Commanday Classical Cuisine – 2Chez November 3, 2011 6:30 p.m.

Come for a very special evening of a delectable meal prepared by Chef Todd at 2Chez in Peoria accompanied by an HFO trio consisting of David Commanday – cello, Sarah Gentry – violin, and Kim Risinger -flute.

Menu
Appetizer
Choice of Entrée:
Veal chop with spätzle
Seafood Alsatian with egg noodles
Chicken Florentine with spätzle
Salad
Austrian chocolate cake
Selection of wines to include:
Grüner Veltliner & Alexander Valley Cabernet
$95.00, Inclusive

Features Chef Todd’s culinary creations and music by: Sarah Gentry, violin; Kimberly Risinger, flute; David Commanday, cello

Come for an enjoyable evening of fine music, fine food, fine wine, and conversation among friends!

2 Chez Restaurant, 7815 N. Knoxville Ave.,
6:30 PM Thursday November 3rd

Email: levancho@heartlandfestivalorchestra.org or call 309-339-3943 by October 28 to reserve your place and select your entrees.

Woodruff football co-captain and author Robert L. Sulaski will transport football fans through 59 years of Peoria Thanksgiving Day football games on Monday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch with photos, headlines and tales of the games won and lost.

Sulaski, a member of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, memorialized the long tradition of holiday football games in Peoria in his book 59 Years of Drumsticks and Pigskins after a group began holding reunions of Turkey Day participants. He has collected the stories by Peoria’s sports writers, complete with headline, as well as numerous photos. Catch glimpse of early players with no helmets grappling on what was to become the site of the Bradley University library. Team photos and tales of football heroics continue through 1973 when the tradition ended.

Over the years, paid attendance for the 73 games totaled 350,000. Players went off to war, became community leaders and brought their own sons to watch and then play in the games. Sulaski knows the stories of the teams, the coaches and the players who participated and his photos will bring the stories to life at this free presentation that will be enjoyed by all ages. Call 309-497-2021 for more information about the program.

Prairie Haven Cemetery, LLC

A new cemetery is opening at 200 South Veterans Drive in Pekin – Prairie Haven Cemetery, LLC – and is now available for traditional burials. Situated on several acres, Prairie Haven will accommodate both traditional and cremation burials. A dedicated cremation area will be available beginning in the summer of 2012.

Prairie Haven features a “Garden of Promise” for flat granite or bronze markers, along with a “Garden of Peace” that will accommodate upright granite markers. Located on Pekin’s east side, the cemetery also has ample acreage to expand as the need arises.

Full Spectrum of Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery Services
“This cemetery is the result of a longstanding vision,” D. Neale Hanley, Sr., owner and founder of Prairie Haven Cemetery, LLC, said. “It’s always been my dream to offer the full spectrum of funeral, cremation and cemetery services to the families in this community.” Hanley added that the new cemetery is a division of Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory.

Prairie Haven is available for use by any family, whether or not they select Preston-Hanley for funeral services; however, Preston-Hanley clients will consider this new cemetery an added benefit. “For them, it’s important to know that their loved ones will never have to leave our professional care – from the initial service to the final graveside and burial,” Hanley said.

Lot owners will also be assured that Prairie Haven Cemetery will receive the same attention to detail as Preston-Hanley’s Pekin and Creve Coeur Chapels. “Our clients can trust that their loved ones’ final resting place will be cared for with the same commitment to excellence and integrity that they have come to expect with funeral or cremation arrangements at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory,” Hanley added.

Appointments for lot information are available by calling Prairie Haven at 346-2566.

The public is invited to be part of a discussion on how Peoria elects its City Council. The 2010 census brought about the need to redistrict and after six elections using the cumulative voting format, the question has arisen, “Is this system, working is it accomplishing what was intended and is it what we still want?” In order to answer those questions we are starting an open community dialogue to better understand the interests and desires of voters and others in Peoria.

The public is invited to community meetings on Oct 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Bradley University at the Garrett Center and Nov 2 at 7:00 p.m. at River West Frank Campbell community room. At each meeting, Dr. Larry Aspin, Chairman of the Political Science Department at Bradley University will share highlights from his detailed research and findings on the impact of cumulative voting in Peoria.

