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Showing posts from October, 2011

Chamber Challenge Trivia Nite

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13 teams competed in the 2011 Chamber Challenge Trivia Nite. This was the 7th year the Chamber's Ambassadors have hosted the event - a fun evening of networking and trivia. Congratulations to the Herget Bank team, who recaptured their title as champions.  You can see pictures from the event at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Amanda's Closet Grand Re-Opening

Amanda's Closet, 517 Court Street is celebrating their grand reopening.  Beginning November 1st, new hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.  Stop by and check out what's happening in the Closet!

Membership Renewals

Thank you to the following members who recently renewed their investment in the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Allen & Associates ~ B'Ribboned Etc. ~ Baumgarten Distributors Beck's Convenience Store ~ Court Place Apartments ~ Henderson Funeral Home ITV-3 (OmniLEC) ~ JM Industrial Supply ~ Liberty Village of Pekin/Pekin Estates McGladrey & Pullen, LLP ~ Professional Therapy Services Sunset Lanes ~ Women's Center for Health

Community Leadership Academy 2012

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Valuing Diversity

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How Does Unemployment Insurance Work In Illinois?

Illinois Department of Employment Security Workshop    You are invited to an Unemployment Insurance, ‘Meeting Business Needs’ workshop.  An in-depth review of the processes related to the adjudication and appeal  of unemployment insurance (U.I.) claims.  This workshop is designed to  enlighten and educate employers/businesses on how to better handle U.I. related issues and help them establish enhanced workplace management methodologies. Sponsored by the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce with State Sen. Dave Koehler and f acilitated by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. When:  November 8, 2011 Registration: 8 – 8:30 AM Workshop: 8:30 – 11:30 AM  Where: East Peoria Chamber, Festival Bldg., 2200 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 60611 To RSVP, Contact: Kyle Dooley, 309-346-4646 or email: 46illinois@gmail.com   Please confirm your attendance   Additional information will be provided on: IDES Employer Services, WOTC, TaxNet, Fidelity  Bonding, Veterans Services

Biz Barometer

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.9 percent before seasonal adjustment. Non-farm payroll employment edged up by 103,000 in September, and the unemployment rate held at 9.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The increase in employment partially reflected the return to payrolls of about 45,000 telecommunications workers who had been on strike in August.   In September, job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, and construction. Government employment continued to trend down nationwide. The September seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Illinois rose to 10 percent despite the addition of 1,600 new jobs, according to preliminary data released last week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).   That’s the 5 th straig

Business After Hours

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Camp of Champions USA 3009 Broadway Road November 3, 2011 Reservations Appreciated 346-2106 or email us at info@pekinchamber.com J oin us for networking, refreshments, door prizes, and more.  

Calendar of Events

November 1 – Ambassador Meeting November 2 – Member Promotions Mtg November 2 – Executive Board Meeting November 3 – Pekin 1 st Committee November 3 – Business After Hours November 8 – Member Services Committee November 9 – Transportation Committee November 9 – Board of Directors Meeting November 11 – Veteran’s Day    November 16 – Marigold Festival Committee November 17 – Valuing Diversity Seminar November 24/25 – Chamber Office Closed November 29 – Business Advocacy Committee

Welcome New Member: Comfort Plus Hospice, Inc.

Comfort Plus Hospice, Inc., 2400 N. 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554; phone: 309-620-9821; fax: 309-620-9822; Teri Rhoades, Administrator; Deron Boyer, Chaplain; Candice Wright, Social Services; Areceli Lear, Owner. Business hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm. Comfort Plus Hospice, Inc. is a new private hospice agency that provides palliative and holistic care of patients and families who have terminal illnesses.  

