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The City of Peoria is seeking additional input from residents regarding the Riverfront Village Project. This fall, the City plans to demolish the existing Riverfront Village buildings, parking structure and deck, and begin converting the area to a park. The project area is bounded by the Illinois River to the east, the clock tower and turnaround to the north, the multiuse path to the west, and the Martini’s parking lot to the south. A public meeting was held in April to present two concepts for a future park and to gather public input. A public survey about the project will remain open at surveymonkey.com/r/riverfrontparksurvey until May 18th. For more information, call (309) 494-8800.
Common Place Family Learning Center is hosting two volunteer orientations and tutor training workshops for those interested in helping out in its Adult Literacy Program. The trainings will be on Saturday, May 13th and Saturday, May 20th from 9am to 3pm at Common Place. The workshops are free and advanced registration is required. To register or for more information, call (309) 674-3315.
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The 2017 Morton Community Foundation Give Day will take place on Thursday, May 11th. This is a great opportunity for Morton community members to give back to an organization that gives so much to the community. The goal is to get 250 donors and $10,000, all in one day. All donations are tax-deductible and gifts of any amount are appreciated. The Kona Ice Truck will be at the Foundation, 105 E. Jefferson St., from 11am to 4pm, and 20 percent of sales will benefit Give Day. To make a donation, stop by the MCF office, mail a check, or go to cfmorton.org/give-day.
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Bradley University will award more than 1,000 degrees during commencement ceremonies this Saturday, May 13th. This year’s undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will be combined, beginning at 9am at the Peoria Civic Center. Bradley will award 24 doctoral degrees, 149 master’s degrees and 885 bachelor’s degrees this semester, while senior Brianna Seeberger will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. A reception for graduates, their families, faculty and staff takes place on Friday at 4pm at the Alumni Quad west of Bradley Hall.
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Celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend with a number of activities at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie and the Peoria Park District. “Pampered on the Prairie” takes place at The Shoppes on Saturday, May 13th from 10am to 2pm, featuring live music, dozens of unique vendors, appetizers and wine tastings from Kickapoo Creek Winery—plus a free gift for the ladies (while supplies last), and store specials throughout the center. On Sunday, May 14th, the Peoria Zoo will charge moms the children’s rate during regular zoo hours, while Luthy Botanical Garden will be open from noon to 4pm for a Mother’s Day Orchid Show. There will also be a Mother’s Day Hike at Forest Park Nature Center beginning at 1:30pm; all mothers will receive a small gift. For more information, go to shoppesatgrandprairie.com or peoriaparks.org.
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The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois will host the Women to Women Leader Luncheon Awards on Wednesday, May 24th at the Par-A-Dice Hotel. These prestigious awards recognize local women who best exemplify excellence in their chosen professions and a commitment to the success of other women. Deserving local women will be recognized in the following categories:
• Business or Professionals Award
• Education or Arts Award
• Community Service Award
• Young Woman’s Service Award — a scholarship to be given to a high school senior.
• The new Emerging Leader Award which will honor a young woman between the ages of 25-40.
Reservations are due by May 17th and can be made online at communityfoundationci.org.
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The nominations are in... now it's time to vote for your favorites! Introducing the second annual Best of Peoria: a list of the people, places and things that make Greater Peoria the best place to live, work and play… according to you! We know you know why you love where you live. So tell us! Together, let’s celebrate what makes our region great. Visit peoriamagazines.com/BOP to make your voice heard! Voting runs through June 1st, and the winners will be revealed in July.
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Thursday, May 11th @ Peoria Zoo
The Peoria Zoological Society will host Zootini from 6 to 9pm. A variety of martinis will be served by local mixologists at the outdoor, after-hours event in Africa!, where guests can enjoy the signature martinis and walk the boardwalk. Tickets include four drink tickets, appetizers, dessert and live music by Dexter O’Neal and the Funk Yard. Tickets must be purchased in advance at peoriazoo.org/zootini.
