FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL SWIM DAY
The Peoria Park District has scheduled a special Father’s Day Swim on Saturday, June 18 at Gwynn Family and on Sunday, June 19 at Lakeview Family Aquatic Center. Dads will swim for FREE when they are accompanied by family. The special swim is during regular public swim hours.
Gwynn Family Aquatic Center 1:00-5:00 pm
Lakeview Family Aquatic Center 12:00-5:00 pm
Regular admission prices will be charged for family members. For more info, call Sue Wheeler at 309-282-1531.

LAKEVIEW FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER SCHEDULES SEVERAL SPECIAL SWIM SESSIONS
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 am
Lakeview Family Swim Night: Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 pm
Lakeview Night Swims: Friday, June 24 and Saturday, July 23, 6:00-9:30 pm
Also available this year is a Swim and Skate Pass Book which includes 5 Lakeview Admissions and 5 Owens Center admission for $30.
For more info on any of these events, call Shawn at 309-686-3377.

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL SWIM DAY
The Peoria Park District has scheduled a special Mother’s Day Swims on Saturday, June 25 at Gwynn Family Aquatic Center and on Sunday, July 17 at Lakeview Family Aquatic Center. Moms will swim for FREE with a paid child admission. The special swim is during regular public swim hours.
Gwynn Family Aquatic Center 1:00-5:00 pm
Lakeview Family Aquatic Center 12:00-5:00 pm
Regular admission prices will be charged for family members. For more info, call Sue Wheeler at 309-282-1531.

Methodist Health Services Corporation and Iowa Health System (IHS) have signed an agreement establishing a strategic affiliation between the two nationally recognized health systems. Bill Leaver, President and CEO, and Gene Blanc, Chair, of Iowa Health System and Michael Bryant, President and CEO, and Karen Stumpe, Chair, of Methodist Health Services Corporation, signed the agreement Thursday, June 9, 2011, in Chicago. The two healthcare organizations announced plans in late March to enter into a strategic affiliation agreement. The agreement was signed Thursday, subject to obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

Once the regulatory approvals are received and closing occurs, Methodist will become the eighth senior affiliate of IHS, the sixth largest nondenominational health system in the United States with annual revenues of $2.3 billion. IHS has relationships with 25 hospitals in Illinois and Iowa, employs nearly 20,000 employees and sees more than 2.5 million patient visits per year.

Methodist President and CEO Michael Bryant said this alliance will provide Methodist with a strategic partner that will support and strengthen Methodist as a regional tertiary medical center and comprehensive health care system. As a result of health care reform, health systems are under increasing pressure to coordinate care for patient populations while operating with ever greater efficiencies.

The agreement is built around core principles that include:

1. Sharing a strategic vision of a partnership between regional providers that recognizes the value and importance of meaningful local governance.
2. Recognizing the importance Methodist places on its long-term commitment to the communities it serves.
3. A commitment from IHS to support strategic initiatives that ensure Methodist will retain its nationally recognized position of leadership in quality and service.

Because IHS offers a decentralized model of local control, Methodist will maintain its autonomy including its local board of directors. “The assets of the hospital and health system were created in Peoria and will stay in Peoria. We will remain a not-for-profit organization where money is reinvested in the hospital, health system and community,” Bryant said. “IHS recognizes Methodist’s commitment to our community and the dedication of the people who have invested their livelihood in Methodist for 111 years.”

Approximately $58,000 will be awarded to 51 fire departments-districts throughout the state

Approximately $58,000 will be awarded to 51 fire departments across the state through Illinois American Water’s 2011 Firefighter Grant Program. The program was created in 2010 to provide financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations serving customers in Illinois American Water’s service area. In its first year, the program awarded 32 grants totaling approximately $45,000.

“We are committed to supporting our local fire departments,” said Karla Olson Teasley, president of Illinois American Water. “This program enables us to further support fire protection in the communities we serve and partner with our local fire fighters.”

