Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

This guy is home from college for the hoildays and is going to be playing this Saturday January 3rd at The Speakeasy. Come downtown and join u sgor a evening if Jazz!  Bring your own snacks and beverages and join at  7:00 PM .  $5 cover at the door Click here to join! 2014 is winding down and we want to thank you all for your continued support to art in our community. We will not have our regular gallery hours from Dec 20th until  January 6th . You can however reach me at  info@speakeasyartcenter.com  to address questions or schedule a time to visit the gallery.   During this time we are working on our exciting 2015 calendar.  We have several new things to announce and lots more classes to offer.We are looking forward to a fun new year cultivating the arts in Pekin!  All scheduled classes and events are still occurring during this time.  Wishing you a great holiday season with...

South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a subsidiary of Mid Illinois Bancorp, Inc., at its December 2014 Board Meeting, announced the promotions of Laura Dunton to Personal Trust Officer, Lori King to Assistant Cashier, Assistant Consumer Lending Manager, and Jim McCready to Assistant Cashier, Visa/Merchant Administrator. Dunton has been with South Side Bank since 2007.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Illinois State University.  She is a graduate from the Cannon School of Trust and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor.  Dunton is a volunteer for the Peoria Public School’s Reading Buddies Program. King has worked in the banking industry for 22 years, serving at South Side Bank for the past 5 years.  She attended Illinois Central College and has completed many courses through the American Bankers Association.  She is a 2010 graduate of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce Leadership School.  King is a volunteer for the Morton Pum...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Mackinaw Valley Vineyard and Winery Upcoming Events 2014 -HOLIDAY SALE- December 19th to 24th   ALL Christmas Gift Items 50% OFF All Non-Christmas Gift Items 25% off    WINE 10% Case Discount, mix and match   2015 Murder Mystery Dinner by UpStage Productions Sherlock Holmes and the Temple of Doom February 13th, 6-9pm and February 14th, 5:30-9:30pm Tickets on Sale Now Sherlock, Nancy and Jessica are on the hunt for Treasure and Murder!! Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, and Jessica Fletcher are on a wild and dangerous treasure hunt. But so is the amazing archeologist Louisiana Jones! The only thing that can keep one of them from winning - is murder. Arrival is ...

2014 is winding down and we want to thank you all for your continued support to art in our community. We will not have our regular gallery hours from Dec 20th until January 6th. You can however reach me at info@speakeasyartcenter.com  to address questions or schedule a time to visit the gallery.   During this time we are working on our exciting 2015 calendar.  We have several new things to announce and lots more classes to offer.We are looking forward to a fun new year cultivating the arts in Pekin!  All scheduled classes and events are still occurring during this time.  Wishing you a great holiday season with your family and friends! ~Shannon

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LegalShield Independent Associate Mickey Shemansky Pekin, IL 61554 309-241-6364 Mickey Shemansky,  Manager www.mickeyshemansky.com Unlimited access to the legal system throughout the United States and four provinces of Canada through a closed network of provider attorneys. Unparalleled identity theft protection with COMPLETE RESTORATION by Kroll licensed investigators if your identity is ever compromised. Protection provided for individuals, families, and businesses. 

A record $40 million Extraordinary Dividend was recently announced by CEFCU’s Board of Directors and will be distributed to the Credit Union’s member/owners.  The amount each member will receive was determined by dividends earned and interest paid during the first 11 months of the year, as of November 30, 2014.  On December 16, dividends will be deposited to members’ Savings accounts.                       Over the last 15 years, CEFCU has returned $115 million in Extraordinary Dividends to members.  CEFCU Board Chairman, Brad Arnold, stated, “This Extraordinary Dividend is the largest in the history of the Credit Union.  CEFCU continues to see strong financial results, and this success is due in no small part to the continued loyalty of member/owners.”            Mark Spenny, CEFCU President/CEO, added, “CEFCU...

Thanks to the following who recently renewed their investment in the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: CJ's Café Getz Manufacturing J & J Consulting Firm Lloyd Orrick

Congressman Aaron Schock (IL-18), along with leading industry representatives, trade associations, labor groups and other stakeholders, today commented on recent congressional action to improve inland waterway infrastructure in the 18th Congressional District. On Dec. 3, The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 647, which provides for an increase in the fees barge operators pay to fund new lock and dam constructions and major rehabilitation projects along inland waterways. The bill passed on a broad bipartisan 404-17 vote. A growing coalition of industry and labor groups have petitioned Congress in recent years to raise the barge user fee to address the $8 billion backlog of repairs on the aging system. The new fee will increase from 20 cents per gallon of diesel fuel purchased to 29 cents. The Senate is expected to pass the bill within days, and the President has agreed to sign it.

