newsEast Bluff Community Center512 E. KansasPeoria IL 61603

Volume 2 • Number 3March – April 2016

I don’t know about anyone else, but I certainly hopethat Punxsutawney Phil was accurate when he did not seehis shadow on February 2nd. I am ready for spring! It is not just about the warmer weather, but also about theincreased activity. Time to get outside and look around.

As spring moves forward, we get busy! It is time towork up the garden spot. Don’t have a garden spot? Howabout having a spot in the Community Garden? Almostnothing tastes as good as garden fresh vegetables. Eventhe kids usually eat the produce they help plant and tend.

The grass begins to turn a beautiful green, tulips anddaffodils pop up and bloom. Soon the other flowers will be in glorious display and we make sure the lawnmower is ready for its summer work-out. These normal signs of spring are only the beginning in the East Bluff!

Community Core will announce a new neighborhoodthat will be the recipient of a “make-over”. Residents will enjoy paint, repairs and landscaping in return forcommunity service. It is a small price to pay!

Major repairs will start being made on those homeswhere the owner is participating in the East Village GrowthCell matching grant program. New siding, windows, porches,electrical upgrades and heating systems are just some of the plans. Anticipating the improvements is exciting.

Perhaps the most important thing that can happenwhen the weather gets warm is to get outside and talk toyour neighbors. Get to know them a little. It is the bestway to increase neighborhood safety. I look forward toseeing kids outside playing and we want them to be safewhile they play!

Hurry spring! We are ready!

EAST BLUFF

Neighbor To Neighbor East Bluff News is a service provided by the East Bluff Community Center. Yournewsletter team is Lisa Fisher, Jen Leonardand Willa Lucas.

Our purpose is to connect residents witheach other and the activities and eventshappening in their neighborhood along withpromoting the East Bluff as a great place tolive, work and play throughout the GreaterPeoria area.

Find us on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1575886739297806/#

Printed copies of the newsletter will beavailable in various East Bluff locations but we encourage you to sign up for automatic email delivery by emailing: EBCCnewsletter@comcast.net

You may also call the Center at309.839.0781 or stop by the office, 512 E. Kansas, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:30 AM to register for US Mail delivery (61603 zip code only).

Donations are needed to keep East BluffNews available in the community! Individualand business sponsorships are available –contact the Center for more information!

upcoming events:March 4 – St. Bernard’s Men’s Club Fish Fry at theEast Bluff Community Center, 5:30–7:00PM. Dinnersare $9, child’s meal $4. Carry-outs are available. March 9 – Young At Heart Lunch for seniors, EastBluff Community Center, 11:30AM. March 14 – Coffee With Cops at the East BluffCommunity Center, 10:00AM. An informalopportunity to meet with East Bluff patrol officersand discuss your concerns and receive the latestcrime prevention information.March 15 – Early voting available at the East BluffCommunity Center.March 15 – Ribbon cutting ceremony for Access PeoriaHousing Duplexes – location to be announced. CallEast Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services for moredetails, 309.685-3066.March 15 – East Bluff Build It Up CONNECTIONS!Meeting, 6:00PM, Glen Oak Christian Church, 1115 E Republic – all residents are welcome! Meet and greet your neighbors and discuss issuesimpacting the East Bluff.

March 17 – East Bluff Neighborhood HousingServices board meeting, 6:30PM, 1839 N Wisconsin,public is welcome to attend.March 18 – St. Bernard’s Men’s Club Fish Fry at theEast Bluff Community Center, 5:30–7:00PM. Dinnersare $9, child’s meal $4. Carry-outs are available. March 25 – St. Bernard’s Men’s Club Fish Fry at theEast Bluff Community Center, 5:30–7:00PM. Dinnersare $9, child’s meal $4. Carry-outs are available.April 7-9 – Glen Oak Christian Church RummageSale, 1115 E Republic. Items for donation needed!Call the Church for sale hours and how you candonate, 309.688-3464. April 21 – East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Servicesboard meeting, 6:30PM, 1839 N Wisconsin, public iswelcome to attend. April 30 – Great American Clean Up. Help keepPeoria clean, green and beautiful by volunteering atthe Keep Peoria Beautiful Great American Cleanup!Recruit a few neighbors, then register your team athttp://www.keeppeoriabeautiful.org/ by April 27and on cleanup day, pick up your complementarysupplies—trash bags, yard waste bags and glovesfrom 8:00-10:00AM at Glen Oak School.

