Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Local high school students interested in health careers are invited to attend a Healthcare Careers Exploring Open House on December 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Pekin Hospital in the Park Court Conference Center. The Open House will introduce students to the Pekin Hospital Exploring Post and what the Explorers Post will offer in the upcoming year. Pizza and light refreshments will be served. Parents are welcome to attend the event as well. Pekin Hospital has again teamed up with the W.D. Boyce Council, Boy Scouts of America to offer a Medical Explorers Post in Tazewell County. The program’s goal is to provide young men and women the opportunity to receive hands-on, work-related experience and to explore health careers they may never have otherwise considered. The program is open to young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old who are interested in learning more about health careers.

Reservations Appreciated 346-2106 or email us at info@pekinchamber.com Don't miss this opportunity to network with fellow chamber members and community leaders. You'll also enjoy refreshments, door prizes and tours or information from our hosts.

Acorn Properties and Investments LLC ~ Allen & Associates ~ Baumgarten Distributors ~ Beck's Convenience Store ~ The Harvest Café ~ Illinois Corn Processing ~ Jake's Place ~ Jost, Becker & Jost ~ KCB Information Services ~ Lewis Industries ~ Lloyd Orrick ~ Pekin Lions Club ~ San Juan Pools & Spas Schwartz Electric Company ~ Security Finance ~ Sun Valley Subdivision ~ The Unique Twist ~ Wal-Mart ~ Whiz Kidz Academy - Childcare & Preschool Center

Pekin’s sales tax disbursement received from the state in November was 15.3% more than November of 2011. Pekin’s sales tax disbursements received from the state for the last 3 months were 5.9% greater than the same three months in 2011. The other three large communities on the east side of the Illinois River showed mixed results in sales tax disbursements received in November, compared to November of 2011: Morton (-7.4%), East Peoria (+1.8%), and Washington (+5.1%) For the 12-months ending in November, all four communities showed an increase in sales tax receipts from the state, compared to the 12-months ending in November of 2011: East Peoria (+13.3%), Pekin (+5.9%), Morton (+4.6%), and Washington (+3.1%) The number of residential units sold in the 61554 zip code in the first 10 months of 2012 was 3.3% great than the same period in 2011. The other large Tazewell County communities are showing large increases in residential unit sales for the first ten months of 2012, c...

December 5 – Pekin 1st Committee December 5 – Executive Board Meeting December 6 – Business After Hours December 12 – Member Promotion Committee December 12 –Transportation Committee December 13 – Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Past Presidents Christmas Party December 14 – Puttin’ on Pekin December 19 – Ambassador’s Meeting December 24 – Christmas Eve (Chamber Closed) December 25 – Christmas Day (Chamber Closed) December 26,27,28 – Limited Chamber Office Hours December 31 – New Year’s Eve (Chamber Closed) January 1 – New Year’s Day (Chamber Closed)

Tickets are now available for Pekin Main Street and Artistic Community Theater of Pekin's encore presentation of Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" on Sunday, December 2 at The Knights of Columbus Hall, 715 N. 11th Street in Pekin. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the show starts at 6:00 pm, with a light snack being served. Tickets are $10/person or $80 for a table of 8. Tickets are available at Pekin Main Street offices, located at 111 S. Capitol Street, in Pekin City Hall, by calling 353-3100 or by emailing mainstreet@grics.net . All proceeds from the show will benefit Pekin Main Street and Artistic Community Theater. The show will be directed by Dennis Peacock.

Coffee Beans & Cuisine, 540 S. Parkway, held their grand opening on November 26th and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce was there to help owner Debra Isabell start the celebration with a ribbon cutting.  Coffee Beans & Cuisine is located in the "coffee hut" in the Food Depot parking lot, close to the intersection of Court & Parkway.  They offer coffees, espresso drinks, smoothies, and frappes, plus breakfast items, paninis, soups, salads, and delicious deli sandwiches. They are a small drive-through that offers a large menu, with outdoor seating offered when the weather is nice.  Download their menu here!   Open Monday through Friday, 6:30am to 4:30pm, and Saturday from 7:00am to 4:00pm.  You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

