Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Are You Looking for a Last Minute Valentine's Day Gift? Surprise your Sweety with a Night Out! Make Reservations for A Murder Mystery Dinner! It's Going to be a Fabulous Evening...Dinner, Wine, and A Show all in One Location! Best Western Ashland HouseMorton, IL PresentsA Murder Mystery Wine & Dinner" The Vengeful Valentines"It really should be a happy time for the Valentine family. It is the rehearsal dinner for their daughter's wedding, which is tomorrow. When the family's past starts catching up with them, tragedy occurs, and, like the wedding, someone will never see the light of tomorrow. Saturday, February 13 @ 7:00 PMFor More Information Call 309.266.8200

(January 27, 2010)--The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the Cancer Program at Methodist Medical Center. Methodist received the Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which Methodist demonstrated a Commendation level of compliance with standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program. The Accreditation Program sets quality of care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Accreditation by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain accreditation, facilities must undergo an on-site review every three years.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the December Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

March Calendar of Chamber Events 2nd Ambassadors Committee, CJ’s Café, 7:30am /8:00am 2nd CIRCLE Legislative Day, Springfield 3rd Member Promotions Committee, Chamber Office, 7:30am 3rd Executive Committee, Chamber Office, 4:00 pm 4th Pekin 1st Committee, Pekin Union Mission, 7:30 am 4th Business After Hours, Pekin Country Club, 4:30~6:00 pm Reservations Appreciated 8th Heart of Illinois Legislative Reception, Pere Marquette Hotel, 5:30-7:30pm 9th Member Services Comm., Chamber Office, 7:30 am 10th Transportation Committee, Pekin City Hall, 8:00 am 10th Board of Directors, Herget Bank, 4:00 pm 24th Marigold Committee, Pekin Public Library, 6:30 pm 30th Business Advocacy Committee, Chamber Office, 7:00 am

February Calendar of Chamber Events 2nd Ambassadors Committee, CJ’s Café, 7:30am /8:00am 2nd Election Day – VOTE 3rd Member Promotions, Chamber Office, 7:30am 3rd Executive Committee, Chamber Office, 4:00 pm 4th Pekin 1st Committee, Pekin Union Mission, 7:30 am 7th Business After Hours, Jim Maloof Realty, 4:30~6:00 pm Reservations Appreciated 9th Member Services Comm., Chamber Office, 7:30 am 10th Transportation Committee, Pekin City Hall, 8:00 am 10th Board of Directors Meeting, Herget Bank, 4:00 pm 12th Puttin’ on Pekin Breakfast, PCHS Holman Center (Tech Ed), 6:30am Reservation Required (Special time and place & limited seating!) 15th President’s Day, Chamber Office Closed 23rd Business Advocacy Comm., Chamber Office, 7:00 am 24th Marigold Committee, Pekin Public Library, 5:30 pm

Save the date! The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Reception will be the evening of April 19, 2010 at Pekin Country Club. More information coming soon.

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that recently renewed their membership (through January 25th) with the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Allen & Associates ~ Amanda’s Closet ~ American Tan-N-Spa ~ Aramark ~ Aventine Renewable Energy ~ George Beres ~ Boy Scouts of America/W.D. Boyce Council ~ Brewers Distributing Company ~ Brookmeadow Apartments ~ Carney's Insurance Store ~ CenturyLink ~ Comcast ~ Commerce Bank ~ East Court Village ~ Excel Foundry & Machine ~ Facet Technologies ~ Rich Gafford ~ Goodwill Industries ~ Graphic Packaging International ~ Hallmark House Nursing Center ~ Harbor Light Hospice ~ Heartland Bank & Trust Company ~ Herget Bank ~ Hometown Title ~ Illinois American Water ~ JMP Radio Group ~ Dr. David Kuban, DDS ~ Kuhfuss & Proehl, P.C. ~ Laborer's Local #231 ~ Linde Group ~ McDaniels Marketing Communications ~ McDonald's ~ Midwest Generation Powerton Station ~ Miller, Hall, & Triggs ~ Monge, Crouch & Mahoney ~ ...

