Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Check out a few pictures from today's James Field Rededication at the chamber's picture site: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Members from the Peoria, East Peoria, Morton and Washington chambers of comerce joined together for a countyside business after hours at Five Points Washington. The event was also sponsored by Washington Community Bank. You can see more pictures from this great event at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

AAIM Employers’ Association Workplace Learning Solutions is pleased to offer the following workshops. Detailed information on these and other workshops is available on the website at www.eaconnect.com . AAIM Employers’ Association is an HRCISM Approved Provider. Register online at www.eaconnect.com or contact us at 800.948.5700. “Accident Investigations” Peoria, IL: Friday, November 13, 2009, Peoria NEXT Innovation Center Presented by: Tom Grey Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm Cost: $225 AAIM-EA Member/$255 Non-member This workshop provides all information necessary to implement an investigation program into your organization, or improve an existing program. “OSHA 10-Hour Safety Program on General Industry Standards” Peoria, IL: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 and Thursday, December 3, 2009, Peoria NEXT Innovation Center Time: 8:00am – 3:00pm (Wednesday) and 8:00am – 12noon (Thursday). Presenters: Tom Grey Cost: $245 AAIM-EA M...

Women's Fund November 2009 First Tuesdays To Be Held At Junction Gallery in the Metro Centre PEORIA * October 28, 2009 * The next First Tuesdays will be held on November 3, 2009, from 5 to 7 pm at Junction Gallery (at 4700 N.University St, Peoria). The Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois invites area women to attend First Tuesdays, a monthly networking opportunity. Come to First Tuesdays and meet other dynamic women who share your interest in funding projects that promote leadership and empowerment for women and girls. Become part of a national movement towards Women's Philanthropy. To automatically receive First Tuesdays' invitations, call The Women's Fund at theCommunity Foundation of Central Illinois at 309 674-8730 or email Kristan@communityfoundationci.org and ask to receive the 'E-vite' forFirst Tuesdays. Appetizers and beverages will be served and door prizes awarded. Donations will be accepted to further the work of the Wo...

AAIM Employers’ Association Workplace Learning Solutions is pleased to offer the following workshop. Detailed information on this workshop is available on our website at www.eaconnect.com . Employers’ Association is an HRCISM Approved Provider. “HR Recordkeeping” East Peoria, IL: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, Par-A-Dice Hotel Presented by: Davis & Campbell LLC Rockford, IL: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, NIU—Rockford, 8500 E State Street Presented by: Hinshaw & Culbertson Time: 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Cost: $130 EA Member/$180 Non-member Part of the Employment Law Series, this session will discuss laws that affect Recordkeeping, including requirements to create and preserve employment records; paper vs. electronic storages issues; and litigation hold/email communications.

AAIM Employers’ Association will offer “Mastering Conflict Resolution” training in East Peoria. The program is scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2009, from 9am to 12pm at Par-A-Dice Hotel. The cost is $135 AAIM-EA Members or $180 for non-members. For reservations and info call 800-948-5700.

Every Tuesday until November 24th, Pekin Estates will offer free coffee and donuts to seniors. This coffee "break" will take place from 8:30 until 10:30 am on. Plus, on Friday November13th from 3 until 5 pm Pekin Estates will host a Seniors after Hours. A speaker from CCS Medical will provide information on Diabetes. Beverages and hors d' oeuvers' will also be served. Please come and join us! For more information contact Tracy Harper, Pekin Estates 353-1600

Pekin Police Department’s annual Night Out Against Crime on Thursday October 29th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Dragon’s Dome. This is a free event to the community with the goal to bring the community together and take a stand against crime. The event will take place from 5:30 – 7:30pm October 29th at the Dragon’s Dome located at 3401 Griffin Drive in Pekin. Free hot dogs, popcorn and soda will be available along with trick or treating with organizations and businesses sharing their crime prevention role with fun games and activities for the kids. Inflatable slide and obstacle course for kids, watch fire and police demonstrations, attendees can pay $1.00 to take a swing at an old car, DJ music by DJ Brown and a chance to win several bikes, gift certificates and prizes in a raffle. McGruff the Crime Dog will also be attending. Some of the organizations that will be represented include the Pekin Police Department, Pekin Fire Department, Greater Peoria Crime Stoppers, the Tazewell Co...

