EAST PEORIA, IL, JUNE 6, 2014: The Friends of Fondulac District Library sponsors its annual BIG Book Sale June 20-21, 2014, at Fondulac District Library at 400 Richland Street in East Peoria. Hardback and paperback books, as well as other media, for all ages and in excellent condition, will be sold at a reasonable prices on Friday, June 20, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Shoppers also will have the chance to win one of several door prizes donated by East Peoria businesses.

After the BIG Book Sale, remaining paperback books are mailed to military facilities to support the U.S. Armed Forces and families using the non-for-profit organization Operation Paperback.

The Friends group also maintains an ongoing book sale at the library. The ongoing sale is open during all library hours. The Friends accepts donations of books, movies, or music at the library at any time.

Please contact the library at 699-3917 to learn more about this organization, the Big Book Sale, or to donate items.

About the Friends of Fondulac District Library – The Friends of the Fondulac District Library support the mission of the Fondulac District Library through advocacy, financial support, and volunteerism. For more information about the group, its activities, or membership, please call (309) 699-3917.

Alexandria, VA – CFRE International has named Richard A Draeger as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Draeger, the Assistant Director of Development for The Salvation Army Heartland Division,  joins over 5,300 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated fundraising achievement and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights. Initially, candidates must pass a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive.

“The CFRE credential was created to identify for the public and employers those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and commitment to perform fundraising duties in an effective and ethical manner,” states Jim Caldarola, CFRE, Immediate Past Chair of CFRE International. “As the certification is a voluntary achievement, the CFRE credential demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of Mr. Draeger to himself, the fundraising profession, and, the donors who are served.”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. In order to maintain certification status, certificants must demonstrate on-going fundraising employment and fundraising results, and continue with their professional education. Employers and donors who work with CFRE’s know they are getting a professional who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and has the requisite knowledge and skills.

CFRE International is an independent organization dedicated to the certification of fundraising

executives by setting standards in philanthropic practice. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and led by a small professional staff, CFRE International consistently meets the highest standards for certification excellence and is itself accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies.  As the premier global credential for career fundraisers, the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is endorsed and supported by the world’s leading professional and philanthropic associations, including:

Association of Christian Development Professionals (ACDP)

Association of Fundraising Consultants (AFC)

Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)

Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE)

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

Canadian Association for Gift Planners/Association canadienne des professionnels

(CAGP*ACPDP)

Council for Resource Development (CRD)

Educate Plus

Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA)

Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ)

The Giving Institute

Giving Institute; International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC)

Japan Fundraising Association (JFRA)

North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO)

National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)

New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP)

Partnership for Philanthropic Planning

Philanthropic Service for Institutions (PSI)

United Way Worldwide (UWW)

(Peoria)- Starting Friday afternoon, June 6, Frances Avenue will be closed from Knoxville to Glenn Elm to replace a storm water pipe at 131 Frances Avenue.

The street will be closed to through traffic until repairs are completed. Construction is expected to last two weeks, weather depending. For more information, contact Andrea Klopfenstein, Peoria Public Works Civil Engineer for Drainage Issues at (309) 494-8800.

Sheriff Michael McCoy announced that the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office is investigating recent shed burglaries in the Princeville, Brimfield, and Dunlap rural area.  Items that were taken were torches, tiller, air compressor and other tools.  Please be on the lookout for suspicious persons and or activity in these areas.  Anyone having any information on these recent burglaries please contact the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office at 309-697-7822.

100 Percent of Proceeds Go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

PEORIA, IL (May 19, 2014) – Barrack’s Hospitality Group is hosting the Sixth Annual “Pasta Party for St. Jude” on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at Barrack’s Cater Inn at 1224 W. Pioneer Parkway in Peoria. The event runs from 5 to 7:30 pm, and all of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The event features live jazz by the Nathan See Band, volunteering their talents, a silent auction and door prizes. The cost is $10 per person, children under five eat free, and ages six to 16 are $5 per person. Tickets are available now and at the door. Contact Jim Barrack at Barrack’s Hospitality Group.

Jim Barrack, CEO and President of Barrack’s Hospitality Group, said, “We are proud of our fund-raising history – last year over 300 people attended our Pasta Party and we raised $10,120, all which was donated to St. Jude. Our Pasta Party allows us to give back; it also allows others to give back! Many local businesses and individuals donate door prizes and other silent auction items! St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made at St Jude have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, and we are honored to be a small part of that.”

More about Barrack’s Hospitality Group – Barrack’s Cater Inn Banquet Center is located at 1224 W. Pioneer Parkway. The facility accommodates up to 400 guests. Off-premise catering is available anywhere in Central Illinois. Food service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Barrack’s Hospitality Group is known for their exceptional food quality, presentation, personalized service, and attention to detail.

 In 2012, Barrack’s Hospitality Group catered nearly 2000 events feeding over 150,000 people. The business employs approximately 52 full and part-time employees. The business boasts over 1500 company/organization patrons and countless individual patrons. Off-premise catering accounts for over 70% of the company’s total sales. As a result of their tradition of fine food and personalized service, Barrack’s Cater Inn has seen an amazing growth of over 900% in the past 25 years.