Bradley University Needs Consulting Clients

BRADLEY UNIVERSITY FOSTER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SENIOR CONSULTING PROJECT Background      The Senior Consulting Project (SCP) is the capstone project for all Bradley University business majors.   The program is designed to provide business students with an opportunity to apply all of the skills they have developed during their time at Bradley to a real world business situation.   The SCP program at Bradley has successfully done this for more than 20 years. Small teams of four to five students from a mixture of departments (Management, Accounting, Business Computer Systems, Marketing, and/or Finance) are brought together to consult for a local firm.   The group works directly with a contact from the firm, and is advised by one of the University's business professors.   The project lasts the full semester, and culminates in a presentation of recommendations from the students to the client and professor. The semester begins with the students compiling an environment

105.7 The X and Bud Light Present Nutcracker 11

105.7 THE X AND BUD LIGHT ARE PROUD TO PRESENT NUTCRACKER ELEVEN AT EXPO GARDENS ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 TH ! Featuring Grammy nominated “Platinum Rockers’ Puddle of Mud and special guests Pop Evil and Egypt Central ! Tickets go on sale Friday, October 28 th online only at www.1057TheXRocks.com  with ETIX, tickets are just $20 in advance and $25 day of the show. Only 1500 tickets will be sold! 100 VIP Tickets will be on sale Thursday, October 27 th at noon until Friday, October 28 th at noon. Tickets will also be available at Co-Op Record Locations and Radio Peoria-Townsquaremedia at the Radio Plex building. Nutcracker Eleven!! Let’s Rock with Puddle of Mud, Egypt Central and Pop Evil!

Cash for Candy

One area dentist is redefining the phrase "put your moeny where your mouth is." This Halloween, trick-or-treaters can bring their excess candy to Dr. David Kuban's dental office in Pekin and receive $1 per pound, 10 pound MAXIMUM. Dr. Kuban is leading this anti-decay movement by giving away dollars and electric glowing toothbrushes in exchange for cavity-provoking candy. Candy will be collected at Dr. David Kuban's office Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 3:30 to 5:30. His office is located at 1424 Valle Vista Blvd in Pekin. The candy must be unopened. Please no bites. It will then be shipped to troops overseas. Call his office at 347-4711 for more information.

Women's Fund November 2011 First Tuesdays To Be Held at Azura Boutique

The next First Tuesdays will be held on Tuesday, November 1 , from 5 to 7 pm at Azura Boutique located 4818 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, IL .   The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois invites area women to a monthly networking opportunity for Peoria-area women. Embrace the season of giving thanks and celebrate the spirit of giving by meeting other dynamic women who are passionate about empowering women and children in our communities.  Become part of a national movement towards Women’s Philanthropy.  To automatically receive First Tuesdays’ invitations, call The Women's Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309 674-8730 or email kristan@communityfoundationci.org and ask to receive the ‘E-vite’, an online invitation, for First Tuesdays. Appetizers and beverages will be served and door prizes awarded. Donations will be accepted to further the work of the Women’s Fund.

Brigette Lobacz Joins Moehle, Swearingen & Umholtz, LTD

The law firm of Moehle, Swearingen & Umholtz, LTD., with offices in Pekin and Washington, is pleased to announce that Brigette Lobacz has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Ms. Lobacz, a native of Olney, Illinois, is a 2009 graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law and graduated cum laude from Eastern Illinois University in 2005. Ms. Lobacz will practice in the Pekin office.

Community Foundation of Central Illinois Awards More Than $82,000 in Community Grants Program

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved the Distribution Committee’s recommendation to fund 23 grant proposals during the September 2011 funding cycle, granting in excess of $82,000 .   “In an economy where every single charitable dollar is critically important, we are pleased to provide more than $82,000.00 in funding to 23 worthy organizations in Central Illinois”- Mark Roberts, CEO, Community Foundation of Central Illinois. The following non-profit organizations received funding during the September 2011 Community Grants cycle: The American Cancer Society, IL Division, Inc. was awarded $5000 for: Patient Navigation program from the Caterpillar Community Leadership Fund and the Eugene & Harriett Swager Fund . The American Red Cross was awarded $7150 for: Youth Education program from the Fontaine Earle Fund. Bureau County Health and Wellness Clinic NFP, Inc. was awarded $5000 for: Primary Medic

