East Bluff residents will soon be able get a book to read by strolling over to an outdoor library! The city’s first Little Free Library will be unveiled at 5:00 p.m. on May 7^th on the grounds of the EastBluffCommunity Center, 511 E. Kansas St.

The Little Free Library is a nationwide program whereby donated books are stocked in a box similar to a bird house. The box is attached to a post which is securely installed at a public location. Children and parents are encouraged to take a book to read and return it for their neighbors to read. Peoria’s Little Free Library was developed by residents and service providers in a coalition called East Bluff – Build it Up! East Bluff resident and coalition member Herb Gress, with assistance from Americorps worker Zack Teague, built the library with funds provided by Peoria Opportunities Foundation.

For information, or to donate books, contact Jane Genzel at 672-5212

Peoria Zoological Society invites you to adopt one of the Amur Tigers to support the Peoria Zoo! The Tiger A.D.O.P.T. promotion is now available to adopt at the $50 level and includes complimentary tiger plush. You can adopt an animal as an individual, group or give an adoption as a gift. 

Adoptive Zoo Parents Will Receive:

• Certificate of Adoption
• Fact Sheet
• The quarterly newsletter, Zoo Tales
• Name recognition on the Adoption Board at the Peoria Zoo.
• Tiger Plush

The application and materials are available at the Peoria Zoo’s Safari Gift Shop. For more information, please call the Peoria Zoological Society at (309) 681-3500. This promotion is limited and available while supplies last.

Zoo Adoptions are available at $50, $100, $150, & $200 for all animals! After all, Animals Depend on People, Too! Adoptions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For special School Group or Birthday Party ADOPT information, please call the Education Department at (309) 681-3513.

Questions about A.D.O.P.T.?  Please call (309) 681-3500 or email pzs@peoriaparks.org. Visit our website at www.peoriazoo.org.

Wednesday, May 7 will mark the third annual “Bike to School Day.” The national event is being coordinated by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, and is an extension of the successful International Walk to School Day held each October.

There are nearly 60 different events planned throughout the state for “Bike to School Day,” and increase from nearly 50 events in 2013. The event is to promote the benefits of bicycling to school. In 2001, only 16 percent of kids biked or walked to school as opposed to 42 percent in 1969, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 Biking to school provides physical activity to help maintain good health and a healthy weight. “Biking is one part of many solutions,” commented Ed Barsotti, executive director of the League of Illinois Bicyclists.Numerous studies have also shown that physical activity can help children perform better academically in school as well as have less behavioral issues. An increase in biking to school, as well as walking to school, also decreases motorized traffic congestion in the community.

Although bicycling is a safe activity, all bicyclists should wear helmets and should make sure that they are wearing their helmets correctly. The League of Illinois Bicyclists has produced an online bike safety curriculum, with modules for children bicyclists, adult cyclists and motorists. LIB encourages students and parents to visitwww.bikesafetyquiz.com to learn about safety skills and relevant state laws for bicyclists and motorists. 

Peoria, IL – Sixteen teams of students will be in Peoria this Friday for the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Scholastic Bowl State Finals.

A total of 16 teams will play in Peoria – eight teams in Class A and eight teams in Class AA. All teams participating will play three rounds. Each class is divided into two pools of four teams. The winners of each pool will meet for the championship of their respective class while the runners-up in each pool will play for 3rd place honors in round 4.

 Competitions begin at 1:00 p.m. May 9 at the Civic Center in both classes. Championship matches will be played at 5:00 p.m. The awards assembly will begin immediately after the conclusion of the final round.

The price of admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for seniors (62 and over) and students (K-8), and is good for the entire tournament. Children younger than kindergarten are admitted free.

Complete pairings for each state final, the results after the competition on Friday, and the FanZone can be found at www.iesa.org.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Aaron Schock introduced a bipartisan-backed measure aimed at extending the time period for surviving military spouses to designate a portion of their benefits to Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts. He was joined by three original co-sponsors: Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.); and Rep. Niki Tsongas (D- Mass.).

“Every year, thousands of Americans face the loss of an active duty or national guard family member. Ensuring the financial well-being of their surviving spouses and children is a top priority of the United States government. Under current law, however, we do not allow these families adequate time to make important decisions about how to plan for life without their loved one. That’s why I’ve introduced H.R. 4559 – to offer these families the time they need to grieve without feeling rushed to make decisions about how to best allocate their survivor payments,” Rep. Schock said of his bill.

“This bipartisan, commonsense legislation deserves urgent consideration by Congress, and I will work with my colleagues to facilitate quick committee action and a floor vote before the end of this year.”

The bill, H.R. 4559, will extend from one to three years the time that a beneficiary of a military gratuity payment will have to decide what portion he/she wishes to contribute to a nontaxable individual retirement account or an education savings account for surviving children. Since 2008, military survivors have had the option to invest these payments into select retirement and education savings accounts, bypassing the usual limits set by current tax law. For many military families, this can be a very significant step toward providing for retirement or a child’s education.

According to reports from the Army Survivor Outreach Service, approximately 25 percent of Army survivors are not ready to make significant financial decisions during the first year after the loss of a service family member.

The Schock bill, therefore, recognizes that many families are not yet ready to make these important financial decisions and extends the time period to three years. By correcting this inadequacy in the tax code, H.R. 4559 will provide greater support for military families and relieve surviving spouses from making significant financial decisions under pressure of a truncated federal time limit.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, where Rep.  Schock is a Member.

The bill is supported by numerous military and veterans advocacy groups, including the Military Coalition. Kathleen Moakler, Survivor Program’s Chairman for the Military Coalition offered the following endorsement of H.R. 4559:

“Extending the time period during which this can be done from 1 year to 3 years will be a great help to surviving spouses, parents and children. Often, surviving family members are not able to make quick financial decisions in those first months after the loss of a loved one. This extension will help them in creating a strong financial plan for their future. The Military Coalition supports H.R. 4559 and pledges its full support for enactment this year.”

Other groups supporting the measure are:
National Military Family Association, US Army, Gold Star Wives, Gold Star Mothers, Air Force Association, Military Officers Assn. of America, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), Military Order of the Purple Heart, Air Force Women Officers Associated, National Association for Uniformed Services, AMVETS, National Guard Assn. of the US, Army Aviation Assn. of America, Assn. of Military Surgeons of the United States, Naval Enlisted Reserve Assn., Assn. of the US Army, Non Commissioned Officers Assn. of the United States of America, Association of the United States Navy, Reserve Enlisted Assn. of the US, Commissioned Officers Assn. of the US Public Health Service, Inc., Reserve Officers Assn., CWOA US Coast Guard, Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces, The Military Chaplains Assn. of the USA, Fleet Reserve Assn., The Retired Enlisted Assn., USCG Chief Petty Officers Assn., Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, US Army Warrant Officers Assn., Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corps Reserve Association.

Peoria – Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) celebrates the 99th annual “Be Kind to Animals Week,” May 4 – 10. The American Humane Association created the week-long observance in 1915 to encourage compassion toward animals. PCAPS marks this year’s event by raising awareness about animals in our communities and celebrating the unique bond between humans and animals.

In Peoria, more than 2,300 dogs and 3,000 cats enter the shelter each year. Peoria County Board members are committed to reducing the number of animals needing shelter by supporting important adoption, rescue, and spay/neuter programs, as well as providing progressive and proactive animal control services. 

Be kind to your animal(s) all year round and have it spayed or neutered and encourage your friends and family to do so as well. Remember to keep a rabies registration tag on our pet and microchip your pet; it’s a lost pet’s ticket home! If your pet is missing, check with PCAPS immediately and often.

Also, keep your animal safely confined at home. Report any suspected animal abuse to PCAPS. You can also commit to adopting your next pet from an animal shelter. Animals for adoption at PCAPS can be viewed at www.petharbor.com; search Peoria as the city and select Peoria County Animal Protection Services from the list of shelters.