Puttin’ On Pekin Friday February 12, 2010- 6:30 am Pekin Community High School Holman Center (across from stadium) Tech Ed Programs Note the special time & place. Seating limited to first 85 RSVPs The every-other-month breakfasts provide an opportunity for business people to network while learning about positive events in the Pekin area. Other features of the breakfast include a 50/25/25 drawing, the Spotlight on Business presentation, door prize drawings with prizes provided by local businesses, one-minute reminders, and “Meet the New Chamber Member.” The cost of the breakfast is $10.00 per person for reservations made before 4:30 pm on February 10th. After that, the cost is $15.00 per person. Payment can be made at the door. Make checks payable in the exact amount to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Reservations are required and can be made by email at chamber@pekin.net , or call the Chamber at 346-2106.

Business After Hours Jim Maloof Realtor 2990 Court St. Thursday, February 4th, 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 .

By Bill Fleming Another Chamber Benefit: Saving You Money Want to save money on your electric bill? Want deeply discounted and free Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs? The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is working for you! If you are a small business (DS-2) electric customer with Ameren Illinois Utilities, read on! Act On Energy® is a service of Ameren Illinois Utilities that provides energy saving resources and incentive programs. Act On Energy has reduced the price of most of its already discounted products found at their Small Business Online Store by 50%! Not only are small businesses eligible to purchase CFLs starting at 50 cents, Act On Energy has also continued to offer FREE shipping on all purchases. If that isn’t enough, every small business is eligible for 3 CFLs FREE! No purchase is necessary to receive this free offer, but businesses must be an Ameren Illinois Utilities Delivery Service Rate DS-2 to purchase products or receive this free offer. This offer is being brough...

The 2010 Illinois Travel Guide provides you with all you need to know about what to see and do during your visit. Whether you prefer the bustling culture of the big city, the friendly hospitality of small-town America or the serene beauty of our natural wonders, Illinois is sure to please. Find it online at: http://www.vacationfun.com/programdet1.asp?id=7&prog=612 .

TCRC is planning to have more of their clients, particularly those more significantly disabled at their Morton site, start doing shredding. This shredding will include both internal and external documents. They hope to receive a grant in a few months to purchase some industrial shredders. However, they are looking for used shredders that would let them get started right away. The shredders don’t have to be large, but need to be sturdy enough to withstand fairly constant use. Businesses willing to donate old shredders to TCRC should call Libby Holbrook at 347-7148.

Sprint / Wireless Express was the host of the Business After Hours on Thursday, January 21st. This event was originally scheduled for January 7th, but rescheduled due to the weather. Sprint's District Manager, Lisa Vicary, and Store Manager, Embra Patterson, hosted about 40 chamber members and guests with great food and drink.

Habitat for Humanity Greater Peoria Area is seeking donations to help buy building materials in 2010. A donation of $24.24 will buy ten 2x4's. We will need 24,000 of them for the houses we plan to build and sell to lower income families in 2010. Of course, we need lots of other materials too, and your donation in any amount will help us buy them as well. Please consider a donation to help us with the cost of building materials. Then join us on 2-4 (Feb. 4) between 2 & 4pm to celebrate our 2x4's & More results at our ReStore, 804 W. Main, in Peoria. Provide NAME, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE & ZIP; CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT and mail to: 2x4's & More Habitat for Humanity Greater Peoria Area 931 Douglas Ave. Peoria, IL 61606 For more information: 309-676-6729 or http://www.habitatpeoria.org/

J.R. Greeley, Market Manager and Bob Swinehart, Director of Sales for REGENT BROADCASTING OF PEORIA, are proud to announce that December’s Employee of the Month is Jennifer Davidson and Sales Representative of the Month is Jennifer Young. "Jennifer Young has used her talents & enthusiasm for radio in contributing to our success in Peoria," states Bob Swinehart. "We’re thrilled with her impressive growth in the sales department!" Ms. Young joined the Regent team in 2008 after spending nine years in the hospitality industry in Denver, Chicago, and Miami. Most recently, she had helped reopen The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club in Miami, Florida as well as opened celebrity chef Michael Mina’s restaurant, BOURBON Steak located on the resort. Jennifer is originally from the Peoria area and graduated from Illinois State University where she studied Public Relations. “Jennifer Davidson is an integral part of the REGENT team and we value her ability to take init...

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) will work with current and new donors dedicated to funding relief efforts in Haiti after last week's devastating earthquake. Mark Roberts, CFCI's CEO, stated "the Community Foundation of Central Illinois encourages new and current fund holders to donate to the earthquake relief effort of their choice. In an effort to assist our fund holders, CFCI has temporarily waived the 60-day waiting period for new Depository contributions that are intended for distribution to Haiti disaster relief." CFCI also invites current donor-advised fund holders to contact the Foundation to recommend a grant in support of this important effort. CFCI will work diligently to provide rapid distribution of charitable support to those in need. All distributions must be made to qualified 501(c) 3 organizations. New and existing donors are encouraged to contact the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309-674-8730 for more information or t...