Thursday, May 11th @ Peoria Public Library – Main Library
The Chillicothe Public Library, Dunlap Public Library and Peoria Public Library have joined forces to bring Lisa Napoli, author of Ray & Joan, to Peoria. Ray & Joan is the story of the American power couple who founded McDonalds. Napoli will speak at 6pm about the book and how she came to write it. The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase from I Know You Like a Book. For more information, call (309) 497-2141 or (309) 274-2719.
Friday, May 12th @ Par-A-Dice Hotel
The Peoria Salvation Army welcomes recording artist and author Julianna Zobrist to headline its annual community luncheon at 11:30am. In addition to a performance and speech by Zobrist, the organization will honor numerous individuals and companies at the event. For more information, call (309) 655-1349.
Saturday, May 13th @ Downtown Peoria
Water Street will be transformed into the New Orleans French Quarter for the second annual Mardi Gras in May. The street party runs from 3 to 10pm with street performers, live music, authentic Cajun food and drinks, and much more. For more information, visit mardigraspeoria.com.
Saturday, May 13th @ Metro Centre
The race site for the 2017 Komen Peoria Race for the Cure opens at 7am, with the race kicking off at 8am. A complete race day schedule is available at komenmemorial.org/komen-race-for-the-cure.
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Saturday, May 13th @ Lakeview Park
Peoria Players Theatre hosts its annual Craft & Vendor Fair from 9am to 3pm on the lawn in front of the Noble Center, featuring crafters and vendors from all over the area and a kids corner with games and activities for children, plus entertainment from area students. The Peoria Humane Society and Peoria County Animal Protection Services will also be there from 11am to 2pm with pets looking for forever homes. For more information, go to peoriaplayers.org.
Saturday, May 13th @ Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
International Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated by the Emiquon Partnership from 9am to 3pm. Guests can enjoy guided bird-watching hikes by Refuge staff every hour, activities and exhibits from Emiquon partners at the Refuge headquarters, as well as a drive along the Refuge Auto-Tour Route to experience the birds and wildlife. For more information, call (309) 535-2290.
Tuesday, May 16th @ Hult Center for Healthy Living
Hult Center for Healthy Living, in partnership with Whitney’s Walk, Peoria Regional Office of Education and Human Service Center, will host a community discussion about 13 Reasons Why from 5:30 to 6:30pm. The controversial Netflix series has sparked a national discussion on mental health and suicide and created concerns among mental health professionals and youth advocates about its content. Kay Blankenship, LCPC, Behavioral Health Clinical Counselor for the Hult Center, will discuss guidelines for families, educators and safe messaging, followed by a Q&A session. All are welcome to attend; RSVP at hulthealthy.org. For more information, call (309) 692-6650.
Tuesday, May 16th @ Fondulac Bank, 201 Clock Tower Drive, East Peoria
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University is offering a workshop, Starting a Business in Illinois from 3 to 6pm. Morton Community Bank is a co-sponsor of this event. The workshop is free and open to the public, but registration is required at bradley.edu/academic/colleges/fcba/centers/turner/events or by calling (309) 677-2992.
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Community Impact Calendar
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Check out Peoria Magazines’ Community Impact Calendar ... a comprehensive list of Peoria-area nonprofit events and fundraisers. Are your upcoming events listed? Help us keep the calendar up to date by sending your event information to info@peoriamagazines.com!
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Peoria Magazines 2017 Events
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Business growth thrives on networking… and we are in the business of supplying that atmosphere. Peoria Magazines' events are designed to introduce business leaders and potential clients to one another through face-to-face interaction. Sponsoring an event shows your company understands the power of creating a memorable impression long before you sign the first business deal.
Sponsorship opportunities are available! For more information, visit peoriamagazines.com/events or call (309) 683-3060.
July 11, 2017: Local Legends Reception
A reception to honor those who have had a lifetime of impact on the Peoria area.
July 27, 2017: 40 Leaders Alumni Social
A social event for alumni and presentation of the 40 Leaders Alumnus of the Year award.
November 2, 2017: 40 Leaders Under Forty
Recognizing the rising stars of central Illinois.
December 5, 2017: Women of Influence Forum
Celebrating women who are making a difference in the region.
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