This initiative is being led by Bradley’s Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service (IPL) with support from The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Neighborhood Alliance African American Leadership Alliance and NAACP. After the conclusion of the two community meetings, IPL will provide the Peoria City Council with a report to help them make a decision on whether or not to place a referenda item changing how the council is elected on the spring ballot. No registration is needed to attend these meetings. If you have questions about the meetings, please contact IPL at (309) 677-4408.

Red Cross offers tips to families to make Halloween a safe holiday.

With a few safety tips, everyone can have a frightfully safe time this Halloween.

Costume SavvyWhether your child wants to be a ghost, a princess or a superhero, you can help keep it safe by following some costume advice.
· Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
· Have everyone wear light-colored clothing to be seen.
· Use flame-resistant costumes.
· Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see.

Navigating the Neighborhood
To maximize safety—and your candy haul!—plan your route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If your children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they make their way around the neighborhood. Other safety tips to follow as you go from house to house:
· Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.
· Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door—never go inside.
· Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
· Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
· Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.

And remember, it’s not only vampires and monsters you have to look out for. Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

Trick or Treat!
If you’re manning the candy giveaway at your house, you can make sure it’s a fun night for all by doing the following:
Make sure your outdoor lights are on.
· Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps.
· Clear your porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
· Restrain your pets.
· Use a glow stick instead of a candle in your jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.

For more advice on having a safe and fun Halloween, visit http://www.redcrossillinois.org/halloween-safety.

Peoria County Administrator Lori Curtis Luther presented staff’s 2012 Recommended Budget to the County Board this week. The overall recommended budget for 2012 is $134.6 million, a 22% decrease from last year’s adopted budget of $170.6 million, due largely to capital spending for the Peoria Riverfront Museum in 2011. The 2012 Recommended Budget includes a balanced $43.5 million for General Fund expenditures of public safety, judicial, and general governmental services provided by such departments as the Sheriff’s Office, Courts, State’s Attorney’s Office, Planning and Zoning, and Animal Protection Services.

Curtis Luther was pleased to present the 2012 Recommended Budget to the County Board: “Peoria County can be proud of the budget presented to the Board this week. Administration, finance staff, elected offices, and our management team have worked together to craft a responsible budget that maintains services, does not lay off employees, and does not raise property taxes, all directives of the Board. This is especially commendable during a continually uncertain economy.”

Peoria County’s 2012 Recommended Budget adheres to the strategic goals and financial policies adopted by the County Board. The budget reflects the County’s “pay-as-you-go” philosophy of using current revenues to cover current expenses. This commitment has resulted in a budget that includes appropriate funding for priority projects and services intended to advance the County Board’s four strategic goals: Safe & Healthy Community, Growing County, High Performing Public Organization, and High Quality Public Facilities.

The overall spending plan of $134,649,931 for the 2012 fiscal year includes:

$104.98 million operating budget* for personnel, commodities, and contractual services
$12.65 million capital budget for building construction, transportation projects, site improvements, and equipment purchases
$9.48 million fund transfers
$7.54 million debt service
*This is only a .47% increase over last year’s operating budget of $104,482,394.

The County Board will schedule committee budget hearings during their regular committee meetings next week; budget hearings will likely be scheduled for the first week in November. The budget will be considered for approval at a special board meeting on Thursday, November 17. For more information regarding the 2012 budget, contact Peoria County Administration at (309) 672-6056.

Mother-Daughter Flower Fables Tea: Saturday, October 23, 2:00-4:00 p.m., North Branch. Mothers and daughters are invited to enjoy Louisa May Alcott’s Flower Fables book and watch historian Lorraine Schwass demonstrate dressing from the inside out during the Civil War. Girls 8 and older and their mothers or female companions are welcome.

Noon Brown Bag It Read to Me Tuesday, October 25 from 12:00-12:50 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library Main Library. Adults are invited to listen to stories either about the Peoria area or written by a Peoria or Illinois author. Reading will begin at 12:10 p.m. and continue until 12:50 p.m. at each session to ensure adults on their lunch break can return to their workplaces. Attendees are invited to bring a lunch. Water, coffee and hot tea will be provided. This week: Stories of Dr. George Zellar first superintendent of the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane at Peoria in 1898. He served as superintendent for 33 years, during which time he often wrote short works about his experiences and interactions with those cared for at the asylum.

Talk About Good book club meeting discussing Little Women: October 26, 4:00-5:00 p.m., North Branch. For middle school and up.

Civil War Dance Society demonstration; October 29, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Main Library. The Civil War Dance Society will give a dance performance and demonstration, and may even invite audience members to participate!