Champion Fitness Physical Therapy would like to recognize one of their staff members at the Pekin location, Melissa Warner, ATC for recently completing her Master’s Degree in Biomechanics. Congratulations, Mel! Find out more about our caring and highly qualified staff at www.champfit.com . “GET BUSY LIVING!”

Please welcome the newest business to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: MJ's Windshield Repair 111 Oliver Road North Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 840-5751 fax 382-3025; www.mjwindshieldrepair.com Joe & Michelle Daniels, Owners. joe@mjwindshieldrepair.com Open Monday-Saturday, from 8:00am to 6:00pm. They repair rock chips in windshields and cracks up to 6 inches in length. They can also replace windshields if needed. "It's cheaper to fix a chip than to replace the windshield."

This week the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy heard from Dr. Frances B. Karanovich. She is an Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. You can see more pictures from the Leadership activities and all of the chamber's events at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

WHO: International Association of Administrative Professionals, Tri-County Chapter WHAT: Tri-County Chapter Monthly Meeting WHEN: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:15 pm Networking/Dinner 6:00-6:30 pm Business Meeting 6:30 pm Speaker WHERE: Caterpillar (Morton Facility) 500 North Morton Avenue, Morton, IL TOPIC: “Leading Up – Office Professionalism” presented by Thomas Bower, President, Bower Communication and co-founder, Mindset Consulting and Dr. Chuck Stoner, Robert A. McCord Professor of Executive Management and Professor of Management at Bradley University COST: Free to attend meeting (not necessary to be a member to attend) MEAL: Dinner cost $15.00 RSVP: To Savanna Bohm at 655-2727 by noon 1/26/10

(January 21, 2010)--Patients of Methodist Medical Group Physicians can now use “e-Visits” for non-urgent medical consultations with their doctors. By utilizing MyMethodist eHealth, patients can communicate directly with their Methodist Medical Group physician and receive a reply within eight business hours. MyMethodist eHealth is a free online tool that allows patients and their Methodist physicians to communicate about non-urgent healthcare matters any time and anywhere, as long as there is Internet access. By using My Methodist eHealth, patients are able to manage health records, consult physicians regarding symptoms or non-urgent health matters (e-Visits), request prescription renewals or lab results, schedule appointments and request referrals. The “e-Visit” is the latest addition to the MyMethodist eHealth program. The “e-Visit” is a convenient way to “see” your doctor for non-urgent medical concerns. Instead of calling the doctor’s office and taking time off work for an appointme...

Thirty-three people attended a two-and-a-half hour program at the Pekin Public Library on January 19th called "How To Start A Business In Illinois." The program was presented by Ross Miller, the Executive Director of the Small Business Development Center at Bradley University's Turner Center for Entrepreneurship. The event was co-sponsored by the Pekin Public Library, the City of Pekin, Pekin Main Street and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. A second program will be offered on Tuesday, February 9 at 6:00 titled “Writing a Business Plan.” For more information, or to register, please call the Reference Desk at 347-7111 ext. 2.

Please welcome another business to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Four Seasons Gutter Protection Company 1432 Highview Road East Peoria, IL 61611 (309) 694-4565 www.FourSeasonsCompany.com harpers99@yahoo.com Jeff Harper, President. Four Seasons offers exterior home improvements, including gutter protection systems, replacement windows, siding, and Sunsetter awnings.

(January 14, 2010) - Pekin Hospital welcomed an audit team to its facility on January 13 as part of the process of joining an international venture to provide donated human tissue to recipients in Germany. The hospital welcomed a team from the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF)--Dr. Monica Montenero, Director of International Tissue Services and Dr. George McCann, Education Director--who reviewed the facility to assure ongoing compliance with MTF’s quality and safety standards. Once the audit is complete, Pekin will become part of an international arrangement between MTF and its subsidiary DIZG, the German Institute of Cell and Tissue Replacement, to send tissue from Pekin to DIZG. The need for donated tissue extends beyond the borders of the United States. For many years, Pekin Hospital has partnered with MTF to provide a tissue donation program to meet the needs of local transplant recipients. The international venture is an extension of the tissue donation program that is ...