EBCC March16 Newsletter_Layout 1 2/25/16 1:54 PM Page 1

Tim RiggenbachIt's hard to believe spring is just around the corner. It has been an interesting winter, less snow than we

feared, but undoubtedly it will be the ice storm right after Christmas which created headaches for many inour neighborhoods, that will be the defining memory of winter 2015-16. Effective planning knows no seasonand I happy to report there are a lot of things planned for 2016! The East Village Growth Cell ResidentialRehab Program is up and running and applications have been available since the first of the year. As yourecall, there is grant money available to residential home owners who makes home improvements. Thehomeowner does need to come up with the first 50% and then the EVGC program will provide a match; there are specific guidelines for what qualifies for this program so reach out to Shannon or Terrance in ourCommunity Development Department for more details - 309-494-8940. Minimum project size is $2,000($1,000 grant) and the maximum is $30,000 ($15,000 grant). February 15th was the first day to submitapplications and we have received 36 so far. These are currently being vetted by city staff and applicationswill continue to be accepted as long as funds are available. The Community Core Initiative, sponsored byLISC, was a huge success last year. This initiative targets a specific geographic area for improvements andthere are plans to do it again in 2016; there will be more information coming from LISC in the near future.Construction on new single families’ homes is also on the docket for 2016, the new duplexes are seeing folksmove in and the Wisconsin Avenue Business Corridor will continue to be a focus. Feel free to reach out to mepersonally if you have suggestions or concerns. Together, we are making a difference and it really is yourcommitment that makes it all possible. Thank you very much to all of you who live, work, and shop in theEast Bluff. Tim Riggenbach, Third District Councilman, 309-369-5233.

East Bluff Resident Police Officer – Cary HightowerIn these times of economic distress, many people are concerned about the threat of rising crime in their

neighborhood and communities.Fortunately, there are ways to help protect your home and your neighborhood from crime and mayhem,

or at least cut it down to a minimum. We all have to remember that we cannot predict what another personwill do in life.

There are plenty of things we can do to help prevent crime. I will just talk about one at this time. It isimportant to work with your neighbors to keep your neighborhood clean and orderly, for example, keepingan eye on your neighbors, the good and the bad.

Make sure that when the good neighbors are gone to work, on vacation or just out for a moment thatyou notice what is going on. If you see someone around their property and that someone doesn’t belong orit looks suspicious, call the police and explain why you are calling. Call the neighbor if you can reach themand explain to them what you see. They may or may not have been expecting someone to come to theirhome. It never hurts to check!

“Bad” neighbors, ones who are loud with everything from music to company, again call the police andalso call the landlord if you can. By contacting the police and/or the landlord, the problem can get the muchneeded attention to find a solution. Always remember, nothing is too small to report if it is a concern to you.

With many law enforcement agencies cutting costs, it has never been more important for citizens to workclosely together to make their neighborhood and community better. This is crime prevention through teamwork.

word from the city

community updates

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria is a non-profit tutoring and mentoring organization serving Peoriaarea youth and their families since 1957. Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people,especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive,responsible and caring citizens. The Clubs provide a safe, structured environment during the out-of-school hours so kids can spend that time productively and parents/caregivers can be assured their kidsare in good hands while they work to support their families. Clubs also give kids a place to have fun,learn teamwork, get physically fit, gain valuable social and life skills and so much more. In 2006, an EastBluff unit was established at 806 E. Kansas and currently is the site of their administrative offices,computer labs and Families 2000 Program serving families and children from 0 – 3 years of age. At theEast Bluff Community Center, the Clubs provides tutoring and mentoring services to over 150 youth dailywhere the focus is on academic success. Over 98% of the children Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoriatutor and mentor successfully progress to the next grade level or graduate and go on to highereducational opportunities and vocations. To enroll your child or to get more information about servicesoffered, contact Jacobie Proctor, Director of Programming, (309) 685-6007, ext. 124.

