Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois Receives Grant From The Walmart Foundation

PEKIN PARK DISTRICT RECEIVES FIRST PLACE WIN AT INVITATIONAL TEAM SKATING COMPETITION

The Pekin Park District Precise Ice Skate Team traveled to the Edge Ice Center in Owensboro, Kentucky to compete in the 6^th Annual Living On The Edge ISI Invitational Team Competition on January 28, 2017.  They performed an original competition piece choreographed by Team Coach Christa Lasley to the song Belle from Beauty and the Beast and brought back a first place win. 

Team will be travelling to the Niles Park District IceLand 37^th Annual Sweetheart Open ISI Team Competition on February 12, 2017.  Travel to see them compete or go to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ppdrecreation to wish them luck!

Pictured are your award winning Precise Ice Team:  (sitting) Coach Christa Lasley, Bree Feller as Belle; middle row from left, Jaelyn Dirst, Rachel Kuntz, Jaclyn Mulvey, Isabella Silfies, Baylie Holeman, and Chelsea Worlow; top row from left, Sierra Weaver, Hope Skocaj, Jaydence McClary, Cali Elbert, Kyla Kirkpatrick and Jaycee Silfies.

For more information regarding registration or Pekin Park District programs, call us at (309) 347-PARK (7275) or visit us online at www.pekinparkdistrict.org.  

Welcome to Our Newest Member

Kiwanis Pekin Sunset Club
PO Box 484
Pekin, IL 61555
309-550-8780
Jordan Matthews, President
Mike Eeten, President Elect
Courtney Eeten, Secretary 
Earl Riley, Treasurer 
Kiwanis clubs, located in 80 nations, help their communities in countless ways. Each community’s needs are different—so each Kiwanis club is different. By working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you give a child the chance to learn, experience, dream, grow, succeed and thrive, great things happen.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. Recognized UnityPoint Health - Pekin

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. recently announced that UnityPoint Health – Pekin has received prestigious international recognition and has been re-designated as a Baby-Friendly birth facility.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers worldwide. Currently there are 403 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers in the United States. The Baby-Friendly re-designation is given after a rigorous survey is completed. The award is maintained by continuing to practice the Ten Steps as demonstrated by quality processes.

Further information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative may be obtained by visiting babyfriendlyusa.org.

Emerging Leaders Learn About Social Media

Twenty Emerging Leaders attended the January 26th session on Social Media.  The program was presented by Officer Mike Eeten of the Pekin Police Department.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/GTqbRr7oM4Fvy2GF6

The Emerging Leaders is a Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce program.  The mission is to empower, unite and develop emerging leaders by providing personal and professional development opportunities through networking, education & community involvement.

The objectives of the monthly events are to

• Welcome and empower leaders in the Pekin area
• Develop, equip and educate the Pekin area’s next generation of leaders
• Connect emerging leaders with Pekin’s diverse professionals, entrepreneurs & area resources

More information about the Emerging Leaders, and an application, is available at: http://www.pekinchamber.com/EmergingLeaders.html or by calling the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 346-2106.

Pekin Christmas Campaign in Final Week

Nearly $3,000 Received Towards Matching Grant

The Salvation Army in Pekin is calling on all its supporters here in the final week of its Christmas Campaign.  “Major Rick Ray will be anxious to meet with the donor who offered to help with a $10,000 donation for a Pekin match,” said Rich Draeger, Tri-County Development Director. “The Pekin Corps has received almost $3,000 through online and in person or mail donations in the past few weeks, but there is still time for folks who hadn’t yet donated to help out the cause.”

To date, $179,767 has been raised toward the $200,000 dollar goal for the Pekin Salvation Army Christmas Campaign. Achieving the goal means that The Salvation Army will be able to continue providing the current level of services in Pekin and Tazewell County. Donations will be accepted through the end of business next Tuesday.

“We sincerely believe that this wonderful offer can be fully realized in this final week and hope it helps convince others to consider donating to The Salvation Army as we strive to reach the goal,” said Draeger. “The funds we receive in the next 6 days will be matched by this donor and puts Pekin on a better path to success in the coming year.” The campaign has already been a success, with more money raised this year than in 2015.

Donations to the Christmas Campaign can be made by 1)delivering to The Salvation Army, 243 Derby, Pekin, 2)mailing to The Salvation Army, or online at salvationarmypekin.org.

For more information, please contact Rich Draeger at (309) 655-1348 or 253-9909.

Savant CEO Named 2017 Citizen of the Year

Brent Brodeski selected for his unequaled passion for helping others.