Dale Kuntz, a long time member of the society and frequent speaker, will present more on Abraham Lincoln at the February 9, 2010 meeting of the Tazewell County Genealogical Society. Dale has researched much of the travels of Abraham Lincoln through the various courthouses in Tazewell County when Lincoln was a circuit lawyer in Illinois prior to his election for President. Dale has followed in Lincoln's footsteps and written a book about his discoveries. Dale's presentation of "Who stole John's corn?"is a study of Attorney Abraham Lincoln's case which involved many people from Little Mackinaw Township. The meeting, which is open to the general public, will be held on Tuesday February 9, 2010 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 handicapped accessible with ample parking available.

66 vendors filled 96 booths at the Dragons Dome on January 16th for the chamber's Pekin Area Business Expo '10. There was something for everyone, with entertainment, Fun On The Run, free flu vaccinations and more. Congratulations to the vendors who won awards for their booth displays: Photography by Deverman (1st), Best Western Ashland House (2nd) and the Peoria Chiefs (3rd). Also, thanks to the sponsors who made the event possible: Pekin Insurance, Allegra Print and Imaging, and Midwest Generation. Also, Fun on the Run, Pekin Daily Times, Illinois Collections Unlimited, Suzi Davis Travel, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Regent Broadcasting, CEFCU, Comcast Spotlight, and Hallmark House Nursing Center. You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

(January 14, 2010)--Methodist Medical Center has announced the addition of Steve Riney as Methodist Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Riney worked for Methodist from 1979 to 1994 and returns after extensive experience at several large medical complexes as well as serving as an independent information technology consultant. Riney started his new role on January 4, 2010. Also added to the leadership team is Jeanette Murray, RN, BSN, MBA. Murray assumes the role of Director for Surgical Services and comes to Methodist from Swedish American Hospital in Rockford. Murray started January 4, 2010 and has service line operational and clinical responsibilities for surgery and several other associated departments.

(January 14, 2010)--Moody’s Investment Services has affirmed the A2 rating of Methodist Medical Center’s bonds issued by the Illinois Health Facilities Authority. The rating outlook remains stable. Moody’s recognized Methodist for its healthy balance sheet profile and historically balanced approach to financing capital needs, resulting in a well below average debt burden. The Methodist balance sheet remains very healthy, with strategic and operational successes and a very strong market share position. Methodist President and CEO Michael Bryant said, “We are very pleased to maintain our high bond rating in this challenging environment where most organizations are being downgraded. It is a compliment to our board, physicians, staff and partners that we have done so well and their efforts have been recognized.” Cal MacKay, Methodist Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer said, “Our cash balance levels and low debt levels put us in a strong position, as well as our high qual...

The students of Western Illinois University Chamber Orchestra, will be performing on Friday, January 29 at 7:00p.m. in the Patricia Hackler Auditorium, Washington School, Pekin. The concert is free and open to the public. The WIU Chamber Orchestra is currently under the direction of Dr. Richard Hughey, Director of Orchestral Activities at Western Illinois University. The fifteen-member orchestra performs various pieces of such composers as Georg Friedrich Händel, Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach, Johann Sebastian Back, Paul Hindemith, Archangelo Corelli, Antonio Vivaldi and Georg Phillip Telemann and specializes in baroque performance practice. Dr. Hughey has been conducting the WIU Chamber Orchestra since 2008 and is a member The American String Teachers Association, The League of American Orchestras and the Council of Illinois Orchestras. For more information, please contact The Suzuki Strings office at (309) 477-4774.

The R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy held their first sessions this week. They visited Excalibur Seasoning Company, toured the Pekin Public Library and heard about municipal government from Mayor Rusty Dunn and City Manager Dennis Kief. Over the next 9 weeks the group will learn about the community's leadership challenges and opportunities. You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Please welcome a new member to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Tips and Toes To Go Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 202-7447 Shannon Parker, Owner www.tipsandtoestogo.com tipsandtoestogo@yahoo.com Available Monday through Friday from 9am to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 3pm, with special arrangements made for parties, by appointment only. Tips and Toes To Go is a mobile nail salon.

SAVE THE DATE !!!! 14th Annual John M. Evans Scholarship Golf Tournament Wednesday June 9, 2010 More information to follow.

