MOTHER’S DAY TEA AT THE PEORIA ZOO – Join us at the Zoo for a special Mother’s Day treat Sunday, May 4, 2-3 pm. We’ll have tea and sandwiches along with crafts for the kids, animal encounters and scheduled talks throughout the Peoria Zoo. Space is limited, so call to purchase your ticket today at 309-681-3559. Tickets are $6 for Zoo members, $11 for non-members. If you have questions or for more information, call the Peoria Zoo at (309) 681-3559.

STEP INTO A FAIRYTALE AT PEORIA ZOO – By royal decree, all knights and princesses throughout the land are invited to attend! Princess and Pirates Day! Saturday, May 3. Festivities 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Activities are free with paid zoo admission. Come to the zoo to meet “fairytale” animals up close, and find out if pirates really kept parrots as pets, and where the idea of dragons came from. Watch our exhibit animals receive special themed enrichment, like castles and pirate ships. Play games where you might have to walk the plank or kiss a frog to win fun prizes. Make princess or pirate crafts to take home, and so much more! All kids wearing their finest royal attire or buccaneer best will receive a special surprise, so be sure to come dressed to impress! For more info call 309-686-3559.

Mix up a good time and support Peoria Zoo at Zootini – the wildest martini tasting event ever – on Thursday, May 8 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm, presented by Peoria Zoological Society at the Zambezi River Lodge.

A variety of martinis (shaken, not stirred) will be served by ten different local restaurants at an after-hours event in Africa! Taste a variety of martinis and walk the boardwalk with friends for a wonderful evening event. Your ticket includes Zoo admission, three complimentary drink tickets, appetizers and live music.

Purchase advance tickets before April 28 for $45 each. Tickets may be purchased after April 28 or at the door for $50 each. Tickets are available for purchase at the Safari Gift Shop at Peoria Zoo, online at www.peoriazoo.org or by calling (309) 681-3500. The event is sponsored in part by Dave Gill Insurance and Heaven on Earth.

Peoria Zoological Society is currently raising funds for the Power of Play. This project will bring a daylong destination for learning through play to Glen Oak Park with the creation of the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum and the expanded Peoria Zoo. Not able to join us? 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 nonprofit 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) 681-3500. Visit our website at www.peoriazoo.org.

(PEORIA, IL) The Greater Peoria Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes is having ESPN College Analyst, Tim Tebow, as their keynote speaker at their annual banquet on May 5^th, 2014.

Tim Tebow is a former American football quarterback who played for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets in the NFL. He played college football for the University of Florida, where he was the first college sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007.  He also appeared on BCS National Championship winning teams in the 2006 and 2008 seasons. Tebow was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.  He went on to play for the Broncos and then the Jets.  Currently, Tim is a College Football Analysis for the ESPN Network. Tim is also highly involved with the Tim Tebow Foundation that has a mission to bring Faith, Hope & Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.

The Greater Peoria Area FCA hosts the banquet annually as a primary means of raising support for their non-profit ministry. The ministry provides spiritual support and encouragement for student athletes and coaches at all levels. They help equip them with the resources and tools that enable them to compete God’s way.  This nation-wide ministry influences over 300,000 students in over 7,500 schools. Locally, the FCA is active in 14 public schools and is touching hundreds of students on a weekly basis.

The banquet will be conducted Monday, May 5^th, and seats must be reserved.  Seats are $75 each or $750 for a table (10 seats) to attend the banquet.  To reserve seats, become a table host, or become a banquet sponsor please go to www.peoriafca.org or contact the FCA office via e-mail (cespenschied@fca.org). The attire is business/casual. There will also be a Sponsor reception for all banquet sponsors one hour prior to the dinner.

Details of the event:

Event: Greater Peoria Area FCA Annual Home Team Banquet

Location: Peoria Civic Center, Exhibit Halls

Date: Monday, May 5^th, 2014

Time: 6:15pm (doors open at 5:30pm)

www.peoriafca.org

“Clean energy is already driving job growth in Central Illinois,” said Senator Dave Koehler. “This forum presented an opportunity for our entire community to come together and brainstorm ways to make our clean energy economy even stronger.”

Since it passed in 2007, Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standard has set clean energy goals for the state and created more than 20,000 jobs, cut wholesale power prices by $177 million dollars per year, and curbed more than 5 million tons of air pollution. State lawmakers are currently discussing a pending bill that would make important adjustments to the Renewable Portfolio Standard and better incentivize clean energy projects around the state.

“Wind and solar manufacturing, installation and maintenance represent strong, family-sustaining jobs for Central Illinois,” said Patrick Whitty, Director of Programs, Clean Energy Trust. “We’re only just beginning to unlock the potential of these industries. Today’s forum allowed many different groups to come together around advancing this economic opportunity for our communities.”

“Clean energy is a smart investment for Illinois,” said Bryan McDaniel from Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB). ”Not only has Illinois’ smart clean energy leadership helped reduce pollution, but it has also saved Illinois families a lot of money.”

“When we grow our renewable energy resources, it means cleaner air and better health for the state of Illinois,” said Jack Darin, Director, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter. “Clean energy is a win-win for our economy and our environment.”

