THE LIVING TO SERVE FOUNDATION, INC. IS JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER’S DAY!

Peoria, Native, R&B and Soul Sensation, Liv Warfield is coming back home as an honored guest 
Peoria, IL—The Living to Serve Foundation Inc, and The XFactor Agency have entered a joint venture to raise funds for George Washington Carver Center and The Living to Serve Foundation Inc. by bringing the residents of Central Illinois Ms. LiV Warfield as an honored guest. LiV Warfield, a native to Peoria, IL, has one of the most distinct and promising voices in R&B/Soul. LiV’s performed alongside a host of legendary artists such as Al Green, B.B. King, Dave Matthews Band, The Roots, among others. LiV earned a spot in Prince’s backing vocal group the New Power Generation. After the legendary performer watched her YouTube audition tape she sent him, he became one of her greatest celebrity supporters, proven with an offer to sing on his 2010 album Lotusflow3r. Since becoming a member of the New Power Generation, Liv credits Prince as her ultimate music mentor. She currently has a new album out entitled “The
Unexpected” which was released on February 18, 2014.

LiV is set to visit Peoria on May 9th where she will attend a meet and greet held at George Washington Carver Center, 710 W. 3rd Street, Peoria, IL, scheduled from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. This event is by invite only.

On May 10th – LiV will be honored during an elegant dinner at Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette Hotel located in downtown Peoria, 501 Main Street from 5:30 to 8:30 pm for her career accomplishments thus far and is set to receive a proclamation from the Mayor’s office. This event will include dinner, live music and remarks from LiV. Tickets are $55.

About The Living to Serve Foundation Inc. – The purpose of the Living to serve foundation Inc. is to increase awareness of women’s health by providing resources, programming and education. They have letters of support from Unity point Methodist/Proctor, OSF Medical Center and Susan G. Komen.

American Red Cross Offers New Advanced Child Care Training For Older Sitters and Nannies

CENTRAL ILLINOIS — The American Red Cross is now offering Advanced Child Care Training, a course for people 16 years and older who are or plan to become nannies, sought-after babysitters or who are caring for kids for the first time in a residential setting.

“Parents often have a tough time finding good child care, and the Red Cross makes it easier to spot the best sitters,” said Traci Johnston, American Red Cross Training Specialist. “The new Red Cross Advanced Child Care Training course helps people become the best sitter they can by teaching exactly what to do in emergencies and typical child care situations.”

Parents value a well-trained sitter, as more than 80 percent of parents say they would pay more for a sitter who is trained in CPR, first aid and child care skills, according to a 2012 Red Cross survey. The course is also a good option for grandparents and other relatives who might want a child care refresher before watching young children.

This Red Cross course enables people to learn while having fun by blending tried-and-true information with digital learning techniques. Participants will learn the most common child care routines and behavior along with safety inside and outside of the house. The course also includes Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED training and certification.

Other features of the training include:

• 24/7 access to the self-paced, online training portion

• Hands-on skills training and assessment

• A resource center with downloadable skill sheets on child care subjects, lesson summaries, fact sheets, templates for résumés and business cards, administrative forms and age‐appropriate activity ideas.

People who would like to sign up for the program should visit redcross.org/childcare for more information. A class will be held in theBloomington area on May 31 and in thePeoria area on June 28. The course is eight and a half hours and costs $129. It combines two hours of self-paced online learning and six and a half hours of in-person training and skills testing. Upon completion, course takes will receive a two-year certification in both Advanced Child Care Training and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. Advanced Child Care Training is not a licensing program and does not meet all state requirements for child care centers or day care providers.

 

Peoria Author to Speak about His New Civil War Book

On May 14, at Bradley’s library, local author Mike Rucker will speak about his new book “Bridge Burner.”  Rucker’s talk will begin at :007 p.m. in the Wyckoff Room on the first floor of the library.  It’s sponsored by the Friends of Cullom-Davis Library and is free and open to the public.  
Published by the West Virginia Book Company, the book tells the true story of a slave-holding southerner whose support of the Union caused him to be one of the most despised individuals in the South.   Rucker, a Civil War researcher and Caterpillar retiree, has also authored 18 children’s books of the adventures of Terry the Tractor.  Rucker will sign and sell copies of his new book to benefit the Friends.

Illinois American Water Encourages Customers to Celebrate Earth Day by Participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 26, 2014

Belleville, Ill. (April 25, 2014) – Illinois American Water encourages customers wanting to celebrate Earth Day to include proper pharmaceutical disposal in their plans.  Residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted medications at approved collection sites so they can be incinerated, which is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended approach for pharmaceutical disposal.  Both flushing medications down the toilet and throwing them in the trash are discouraged.

