The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) is proud to announce that federal funding is available to not-for-profit organizations in Marshall, Stark and Woodford Counties that administer emergency food and shelter programs. The application for EFSP assistance is available.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR FUNDING: Federal funding must be used to supplement and expand efforts to provide emergency food, shelter and support services in Marshall, Stark and Woodford Counties. Governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must:
• Be not-for-profit;
• Practice nondiscrimination;
• Demonstrate the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs successfully.
• Have organizational checking account for disbursement of funds

Private voluntary organizations must have a volunteer board of directors. Funding will be awarded and distributed by a local board comprising representatives of several organizations, including the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, the Salvation Army and the United Way.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING: Interested not-for-profits can pick up an application for federal funding by contacting Ashley Bauer, local EFSP board member, at (309) 677-7272, Ext. 221. Applications can be picked up in person at the Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter, 311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave., Peoria, IL 61605; or electronically by sending an application request to abauer@redcrossillinois.org. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, August 8, 2011.

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) is proud to announce that federal funding is available to not-for-profit organizations in Peoria County that administer emergency food and shelter programs. The amount of funding available for distribution is $97,317.00.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR FUNDING: Federal funding must be used to supplement and expand efforts to provide emergency food, shelter and support services in Peoria County. Governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must:
• Be not-for-profit;
• Have an accounting system;
• Conduct an annual audit;
• Practice nondiscrimination;
• Demonstrate the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs successfully.

Private voluntary organizations must have a volunteer board of directors. Funding will be awarded and distributed by a local board comprising representatives of several organizations, including the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, Salvation Army and United Way.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING: Interested not-for-profits can pick up an application for federal funding by contacting Ashley Bauer, local EFSP board member, at (309) 677-7272, Ext. 221. Applications can be picked up in person at the Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter, 311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave., Peoria, IL 61605; or electronically by sending an application request to abauer@redcrossillinois.org. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2011.

Please join for the kick off of the 23rd Annual Duck Race to Stop Abuse.

Who: Martha Herm, Executive Director of The Center for Prevention of Abuse
What: Press Conference
When: Wednesday August 3rd, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, 7 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, Illinois 61611
Why: To announce the 23rd Annual Duck Race and invite community participation to assist in supporting The Center’s largest annual fundraiser.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse is the only agency in the State of Illinois to provide combined services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault/abuse and elder abuse serving 15 new persons each day and more than 4,000 women, children and men affected by violence. The Center also offers curricula in safe touch, violence prevention, behavioral skills training, sexual assault/abuse prevention and healthy relationships to students pre-k through college touching the lives of 15,000 students per/year. Presentations and trainings are also offered to parents, school staff and community groups. The Center continues to work to achieve its vision of building a safe, peaceful community.

Kelly Young, Project Manager at Oxbow Development Corporation along with the Executive Team, proudly announce the selection of Greg Colwell as the General Manager for Main Street Commons at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Main Street Commons at Bradley University, opening August 2011, is an amenity rich student housing facility catering to the needs of area students. This five story building offers spacious two and three bedroom apartments. All apartments include energy efficient kitchen appliances; frost free refrigerator with ice maker, dishwashers, garbage disposals and a washer and dryer. Main Street Commons will feature a Social room, Fitness Center, Tanning, Vending, Parking Garage, Multi-layer Security System, 24 hour Emergency maintenance, and much more!

“I am extremely excited to be a part of this amenity rich apartment complex at Bradley University. There is truly a need for this and this will only enhance what Bradley has to offer its students!” Stated Colwell.

Mr. Colwell possesses a Bachelor of Advertising and Marketing from Bradley University and brings a wealth of experience in management, marketing and leadership. As Bradley alumni, he is excited to be a part of this project.

He stated, “It’s not often that you get an opportunity to give back to the University that you once attended. I am anxious to get students moved in and to get our Resident Life Program started, which will offer a variety of educational, recreational, and social activities. My goal is to ensure that these students get as much out of their experience with Bradley University as I did.”

