The Peoria Park District’s Adult “Bags” League for teams of two on Thursday nights begins June 19 at Peoria Stadium. Cost per team is $45/residents, $50/non-residents.

This 8-game season concludes with a single elimination tournament for the top teams to determine the undisputed “bags” champion of Peoria.

Complete descriptions and league registration information is in the current Playbook and online at www.peoriaparks.org, or call (309) 688-3667 with questions.

Peoria Public Schools District 150 and several local community-based organizations join Comcast to address digital divide – Comcast extends Internet Essentials program indefinitely

PEORIA (June 3, 2014) – Peoria Public Schools District 150, the Peoria Public Library, a host of Peoria community- and faith-based organizations and local elected officials came together with Comcast today to announce the creation of an “Internet Essentials Learning Zone” in Peoria.  The Internet Essentials program helps close the digital divide by providing eligible families low-cost broadband service at home for about $10 a month.  Families also can purchase an Internet-ready computer through the program for about $150, as well as access digital literacy training sessions and materials online, in print and in person.  The zone, which spans the City of Peoria, will further expand Internet access, enhance digital literacy and help families via:

 ·        Free indoor WiFi service at a host of Peoria zone partners, including:

a.      Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria (Kansas and Grinnell Street locations); Dream Center Peoria; East Bluff Community Center; Glen Oak Community Learning Center; Harrison Community Learning Center; Hines Primary School; Kellar Primary School; Peoria Public Library (main, Lakeview, Lincoln, McClure and North branches); and St. Paul’s Baptist Church;

·        Digital literacy training programs in conjunction with zone partner organizations, such LISC Peoria, designed to educate parents and children about how to use the Internet effectively and safely, and parents about how to monitor their children’s online activity and school work; and

·        Events designed to inform parents about Internet Essentials and how they can enroll.

“The Internet Essentials Learning Zone is designed to help students succeed academically.  I’m pleased that students who live in or visit the zone will have expanded access to the Internet and be able to use it for homework, for research and to communicate with their schools and families.” said Dr. Grenita Lathan, Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools District 150.

Dr. Lathan added that students visiting several of the participating learning zone partner organizations also can gain access to free breakfast and lunch through the Summer Food Service Program, which is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  More information and menus can be found on the Peoria Public Schools website, located at www.psd150.org.

“The zone will extend learning opportunities beyond school walls by giving students access to computers and the Internet at libraries, community- and faith-based organizations many of them already visit for after-school and other programs,” said Matthew Summy, Regional Vice President of External and Government Affairs.

Comcast also announced that nationwide enrollment has increased to 300,000 households, which means the program now connects about 1.2 million low-income Americans – 100,000 in Illinois alone – to the Internet at home, many for the first time.  Comcast, which originally planned to stop accepting new applications at the end of the 2013-2014 school year, also announced recently that it will extend enrollment in the Internet Essentials program indefinitely.

About Internet Essentials – Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program.  It provides low-cost broadband service for $9.95 a month plus tax; the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150; and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in-person.  A household is eligible to participate if it has at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), is located where Comcast offers Internet service, has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days and does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. Families that enroll in the program can continue to enjoy the service as long as one child eligible to participate in the NSLP is living in the household.

For more information about Internet Essentials visit InternetEssentials.com for English and InternetBasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at InternetEssentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376 or, for Spanish, 1-855-765-6995.

PEORIA, IL – The City Council Chambers will undergo renovations beginning July 1, 2014. The renovations are expected to last through the end of 2014. Regularly scheduled City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The first City Council meeting of each month will be held in the Peoria County Board Room at the Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Room 403. The second meeting of each month will rotate to each of the Council Districts. The schedule and location for each meeting is below. Questions regarding the locations of Council meetings should be directed to Jason Meeks, Facilities Director, at JMeeks@peoriagov.org or (309) 494-8894.

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. and PEORIA, Ill. – June 04, 2014 — Ballston Spa National Bank and Welch ATM announced today that BSNB will provide its customers with surcharge-free ATM access at all 44 Rite Aid Pharmacy locations in New York’s Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Warren counties.

 
The ATM locations are surcharge-free, effective immediately, to bank customers using their BSNB debit card to withdraw cash.  
 
“With these new locations, BSNB significantly expands our customers’ access to cash throughout the region,” said BSNB President and CEO Christopher R. Dowd. “As we celebrate 175 years of community banking, BSNB remains committed to enhancing and expanding our delivery channels and the value we provide to customers and the community.” 
 
Welch ATM is providing new, fully compliant ATM machines and complete program management for Rite Aid.  “We are very excited to work with an innovative bank partner like BSNB and to help them seize an opportunity with a major retailer like Rite Aid to enhance customer service and increase brand awareness,” said Adam Hobelmann, Senior Vice President for Welch ATM.
 
To locate a Rite Aid pharmacy that hosts a surcharge-free ATM for BSNB customers, visit www.bsnb.com.

