Bradley University alumnus Charley Steiner, the play-by-play announcer of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will give the keynote address for Bradley’s mid-year commencement on December 18 in the new on-campus arena.

Steiner will be recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the commencement ceremony.

Charley Steiner, one of the most popular and recognizable sports announcers in the United States, has been the play-by-play radio announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers for six years. In his first year with the Dodgers, USA Today ranked the Dodgers broadcast team of Steiner, Hall of Famer Vin Scully and Rick Monday as the best in major league baseball. He has called games in six countries, including the first major league game in China and Puerto Rico

The 1971 Bradley graduate was one of the early faces of ESPN. In his 14 years at the all-sports cable network, he distinguished himself as one of America’s foremost authorities on baseball and boxing, winning a Cable Ace award for his television special on Muhammad Ali and a Clarion Award for his coverage of the Mike Tyson rape trial. The four-time Emmy award winner also has been named UPI Best Sportscaster three times and won three New York State Broadcasters Association awards for best play-by-play.

Originally from New York City, Steiner began his career as a newscaster for WIRL radio in Peoria while he was a Bradley student. Following his graduation in 1971, he broadcast his first sports show for KSTT in Davenport, Iowa. After jobs in Connecticut and Cleveland, he entered the New York market in 1978 at WXLO radio, later moving to sister station WOR for several years before joining ESPN in 1988. Steiner served as the play-by-play man for the New York Yankees from 2002 to 2004, the New York Jets in the 1986 and 1987 seasons, and the New Jersey Generals from 1983 to 1985.

Steiner was inducted into the Bradley University Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the Centurion Society in 2003. He was recognized with the Lydia Moss Bradley Award in 1991. He established the Charles H. Steiner Endowed Scholarship at his alma mater in 2000.

Last December, Steiner returned to Bradley for the mid-year commencement ceremony when long-time friend Larry King gave the keynote address.

Steiner’s address will be the first time the University’s new $50 million arena is used for a mid-year commencement. The arena, home to Bradley’s Athletic Department and the women’s basketball and volleyball teams, was completed in August.

Steiner continues a Bradley tradition of bringing nationally distinctive speakers to commencement to inspire graduates and their families.

As of September 1, Julie Sanders, a seasoned marketing professional, joins McDaniels Marketing Communications as an account executive.

“We are looking forward to all that Julie will bring to our team,” Randall McDaniels, president of McDaniels Marketing, said. “Julie has a variety of experience not only with marketing, but with managing teams. She has experience in advertising, fundraising, budgeting, strategic planning and media. Her skills will be critical in helping our clients achieve measurable results and ensuring their marketing goals are met.”

Sanders has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of industries. Prior to joining McDaniels, she worked as an account executive for a Peoria-based agency, where she advised clients, developed strategic marketing plans, managed integrated marketing campaigns and led creative teams. Earlier in her career, Sanders was a district director for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, where she organized fundraisers, produced a live telethon broadcast, and made presentations to potential supporters and sponsors. She also worked as a television anchor, news reporter and photographer at WHOI-TV.

A free workshop on how to keep children safe in a world of social networking, online predators and sexting called “Living with the Dangerous Pitfalls of Technology,” will be offered Friday, September 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Center for Prevention of Abuse, 720 W. Joan Ct., Peoria.

The training is sponsored by the Tri County Child Abuse Prevention Coalition and presenters are Sarah Migas, Internet Safety Specialist, High Tech Crimes Bureau, Office of the Illinois Attorney General and Deputy Chief Michael Sullivan, High Tech Crimes Bureau, Office of the Illinois Attorney General.

Registration is limited. To register, email radair@familycore.org or call (309)682-4621.

“Learn what Healing Touch is all about!” – Tues. Sept. 28th. Cancer Center for Healthy Living, Hult Center Auditorium on Knoxville Rt. 40 at 6:00 pm – Free to attend.

Healing Touch sessions are now available on location, including hospitals, or anytime on Fridays by appointment at the Holistic Health Center, 4809 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL 61614 call – 309-383-4219 or 309-645-2033

Healing Touch is a nurturing, energy therapy. It is calming and non-invasive. It works in conjunction with and compliments all other medical fields.

The Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing has postponed its September 18, 2010 Gala to a future date that has to be determined. The OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation will be contacting ticket holders. The College of Nursing thanks everyone for their support.

Salvation Army personnel across the Carolinas have been notified of the potential impacts from Hurricane EARL. Personnel in coastal North Carolina communities are reviewing local response plans and procedures for the potential of localized deployment to impacted communities. As a result, all Salvation Army centers along and east of the Interstate 95 corridor through North Carolina have been notified to prepare for disaster response and service.

“Our focus at this time is to be prepared locally with a plan, personnel and resources so that our local Salvation Army Corps can provide assistance as required or requested in coordination with county and state emergency management officials”, said Mike Patterson, Emergency Disaster Services Director for the North & South Carolina Division.

The Salvation Army is coordinating with the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM) through a Salvation Army liaison officer.