To participate, customers can take part in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend. The event is Saturday, April 26, from 10 AM to 2 PM.  Collection sites participating in this event can be located by visiting http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html

“This event is a great opportunity for residents to securely drop off any unused or expired medications,” said Karla Olson Teasley, Illinois American Water president.  “It’s important for us to keep these items out of our landfills and water supplies as well as the hands of those who may misuse or abuse them.”  

Teasley added, “We encourage those who cannot participate during this DEA event to continue to use their community pharmaceutical disposal programs to properly dispose of their unwanted medications.  Through all of these efforts we can protect not only our water but our community as a whole.”  

Through partnership and collaboration with local pharmacies, environmental stewards, police departments and government officials, Illinois American Water has helped to implement 32 permanent pharmaceutical disposal programs across the state.  These programs are located in Alton, Bartonville, Belleville, Caseyville, Champaign (three sites), Chicago (two sites), Chillicothe, Collinsville, Columbia, Dixon, Fairmont, Maryville, Morrison, Mt. Carroll, Mt. Vernon, O’Fallon, Orland Hills, Pekin, Peoria (three sites), Peoria Heights, Pontiac, South Beloit, Sterling, Streator, Urbana (two sites) and Waterloo.  To find a permanent collection program in Illinois, please visit http://www.epa.state.il.us/medication-disposal/locations/index.html  

The pharmaceutical disposal programs were created through a model developed by Pontiac High School Township students and their teacher Paul Ritter.  The program, P2D2, has been recognized by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the Illinois EPA and the Department of Natural Resources as a model for all pharmaceutical disposal programs. Through P2D2’s efforts, hundreds of thousands of pounds of unwanted medications have been collected and disposed of properly.  To learn more about P2D2 please visit www.p2d2program.org.

About Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.  Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company.  With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com

SAFE JOBS – SAVE LIVES – Let your Voice Be Heard! – Workers’ Memorial Event

The Labor Council of West Central Illinois will be sponsoring a very special march and memorial event honoring our fallen brothers and sisters who have died as a result of a workplace accident since we met one year ago.

Monday, April 28, 2014 – Event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Peoria Labor Temple (corner of Spalding and Jefferson)

The march will begin at the Peoria Labor Temple and conclude at the Workers’ Memorial Monument located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL. A brief memorial service will be held at the end of the march. OSHA representative Tom Bielema will be speaking. Additional program highlights include a bagpipe performance and invocation.

The Labor Council of West Central Illinois invites the public to attend and bring names of those they wish to be remembered and the names of extended military family members who are serving our country and in harms way.

For more information, contact Michael Everett, Labor Council of West Central Illinois at 309/645-4901.

Peoria’s Warehouse Traffic Changes as of April 28th

The following traffic changes will be in effect beginning Monday April 28, 2014:

 Between Jefferson and Adams:

Oak Street traffic will be shifted to the ball park side of the street and no parking will be allowed in this block to allow for construction along the south side of Oak Street. Improvements include new curb, sidewalk, planters and decorative lighting. This work is expected to be complete by late June, weather dependent.

Oak Street will be open to 2-way traffic in this block during construction.

 Between Adams and May Alley (the alley is midblock between Adams and Washington):

The south side of Oak Street will be closed to allow for construction of new curb, sidewalk, and pavement. This work is expected to be complete by late May, weather dependent.

One-lane will be open to accommodate one-way traffic heading toward the alley.

As a reminder, please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through construction work zones.  If you have any questions or comments regarding the Warehouse District TIGER II Project, please visit our website at http://www.warehousedistrictpeoria.com or contact Karen Dvorksy at  kdvorsky@terraengineering.com or at (309) 472-3132. 

Bradley’s Nationally Renowned Speech Team Finishes Among Top in Nation

Bradley University has a storied speech team – having won 40 team championships since 1980. Team members also have won more than 140 individual championships.  The Speech Team is among the top once again with second-place finishes at the National Forensic Association and American Forensic Association championships this month. 

The team, led by a strong core of underclassmen, finished behind Western Kentucky at both events and had one individual national champion.

Bradley scored 438 points at the April 4-7 American Forensic Association (AFA) championship tournament in Tempe, Ariz., led by Morgan Green ‘14, who tied for the Individual Championship but took second on a tiebreaker.  In addition to Green’s top effort, Kaybee Brown ’14 finished sixth in the individual competition at AFA.