Great Futures Start HERE!

• The East Bluff Community Center Food Pantry is currently serving 186 families in the 61603 zip code!Volunteers are needed during distribution hours on Saturdays and for food delivery days. Please callthe Center at 309.839-0781 or email ebcc@ebccpeoria.org

• The 2nd Annual River City End of School Year Bash is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 11:00 – 4:00 PM at Glen Oak Community Learning Center. This year’s event is sponsored by OSF St. Francis Medical Centerand Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Event promoters are looking for a diverse group of entertainers fromacross the City so if you got talent, call or email: Gregory Wilson 513.578.4409, gwilson@pcceo.orgor Jesse McGown 309.363.0178, jmcgownjr@yahoo.com to be part of the show!

• Did you know that space is available for short or long term rentals at the East Bluff CommunityCenter? Call the Center office at 309.839.0781 for more information.

• Farewell and thank you to Steve Fairbanks, Neighborhood Development Specialist with the City ofPeoria. Steve is retiring after a successful career with the City and we thank him for all the supportand guidance he gave to our neighborhoods, especially the East Bluff.

• Applications for financial assistance with exterior home improvements and mechanical systemupgrades are available through the City of Peoria’s East Village Growth Cell TIF. No income limits! Allhomeowners are eligible! Call Terence Acquah, 309.494.8940, tacquah@peoriagov.org or visithttp://www.peoriagov.org/evgcapplication/ for more information.

business spotlight Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria

EBCC March16 Newsletter_Layout 1 2/25/16 1:54 PM Page 2

Tim RiggenbachIt's hard to believe spring is just around the corner. It has been an interesting winter, less snow than we

feared, but undoubtedly it will be the ice storm right after Christmas which created headaches for many inour neighborhoods, that will be the defining memory of winter 2015-16. Effective planning knows no seasonand I happy to report there are a lot of things planned for 2016! The East Village Growth Cell ResidentialRehab Program is up and running and applications have been available since the first of the year. As yourecall, there is grant money available to residential home owners who makes home improvements. Thehomeowner does need to come up with the first 50% and then the EVGC program will provide a match; there are specific guidelines for what qualifies for this program so reach out to Shannon or Terrance in ourCommunity Development Department for more details - 309-494-8940. Minimum project size is $2,000($1,000 grant) and the maximum is $30,000 ($15,000 grant). February 15th was the first day to submitapplications and we have received 36 so far. These are currently being vetted by city staff and applicationswill continue to be accepted as long as funds are available. The Community Core Initiative, sponsored byLISC, was a huge success last year. This initiative targets a specific geographic area for improvements andthere are plans to do it again in 2016; there will be more information coming from LISC in the near future.Construction on new single families’ homes is also on the docket for 2016, the new duplexes are seeing folksmove in and the Wisconsin Avenue Business Corridor will continue to be a focus. Feel free to reach out to mepersonally if you have suggestions or concerns. Together, we are making a difference and it really is yourcommitment that makes it all possible. Thank you very much to all of you who live, work, and shop in theEast Bluff. Tim Riggenbach, Third District Councilman, 309-369-5233.

East Bluff Resident Police Officer – Cary HightowerIn these times of economic distress, many people are concerned about the threat of rising crime in their

neighborhood and communities.Fortunately, there are ways to help protect your home and your neighborhood from crime and mayhem,

or at least cut it down to a minimum. We all have to remember that we cannot predict what another personwill do in life.

