(Peoria, IL / June 12, 2014) — Enjoy a good meal and support Children’s Hospital of Illinois. On Saturday June 21, Panda Express will donate 100% of the day’s proceeds to help Children’s Hospital patients. It’s part of Panda Cares, a community outreach program of the Panda Restaurant Group.

The event is ONLY taking place at the East Peoria location and will feature games, activities and prizes.

What:         Panda Cares Day

Where:       Panda Express – EAST PEORIA LOCATION ONLY – (111 Spinder Dr.)

When:         Saturday, June 21 from 10:30 AM – 10 PM

On-site contact is John Strauman with Panda Express, 309.684.4989.

New Spina Bifida Support Group offers camp scholarships and more

(Peoria, IL / June 12, 2014) — Children’s Hospital of Illinois and the Illinois Spina Bifida Association (ISBA) are pleased to announce the formation of a Spina Bifida Support Group to connect children, adults, and families and to provide educational and financial resources.

Spina Bifida is the failure of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy, and is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States, affecting three out of every 10,000 newborns in Illinois. It takes a team of parents, doctors, therapists, teachers, and others to help a person with Spina Bifida achieve their maximum potential.

Scholarships are now available for week-long sessions at Camp Independence, a YMCA facility designed for people with Spina Bifida, age seven through adult. Weekly summer sessions are underway, with the last session starting July 27.

The scholarships are generously funded by the Mildred F. Miller Endowment Fund for Spina Bifida. Mrs. Miller was the nursing director of the OSF Spina Bifida clinic for many years and worked tirelessly to provide love and care to the children served. (To support this fund, contact the OSF HeathCare Foundation at 309.566.5666).

The Spina Bifida Support Group is also hosting a free baseball outing to the July 23 Normal CornBelters game versus the Washington WildThings.

Children’s Hospital of Illinois physicians Julian Lin, MD and Churphena Reid Lockhart, MD are helping lead the effort as ISBA board members.

For more info about camp scholarships, the baseball outing, or other support group activities, call 773-444-0305 or visit www.i-sba.org.

In the Peoria Police Department’s continued effort to address quality of life issues within our neighborhoods, we are reminding all citizens that officers will be enforcing Curfew and Noise Ordinance violations throughout the summer.

The City of Peoria’s Curfew Ordinance states:

It is unlawful for a person less than 17 years of age to be present at or upon any public assembly, building, business, street, highway, or other public place or way at the following times:

(1)   For persons less than 13 years of age, between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM the following day on any day of the week.

(2)   For persons at least 13 years of age, but not yet 17 years of age:

1. Between 11:00 PM on Sunday through Thursday, inclusive, and 6:00 AM the following day.
2. Between 12:01 AM and 6:00 AM on Saturday or Sunday.

Additionally, we also want to remind citizens that city ordinance prohibits the operation of any radio or sound amplification system in a motor vehicle that can be heard from 75 feet or more.  A motor vehicle used in such a violation will be subject to being declared a public nuisance and the owner liable for towing and storage fees.

Citizens are urged to call the police department to report violations at 673-4521 or Crime Stoppers 673-9000.

The Peoria Park District Glen Oak Amphitheatre presents Daddy Day Care on June 16, the night after Father’s Day! Gates open at 8 p.m.; movie begins at dusk. Cost is $.50 per person. This is a great chance to spend some time with dad.

Movies are projected onto the Glen Oak Amphitheatre’s band shell, located in Glen Oak Park. Pack some snacks or purchase some from the concession stand.

Visit www.peoriaparks.org for the complete Family Flick schedule or call (309) 688-3667 with questions.

The Kiwanis Club of South-West Peoria is hosting a Nine Ball and a Bags Tournament to benefit the Peoria Children’s PlayHouse Museum at Glen Oak Park.  The Tournament is scheduled for June 28, Saturday and June 29, Sunday, beginning at 10 am on Saturday.  All contests will be held at Dave’s Good Times Billiards, 2800 West Farmington Road .  Practice rounds and final registration is being held on Friday, June 27.  The Nine Ball and Bags contests begin on Saturday, June 28 at 10 am when pairings will be drawn and continues through Sunday, June 28.

