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Utility benefits, Operation Santa, Behind the Scenes, costume swap, Community Night, Kiwanis officers, author Tom Jones, pet blessing, Angel Tree, blood drive, water main flushing

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[October 03, 2013]  Community Action expands utility assistance enrollment

The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois has announced that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, is now open to homes children under the age of 6. This is an expansion of the current priority enrollment period that includes seniors, residents with disabilities and households that are disconnected from their primary or secondary energy source.

To qualify for this program, individuals must have incomes of no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Community Action Partnership administers the program, which provides a one-time benefit toward utilities to eligible households in DeWitt, Logan, Mason, Menard and Piatt counties.

Interested participants can contact their local Community Action office to schedule an appointment:

  • Logan County: 217-732-2159, ext. 226

  • Menard County: 217-632-3137

  • Mason County: 309-543-6988

  • DeWitt County: 217-935-2455

  • Piatt County: 217-762-2421

All other households that meet the 150 percent federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for the program beginning Nov. 1. The program will continue until May 31, 2014, or until all LIHEAP funds are depleted.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois serves low-income, disabled and elderly households in six central Illinois counties: Fulton, Logan, Mason, Menard, DeWitt and Piatt. For more information, visit www.capcil.org.

 


Woman's Club prepares for Operation Santa

Submit names to a new address this year

The Lincoln Woman's Club is once again this year participating in Operation Santa, a project that sends Christmas cheer to men and women in the military service.

If you have a family member in the armed forces whom you would like to see receive a gift from the Woman's Club, submit the soldier's name and address to:

Leatha Poshard
1721 Sunrise Place
Normal, IL  61761


New season of 'Behind the Scenes' to serve up more intrigue

ATLANTA -- Cathy Marciariello has had a very busy summer as program director of the Atlanta Public Library. In addition to adult and children's programs and library renovations, she has been hard at work booking programs for the library's fall and winter "Behind the Scenes" programs.

Marciariello searches the country for interesting people whose professions will provide fascinating glimpses into areas of expertise that we may not encounter here in central Illinois. This year is no exception.

The programs will present not only members of the arts, an area that Marciariello knows well from her career directing orchestras and arts organizations in the U.S. and Europe, but will also include people in unique professions.

Behind the Scenes kicks off on Oct. 25 with a visit to Atlanta by a representative of the world-renowned St. Louis Zoo, who will discuss their baby animal program and how it is managed. No animals will be brought because of the distance, but animal care, mating and management of the program will be topics of discussion.

On Nov. 22, Marciariello is bringing Dudley Cocke to Atlanta. Cocke is nationally known for his Roadside Theater program, where he enlists members of a community to participate in a production that he directs. While he has staged productions in large cities like Brooklyn and New Orleans, he specializes in bringing theater to rural America, with a theme of social activism.

Bob Lupone will travel to Atlanta on Jan. 10, 2014. A dancer and actor, Lupone is the brother of actress Patti Lupone. He has starred on stage and television, appearing in the original production of "A Chorus Line" on Broadway and in "Jesus Christ Superstar." His television credits include the popular crime drama "The Sopranos," where he had a recurring role, and "Sex in the City."

Marciariello is offering a change of pace from the arts world on Jan. 31. Ryan Aper, a Lincoln High School graduate and Major League Baseball draftee, will be interviewed about what his experiences have been breaking into professional sports. Aper holds several records set during his time at Lincoln High and Lincoln Land Community College. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins.

Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, will be a special evening as the Atlanta Country Club will be turned into a cabaret when Brian Davis travels to town to entertain. Davis is a Peoria-area singer and songwriter.

All of the Behind the Scenes programs will be at the Atlanta Country Club. The evenings begin at 6:30 with a wine and cheese reception, and the program commences at 7. The cost is $10 per show, or $9 when a person books four or more programs.

Check the Atlanta Public Library website, www.apldinfo.org, for further details. The Behind the Scenes information is listed under "Programs & Services > Programs for Adults," or click here. The library phone number is 217-648-2112.


Lincoln Public Library to host Halloween costume swap

The Lincoln Public Library District will have its first-ever costume swap in early October Bring your clean, gently used children's costume and exchange it for another.

The swap will be in the Annex on Friday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon.

You can bring in costumes earlier in the week and receive a ticket to use during the swap. Costume donations will be accepted.

For more information, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call 732-8878.


City to host Community Night in Postville  Park

The city of Lincoln will host a Community Night at Postville Park next week. The event will be on Thursday evening, Oct. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 at the park in the 1300 block of Fifth Street, across from 5th St Food Mart.

At 5:30, Lincoln Police Department D.A.R.E. will begin grilling free hot dogs and serving them with chips and soda. The city clerk's office will provide sweet treats for everyone.

Members of the community will be able to check out a city police squad car, city fire truck and a city dump truck as well as other city vehicles for everyone to see inside and out. The Lincoln Fire Department will also have a fire hose open for those who want to knock out the flames in the windows of the "Squirt House".

The newly painted old Chautauqua house and polling place will be open for the evening for those curious about what's inside.

The From the Ground Up group will be on-site to launch this year’s Plant the Town Red project by planting red tulips donated by city council members David Wilmert and Kathy Horn of Ward 2 and Chuck Conzo, city treasurer. Red tulips will also be available for purchase at 100 bulbs for $15 to those wanting to help "plant the town red" this fall.