For more information about volunteering or special programs, contact PCAPS at (309) 672-2440.

An arrest warrant for Mr. John McCavitt was issued today for 7 counts of Aggravated Child Pornography and 3 counts of Child Pornography.  McCavitt turned himself into authorities and was released after posting the required bond.  The arrest warrant resulted from information that was obtained during an internal investigation conducted by the Peoria Police Department into off duty actions of McCavitt which occurred in 2013 at McCavitt’s home in Peoria.  McCavitt has been employed as a Peoria Police Officer since June, 2007.  During the process of the internal investigation evidence of new crimes were discovered.  The investigations continue.  McCavitt will continue to be on Administrative Leave (unpaid) pending the conclusion of this criminal investigation and subsequent internal investigation.     

Five Points Washington is excited to announce that a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be held on June 7, 2014 beginning at 9:00 AM at Five Points Washington.  The tournament will be open to both boys and girls entering grades six thru eight in the fall.  The tournament will be limited to 32 teams divided into eight pools with 3 to 4 players per team.  Each team will play a minimum of three games of ten minutes each.  Teams with the best record in each pool will advance to the championship bracket.

Personal Trainer and Event Organizer, Dericco Reed said, “We have been looking for ways to expand our organized activities for young people.  In January, we added the Les Mills ‘Born to Move’ group exercise classes for ages 6 – 12.  And, now that we have completed our new addition of dedicated group exercise classrooms, our gym facility is available for more of the activities for which it was designed.  This 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will provide another opportunity for young people to have fun, stay fit, and compete in an organized, supervised event.”

Registration forms are available at www.fivepointswashington.org or at the front desk.  Team registration fee is $100 until May 24, 2014 or $120 after May 24.  Registration form and non-refundable fee must be received by June 2, 2014.  The registration form and fee should be returned to the front desk or mailed to: Five Points Washington, 360 N. Wilmor Rd., Washington, Illinois 61571; Attn. Dericco Reed

Zoo To Do, a fundraising gala by Peoria Zoological Society, will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Peoria Zoo. This special event will include a 3-course gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Ryan Dunkle and Steve Fosdick of Two25 Restaurant. Animals from the education collection will roam the event with their keepers, and guests will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes into the night quarters for an exclusive look at what happens every day at Peoria Zoo. This event also includes cocktails, hors’ d oeuvres and entertainment. 

Tickets are $125 each or $250 per couple. VIP tickets are available for $150 per person and include VIP Cocktails and Giraffe Tales at 5:30 pm. Tickets are available for purchase at the Front Desk/Safari Gift Shop at Peoria Zoo, or by calling (309) 681-3500. Tables of 10 are available.

This night at Peoria Zoo will also include the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win a gorgeous sterling silver ring from Pettet Jewelry Designs featuring a L`eau Courbe`e Mother of Pearl, which is found along the picturesque shores of the Illinois River in Peoria. Tickets for the raffle are one for $10, three for $20 or eight for $50. A live auction and a silent auction will also take place.

All proceeds benefit the Peoria Zoological Society. Peoria Zoological Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and realizing the “new” Peoria Zoo. Not able to attend? Donations are accepted and greatly appreciated! Make checks payable to Peoria Zoological Society (PZS) and mail to: 2320 N. Prospect Road, Peoria, IL61603. PZS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization; all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For more information, contact Brenda O’Russa, Peoria Zoological Society Development Director, at (309) 681-3504. Visit our website at www.peoriazoo.org.

The Peoria Park District’s Minors (ages 9-10) and Majors (ages 11-12) baseball seasons begin May 19 and run through July 12. Players can choose from teams at Franciscan Rec Complex, Kellar School, and Von Steuben. Cost for Minors is $53/residents, $58/non-residents. Cost for Majors is $58/residents, $63/non-residents.

Players must attend a mandatory meeting on May 14 at Lakeview Recreation Center.

Visit www.peoriaparks.org/baseball for more complete descriptions, requirements and online registration.