June 4, 2014 (Peoria, IL) — The City of Peoria, in conjunction with All-America City Committee, is hosting “Celebrating Peoria: You Told Us”, a community celebration of the one year anniversary of the All-America City award. At the event, the art initiative which asked residents and visitors “why” Peoria is in fact an All-America City will be unveiled. The event will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2014 from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Peoria Riverfront Museum (222 SW Washington St., Peoria, IL, 61602). This family-friendly event is FREE and open to the public and will include  food, prizes and fun!

The City of Peoria was awarded the distinction of being an All-America City for the fourth time in 2013. To celebrate the award, a community art initiative was started to ask residents and visitors “why” Peoria is in fact an All-America City. The feedback has been tremendous! The artwork will include the responses received throughout the past year. It will be a lasting piece of history that incorporates and celebrates all of the ways Peoria is an All-America City!

Additionally, during the event, the Peoria Riverfront Museum will offer free admission to The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® exhibit. This 6,000 sq. ft. exhibit is an adventure that takes you through the remarkable realms of scientific discoveries and real artifacts. For more information about the exhibit, please visit the Peoria Riverfront Museum at http://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/.

For more information about the “Celebrating Peoria: You Told Us” event, contact the City of Peoria, City Hall, at (309) 494-8524.

Inaugural event June 7-8

Peoria Heights, IL – Central Illinois is fortunate enough to have an abundance of talented artists, but they all need a way to showcase their work. The Village of Peoria Heights is announcing a new event in June that will give them that opportunity.

The 2014 Tower Park Art Festival is set for Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, at Tower Park in Peoria Heights. The festival will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Up to 35 artists and vendors are expected to participate in this inaugural event and the weekend will be filled with highlights.

On Saturday there will be an exhibit by the Illinois Art League. Then on Sunday the extraordinary Zoo Lady, who can paint more than 35 elaborate mask faces in an hour, will be on hand for face painting fun. There also will be art vendors, chalk artists, live musical performances, balloon animals and food vendors throughout the weekend.

Still accepting artists of all mediums, as well as chalk artists. For more information or to participate in the Tower Park Art Festival call (309) 686-2385 or email administration@peoriaheights.org.

Peoria –Peoria County’s Ninth Annual Emergency Expo will be held on Wednesday, June 18 at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Rain date is June 19, same time and location. Multiple local emergency response agencies will display their emergency equipment in the parking lot along War Memorial Drive for the public to explore & experience, free of charge. Emergency equipment featured at the Expo includes fire apparatuses, a fire safety house, mobile command units, armored vehicles, police squads and motorcycles, K-9 units, ambulance, and much more. First responders from participating agencies will be on hand to answer questions and offer equipment demonstrations.

 The following response agencies are currently participating in this free public event: Advanced Medical Transport, American Red Cross, Bartonville Police Department, Dunlap Fire Department, Elmwood Fire Department, Illinois Air National Guard, Illinois State Police, Logan-Trivoli Fire Department, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria City/County Health Department’s Medical Reserve Corps, Peoria County Animal Protection Services, Peoria County Emergency Management Agency, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Peoria Heights Police Department, Peoria Office of Emergency Management, Peoria Fire Department, Peoria Police Department, Princeville Fire Department, The Salvation Army, Tazewell County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency, and Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office.

 Individuals and families alike are encouraged to partake of this unique opportunity to explore emergency equipment and meet first responders. For more information on the Emergency Expo call Jenny Fulton, Director of Strategic Communications for Peoria County, (309) 672-6918.

Chris Vallillo: Abraham Lincoln in Song

06/07/14 2:00PM – 4:00PM

Chris Vallillo: Abraham Lincoln in Song – Main Library

The life of Abraham Lincoln spanned a period of change, growth and struggle in our young nation, and the music of his era movingly characterizes these remarkable times. Award-winning folksinger Chris Vallillo uses contemporary folk music, and period folk songs to shed light on one of history’s most beloved figures — not only as a remarkable leader, but as a man — who knew and loved many of these very songs himself. Abraham Lincoln in Song has been endorsed by the National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Commissions of Illinois, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Chris will have CDs available for purchase with 20% going to our Friends of the Library. This program is appropriate for all ages.

Lincoln: the Constitution and the Civil War, a traveling exhibition for libraries, was organized by the National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling exhibition has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Lincoln: the Constitution and the Civil War is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center.

Music in the McKenzie Presents: Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen

06/08/14 2:00PM – 4:00PM

Music in the McKenzie Presents: Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen – North Branch

Music in the McKenzie is proud to present singer/songwriter Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen in June.   Midwestern ideals, small town luxuries, and family make up the sound of Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen. Rego, a Wisconsin native, is backed by Kankakee County Musicians Matt Yeates (drums), Eric Fitts (bass, mandolin), and Cory Ponton (guitar, banjo). For more information, visit www.regorego.com. CD sales will benefit the Friends of the Peoria Public Library.