New Cemetery Opens In Pekin - Prairie Haven Cemetery, LLC

A new cemetery is opening at 200 South Veterans Drive in Pekin – Prairie Haven Cemetery, LLC   – and is now available for traditional burials. Situated on several acres, Prairie Haven will accommodate both traditional and cremation burials. A dedicated cremation area will be available beginning in the summer of 2012. Prairie Haven features a “Garden of Promise” for flat granite or bronze markers, along with a “Garden of Peace” that will accommodate upright granite markers. Located on Pekin’s east side, the cemetery also has ample acreage to expand as the need arises . Full Spectrum of Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery Services “This cemetery is the result of a longstanding vision,” D. Neale Hanley, Sr., owner and founder of Prairie Haven Cemetery, LLC, said. “It’s always been my dream to offer the full spectrum of funeral, cremation and cemetery services to the families in this community.” Hanley added that the new cemetery is a division of Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes &

The World of Vitamins Ribbon Cutting

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The World of Vitamins was officially welcomed to Pekin with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 21st. The new business is owned by Jerimey and Adriana Grider. They were joined in the picture by Mayor Laurie Barra, Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Events Manager Jamie Di Donato, and Chamber President Skip Schermerhorn. Located at 1100 Derby Street, the World of Vitamins is a vitamin, herb, and sport nutrition store for healthy lifestyles.  You can see more pictures from this, and other chamber events, at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Chamber Recognizes Thirty-Eight

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The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their 14 th annual Business and Community Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, October 20th at the Pekin Country Club.  The Chamber’s Member Services Committee coordinated the luncheon, which was sponsored by Savant Capital Management, Pekin Trophy House & Engraved Gifts, The Greenhouse Flower Shoppe, and Pekin Hospital. Recognition was given to thirty-eight area businesses and organizations in the following categories:  remodeling or expansion; “green” projects or programs; new ownership or management; new business or building; additional employees; major training effort; new technology investment; major equipment investment; other improvements; and, community involvement.  The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce also recognized Graphic Packaging International for over a century of success in Pekin.  The company was founded in 1905 by Louis Wood as the Illinois Boxboard Company.  Quaker Oats purchased the company in 1916. In 1991 Larry Field of

Savant Recognized for Fiduciary Excellence

Savant Capital Management, Inc., a nationally recognized fee-only wealth management firm that serves each client in a fiduciary capacity, is again recognized with two Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) certifications. This is the fourth consecutive year Savant has had its certification renewed. S avant was the first retirement plan in the world recognized by CEFEX in 2007 for adhering to a global standard of excellence for Investment Stewards. As defined on the CEFEX Web site (www.cefex.org), an Investment Steward is a person or organization which has the legal responsibility for managing investment decisions. The Investment Steward decides on the asset allocation, defines the details of the strategy, implements the strategy with appropriate Investment Managers, and monitors the strategy on an ongoing basis. In addition, Savant received a CEFEX certification as an Investment Advisor for its services in ERISA plans, 403 (b)/church exempt, eleemosynary, personal trusts, and hi

Carol House of Hope Benefit Annual Fish Fry

The Carol House of Hope at The Center for Prevention of Abuse extends an invitation to join them at their annual Fish Fry. When: Friday, October 28, 2011 5-7:00pm Where: Knights of Columbus Hall 715 N. 11th Street Pekin, Illinois How Much: $7 Dinner includes walleye, crispy fries and creamy coleslaw. $3 Children’s dinner includes a hot dog & fries. Coffee and tea will be provided, compliments of Starbucks. There will be a cash bar available and a 50/50 raffle. The Carol House of Hope provides safe shelter and supportive services to women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or elder abuse. The Carol House of Hope building was donated by Dr. and Mrs. Pete Wright, in memory of their daughter Carol Wright. For more information contact Carla @ 691-0551.