There are plenty of things we can do to help prevent crime. I will just talk about one at this time. It isimportant to work with your neighbors to keep your neighborhood clean and orderly, for example, keepingan eye on your neighbors, the good and the bad.

Make sure that when the good neighbors are gone to work, on vacation or just out for a moment thatyou notice what is going on. If you see someone around their property and that someone doesn’t belong orit looks suspicious, call the police and explain why you are calling. Call the neighbor if you can reach themand explain to them what you see. They may or may not have been expecting someone to come to theirhome. It never hurts to check!

“Bad” neighbors, ones who are loud with everything from music to company, again call the police andalso call the landlord if you can. By contacting the police and/or the landlord, the problem can get the muchneeded attention to find a solution. Always remember, nothing is too small to report if it is a concern to you.

With many law enforcement agencies cutting costs, it has never been more important for citizens to workclosely together to make their neighborhood and community better. This is crime prevention through teamwork.

word from the city

community updates

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria is a non-profit tutoring and mentoring organization serving Peoriaarea youth and their families since 1957. Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people,especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive,responsible and caring citizens. The Clubs provide a safe, structured environment during the out-of-school hours so kids can spend that time productively and parents/caregivers can be assured their kidsare in good hands while they work to support their families. Clubs also give kids a place to have fun,learn teamwork, get physically fit, gain valuable social and life skills and so much more. In 2006, an EastBluff unit was established at 806 E. Kansas and currently is the site of their administrative offices,computer labs and Families 2000 Program serving families and children from 0 – 3 years of age. At theEast Bluff Community Center, the Clubs provides tutoring and mentoring services to over 150 youth dailywhere the focus is on academic success. Over 98% of the children Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoriatutor and mentor successfully progress to the next grade level or graduate and go on to highereducational opportunities and vocations. To enroll your child or to get more information about servicesoffered, contact Jacobie Proctor, Director of Programming, (309) 685-6007, ext. 124.

Great Futures Start HERE!

• The East Bluff Community Center Food Pantry is currently serving 186 families in the 61603 zip code!Volunteers are needed during distribution hours on Saturdays and for food delivery days. Please callthe Center at 309.839-0781 or email ebcc@ebccpeoria.org

• The 2nd Annual River City End of School Year Bash is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 11:00 – 4:00 PM at Glen Oak Community Learning Center. This year’s event is sponsored by OSF St. Francis Medical Centerand Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Event promoters are looking for a diverse group of entertainers fromacross the City so if you got talent, call or email: Gregory Wilson 513.578.4409, gwilson@pcceo.orgor Jesse McGown 309.363.0178, jmcgownjr@yahoo.com to be part of the show!

• Did you know that space is available for short or long term rentals at the East Bluff CommunityCenter? Call the Center office at 309.839.0781 for more information.

• Farewell and thank you to Steve Fairbanks, Neighborhood Development Specialist with the City ofPeoria. Steve is retiring after a successful career with the City and we thank him for all the supportand guidance he gave to our neighborhoods, especially the East Bluff.

• Applications for financial assistance with exterior home improvements and mechanical systemupgrades are available through the City of Peoria’s East Village Growth Cell TIF. No income limits! Allhomeowners are eligible! Call Terence Acquah, 309.494.8940, tacquah@peoriagov.org or visithttp://www.peoriagov.org/evgcapplication/ for more information.

business spotlight Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria

EBCC March16 Newsletter_Layout 1 2/25/16 1:54 PM Page 2

newsEast Bluff Community Center512 E. KansasPeoria IL 61603

Volume 2 • Number 3March – April 2016

I don’t know about anyone else, but I certainly hopethat Punxsutawney Phil was accurate when he did not seehis shadow on February 2nd. I am ready for spring! It is not just about the warmer weather, but also about theincreased activity. Time to get outside and look around.

As spring moves forward, we get busy! It is time towork up the garden spot. Don’t have a garden spot? Howabout having a spot in the Community Garden? Almostnothing tastes as good as garden fresh vegetables. Eventhe kids usually eat the produce they help plant and tend.