On Tuesday, November 27, Sumer Wellness will host its Holiday Open House, “Get Your Glow On,” from 4-7 p.m. The event will feature the opportunity for men and women to learn more about products that can help improve the skin and treat conditions caused by acne and other factors. Located inside Illinois Centers for Pain and Rehab (ICPR) at 1491 Valle Vista in Pekin, the Sumer Wellness Holiday Open House will offer visitors the chance to take advantage of sale prices on many skincare products. Gift cards will also be available. “Sumer Wellness is Pekin’s only medically based cosmetic wellness center that focuses on complete skin health,” Merry Sumer, PA-C , said. “We bridge the gap between beauty and medicine with safe, effective products. You’ll find everything from cleansers and moisturizers to exfoliants that help shed hyperpigmented skin cells and thin the outer layer, making it more translucent.” Sumer Wellness carries a variety of products and services , including chemical ...

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard will be open Tuesday and Wednesday this week to help with your Thanksgiving dinner shopping. They are offering a 5% discount on six to 11 wines purchased and 10% for a case or more of our wines. You can mix and match a case to get some fun wines for gift giving too. Hours Noon to 5pm. Hurry to make it a special and truly happy Thanksgiving!

Caregivers and their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease can receive education and emotional support by attending a new Early Stage Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group eight-week session to begin in early December. The goal is to provide education to both the person with dementia and their loved one, and to help establish a support network for them. The group will meet from 2:30-4 p.m. on Tuesdays from Dec. 4 – Feb. 12 at the Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter office, 606 W. Glen Ave., Peoria. Individuals with the disease will meet in one group, while their caregivers will meet in another group at the same time. Participants will learn how to better cope with the disease and will receive emotional support and social interaction in a safe and supportive environment. Weekly topics include health and wellness information, research and medications, tools for maintaining independence, and changing roles and relationships. Attendees also are given ample opportunity to ask questio...

Washington, DC – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) spear-headed a bipartisan letter , co-signed by over sixty of his House colleagues, to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking a resolution over growing concerns about impaired barge traffic down the Mississippi River. Barge traffic could be severely disrupted or altogether grind to a halt along the middle of the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri and Cairo, Illinois because of the Army Corps of Engineers’ annual plan to reduce and eventually shut off water flows during this time of the year. “The Mississippi River is a major artery of commerce for Illinois manufacturers and the agriculture community. As a vital gateway for American products to be shipped to markets throughout the U.S. and to ports around the globe, our economy can’t afford any interruptions to this steady flow of commerce,” said Congressman Aaron Schock. “This is ultimately about saving businesses both large and small, and protecting American jobs. I’m cal...

Focus Forward CI is a top-down/ bottom-up asset-based economic development strategy designed to engage all populations in a regional effort to transform mindset, economic performance, environment and leadership in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Mason Counties. You can learn more about this process by visiting: http://www.focusforwardci.com/ There you can learn about upcoming meetings and events, all of which are open to the public. Please provide your e-mail address and sign up for the monthly e-newsletter to stay informed. This economic strategy relies on central Illinois residents working together, inclusive of everyone and in a transparent manner to build trust. The strategy deploys a plan to retain and attract new business and grow an educated and trained workforce based on the region’s unique assets with measurements for success. Leaders in this effort already identified Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based goals (S.M.A.R.T.) for creating the new ...

An Invite to All Chamber Members! John Evans Supportive Living is celebrating 5 years of serving the area Seniors and making a difference in the lives of over 525 Seniors! Please join us for door prizes & hot Hors D’oeurves, cocktails, and flaming Banana Foster! We look forward to sharing in our celebration with you!

McDaniels Healthcare Marketing , a communications firm headquartered in Pekin, Ill., recently received nine Pinnacle Awards in a ceremony sponsored by its peers. The ceremony was recently held in Chicago as part of the semi-annual conference for the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) . Each year, the Pinnacle Awards are presented for excellence in healthcare marketing and public relations. McDaniels Healthcare Marketing was recognized with the following honors: Award of Excellence Illinois Valley Community Hospital (IVCH) – Patient Literature – IVCH OB Unit Brochure  Award of Merit  IVCH – Direct Mail – OB Open House Mailer   IVCH – Website Design/Development – The All New IVCH Website   Jersey Community Hospital (JCH) – Fund Raising – ER+ Capital Campaign   JCH – E-Marketing & Social Networking – CEO Blog   Pekin Hospital – Special Event – Garden Gala   Pekin Hospital – Integrat...