Main Street Commons at Bradley University, a 196 bed amenity rich student housing complex is nearing completion with students moving in starting August 1, 2011. For more information about Main Street Commons or for leasing information, please contact Mr. Colwell at 309-673-4585 or visit www.liveatmain.com.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) was concerned to learn that several of the post offices in his district are on the United States Postal Service’s list of potential closures.

“The post offices on this list are primarily located in small, rural communities,” Koehler said. “Everyone relies on the postal service to communicate, send packages, and pay bills. I’m worried that the people in these towns and villages may not have easy access to alternatives like the internet and commercial parcel services, especially compared to people who live in other, larger cities.”

The towns in Koehler’s district that are on the USPS’s list include Bartonville, Dunfermline, Kingston Mines, and Liverpool.

“I am prepared to work with the residents of these communities and other stakeholders to help try to find a way through this situation,” Koehler added. “It’s important to make sure that the people who live in these towns still have access to all the services they need, including Saturday delivery, which businesses and smaller towns depend upon.”

The Peoria Park District’s Franciscan Recreation Complex (FRC) along with the West Peoria Residents Association is hosting a summer concert featuring the Peoria Area Barbershoppers on Sunday, August 14, on the FRC lawn from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
There’s no cost; just bring a lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy an afternoon in the park!

Call FRC at (309) 677-6705 for more information.

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria are pleased to announce they are working with Northwestern University in Chicago on a series of research projects in the field of simulation.

The kickoff for this collaboration takes place Monday, August 1, 2011 from 2:00-6:00 PM on
the campus of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in the Gandhi Conference Room, located in the
new Children’s Hospital of Illinois building.

The program – Corridor of Innovation: Simulation for Improved Healthcare Outcomes – Chicago to Peoria, Illinois – will include an introduction of research teams and an overview of the research projects.

Media is welcome to cover the kickoff. For planning purposes, an introductory tour will take place at 2:00 PM with the presentation to follow at 4 PM. Please confirm your attendance with Shelli Dankoff at 309.655.3897 or shelli.j.dankoff@osfhealthcare.org. Parking is available in the North parking deck

The Peoria chapter of Mended Hearts will meet Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 6:00 PM at the RiverPlex in Peoria.

Mended Hearts, a national nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Heart Association, has been offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers for more than 50 years.

Because Mended Hearts is made up of the very kinds of people it serves—heart patients, their families, and others impacted by heart disease, its members draw on personal experience as they help others. Recovery involves not only physical healing, but emotional and psychosocial healing as well. Mended Hearts support groups help people understand that there can be a rich, rewarding life after heart disease. Members listen, share their experiences, learn from healthcare professionals and volunteer to talk to other heart patients about what they may face including lifestyle changes, depression, recovery, and treatment.

For more information about Mended Hearts, contact nurse practitioner Tammy Sarmiento at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center at (309) 655-7292.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” is directed by Liz Landes Reed. This modern comedy is a heartwarming story about Nick and his two sets of Italian grandparents. The cast calls for a young man in his 30s, two men and two women, all of whom should be of the age to have a grandson in his 30s, and a young woman in her late 20s. Auditions will be held at Peoria Players on August 20 and 21, both days at 1:00 pm. Perusal scripts are available in the box office. Show dates are October 7-16.

“Annie” will be directed by Mary Ellen Ulrich. Everyone’s favorite orphan stars in this family favorite musical! The cast includes children and adults of all ages. Auditions will be held at University United Methodist Church, 2818 N. University. Auditions for the role of Annie and leading orphans will be held at 5:00 pm on Friday, August 26 and at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 27. All other roles will audition at 7:30 pm on Friday, August 26 and at noon on Saturday, August 27. Everyone auditioning needs to bring sheet music or an accompaniment cd. Song selection must be from a Broadway show. Also bring appropriate shoes for dance auditions. Show dates are November 11-20.

South Side Trust & Savings Bank is pleased to announce Emma Vandeveer, Assistant Vice President and Marketing Director, has been awarded the “Women in Leadership of Central Illinois Career Leader of the Year” award for 2010 – 2011.

The Career Leader Award provides recognition to a Women In Leadership member who is outstanding in leadership to her business/profession, her professional organizations, and her WIL participation. Ms. Vandeveer has over 30 years of professional banking experience and is a board member and participant in many civic organizations throughout the Peoria area.