The grass begins to turn a beautiful green, tulips anddaffodils pop up and bloom. Soon the other flowers will be in glorious display and we make sure the lawnmower is ready for its summer work-out. These normal signs of spring are only the beginning in the East Bluff!

Community Core will announce a new neighborhoodthat will be the recipient of a “make-over”. Residents will enjoy paint, repairs and landscaping in return forcommunity service. It is a small price to pay!

Major repairs will start being made on those homeswhere the owner is participating in the East Village GrowthCell matching grant program. New siding, windows, porches,electrical upgrades and heating systems are just some of the plans. Anticipating the improvements is exciting.

Perhaps the most important thing that can happenwhen the weather gets warm is to get outside and talk toyour neighbors. Get to know them a little. It is the bestway to increase neighborhood safety. I look forward toseeing kids outside playing and we want them to be safewhile they play!

Hurry spring! We are ready!

EAST BLUFF

Neighbor To Neighbor East Bluff News is a service provided by the East Bluff Community Center. Yournewsletter team is Lisa Fisher, Jen Leonardand Willa Lucas.

Our purpose is to connect residents witheach other and the activities and eventshappening in their neighborhood along withpromoting the East Bluff as a great place tolive, work and play throughout the GreaterPeoria area.

Find us on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1575886739297806/#

Printed copies of the newsletter will beavailable in various East Bluff locations but we encourage you to sign up for automatic email delivery by emailing: EBCCnewsletter@comcast.net

You may also call the Center at309.839.0781 or stop by the office, 512 E. Kansas, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:30 AM to register for US Mail delivery (61603 zip code only).

Donations are needed to keep East BluffNews available in the community! Individualand business sponsorships are available –contact the Center for more information!

upcoming events:March 4 – St. Bernard’s Men’s Club Fish Fry at theEast Bluff Community Center, 5:30–7:00PM. Dinnersare $9, child’s meal $4. Carry-outs are available. March 9 – Young At Heart Lunch for seniors, EastBluff Community Center, 11:30AM. March 14 – Coffee With Cops at the East BluffCommunity Center, 10:00AM. An informalopportunity to meet with East Bluff patrol officersand discuss your concerns and receive the latestcrime prevention information.March 15 – Early voting available at the East BluffCommunity Center.March 15 – Ribbon cutting ceremony for Access PeoriaHousing Duplexes – location to be announced. CallEast Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services for moredetails, 309.685-3066.March 15 – East Bluff Build It Up CONNECTIONS!Meeting, 6:00PM, Glen Oak Christian Church, 1115 E Republic – all residents are welcome! Meet and greet your neighbors and discuss issuesimpacting the East Bluff.

March 17 – East Bluff Neighborhood HousingServices board meeting, 6:30PM, 1839 N Wisconsin,public is welcome to attend.March 18 – St. Bernard’s Men’s Club Fish Fry at theEast Bluff Community Center, 5:30–7:00PM. Dinnersare $9, child’s meal $4. Carry-outs are available. March 25 – St. Bernard’s Men’s Club Fish Fry at theEast Bluff Community Center, 5:30–7:00PM. Dinnersare $9, child’s meal $4. Carry-outs are available.April 7-9 – Glen Oak Christian Church RummageSale, 1115 E Republic. Items for donation needed!Call the Church for sale hours and how you candonate, 309.688-3464. April 21 – East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Servicesboard meeting, 6:30PM, 1839 N Wisconsin, public iswelcome to attend. April 30 – Great American Clean Up. Help keepPeoria clean, green and beautiful by volunteering atthe Keep Peoria Beautiful Great American Cleanup!Recruit a few neighbors, then register your team athttp://www.keeppeoriabeautiful.org/ by April 27and on cleanup day, pick up your complementarysupplies—trash bags, yard waste bags and glovesfrom 8:00-10:00AM at Glen Oak School.

EBCC March16 Newsletter_Layout 1 2/25/16 1:54 PM Page 1