The Nine Ball Tournament is a ‘Race to Five’ double elimination contest.  Registration is $30.  The first player to achieve five wins in Nine Ball moves on.  The loser goes into a lower bracket with another race to five win.  The winner of the first bracket will play the winner of the second bracket in the finals.  Cash prizes will be awarded.  All proceeds benefit the Peoria Children’s PlayHouse Museum.

The Bags Tournament runs consecutively with Nine Ball and is also a double elimination contest.  The lower bracket winner will play the winners bracket for the championship.   The entry fee is $40 for a two man team.

Comments, or questions, should be directed to Larry Colbert at (309) 686-0504, or to Alan Smith, (309) 253-5366.  Inquiries may also be made by calling Dave’s Good Time Billiards at (309) 673-5507.  Web site information can also be accessed atwww.PeoriaKiwanisS-W.org .

South-West Kiwanis of Peoria would like to invite area organizations to submit proposals for projects that benefit children.  Information regarding the guidelines and procedures is located on the South-West Kiwanis Web-site www.PeoriaKiwanisS-W.org .  All proposals are due by August 1.

Contact Kathie Raiborn with questions:  kraiborn@rogys.com

June 10, 2014 – Easter Seals is introducing Toddler Talk, a new group for children age 18 to 32 months and their parent or caregiver.  Toddler Talk focuses on the importance of parent-child interactions for early learning and development.

The group is open to toddlers with or without a language disorder and meets every Thursday, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. for 12-weeks beginning Thursday, June 19.  Sessions are held at Northminster Church in Peoria, and include two nature hikes at Forest Park Nature Center.

Parents will learn to enhance their child’s language skills using play, music, reading and sign language.  Weekly theme-based sessions focus on a variety of ways to use the child’s interest to support communication. Each week a new theme will be introduced and skills modeled.  Parents will be given opportunities to practice the skills in a play-based, natural environment that supports interaction with their child.  Snacks are provided.  Each 90-minute session is directed by an Easter Seals speech-language pathologist with expertise in early childhood language development.

Registrations are being accepted.  There is no cost to participate and the group is limited to eight toddlers and their parent or caregiver.
Details are available on the Easter Seals website at www.ci.easterseals.com <http://www.ci.easterseals.com> .

Call TraceyArahood at 309-686-1177 to request information or to register.

June 10, 2014 … Hopedale, IL — Hopedale Medical Complex (HMC) is hosting its Annual Independence Day 5K Race/Walk & 1 Mile Fun-Run on Friday, July 4 at the Hopedale Park Pavilion. This popular event begins at 7:30am sharp with race-day registration beginning at 6:30am. Participants can also pre-register by contacting the Hopedale Wellness Center at 309-449-4500, by visiting www.HopedaleMC.com, or by emailing Angela Martiens at amartiens@hopedalemc.com. All runners and walkers pre-registered by June 28 are guaranteed a race t-shirt. The race/walk is open to people at every fitness level and of all ages.

 The 5K Race/Walk & 1 Mile Fun-Run start and end at the Hopedale Park Pavilion. The 5K course takes you out into the countryside and then back through the streets of Hopedale. The course also includes three water stops. Race awards and door prizes will be presented after the runners have completed the course. The men’s and women’s overall winners will receive a $100 cash prize and trophy. The men’s and women’s overall winners in the 55 Years and Older category will receive a $25 cash prize and trophy. Refreshments will be provided after the race. This is going to be a large and exciting event. Register today!

 Hopedale Medical Complex is committed to promoting outstanding healthcare, healthy lifestyles, health education, and wellness. Visit www.HopedaleMC.com to learn more about the services offered at Hopedale Medical Complex, which is just 10 miles south of Morton off Interstate 155 (Exit 19).