“Clean energy job potential grows every day,” said Tom Conway with BlueGreen Alliance. “Many jobs related to clean energy will be in modernizing the electrical grid to reduce the amount of energy lost throughout the system and make it easier for people to install rooftop solar and move wind energy to urban areas.”

Today’s clean energy forum followed a similar forum hosted last night in Waukegan by State Senator Terry Link and State Representative Rita Mayfield.

Peoria – Heddington Oaks recently received a score of 100 points on its routine sanitary health inspection performed by the Peoria City/County Health Department in February. This is the second consecutive 100 point inspection that Heddington Oaks has received since the facility opened last September; a 100% compliance rate considering only two sanitary health inspections have been conducted to date at the nursing home.

Routine inspections are conducted unannounced by the Peoria City/County Health Department and include 45 items or categories under which violations may be issued. Each inspection for an establishment begins with 100 points, with points subtracted based on violations. A score of 100 points means no violations were found at the time of inspection.

Pulitzer Prize winning photographers Renée C. Byer and Paul Kitagaki Jr. will give the Robison Lecture at Bradley University on April 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Michel Student Center ballroom. Their subject is “Living on the Brink: Images of Humanity.”

The Illinois Art League will have the Spring Membership Show at the Peoria Heights Tower Park Village Hall  on Friday June 6th from 12:00-5:00 and Saturday June 7th from 9:00-4:00.

This will be in conjunction with the Peoria Heights “Tower Park Art Festival”.

Admission is free. For further info, contact Bev Pullen 309-385-2501 or bkpullen@hotmail.com or go to:
www.illinoisartleague.com

Peoria, Illinois – April 15, 2014 – The Peoria County Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded five $1000 scholarships.  The recipients are Daniel Feucht of Princeville, Aaron Maher of Brimfield, Victoria Stoller of Princeville, Jacob Vandermyde of Dunlap, and Mikaela Wieland of Princeville.

Daniel Feucht plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. He has been active in 4-H and FFA and is currently serving as President with the Princeville FFA chapter.  He would like to work for a company in the Crop Sciences department and eventually return to the family farm.  Daniel is the son of Mark and Paula Feucht.

Aaron Maher is planning to enroll in the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology program at Illinois Central College and then transfer to Southern Illinois University studying Ag Engineering and Technical Systems Management.  He has served as President in 4-H and FFA. Aaron is the son of Dan and Diana Maher.

Victoria Stoller plans to pursue a degree in Ag Education and a career as a high school ag teacher.  She has served as Vice President of her FFA chapter.  She has been involved in numerous school activities and has taken several mission trips to Mexico.  Victoria is the daughter of Bruce and Mary Stoller.

Jacob Vandermyde will enter the University of Illinois seeking a degree in Agriculture/Biological Engineering.  He has had the unique experience of living in England for three years while family was employed with Caterpillar.  Jacob has been active in high school sports and has a strong interest in food and nutrition.  Jacob’s parents are Karl and Christine Vandermyde.

Mikaela Wieland will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Communications.  Along with numerous school activities, Mikaela has showed cattle the past four years and assisted with marketing and communications of her family’s beef business.  Mikaela is the daughter of Brian and Renee Wieland.

Since its inception in 1982, the Peoria County Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded over $80,000 to 90 students pursuing an agriculture related degree.  The Foundation is also financially supporting the Farm Bureau’s Ag Literacy program.

(Peoria, IL / April 15, 2014) –  The monthly meeting of the Better Breathers Club will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2014 from 2-3:30 PM in Classroom 1 at the RiverPlex in downtown Peoria.

 The program will focus on Airway Clearance, presented by Theresa Johnston, RRT, with Hillrom Respiratory Care.

Anyone dealing with lung or breathing problems is welcome to attend. It is requested that those attending not wear perfume or cologne to meetings as it may bother other participants with breathing difficulties.

For more information about the Better Breathers Club contact Sara Fiddes, RRT with OSF Outpatient Pulmonary Rebab at 309.282.1646, or Revina McWhirter, Member Coordinator at 309.635.5442.

WHAT: Labor and environmental leaders will join experts on clean energy, energy efficiency and economic development to discuss how clean energy projects can bring jobs and other economic benefits to central Illinois as part of the Clean Energy Forum 2014.

Currently, lawmakers are considering an adjustment and improvement of the state’s renewable portfolio standard, which has already created more than 20,000 jobs, cut wholesale power prices by $177 million dollars per year, and curbed more than 5 million tons of air pollution. Experts will discuss how the state’s current standard can improve even more to bolster local clean energy development in communities like Peoria.

Experts also will share how clean energy can help business owners and residents lower their utility bills.

WHO: 

• Senator Dave Koehler
• Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth
• Jack Darin, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter
• Patrick Whitty, Clean Energy Trust
• Tom Conway, Blue Green Alliance
• Bryan McDaniel, Consumer Utility Board
• Robert Cole, Facilities Manager of East Peoria

WHERE: Peoria Labor Temple – Basement Meeting Room, 400 NE Jefferson Ave., Peoria, IL  61603

WHEN:  Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM