The Peoria Park District will host its first “Dancing Under the Stars” event on Thursday, June 16 at the Glen Oak Amphitheatre. Learn the basics of swing and lindy hop during a dance lesson from 7:00-8:00 p.m. followed by open dancing from 8:00-9:30 p.m. Music provided by DJ Matt Vazquez. Admission is free.

Two more “Dancing Under the Stars” events will be offered this summer. Learn salsa and other Latin dances on Thursday, June 30, and enjoy another night of swing dancing on Thursday, July 14.

For more information, contact Linda Huff at 681-2861 or visit www.peoriaparks.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PeoriaAmp.

Program continues to offer opportunities during tough economy

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) has introduced bipartisan legislation along with New York City Congressman Charles Rangel to extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit that is set to expire at the end of this year. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a federal tax credit authorized by Congress, has played a vital role in providing assistance for individuals who are looking for work, but also receive public assistance from the government. The program assists individuals who fall within one of twelve categories who have historically faced significant barriers to employment and continues to serve as a principle part of the country’s welfare to work efforts since its introduction in the mid 1990’s.

As the economy continues to recover and jobs remain scarce, the WOTC has served as a critical link for job seekers who, in many cases to no fault of their own, are forced to seek government assistance once laid off, or are entering the job market for the first time, which is the case for many veterans.

The WOTC is designed to move individuals from a position of public assistance to self-sufficiency as they seek employment to become more financially stable; which will ultimately benefit the individual as well as their family. Many WOTC jobs include work in the retail and hospitality industries. In return the employers who participate in the program are compensated by being able to reduce their federal income tax liability. Currently, participating employers can receive up to $2,400 for each new adult hire, the largest participating group are hires of members of families receiving benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.

The tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year, but many believe that while unemployment remains at record high levels across the country extending this tax credit serves as a critical lifeline for individuals who may not be able to find work otherwise and are forced to seek additional government assistance. Schock’s legislation would extend the tax credit for three more years and in the process would expand the program to reach more unemployed veterans, many whom have faced a very difficult transition as they return to civilian life after their time in the military. Unemployment among returning veterans younger than 24 years of age was 14.1 percent in 2008, outpacing the general population’s rate of 11.6 percent for the same age group. The extension would also focus more attention on high risk youth and would speed up the time from when an employer hires a WOTC employee to when the tax credit is received. All this, Schock hopes, will put more people on a path to a steady income, a more stable family life and will reduce the amount spent on welfare to work programs.

The groups that WOTC assist include: Long-term TANF recipients, other TANF recipients, Veterans, 18-39 year old SNAP (food stamp) recipients, 18-39 year old designated community residents, 16-17 year-old summer youth, vocational rehabilitation referral, ex-felon’s, SSI recipients, Hurricane Katrina employee, Unemployed Veteran, and High Risk Youth.

Bradley University has been named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to community service.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth.

Bradley students gave more than 47,000 hours of community service and volunteerism for more than 200 agencies last year and raised approximately $192,000 dollars for local, national, and international charities. They also donated more than 6,500 articles of clothing, 2,500 cans of food, and two truckloads of furniture and other home goods to the community. Students also organized 19 blood drives, which collected 840 pints of blood.

CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.

June 4, 2011 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m.
Knights of Columbus, 715 N. 11th Street, Pekin , IL 61554

HUGE SILENT AUCTION!
50/50 Raffle Tickets!

What causes heat-related illness?
Normally, the body is efficient at keeping itself cool — perspiring and letting heat escape through the skin. The evaporation of sweat cools the skin. But if the body cannot cool itself well enough, people can become ill.

Indeed, when temperatures climb over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, people become susceptible to heat-related illness — especially young children and the elderly. Exposure can cause serious injury or, in rare cases, death, if left unattended.