1st Ambassadors Committee, CJ’s Café, 7:30am /8:00am 2nd Member Promotions Committee, Chamber Office, 7:30am 2nd Executive Committee, Chamber Office, 4:00 pm 3rd Pekin 1st Committee, Holiday Inn Express, 7:30 am 3rd Business AFTER Hours, Pekin Hospital 4:30~6:00 pm Reservations Appreciated 8th Member Services Comm., Chamber Office, 7:30 am 9th Transportation Committee, Pekin City Hall, 8:00 am 11th Puttin on Pekin, Knights of Columbus Hall, 6:45 am Reservations Appreciated 24th Christmas Eve, Chamber Office Closed 25th Christmas Day, Chamber Office Closed 31st New Years Eve, Chamber Office Closed

3rd Ambassadors Committee, CJ’s Café, 7:30am /8:00am 4th Member Promotions Committee, Chamber Office, 7:30am 4th Executive Committee, Chamber Office, 4:00 pm 5th Pekin 1st Committee, Holiday Inn Express, 7:30 am 5th Business AFTER Hours, Timbercreek Rehab & Health Care 4:30~6:00 pm Reservations Appreciated 10th Member Services Comm., Chamber Office, 7:30 am 11th Veteran’s Day, Chamber Office Closed 11th Board of Directors, Herget Bank, 4:00 pm 18th Marigold Committee, Holiday Inn Express, 6:30 pm 24th Business Advocacy Comm., Chamber Office, 7:00 am 26th Thanksgiving Day, Chamber Office Closed 27th Thanksgiving Holiday, Chamber Office Closed

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2 percent in September. The index has decreased 1.3 percent over the last 12 months on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The United States City Average for all consumers—all items—January 2009, 211.1; February, 212.2; March, 212.8; April, 213.2; May, 213.9; June, 215.7; and July, 215.4.

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that recently renewed their membership with the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Allegiant Air ~ B'Ribboned Etc. ~ Kirk W. Bode, Attorney ~ Baumgarten Distributors ~ Beck's Convenience Store ~ Brown D.J. & Sound Services ~ Clanahan Chiropractic ~ CommunityLink ~ Cordts Heating & Air Conditioning ~ Court Place Apartments ~ Dr. Michael Danner, DDS ~ Deverman Advertising ~ Employers Association of Illinois ~ Heartland Chiropractic Center ~ Henderson Funeral Home ~ Home Health Care Plus, Inc. ~ Hopedale Medical Complex ~ Hoyle Transportation ~ Illinois Collections Unlimited ~ JM Industrial Supply ~ Leman Property Management Company ~ Liberty Village of Pekin/Pekin Estates ~ OmniLEC ~ Pekin Main Street ~ Peoria Black Chamber of Commerce ~ Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball Club ~ Peoria Logo (POGO) ~ Professional Therapy Services ~ ReMax Home Realtors ~ Sunset Lanes ~ Tazewell County Area Education ~ Tazwood Mental Health ...

Don't forget to RSVP for the November Business AFTER Hours. It will be hosted by Timbercreek Rehab & Health Care, 2220 State Street on Thursday, November 5th from 4:30—6:00 pm. Take advantage of this great networking opportunity. You might start a new business relationship or meet your best customer. Enjoy the door prizes, refreshments, and visit with your friends, neighbors, and business associates. Admission is free to Chamber members ($10 for future members). Please RSVP to the Chamber at 346-2106 or e-mail us at chamber@pekin.net.

Networking Opportunities Many people join the chamber for only one reason - networking. What is networking? I like to think of it as the time you spend developing and maintaining contacts and personal relationships with people who might be helpful to you and your career. With our busy lives – both at home and at work – it would be easy to put networking on the back burner. But the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce coordinates a number of networking opportunities that make it easy for busy people to develop and maintain relationships. There are several great networking opportunities right around the corner, and I encourage you to take advantage of them. First, on another page in this newsletter, you’ll find information on a countywide business after hours at 5-Points in Washington on Thursday, October 29th. Here’s a great chance to get out and expand your circle by building relationships with members of the East Peoria, Morton, Pekin and Washington chambers of commerce. You’ll also find i...

Please welcome a new member to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Julie McElwee State Farm Agency 1000 Court Street Pekin, IL 61554 www.juliesf.com (309) 347-3484 fax 347-6573 Julie McElwee julie@juliesf.com Katie Bashary Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm, offering auto, renters, home and life insurance, plus financial services. Our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.

Maryann Russell, who works as a volunteer for the New Salem Historic Site, will be the speaker at the November 10 meeting of the Tazewell County Genealogical Society. Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site preserves the hard years of Lincoln's life and those of his fellow pioneers in a "living museum." It represents a special place in the nation's history. People from other nations all over the world visit the site each year, as explained on the Lincoln League website. Maryann will focus on the rebuilding of the village of New Salem by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940’s, and introduce us to the book the Lincoln League has written about the reconstruction of the village. The meeting, which is open to the general public, will be held on Tuesday November 10, 2009 at the Society’s Erlicher Library, located at 719 N Eleventh St, Pekin, IL. The program will begin promptly at 7:00 PM, with a business meeting immediately following. The building is handic...

The Methodist College of Nursing will be hosting an open house on Saturday, October 31, 2009. The 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. open house will allow those interested in nursing and nursing education to meet faculty, staff, and students. Information will be available about the NEW Second Degree Accelerated BSN and four-year BSN programs. Participants will also be able to get information on the RN-BSN nursing degree, see the state of the art learning resource center, and get details on the College of Nursing admission process and financial aid. The Methodist College of Nursing is located off I-74 at 415 St. Mark Court in Peoria. For additional information call 672-5513 or go online to www.mcon.edu.

Pekin Main Street held their annual Halloween Parade in downtown Pekin on Saturday, October 24th. You can see more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

AAAIM Employers’ Association announced the winners for its Fourth Annual Employer of the Year Awards which recognize employers for their efforts in being a great workplace. Award winners were announced at the AAIM Employers’ Association Conference and 92nd Annual Meeting. The Employer of the Year Awards was presented in three categories: fewer than 100 employees; 101 to 250 employees; and over 250 employees. In order to be considered for the award, employers had to demonstrate the following criteria: programs which; foster effective and open communication, recognize the value of employee input, encourage employee development, demonstrate work/life balance and promote a positive culture. In addition, employers had to define a business problem and present the resolution through a specific people practice. “We established an awards program honoring great employers in Illinois that recognize employees as their greatest asset. There are many employers that work with imagination and convi...

The Pekin Public Library is hosting their second annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the library's Community Room. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping at this one-stop shopping extravaganza. A variety of vendors will sell items such as jewelry, kitchen ware, home interiors, children's items, and more. There will also be a bake sale, raffles, door prizes and complimentary refreshments. A Children's Corner will offer games and face painting to entertain the kids while the parents are shopping. Raffle Prizes will be on display in the library lobby from October 30 to November 13, and raffle tickets can be purchased in advance of the bazaar during regular library hours. Raffle and door prize winners will be notified immediately following the bazaar. This event helps raise funds to improve library service to the community. For more information, please call the library at 347-7111.

The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois has established a Professional and Technical Strategy Group to help retain and grow the professional and technical industry sector within the Peoria metropolitan statistical area, which consists of Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, and Stark Counties. The Professional and Technical Strategy Group works with the goals of: Increasing awareness of the professional/technical service capabilities in the region Assessing the service needs within area businesses Facilitating educational programs on outsourcing Facilitating the development and growth of local professional and technical service businesses For more information on the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois please visit http://www.edc.centralillinois.org/ As a professional and/or technical firm within the MSA, we seek your input on retention and growth issues facing your industry sector in order to begin to address these issues. We have a few questions which wi...

WHO: International Association of Administrative Professionals, Tri-County Chapter WHEN: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 5:15 pm Networking/Dinner / 6:00-6:30 pm Business Meeting / 6:30 pm Speaker WHERE: Chateau on the Lake, 901 Chateau Drive, Rt 98, Pekin, IL TOPIC: Social Networking Tools – Facebook, MySpace, MyFamily, Twitter COST: Free to attend meeting (not necessary to be a member to attend) MEAL: Dinner cost $15.00RSVP: To Savanna Bohm at 655-2727 by noon 10/30/09

The Certifying Commission in Medical Management (CCMM) has designated Dr. Rick Anderson a Certified Physician Executive. Dr. Anderson is Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for Methodist Medical Center. The CPE designation, used in signatory, indicates that Dr. Anderson has achieved superior levels of professional excellence and management education, while also demonstrating effective knowledge and leadership skills. The Certifying Commission in Medical Management is the national certifying body for physicians specializing in medical management. The Certifying Commission is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) to establish and maintain the high standards required for physician executive certification. The ACPE is the nation’s largest organization of physicians in health care leadership. The College is recognized by the American Medical Association as the specialty society representing physicians in ...

Methodist Medical Center has earned the Gold Seal of Approval for Health Care Quality from the Joint Commission, a national, not-for-profit health accrediting organization. The Joint Commission has awarded Methodist its Disease Specific Care Certifications for Pneumonia, Heart Failure, Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack), Sleeping Disorders, Joint Replacement-Knee, Joint Replacement-Hip, and Advanced Primary Stroke Center. To earn these distinctions, Methodist volunteered to undergo extensive, on-site evaluations. A Joint Commission reviewer judged the Medical Center’s performance in each of these areas according to the Joint Commission’s rigorous quality and safety standards along with the hospital’s ability to continuously evaluate and improve patient care. Michael Bryant, President and CEO of Methodist, said, “These are important achievements for Methodist. The Joint Commission sets the national benchmark for health care quality and these certifications are additional evidenc...

Enviro-Dry owner Beau Austin, his wife Sarah, and their daughter Elizabeth were recently welcomed to the local business community by representatives of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin. Enviro-Dry is a new Pekin business - a carpet, tile and upholstery clearing service featuring Green Seal Certified Products. The cleaning is 97% dry, using only 1 teaspoon of water per square foot, featuring Host - the dry extraction carpet cleaning system. Enviro Dry leaves carpets dry immediately after cleaning. Offering their congratulations at the ribbon cutting ceremony were Steve Brown, Dave Calhoun, Renna Hadsall, Brittany Dorf, Laura Lohnes, Jeff Stevenson, Althea Geiser, Dr. Denise Comerford, Jeff Livengood and Cathy Lusch. You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

In light of the growing numbers of H1N1 influenza cases in central Illinois, Methodist Medical Center, in conjunction with OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Proctor Hospital, and Pekin Hospital, are restricting the age of visitors to their facilities. Effective immediately, and until further notice, hospital visitors will be limited to those 12 years of age and older. In addition, it is strongly recommended that anyone showing flu-like symptoms please refrain from visiting patients in the hospital. This request is being made out of respect for our patients, many of whom already have compromised immune systems. Children have been particularly susceptible to the H1N1 virus and may be contagious prior to showing symptoms. Debbie Simon, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Methodist said, "We are taking this step to help ensure the safety of our patients and visitors. Family and friends can help by keeping children at home, and by staying home themselves if they are exp...

Please welcome another new member to the chamber: Intellihot Green Technologies, Inc. 801 W. Main Street Peoria, IL 61606 (309) 495-7270 fax 296-8984 www.intellihot.com info@intellihot.com Sridhar Deivasigamani , President Sivaprasad Akasm , Vice President Intellihot Green Technologies, Inc. has reinvented hot water with cutting edge tankless technology that provides instant, endless hot water and utilizes nearly all energy resources resulting in 100% plus efficiency.