Pekin Main Street’s annual Eagle Census Day is Saturday, January 23, 2010, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. along the Pekin Riverfront Park and at the Union Mission Center, 203 Court St. Eagle watchers, bird enthusiasts, and nature lovers can catch a glimpse of an American bald eagle in its natural habitat along the Illinois River during this free special event. Bald eagles flock to the river, where they set up nesting sites and fish the river for food. The greatest concentration of eagles in Illinois are along the Illinois River from Pekin to Havana, because the river is kept open and clear of ice for barges, and the water continues to become cleaner. Pekin Main Street will offer free guided eagle viewing tours between the Pekin Riverfront and Wesley Road; tour buses will depart regularly between 10 a.m. and 12 noon from the Pekin Riverfront Park, at the foot of Court Street. Tour guides on the bus will have handouts with more information ...

(January 13, 2010) – Pekin Hospital is pleased to offer an adult diabetes education workshop on February 1, 2 and 3. 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 co...

(January 13, 2010)-Methodist Medical Center has announced the January, 2010 Employees of the Month. Their peers in the areas of patient care, nursing, and non-nursing support recognize three separate employees. The three selected were Judy Click, RN of Morton, selected for the category of Nursing. She works in Home Care Skilled Nursing. Also selected was Lisa Bessler of Sparland for non-nursing support. Lisa works for Methodist Medical Group in Lacon. And for the category of Patient Care, Steve Goldring of Canton was selected. He works on the 7 Crescent patient floor. All three will be honored at a hospital reception on Wednesday, January 20, 2010.

Please welcome a new member to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Walt's Garage 301 Koch Street, Suite 2 Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 353-2886 Fax 353-2884 waltsgarage@centurytel.net Walter Thomas, Becky Thomas, and Samantha Thomas, owners Walt's Garage is family owned and operated. They offer services from regular maintenance to engine and transmission replacements. From bumper to bumper, they do it all for automotive.

(January 12, 2010)--Methodist Medical Center will be hosting a series of public American Red Cross blood drives during 2010. All blood drives will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the hospital’s Morron Room on the first floor. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome. Blood drives will be conducted on: January 14 March 11 May 6 July 1 September 9 November 11 For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Jeri Doran at 672-5775.

(January 12, 2010) – Pekin Hospital and the Pekin Daily times are teaming up to offer a Personal Down Sizing team weight loss competition starting January 26. Teams will consist of five members who are 18 years or older. The entry free to participate is $30 per team. All teams must be consist of five members, with any combination of men and women, who are 18 years or older. Starting weigh-ins will be held January 26 and January 28 from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Pekin Hospital’s Wellness Center. Monthly weigh-ins will be held through May. Final weigh-outs will be held May 18 and May 20 from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monetary prizes will be awarded to two individuals: one with has the most pounds lost and one with the highest percentage of weight lost, as well as two teams: one with the most pounds lost and one with the highest percentage of weight lost. For more information, please call Tony at 346-1111 x740 or visit www.pekintimes.com or www.pekinhospital.org.

(January 13, 2010)---The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of February 2010. 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. February MammoVan Schedule February 2-Methodist at Morton-1909 N. Morton Ave.-Morton February 3-Methodist Medical Group at Chillicothe-525 Sweetbriar-Chillicothe February 6-Jazzercise-7010-a North University-Peoria February 8-Methodist Medical Group at East Peoria-200 River Road-East Peoria February 10-Cherry Tree Shopping Center-Washington February 12-Methodist Medical Group at Metamora-901 Walnut-Metamora February 15-Methodist at Lacon-1112 E. Fifth Street-Lacon February 16-Methodist at Morton-1909 N. Morton Ave.-Morton February 17-Walmart-2071 N. Main-Canton February 23-Heartland Clinic-1701 W. Garden-Peoria February 24-Methodist at Pekin-1800 Broad...

The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) recently announced that Margaret Koch, RN, BS, CDE, Diabetes Educator at Pekin Hospital, has renewed the Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) status by successfully completing the continuing education renewal option process. Candidates must meet rigorous requirements to be eligible for certification. Achieving the CDE credential demonstrates to people with diabetes and employers that the health care professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for people with diabetes. Currently, there are approximately 16,600 diabetes educators who hold NCBDE certification. In 1993, Margaret Koch established the outpatient diabetes program at Pekin Hospital with a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Pekin Hospital offers group classes and individual counseling in diabetes self management and medical nutrition therapy related to diabetes. Referrals can be arranged by calling (309) 353-0...