Illinois American Water’s Firefighter Grant Program awards grants up to $1,500 to provide personal protective gear, communications equipment, firefighting tools, water handling equipment, training materials and classroom programs. The grants presented by Illinois American Water were presented to the following Illinois fire departments:

Northern Illinois
Des Plaines Fire Department
Homer Township Fire Protection District
Lisle-Woodridge Fire District
Orland Fire Protection District
Prospect Heights Fire Protection District
Romeoville Fire Department
Mount Prospect Fire Department
Elmhurst Fire Department
South Beloit Fire and Rescue
Sterling Fire Department
Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Inc.
Leonore Fire Department
Long Point Community Volunteer Fire Protection District
Reading Volunteer Fire Department
Streator Fire Department

Central Illinois
Bondville Fire and Rescue
Urbana Fire Rescue Services
Edge-Scott Fire Protection District
Tuscola Fire Department
St. Joseph – Stanton Fire Protection District
Carroll Fire Protection District
Lincoln Fire Department
Cincinnati Fire Protection District
Pekin Fire Department
Bartonville Fire Department
Limestone Township Fire Protection
Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District
Peoria Fire Department
West Peoria Fire Protection District
Pontiac Fire & Rescue

Southern Illinois
Alton Fire Department
Godfrey Fire Protection District
QEM Fire Protection District
City of Cairo Fire Department
Cairo Auxiliary Fire Department
Belleville Fire Department
Church Road Fire Protection District
East St. Louis Fire Department
East Side Fire Protection District
Fairmont City Fire Department
French Village Fire Department
Granite City Fire Department
Hamel Community Volunteer Fire Protection District
Madison Fire Department
Northwest St Clair County Fire Protection District
O’Fallon Fire Department
Sauget Fire Department
Signal Hill Fire Department
Smithton Volunteer Fire Company
St. Louis Downtown Airport Fire Department
Waterloo Fire Department

If you like to quilt, crochet, knit and appreciate a good book while you are curled up in a blanket, this is the event for you! The New York Times best-selling author of the Elm Creek Quilts novels, Jennifer Chiaverini comes to Peoria, IL to benefit Project Linus.

Project Linus is a National not for profit organization based in Central Illinois that provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gift of new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blankeeters.” Project Linus believes that the need for a sense of security, warmth and comfort has no borders. Since March of this year, Project Linus and their network of “blanketeers” have provided and distributed over 12,000 blankets to aid in recovery efforts for the earthquake in Japan and tornadoes in Alabama and Joplin, MO.

A Night with Jennifer Chiaverini
A Benefit for Project Linus

Presented by Handi Quilter and The Warm Company
Friday, July 22nd, 6:30 p.m.
Peoria Civic Center, Illinois

Chiaverini asked for help from her readers, Project Linus volunteers, and the community to determine the gender of expectant mother Sarah’s twins. To cast their “votes,” readers and volunteers created quilt blocks from a provided pattern, using red fabrics if they wanted Sarah to have two girls, blue fabrics for two boys, and purple for a boy and a girl. After quilters from around the world contributed more than a thousand quilt squares, Jennifer tallied the votes and is preparing to announce the winner on Friday, July 22nd!

Chiaverini will be sharing excerpts from her soon to be released book, The Wedding Quilt. Quilts made from the “votes” will be on display, and she will announce the gender of Sarah’s twins!

Tickets are available for $50 per person. Your ticket price includes keynote speaker Jennifer Chiaverini, dinner, viewing of quilts from the nationwide contest and supporting a great cause, Project Linus. Tickets are available at www.projectlinus.org or call 309-585-0686 for more information.

To spotlight “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” on June 15, Herget Bank is offering tips on how to identify and prevent elder financial abuse.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, seniors throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation.

“Seniors are valued members of our community, and it is our responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity,” explained Hope McAllister, Vice President of Risk Management at Herget Bank. “They can steer clear of financial abuse by being alert to the signs and knowing who to turn to for help.”

Herget Bank offers the following tips to our elder consumers:

· Never give your Social Security number, account numbers or other personal financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
· Don’t open e-mails from unknown sources, and beware of any notice claiming you have won a lottery.
· Shred receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before them away.
· Review your monthly accounts regularly for any unauthorized charges. Report lost or stolen checks immediately.
· Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure accuracy.
· Lock up your checkbook, account statements and other sensitive information when others will be in your home.
· Do business with companies you know are reputable, or first check their references and credentials. Beware of any home improvement contractor that comes to your door or tries to sell you services over the phone.
· If a stranger needs to send you payment for something, insist on a check for the exact amount. Never accept a check for more and wire the difference back.
· Never let someone pressure you into agreeing to loan terms before you’ve had a chance to review them in writing with a trusted advisor.
· Report any unusual account inquires you receive—whether by phone or e-mail—to your banker, who will take measures to protect your account and notify authorities.
· Carefully choose trustworthy people to act as your agent in all estate-planning matters.
· Talk to your local banker about any financial needs, concerns or questions.

June 18-19 & June 25-26, 2011

The Home Builders Association of Greater Peoria (HBAGP) has announced details of its 20th Annual Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is a freestyle new home tour showcasing new construction in multiple area communities. You decide where to go and which houses to see on this self-guided tour of incredible homes. This year’s entries include homes located in Metamora, Morton, Pekin, Peoria, Hanna City, Elmwood, Edwards, North Peoria area, Dunlap and Rome!

The event is open to the public and will feature 12 Builder Members of the Association proudly displaying 20 newly-constructed homes. The event will be held two consecutive weekends; June 18-19 and June 25-26, and the homes are open all four days from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free to tour the homes.

An official “Tour Guide” featuring information on each home and driving directions to the homes is available free of charge after June 16 by visiting any area CEFCU Member Center. The book will also be distributed in the Saturday, June 18 home delivery of the Peoria Journal Star. Visitors can even get started on the tour without a book in hand, as driving directions to visit the homes during the event dates can be obtained from the Association’s web site at www.peoriahba.com. Once you reach a Parade Home, books are available in each of the homes.

Parade Home visitors can take the “Bremer Challenge” and have a chance to win a $200 Pandora bracelet from Bremer Jewelry! Visitors must obtain stamps at 10 different parade homes on an official entry form that can be found in the Tour Book and on PeoriaHBA.com. No purchase is necessary to win. Complete contest rules are available on PeoriaHBA.com.

For a list of the participating builders and directions to the homes, visit the Association’s web site at www.peoriahba.com and become a fan of our “Peoria Parade of Homes” Facebook Page.

The public is invited to the Sun Foundation for concluding ceremonies of our Art & Science in the Woods 2011 program on Friday, June 17. Camp will be held June 13 – June 17 with 460 + students in attendance. Classes will be taught by professional artists and scientists from around the country in “classrooms” including prairies, wetlands, and woods at the Sun Foundation near Lacon, Illinois. There will be a silent auction from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on the 17th. Items for sale include works by artists, scientists, and students. Also available are raffle tickets for a Preston Jackson original to be awarded at our Winter Warming Celebration in January 2012. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and join us for a picnic supper at 5:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. we will begin our sharing celebration including exhibits and performances by our students and teachers.

Of special interest is a performance by storyteller Oba William King, his students and author Roland Jackson. The performance will feature the tale told in Jamari’s Drum, by Eboni Bynum and Roland Jackson with illustrations by Baba Wague Diakite. Little Jamari loves the sound of the great village drum and often sits at drummer Baba’s feet. “Why do you play every day?” he asks. “The drum is the keeper of peace in the village,” Baba replies. Time passes and many of the village elders pass on. One day Jamari agrees to take over the beating of the drum, to keep the peace. But little by little, he forgets his promise until disaster looms. Jamari’s Drum offers a simple, compelling lesson about duty and the greater good.

King is a teacher for Art and Science in the Woods and a Roster Artist for Illinois Arts Council ARTSTOUR program since 1996. His specialty is interactive presentations using poetry, storytelling and cultural songs. Since his debut with the National Association of Black Storytellers at the San Diego conference in 2006, King has been igniting audiences by masterfully combining his professional theatrical training with a distinct poetic style. King is an entertaining educator sharing the traditional art form of storytelling.

