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| NewsThe 150th anniversary observance of the Civil War begins this Friday, February 11th, exactly 150 years after Abraham Lincoln left Springfield on his inaugural journey as president-elect. At 11am on that day, Lincoln’s famous departure speech will be re-enacted worldwide to break a Guinness World Record for the most people reading aloud from the same document simultaneously. Peoria-area citizens will find the nearest participation site at the Metamora Courthouse, 113 East Partridge St. in Metamora. Visit extras.sj-r.com/lincolndepot for more information.
Peoria County’s National Citizen Survey is now online, through Monday, March 7th.The NCS is a comprehensive survey developed by the National Research Center that gauges citizens’ perceptions of service delivery, quality of life, potential problems and other community issues. Citizens of Peoria County who did not receive the survey by mail can participate by visiting n-r-c.com/survey/peoriacountyillinois.htm.
Current Peoria County Administrator Patrick Urich has been officially hired as the 16th city manager of the City of Peoria. He will begin his tenure on April 18th. Greg Chance, who heads the Peoria City/County Health Department, is set to be hired as assistant county administrator and would act as interim administrator upon Urich’s departure.
The Peoria Public Library is looking for people to tell their stories about Peoria history! To celebrate National Library Week and its slogan “Create your own story @ your library,” the library will put together podcasts of stories, either general or personal, about Peoria and its history. Call (309) 497-2159 for more information.
“Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” will open Saturday at Lakeview Museum and run through May 1st. The exhibit offers a peek into the world of the Muppets creator, with original artwork, drawings, cartoons and storyboards. Henson’s wife, Jane Henson, will make a presentation at the museum at 7pm on February 24th. Call (309) 686-7000 or visitlakeview-museum.org for more information.
The Peoria Art Guild will again host Kid’s Art Camp on President's Day, February 21st.Kid's Art Camp provides an art-centric alternative to traditional day care, in which students have the opportunity to experience a wide array of different techniques and media. The camp is available for school-age children in grades 1-6, and will be held at the Peoria Art Guild, 203 Harrison St., from 8:30am to 3pm. For more information or to register, call (309) 671-1090 or email rnelson@peoriaartguild.org.
Clifton Gunderson will present “Employee Benefit Plan Reporting – What Every Plan Administrator Should Know,” a free, one-hour online webcast, at 1pm on Wednesday, February 16th. Employee benefits plan experts will address new regulations, reporting requirements and updated accounting standards in 2011. Register at cliftoncpa.com/events. For questions, call (309) 495-8769.
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| iBi: Focus on Healthcare The February 2011 issue of iBi is out, with a focus on healthcare. The lead article in February's iBi examines last year's healthcare reform legislation and the uncertainties surrounding its implementation. Can we massage the legislation...or do we throw it out and start over?
Also in this issue...transparency in healthcare, electronic health records, a look at the Healthy Lifestyles School Project, caregiving, wellness, cutting-edge cancer research, updates from area hospitals and much more!
Here is just a sampling of articles...visitpeoriamagazines.com/ibi for the entire issue!
Is This Déjà Vu All Over Again? The Good and the Bad of Healthcare Reform
by Donald J. Crane, MD and Beverlee L. Gilmore, Crane Gilmore & Associates, Inc.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act meets one of its two original goals—that all Americans will be covered—but it missed the goal of controlling costs by light years. Today, we ask ourselves: Can we massage the healthcare system signed into law on March 23, 2010, or do we throw it out and start over?
Wrestling with Uncertainty
by Jan Wright, Publisher
No single issue in the last year has generated more heated discussions than the topic of healthcare reform.
Your Healthcare Information: Where You Want It, When You Need It
by Joy Duling, Illinois Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center
The big-picture vision is that a patient can walk into any physician’s office and all the information needed to provide high-quality, cost-effective care would be available.
It Takes a Village: Healthy Lifestyles School Project
by Jonathan Wright
A variety of initiatives at the state and national levels are addressing America’s obesity problem, but more influential is what is happening locally. The Healthy Lifestyles School Project began in 2009 to promote healthy lifestyle choices at Garfield Primary, Trewyn Middle and Manual High School.
Healthcare Reform: Guidance and Then Some
by Michael J. Powers, Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC
The avalanche of guidance issued by various government agencies involved with implementing healthcare reform would indicate that the legislation was only the beginning of the process.
Transparency and the Healthcare System
by Dr. Gail Amundson, Quality Quest for Health of Illinois
Healthcare economics work differently than other industries, and those differences have created a real conundrum.
Caregiving: Choice, Challenge and Compassion
by Monica Vest Wheeler
Quick! Guess which of the following is the correct answer to the statement, “Caregiving can...”
The Cost of Wellness: Investment vs. Return
by Matthew J. McMillin, MD, Optimum Health Solutions, Inc.
Worksite wellness is an investment in any organization’s most important asset.
LIVESTRONG Peoria: A Q&A with Founder Todd Zessin
A personal battle with testicular cancer inspired Todd Zessin to found LIVESTRONG Peoria, a chapter of Lance Armstrong’s national organization.
The Hopeful Headlines of 2061: Getting From Here to There
by Kollet Koulianos, Illinois CancerCare Foundation
We are on the verge of breakthrough medicine...so how do we get from here to the hopeful headlines of 2061?
At Home in Primary Care: The Patient-Centered Experience
by Kaylyn Kuzniar
The emerging concepts of the Patient Centered Medical Home and Ideal Medical Practice revolve around a patient-centered experience.
Strength Training for the Person on the Go
by Brian Barlow, Country Club of Peoria With HIT, you don’t have to spend an endless amount of time doing ineffective exercises to gain health benefits.
...and much more at peoriamagazines.com!
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| EventsSaturday, February 12th @ Luthy Botanical Garden
The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present its annual Wine and Roses event from 6:30 to 9pm. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with entertainment by crooner Matt Barber, hors d’oeuvres by A Matter of Taste, a chocolate fountain and fine wine in the lush tropical setting of the Botanical Garden Conservatory. Call (309) 681-3507 for more info.
Saturday, February 12th @ Wildlife Prairie State Park
Wildlife Prairie State Park will host its second annual Ice Fishing Tournament from 7am to 1:30pm, with gates opening on the west side of the park at 6am. All proceeds benefit WPSP and its programs. Call (309) 676-0998 for reservations.
Tuesday, February 15th @ Hotel Pere Marquette
The YWCA’s 33rd annual Leader Luncheon will be held in the Hotel Pere Marquette Ballroom. Each year, the YWCA honors local women who exemplify excellence in their professions and a commitment to the success of other women. This year’s featured speaker is Fawn Germer, a four-time Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist. Call (309) 685-7655, ext. 211 or email KristyS@ywcapeoria.org.
Wednesday, February 16th @ Kuhl & Company
The Morton Chamber of Commerce presents “Developing a Small Business Facebook Page and Maximizing its Value” from 11:30am to 1pm at Kuhl & Company Insurance, 632 West Jefferson St. in Morton. Register online at mortonchamber.org.
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Peoria MSA unemployment numbers have dropped again. Unemployment for December 2010 is 8.8% down from 9.3% in November 2010. 
