The Peoria Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division, made an arrest in a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 1000 block of W. Lake Ave., Peoria, on 04-10-14 (Incident #14-6686). Joshua L. Frye, M/W, DOB/04-06-86, was arrested for Vehicle Burglary, and for being a Registered Sex Offender on Peoria Park District property. The Peoria Police Dept. continues to investigate numerous vehicle burglaries that have been committed recently.

Here is a web site that the citizens of Peoria can view the maps, area, and locations that related burglaries have occurred: www.crimemapping.com. We continue to ask the citizens of Peoria to lock their vehicles, properties, and residences and not to leave anything of value in their vehicles. Citizens are also encouraged to call the police if they see any suspicious behavior in their neighborhoods.  

If you have any information on this case, or any other investigation, call the Peoria Police Dept at 673-4521, or Crimestoppers at 673-9000. 

(Peoria, IL / April 11, 2014) – It’s a Pink Ribbon Round-Up and ALL breast cancer survivors are invited, regardless of where you were diagnosed and treated.

The 10^th annual breast cancer survivor retreat, hosted by the OSF SaintFrancisCenters for Breast Health, is a unique program designed to help women who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer. We recognize that cancer not only affects the body, but the mind and spirit as well. We want to help you transition from being a breast cancer patient to being a survivor. Throughout the retreat there is a balance of sharing, connecting, learning, discussion and fun – including line dancing and mini-manicures!

WHAT:        10th Annual Breast Cancer Survivor Retreat

WHEN:        Saturday, April 26, 2014

Registration and breakfast 7:15-7:50 am; Sessions begin at 8 AM; The day will end approximately at 4:30 PM

WHERE:      Wildlife Prairie State Park, 3826 N. Taylor Road • HannaCity

COST:         $30

Reservations are required by April 18, 2014. Register at www.osfsaintfrancis.org/retreat. For more information, or if unable to register online, please contact: Tenille Oderwald, RN at 309.683.5324; Lisa Steil, RN at 309.683.5328; or Stephanie Sivori, RN at 309.683.5444.

CWTC has joined forces with Buffalo Wild Wings in Peoria for Takeover Night, Wednesday, April 23^rd from 5PM-9PM. You can help CWTC and adults with disabilities while enjoying great food at Buffalo Wild Wings in Peoria.

Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 15% of all pre-taxed food sales (less alcohol and discounts) from all guests who present a CWTC flyer to their server or cashier when they purchase food between 5:00pm – 9:00pm (including carry-out)!

Patti Gratton, Executive Director for CWTC, says “We are so happy to accept Buffalo Wild Wing’s invitation to participate in Take Over Night! Their generosity to help CWTC with their incredible menu is greatly appreciated!”

Fliers can be downloaded at www.cwtc.org  and must accompany the order for the donation to be applied.

For more information contact Rick Stephenson at 686-3300.

CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc., provides programs and services to adults with disabilities; enriching their quality of life, promoting social change, and optimizing their potential for independence.

Who: CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc.

What: CWTC Takeover Night at Buffalo Wild Wings

When: Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 5PM-9PM

Where: Buffalo Wild Wings, 5121 West American Prairie Drive, Peoria, IL 61615-9239

Celebrate Earth Day at the Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The NatureCenter’s 10th annual Earth Day Festival offers an opportunity to locate local resources, identify environmentally-friendly products and learn what you can do to make a difference. Last year, approximately 1,200-1,500 people attended our festival, which included more than 40 local groups and 100 volunteers. It’s sure to be a good time too — with music from the following groups:

11:00 AM – 12:45 PM — Patchouli

Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli are a songwriting powerhouse duo with 12 CDs, more than 1800 performances, and over half a million touring miles under their belts. Bruce’s primary instrument is acoustic guitar, on which he plays fingerstyle, flamenco, classical, jazz, flat picking and folk. He also plays bass guitar and percussion on stage. Julie plays multiple instruments including six and twelve-string guitars, upright bass marimbas, flutes and hand drums. Their contagious onstage chemistry coupled with formidable instrumental prowess has made them a favorite nationwide. Patchouli’s music has been heard in films and performed on TV, and their music can be heard on radio around the world.

