is a good idea; but, make sure that you still have wiggle room in your shoes. If your toes are too cramped, it will reduce circulation which will make your feet colder. Options range from bike shoes with shoe covers, hiking or heavy boots with flat pedals or winter bike shoes. For longer rides when it is really cold, some use adhesive toe warmers. Another reusable, but more expensive option, are heating inserts you can put in your shoes that hook up to small batteries.
Where to Ride – During the winter, you may find it easier to stay warm on mountain bike rides. The trees tend to block the wind and you are usually going slower than if you were on pavement, so there is less of a wind chill effect. After a heavy snow, it will usually take a few days for the snow to get packed down enough for the trails to be rideable.
Many still do plenty of riding on pavement in the winter as well. Most paved paths are not plowed and tend to not be rideable on skinny tires until the snow thaws. Immediately after the streets have been plowed, streets can still be slippery; but, within a day or so the pavement is usually clear and dry.
Hydration – Keeping your water from becoming ice is a little harder. Hydration systems can work if you remember to blow into the tube when you are finished drinking. Insulated water bottles are another option. Keeping a bottle in your jersey pocket can also work, as your body heat keeps the water from freezing.
Bike Maintenance – Bikes ridden during the winter will need more “TLC.” Road salt and water can cause excess wear on your bike. Clean your bike frequently and be sure to wipe down your bike after every ride.
The more, the merrier – Riding with a group always makes it seem less cold. And, the more you ride, the less brutal the weather seems. “I ride in the winter to stay fit, save money and stave off the cold weather blues.” said Gin Kilgore, Bike Winter co-founder and a program manager at the League of Illinois Bicyclists. Riding in the winter can allow you to enjoy extra holiday festivities without worrying about extra pounds. For more tips on riding in winter, visit www.bikelib.org.
The League of Illinois Bicyclists (LIB) is the statewide advocate for all Illinois bicyclists, promoting bicycle access, education and safety. For more information and bicycling-related resources, visit www.bikelib.org.
Hopedale Medical Complex (HMC) is sponsoring a chicken dinner to benefit the free Thanksgiving Day Dinner at Hopedale Medical Complex. The dinner will be held Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in HMC’s Cafeteria. Ample parking is now available at the east entrance to the Cafeteria in a new lot at the Corner of Grove and Railroad Streets.
The dinner will include fried chicken, vegetable, rolls with butter, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and coffee or tea. The cost of the event is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (ages 3-10). Carry-outs are available by calling (309) 449-4325.
For more information, or to inquire about a fundraiser for your non-profit organization, call Larry Noreuil at (309) 449-4415.
Ten Social Service and Non-Profit Agencies from Peoria, McLean and Tazewell Counties Receive Grants Totaling $10,000
The Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI) Central Chapter awarded Community Care Project grants to ten recipients. These ten social service and non-profit agencies received their checks at the FCAI’s annual Community Care Project Grant Awards Dinner, held October 25, 2011.
The Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI), Central Chapter, awarded Community Care Project grants totaling $10,000 to 10 recipients at their yearly awards dinner. The Community Care Project assists area social service agencies and non-profit organizations by providing monetary grants to help them continue their missions.
Grant award checks were presented to the recipient organizations (listed below) during the FCAI’s annual grant award dinner at Weaver Ridge Club House in Peoria on October 25, 2011. FCAI members were present, as were representatives from the State FCAI office in Aurora. A representative from each recipient organization gave a short description of their mission and an explanation of how they would use the grant money.
Grant Recipients:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Crittenton Centers
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Minier Police Explorers Honor Guard
Operation Safe
Peoria Park District Police Explorers
Peoria Rescue Ministries
YWCA of Mclean County
Center for Prevention of Abuse
Continues push for national energy strategy linked with a robust transportation infrastructure bill
Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) will visit the Bakken Field in North Dakota on Friday. He will be joining North Dakota Congressman Rick Berg who represents the Bakken Field in Congress. Schock and Berg also serve together on the House Ways and Means committee. Schock is making the visit to the state to tour the Bakken Field to see firsthand North Dakota’s success in energy production and energy sector job creation.
For the past several months, Schock has been calling for a robust highway bill that is linked to increased domestic energy production to pay for the cost of a long-term transportation infrastructure bill. Schock’s proposal would both encourage the increased production of American energy and help fund a new highway bill both of which would increase job growth.
“North Dakota is an example of a state doing things right,” Schock said. “This is a great opportunity for me to join Rick and see first-hand everything that is working in North Dakota including their commitment to a long-term energy strategy. North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 3 percent. This goes to show that with a successful domestic energy strategy we can spur job creation and economic development at the same time.”
“North Dakota’s commitment to a long-term energy plan, EMPOWER North Dakota, has allowed our state to experience substantial job creation and economic growth,” Congressman Rick Berg stated. “The Bakken Field holds tremendous opportunity for our state, yet President Obama’s overbearing regulations and misguided policies continue to threaten North Dakota energy producers and stand as a roadblock to implementing a long-term energy plan that our nation desperately needs to create jobs and break our dependence on foreign oil.”
Schock and Berg are scheduled to meet with community leaders and elected officials, in addition to a tour of the Bakken field, to discuss the economic impact that Bakken production has had on the Williston region, as well as the infrastructure challenges facing the city.
Background on North Dakota’s Bakken Field: The Bakken Shale Oil field is located in the Williston Basin Formation in the northern United States which includes North Dakota and Montana and expands in to Canada. It is estimated that the Bakken field holds between 6 – 24 billion barrels of recoverable oil and natural gas.
Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) is accepting application for internships for his Washington, D.C. office for the Spring or Summer semester next year. The Spring semester begins in January 2012 and runs through May 2012, the Summer semester begins in June 2012 and runs through mid-August 2012.
Interns will be tasked with providing office support for the Congressman and congressional staff. Throughout the internship students will gain an overview of Congress and have the opportunity to learn about the legislative process as well as the many functions of a congressional office. Applicants should possess a great work ethic, good communications skills and strong writing skills. Interns can work three to five days per week, which are each 8 hour days. The program is for college age students from 18 to 23 years of age. In many cases, interns who complete a congressional internship are able to qualify to receive college credit.
Individuals who are accepted to participate must provide their own transportation to and from Washington, D.C. as well as housing and other accommodations for the duration of the internship.
Interested candidates should e-mail their cover letter and resume to Ben Jarrett, ben.jarrett@mail.house.gov
At a time when budget cuts are the norm in education, Concordia Lutheran School is launching a Gateway to Technology center and dedicated Rosetta Stone Language Computer Lab. The school will premiere the new computer and software center for parents and the public with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. this Friday, October 28 in the school at 2000 W Glen Ave, Peoria.
“Bringing Gateway to Technology to Concordia has been a goal of ours for the last few years,” say Dr Scott Russell, the school’s executive director. “Thanks to the dedication of our parents and alumni, our students will experience state-of-the-art experiences in the Gateway to Technology Program. Gateway to Technology is offered to middle schools as an introduction to Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, and Energy and Environment. Design and Modeling uses solid modeling (a very sophisticated mathematical technique for representing solid objects) to introduce students to the design process. Automation and Robotics traces the history and development of automation and robotics.
“Adding Rosetta Stone software and a dedicated computer lab offers all students – Kindergarten through eighth grade – the opportunity to study from among 20 foreign languages using the latest technology,” adds Paul Thompson, Concordia’s Principal. “The students are excited to open this new avenue of learning and adding a second computer lab expands the time children have access to technology.”
Concordia families will be on hand to celebrate the school’s latest upgrade with a Family Fun Night, including dinner sponsored by the Parent Teacher Connection. The ribbon cutting is being conducted by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and the dedication will be provided by one of the association pastors.
Halloween can be especially ghoulish for dogs and cats; therefore Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) recommends leaving pets at home when trick-or-treating. Pets that get frightened or over-stimulated by strange costumes and excitement might bite someone or run off. Even at home, it’s best to restrict pets to another room when answering the door for trick-or-treaters. The children’s excitement could scare or threaten a pet. Also, dogs or cats might run out if the door is opened frequently.
Sadly, pets can get lost or even stolen during Halloween festivities. If possible, keep pets inside this weekend. Those lost or stolen at Halloween can become the victim of pranks or suffer from torture or abuse. If your dog or cat goes missing, remember to visit the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter immediately to search for your pet. PCAPS wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween!
Mayor Ardis is again partnering with The Salvation Army and the Midwest Food Bank to organize a community wide food drive, along with collecting Coats for Kids. The food and coat drive will take place on Friday, November 25, 2011, in conjunction with the Santa Claus Parade. The 124th annual Santa Claus Parade will step off at 10:15 a.m. When you come downtown to enjoy the parade, we are asking that you bring canned goods and gently used coats, hats and gloves. Volunteers will be walking in the front of the parade collecting the canned goods and coats along the parade route.
In addition to collecting food and coats at the Santa Claus Parade, a Pre-Santa Claus Parade food and coat drive will be held on November 21, 2011, at the Peoria Civic Center (in the Great Hall) , from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. If you are unable to make it to the parade, this pre-event will offer the perfect opportunity to donate your canned goods, coats, hats and gloves.
Prizes will be given to the group or individual who donates the most items. The need for donations is so great and we hope that everyone will get behind this food and coat drive.
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois are pleased to announce the most recent winner of the DAISY Award, which recognizes outstanding nursing care. Winners are nominated by patients and their families.
The August 2011 DAISY Award was presented to Catherine Lang from Peoria who works in the Neuro ICU. She was nominated by the daughter of a patient.
Her nomination reads: “My dad was in an ATV accident and (in the Neuro ICU) from July 26 until his death on August 3. We had many good nurses during that time but one stands out the most: Cathy. She was so caring to him. She always explained what she was going to do for him (even though he was sedated and then unresponsive). I am a nurse and she always explained to me what was happening and accepted my calls and took time to talk to me. She had true compassion for what we were all doing. But what sticks out in my mind the most is on the day my dad passed away, she chose to be his nurse that day. I had to drive 300 miles to get to OSF that day and when I walked into the room there was true care and concern for all of us as a family in her eyes. As my dad passed away she began to comfort us and had tears in her eyes too. I felt true concern from her as she hugged me and my mom. A lot can be learned from Cathy in how to handle family members who are losing their loved ones. She even allowed my seven year old nephew to see his grandpa one more time.”