Know the terms
• Heat wave: More than 48 hours of high heat (90 degrees F or higher) and high humidity (80 percent relative humidity or higher) are expected.
• Heat index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit that tells how hot it really feels with the heat and humidity. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F.
• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs. It is thought that the loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes cramps.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly.
• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

Stay cool
• Dress for the heat. Wear a hat, and breathable, moisture-wicking, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy.
• Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you, and remember to intake fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies.
• Eat small meals, and eat more frequently.
• Slow down. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest parts of the day, generally before 7:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m.

Avoid …
• Drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat’s effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which dehydrates the body.
• Foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
• Salt tablets, unless directed to do so by a physician.

Take special care
People at higher risk for heat-related illness should take extra care to avoid a problem by taking breaks from activity, seeking a cool place, and drinking at least eight glasses of water a day or more if exercising or working strenuously. This includes:
• People working or exercise outdoors
• The elderly and young children
• Those with circulation or breathing problems
• People who have ingested alcohol
• People taking certain medications or who have medical conditions that may cause poor blood circulation or reduced ability to tolerate heat. Discuss these concerns with a physician.

THE TROLLEY TOURS START JUNE 2, 2011, AND RUN THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2011. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.PEORIAHISTORICALSOCIETY.ORG

YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT ME AT (309)674-1921 FOR A BROCHURE.

Legislator files measure to address critical health issue

WHAT: In response to continued rising costs for specialty tier medications, State Representative Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) filed House Resolution 450 Tuesday that would recommend the Illinois Department of Insurance to study the impact of rising costs of specialty tier medications on chronically ill patients and to identify ways to lower the cost of specialty tier medications.

While the legislation is under consideration, Gordon is partnering with the Arthritis Foundation of Greater Illinois to address the concerns of community members and local organizations by hosting a forum discussing how to navigate the challenges and costs of specialty tier medications.

Tiers are often labeled “generic,” “preferred,” and “non-preferred” and each tier has a set amount that we are required to pay for the medication. In response to the increasing costs of specialty drugs, many health plans have instituted a fourth tier, called “specialty tier” that requires individuals to pay a percentage of the cost of the most expensive medications as opposed to a fixed amount.

Peoria area residents will hear from Dr. Dennis McManus from OSF St. Francis Medical Center and Heidi Koll-Pio from the Arthritis Foundation of Greater Illinois as they discuss the rising costs of specialty tier drugs and how this impacts individuals with chronic diseases.

WHO: State Representative Jehan Gordon, Dr. Dennis McManus, OSF St. Francis Medical Center Heidi Koll-Pio, director of health promotions for the Arthritis Foundation, Greater Illinois Chapter, Peoria, Peoria area community members

WHEN: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Public check-in begins at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Peoria Riverplex, 600 NE Water Street, Peoria

Appointment gives museum greater access to collections

Lakeview and Peoria Riverfront Museum President and CEO James Richerson has been elected to serve on the inaugural Smithsonian Affiliations Advisory Council — an appointment that will give Lakeview Museum and the future Peoria Riverfront Museum greater access to the Smithsonian Institution’s vast collection of artifacts.

“I’m very pleased to have been asked,” Richerson said. “Out of over 100 Affiliates, they picked me. I hope I represent the Midwest well.”

Director of Smithsonian Affiliations Harold Closter said the Advisory Council is a good way to measure the Affiliates program and improve it. “The Council will be giving us advice and feedback on how the Affiliations program is performing and it will help us plan for the future,” he said. According to Closter, the Council is made up of just 10 representatives chosen from over 160 Smithsonian Affiliates. Members were chosen for leadership in the museum field and active participation in the Affiliates program.

“Jim is a proven leader in the museum field in America in general,” Closter said. “He has been a very active and thoughtful participant in the program and he’s done quite a lot to bring the Smithsonian to Peoria.”

Lakeview has been a Smithsonian Affiliate since August 2000. Attaining such an affiliation was one of Richerson’s first initiatives when he took over the helm of the museum earlier that year. The program gives the museum access to the nation’s largest collection of artifacts and other historical items.

One of Richerson’s initial ideas for the Council is a traveling “Smithsonian sampler,” a collection of items from each of the 16 Smithsonian museums that would showcase the American story and the artifacts the Institution has collected.