The December Puttin' On Pekin breakfast featured holiday entertainment by Dan Taylor, Val Springborn and Miss Nora Springborn.  Dave Osborn from Trouble Free Plumbing won the early prize and Mitch O'Shaughnessy won the late prize.  Congratulations to all the winners of our big year end door prize drawings:  Jay Hall, Jeff Dill, Larry Nelson, Al Tharp, Mickey Shemansky, Joe Privett, Teresa Mack, Steve Brown, Drew Lockwood, and Rhonda Hodges.  You can see more pictures from this event at:   http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Thanks to Timbercreek Rehab and Health Care for hosting a great Business After Hours on December 11th.  As always, the food and refreshments were abundant and delicious. You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

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Pekin Hospital’s mission is to improve patient health in our community. But recently, the definition of “community” expanded to include a village halfway around the world. From November 14 to 21, a team of about 40 people—most affiliated with the Hospital—traveled to the rural, mountainous area of Jalapa, Guatemala, to provide medical care for thousands of people with no access to traditional medicine. “The need was great,” stresses Cindy Justus, Mission Coordinator and Pekin Hospital Unit Director of ER1 and Urgent Care. Originally, the mission group was scheduled to travel to Liberia, but the Ebola outbreak forced a change of plans.  After weeks of research for an alternate location and collaboration with Drs. Van Dyke, Lovell, and Honan, Guatemala was chosen.   Preparation took place through frequent emails and monthly meetings where they tackled jobs like packaging medication into individual dosages.  The team worked very hard for 10 months leading up to...

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Thank you to the following companies who have renewed their investment in the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: 1-Star MVP Avanti's Ristorante Classic Members Baumgarten Distributors Jim Maloof Realtor Jost/Becker/Jost Architects ReMax Home Realtors Dr. Robert J. Johnson, DMD Security Finance Sun Valley Subdivision Individual Member Glen Rittenhouse

Thursday Night is Craft Beer Night!  All the cool kids will be there!  Bring your friends and come down! Friday Night is Pekin Main Street's Christmas on Court! Come join our downtown business's celebrating the holidays! Special guests and events will be offered at each location. Don't forget Santa and the Mrs will be there too!   You can also take a carriage ride! Within the Speakeasy we will feature The Pekin Human Rights Committee All the Littel Snow Angels program. We will also have our Young Artist reception from the last 6 weeks during this time. Stop by and sign your young artist up for new classes starting in January. Be sure and stop and see us! Sign up now for Saturdays Christmas Card Workshop! email speakeasyrenae@gmail.com to enroll This week is the last chance to get tickets for The Christmas Variety Show! This is going t...

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River Valley Mechanical Service Inc. 821 Brenkman Dr. Pekin, IL 61554 309-346-1140  Rich Jordan , Owner Mike Hamilton , Owner River Valley Mechanical Service Inc. specializes in residential and commercial heating, cooling and ventilation. They work with boilers, chillers, furnaces, a/c, exhaust fans and hoods.

he Pekin Public Library Board of Trustees held a groundbreaking ceremony for their rennovation and expansion project. The $6 million dollar project should allow the library to reopen in the late spring of 2015. The library is currently housed in temporary facilities at East Court Village. Library Board President Sue Crowell, Director Jeff Brooks, and Mayor Laurie Barra all spoke to the crowd that braved the cold temperatures. City Council members, city staff, library board trustees, library staff and State Senator Dave Koehler were all in attendance.  You can see more pictures from this event at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Come support The Speakeasy Art Center and enjoy a Family Fun Christmas Variety show/play  by The Artistic Community Theater. We will have special time with Santa and all his friends. There will be a luncheon of soup and sandwiches served. Cost is $20 for Adult / $35 for a couple and $10 for Children. email info@speakeasyartcenter.com for tickets

Cold weather is upon us in Illinois and Illinois American Water is advising homeowners to make sure their homes are prepared for winter weather.   “Following last year’s harsh winter, we want to remind customers that sub-freezing temperatures for an extended period can cause pipes in vulnerable areas to freeze and burst and result in costly damage,” said Illinois American Water President Karla Olson Teasley. “By taking the proper preventive steps, customers can avoid worrying about frozen pipes and making expensive repairs to damaged plumbing inside and outside of the home.” Property owners are responsible for maintenance of the water service line from the curb to the house, as well as any in-home piping. Illinois American Water encourages residents to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of freezing and bursting pipes. Before frigid weather sets in: •        Know the location of your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe freezes or bur...

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed a new member, Sazani's Steak and Pasta House.  Gene Wamsley from the North Pekin Village Board also participated in the ribbon cutting, along with Sonny and Ben.  Located at the former Chateau on the Lake restaurant at 901 Chateau Drive in North Pekin, they are open for lunch and dinner from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday.  They also have large banquet rooms.  More information is at www.sazanis.com or 309.583.0094.

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin gathered to welcome Jo's Seafood and Steak Grill to Pekin.  Chef Oliver Valenzuela and his brother cut the ribbon as part of their grand opening celebration.  Offering the freshest selection of seafood, meat and vegetables, Jo's Seafood & Steak Grill provides  a perfect atmosphere for their guests. The food is excellent, the menu is diverse, and the service is warm.  Open daily at 11:00 a.m. at 2307 Court Street.  Reservations are suggested.  (309) 620-9888; www.josseafood.com