Artist Brian Selke will exhibit his new work, “Involving Doors,” during Luthy Botanical Garden’s annual Mum Show, October 14 – November 7

Concerning his exhibit, Selke explains, “These doors cannot be opened, slammed or locked. Involving Doors stands isolated from walls that hold it or frames that brace it. Detached from normal support structure, the doors are liberated from the threshold position of determining and navigating “in and out” or “enter and exit.” No longer a barrier for stagnate spaces, these doors move the viewer past definable tangibility. The viewer is invited to move throughout the exhibit in a similar way people move through life. Importance lies not in any specific path or any specific door, but in the persistent progression within the viewer to keep moving forward, even if you end up behind where you were before.”.

Involving Doors can be viewed outside, in the Garden’s Crabapple Cove, during the Mum Show. Regular Garden admission applies – $2 for adults age 13 and up. Children 12 and under are admitted free, and there is no admission charge to visit the Garden Shop, which will have selected merchandise marked down during the Mum Show.

Garden hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, and closed on Mondays.

Silent Auction & Gala to Commemorate 125 Years of service for The Salvation Army in Peoria

The Peoria Salvation Army is celebrating 125 years of service in Peoria and that will be the focus of the “Be a Shield” Gala and Silent Auction to be held at the Four Points by Sheraton at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11.

Some Salvation Army History- Did You Know?

The first capital campaign in Peoria began in March of 1919, with $3,000 being raised for a new Salvation Army building?

The Salvation Army in Peoria is celebrating 125 years with a Gala on November 11? Tickets are now available by calling 655-1341. Tickets are $75 each or a table of 8 for $600.

For more information, please visit our website at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/heartland or call Rich Draeger at (309) 655-1348. For tickets, please call Susan Moore at (309) 655-1341.

PROCTOR CENTER’S “YOU’VE BEENBOO’D” HAUNTED HOUSE
Get your best costume on and come on over for the costume contest because we’ve turned this 97 year-old building into tunnels of pure terror! Join us for the You’ve Been Boo’d Haunted House on Thursday, October 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Admission for members is $2/$3 for non-members. Follow the path through the building and receive a treat and an entry voucher for our Halloween Party and Costume Contest on Friday, October 21st from 6:00 -7:30 p.m.!
There will be a toddler room if your toddler just wants to color or eat a snack that we provide. Proctor Center is located at 309 S. DuSable. For more information call 673-9183.

LOGAN RECREATION CENTER SCHEDULES HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE
the Peoria Park District’s Logan Recreation Center is hosting a Haunted House on Thursday, October 27 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Dress in your best Halloween costume and come to “Trick or Treat” for candy and prizes. Admission is just $2 for members/$3 for non-members. For more information contact Logan Center at 676-8179. Logan Center is located at 1414 S. Livingston in Peoria.

Come join Seasoned Stars on Stage Readers Theatre! This new Peoria Park District drama group for 50+ adults will hold auditions for additional company members on Saturday, October 22 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation Complex, 908 Sterling Avenue in West Peoria. Please bring a favorite piece to read.

Participants must be 50 years of age or older. Day and evening rehearsals are available.

For more information, contact Gloria Phelps, Coordinator, (309) 681-2859.

Methodist Medical Center has been awarded the 2011 Business Recognition Award from the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP).

The award recognizes Methodist successes in protecting employees from injury through the implementation of a Safe Patient Handling Program, incident de-briefing process in Behavioral Health and a creative Winter Weather Action Plan.

The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare is a national association representing thousands of healthcare workers whose vision is to be the defining resource and leading advocate for occupational health and safety in healthcare. Its Business Award, created in 2007, recognizes a healthcare organization, business, corporation or government agency which actively supports occupational health professionals in healthcare and encourages their participation in AOHP programs and activities.

Mary Bliss, RN COHN, Coordinator of Employee Health Services for Methodist said, “Employees are valued at Methodist and their safety is among the highest priorities. Leadership gives us the time and resources we need to develop and implement programs that deliver results. We take our responsibility to protect Methodist employees seriously.”