“We’ve established a tradition of excellence that puts us in a pretty good place to maintain,” said Forensics Director Ken Young ‘05. “It’s a challenge to stay on top.”  Last year Bradley won both the AFA and NFA championships. 

Bradley finished with 509 points at the April 17-21 NFA tournament in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  In individual sweepstakes, Green finished fourth, followed by Kaybee Brown ’14 eighth and A.J. Curry ’14 ninth. 

“No one expected us to do as well as we did because we have a young team,” said Bradley transfer student Adam Rayzor ’15. “I’m excited for next year and to see the success our team is going to have in the years to come.”  Razor received 1st place in the Informative Speaking category at NFA.  

Young credited his squad for meeting the demands of a competition schedule that is starting to resemble that of a college athletics program with heavy travel and practice demands added to students’ academic load. 

“There is a high demand on team members to be traveling so extensively to bring recognition to the University and return home to face the demands as students,” he said. “It takes a huge toll, but these students are fierce competitors who come home to the obligations and take them in stride.”

Visit https://www.bradley.edu/offices/communications/pr/releases/article.dot?id=fdd443db-21c6-494c-a49c-164bab7a67ed for complete results from the two competitions.  

Hopedale Wellness Center Offering SilverSneakers

Proper nutrition and physical activity play a critical role as we get older. Millions of older adults are taking stock of their health and hitting the gym to get the physical activity they need to help keep their muscles strong and prevent many health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure. Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness program is a fun, energizing way to get the activ­ity you need to help you stay healthy and independent. Whether you enjoy walking on the treadmill, riding the stationary bike or taking group exercise classes like those available through SilverSneakers, it’s important to keep moving.

Here are some helpful tips for staying active:

• Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, on five or more days.

• Include strength training exercises in your regular workouts at least twice a week to improve and maintain muscular strength and endurance.

• If you have difficulty with your mobility, perform moderate amounts of low-impact activities such as swimming, water exercises or stretching.

• Gentle forms of yoga and tai chi help to promote flexibility, improve balance and increase strength.

As a SilverSneakers member, you have access to more than 11,000 participating locations nationwide. Please remember to consult your physician before starting SilverSneakers or any exercise program.

Hopedale Medical Foundation Announces $18,000 in Scholarships

Hopedale Medical Foundation proudly announces its 2014 scholarship winners.  Candidate selections are made by an independent panel of judges who review applications from graduating seniors from Olympia, Hartsburg-Emden, Tremont, Dee-Mack, Midwest- Central and Delavan High Schools.  College freshmen from these same schools are also eligible.

·  The $5,000 Founder’s Scholarship, the largest scholarship, went to Tremont High School’s Travis Pflederer, son of Tim and Georgia Pflederer of Tremont.  Travis plans to pursue a degree in biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, Illinois.   

·  The $4,000 Family Farm Scholarship went to Deer Creek – Mackinaw High School’s Ian Kilby, son of Craig and Lori Kilby of Mackinaw.  Ian plans to attend the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, this fall, and has chosen a career in Agriculture Business.

·  The $3,000 Dorene Oehler Scholarship was awarded to Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School’s Samantha Vique, daughter of Rachel and Wyatt Pace of Mackinaw.  Samantha plans to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.   She will be attending Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, in the fall. 

· The $2,000 Orville Augsburger Scholarship, named in honor of a founding Board member, was awarded to Emma Sauder, daughter of Sean and Jill Sauder of Tremont.  Emma, a student at Deer Creek – Mackinaw High School, has chosen a career in nursing.  She will be attending the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, in Peoria, Illinois.

· The $2,000 David Eckhardt Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Elizabeth Rush, daughter of Jerry and Jill Rush of Hopedale.  Elizabeth is a student at Olympia High School, and she will be pursuing a career in nursing.  She will be attending the Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, Illinois.

·  The $1,000 Neil Alford, Jr. Memorial Scholarships was awarded to Gabriele Meissner of Minier.  Gabriele is the daughter of Manfred and Rebecca Meissner of Minier.  She is a student at Olympia High School, and will be pursuing a career in neuroscience/psychology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

·  The $1,000 Phyllis Martin Memorial Nursing Scholarship was awarded to Brooke Bolliger, daughter of Dean and Trudy Bolliger of Tremont.  Brooke is pursuing a career in nursing.  She will be attending Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Illinois.

 The Hopedale Medical Foundation congratulates these outstanding students and thanks all who participated this year.  The Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in healthcare and agricultural scholarships to local high school seniors and college freshmen since 1980.  Donations from the public are appreciated. For more information, call Becky at (309) 449-4296.