In honor of American Diabetes Month, Pekin Hospital will offer a Diabetes Screening on Tuesday, November 27 from 8 – 10 a.m. inside the Hospital Lobby. Fasting is not required to participate in the screening and reservations are not needed to participate. Did you know that preventing diabetes is easier than you think? Being proactive about your health can lead to a healthier and longer life for yourself and your family. As a famous English author once stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” According to the American Diabetes Association, each year 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older. Don’t allow yourself to join in this growing statistic. By making subtle changes to your lifestyle, you can be proactive in preventing diabetes. This screening event is being held this November in support of American Diabetes Month and to educate Pekin and surrounding communities about the simple steps that can help prevent diabetes. Ta...

Infinite Success recently joined the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and celebrated with a ribbon cutting. Pictured (L to R) are Brian Wonders, Sharon Law, Pekin Chapter President Melanie Long, Debbie Simmons, and Daryl Dagit. Infinite Success was born out of a call for something more than the normal networking group that provides an opportunity to deliver business cards and elevator speeches. IS goes beyond offering personal growth and development, which in turn brings professional and individual success. At IS, they expand relationships, explore professions, and express possibilities.

McDaniels Marketing is proud to announce that Joey Vining has returned to its staff as creative director. Vining previously worked at the agency as an art director before moving to Colorado. “Too many people try to put creativity and technique in a box,” Vining says. “I approach our client’s challenges and take ownership. Likewise, I believe in stressing less about what others think about how we get to the desired outcome… to literally think outside the box. At McDaniels, we’re always thinking… and I want to ensure that our creative product is extraordinary.” A graduate of Illinois State University, Vining holds an associate’s degree in arts and sciences as well as a bachelor’s in graphic design. Prior to rejoining the team, she worked as art director and graphic designer for Group Publishing in Loveland, Colo., a company responsible for producing a variety of resources for churches and ministries. “We are so jazzed about having Joey back as a new leader for our firm. She brings...

On Weds., Nov. 14, 2012, ICPR Family Practice will hold a FREE Diabetic Education Class at the Pekin Public Library (301 S. 4th St.) at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Volkan Sumer and his staff will offer tips to help diabetics manage blood sugar levels. Attendees can register online or call 347-4277 to reserve a spot.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures on the McClugage Bridge Wednesday, November 14th. The lane closures are necessary for crews to repair lights on the bridge. Please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through all work zones. For updated traffic information and views from dozens of traffic cameras in the Peoria area, click here: http://www.gettingaroundpeoria.com/ For a look at other IDOT District 4 projects, click here: http://www.dot.il.gov/districtreleases.htm#District_4

Midland Davis Corporation, 14379 Illinois Rt. 29 South, Pekin, IL, 61554; (309) 353-3333; www.midlanddavis.com ;  Rikki Wallace , office manager; Business hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm, Saturday 7:30am - 12:00pm; Midland Davis Corporation is a recycling center that meets a variety of needs for businesses and the community. They offer buyback services, confidential shredding, resale, and curbside recycling. Also, for local businesses, Midland offers a one time, on going, or on call business recycling and office "de-clutter" services. Midland is currently processing the City of Pekin Curbside Recycling Program. This and many other recycling services are offered at Midland Davis Corporation.

Gateway Foundation , 11 South Capitol, Pekin, IL, 61554; (309) 346-7800; www.recovergateway.org ;  Drey Church , clinical supervisor; Business hours: Monday,Tuesday 8:30am - 9:00pm, Wednesday 9:00am - 5:00pm, Thursday,Friday 8:30am - 7:00pm, closed on weekends; Gateway Foundation is the largest provider of drug rehab and alcohol treatment in Illinois. The dedicated staff will be with you throughout drug rehab and treatment. You and your family will receive the guidance and support necessary for lasting recovery.

