The Peoria Park District’s Men’s City Championship Golf Tournament begins with qualifying on July 25, 26, and 27 at Newman Golf Course. Match play will take place August 1-6, with a rain date for the finals scheduled on August 7.

Cost is $15 plus green fees. The event is open to Peoria County residents only. Entry deadline is Sunday, July 17.

This event is co-sponsored by the Journal Star.

Entry forms are available on-line at www.peoriaparks.org/golf and at all PPD courses. For more information on the Peoria Park District’s tournaments, call Golf Operations at (309) 689-3329.

The Peoria Park District will host a Home Run Derby on Friday, July 15 starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held at Diamond #2 at Peoria Stadium. Participants must be ages 18 and over and will have a chance to win a cash prize.

The cost is $5.00 per entry, with up to five entries. Participants should bring their own pitcher and are allowed to use any bat. Registration will take place at the event.

For more information, contact Nick McDuffee at 681-2867 or visit www.peoriaparks.org.

Members of the Marketing and Public Relations team at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois have been recognized among the best in the nation for their work in healthcare advertising, winning Aster Awards in the 2011 competition.

The winning entries and those recognized are:
Gold Asters: Employee Health Icon (Erin Powers and Vickie Parry)
Flu Shot Campaign (Kristen Johnson)
Let It Shine – TV Commercial (Hippo Ad Agency and Judy Winkler)
Silver Asters: Pre-Term Labor (Heidi Wessler and Lisa Robbins)
Gamma Knife Center (Hippo Ad Agency and Vickie Parry)

Bronze Aster: Let It Shine – Radio Spot (Hippo Ad Agency)

The Aster Awards, one of the largest national competitions of its kind, is hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc. This elite program recognizes healthcare professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year 2010.

The 2010 Aster Awards received approximately 3,000 entries from across the United States, Canada, and South America with entries competing against similar-sized organizations in each category. Entries must score at least in the top 16% to receive an award. Judging criteria includes creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal. A Gold Aster ranks within the top 5% in the nation, a Silver Aster within the top 12%.

In addition, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois are winners this year in the Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards sponsored by Healthcare Marketing Report.

Awards received and individuals recognized were:
GOLD: Building Blocks magazine (Lisa Robbins, Staywell Communications)
SILVER: Breast Cancer Survivor Mailer/Brochure (Erin Powers, Lisa Robbins)
BRONZE: Room Service Menu (Erin Powers)
BRONZE: Recruitment Booklet (Heidi Wessler, Judy Winkler)
BRONZE: Employee Health Logo (Erin Powers, Vickie Parry)
MERIT: Surgery Adventure Map (Erin Powers, Lisa Robbins)
MERIT: Special Video, “Behind the Scenes of the Making of the Let it Shine TV Commercial” (Shelli Dankoff, Jim Kelly)
MERIT: Television Commercial, “Let it Shine” (Hippo Ad Agency and Judy Winkler)
MERIT: Gamma Knife Center Brochure (Hippo Ad Agency & Vickie Parry)

James Mormann, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of OSF Healthcare System, and Dr. Gail Amundson, President and CEO of Quality Quest for Health of Illinois, have both been appointed to the Illinois Health Information Exchange Advisory Committee by the Illinois Health Information Exchange Authority Board of Directors.

Health information exchange (HIE) allows the safe and secure portability of patient medical records among different healthcare providers so that patients have their healthcare information when and where it is needed. The advisory committee is a multi-stakeholder group that provides input to the Governor-appointed authority as decisions are made about HIE at the state level. In central Illinois, HIE is being planned under the newly formed non-profit Central Illinois Health Information Exchange.

Is your family ready for an emergency? Planning ahead can keep you safe if a flood, fire, flu pandemic, terrorist attack, or other public health emergency strikes. The Peoria City/County Health Department is encouraging community members to make sure our families and homes are protected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that each family get an emergency kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed of the emergency resources available in their community. Plan ahead. Here are a few simple items you can gather today to prepare for an emergency:

• At least 3 gallons of water for each member of your family
• Food for at least 3 days—choose foods that don’t need a refrigerator, like canned fruit, energy bars, peanut butter, and crackers
• Prescription medicines that you take every day, like heart or diabetes medicine
• A first aid kit to treat cuts, burns, and other injuries

Budget friendly plans are available to families to help build a disaster supply kit by acquiring just a few items a week. Check out the Weekly Steps for Emergency Preparedness plan on our website at www.pcchd.org.

For more information about public health issues, follow us on facebook and twitter or visit our website at www.pcchd.org.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse welcomes five new members to its Board of Directors as it announces the 2011-2012 officers

2011/2012 Board of Director Officers:
Mike Baynard (Mathis-Kelley Construction) – President
Emma Vandeveer (South Side Bank) – Vice President
Sean Vanslyke (Ameren) – Secretary
Greg Miller (Pioneer Railcorp) – Treasurer

2011/2012 Newly Elected Board Members:
Chris McCall (McCall Law Offices. P.C.)
Chrissy Vandevelde (Farnsworth Group)
Althea Geiser (B’Ribboned, Etc.)
Deauna Collins (Herget Bank)
Gloria Fangmeier (Pekin Park District)
Greg Miller (Pioneer Railcorp)

“These individuals bring extraordinary experiences and strengths to The Center,” explains Martha Herm, Executive Director. “They are committed to helping victims of violence find safety and support and to helping young people learn new skills in building healthy relationships and non-violent life styles.”