A Pekin tradition for over 15 years is the Halloween Trick or Treat and Parade that will take place on Saturday October 24th from 3:00 – 6:00pm throughout the downtown district. Pekin Main Street invites families, organizations and businesses to participate in the annual Downtown Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. The parade will start at James Field, proceed down Broadway to Court Street, and disperse along Capitol Street, next to the Courthouse. Parade staging will take place at James Field at 4:00 p.m. Costume Contest will be immediately following the parade on the Capitol Street next to the Courthouse. The categories for the costume contests are: Ages Birth-3 years; 4-7 years; 8-11 years; 12-15 years; 16 and over; Family or Group Entry (such as a Boys/Girls Scout Troup); and Pet Entry. There will be top winners in each category, and prizes will be awarded. There is no registration cost to participate in the parade or the costume contest, contact Pekin Main ...

Champion Fitness Physical Therapy joins with the American Physical Therapy Association in celebrating October as National Physical Therapy Month. Physical therapists help to reduce pain and improve motion to achieve long-term quality of life, in many cases without expensive surgery or the side effects of prescription medications. Learn more about Champion Fitness Physical Therapy and what physical therapy can do for you at www.champfit.com .

105.7 The X (WIXO) is pleased to announce the 8th Annual Nutcracker X-Mas Concert will take place at Expo Gardens in Peoria on Friday, December 4th. This year’s national headliner is Five Finger Death Punch! Special guests include Chicago’s Janus and 105.7 The X’s house band – Mindset Evolution. Doors open at 5:00pm, showtime is 6:00pm. Tickets are $25. Starting October 17th until October 31st, tickets will be buy one, get one free as a part of the 105.7 The X Rocks Nutcracker Stimulus Plan. Tickets will go on sale at all area Co-op Record locations and Shandi’s on the Square in Canton. Five Finger Death Punch is a band out of Los Angeles formed in 2005 by guitarist Zoltan Bathory. The band name was created as a tribute to Hong-Kong Kung-fu cinema. Their most recent album was just released in September 2009. Topping online charts and playing sold out shows, Five Finger Death Punch begun its rapid rise with their modern day metal. It wasn't long before one of the most powerful ...

Liberation Software is proud to offer Information Technology Security Assessment and Risk Mitigation Analysis for local businesses of any size. This three-step analysis is designed to create a System Development Life Cycle for companies and determine any and all potential threats to Information Technology assets. Many businesses in the area currently have disaster plans for their physical assets and personnel, however very few have any sort of plan in place for their data and technology. This analysis is conducted in three phases consisting of an initial on-site assessment, the development of a detailed plan of action and finally a pro-active follow-up to ensure that the plan is serving the client as effectively as possible. Liberation Software conducts the analysis on an outsourced basis and provides priority support for all clients from their Pekin offices through both on-site consultation as well as remote consultation using the latest in remote assistance software packages. Analysi...

The 48th Annual Peoria Branch Freedom Fund Banquet will be held on Saturday, November 14th at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Conference Center in East Peoria. The them of the banquet is "Bold Dreams, Big Victories." The social time begins at 6:30pm and dinner is at 7:00pm. On the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP, the speaker will be Bishop Phillip R. Cousin, Senior Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church. Senator Everett Dirksen will be honored for his pivotal role in the passage of the civil rights legislation int he 1960s. Memorabilia from the Dirksen Congressional Center will be on display. Sponsorships, program advertising, and dinner tickets are available by contacting Ernestine Jackson, 434-2468 or Jackie Petty, 688-2323.

Pekin Hospital’s parking lot located outside the Women’s Diagnostic Center entrance on 14th Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic for renovations beginning on October 21. The lot will open the following day, October 22. Patients and visitors are being asked to use either the Main Lobby entrance to the hospital or the Park Avenue entrance. If you have any questions or concerns about these plans, please call (309) 353-0465.

For the second year in a row, the Methodist Medical Center website, MyMethodist.net, has won the Web Marketing Associations WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Website Development of a Health Care Website. More than 2,000 sites from 47 countries were judged in 96 industry categories during the competition. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology. The 2009 WebAwards was judged by a team of independent Internet professionals representing a variety of relevant disciplines of web site development. Judges included members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, creative directors, corporate marketing executive, content providers and webmasters. Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association’s annual WedAward Competition has been setting the standard of excellence for website development.

The Tazewell County Jaycees will host its first monthly Trivia Night on Thursday, October 15 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Gracie’s Sports Grille and Pizza, 1021 N. Cummings Lane, Washington. Participants are needed to form teams for the competition. Cost is $10 per person, and teams may have between two-ten people. The winning team will receive a trophy and a free table for the November trivia night. Numerous prizes will be awarded throughout the evening, and a 50/50 drawing will also be held. In addition, Gracie’s will offer drink specials to all participants, and any participant who joins the Tazewell County Jaycees that night will receive a free entry to the November trivia night. The monthly trivia nights, to be held on the third Thursday of each month, will generate funds to be used for charitable community projects in 2010. To reserve your table, or for more information, please contact Michelle Riggio, President, Tazewell County Jaycees, at 309-712-1185, or mlriggio@yahoo.com . The T...

You're Invited! Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:00 AM Please join us as we celebrate the completion of the community's revitalization of James Field. We will attempt to set the United States record for the most people simultaneously blowing soap bubbles! Bubbles Provided or Bring Your Own. A large scale photo will be taken to commemorate the day. Parking is available in the City of Pekin public lots, as well as at Schnuck's, Steger's, St. John's Lutheran Church, and St. Paul's United Church of Christ.

Pekin Hospital is pleased to offer an adult diabetes education workshop on November 9, 10, and 11. The series of three classes will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the 4 South Education Classroom at Pekin Hospital. The classes are designed to provide information on managing adult diabetes and are designed to help diabetics learn and develop the skills of self-management of diabetes therapy. Topics covered in the sessions will include: * the importance of diabetes control and the factors that influence this control * how to plan meals according to food selections and serving size * the possible complications associated with diabetes * why exercise will benefit your health and make you feel good Workshop speakers will include a Certified Diabetes Educator, Registered Dietitian, Registered Nurse, Registered Pharmacist, Exercise Specialist, and Registered Medical Technician. Class fees are $60 per person (one guest may accompany the registrant at no extra cost). The $60 includes all t...

CEFCU is pleased to announce that Mary Conrady, Keith Reynolds, Giann Walker, Rick Bentley, Doug Swan, Shannon Taylor and Staci Wall assume new management positions. Conrady will assume the position of Vice President of Consumer Lending. Her job responsibilities include directing, coordinating, and administering operations of the Consumer Lending area. Reynolds has been promoted to Community President of Valley Credit Union, a division of CEFCU, located in San Jose, California. His job responsibilities include managing and directing operations of the credit union which serves Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. Walker was promoted to the position of Vice President of Market Development. Her responsibilities include identifying and developing business opportunities in Sangamon, Macon, and McLean Counties. Bentley has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Traders Circle Member Center. His job responsibilities include overseeing office operations. Swan will assume the positi...

Seventy-seven chamber members and guests enjoyed the October 9th Puttin' On Pekin breakfast. Dave Osborn from Trouble Free Plumbing won the early prize, while Bruce Hoerr from Winpak won the late prize. The Spotlight on Business was presented to Arlene Heine-Meyer from World Wide Travel. The Blue Ribbon Award was presented to Jackie Hammond who owns the apartments on the corner of 5th and Broadway. Jim McConoughey, CEO of the Heartland Partnership, presented a regional economic update. To see more pictures from this and other chamber events visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their 12th annual Business and Community Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, October 8th at the Pekin Country Club. The Chamber’s Member Services Committee coordinated the luncheon, which was sponsored by CenturyTel, Pekin Trophy House & Engraved Gifts, The Greenhouse Flower Shoppe, Paradise Donuts, and The Ashland House. Recognition was given to twenty-eight area businesses and organizations in the following categories: remodeling or expansion; new ownership or management; new business or building; additional employees; major training effort; new technology; major equipment investment; other improvements; and, community involvement. Before presenting the awards, Chamber executive director Bill Fleming told the audience of 155 people representing forty-six local organizations that not all of the current economic news is negative. “These twenty-eight businesses and organizations have demonstrated by their continued investment that they did not...

Pekin Hospital is hosting an entertaining and informational Spirit Girls’ Night Out (SM) in partnership with Reader’s Digest to help women find their “Best Health Now” on Thursday, October 29 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Pekin Moose Lodge. The event is specifically designed to offer women valuable information about breast health, flu prevention, and other leading women’s health issues, while enjoying health screenings, giveaways, pampering, and lots of other fun activities. Health education and fun activities will be woven throughout the three-hour evening to emphasize the importance of awareness of common health issues affecting women today. Besides important educational segments, the night will also include food, health and beauty tips, fitness options, and more. The event is free to attend. Please call (309) 353-0662 to register. “As women, we are always looking for the latest health information to ensure our family’s health and wellness is intact, but we often end up neglecting our own h...

J.R. Greeley, Market Manager and Bob Swinehart, Director of Sales for REegent Broadcasting of Peoria, are proud to announce that September's Employee of the Month is Evan Ford and Sales Representative of the Month is Lindsay Slater. “Lindsay is one of those sales executives that you can always rely on to get the job done and everything she does is done with a smile. She’s a tremendous asset to the Regent team,” stated Bob. Ms. Slater has been working in the radio industry for over eight years and is a native of the Peoria area. Lindsay has been a Senior Account Manager with Regent Broadcasting – Peoria since 2003. “Evan is a very dedicated radio professional with great attention to detail and promotions. Evan does all the little things that make this radio world work, his work ethic is amazing, we’re lucky to have him on this staff,” stated Matt Bahan, Operations Manager. Ford, of Tonica, graduated from Western Illinois University in 2005. Upon ...

The Methodist Medical Center Service League members will hold their 59th annual Gift Show Saturday, November 7, 2009 in the lobby of the Methodist Atrium, 900 Main Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 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,...

Gatehouse Media, the parent company of the Pekin Daily Times and The Peoria Journal Star, partnered with 100 newspaper groups and over 1,000 newspapers across the country to start a site for consumers that prefer the internet for looking at circulars, sales, travel specials, deals, and coupons. Zip2Save.com is a national site, searchable by town and zip code that combines electronic advertising circulars, deals, coupons & travel specials. Just type in your city or zip code and find local deals in your area. No registration or email needed! It is an affordable way for businesses to offer deals and coupons that is backed by several newspapers in the area and 1000’s of newspapers across the country. Contact your ad sales rep for more information.

105.7 the X (WIXO-FM) and 95.5 GLO (WGLO-FM) are hosting the first annual “Roctobeerfest”. On Saturday October 10th join 105.7 the X and 95.5 GLO for the first ever “Roctobeerfest” Beer festival! Come experience the flavors of award-winning breweries from around the world including local specialties too! "Roctobeerfest" debuts on the Peoria Riverfront "Riverfront Village" deck next to Old Chicago and Joe's Crab Shack on Saturday October 10th, 2:00pm-8:00pm! Enjoy and sample over 150 Beers from around the world, including Halloween and October ales! Enjoy live music from 95.5 GLO's house band "Sextion-8", and entertainment from 95-5, WGLO, 97.3 River Country, 105-7-The--X-Rocks, and POWER 92-3! If you love beer, and Beer festivals, you will love "Roctobeerfest!" Not only does “Roctobeerfest” offer the finest in beer from around the world, but the first 500 people to arrive to the event will get a free official beer sampling glass! “Roctobe...

Please welcome the newest member to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Enviro-Dry (309) 267-6253 fax 642-6352 envirodry@mail.com Beau Austin, Owner Enviro-Dray is a carpet, tile and upholstery clearing service featuring Green Seal Certified Products. The cleaning is 97% dry, using only 1 teaspoon of water per square foot, featuring Host - the dry extraction carpet cleaning system. Enviro Dry leaves your carpets dry immediately after cleaning.

The October 1st Business After Hours was hosted by American Fire Services. Thanks to Kevin, Fred, Keri, Neila and all of the staff for their hospitality. Chamber members enjoyed great food, tours, door prizes, and some even got to put out a fire. You can see more pictures from this event at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

The LAUNCH finals were held on September 30th at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center. The business plan competition was coordinated by the chambers of commerce in Pekin, Peoria, East Peoria and Morton, plus SCORE Bradley University's Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and Peoria NEXT Innovation Center. Sivaprasad Akasam and Sridhar Deivasigamani won the competition with their their Intellihot water heater concept. They received several prizes, including membership in the area chambers and a grant of $3,000 to help start the business. Their business, Intellihot Green Technologies, hopes to produce and sell a tankless compact water heater. The pair of entrepreneurs previously worked as engineers at Caterpillar. The other finalists at the LAUNCH competition were: Medicine Management System, which hopes to sell software that will make tracking and use of prescriptions and medications easier; Drake Bed and Breakfast, which will be located in downtown Morton and also feature a bistro; U-Ex...

The October 13, 2009 general meeting of the Tazewell County Genealogical andHistorical Society will have John Hallwas as its guest speaker; John participates with the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau. Dr Hallwas was originally scheduled to speak in May of this year, but he received word that he was being honored for his book and that award was to be given the week of our meeting and he was forced to cancel. We are excited that we were able to reschedule his appearance at our society. Join Dr. John Hallwas for an exciting lecture and slide presentation entitled Desperadoes: Notorious Lawbreakers of Early Illinois that delves into the dark side of Illinois history, from the frontier killers at Cave-in-Rock to later horse thieves, bandits, and murderers. Groups such as the Brown Gang, the Johnson Gang, and Tazewell County's own Berry Gang - and outlaws like Joe Brice, Ed Maxwell, and Frank Rande - will be discussed, and then slides, based on lithographs and historic...

November marks another milestone. On Nov. 1, 1989 Larry Nelson bought the Kewanee Credit Bureau. Last year the credit bureau celebrated 80 years of providing credit reports to businesses in Central Illinois. Twenty years ago the credit bureau covered, Henry, Stark, Bureau and part of Knox counties. Today they have members from Madison, WI to the Quad Cities to Quincy, south to Herrin, and east to Bloomington/Normal, Ottawa and Sheridan. In 2004 the credit bureau moved from Kewanee to Pekin. They are the only independent, full service credit bureau in Illinois. KCB Info Services offers a complete line of products and services for financial institutions, landlords, municipalities and employers. To celebrate the last 20 years they will have an open house Monday November 2nd, from Noon until 6:30pm. Please stop by their office at 11 N.6th Street in Pekin.

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 RegrantingProgram. 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 ofdevelopment. Applications for new and innovative programming for the arts are encouraged. Individual artists working in conjunction with a501(c) (3) organization may apply for funding. Grant guidelines and application can be downloaded at the CommunityFoundation of Central Illinois website: www.communityfoundationci.org http://www.communityfoundationci.org/ ...

Nurses at Methodist Medical Center have completed advanced training and educational requirements to earn specialized nursing credentials. Those nurses include Brad Robinson, RN of Morton who completed his Critical Care Nursing certification provided through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Amy Smith, RN of Morton, Deb Dellinger, RN of Peoria and Shawna McCord, RN of Morton received their Oncology Nursing Certification provided through the Oncology Nurses Certification Board. Cindy Hale, RN and Director of Quality and Safety for Methodist received her Healthcare Quality certification through the Healthcare Quality Board. Monica Scheuer, RN of Peoria received her Bariatric Nursing Certification provided through the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Jeremy Winget, Nurse Practitioner with the Intensivist Team, received his Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification provided through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Certification is an expert credent...

The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of October 2009. Unless otherwise listed, the van will be in these locations from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Methodist now features all digital mammography equipment providing improved, faster and more comfortable exams. October 5-Methodist Medical Group at Chillicothe-525 Sweetbriar, Chillicothe October 7-Curves for Women-920 W. Mt. Vernon Street, Metamora October 10-Methodist at Morton-1909 Morton, Morton October 12-Methodist Medical Group at Princeville-223 E. Main, Princeville October 13-Weal-Mart-2071 N. Main, Canton October 15-Metro Centre-4620 N. University. Peoria October 16-Curves for Women-501 Walnut, Washington October 20-Methodist at Morton-1909 Morton Ave., Morton October 21-Methodist MedPointe at Peoria-8914 N. Knoxville, Peoria October 26-Methodist at Lacon-1112 E. Fifth, Lacon October 27-Methodist at Pekin-1800 Broadway, Pekin There is no need for a doctor’s order for a scre...