Briefly …

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2nd Annual Wreaths Across America

The Heart of Illinois Blue Star Mothers of America chapter will host the 2nd annual Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday December 12, 11:00 a.m., Springdale Cemetery in Peoria. Mayor Jim Ardis will be our keynote speaker and a Color Guard will be present. Seven ceremonial wreaths will be laid—one for each branch of our Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, and POW-MIA. Immediately following the ceremony, participants will lay wreaths on the veteran’s graves.

Transported from Bangor, Maine the wreaths are 20″ fresh pine with a red bow and may be purchased for $15 each. The Deadline is Nov. 23rd.

The Heart of Illinois Blue Star Mothers is a local chapter of military moms who meet to support local families who have lost a loved one in the war.

Springdale Cemetery is one of 400 locations nationwide participating in this event. Last year 105,724 wreaths were laid nationwide on veterans graves.  The Peoria effort laid 100 wreaths. Wreaths Across America,

www.wreathsacrossamerica.org began 18 years ago at Arlington Cemetery.

To order wreaths visit www.hoibluestarmothers.com,  or call 309-693-9533.

Barn Dance on Nov. 21^st

Saturday, November 21st, the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria will be holding a fundraiser barn dance featuring live and lively music by fiddle champ Emmy Holmes-Hicks and the Rusty Pickup String Band.

Barn dancing is family fun for all ages, and doesn’t require a partner.

Tickets are $5 per person, $15 for the whole family, and can be purchased at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and dancing is from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

For more info, go to www.peoriauuchurch.org.

Running Central’s Re-painting of its Mural will soon be Completed!

Running Central announced that the repainting of its famous mural will be completed soon. The new mural, which faces Sheridan road and is entitled “DaVinci meets Tim Beck” will be designed and painted by Tim Beck and Pam Brubaker. Weather permitting, it should be completed within the next couple of weeks.

The mural will be a celebration of the human anatomy, featuring three torso of individuals in various stages of running over a sepia glaze backdrop. Brubaker has a graphic design background, while Beck is an internationally known tattoo artist and owner of Freedom Ink Tattoo in Peoria. Participating vendors will be revealed once the wall is complete.

Running Central is central Illinois’ leading retailer of running and fitness footwear and apparel. The staff strives to provide customers with the proper footwear and apparel so they can experience the highest level of comfort and enjoyment in this journey called life.

Heartland Festival Orchestra will present “Soldier’s Tale” November 13th and 15^th

The Heartland Festival Orchestra, David Commanday Artistic Director/Conductor will present: “Soldier’s Tale” at the Gateway Building on November 13^th at 7:30 p.m. and on November 15th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in person at Kidder Music in Peoria or at Five Points Washington. Order online at www.fivepointswashington.org or call 444-8222. Tickets are $27 for adults/$7 for students (through college). Tee it Up for the Troops is the charity partner for this concert.

Heartland Bank is providing a free bus for concert-goers on Friday night, leaving from the Heartland Bank parking lot at Pioneer Parkway and Knoxville at 6:15 pm then stopping again at Junction City at 6:30 p.m. 2Chez will offer an early dinner special on Friday, the 13th. Please call (339-3943) to let us know if you plan to ride the bus to the Gateway Building on Friday night. www.heartlandfestivalorchestra.org

Community Foundation of Central Illinois Announces Art Funding Opportunity for Peoria and Tazewell Counties

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) is pleased to announce it was awarded a $5,500 grant from the Illinois Arts Council (IAC), a state agency for the Community Arts Access Re-granting Program. The IAC grant will enable CFCI to provide funding for various art programs in Peoria and Tazewell counties.

The IAC, in collaboration with CFCI, seek grant proposals from not-for-profit programs providing for the needs of underserved populations: children, older adults, minorities, handicapped, disabled, and rural citizens. The IAC and CFCI recognize and support not-for-profit organizations of all sizes and at varying stages of development. Applications for new and innovative programming for the arts are encouraged. Individual artists working in conjunction with a 501(c)(3) organization may apply for funding.

Grant guidelines and application can be downloaded at the Community Foundation of Central Illinois website: www.communityfoundationci.org.

The application deadline is November 30 at 4:30 p.m. For info on upcoming Community Arts Access Grant workshops contact the Community Foundation of Central Illinois office at (309) 674-8730.

Annual Methodist Service League Gift Show November 7^th

The Methodist Medical Center Service League members will hold their 59^th annual Gift Show Saturday, November 7, 2009 in the lobby of the Methodist Atrium, 900 Main Street, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission.

The Service League Gift Show is known for its high quality handmade items at reasonable prices. A wide variety of clothing for infants and children, a newly expanded toy selection, handmade doll clothes, fashionable jewelry, holiday decorations and party items, gift-wrap and stationery, and everlasting silk floral arrangements make it easy to complete holiday shopping in one stop. A special Uniques and Antiques department offers once-treasured items and collectibles at very reasonable prices.

Raffle tickets are available for sale both before and during the show. The winners will be drawn the afternoon of November 7. Prizes include $500 in cash, Red Carpet Car Washes, Jones Brothers Jewelers $500 gift card, golf and brunch at Weaver Ridge, symphony tickets and dinner for two at Bistro Two25.

On the lower level shoppers will find a coffee shop with home baked pastries and a Gourmet Food department.

Local Builder earns 2nd Place in International Competition

Homeway Homes, the builder partner with the University of Illinois finished 2nd in the International Solar Decathalon. Germany earned first place and California earned third place. The Illinois home showcased modern technology and energy efficiency with a historically significant exterior. It earned 1st place in Hot Water, Appliances and Home Entertainment categories and earned 2nd place in net metering and comfort zone.  Homeway Homes was chosen by the University of Illinois to be their builder partner for this year’s competition building the “Gable Home.”

The Gable Home was designed to meet Passive House standards, a rigorous performance evaluation that requires optimal performance and environmentally sensitive design. The house is highly insulated and incorporates advanced window design and installation technology. The r-rating is very high. The house has been on display in Washington DC for three weeks in October on the National Mall. It will then be on display in Urbana and then eventually will be sold.

November is American Diabetes Month

Free Educational Sessions Offered at Hult Health Education Center

The Hult Center for Health Education and Proctor Hospital will present “Living Your Life with Diabetes” in recognition of American Diabetes Month, with educational sessions through November. The Hult Center located at 5215 N. Knoxville Ave. on the campus of Proctor Hospital.

November is American Diabetes Month-a time to shine a spotlight on a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.

This year, we need to take a bolder, more audacious approach to American Diabetes Month. Consider that:

· 24 million children and adults in the U.S.live with diabetes

· 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes

· 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue

Calendar of sessions:

Learning to Live with Diabetes: Changing the way you think and behave – Tuesday, November 3rd; 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and again from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – with Dr. Leone Legan

Care of the Eyes & Feet – Tuesday, November 10 – Foot Care with Dr.Kevin Brattain, 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.

Care of the Eyes with Dr. Joseph Jackson, Bard Optical, 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. and Foot Care with Pam Garner, CNP and Candy Johnson, CNP, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.

Care of the Eyes with Dr. Joseph Jackson of Bard Optical, 6:15 – 7:00 p.m.

Diet and Exercise – Tuesday, November 17 – Managing Carbohydrates with Scott Blank, MS, LDN, 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.

Diabetes:Getting Started with Exercise with Blair Gorsuch, MS, Exercise Physiologist, 10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

and Managing Carbohydrates with Scott Blank, MS, LDN, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.

Diabetes: Getting Started with Exercise with Blair Gorsuch, MS, Exercise Physiologist, 6:15 – 7:00 p.m.

Educational sessions are FREE, but space is limited. Light refreshments provided. To register please call (309) 692-6650

Annual Awards Presented to 2009 Orchid Winners

Seven Orchid Awards were presented at Keep Peoria Beautiful’s Annual Awards Banquet in September. These awards were presented for exceptional landscaping and site beautification. These Orchid Award winners included: Avanti’s Ristorante on N. Knoxville, Bradley Park, Bradley University, First United Methodist Church, Heritage Square, Immaculate Conception Convent, and Komatsu America Corp.

Orchid Maintenance Awards were presented to Lower Grandview Drive and Red Carpet Car Wash. Additional award winners were Eugenia E. Olson, Louie’s Sterling Family Restaurant, and O’Brien Steel for the Beautification Award.

Building Beautification Awards were given to D’s Paint & Body Shop, OSF Pioneer Parkway Professional Building, and Pioneer Industrial Park, Inc. A Property Maintenance Award was presented to UFS.

There were no Onion Awards given this year because all of the businesses that were nominated cleaned up and improved the appearance of their property, which is the goal of this award.

At the awards banquet, Jim Maloof was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his strong commitment to the improvement, enhancement, and beautification of the Peoria community.

2009 Iris Awards

The Iris Award is given each year to neighborhood associations and homeowners for outstanding landscaping and beautification of homes, yards and gardens. The Iris Awards were given to: Dick & Dolly Albers, Atanacio Andrade, Ross & Susan Canterbury, John & Nancy Crawford, Dominic McManis, Moss Bradley Neighborhood Assoc., Michael Pitsonbarger, Rob & Beth Taylor, May Thomas, and Dave & Sue Young.

FCAI Awards $20,675 in Community Care Project Grants

Thirteen Local Social Service and Non-Profit Agencies Receive Grant Checks

The Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI), Central Chapter, announced the recipients of 13 grants totaling $20,675 as part of the Community Care Project, a program to assist area social service agencies and non-profit organizations. These 13 grants were chosen out of a total submission of 69 applications representing $496,828 in needs.

Grant award checks were presented to the following organizations during the FCAI’s annual grant award dinner at Jim’s Steak House in Peoria. FCAI Board members were present, as were representatives from the State FCAI office in Aurora. A representative from each recipient organization gave a short description of their mission and an explanation of how they would use the grant money.

Grant Recipients:

Peoria Area Blind People’s Center, Inc.

Heart of Illinois Harvest

AMVETS Post 64

Bloomington Day Care Center, Inc.

Occupational Development Center/Normal

Goodwill Industries

Izaak Walton League of America, Woodford County Chapter

Look! It’s My Book! Inc.

Make A Wish Foundation of Illinois

Midwest Food Bank

SHARE Food of Central Illinois

South Side Mission

The Center for Prevention of Abuse

Each year, FCAI donates money to organizations for restoration, building projects, equipment replacement, and educational needs from the industry advance fund (Northern Illinois Painting and Drywall Institute). This is the second year of the Community Care Project, a program designed to identify needs in the community and award grants to social service agencies and non-profit organizations serving those needs. Letters and press releases announcing the awards went out in early April 2009. The deadline for grant requests was May 29, 2009. The grant requests were open to organizations from Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and McLean counties.

“We received a total of 69 grant requests totaling $496,828 this year — many more than we were able to fund. It was a challenge to choose between the many wonderful programs represented by these applications,” stated Bernie Wright, central Illinois FCAI President and Master of Ceremonies at the award dinner. “We feel that the eight organizations we choose represent outstanding missions. We hope that these grants will help them expand services and better support their constituencies. Our communities have been very generous to us, and this is our way of giving back to the communities who support  us.”