Family Pajama Storytime
Family Pajama Storytime will be Monday, October 24, from 7:00-7:45 p.m. at the North Branch. Get ready for Halloween with a not very Spooky Pajama Storytime! Wear your PJs and bring a blanket to sit on – you’ll be ready for bed when you head home! Come enjoy seasonal picture books, songs and activities. All ages welcome. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call 309-497-2100.

Project Zombie
Project Zombie will be Thursday, October 27, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the North Branch. Get ready to show off your zombie fashion sense at the Peoria Public Library. Bring your own fresh out of the grave clothing and props; we’ll provide some extras. Make new undead friends as you assemble your look and perfect your zombie walk. Prizes to be awarded for best costume and best walk. For children in grades 9-12. Registration requested. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call 309-497-2102.

Library Trick or Treat
Library Trick or Treat will be on Monday, October 31 (Halloween), from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Main Library. Stop by the Information Desk on the 2nd floor at the Main Library to receive your library trick or treat goodie bag. For children ages 4-12. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call 309-497-2000

City Councilman Timothy Riggenbach, Peoria County Board Member Lynn Scott Pearson and Peoria School Board Member Lynn Costic will join Gordon

Rep. Jehan Gordon will be co-hosting a town hall meeting to answer questions and to hear concerns from local residents with Peoria City Councilman Timothy Riggenbach, Peoria County Board Member Lynn Scott Pearson, and School Board Member Lynn Costic. The meeting will be held at Glen Oak Community Learning Center, 2100 N. Wisconsin Ave., Peoria, on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 6:30 PM.

“It is important for all resident to have the opportunity to express themselves about the issues they face in their neighborhood, their schools and their everyday lives,” said Gordon. “Often times people are unsure about who to turn to for help, so I thought I would bring every level of government to my constituents. We will be discussing budgets for the state, city, and county, education in our schools, and violence in our community.”

For more information on the town hall meeting, or if you are interested in learning about any of Gordon’s upcoming meetings or events, please contact her constituent services office at (309) 558-3612 or repjgordon@gmail.com.

What: Rep. Jehan Gordon’s Town Hall Meeting
With Peoria City Councilman Timothy Riggenbach, Peoria County Board Member Lynn Scott Pearson, and Peoria School Board Member Lynn Costic
When: Wednesday, October 19 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Glen Oak Community Learning Center – 2100 N. Wisconsin Ave., Peoria, IL

If you feel compelled to “protect and serve,” consider volunteering for the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). The Sheriff’s Office currently has one of the best, if not the best, auxiliary deputy programs in the state of Illinois and is seeking to grow its membership. Auxiliary deputies are primarily used for traffic control at special events such as the Prairie Air Show and the TT races. They are also used, however, as parade escorts and for search and rescue. The mounted division of the auxiliary deputies has participated in hundreds of hours of search and rescue training and is an invaluable resource when the need arises. As a result of the program’s success, the PCSO is continually seeking volunteers to become auxiliary deputies.

The Sheriff’s Office is also implementing an initiative to supplement the auxiliary deputy program: a volunteer program for owners of all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and horses. These volunteers would be called upon to assist primarily with search and rescue efforts as opposed to traffic control. Sheriff Michael D. McCoy describes a scenario that would likely activate this new volunteer program: “If we have an emergency in a corn field in rural Peoria County, we want to be able to call in nearby volunteers with ATVs to help us respond to that emergency. It could be an elderly person with Alzheimer’s who became disoriented or a high school student detasseling corn who became ill; regardless, we would be able to find the individual quicker with the help of volunteers.”

Responsible persons who are interested in serving their community as an auxiliary deputy or as an ATV, snowmobile, or mounted volunteer are asked to call Lieutenant Mark Molleck of the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office at (309) 697-8515.

Peoria Players Theatre presents the family favorite musical Annie directed by Mary Ellen Ulrich. This Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, featuring little orphan Annie, made popular the memorable tunes “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and of course “Tomorrow.”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on November 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 19. There will also be 2:00 p.m. matinees on November 12, 13, 19 and 20. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for patrons 18 and under. Tickets for the Wednesday, November 16 performance are only $12 for all ages.

To reserve tickets with a Visa or Mastercard, please call the box office at 688-4473 or use the convenient PayPal option on our website, www.peoriaplayers.org.