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 and another15,000 students who are at risk each year, The Center works to achieve its vision of building a safe, peaceful community.

The Junior League of Peoria is currently accepting new members!

Membership is open to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to volunteerism.

The Junior League of Peoria’s 2011-2012 year begins in September 2011. Those interested should contact Kylie Rupe, New Member Chair at krupe@chamber.h-p.org no later than August 1, 2011.

The Junior League of Peoria is a women’s organization of more than 400 active and sustaining members. Since 1936, the League has been committed to promoting voluntarism and to improving the Peoria community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Peoria Race for the Cure, Family House, Riverfront Playground, JULEP’s Closet, Christmas in April and Keepsacks for Kids are just a few of the past projects attributed to the Junior League’s dedication to the community.

To learn more about the Junior League, please visit www.juniorleagueofpeoria.org.

About the Junior League of Peoria
Founded in 1936, the Junior League of Peoria is an organization of more than 400 members committed to promoting voluntarism and improving the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Junior League is a volunteer organization for women interested in making an impact in their community. Through its history, the League has played an integral part in the development, improvement, and support of the Peoria community. Long recognized as one of the premier training organizations in the Peoria area, the Junior League provides trained volunteers who donate thousands of hours each year to research community needs and initiate projects or expand current services.

Over the last 75 years, the Junior League has established more than 50 community projects. The Junior League is undertaking its biggest project to date, The Peoria PlayHouse. The Peoria PlayHouse is planned to be an interactive children’s museum that will prepare every young child to learn by offering the hands-on experiences essential for healthy brain development. The Peoria PlayHouse is currently in the capital fundraising phase. For more information, visit www.peoriaplayhouse.org.

The Junior League of Peoria is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International which represents over 190,000 members. For more information, please visit www.juniorleagueofpeoria.org.

Peoria Players Theatre is excited to present the 15th Annual Summer Youth Theatre, featuring local talents between the ages of 14 and 20. This summer’s production is West Side Story directed by Peggy Breaux.

From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest, including “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “Somewhere.” West Side Story remains as powerful and timely as ever.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on August 3, 4, 5 and 6, and at 2:00 p.m. on August 7. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for patrons 18 and under, and will be on sale July 11. Please call the box office at 688-4473 or visit us online at www.peoriaplayers.org.

Have a safe holiday with special tips for travel, water safety, fireworks and outdoor cooking

The American Red Cross would like everyone to enjoy a safe summer holiday, and offers these special tips on travel, water safety, fireworks and outdoor cooking safety to help you and your loved ones have a great weekend.

Travel tips to keep you safe on the highway:
• Carry an Emergency Preparedness Kit in your trunk.
• Buckle up, slow down and do not drive if you have been drinking alcohol. If you plan on drinking, designate a driver.
• Be well rested and alert; give your full attention to the road.
• Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see well, especially at night.
• Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms.
• Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.

Firework safety:
There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:
• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Safe Grilling:
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your Fourth of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:
• Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
• Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

Water safety at the pool and beach:
• Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
• Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice “reach supervision” by staying within an arm’s length of young children and weak swimmers.
• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water and reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).
• Watch for the “dangerous too’s”… too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
For more Red Cross Fourth of July safety tips, please visit http://www.redcrossillinois.org/fourth-of-july-safety

Lawmaker launches program to support troops serving overseas

To help our troops serving overseas call home, state Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) on Friday kicked off her third annual cell phone collection drive, Cell Phones for Soldiers, and will have locations throughout the district where residents will be able to donate their old phones.

“Enabling soldiers who dedicate their lives to our country to call their family and friends at no cost to themselves seems like such a simple thing, but there is incredible reward,” said Gordon. “Every cell phone donated will enable a solider to call family and friends back home. I am asking the community to help give back to our troops by dropping off old cell phones that may be lying around your house or no longer needed after a phone upgrade.”

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a non-profit organization that has raised millions of dollars in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. Collected equipment will be sold to ReCellular and the proceeds are used to purchase calling cards that are given to U.S. military personnel serving around the world. Cell phones and chargers can be donated and recycled at the following locations:

• Rep. Jehan Gordon’s District Office, 300 E War Memorial Drive, Suite 303, Peoria
• West Peoria City Hall, 2506 W. Rohmann Ave, West Peoria
• Limestone Township Building, 1501 W. Garfield Ave., Bartonville

“Sometimes being able to talk to friends and loved ones makes all the difference in the world,” said Gordon. “I encourage everyone who has a spare cell phone to donate it to this cause, and anyone who would like to become a drop-off location should contact our office. This Fourth of July we need to remember the sacrifices of those who are serving overseas and help them stay in touch with the ones they love.”
For more information contact Rep. Gordon’s constituent services office at (309) 681-1992.