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn was in Pekin to announce his support of the city's Veterans Drive project. State Senator Dave Koehler and Pekin Mayor Rusty Dunn also spoke about the project. All three of them them noted the leadership of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce on this project. See more pictures from this event at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

A ribbon cutting was held on January 8th to welcome a new business, Great Clips For Hair, to Pekin. They are located at 3412 Veterans Drive. Representatives from the City of Pekin and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed and congratulated franchise owner David Hands and his family. Employees and customers also joined in the ribbon cutting ceremony. You can see more pictures from this event on the chamber's picture page at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Six individuals with developmental disabilities now have a new place to call home. Tazewell County Resource Centers, Inc. is happy to announce that its sixth residential facility has officially opened. TCRC received a grant in late 2007 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, to build this new CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement). TCRC was one of only four organizations in Illinois to receive a HUD grant that year. Molly Anderson, Vice- President of Residential Services, shared her feelings about the new home, “TCRC is very fortunate to have an opportunity such as this to be able to provide quality community housing for individuals with disabilities.” Cottonwood CILA is located in East Peoria, in the Cottonwood Estate subdivision just off of Muller Road. It is a specially designed, handicapped accessible ranch-style home with six bedrooms, roll-in showers, spacious living areas, and many other amenities that TCRC always provides for its residential c...

January 7, 2010—Methodist Medical Center has achieved its annual Caregiver Safety Accreditation. This coveted recognition is based on the implementation of a workplace safety training and accountability system. Accreditation is certified by the Caregiver Safety Society, which annually audits member hospitals for compliance with its stringent safety standards. Top management at Methodist has created a caring environment that placed high value on protecting employees’ long term physical capabilities. Caregiver Safety Accreditation focuses on patient transfers and patient lifting, which are the leading causes of hospital employee injury nationwide. Training in safe lifting techniques is a proactive step toward preventing these injuries. All nurses must demonstrate hands-on patient lifting proficiency through training and testing done at the time of hiring and at annually repeated retraining. National safety studies indicate that hospitals that provide safe working environments also provi...

(December 31, 2009)—Nurses at Methodist Medical Center have completed advanced training and educational requirements to earn specialized nursing credentials. Those nurses include Darcy Scott of Mackinaw. She completed her rehabilitation certification (CRRN) from the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board. Darcy works on the Methodist Rehab unit. Also completing their rehabilitation certification were Kerry Newman of East Peoria, Jill Batterham of Mapelton and Heather Nancy of Germantown Hills. Sandy Pryor of Mapelton, Methodist Patient Safety Coordinator, has successfully completed the American society of Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) certification and is now credentialed as a “Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM). Certification is an expert credential reserved for those who meet rigorous practice, continuing education and testing requirements in their specialty. Certification has been linked to fewer medical errors and increased job satisfaction and c...

On Monday, January 4, 2010, students from the Pekin Community High School Choral Department will begin soliciting local businesses for support of the upcoming February Festacular Show Choir Invitational. February Festacular will be held on Saturday, February 27 at Pekin Community High School and is organized by the PCHS Choral Music Boosters. Students will be approaching local businesses to purchase advertisements in the event program. Ads are available in four sizes and range in price from $35 - $150. Corporate Partnerships are also available at the $500 and $1000 levels. February Festacular will host 12 show choirs from across the Midwest. Approximately 2,500 visitors are expected to attend the competition. The event will provide funds to help with the expenses related to the choral program at PCHS. "While the event itself is still 8 weeks away, the ad sales campaign is a very important part of this fundraiser" said Andrew Seibert, an event consultant working with the PCHS ...

January 12, 2010 Chris Miller, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a 21 year veteran of the National Weather Service, currently works as a Warning Coordination Meteorologist in Lincoln IL. In his job he coordinates with local, state and other federal government agencies, particularly those related to emergency services, and have conducted numerous hazardous weather safety media interviews, including "StormStories" for The Weather Channel, and ABC World News Tonight. Chris has received numerous awards for outstanding performance promoting severe weather plans for business and industry. Chris will give us insight into the severe weather throughout the history ofIllinois, including significant weather events that have occurred in the past in Tazewell County. The meeting, which is open to the general public, will be held on Tuesday January12, 2010 at the Society's Erlicher Library, located at 719 N Eleventh St, Pekin, IL. The program will begin promptly at 7:00 PM, ...