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Kellee Bosecker has joined Central States Media (CSM) in Peoria, a national marketing communications firm, as a project manager.
Adriana Dunn has joined the WTVP-PBS staff as a videographer, editor and production assistant.
Dr. Carl Soderstrom of the Soderstrom Skin Institute in Morton brought home a third-place trophy from the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance, the world-renowned automobile tour and show held annually in California. Soderstrom’s winning entry in the Rolls Royce Prewar category — a 1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II — was originally owned by a close friend of James Bond creator Ian Fleming and Winston Churchill. Considered by many to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile, Concours D’Elegance has attracted enthusiasts from around the world since 1950.
Tazewell County is expected to save more than $765,000 thanks to a new six-year contract for election equipment and services with Tremont-based Liberty Systems LLC. Liberty Systems provides election software and support to counties throughout Illinois. The company currently assists in reporting on election results in 35 Illinois counties.
The Murray Baker Bridge was lit up in orange the week of Sept 6-10 and Adams and Water streets in Downtown Peoria were festooned with banners to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Peoria-based marketing firm Simantel.
Citizens and community leaders from all walks of life are invited to have their voice heard at The Big Table: Greater Peoria, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Big Table is a day of community building through conversations designed to strengthen the region, spark new relationships and create a deeper understanding of regional needs. Tables of 8-12 seats are available for the 1.5-hour sessions. Register or learn more at www.BigTableGP.com. Registration is required.
A newly released economic impact study from the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association estimates the total economic impact of manufacturing in Illinois at between $580 billion and $611 billion annually. Manufacturing directly employs 662,298 workers but ultimately supports as many as 1.8 million jobs, generating up to $150 billion in labor income for Illinois residents each year. In Peoria County, manufacturing creates $12.4 billion in economic output each year, supporting an estimated 30 percent of the county’s economy, the survey found. This includes 29,574 jobs. In Tazewell County, manufacturing creates another $3.6 billion in annual economic output and supports an additional 10,365 jobs. Download the full report at https://ima-net.org/2022economicanalysis.
An evening of trivia, fun, food, and cash prizes is being planned by Junior Achievement of Central Illinois for Oct. 25 at the Warehouse on State, 736 SW Washington. Learn more and register for JA Trivia Bowl at centralillinois.ja.org.
Peoria Historical Society will present “Irene Adler: The Only Woman to Outsmart Sherlock Holmes” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at John C. Flanagan House Museum, 924 NE Glen Oak Ave. Local librarian and actress Laura Keyes will portray Adler. A tour of the 1837 Flanagan House, the oldest standing residence in Peoria, is included. Tickets can be had for $15 at 309tix.com or by calling 309-674-1921.
Aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to Starting Your Business In Illinois, a two-hour online workshop sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University, Morton Community Bank and the Minority Business Development Center, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Details and registration at https://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/fcba/centers/turner/events/
WTVP PBS and the Peoria Historical Society invite the public to attend the taping of two half-hour episodes of “At Issue” about early French history in the Illinois territory, Monday, Oct. 24 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the WTVP studio, 101 State St. Historians Charles Balesi and Todd Schwebel will discuss the start of French influence when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet came up the Illinois River in 1673, until France ceded control of Illinois to Great Britain by 1763. For information, contact the Peoria Historical Society at 309-674-1921.
Central Illinois MS Community Support is the new name for the MS Patients Leading Change (MSPLC), Peoria Area, a community support group for people living with multiple sclerosis, their families and care partners. It will now fall under the leadership of The National MS Society Central Illinois Community Council. Learn more about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/.
Tickets for the 29th Annual 40 Leaders Under Forty Awards recognition event are on sale now for $40 per person. The event will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Scottish Rite Theatre, 400 NE Perry Ave., Peoria. Awards will be presented to 40 regional leaders in business, government, nonprofits, public affairs, community engagement and more. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine will be served, followed by the awards presentation and music by Revel in Red at 7 p.m. Place ticket orders at https://wtvp.tv/40leaders.
ELM Companies in Peoria has announced an agreement to distribute the cutting edge solar thermal and photovoltaic thermal (PVT) products of Naked Energy, a British solar technology company. ELM is a family of companies, including ELM Utility Services in Peoria. ELM Solar is the North American manufacturer and distributor for Naked Energy solar thermal solutions. Naked Energy products are three to four times more efficient than traditional PV panels.
Bring your camera and come prepared to learn from photographer Mike Boatman at Wildlife Prairie Park’s Oct. 8 landscape photograph workshop. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., participants will shoot photos throughout the park, have their work critiqued and attend lectures. Cost is $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers. Details and registration at wildlifeprairiepark.org.