Get the pulse of the regional business climate from business representatives themselves as hundreds of area business leaders will be gathered for the Peoria Chamber’s annual golf outing and networking opportunity. See firsthand why the Peoria Chamber is the premier source for information and business connections in the region.

Join us Monday, July 25th at the OSF Healthcare/Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce 2011 Golf Outing. Morning shotgun is at 7:30 a.m., afternoon shotgun is at 1:00 p.m. and hors d’oeuvres reception begins at 6:00 p.m. at Weaver Ridge Golf Course.

If you are looking to connect with the regional business community, now is your chance!

For more information on the event visit www.peoriachamber.org.

The City of Peoria today announced plans to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11 by holding a 9/11 Remembrance Event at O’Brien Field on September 10, 2011, from 10:00 until 11:15 a.m. This special service, which is free and open to the public, is a tribute not only to those individuals who lost their lives on that fateful day, but to the men and women who continue to risk their lives to keep our nation safe.

The gates of O’Brien Field will open at 9:00 a.m., and spectators will be greeted with performances by The Peoria Ballet, Pulses of Hope, and the Richwoods Gospel Choir. Vehicles will be displayed along Jefferson Street as we showcase first responders from the military, police, fire, and medical services.

“Like Pearl Harbor, 9/11 will always be a day for our country to reflect on with heavy hearts. It will also be a day when we remind ourselves that we are the land of the free and the home of the brave. We will not be intimidated. We persevered to bring those responsible for attacking our country to justice. There will always be a price to pay for the freedom we enjoy. This is a community event being held in Peoria. I hope people from the entire area attend the Remembrance Event to pay respects to those who lost their lives and to celebrate and give thanks that we live in this great country. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” said Mayor Jim Ardis.

With the assistance of Kathy Downing, we are pleased to welcome Vice Admiral Robert S. Harward, Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) as the guest speaker for our 9/11 Remembrance Event. Vice Admiral Harward commanded troops in Afghanistan and Iraq for over six years since September 11, 2001 where he last served as the commander of the Combined Joint Interagency Task Force (CJIATF) 435. He is also Navy SEAL and one of the nation’s most seasoned special operations officers having served in a number of special operations roles including commander SEAL Team Three; commander Naval Special Warfare Group ONE and deputy commanding general Joint Special Operations Command. We are honored to have a speaker of Admiral Harward’s caliber for our event and look forward to hearing his thoughts about the events of September 11 and his hopes for the future.

Event organizers are encouraging everyone to show their pride by wearing red, white or blue to the event. Volunteers will also be distributing flags to attendees courtesy of CEFCU. In addition to our featured speaker, the program will include selections from the Peoria Civic Chorale, in conjunction with the 566th AF Band of the Midwest, which is located at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, and a special recognition of veteran’s, those serving in the armed forces, and first responders.

Ever had a giraffe peeking in your bedroom window or been woken up by the roar of a lion? You can when you spend the night at the Peoria Zoo during our Family Zoo Snooze. Join us for this special night where families can sign up to spend the night at the Zoo. Your family will get a chance to sleep in Africa!, enjoy nocturnal tours, meet animals and find out what the Zoo is like at night.

The adventure begins at 7:00 p.m. August 12 and ends at 9:00 a.m. August 13. A snack and breakfast is provided as well as admission into the Zoo the next day! Participants must be 5 years or older to participate, with one chaperone required for every five children. Cost is $30/person. To register your family or for questions, please call the Peoria Zoo at (309) 681-3513.

Everyone is invited to a Pool Party as the Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreational Center hosts the National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 2nd from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This event is FREE and is celebrated annually, on the same night throughout the city as well as throughout the country to help stamp out crime in our neighborhoods, celebrate safe communities and unity in our neighborhoods. Other activities at the event range from free refreshments, games for the children, and entertainment.

Be encouraged to lock your doors, turn on an outside light, and spend an evening with Proctor Center. For more information about this program call Jonelle at 673-9183. Proctor is located at 309 S. DuSable in Peoria.

The Peoria Park District’s Lakeview Family Aquatic Center will hold several special swim events throughout the summer.

Toddler Time: Saturdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Lakeview Family Swim Night: Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Lakeview Night Swims: Saturday, July 23, 6:00-9:30 p.m.

For more information on any of these events, call Shawn at
309-686-3377.