Herget Bank was the host of the November Business After Hours. A huge crowd of chamber members and their guests showed up at their downtown Pekin office to enjoy their hospitality.  You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

We are gearing up to welcome Christmas into downtown Pekin with our annual Christmas on Court event on November 30, 2012. We will have an inaugural lighting ceremony that evening for our new Community Christmas Tree. The tree will be located in the Five Points Median (right near St. Joseph's Church, Pekin Community Bank and First Pekin Savings Bank). Christmas on Court will still feature business open houses, luminaries, horse drawn carriage rides and music by various community groups. Don't forget about Santa Claus! He will be at Pekin Community Bank that evening to visit with local children and pose for pictures. Also, PCHS art students will be carrying on the tradition of painting windows of downtown businesses. This year's theme is "Christmas Carols". We are excited about this year's events. If you have any questions, please call Pekin Main Street 309.353.3100 or email at mheien@ci.pekin.il.us . You can also call the Pekin Chamber 309.346.2106

The Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter will hold its annual Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Chapter office, 606 W. Glen Ave., Peoria. A night of fellowship and remembrance, the event is free and open to the public. The community is invited to bring candles to light in honor or in memory of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. The hour long service will feature music, a speaker and recitation of the names of local residents who have lost their battle with Alzheimer’s in the last year. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program. The Candlelight Service is an event of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregivers Month. For more information, call the Chapter toll free at 800.272.3900 or email infocentralil@alz.org . The Alzheimer's Association – Central Illinois Chapter is a donor-supported, not-for-profit health organization serving 20 counties in Illinois. For additional information or for help, please vis...

Shades of royal purple and lavender set with dashes of aqua, green and gold – the 2012 Alzheimer’s Association ornament is a sight to behold. The Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter is proud to announce that its 2012 Chapter Ornament is now available. These limited edited, blown glass ornaments are handcrafted by Peoria artist Hiram Toraason. This is the sixth in an annual series of 5-inch ornaments featuring the Association’s signature color, purple. Each costs $30; shipping and handling is an additional $8. Funds raised by the sales help support the chapter’s educational programs and services. A perfect holiday, wedding, birthday or “just because” gift, they are available at the Alzheimer’s Association Office, 606 W. Glen Ave., Peoria, online at alz.org/illinoiscentral , or at the following Peoria retailers: Belle Mie Bremer Jewerly Bronze Frog Broms Enchanted Florist & Boutique Pink Sugar Harp & Thistle Impor...

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday sits Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and their communities.   The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to support Small Business Saturday and encourage everyone to shop at their favorite small businesses on Saturday, November 24th. Together, we can make this the biggest day of the year for small business. To learn more visit ShopSmall.com or search Small Business Saturday Central Illinois on Facebook. Visit ShopSmall.com to take advantage of the 2012 Small Business Saturday Toolkit. You will find templates for email and newsletter messages, examples of Facebook posts and tweets, official and personalized logos and banners... all of it designed to help spread the word and drive consumers out to shop at your business! To download the complete toolkit CLICK HERE . This November 24th, support small businesses in our community by supporting Small Business Saturday 2012!

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce announces the 15th annual R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy for future leadership in the Pekin Area. The Academy begins on January 10th. For more information download the testimonials or call the Pekin the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 346-2106 for an application.

‘Tis The Season! Are you looking for a fun place to host your special holiday event? Mashie’s Pub & Eatery in Sunset Hills is the perfect place. Whether it is family, friends, business or pleasure....Mashie's invites you to plan your next event with them! Mashie’s at Sunset Hills is a public restaurant, and welcomes everyone to join. Mashie’s offers various menu selections and venues for hosting your party. They have a private banquet room, sports pub, outdoor deck and patio, or your group may enjoy our lovely dining room. There is no additional fee for use of their facility. With the holiday season right around the corner, call or e-mail today to reserve a date and time for your event.

Rivermen Introduce 2012 Holiday Pack!! The Perfect Gift for the Rivermen Fan in your life! The Peoria Rivermen have announced the Holiday Pack for the 2012-13 season! This year's package includes 10 undated vouchers good for any game in the 2012-13 regular season, and an autographed Rivermen puck!  With premium games on the schedule, the Holiday Pack provides you with the freedom to choose which games you would like to attend, while providing you the best savings on Rivermen tickets. Premium dates include: November 3rd, Presidential Bobblehead Election November 10th, OSF Hat Night January 19th, CEFCU Zamboni Bank January 26th, Ryan Reaves Bobblefist February 16th, PNC Kids Jersey Night March 23rd, Hy-Vee Kids Hockey Stick March 30th, Free Food Night presented by Hostess and Coca-Cola The Holiday Pack can be purchased in either the Upper Bowl for $160 or Lower Bowl package for $210.  Purchase before the end of November and receive two free tick...