1:00 – 1:45 PM— The LR Band

The word eclectic says it best as the LR Band plays some folk tunes, some finger picking blues, some old pop, or whatever grabs their fancy. With Craig Curtis playing mandolin, banjo and guitar, you’re sure to be tapping your toes to some rhythms you know.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM — Reilly’s Daughter

Chris Mangold of Slim Pickins’ and Inland Tern goes solo to provide a variety of Celtic tunes that will have everyone feeling the Earth Day vibe!

3:00 – 3:45 PM — Cluck Ol’ Hen

Come listen to Cluck Ol’ Hen and enjoy some great folk music!

This family-friendly, fun event will also offer hands-on activities for kids, great local food with vegetarian and vegan options, educational materials, hands-on demos, kids’ crafts, face painting and mural painting. Check out our Annual Earth Day Sale at the Trailhead Nature Store, specializing in eco-friendly clothing, household and personal care products and more.

For more information about the 10th annual Earth Day, contact Forest Park Nature Center, 309-686-3360.

The Peoria Park District’s Forest ParkNatureCenter will host a Nature Art Series, special art projects for children ages 5 to 10, during the month of June. All classes are from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Nature Art Series projects are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday June 3-  Nature Discovery Box – Kids will create and decorate their own Nature Discovery Box to store all of their natural “treasures” in!  We ask that each participant bring a shoebox; all other materials are provided.

Saturday June 7- Dazzling Dragonflies – Create a beautiful insect out of maple seeds!  This craft will have kids a-buzz with excitement!

Tuesday, June 10- Driftwood Creatures – We will craft creatures both realistic and imaginary out of twisty, gnarled driftwood pieces.  Let your child’s creativity fly as they make menagerie of critters out of wood.

Tuesday, June 17- Pet Rocks – Make an adorable pet rock to take home and love!  Kids will enjoy this quirky craft from days gone by, and can use their imagination to bring their pet rock to life.

Tuesday, June 24- Nature Journals – Kids can record their poems, stories, and drawings about the natural world in their own hand crafted, recycled journal.

The Nature Arts series is open to children ages 5 to 10 years old (please have them wear old clothes). Pre-registration is required. Sign up for the entire series or as many as you wish. The cost for each class is $6/person and $5 for CORE members. For additional information, call (309)686-3360.

Event:  “Flapping Birds to Space Telescopes: The Art & Science of Origami” with Dr. Robert J. Lang

Dates & Time: Thu., Apr. 17, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Location:  Giant Screen Theater · Peoria Riverfront Museum · 222 S.W. Washington St. · Peoria

Origami’s high-tech techniques are used for many critical applications, from better heart stents to safer airbags. So how did the one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful art forms lead to advancements in medicine, engineering, science, and design?

Find out the technology behind folding paper, Thursday, April 17, 6:30-8 p.m., when the Peoria Riverfront Museum hosts Dr. Robert J. Lang, the acclaimed American physicist, inventor and origami artist for his presentation and lecture, “Flapping Birds to Space Telescopes: The Art & Science of Origami.”

Considered one of the “coolest” origami theorists around, Lang is also the co-creator behind the “Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami” exhibit that runs through April 27 at the Museum.

 Lang provides a rare glimpse into the fascinating outcomes of the close relationship between art and science – specifically, how geometry and math solved a broad class of origami folding problems.

Expounding on the natural mathematical aspect of origami, Lang demonstrates how a 2-dimensional sheet of paper can be pushed beyond all conceivable limitations to form an intricate, stable and functional, 3-dimensional device.

Lang’s lecture and presentation is open to the public and will take place in the Museum’s Giant Screen Theater. Tickets are $10 ($7 for members). We will have the Folding Paper exhibit open from 5-6:15 p.m. for those attending the lecture. Call for reservations: 309-686-7000.