Roland Jackson, co-author of Jamari’s Drum, is a master drummer with 30 years of professional experience. He is co-founder of Friends of de Drums, a non-profit organization that helps children at risk and those with special needs. As a drum teacher for Young Audiences of America, a program focused on preserving African American cultural and ethnic identity, he is an advocate for all youth.

A new business has opened providing parents of children ages 3-5 years old a child care opportunity that is flexible, spontaneous, and affordable. Laughin’ and Learnin’ Playcare, located in Jump Start Gymnastics & Kids Activity Center at 8820 N Industrial Rd, Peoria, offers a fun, social, and educational DCFS licensed hourly child care option, without the time or financial commitment of a day-care. Laughin’ & Learnin’ is a professional program that is easier to arrange and more fun for children than a babysitter for your short term or last minute childcare needs.

Laughin’ & Learnin’ is a one-room concept, serving a mixed age group, allowing siblings to play and learn together. The program is operated by Marissa Manley, a degreed and CPR/First Aid certified childcare professional with over fifteen years of experience in the industry. Daily activities are planned around weekly themes and include arts and crafts, story time, centers, math/science projects, language/writing, music/dance, computers and exercise. With no long-term commitment, and a schedule that is flexible, parents can have uninterrupted time for things like errands or appointments.

Parents may register their children ahead of time, or just drop-in the day they are in need. Laughin’ and Learnin’ is open Monday through Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Monday through Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Children may stay a minimum of one hour to a maximum of three hours and must be potty trained. Student to teacher ratio is limited to 7:1. Cost of the program is $8.00 per hour or a punch card is available at reduced hourly rates. While you can drop in anytime, reservations are highly encouraged since space is limited.

For more information about Laughin’ and Learnin’ Playcare and all of the classes, programs and activities available at Jump Start Kids Activity Center, visit www.jumstartfun.com or call 692-5867 or visit us on Facebook.

The W. D. Boyce Council, Boy Scouts of America will honor Dr. Rita Ali, Executive Director of Diversity at Illinois Central College, with the 2011 Whitney M. Young Award. The event, chaired by Dr. John Erwin and Dr. Sharon Kherat, will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2011, at the Country Club of Peoria. The keynote speaker for the evening will be Ernest G. Green, one of the “Little Rock Nine”.

The celebratory event will honor Dr. Ali for her tireless and continuous efforts in improving the lives of youth throughout Central Illinois. She currently is the executive leader of college diversification at Illinois Central College where she creates, develops, and administers programs and services related to campus and community diversity.

Ernest G. Green attended Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas where he and eight other black students were the first to integrate Central High following the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education that declared segregation illegal. They later would become known as the “Little Rock Nine”.

The Whitney M. Young Celebration is named after Whitney M. Young, Jr., who was an educator and civil rights leader. The evening’s celebration will benefit the ScoutREACH program which works to provide youth from urban and rural communities an opportunity to join Scouting.

The celebration, in its third year, is put together by community leaders who believe in the positive impact Scouting has on our community. The Country Club of Peoria is located at 4700 N. Grandview Drive, Peoria Heights, Illinois.

Local powerlifter Job Abraria will represent the United States in the 2011 American Drug Free Powerlifting World Championships in Muskegon, MI June 24 through June 26.

The U.S. team will compete against lifters from Europe and Canada over the three day event. Lifters from over 70 countries will be represented. It will be the first-time ever for the U.S. to host the competition, which generally takes part in Europe.

Abraria maintains a rigorous training schedule, often working out seven days per week. Many days at two to three different local gyms. Outside of power lifting, he is a soccer player and longtime combat sports practitioner, studing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at Peoria Athletic Club.

Abraria will be competing in all the weekend strength activities over the three day competition. “Outside of my normal workout, I plan on getting stronger between now and meet time by watching the Rocky IV workout music montage at least twice a day.” Abraria said.

As part of the federation’s commitment to keeping athletes drug-free all are subject to random drug testing – and about 10 percent actually will be tested. Competitors must sign a statement saying he/she has not taken any strength-inducing drug (such as anabolic steroids, natural hormones or synthetic growth hormones) during the preceding five years. They must avoid prescription diuretics or psychomotor stimulants during the seven days before the competition. Violators face consequences, including suspension from the sport.