Colleen Callahan, state director for USDA Rural Development, will present a $99,000 check to Elmwood Mayor John Hulslander this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. to be used to establish a revolving loan fund. Through the new Elmwood Revolving Loan Fund, start-up businesses will be able to apply for loans of up to $25,000 at a reduced interest rate. The city will use the funds to attract start up businesses to vacant sites in its reclaimed downtown.

After a tornado virtually destroyed downtown Elmwood last June local residents found USDA Rural Development a resource to help rebuild the city, not as it used to be, but the way they wanted it to be.

For details on the check presentation please contact Joan Messina (217) 871-3702.

The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois (EDC), a company of The Heartland Partnership, assisted Elmwood with the application and administration of its Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The annual “Regina M. Spears Memorial Steak Fry Dinner” will be hosted by the Peoria County Democratic Central Committee. The event is held to honor the memory of the former Circuit Clerk who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2002.

The event will be on Thursday, October 20, at Jimmy’s Bar & Grill, 2801 W Farmington Rd., in West Peoria. Dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Dinner tickets are available at the door. Price of Tickets are $15/single or two for $25.

For more information, contact the Peoria County Democratic Central Committee at 309-676-0380.

Hopedale Medical Complex will host a free event for those who have diabetes on November 1 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Wellness Center Conference Room. The event will include food demonstrations with taste testing (so save a couple of carbohydrate exchanges for the evening!), prizes and giveaways.

Participants at the event will discover tasty, easy-to-make dishes that are diabetic-friendly. The event is free to those with diabetes and one guest. Seating is limited to 20 participants so call soon to make reservations – (309) 449-4500.

“Managing your diet is of particular importance for those with diabetes,” said Karen Watt, Dietary Director for Hopedale Medical Complex. “Events like these are a great way to learn new and simple ways to make great meals, so your diet doesn’t feel so limited.”

Hopedale Medical Complex will host the fourth annual Fall Spooktacular in the Hopedale Wellness Center Gymnasium on Friday October 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the admission is free.

The Spooktacular is a family event filled with seasonal and Halloween games, activities and treats. This includes face painting, pumpkin decorating, a Spook Room (open from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.) and games with prizes. Baby animals from Brown’s Oakridge Zoo will be at the event from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The decorated pumpkins will be given to residents of the Hopedale Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community.

“Every year we work hard to make the Spooktacular better than the year before and this year is no different,” said Andie Halley, Assistant Director for the Wellness Center. “There are all kinds of great crafts and fun things going on. It’s a great opportunity for families to get dressed up in costumes and have a good time together.”

Hopedale Medical Complex is proud to announce the inaugural Spooky Sprint 5K Run/Walk and one-mile Fun Run. The race will be held on Saturday, October 22 at 8:00 a.m. with costume judging at 7:45 a.m. at the Hopedale Wellness Center. Awards will be given based on costumes and race times in each division.

The Spooky Sprint is being held in conjunction with Hopedale Medical Complex’s annual Spooktacular event the next weekend. There will be four race divisions: Youth (under 10), Young Adult (10-18), Adult (18-55) and Senior (55+). Costs for the race are $15 if paid before October 21 and $20 the day of the race. There is a $10 fee for the one-mile Fun Run. To register online, visit www.HopedaleMC.com and click on the Spooky Sprint graphic.

The 5K Race and Walk both start and end at the Hopedale Wellness Center. The 5K course rolls through the park and city streets of Hopedale, and includes split timers at the one- and two-mile mark as well as two water stops. Post-race food and beverages will be provided and an awards ceremony will be held in the Hopedale Wellness Center gymnasium.

“This race is a nice addition to our annual Spooktacular festival,” said Andie Halley, Assistant Director for the Wellness Center. “It fits into our theme of overall wellness and it starts at the individual level.”