In addition to their own banquet facility, Barrack’s consistently caters to other meeting and banquet facilities, which include: Stoney Creek Inn, Gateway Building, Ravina on the Lakes, EastPort Banquet Facility, Five Points Washington, SpringHill Suites, and to clients homes or businesses. Barrack’s has also just been selected as one of the preferred caterers for the new Peoria Riverfront Museum. Barrack’s also provides contract catering to a College sorority, 2 private Catholic grade schools, and St. Augustine Manor, a small retirement Center.

 Photos of the Barrack family’s restaurant history can be found at www.caterinn.com/aboutus.htm

 For more information, please visit www.caterinn.com.

June 5, 2014 – The Penguin Project of McLean County presents the “Little Mermaid, Jr.” on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 at 2:00 p.m. at the University High School Stroud Auditorium, 500 Gregory St., Normal.

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults, and are available at the door or at Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

The Penguin Project of McLean County is a theatrical troupe of children who perform a junior version of a well-known Broadway musical.  This production is unique because all of the roles are performed by children with developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and other neurological disorders.  They are joined on stage by mentors, a group of their peers without disabilities, who volunteer to work alongside them and guide them through the production process.

Penguins are unique:  they are extremely playful and curious, and they work together.  More importantly, they have a “disability” that
distinguishes them from other birds – they cannot fly!  Instead, penguins waddle and toboggan on their bellies over the snow, and are
excellent swimmers.  So, like the participants in the program, they have adapted to the challenges of their environment and have not allowed their unique differences to interfere with their lives.

Join us for the “Little Mermaid Jr.” and enjoy a night of theatre with our Penguins.

Pekin, IL  June 5, 2014 – Pekin Park District’s Soldwedel Program Center will be offering a series of introductory magic classes for youth, ages  9 to 13, this summer.  Participants will learn how to entertain their friends and family as they perform a wide variety of magic. Classes will be taught by professional magician Gregory Joyce.

Participants will perform simple magic tricks using playing cards, money, rope and other common items, as well as learn mind reading effects and how to make special magical props. All supplies and a class instruction handbook will be provided.   Classes will be broken down into parts A and B.

The Magician’s Workshop Part A, will be held on Monday, June 23, and again on Wednesday, June 25 from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.  The fee is $20.  Part B classes will be held on Monday, June 30, and again on Wednesday, July 2.  Fee: $20.

These introductory classes will be repeated throughout the summer, with Part A classes offered again on July 28 and July 30, and Part B classes again on  August 4 and 6.

For further information or to register for these workshops, call the Pekin Park District Parks and Recreation Office at 309-647-7275 (PARK).

The Soldwedel Program Center is located just off Route 98, adjacent to McNaughton Park and the Rockin’ “P” Riding Stables.

Pekin, IL  June 5, 2014  Brownie Girl Scouts won’t want to miss a great opportunity to spend the evening earning multiple badges at Pekin Park District’s  Girl Scout Badge Night Lock-in, to be held at Soldwedel Program Center, Saturday, June 21, 2014.  The Lock-In will begin at 5:00 p.m., with girls participating in workshops to complete requirements for their Potter, Home Scientist, and Inventor badges. The cost to attend is $20 per girl, which covers the workshop registration, a light supper, snacks and a light breakfast. Leaders and adult chaperones are welcome to participate.  Upon registration participants will be given a list of things to pack for their overnight stay.

Multiple troops may attend this event, however registration is limited to 30 people.  The program is also subject to cancellation or rescheduling if registration numbers are too low.

Girls can be dropped off at the Soldwedel Program Center to begin workshops at 5:00 and should be picked up on Sunday, June 22^nd, by 9:00 a.m.

The Soldwedel Program Center is located just off Route 98, adjacent to McNaughton Park, and the Rockin’ “P” Riding Stables.

Advanced registration is required and the deadline to register is Thursday, June 19, 2014.  For further information or to register call the Pekin Parks and Recreation Office at 309-647-7275 (PARK).

PEORIA, IL – A delegation from the town of Jwaneng, Botswana, will arrive in Peoria on Monday, June 9. The group will include town officials and members of the business and non-profit communities. The visit will address many of the areas of cooperation identified by the two communities when a delegation from Peoria traveled to Jwaneng in October 2013. The delegation will spend time learning about municipal services, tourism, business development and social services from individuals representing each sector. The Botswana Ambassador to the United States will join the group for several days of the trip, which will last through Saturday, June 14. Questions regarding the trip can be directed to the City Manager’s Office at (309) 494-8524.

Peoria Community Against Violence (PCAV) is having an open house Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  at the Riverplex – 600 NE Water St. 

 The Peoria Community Against Violence (PCAV) is a NEW volunteer group organized to reduce and decrease violent crime in Peoria.

 The mission is a to build a safe community for all.  Violence has no place in a safe community. 

 The goal is to develop a comprehensive, community-wide strategy to reduce violent crime.

 PCAV welcomes volunteers from the general public, neighborhood associations, faith based organizations and community service providers.