 Dr. Robert J. Lang, artist and physicist, has been a student of origami for more than 40 years. He is recognized as one of the world’s leading masters of the art and one of the pioneers of the marriage of origami with mathematics and science. He has authored or co-authored 13 books and lectures widely on origami and it applications.

 The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the collaborative effort of eight organizations, with nearly 500 years of combined experience educating, entertaining, and supporting our diverse Peoria-area culture. Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning for all – connecting art, history, science, and achievement through collections, exhibitions, and programs.

For more information on Dr. Robert J. Lang, visit langorigami.com. For more information on Lang’s Apr. 17 lecture or the “Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami” exhibition, please visit peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.

(Peoria, IL – April 10, 2014)  The Peoria chapter of Mended Hearts will meet Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 6:00 PM at the RiverPlex in Peoria.

Dr. Sarah Zallek, a Neurologist who specializes in sleep disorders, will be the featured speaker. Dr. Zallek will discuss sleep disordered breathing and its effects on health.

Light food and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP to 309.657.8903 or 309.229.3641.

Mended Hearts, a national nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Heart Association, has been offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers for more than 50 years. 

Peoria – Beginning April 14, the 29th Annual Arts in Education Spring Celebration will be held in the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. every weekday through May 23, 2014. Peoria County’s Regional Office of Education and Mary Rous, Project Director, coordinate the annual event.

When Spring Celebration began in 1986, 1,000 students from 12 Peoria County schools were showcased in one single week. This spring, more than 12,000 students from over 110 schools will perform, exhibit, and demonstrate their talents in the Fine Arts and Applied Arts. Students from public and private schools, grades preK-12, will participate. This year the celebration grows again to represent eight central Illinois counties: Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Fulton, Henry, McLean, and Knox. For a complete schedule or additional information, visit www.springcelebration.org or call 672-6906.

This year’s spring event is sponsored by Caterpillar Inc.; Peoria Tourism Reserve Fund, comprised of the Peoria City Council, Peoria Civic Center Authority, and Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; Commerce Bank; Ameren Illinois; Associated Bank; South Side Bank; Heritage Bank of Central Illinois; Heartland Bank and Trust Company, Kidder Music, and the County of Peoria.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To protect our children during severe weather, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, recently supported legislation requiring newly built schools to include a storm shelter.   

“Over the past several years, central Illinois communities have been hit hard by devastating storms and tornadoes,” Gordon-Booth said. “This legislation will ensure that our schools continue to be safe havens by protecting our students and teachers during dangerous weather.”

House Bill 2513 requires school districts to design and construct new school buildings to contain a storm shelter. The shelter must meet the minimum standards developed by the National Storm Shelter Association. These standards require a room within a school to be designed to withstand damage from high winds and tornadoes.

“Schools are one of the most important buildings in our community,” added Gordon-Booth. “In addition to serving as a place to educate our children, they are somewhere our community gathers in celebration and in crisis. For that reason, it is important that as we build and improve our school buildings we make sure they contain a storm shelter to protect our children and neighbors during severe weather.” 

House Bill 2513 now goes to the full the Senate for further consideration. For more information, contact Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at 309-681-1992 or by email at repjgordon@gmail.com.

Peoria, East Peoria stores team up to give back to community

April 6 – 13 in National Volunteer Appreciation Week.  On Friday, April 11 from 9:30 – 11am, the East Peoria and Peoria Kohl’s Store will be at Crittenton Centers to guest read to all seven Child Development Center classrooms and the Crisis Nursery.  They are also donating books and stuffed animals to all children.  Kohl’s, a longtime supporter of Crittenton Centers, volunteers on a regular basis as part of their “Kohl’s Cares” Program.  Crittenton Centers is located at 442 W. John Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria. 

Crittenton Centers has been serving the Peoria community for 122 years.  Our mission is to protect and nurture children and families in the Peoria community.  Crittenton Centers’ services include: The Crisis Nursery, Child Development Center, and Family Services.  To learn more about Crittenton Centers, please visit our website at www.crittentoncenters.org.