The Salvation Army encourages all residents in Earl’s potential path to prepare an emergency supply kit, an evacuation plan and to stay informed of all warnings and potential protective actions. Disaster response professionals in North Carolina recommend visiting http://www.readync.org/for tips in developing their individual family preparedness plan.

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by Hurricane Earl to visit http://www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary donations will be used to meet immediate needs. The Salvation Army currently is not accepting donations of clothing and furniture for storm victims; however, please continue supporting your local Salvation Army thrift store and the much needed programs your in-kind gifts support.

Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center has many ways you can stay in shape including: Ladies Open Basketball and Volleyball nights, Turbo Kick and Quick Step Aerobics, Open Basketball and Lunch Hour Noon Ball, Fitness Center, Personal Training, and Men’s Basketball Leagues. Check out the times and days of the week online at www.peoriaparks.org/proctor-rec-center or pickup one of our Playbooks at a Park District facility or are merchant.

For more information on Proctor Recreation Center call Jonelle at 673-9183

Proctor Recreation Center will hold a Fundmental Skill Basketball Camp for boys and girls who love to play basketball and are not quite old enough to be a part of a league. The co-ed camp is for ages 4-6 and will be held Friday, September 24 through October 29 from 5:30-6:30 pm. A girls only camp for grades 1-4 will also be held on Friday, September 24 through October from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Children will learn to dribble, pass and shoot the basketball. The team sport of basketball also teaches sportsmanship and the importance of teamwork. The camp is taught by experienced coaches who love the game of basketball. All participants will receive a t-shirt. Cost of the camp is $25 per player.

Call Proctor Recreation Center at 673-9183 for more information.

Through no fault of their own, children born with a neurological disorder called dyslexia are faced with reading and writing roadblocks that have seemed insurmountable. Until now. Dyslexia can’t be cured, but it can be overcome. The program offered at the 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc. provides the most effective treatment of its kind in battling this reading disorder. No one else in the nation has a program remotely like it. We are committed to providing free, individualized tutoring for children with dyslexia and free training and certification for tutors, in an accredited program. In addition, we are also dedicated to researching data and analysis for the broader field of reading and spelling instruction.

Since 1994 when the first centers opened, over 5,000 children have been tutored at the Children’s Learning Centers and more than 750 tutors have received certification to carry out this important work. We are heartened by the fact that we have witnessed, both anecdotally and statistically, the positive effects that such tutoring has on the lives of dyslexic children, their families and their communities.

The Children’s Learning Center here in Peoria can’t continue this vital work alone, however. We need your help. On Saturday, September 25th, we’re asking you to lace up your sneakers, raise some funds, and take part in the 5K Walk/Run to Help Children with Dyslexia. Here’s just some of what you’ll enjoy by participating:

* A safe, picturesque route open to all ages and abilities.
* Commemorative T-shirts for those who register prior to the date of the WALK
* Entertainment along the event route
* Frequent water stops
* Fundraising rewards
* Post-event celebration

This fall, we have the opportunity to receive a matching grant— $10, 000 from IL Masonic Family Foundation— so every dollar we raise at these fundraisers in the fall is worth 50% more, raising funds to support the tutoring services children need to overcome dyslexia. However, in order to qualify for this grant, we need to raise a minimum of $20,000. We’re eager to have you sign up and help by joining us in this important cause. For more information call 1-781-862-8518.

The Peoria Learning Center is dedicated to helping area children who struggle with dyslexia, but we can’t aid them alone. Join us as we work to give children everywhere the chance to learn and reach their full potential.

SPONSORS: The 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children acknowledge the generous support of our corporate sponsors, without whom the WALK/RUN events could not take place.

EVENT HOSTED BY: The 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc.
The 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc. is a non-profit, Sec. 501(c)(3) corporation of the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. The Learning Center Corporation was established in 1994 as one of the Masonic charitable outreach programs.

Gerald & Mary Lynn Flaherty gift will allow completion of area

Gerald and Mary Lynn Flaherty are known to many in the Peoria area because of his 43-year career with Caterpillar. Many may not be aware they are among those who know all too well what it means to have a child born early. All three of their sons were born prematurely and required neonatal and pediatric specialty care. For this reason, the Flaherty’s have, as Jerry puts it, “a soft spot” in their hearts for children in need and the organizations that care for them.

This soft spot led to their involvement with OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois and their decision to donate $500,000, which will fund the Rooftop Garden outside the Pediatric Critical Care Floor of the new Children’s Hospital building. The Rooftop Garden was in the original plans for the Milestone Project but was pulled due to the need to spend funds elsewhere.

Caterpillar is matching the Flaherty’s gift. The rooftop garden is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011.

“Jerry and Lynn Flaherty understand how important it is to create a healing environment for anyone who has to be hospitalized, especially children,” said Paul Kramer, Children’s Hospital of Illinois President. “The rooftop garden outside the 4th floor of the new Children’s Hospital will be a very special area. The Flaherty’s gift to make the garden a reality is a dream come true for all of us at Children’s Hospital because we know what it will mean for our young patient’s and their families.”

Jerry Flaherty has served on various OSF advisory boards and is impressed by the “Sisters’ Mission and all the good they do in the community.”