Reservations Appreciated 346-2106 or email us at info@pekinchamber.com  Don't miss this opportunity to network with fellow chamber members and community leaders. You'll also enjoy refreshments, door prizes and tours or information from our hosts.  NOTE: Time different on this Business After Hours.Giving away a 5x7 Kodak Digital Frame and a Kindle Fire!

November 3 – Marigold Wrap Up Party November 7 – Pekin 1st Committee November 8 –Business After Hours November 14 – Members Promotion Committee November 14 –Transportation Committee November 14 –Executive Board Meeting November 14 – Board of Directors Meeting November 21 – Ambassador’s Meeting November 22 – Thanksgiving Holiday (Chamber Closed) November 23 – Thanksgiving Holiday (Chamber Closed) November 27 – Business Advocacy Committee

Automotive Machine Inc. ~ B'Ribboned Etc. ~ Kirk W. Bode, Attorney ~ BodyWealth Massage ~ Camp of Champions USA ~ Todd Campbell  ~ CommunityLink ~ Court Place Apartments ~ Deuce Development Corp. ~ Deverman Advertising ~ Flowers by Florence ~ Henderson Funeral Home ~ Home Health Care Plus, Inc. ~ ITV-3 ~ JM Industrial Supply ~ Leman Property Management Co. ~ Liberty Village of Pekin/Pekin Estates ~ McGladrey ~ National Rental Inc. ~ Pekin Main Street ~ Professional Therapy Services ~ ReMax Home Realtors ~ Rogy's Child Care Center ~ Suzi Davis Travel ~ Tazwood Mental Health Center, Inc. ~ Tomorrow's Hope Christian Academy ~ Trouble Free Heating & Cooling UAW Highrise ~Women's Center for Health ~ Zumwalt & Associates, Inc.

Pekin’s sales tax disbursement received from the state in October was 2.3% less than October of 2011. Pekin’s sales tax disbursements received from the state for the last 3 months were 5.1% greater than the same three months in 2011. The other three large communities on the east side of the Illinois River showed increases in sales tax disbursements received in October, compared to October of 2011: Morton (+4.6%), East Peoria (+34.0%), and Washington (+0.5%) For the 12-months ending in October, all four communities showed an increase in sales tax receipts from the state, compared to the 12-monhts ending in October of 2011: East Peoria (+13.5%), Morton (+7.0%), Pekin (+5.1%) and Washington (+2.6%) The number of residential units sold in the 61554 zip code in the first nine months of 2012 was 3.2% less than the same period in 2011. The other large Tazewell County communities are showing large increases in residential unit sales for the first nine months of 2012, compared to 2011: Ea...

The prospect of opening your own Bed and Breakfast may seem daunting and unrealistic; however, the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway is offering a seminar to answer some pertinent questions concerning opening a "BnB", marketing, and running it. The seminar will be Tuesday, November 13,2012,  5-6:30 p.m. click here for more info & registration: Illinois River Road Seminar

Larry Nelson, President of KCB Information Service and AllRegs, the leading information provider for the mortgage industry, is proud to announce that Tracy Powell and Larry Nelson have recently earned the Certified FICO Professional (FICO Pro) certification. This certification provides a knowledge of benchmark for indiviuals who assesss credit risk and how that risk impacts their company and customers. The Certified FICO Pro program is designed to recognize individuals who have a strong understanding of FICO scores and how the FICO score impacts both the lender and the consumer. Tracy and Larry are available for training seminars and classes to explain credit scores and credit reports. KCB Information Services is the only LOCAL Credit Bureau. Since 1928, KCB has provided credit services to Municipalities, Police Departments, Land lords and over 90 Banks, Savings and Loans, Credit Unions. You can contact Larry Nelson by calling: (309) 353-5527