The issue of bloggers and blogging will be examined next week on CAPtions. Guests include 2 local bloggers, C.J. Summers and Billy Dennis. Topics include general information about blogging; commentary on various local media and current issues… including how some issues get blown out of proportion.

Also included in an interview with Steve Fairbanks on the upcoming National Night Out Against Crime.

CAPtions will air on Sunday, July 24th at 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, July 27th 7:00 p.m. and later at Midnight on Comcast Cable 22. It will be available on YouTube by July 29th. Host is Andre Bohannon.

CAPtions is produced by the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunities, Inc. Media Services Department, and is funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Today, Mike Minesinger, Owner of Alwan Pharmacy & Compounding Center, announced a second location of the popular West Peoria pharmacy will be built in Morton, Illinois. The pharmacy will be located in a new building that will be constructed near OSF Prompt Care this fall.

Alwan is an integrated pharmacy, locally owned and operated in West Peoria for over 25 years. “While we have grown in size, our commitment remains the same… providing our customers total wellness,” said Minesinger. “We are looking forward to providing that same high level of service in Morton.”

Alwan services include both sterile and non-sterile compounding, veterinary compounding, and medical consultations such as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. They offer a full line of pharmaceutical grade vitamins and supplements from reputable companies including Metagenics and Ortho Molecular. “We pride ourselves on providing traditions of a full service pharmacy with the latest state-of-the-art compounding technology,” said Minesinger. “And our fast, friendly service and free prescription delivery sets us above the rest!”

The Morton Economic Development Council joined Minesinger in making the announcement. “When our local downtown pharmacy closed, I got a visit immediately from a good friend, Bob Schnarr,” said Jennifer Daly, CEO for the Morton EDC. “Bob asked me to reach out to Alwan and invite them to come to Morton. Mike Minesinger was immediately interested and we worked with him over the past year to identify the best location. Alwan will be a welcome addition to Morton!”

State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) speaks with the Senior Care Network at the Rosewood Care Center in East Peoria. The Senior Care Network is an association of senior care providers from Central Illinois. Gordon took questions and spoke about the issues facing nursing homes and other senior care organizations in Illinois, particularly as it pertains to the state budget.

Five Points Washington plays host to a dynamic, six member jazz band from Minnesota sure to entertain with a perfect blend of music, comedy, and story telling. The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band is rated among the finest entertainers in the Midwest and will be in Washington, IL on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., for one show only.

“Your complete joy and enthusiasm for the music came across from each of you in every song, and our audience left feeling as if they had known each one of you for years. Thank you so very much for sharing your personalities and incredible musicianship with us.”

Jack Erwin: Board Member of Pratt Community Concert in Pratt, Kansas – The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band has been together since 1967 and were elected into the Minnesota Hall of Fame in 2001. The band is made up of six talented musicians who play 18 instruments. Led by left-handed banjo/guitar player Dick Petersen, the band includes Tom Andrews on drums, clarinet, and vocals; Jim ten Bensel on trombone, cornet, drums, and vocals; Russ Peterson on trumpet, trombone, sax, clarinet, flute, bass, and vocals; Steve Pikal on bass, trombone, and piano; and, finally, Dick Ramberg on piano and clarinet. This group of versatile musicians, who occasionally swap instruments on stage without missing a note, will have your feet tappin’ from their very first set!

Tickets for the show are $16 for adults and $14 for seniors and children 17 and under, and can be purchased at the Five Points website: www.fivepointswashington.org or by phone at 309-444-8222. To learn more about The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band, visit www.barbary-coast.com, or contact Dick Peterson at 952-888-5613 or by email at rkpbanjo@aol.com.

State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) recently announcing her schedule of upcoming satellite office hours geared towards allowing constituents who cannot make it to her War Memorial district office to access state services in various locations around the 92nd district.

The next satellite office hours will be held at:
• Manual Academy (811 S. Griswold St., Peoria) on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 3 PM to 5 PM
• Kickapoo Township Hall (10025 W. US Highway 150, Edwards) on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 from 1 PM to 3 PM
• Limestone Township Hall (1501 Garfield Ave., Bartonville) on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 9 AM to 11 AM
• West Peoria City Hall (2056 W. Rohmann Ave., West Peoria) on Friday, August 5, 2011 from 9 AM to 11 AM
• Peoria Heights Village Hall (4901 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria Heights) on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 from 9 AM to 11 AM

“It is important that my office is accessible to all areas of my district. I hope that people take advantage of having our office a little closer to them, and I encourage anyone with a concern or problem with state government to stop by,” Gordon said.

No appointment is needed. For more information, please contact Rep. Gordon’s constituent services office at 309-681-1992 or e-mail repjehangordon@gmail.com.

Writers interested in self-publishing may benefit from a few upcoming lessons from a local self-publishing author. “Making Self-Publishing Work for You with Norm Kelly” is a three-part workshop intended to teach aspiring authors how to self-publish their works. The workshop will take place on Thursday, August 4, 11, and 18 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the East Room of the Peoria Public Library North Branch.

Peoria Area SeniorNet is sponsoring an Open House on Saturday August 13, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church at 411 W. Lake Avenue in Peoria. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce prospective new students to SeniorNet and to answer any questions they might have about computers and computer classes.