“We could connect it with some social media, have people vote on the coolest object or favorite artifact, and then end the traveling exhibition with a big show in Washington,” Richerson said. Richerson said the biggest advantage his appointment will bring is increased access and awareness of the Smithsonian’s collection. “It positions the museum to have greater access to the America’s most prominent collection,” he said. “There are over 137 million artifacts in the Smithsonian collection, and having a seat increases my knowledge of what’s out there and our ability to tap that collection.”

One example of this advantage is the Peoria Falcon, a Native American copper carving the Smithsonian received 150 years ago. After becoming an Affiliate, Richerson was able to go to the Smithsonian and bring that piece of Peoria history back to the city.

Although the Institution had basic information on the Falcon, Lakeview was able to further research this important object and share that information with the Smithsonian.

“It helps Peoria realize that we’re part of a global picture,” Richerson said. “You have this phenomenal collection, and the whole reason behind the Affiliates is that this is the collection of the people and it needs to be seen outside of Washington.”

Richerson’s appointment to the Advisory Council isn’t just a feather in Peoria’s cap; it’s a real chance for Peoria to get greater access to America’s most prominent collection of historical artifacts and bring more of it to the people of central Illinois.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is a collaborative effort of Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences, Peoria Historical Society, Illinois High School Association (IHSA), African American Hall of Fame Museum, Peoria Regional Museum Society, The Nature Conservancy, Heartland Foundation and Caterpillar Inc. Features include a giant screen digital theater; state-of-the-art planetarium; Illinois River exhibit; Peoria history gallery; children’s Discovery Worlds; galleries for fine arts, folk art and international features; and the IHSA Peak Performance Center.

For many Americans, Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start to a summer season of backyard barbeques, beach going and weekend road trips. It’s also the start of peak season for water consumption in many states. According to the U.S. EPA’s 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 has released a “Top Ten” list of consumer tips for conserving water and identifying and preventing leaks.
1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. An easy test to tell if your lawn needs water is to simply walk across the grass. If the lawn springs back you don’t need to water, but if you leave footprints, water may be needed. An added benefit of watering less often is that fewer, deep-soaking waterings encourage deep root growth and stronger turf.
2. Water in the early morning. As much as 30 percent of water can be lost to evaporation by watering during midday.
3. Set your lawn mower one notch higher to make your lawn more drought tolerant.
4. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway or patio.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save eight gallons per day.
10. Regularly check your toilet, faucets and pipes for leaks and have them fixed promptly. An easy test for toilet leaks from EPA WaterSense: 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.

In addition to regularly providing conservation education to customers, American Water recently created a PSA campaign in conjunction with the Student Conservation Association and the EPA, to educate consumers about wise water use. Currently airing on more than 80 stations across the country, the PSAs and links to useful water conservation resources can be viewed at www.savewatertoday.org.

The Illinois Woman’s Press Association judges used phrases like, “creative,” “innovative” and an “ingenious coupling of industry and non-profit” when they awarded Bradley University’s Super Cell PR six first places for their senior class project in public relations.

The awards were presented during the IWPA awards luncheon on May 21 in Chicago. Super Cell PR principals Bethany Doty (Elgin, IL), Megan King (Godfrey, IL), Dassie Rice (Knoxville, IL) and Caitlyn Stoeckley (New Lenox, IL) formed the temporary firm last Fall as members of Dr. Ron Koperski’s senior project class.

The awards were
First Place for Public Relations Campaign for a Non-Profit Institution:
First Place for Social Media Campaign, Facebook;
First Place Social Media Campaign for Twitter Account,
First Place for Podcast News Broadcast
First Place for Brochure 4-color Design,
First Place for Media Feature Release written for Non-Profit

The PR project allied a construction crew from Becker Construction Company with the non-profit Advocates for Access, an agency working to help elderly and handicapped people to stay in their homes. The project is continuing to flourish under the unique combination. It is also inspiring other construction companies and received national recognition in national industrial publications.

As recent graduates of Bradley’s Public Relations program, all four women are pursuing careers in the advertising/ public relations field.