In recognition of National Food Safety Month, the Peoria City/County Health Department would like to remind you that food borne agents cause an estimated 76 million illnesses annually in the United States. National public health surveillance data provides some insight into the causes of food borne illness, types of implicated foods, and where food borne outbreaks occur. This information is routinely evaluated by local health departments in an effort to implement food safety strategies to prevent and control food borne illness within our community.

The food safety data reveals that certain individuals, including those with a compromised immunity, are particularly susceptible to food borne agents. These people are considered high-risk for food borne illness, because they tend to get sick from unsafe foods more often than the rest of the population. Young children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with a chronic illness or receiving medical treatment are considered high-risk consumers with respect to food borne illness.

Health department staff in the performance of their food safety inspections work with restaurant employees to assure a safe meal is served to consumers. Food safety measures utilized by food service workers can include purchasing food from safe sources, cooking food adequately, holding food at proper temperatures, using clean equipment, and following appropriate personal hygiene practice.

Additionally consumers need to understand their risk for suffering a food borne illness and make informed food choices. High-risk customers should order fully cooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs. Consumers should also be aware of their own food allergies and avoid foods that can cause reactions. Consumers also need to be aware that infants and preschool children can get sick from food more easily than adults because their immune systems are still developing.

While restaurants and customers have choices, individuals also need to remember these food safety choices when they treat others to meals or serve friends at home.

For more information about the Peoria City/County Health Department’s Food Safety Program call 309-679-6161. For more information on other public health issues, visit us at www.pcchd.org

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.

The Newcomers’ Club of Greater Peoria will hold its next monthly luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 at Wine Country, 4600 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria Heights, IL, 61616.

Kevin Smith, American Gem Society Registered Jeweler from Bremer Jewelry, will speak about current diamond trends.

Meal price is $15. (Reservations are required.) Babysitting is available at United Presbyterian Church for a fee, if reserved in advance.

This event is open to the public, and the Newcomers’ Club is open to all women who have lived in the tri-county area for less than five years or who have had a recent lifestyle change.

For additional information or to make a reservation, contact Gina Isada at 309-840-4569 or e-mail newcomerspeoriaillinois@gmail.com.

Do you like to cook? Do your children?

Join Children’s Hospital of Illinois and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for a night of fun and tasty nutrition where you and your child get cookin’ – together!

Kids in the Kitchen
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM

OR

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM

The RiverPlex, 600 NE Water St., Peoria
Cost: $8 per Parent/Child pair – $2 for each additional child

Food samples and recipe booklet will be provided.

For more information or to register, contact Jenna Bishop, Dietetic Intern, at 309-655-2981.
Reservations requested by September 14th.

Mid Illini Surgical Associates (MISA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Subhash Nagalla will join its surgical team on September 1, 2010. A Board certified surgeon, Dr. Nagalla is one of only two physicians in the Peoria area who has been fellowship-trained in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, FL. The other is Dr. Jayaraj Salimath, who is also a surgeon at MISA.

Weight Loss Alternatives
Dr. Nagalla specializes in minimally invasive, bariatrics and general surgery and will be available to offer consultations on weight management and the latest bariatric treatments, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and Lap-Band® surgery in his weight loss clinic.

“The study of the causes, treatment and prevention of obesity, bariatrics helps to provide the most effective solutions for many patients,” Dr. Nagalla said. “As obesity becomes more common in the United States, those who have this condition need more alternatives to maintain their best health.” He added that obesity can result from a combination of heredity, health problems and lifestyle.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is determined by using weight and height to calculate body mass index. Statistics indicate that 26.7 percent of today’s Americans are obese, and the number is rising. Some age and ethnic groups show an even higher prevalence.

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) will join with the top Republican on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL) to discuss the need for a Highway bill to generate economic growth in Peoria on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

WHO: Congressman Aaron Schock & Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member John Mica
WHERE: Where Illinois Route 6 dead ends near the CAT Mossville facility
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug 31 at 11:00 a.m.

A record number of rubber ducks competed in the 22nd Annual Duck Race to benefit The Center for Prevention of Abuse presented by Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino. With 20,000 ducks competing—nearly 3,000 more than participated last year—the first ducks to cross the finish line won exciting prizes for local residents who adopted them.
Winners are as follows:

$5,000 cash from South Side Bank -Jeanne Buysee
LG 55” LCD HDTV, valued at $1,500 from Sherman’s – Shannon Shaver
$1,000 gift card from Macy’s – Jamesetta Porter
$700 gift card from Kroger – Joseph Glad
$500 gift card from Shoppes at Grand Prairie – Daetta Jones
$250 gift card from Kull Scape Landscaping – Morris Bittner
$100 gift card from MacDonald Shell – Nancy Egger
$100 gift card from Metro Centre – Times Newspapers
$100 gift card from Little Caesars Pizza – Joan Clancy
$100 gift card from Avanti’s Italian Restaurant – Dorothy Ritschel
$100 gift card from Alexander’s Steakhouse – Lisa Gillespie
$100 gift card from Ruby Tuesday – Robert Runkle

“The Duck Race is a fun way for The Center to raise funds and public awareness in our community,” explained Martha Herm, executive director. “The more people know about our services to stop abuse, the more effective we all become in keeping our communities safe.”

The outside northbound lane of University will be closed and traffic reduced to one lane between Florence Avenue and War Memorial Drive, starting Tuesday, August 31, 2010, for approximately one week. The contractor will be working on drive approaches and walks at the new McDonald’s.

Please plan an alternate route as delays are expected. As always, please drive safely through construction zones.

Council Members Eric Turner and Jim Montelongo will hold their monthly breakfast chat on Thursday, September 2, 2010. The chat will take place at Peoria City Hall in Room 112, at 7:30 a.m.

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary announces its 58th Annual Style Show, to be held at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn City Centre, Peoria, on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. Guests to either of the two shows, the luncheon or the evening dessert show, will see the latest fashions from area stores.

Stores participating this year include azura, A BOUTIQUE EXPERIENCE, Christopher & Banks/C. J. Banks, HARP & THISTLE IMPORTS LTD., JoS. A. Bank, A Perfect Pear Boutique, ONE MORE PEAR SHOE BOUTIQUE, Pink Sugar boutique, Sassy Lady and Talbots.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

On September 10, to promote Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Peoria City/County Health Department and Methodist Wellmobile will host the first of several FREE prostate screening events for Peoria County residents. Any man 50 years of age or older, men 40 years or older who are African-Americans or have a family history of a prostate cancer, and are uninsured are eligible to receive a PSA blood screening at these events.

The Methodist Wellmobile will be offering appointments for FREE blood screens for PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen), cholesterol, and glucose from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at 2116 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria on the following dates:
*September 10
*October 5
*November 12
*January 21
*February 11

To make an appointment for the free blood screenings through the Methodist Wellmobile, call the Peoria City/County Health Department at 679-6690.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in American men. Approximately, one out of every six American men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. The PSA blood test is one tool your doctor can use to help in reviewing your risk for prostate cancer.

The Health Department is also offering free prostate cancer awareness presentations to community, faith-based and social service organizations. For more information about prostate cancer presentations or the free screenings, call the Peoria City/County Health Department at 679-6690. For other information on public health issues, visit our website at www.pcchd.org.