Bowls handmade by ICC art students line the table as part of the ICC Vagabond Art Club’s “The Art of Ice Cream” sale during ICC’s 2017 Arts Week. Once again this year, patrons can purchase ice cream in a handmade bowl they get to keep. ICC’s Arts Week 2018 runs April 16-20 on the East Peoria campus; for a full list of activities, visit ArtsAtICC.com/ArtsWeek.

STATE

Fake pot bleeding cases are up in Peoria County

Illinois public health officials say the number of people in Illinois who have experienced severe bleeding after using synthetic marijuana increased to 81 cases as of April 4.

Health department data show the majority of cases are in Peoria County, Tazewell County and the Chicago area. Some have tested positive for an anticoagulant often used as rat poison. The updated number includes two deaths.

The substance is often referred to as Spice, K2 or fake weed. It is a human-made, mind-altering chemical that is either sprayed on dried shredded plant material to be smoked or sold as a liquid to be vaporized and inhaled. Public health officials say the product is not safe and if anyone has purchased it they shouldn’t use it.

PEORIA

Residential rental market strong: Study

A new study of Peoria’s downtown residential rental market shows that the market continues to be strong. According to the study, the average annual demand for new units is up from 134 to 164, an increase of 30 new units per year and a 22 percent increase from a 2016 study. 

The estimated market rents have increased as well from a high of $1.45 per square foot to $1.60 per square foot, a 10 percent increase from the 2016 study.  The study estimates demand and market rates for the next five years, through 2022.

City officials attribute the continued strength of Peoria’s downtown residential market to several factors including the infrastructure improvements in the Warehouse District and the State of Illinois’ decision to provide State Historic Tax Credits to River Edge Redevelopment Zones. Peoria is one of five communities in the State of Illinois with that designation. 

The 2018 Downtown Peoria Rental Study is available at downtownpeoria.us/studies.

Neighborhood cleanup slated for April 28

The Great American Cleanup, an annual event that provides an opportunity to build on community pride while helping the neighborhoods, is scheduled to occur in Peoria April 28. Hours will vary, depending on each neighborhood association’s plans.

The Community Development Department, along with Keep Peoria Beautiful, will supply dumpsters and volunteers to assist in the Great American Clean Up. To request a dumpster for a neighborhood cleanup, visit appreciatepeoria.com and complete an application. Completed applications should be emailed to Code Enforcement Supervisor Ashley Elias at aelias@peoriagov.org. The city allocates 20 dumpsters for the Great American Clean Up event, which are assigned on a first come, first serve basis.  

For more information on volunteering with Keep Peoria Beautiful during the Great American Clean Up, visit keeppeoriabeautiful.org/great-american-cleanup.

Moss Avenue, Union Street roadwork is underway

The intersection of Moss Avenue and Union Street is under construction, and work is expected to continue until approximately April 20, weather permitting. Two-way traffic is being maintained while the intersection is being reconstructed. Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution in construction zones. For more information about the project, call Bill Lewis, city engineer, at (309) 494-8800.

EAST PEORIA

ICC Presents Arts Week 2018

ICC will present a week of demonstrations, exhibits, concerts and other events during the Arts and Behavioral Sciences Department’s Arts Week 2018, April 16-April 20, on the East Peoria campus.

The week will kick off April 16 with several activities highlighted by the 6th Annual Jim Maloof’s Legacy of Love for the Arts in Central Illinois event at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. The family-friendly event will showcase performing arts talent from central Illinois while honoring the legacy of former Peoria Mayor Maloof. Tickets are $7, with all proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Tickets can be purchased at ArtsAtICC.com or by calling (309) 694-5136.

Almost 50 events will take place, including:

• A student talent show, ICC’s Got Talent;
• Performances by the ICC Theatre Program of Martin McDonagh’s “The Cripple of Inishmaan” (rated R for adult language);
• ICC Vagabond Art Club’s unique The Art of Ice Cream sale, in which the ice cream is sold, served in a bowl made by an ICC art student and the purchaser keeps the bowl;
• The ICC student film festival;
• An activity event, The Joy of Coloring, presented by the ICC Library;
• An eco-friendly fashion show presented by Student Association for the Environment (SAFE) with donations to the ICC Food Pantry accepted for admission; and
• The 50th annual ICC student and faculty art shows.

A full listing of events will be updated as needed at ArtsAtICC.com/ArtsWeek. Other than the Maloof event and the performances of “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” all events are free. For more information, call (309) 694-5136.

Tuition waivers offered to theater students

ICC Theatre Program will hold its tuition waiver auditions for the fall 2018 semester at 9 a.m. April 14, in the ICC Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria Campus. Successful candidates will receive a waiver for partial or full tuition at ICC. Reservations are required.

Participants must be enrolled or are intending to enroll as a full-time student for the fall 2018 semester. Waiver awards are based on talent and interest and not financial need. Students do not have to be a resident of the Illinois Central College district to be eligible.

The auditions are open to all students interested in theatre performance and/or technical theatre, with or without a theatre major.

Actors must come prepared to read material presented at the audition and interview. The process will consist of an informational meeting, auditions/interviews and a tour of the facility. Technical and costume waivers will be awarded through the interview process.

Questions or requests for more information about the theatre tuition waiver auditions should be directed to Robin Berkley, teaching chair for the ICC Theatre Program, by phone at (309) 694-8425 or by email at rberkley@icc.edu.

HANNA CITY

Debut of new baby otter may occur in summer

Mother Annie and Father Oakley are keeping a low profile as they care for their new otter pup, born last month at Wildlife Prairie Park in Hanna City.

The pup is staying close to its mother for the first month or so of its life. When it is time, park staff will be able to examine the animal and learn its gender.

The pup was born March 18, and is expected to make its first public appearance during the summer at the 1,800-acre outdoor park, 3826 W. Sowell Road, Hanna City.

In the meantime, park staff is posting periodic photos on the park’s social media accounts. A naming contest might be held when the baby is ready to appear in public.

–Peoria County News Briefs–