The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present its twelfth annual Rhythm in the Rainforest jazz event on Saturday, August 20, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Back by popular demand will be Preston Jackson & Friends, performing Cool Jazz in Luthy’s fragrant Rose Garden while you enjoy on site cooking by Alwan & Sons!

Don’t miss the unique experience of a beautiful, torch-lit garden under the stars enhanced by great music and food. This is one of Luthy’s most popular events, so get your tickets now – ages 21 and over only. Dinner tickets, which will be limited to 100 people, should be purchased by August 18 and are available at the Garden. The cost is $25 in advance for members, $30 in advance for non-members. Call (309) 681-3506 for more information or to reserve tickets over the phone.

Central Illinois Artist Organization (CIAO) will present their member show, “CIAO Branches Out at Peoria Public Library” from Saturday, August 13 until Friday, September 23 in the Gallery at Peoria Public Library Main Library on Lower Level One. An Opening Reception will be held from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 13 in the Gallery.The Gallery is open during Main Library hours from Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

This is work conceived and executed by artists living and working in Central Illinois, and represents the breadth and diversity of the talent in Greater Peoria. CIAO was created by artists looking for more and better local exposure. The flagship event for CIAO is an ongoing Studio Tour conducted on the First Friday of each month from April through November, providing a casual opportunity for the general public to see the output of area artists, visit their studios, find out about classes and other learning opportunities, and to follow works in progress. For more information visit ciaopeoria.com.

Peoria Public Library Main Library is located on the corner of Main and Monroe at 107 N.E. Monroe. Call 309-497-2000 or visit www.peoriapubliclibrary.org for more information.

The power of play is at the foundation of a child’s ability to learn and grow. That’s why the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum and Peoria Zoo have joined forces to create a day-long destination for learning through play—one that equips local kids with the tools they need to succeed before they enter the doors of our schools. It’s a critical need in our community, and it’s critical we take this step now for our future.

As a first step in building the momentum necessary to bring the power of play to Peoria, the affiliates are pleased to publicly announce the generous support of Polly and Glen Barton. Mr. and Mrs. Barton have pledged to build a new Zoo entry building and a portion of a parking lot that will support both the Peoria PlayHouse and Peoria Zoo.

“We are so grateful to the Bartons for their generosity. Together, Polly and Glen are leaving a legacy that will serve generations of Peoria’s kids as they learn and grow in Glen Oak Park,” states Bonnie Noble, Executive Director of the Peoria Park District.
Construction will begin on this portion of the Power of Play effort as soon as plans are approved and permits obtained. A concept drawing is attached to this release for media use.

To learn more about the affiliation, please visit www.powerofplaypeoria.org. Information may also be found on Facebook (Power of Play Peoria), Twitter (@pwrofplaypeoria), and YouTube (powerofplaypeoria).

Cypress Asset Management, the Peoria-based planning and investment advisory firm, is bringing Larry Swedroe, Principal and Director of Research of BAM Advisor Services, to speak at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Bradley University. Swedroe’s presentation is titled “The Quest for Alpha: Advice for Prudent Investing” on August 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Neumiller Lecture Hall at Bradley.

Based on his experience, along with the insights of legendary market gurus, Swedroe will explain why investors should focus on asset allocation, fund construction, costs, tax efficiency and the building of a globally diversified portfolio that maximizes, if not eliminates, idiosyncratic and uncompensated risks.

This OLLI Special Event is funded by the Lagniappe grant from The Bernard Osher Foundation and is co-sponsored by the American Association of Individual Investors. The event begins with light refreshments at 6:30 p.m., followed by Swedroe’s presentation from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. The program is free but registration is required
(www.bradley.edu/continue/olli/index.html)

The next First Tuesdays will be held on Tuesday, August 2, from 5:00 – 7:99 p.m. at Simply Inspired Events located at 820 Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602.

The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois invites area women to a monthly networking opportunity for Peoria-area women. Step out of the heat and celebrate the spirit of giving by meeting other dynamic women who are passionate about empowering women and children in our communities.

Become part of a national movement towards Women’s Philanthropy. To automatically receive First Tuesdays’ invitations, call The Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309 674-8730 or email kristan@communityfoundationci.org and ask to receive the ‘E-vite’, an online invitation, for First Tuesdays.

Appetizers and beverages will be served and door prizes awarded. Donations will be accepted to further the work of the Women’s Fund.