The second event is registration for our Fall 2011 classes. It will be on Saturday, August 20, 2011. Registration will take place any time from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the First Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall. Mail-in registration is also offered for those who cannot attend, however, on-site registration is recommended in order to ensure that students are placed in a class or in classes that are suitable for them. The deadline for mail-in registration is September 1, 2011. Most classes will begin during the week of September 12, 2011.

For more information call 1-800-872-4651, ext. 1510 and leave a message. A SeniorNet volunteer will return your call and answer any questions you may have. Registration documents and a detailed schedule of classes are also available on our web site at www.PeoriaAreaSeniorNet.org. Click on the Fall Classes button.

The purpose of the Open House is not only to introduce prospective students to SeniorNet but also to provide a forum where present and future computer users acquire information that will help them make choices when buying computers, selecting computer accessories, and choosing computer courses. SeniorNet instructors and coaches will be available for one-on-one questions and discussions with the attendees. Students may also register for Fall classes after the presentation and discussion.

All Fall classes will be held at the First Baptist Church in Peoria. Classes will include: Computer Fundamentals for Windows 7, Intermediate Fundamentals for Windows 7, E-Mail for the Beginner, E-Mail for the Intermediate Computer User, Introduction to Scanners, How to Use the Internet, Facebook/Social Networking, Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Excel 2007, Computer Maintenance/Security, Quicken 2011, Digital Camera Tutorial, Digital Photo Editing/Slide Show, Print Artist Version 23, and Premier Photo Elements 8. Lab time will also be available at the First Baptist Church for those students who want to spend extra time on their class work with SeniorNet tutors.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) is currently accepting grant proposals for three different grant programs from non-profit organizations within a 50-mile radius of Peoria, excluding McLean County.

The following grant programs have opened up their application processes. For more information on these programs please go to the Community Foundation of Central Illinois website: www.communityfoundationci.org

1. The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois is currently accepting applications until September 1 for the Success Grant program. Grants may be used to initiate new programs or support existing programs from October 2011 through September 2012. Primary participants or beneficiaries must be women and/or girls in central Illinois.

2. The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is currently accepting proposals until September 1 for the Community Grant program. Newly revised grant guidelines may be downloaded from the CFCI website at www.communityfoundationci.org.

3. The Community Foundation of Central Illinois’ District 150 Grant Program is currently accepting applications until October 1. District 150 Classroom Grants are available to any teacher interested in additional projects to enrich the classroom experience for the students. It is a competitive grant process that aligns with District 150 strategic goals and the school improvement plan. Awards will be made in amounts up to $1000.

For questions regarding any of these grant programs and opportunities for funding please call (309) 674-8730.

The clock tower dome on Bradley University’s historic Westlake Hall will be installed on Wednesday, July 20, starting at approximately 6:00 a.m.

It is expected to take most of the day to fully install the new dome and the weathervane that will be placed atop it.

A crane will lift the dome which weighs approximately 700 lbs. and is roughly 10 feet square at the base and 9 1/2 feet tall. The weathervane measures approximately 4 1/2 feet tall. The dome and vane are a copper finish and will rest upon a copper cornice base.

The new dome replicates the original dome which was removed some weeks ago. The manufacturer is Campbellsville Industries, Inc. of Kentucky.

The clock itself will be installed in several months.

Westlake Hall is located on Glenwood Avenue just south of Bradley Hall.

With high temperatures expected to be in the 90’s throughout much of the week across the state, Illinois American Water is reminding customers to be conscientious about water usage. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program, water consumption in the average American home on summer days can spike to 1,000 gallons per day, compared to 260 gallons per day during “off peak” season.

Because increased water consumption can put a strain on local supply and a dent in home budgets, Illinois American Water sent out bill inserts to educate customers across the state about water conservation. This bill insert was created in conjunction with Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and EPA’s WaterSense Program. The insert, which was sent in June, promotes wise water use in relation to lawn watering and encourages customers to follow their local water usage and restriction ordinance. If a community does not have a local ordinance, it is suggested that lawn watering occur no more than twice a week, before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m.

According to Esther Dundore, Illinois American Water’s Director of Environmental Compliance and Water Quality, “Watering either in the early morning or evening helps to conserve water. As much as 30 percent of water can be lost to evaporation by watering during midday.”

Dundore also states that lawns should only be watered when needed. An easy test to tell if a lawn needs water is to simply walk across the grass. If the lawn springs back it doesn’t need watered, but if footprints are left on the lawn, water may be needed. An added benefit of watering less often is that fewer, deep-soaking waterings encourage deep root growth and stronger turf.

Other consumer tips for conserving water include:
– Set your lawn mower one notch higher to make your lawn more drought-tolerant.
– Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway or patio.
– Forego the hose and wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead. According to EPA WaterSense, a hose left running can waste as much as six gallons per minute while a bucket and sponge uses only a few gallons to do the job.
– Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full and adjust the water level of your washing machine to match the load size.

If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.
– Keep a bottle of cold tap water in the refrigerator. You’ll avoid the cost and environmental impact of bottled water and you’ll have cold water available in the summer without running the faucet.
– A short shower is better than a bath! A full bathtub can require up to 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.
– Turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save eight gallons per day.
– Regularly check your toilet, faucets and pipes for leaks and have them fixed promptly.

An easy test for toilet leaks from EPA WaterSense: </strong
Place a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color tints the water in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Another method is to check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak. Downloadable leak detection kits are also available on Illinois American Water’s website (www.illinoisamwater.com) in the Learning Center under Wise Water Use.