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MBE Committee to Host Outreach Meetings

Peoria - Peoria County's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Ad-hoc Committee is planning a series of public meetings for minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners and entrepreneurs (collectively, MBE's). These meetings will give local MBE's an opportunity to meet informally with MBE Committee members and County Board members and discuss challenges or obstacles that may make it difficult for MBE's to either expand or start their business in Peoria County.

The intent of these outreach meetings is to learn the needs of MBE's, what assistance or resources would most benefit minority business owners or entrepreneurs. The MBE Committee will then use this information to develop a strategy for helping MBE's overcome obstacles that stand in the way of either expanding an existing business or starting a new business in the community. Each meeting is hosted by a County Board member and will include an introduction by Rachael Parker, MBE Committee Chairperson and County Board Member; an informal discussion; and a survey conducted in conjunction with students from Bradley University's Senior Consultant Program. Each meeting is expected to last approximately one hour.

Minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners, or those interested in starting a business in Peoria County, are encouraged to attend one of the following public outreach meetings to share their ideas, challenges, and suggestions. Dates and locations of two additional meetings will be forthcoming once finalized.

For more information, please call Rachel Parker, Economic Developement Director for the City of Chillicothe

“Code Blue” lockdown procedure today at South School

Dear Parents,

         South School conducted a “Code Blue” lockdown procedure today after we received information from the Chillicothe Police Department regarding a possible situation.    Apparently, someone misinterpreted a situation that was occurring in the area and thought South School was involved.   To ensure for the safety of the students and staff at South School we initiated a “Code Blue” lockdown at approximately 10:15 A.M. today, Thursday, February 9^th, 2012.    Students and teachers were instructed to go to the classrooms and lock the doors.   A walk-through of the building was conducted and at no time were students in any danger.

         The district believes that preparation is essential to emergency response in a critical incident situation.   We believe that it is imperative that each student learn safe procedures and know what is expected in a crisis situation.   Today when the lockdown was announced our students and staff did a fine job.

         We will continue to be proactive in the future and prepare our students and staff for all types of emergency procedures.   We ask for your assistance in helping to prepare your child.   Please impress upon your child the need to follow the directions of any school personnel in times of an emergency.  As with fire and tornado drills, we believe it is always better to be prepared and err on the side of caution.   Thank you for your understanding.

Respectfully,

Mike Bethel, Principal

South Elementary School

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Contest #3!

We've had three winners so far!  Who's number 4?

And here are the questions (remember, just respond to this posting on FB, thanks!)

1. What type of bird group would Bald Eagles be classified as?

Generalist, Surface skimming, Pursuitl fishing, Chiseling, or Raptorial?

2. Which band of Native Americans had a legend about an eagle and how its eyes became so sharp?

3. Where and when did the Bald Eagle make its most dramatic comeback after their reintroductory project was in full swing?

The CI would like to thank everyone who's participated and the rest who will be attending the Rotary's Bald Eagle Days.

**photograph courtesy of Maria Geiger. Copying is not great idea without permission from Maria. Thanks!

The Eagles are coming!

Not the The Philadelphia Eagles but our very own Bald Eagle Days that is.

The Chillicothe Rotary is once again presenting Bald Eagle Days Saturday, February 11th, 2012.  It will be held at Shore Acres beginning at 7:30am and ending at 11:30am.

The scrumptious Pancake & Sausage Breakfast will be served up hot by the Rotary and Luons Clubs.

Wildlife Prairie State Park will once again present their Bald Eagle Raptor Program  and hopefully the beautiful Bald Eagle Meketcha (sorry if I've spelled his name incorrectly!), will make an apprearance.

Our very own Chainsaw Sculptor Tim Gill will be showing off his talent with a tool designed for something completely different than creating art.  Galena Road Gravel is proud to be Tim's sponsor.

Then there's the ever popular magician Jerry Tupper, who last year had a rapt audience of kids and adults alike. Heritage Health is sponsoring this entertainment portion.

Then David Zalaznik, author of the beautiful book "Life Along the Illinois River" will be present to sign copies of his book.  You must buy one, it's something every household should have.

And then the judging of the Children's Eagle Art Contest will wrap up the day. CEFCU is hoping for a very large number of entries.

The photography contest will not be held this year. Sadly, it seems that every year, the number of submissions drop ever lower.  Perhaps if enough photographers both amateur and professional, COMMIT to submitting something for next year, this competition could return.

For more information, call 309-678-0862

Tickets for the event may be purchased at City Hall * Happy Thought Coffee * CEFCU

**photo courtesy of Maria Geiger