Brent Brodeski, chief executive officer of Savant Capital Management, a nationally-recognized fee-only wealth management firm, was named the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Citizen of the Year. He received the award at the Rockford Chamber’s Annual Dinner on January 19 at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center in Rockford.

The Citizen of the Year Award is open to any Rockford area individual who has, over a period of several years, contributed to the welfare and progress of the community. Brodeski’s forward thinking and proactive style has helped Savant grow to become one of the nation’s leading advisory firms. Success in his career has only strengthened his sense of personal and corporate responsibility throughout the 30-year history of the firm. Not only does he encourage and support Savant staff members to give time and resources to the communities they serve but he also leads by example.

He has served as a board member and chair of the investment committee for the Boy Scouts of America; a board and finance committee member for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra; and a member of the board and investment committee of the Northern Illinois University Foundation and the board of the Rock Valley College Foundation. Brodeski is a former board member of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) board and played a key role as a member of its CEO Succession Task Force.

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected as this year’s Citizen of the Year,” said Brodeski. “I am surrounded by a great support system both personally and professionally that continues to both inspire and challenge me. I humbly accept the award only on behalf of my family and Team Savant. Without these strong family units, I would not be where I am today.”

Brodeski has also represented Savant on the Barron’s list where he ranked 32^nd on the list of the “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” in the country, and was ranked by Forbes as #50 on their top 200 wealth advisors list. In addition to many other accolades, Brent was most recently recognized by Financial Planning as one of the “17 People Advisers Should Watch in 2017.”

Brodeski is a co-founder of Savant, which serves nearly 4,000 clients in 43 states and three continents, with more than $4.8 billion in assets under management. Headquartered in Rockford, IL, Savant also has 11 offices in the following locations: Chicago, IL; Freeport, IL; Geneva, IL; Hoffman Estates, IL; Naperville, IL; Peoria, IL; Sterling, IL; Wilmette, IL; McLean, VA; Madison, WI; and Park Falls, WI.

About Savant Capital Management

Savant Capital Management is a leading independent, nationally-recognized, fee-only firm, serving clients for 30 years with more than $4.8 billion in assets under management. As a trusted advisor, Savant Capital Management offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plan and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation, payroll and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting.

Savant is regularly recognized among the top wealth managers in the United States. Savant was the recipient of the 2015 Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™, part of Schwab’s IMPACT Awards® program to recognize excellence in the business of independent financial advice. Savant has consistently received other industry recognitions including recently being included on the Forbes top 200 financial advisors list, the Barron’s top 20 independent advisory firms list, being named the #9 rated RIA firm by Financial Planning magazine, and included in additional top advisors lists by Financial Advisor magazine and InvestmentNews.

Savant Capital Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. Savant’s marketing material should not be construed by any existing or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if they engage Savant’s services and may include lists or rankings published by magazines and other sources which are generally based exclusively on information prepared and submitted by the recognized advisor. For more information about Savant or to view our Important Disclosures, go to www.savantcapital.com.

Savant Capital Management and its employees are independent of and are not employees or agents of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab does not prepare, verify or endorse information distributed by Savant Capital Management. The Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™ is not an endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral to Savant Capital Management with respect to its investment advisory and other services.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE MASSAGE THERAPY CLINIC NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS

Illinois Central College Massage Therapy clinic, located in Arbor Hall on the ICC North Campus at 5407 N. University St., Peoria, is now accepting appointments for the spring 2017 semester.

The clinic is staffed by students in ICC’s Massage Therapy Program, and services are offered under the supervision of faculty and licensed massage therapists. Appointments are available now through April 12 on Mondays from 3 to 7:30 pm or Wednesdays from 9 am to 7:30 pm.

Cost is $20 for a 50-minute Swedish massage.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.schedulicity.com/Scheduling/ICC7FG or call the clinic at (309) 690-6822.

Welcome to Our Newest Member

Leadership Management International 
Pekin, IL 61554
309-620-3693
Karen Shorey
Karen is a leadership development coach. SHe has been working with LMI International for over 7 years, combining over 20 years of experience of working with people and her passion for helping leaders. She works with leaders helping them develop their full potential by long term mentoring that results in measurable growth. She can help you bridge the gap between potential to performance with guaranteed results.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE HOSTS HOME EDUCATORS AND HIGH-SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS FOR INFORMATIONAL SESSION

Illinois Central College is hosting an informational session for home educators and their high-school-aged students on Friday, February 24, from 8:30 am to noon, on the ICC East Peoria Campus. The event is aimed at providing an overview of ICC as well as discussing ways in which ICC can partner with home educators to supplement and/or extend their home school curriculum.

Topics will include information on financial aid and admission, including ICC’s home school admission policies, an overview of student activities and other ways of getting involved on campus, and tours of the Agricultural and Industrial Technologies Building and Art Gallery. Students also will have the chance to fill out surveys at the Career Center to see how their interests align with career options.

The event is free, but space is limited. Reservations are required, as breakfast will be provided. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Mandy Hidden at (309) 694-5228 by Friday, February 17.  

January Biz Barometer

SCORE Presents Take Your Ecommerce Business To The Next Level

In this webinar, Deluxe product expert Brad Keys will explain how to make your website easy to find, how to boost website traffic and how to generate leads -- all while following Google's rules.

To see more about this Webinar and the many other classes SCORE has to offer visit www.peoria.score.org

Taste Of Pekin

Illinois American Water

Avanti's Job Fair

Regional Business After Hours

Fondulac Bank and the Embassy Suites hosted a Titanic themed regional Business After Hours on January 19th. Attendees came from the Chambers in Peoria, East Peoria, Morton, Washington and Pekin.  A huge crowed enjoyed the refreshments and networking.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/LbV3tj7Js6cY77ds9

Leadership Academy vs. Helium Hoops

The R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy, sponsored by UnityPoint Health - Pekin, met this morning for their second classroom session.  While learning about leadership from Nathan Thomas from Bradley University they had to deal with those pesky helium hoops.  You can see more pictures from today's class here:  https://goo.gl/photos/fPjbAggyeiZ4Ae7C8

2017 Leadership Begins

The 2017 R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy began on January 19th.  The students got to know each other with a speed networking activity.  The 10-week program is sponsored by UnityPoint Health - Pekin.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/hp5vjj5BUvrBeqYc6

Illinois American Water Announces 2017 Environmental Grant Program

Peoria Rivermen Zobrist Double Play

PEKIN PARK DISTRICT OFFERS MASTERPIECE MONDAYS

Everyone has an imagination.  Art helps develop it.  Art takes what was just a thought and makes it a reality.  Creating art is a way for children to learn how to make choices and solve problems by taking them through a step by step process. The end result is an object they created. Local artist and high school teacher, Amy Psinas, has developed Masterpiece Mondays to help children find an expressive outlet through art and to help them develop hidden talents.

Masterpiece Mondays is a 6-week session with each class building on each other until at the end of the program children have a compilation of art pieces.  Ages to attend are 8 years – 16 years.  Classes meet on Monday from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the Pekin High School Art Room (enter through the Tech Ed Center doors).  Materials are included in the $79 fee ($89 if registered less than 7 days prior to the start date;         non-residents add $3).

For more information, please contact Dawn Wilde-Burgess at dwilde@pekinparkdistrict.org or (309)201-4006.

SESSION 2:

DATES:    

February 13, 2017     Acrylic painting

February 27, 2017     Intro to Ceramics – stages of clay and clay prep; intro project pinch technique

March 6                      Ceramic vessels – coil techniques

March 13                    Ceramic platters – slab techniques

March 20                   Intro Ceramic glazing techniques

March 27                   Complete Ceramic glazing techniques

*No class February 20 due to holiday

Get you annual Sunset Hills Golf Club pass in January and recieve a coupon for 2 free buckets of range balls to use when ever you would like!!!

Once you've played our golf course at Sunset Hills Golf Club, you're going to want to return again and again to conquer this shot-maker's course with its challenging holes. And a full golfing membership at our club is one of the best ways to guarantee that you'll be visiting often.

At Sunset Hills Golf Club you'll be able to improve your game and meet new friends who share your passion for golf.Perhaps you've thought about a club membership before but thought it was out of your price range. But once you've heard about the opportunities at Sunset Hills Golf Club, you'll change your mind. We have a variety of membership plans available -- plans designed for either families or individuals.

Beyond the recreational opportunities, you will also want to take the social plunge and join in on our mixers and holiday parties. We help create traditions for the whole family on Mother's and Father's Day, Halloween, Labor Day and many more important dates.

This is a place that appeals to families, couples and individuals of all ages. It's a place where you can find a game or leisure activity in all seasons of the year, where you can meet new friends who love the sports that you love and where your children can enjoy all kinds of recreation in a great environment. And all of it is available to you at remarkably affordable prices.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE HOSTS FRIDAY CAMPUS VISIT DAYS THIS SPRING

Illinois Central College will host Campus Visit Days from 9:30 am to noon on Fridays this spring to give potential students information on various program options and the chance to see the College up close and personal.

ICC will feature the following programs on these dates:

·         Fine and Performing Arts: January 20, East Peoria Campus, Room 212C/D

·         Graphic Design: February 3, East Peoria Campus, Room 212C/D

·         Criminal Justice/Paralegal/Law Enforcement/911/Fire Science: February 10, North Campus, Poplar Hall Room 127

·         Psychology/Sociology: February 17, East Peoria Campus, Room 212C/D

·         Culinary Arts: March 3, North Campus, Dogwood Hall Room 102

·         General Information: March 24, East Peoria Campus, Room 212C/D

Parking for the East Peoria sessions is available in the Visitors Lot.

Tours of the Academic Building and Campus Housing will be offered during sessions at the East Peoria Campus. The Friday Campus Visit Days are free of charge, but registration is required. To register, please visit http://icc.edu/admissions/campus-visits/

For questions, please contact ICC at (309) 694-5-ICC.

Freezing Rain Could Make Roads Slick This Weekend

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is alerting motorists that travel may be impacted by freezing rain and sleet today through Sunday. The National Weather Service is expecting ice to accumulate in many areas of Illinois, particularly the southern half of the state, starting Friday morning. Ice accumulation of at least 0.25 inches is forecast in the southwestern part of the state, creating hazardous driving conditions. "Whenever a winter storm is forecast, you should ask yourself if your trip is necessary before heading out," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. "We will be out making sure the roads are as safe as possible, but icy conditions may make roads slick this weekend. Give our crews plenty of room to work and please slow down if you will be driving." Crews have been pretreating bridges, overpasses and ramps - the areas most susceptible to icing - in advance of the expected freezing rain and sleet. More than 3,700 employees and 1,700 trucks will be available statewide to battle the winter storm this weekend, applying salt where needed. If you have to travel: Leave plenty of extra time to get to your destination. Take it slow, especially when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges, and shady areas. Make sure your gas tank is full. Keep a cell phone, warm clothes, blankets, food, water, a first aid kit, washer fluid, and an ice scraper in your vehicle. Check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route and schedule. Always wear a seat belt, whether you're sitting in the front seat or back seat. It's the law. Visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com and follow IDOT on Facebook and Twitter for road condition updates.

Progressive Health Systems and UnityPoint Health – Peoria Finalize Affiliation Agreement

The Boards of Directors of Progressive Health Systems and UnityPoint Health – Peoria have finalized and approved an affiliation agreement, which became effective January 1st, 2017. The agreement brings the two systems together, allowing for enhanced access to primary care providers and specialists while improving care coordination and patient experience.

Pekin Hospital’s name is being changed to UnityPoint Health – Pekin, effective immediately. ProHealth Medical Group and ProCare will retain their names and become part of UnityPoint Health. There will be no immediate changes to operations or services.

“Bringing these two organizations together allows us to continue delivering outstanding healthcare to Pekin and the surrounding communities,” said Debbie Simon, President and CEO of UnityPoint Health - Peoria. “We are committed to enhancing services in Tazewell County and are eager to work together as one team moving forward.”

“UnityPoint Health and Progressive Health Systems share similar missions and are both committed to the communities they serve,” said Jamie Stevenson, Board Chairman of UnityPoint Health – Peoria. “I am looking forward to seeing what these two organizations achieve together.”

Simon will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined organization, which includes UnityPoint Health – Methodist, UnityPoint Health – Proctor and UnityPoint Health – Pekin, nearly 50 UnityPoint Clinic, Proctor First Care and ProHealth Medical Group locations, UnityPoint at Home, UnityPoint Hospice, Proctor Medical Equipment, ProCare, Methodist College, the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, and the Hult Center for Health Living. Bob Haley will serve as the President of UnityPoint Health – Pekin.

“This affiliation will be greatly beneficial to the Pekin community,” said Haley. “UnityPoint Health – Pekin is still the community hospital our patients know and trust, but now we’re part of the UnityPoint Health family.”

“This is an exciting day for all of us,” said Ron Miller, Board Chairman of Progressive Health Systems. “As our hospital joins the UnityPoint-Health family, we will continue to build on our long history of providing superior, compassionate care.”

Plans for integrating the two organizations will be made in the coming months.

UnityPoint Health – Peoria provides comprehensive, coordinated care to patients throughout Central Illinois through our clinics, hospitals and home care services. Services are provided at three hospital campuses—UnityPoint Health – Methodist, UnityPoint Health – Proctor, and UnityPoint Health - Pekin —as well as through nearly 50 UnityPoint Clinic, Proctor First Care and ProHealth Medical Group locations, Proctor Medical Equipment, ProCare, Methodist College, the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, and the Hult Center for Health Living. A recognized leader in healthcare in our community, UnityPoint Health - Peoria combines advanced technology and comprehensive services with an emphasis in excellence, quality, safety and patient experience. UnityPoint Health - Peoria is a senior affiliate of UnityPoint Health, the nation’s fifth largest and one of the most integrated health systems.

Regional Business After Hours

Morningside of Pekin Dine and Dash

ICC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION AVAILABLE AS OF JANUARY 15, 2017 FOR 2017-18 ACADEMIC YEAR

The Illinois Central College Educational Foundation will offer more than 600 scholarships worth more than $750,000 to students attending ICC this coming academic year (2017-2018). The scholarships are awarded to students who will be attending ICC in fall 2017.

Students may apply for the scholarships from January 15, 2017, until 11:59 pm on April 1, 2017, using the online application system. Please note: The link will be active as of January 15, 2017.         

The online application process is simple, and by completing one application, students are automatically considered for every scholarship for which they are eligible. Online applications, as well as a complete listing of all available ICC scholarships, may be accessed by visiting http://icc.edu/students/scholarships/.

Questions about scholarships or the application process may be directed to Stephanie Holmes at (309) 694-8420.

Tomorrow's Hope Christian Academy

ICC “BETWEEN THE LINES” PROGRAM EXPLORES THE IMPACT OF GINSBERG’S 1956 POEM HOWL FEB. 6

                Join Illinois Central College’s “Between the Lines” program as it explores the impact of one poem on 1950’s era American culture. “Starving, Hysterical, Naked: Allen Ginsberg’s Howl,” moderated by ICC Professor Jim Sullivan, is set for Mon., Feb. 6 at 2:30 pm in Room 212C/D on the ICC East Peoria Campus.

               

It would be hard to find a poem that has changed American culture to the extent that Allen Ginsberg’s great rant of a poem Howl did when it was published in 1956. It tore the cover off the placid media image of America, drawing attention to all those who did not fit into the supposed mainstream of American life. It offered a wild denunciation of the world Ginsberg found himself in as well as a spiritual vision of a more compassionate America.

“Between the Lines” is a lecture series presented by the faculty members of the English, Humanities and Language Studies Department at ICC. The goal of the series is to offer literary presentations which will interest students and people in the community as well as promote reading literacy and scholarly study.

               

The programs are free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Jen Hopp at jhopp@icc.edu or betweenthelines@icc.edu.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC RELOCATES TO NORTH CAMPUS, OPENS TO PATIENTS JAN. 24

Beginning this month, ICC’s Dental Hygiene program and clinic will relocate from its former location in Downtown Peoria to the ICC North Campus, located in Arbor Hall, 5407 N. University St., in Peoria. 

The new facility is being relocated as part of the College’s long-term plan to transition from the Downtown Campus to the North Campus, which is currently under renovation. Students, dentists, and dental hygienists, who serve as faculty members, will have new digital x-ray equipment and computerized documentation at each dental station at their disposal.

“The move of Health Career programs to the North Campus will provide faculty and students the opportunity for interdisciplinary teaching and learning, as well as advanced simulation exercises for multiple programs at the same time,” said ICC Dean of Health Careers Wendee Guth. “We are excited to provide greater accessibility and high-quality care in a state-of-the-art facility for clinic patients.”

“The move is the next step in the plan to eventually combine all of ICC’s Health Careers under one roof,” said ICC Dean of Health Careers Wendee Guth. “We are excited for the opportunity to provide greater accessibility and high-quality care in a state-of-the-art facility.”

The clinic is staffed by students and faculty in ICC’s Dental Hygiene program. Available services include dental cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants and oral hygiene instruction. Fillings and extractions are not provided. The clinic accepts patients aged five years and older for a flat fee of $20, regardless of care needed. There is no charge for patients with a current Medicaid card. The clinic does not bill Medicare or private insurance.

Appointments are required and are currently being scheduled for Jan. 24 or later.

Hours for the spring 2017 semester are:

·         Monday through Thursday - 9 am to 4 pm

·         Tuesday and Thursday – 6 pm to 9 pm

·         Friday – 9 am to noon

Please note that clinic hours may vary. Patients should allow approximately three hours for an appointment, which will include a thorough health history and dental cleaning. The clinic is handicapped accessible and free parking is available close to the building. 

To schedule an appointment or for questions, please contact the ICC Dental Hygiene Clinic at (309) 690-6999. 

Start the New Year by Spending Right

There are two ways for companies to increase profits - focus on sales, and focus on spending. Many companies put all of their energy into sales, leaving money on the table and opening themselves to unncecssary risk.  This presentation, by Jennifer and Joseph Albright, CEO and COO of Spendright, Inc., is designed to introduce the building blocks of supply management and discuss ways that entrepreneurs can incorporate these concepts into their businesses in order to maximize profits and minimize risk as they grow.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE OFFERS PREP COURSE FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION BOARD EXAM

Illinois Central College is offering a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCB) test preparation course, covered in two Saturdays in February. The twelve-hour course will be held on Sat., Feb. 11, and Sat., Feb. 18, from 8:30 am to 3 pm, at Hickory Hall on the ICC North Campus, 5407 N. University St., in Peoria. The course is designed for currently-employed pharmacy technicians and is an accelerated class aimed at providing an overview highlighting the main content areas covered by the PTCB exam.

The course includes overviews of:

·         Pharmacy law and drug regulation

·         Calculation of percentage strengths, ratio solutions, and allegations

·         Preparation of IVs and other sterile preparations

·         Insurance billing and inventory control

              The class is not intended to replace a full-length educational program or on-the-job training, and students will not receive a certificate of completion. In order to obtain certification as a pharmacy technician, students must provide a completed Statement of Training by the pharmacist-in-charge at their current place of employment, along with photocopy proof of passing the national PTCB exam to the Illinois Department for Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

              Cost for the course is $385 and includes classroom instruction and in-class materials, as well as additional study and reference resources.

To register, go online to icc.edu/pdi/pharmtechprep or call (309) 690-6900. For questions, contact Ellen George at (309) 690-6909, or email egeorge@icc.edu.

97.3 Nash FM teams ups with Bob Lindsey Acura for the 2017 Teddy Bear Drive benefitting Children’s Hospital of Illinois

97.3 Nash FM, Peoria’s Country is proud to once again be partnering with the Children’s Hospital of Illinois for the annual Teddy Bear Drive, sponsored by Bob Lindsay Acura. Please help us by donating new teddy bears. 

Teddy Bears can be dropped off at our studio located at 120 Eaton St. in Peoria, Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm or Bob Lindsey Acura on Allen Road until February 13, 2017. The goal is to stuff an “Acura MDX” in their show room with teddy bears.

Our goal is to collect more than 2,500 bears this year.  Our delivery will make for a nice Valentine’s gift for any child who is in the hospital that day, and the Children’s Hospital continues to use our donations year round to give to sick kids. Thank you for your support!

Two new exhibits open on January 18 at the Illinois Central College art galleries, located on the East Peoria Campus.

An artists’ talk from will take place in Gallery 336B from noon to 2 pm to open Making a Life, an exhibit featuring ceramics and sculpture by Erin Furimsky and Claire Hedden. Gallery 336B is located in the Academic Building.

In addition, a printmaking exhibit by Florin Hategan opens at noon in the ICC Performing Arts Center Gallery, located in the lobby of the facility.

Erin Furimsky is a practicing studio artist in Bloomington whose work focuses on the relationship of sculptural form with highly ornamented surfaces. She received a bachelor degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1997 and a master degree from The Ohio State University in 2002. Furimsky has exhibited her work nationally with inclusions of her work in international exhibitions in China and Taiwan. Since 1997, her work has been included in over 100 group and solo exhibitions, with reproductions of her ceramic work being featured in numerous books and catalogs. Critical reviews of her work have appeared on several occasions in the journals Ceramics Monthly and Ceramics Art and Perception. In 2006, Furimsky was selected as an emerging artist by the National Council on Education of the Ceramic Arts. She has been selected as an artist in residence at the Archie Bray Foundation, The Red Lodge Clay Center, The Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts and the Oregon College of Art and Design. She is featured in a DVD called Layered Surfaces with Erin Furimsky.

As an educator, Furimsky has been a featured presenter at several national workshops. In addition, she has served as a visiting professor at Illinois State University and Heartland Community College, both in Normal, Ill.

Claire Hedden resides in Normal, where she is an artist and serves as curator at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington. Originally from northeastern Pennsylvania, Hedden earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics (NYSCC) at Alfred University.

In addition to Illinois, her works have been exhibited across the United States, including Ohio, Washington, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Montana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Colorado and California.

Hedden has served as an adjunct faculty member at Illinois State University and NYSCC at Alfred University. In addition, she was chosen to serve as visiting artist for a summer at NYSCC at Alfred University. In 2009, Hedden was a recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts fellowship.

According to Hedden, her work captures and animates moments in which objects, beings, emotions, and place are interconnected and in flux. She is interested in postmodern abstraction of amassing information, our contemporary domestic lifestyle and figurative gestures connection to emotion. Hedden builds with common materials of our domestic environment, including clay, wood, fabric and foam.

Florin Hategan has a master’s degree in civil engineering and an undergraduate degree in fine arts. He has been working in printmaking and oil painting since 1992.

His works have been internationally presented in more than 90 national and international competitions and have won awards in Canada, Serbia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, Japan and the United States. His works are represented in private and public collections in Canada, Europe, Taiwan, Japan and the United States.

His current project is polemical discourse upon the disintegration and eventual disappearance of traditional communities, a process Hategan calls “fragmenturalism” (a term he derived by combining “fragmentation” and “fracture”). His works explore these contemporary complex transitions, which have triggered unprecedented social fragmentation with profound effects in the structure of the communities.

Hategan lives and works in Maple, Ontario, Canada.

Hours of operation for Gallery 336B are Monday through Thursday, from 9 am to 5 pm and Friday from 9 am to noon. The Performing Arts Center Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Friday from 9:30 am to noon. Operation of the galleries varies with ICC’s holidays and breaks. To confirm a gallery will be open at a particular time, call the ICC Arts and Communication Department at (309) 694-5113. The Performing Arts Center Gallery also is accessible when the Performing Arts Center is open for public events.

The exhibits are presented by the ICC Art Program and the Arts at ICC. The Arts at ICC has a rich history of enhancing the arts community and expanding education beyond the classroom. Arts at ICC presents more than 500 exhibits, performances, lectures, rehearsals, meetings, master classes, clinics, seminars, receptions, orientations, forums, auditions and tournaments annually.

For more information, visit ArtsAtICC.com, or contact the ICC Arts & Communication Department at (309) 694-5113.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE OFFERS S.A.T. PREP CLASSES AND INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

Illinois public high schools are now required to administered the SAT to high school juniors instead of the ACT or PARCC exams. Illinois Central College will offer a series of four, three-hour review courses to help students prepare for the SAT test, as well as informational sessions for students and their parents or guardians on this transition. All SAT Prep course sessions and the Introductory Night will be held at Hickory Hall on the ICC North Campus, located at 5407 N. University St., Peoria. Participants must register to take the SAT exam separately.

The sessions meet in the two weeks prior to each of the SAT test dates scheduled throughout this spring. The next session is scheduled to begin on Feb. 27. Illinois public high schools will administer the SAT test to area high school juniors on April 5, 2017. However, students may wish to take the test more than once to try to improve their scores.

SAT Prep course participants will learn strategies for building test-taking skills and improving their test scores and will practice taking short tests in all of the SAT core subject areas. The prep courses will cover the Reading, Writing and Math sections of the SAT exam. SAT Reading prep will include questions based on reading passages and quantitative information in the Information and Ideas, Rhetoric, and Synthesis categories. The Writing prep portion will include practice answering multiple-choice questions regarding rhetoric, grammar, and English usage. The Math prep will cover specific algebra, geometry, and trigonometry application and analysis strategies, with an emphasis on problem solving, modeling, using tools strategically, and using algebraic structure.

In addition to these sessions, ICC will offer an Introductory Night for students and their parents or guardians to learn more about the State of Illinois’ transition from using the ACT test to the SAT test, as well as college admission considerations.

Cost of the SAT Prep courses, including Introductory Night, is $108. To view the full schedule of prep and introductory night, or to register for the prep courses, visit http://www.icc.edu/SATprep. Please note that students must register for the SAT exam separately.  

SCORE Webinar Hot Businesses, Markets & Trends for 2017

What businesses are likely to boom this year? Are there specific trends you should be aware of in order to position your small business for growth?

Join us for this webinar and learn:

• What types of businesses are going strong today
• How to take advantage of consumer purchasing behaviors
• Which demographic groups have extra purchasing power
• What customers want from small businesses and much more

https://www.score.org/event/hot-businesses-markets-trends-2017

Dell Reconnect

LOCAL BANKER REAPPOINTED TO IILLINOIS BANKER’S ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING COMMITTEE

Emma Vandeveer, Vice President Marketing and Sales at South Side Trust and Savings Bank in Peoria, IL, was reappointed to the Illinois Bankers Association (IBA) 2016-2017 Communications and Marketing Committee by IBA President and CEO Linda Koch.

As a member of the Committee, Vandeveer will review IBA communication vehicles such as the Illinois Banker magazine, e-newsletters and the website; and makes recommendations for the enhancements and improvements, while providing feedback on IBA communications practices.  The Committee also reviews the IBA’s public relations efforts and suggests ways for the IBA to better serve as a resource to its members.

The Illinois Bankers Association, the voice of Illinois’ banking industry, is a full-service trade association dedicated to creating a positive business climate that benefits the entire banking industry and the communities they serve.  Founded in 1891, the IBA brings together state and national banks that together employ well over 100,000 people in nearly 5,000 offices across the state.  The IBA is proud of its diverse membership, serving all sizes of financial institutions from the smallest community bank in the state to the largest national bank in the country.  Illinois headquartered banks and savings institutions safeguard more than $341.5 billion in deposits and extend more than $225.8 billion in loans to consumers and businesses.

South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a locally owned financial institution since 1922, has $665 million in assets and serves the tri-county area with 12 full service locations in Peoria, East Peoria, West Peoria, Bartonville, Chillicothe, Washington, and Pekin.  South Side Bank owns Mid Illinois Insurance Services, Inc. located at 1524 W. Glen Avenue in Peoria. 

ADM Grant Enhances Center for Prevention of Abuse Prevention Education Program

Goodwill Is Hiring

24th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Send your life in a New Direction with Innovative Medical Therapies

Innovative Medical Therapies is excited to announce a Weight Loss Information Session on Thursday, January 12 to help you accomplish your health goals in 2017!

Come learn about the comprehensive, medically supervised weight management program, sample some of the products and learn about what the program can do for you.

Join Dr. Fisher, a national expert from the Robard Corporation (manufacturers of the New Direction Food products), and others working to change their lives with this all encompassing, supportive program THAT WORKS!

·         Date:  Thursday, January 12, 2017

·         Time:  5:30 pm – 6:30 –pm

·         Location: 2^nd Floor Conference Room, Pekin Library.  301 S. Fourth Street; Pekin, IL 61554.

·         RSVP:  Write clientcare@csccil.com or call 309-347-2714.

About Innovative Medical Therapies Weight Loss Program

The Robard Corporation has been helping people lose and manage their weight for decades, and Innovative Medical Therapies has embraced their program because IT WORKS!  Our proven weight management programs and quality assured nutritional products have helped thousands of patients achieve their weight loss goals — but, more importantly, improve their health and happiness.

Many plans have been developed to help people lose weight, but comparatively little attention has been given to maintaining weight loss. Recidivism is a common issue for many patients and research demonstrates that patients who follow a structured weight loss program can regain 75% or more of their lost weight. To ensure our patient’s successful, permanent weight loss, we’ve incorporated the Robard S.T.A.R. Plan® — Steps To Avoid Regain — into our core program offerings to provide added tools that will help you develop permanent lifestyle changes. Developed by an expert panel of researchers and experienced medical professionals operating successful weight management programs, the S.T.A.R. Plan complements our weight loss plans and provides additional strategies to meet the multifaceted challenges you may face to achieve long-term weight loss success. A wealth of resources previously unapplied to weight maintenance, including Cognitive Restructuring, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology and Appreciative Inquiry, are utilized to help you build on the personal satisfaction and inherent value of sustaining a healthy weight.
Quality Products
Robard has a full line of high quality protein products with vitamins and minerals to support healthy metabolism and lean muscle mass during weight loss. These proteins supply the proper balance of amino acids and nitrogen essential for protein synthesis and many other metabolic functions so weight loss is effective and safe. All our medical products are also low in carbohydrates and fat to facilitate the release of stored fat.
Robard has delicious meal replacements, protein bars, snacks, and much more—at prices that are among the best in the industry. Products are distributed through our clinic. They are not sold over the counter.
Each meal replacement and protein supplement undergoes an extensive quality assurance review and analysis to ensure each product is delivering high quality nutrition at the labeled level. All our products meet the Federal Code of Regulation requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices and NLEA/DSHEA labeling of Food Products and Dietary Supplements. Nutritionally designed by food scientist professionals and reviewed by physicians, our wide variety of products, flavors and meal plans allow us to tailor a weight loss regimen to meet your precise needs.
About Innovative Medical Therapies
Innovative Medical Therapies (IMT) is a Dr. C.W. Fisher initiative to help people age to perfection!  We are Pekin’s Premier Medical & Day Spa and offer laser, aesthetic, weight loss and wellness services including Botox, Crystal Microdermabrasions, Femilift, Laser Hair Removal, and Bio-identical hormone optimization.  We selected the name innovative medical therapies because sometimes the best treatments are not always available in the mainstream marketplace.  We research the best treatments available, bring them to our practice in Pekin Illinois and deliver these treatments with personalized care and attention.  We are commitment to helping clients change their lives with products and services that work. 

Dr. Fisher has practiced Family Practice Medicine in the Pekin area since 1991.  Over the course of his career he has run a thriving family practice, delivered hundreds of babies, performed surgical procedures, worked emergency rooms, and provided effective, comprehensive medical care to thousands.  His expertise is extensive and his care for people and fine details makes him ideally suited to provide innovative, comprehensive, concierge type medicine for our medical spa customers.