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard Fall Hours

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard's fall hours are Thursday-Monday, 12-5pm. Many thanks to everyone for a great concert and festival season this past year. As we head into fall season and the holidays we wish everyone the best.  Please stop in and see us for help with holiday gifts and if you are planning a get together our tasting room makes a nice space for up to 54 guests for an evening party. Please give us a call or email. By phone-309-359-9463 or email-mackinawwinery03@gmail.com  

December Holiday Dinner Show

" Remember When Christmas Variety Show ." Saturd ays: December 10 & 17 5:45   to 9pm, $45pp includes show, dinner & dessert Stars of Radio and TV, George Burns and Gracie Allen portrayed by Timeless Presentations actors invite you to be a part of our re-creation of the old-fashioned Christmas specials from the golden years of television! You will laugh - sing - and maybe play a part as one of your favorite television stars from TV land's Holidays past.   Cost is $45 per person for the interactive Christmas Variety Show with a buffet dinner and dessert served by The Catering Company.  Wine tasting is available during the first part of the event at tasting bar there is a cash bar for wine, beer, sodas, bottled tea and bottled water open throughout the evening.  RESERVATIONS REQUIRED .  Guests are welcome to dress up in festive old time attire to add to the fun!  Call Diane at 309-645-5054 to reserve a spot or if you have questions you can also email - m

Villas Ribbon Cutting

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Villas Michoacan Restaurante at 2001 Court Street was officially welcomed to Pekin with a ribbon cutting on October 17th. Vicente Villasenov, Magdaleno Villa, Isidro Villa and Francisco Sarco were joined at the ceremony by their employees and representatives from the City of Pekin and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Afterwards, the group sampled several of their tasty authentic Mexican dishes and delicious desserts. Villas is open from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

Goodwill to Hold Stand Down for Homeless Veterans

Goodwill of Central Illinois will hold the third annual Stand Down for Homeless Veterans at O’Brien Field on Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Stand Down for Homeless Veterans is a community based intervention program designed to provide area homeless veterans with much needed resources to start them on a path to a better life. Goodwill, along with 68 other social service agencies, local businesses, and veterans’ services organizations, will provide homeless veterans with food, winter clothing, personal hygiene products, and an opportunity for a hot shower and a haircut. The veterans will also have opportunities to attend classes relating to maintaining sobriety, managing depression and stress, veterans’ benefits, money management, legal matters and child support. In addition to the classes, veterans will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives one on one to discuss these topics. Homeless veterans will also have the chance to learn about the free

Annual Holiday Magic Gift Show to be Held

The Pekin Hospital League will hold its annual Holiday Magic Gift Show on Saturday, November 5 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Pekin Hospital Lobby.   This year’s show will feature many beautiful handmade items, floral arrangements, jewelry, toiletries, stationery, Fannie May candy, baby items, toys, and Vera Bradley items.   A large variety of baked goods, candies, and many other specialty food items will be available in our Pantry.   The Pantry will be located just inside the Lobby. A raffle will be held with tickets selling for $1 each or 6 for $5.   Tickets may be purchased from League members before the Gift Show, at Nearly Nu located at 1017 Derby Street in Pekin, and at the Pekin Hospital Gift Shop. Raffle tickets will also be available the day of the show, with the drawing being held at 2 p.m. that day.   Raffle items include: a $1,200 pair of 14 K white gold diamond earrings from Udry Jewelers; an $800 handmade quilt from Peddler’s Way Quilt Co. & Lost Creek Quilters; a

Welcome New Member: Villas Michoacan Restaurante

Villas Michoacan Restaurante, 2001 Court Street, Pekin, IL  61554; (309) 349-1087; Vicente Villasenov, owner.  Open from 10 to 9pm, Villas Michoacan serves delicious and authentic Mexican dishes and desserts.

Welcome New Member: Tomorrow's Hope Christian Academy

Tomorrow's Hope Christian Academy, 246 Derby Street, Pekin, IL  61554;  (309) 642-0070 or 348-3813.  Donna Hall , Administrator.   www.thca.webs.com   THCA is a 501c3 Not for Profit organization.  Their mission is to equip their students academically and to prepare them to lead Christ-like lives with a Biblical world-view, excelling in old-fashion principles and Christian values.  They are registered with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Veterans Job Fair

State of Illinois Veterans Job Fair Sponsored by Illinois Department of Employment Security November 7, 2011 from 9:00am to 2:00pm American Legion Post 979 4501 Airport Road, Bartonville Interested Employers with current hiring needs please contact RSVP with Michael T. Ragan, michael.ragan@illinois.gov