The city of Lincoln hopes to see citizens of all ages join in an evening of fun and food.

For more information, contact Kathy Vinyard at 732-2122 or kvinyard@cityoflincoln-il.gov.


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Kiwanis installs officers for the new year

Lincoln Kiwanis Club met Tuesday evening, Sept. 24, in the Lincoln College Alumni Room for their annual dinner.

Bridget Schneider, past president, turned over the gavel to the new president, Cindy Stover. Other new officers are Perry Grieme, president-elect; Carol Mills, vice president; Tom Comstock, treasurer; Stu Churchill, secretary; Schneider, past president; and Marti Sawicki, Mike Booher and Bob Sullivan, directors. The new officers were installed by Patrick Stout, district lieutenant governor.

Schneider presented the Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award to C. Wayne Schrader and the Kiwanian of the Year Award to Tom Comstock.

Entertainment was provided by Gunderman and Klink, and the dinner was prepared by chef Warren Wendlandt and staff.

The Kiwanis Club meets at noon on Tuesdays in the Mary Pat Room at American Legion Post 263 in Lincoln.

Kiwanis is a global organization of members dedicated to serving the children of the world.


Writing club to meet Oct. 8

Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Meyer-Evans Student Center at Lincoln College.

Tom Jones, author of "Lost Survivor," will be the guest speaker. Jones, a Vietnam veteran, is an award-winning author, playwright and producer.

Everyone is invited to attend this special event.


HSLC to host blessing of animals and dedicate new pet cemetery Oct. 5

The Humane Society of Logan County invites all pets and their owners to a blessing of animals, in the spirit of St. Francis. The ceremony will be on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. at the Humane Society, 1801 E. Lincoln Parkway in Lincoln. The Forever Home Pet Cemetery, located on the grounds, will also be dedicated and officially opened.

Pastor Tami Werschey from Hartsburg United Methodist Church and the Rev. Mark Evans from Trinity Episcopal Church will conduct the dedication of the cemetery and the blessing of the animals.

Pets should be leashed or crated.

The pet cemetery is the most recent program of the HSLC, created to fulfill a need in Logan County and provide a source of income to support the shelter.

Visitors will be invited to tour the shelter and meet the newest adoptable pets. Donations of pet food for the shelter and pantry will also be accepted.


Lincoln Jaycees now accepting Angel Tree applications online

The Lincoln Jaycees are now accepting applications for their Angel Tree program. This year the applications are online only.

Eligible children must be between the ages of 1-10 and be residents of Logan County.

Applications are being accepted until Oct. 28, or sooner if all spots are filled.

To apply or to find more information about how to donate to the Angel Tree, visit www.lincolnjaycees.com.


Community blood drive at Farmers Bank in Mount Pulaski

MOUNT PULASKI -- To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region, Farmers Bank, 130 S. Washington in Mount Pulaski, is hosting a blood drive on Friday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon.

For your convenience, call the blood center to sign up toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), or schedule an appointment online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org, using sponsor code 60032. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of lifesaving blood for 14 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln and Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield. CICBC is a division of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which collects over 180,000 units of blood annually and serves 87 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.


Illinois American Water to flush lines

Illinois American Water will conduct water main flushing in Lincoln beginning Monday, Sept. 23, as part of regular maintenance. The routine work is being done as part of an annual water main flushing program that improves customer water service by flushing or cleaning mineral deposits and sediment from the water mains. Flushing will be during daytime hours, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will continue through Oct. 3.

The anticipated flushing schedule for Illinois American Water's Lincoln District is:

  • Monday, Sept. 23 -- East of railroad tracks to Pulaski Street.

  • Tuesday, Sept. 24 -- East of railroad tracks from Pulaski Street to Keokuk Street..

  • Wednesday, Sept. 25 -- East of railroad tracks from Keokuk Street to Lincolnwood, including all of Mayfair.

  • Thursday, Sept. 26 -- Between railroad tracks and Union from Decatur Street to Feldman Drive.

  • Friday, Sept. 27 -- Between Broadwell Drive and Seventh Street.

  • Monday, Sept. 30 -- Between Seventh Street and 16th Street.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 1 -- Between 16th Street and Feldman Drive.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 2 -- West of Lincoln Parkway from Fifth Street to Woodlawn.

  • Thursday, Oct. 3 -- West of Lincoln Parkway on Woodlawn to Interstate 55.

The water main flushing will be performed by Illinois American Water crews. They will be working out of white utility trucks labeled with the company logo. All employees will also have photo ID badges.

No interruptions in water service will occur as a result of the work. Illinois American Water advises that when crews are flushing nearby, customers may experience a slight drop in water pressure or discoloration of their water.

Illinois American Water does not foresee incidences of discoloration, but if this does occur, it is recommended that customers let their cold water run to clear before using it again, and refrain from doing laundry during that time. If problems persist, notify Illinois American Water's customer service center at 1-800-422-2782 (available 24 hours a day).

"The flushing program is designed not only to maintain a high quality of water in the Lincoln distribution system, but to inspect and operate fire hydrants to assure they are in good working order as well," said David Schonauer, operations superintendent for the Lincoln District.


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