The American Red Cross has issued an emergency appeal asking eligible blood and platelet donors to give as soon as possible.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Red Cross reports blood shortage

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency appeal asking eligible blood and platelet donors to give as soon as possible.

Right now, Red Cross blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Over the Fourth of July weekend, the Red Cross had a tough time collecting enough blood donations. More than 75 percent of regular Red Cross blood donors indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the week before and after July 4.

To donate, call the American Red Cross Center at (309) 677-7272. The center is at 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave., Peoria.

EUREKA

Farm bureau program about grain transporting

Rules and regulations can make transporting grain very difficult, especially when those rules are ever changing. To help you better understand those regulations the Woodford County Farm Bureau is hosting an On the Road seminar, with Kevin Road, director of local government at IFB, as the guest speaker. 

This workshop will take place 7-9 p.m. Aug 4 at the Woodford County Farm Bureau Auditorium, 117 W Center Street, Eureka. RSVP to (309) 467-2347. There is no cost to attend.

METAMORA

Concert, market slated for weekend

Metamora presents free concerts on Friday evenings from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the bandstand in the Metamora Town Square. All are welcome to attend and bring their own lawn chairs. Bleacher seating is available. The Nostalgic’s perform July 22.

The Metamora Famer’s Market season runs on Saturday mornings through Sept. 28. The market is held on the historic village square from 8 a.m. to noon. The date for the next market is July 23.

STATE

Tips can save lives during heat waves

Extreme heat is deadly. It kills more people each year than other weather-related hazards, such as tornadoes, floods and lightning. From 2006 through 2015, the National Weather Service said heat accounted for an average of 113 fatalities each year; tornadoes caused an annual average of 110 deaths; and floods resulted in an annual average of 84 fatalities.

To increase awareness about the dangers of extreme heat, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies are offering heat safety tips to help people stay safe when temperatures rise.

One of the most important heat safety tips is to never leave children, elderly people, adults with disabilities or pets in parked cars because temperatures rise quickly. Even with the windows slightly open, temperatures will rise 30 to 40 degrees in less than 30 minutes.

Other tips include:

• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 1½ to 2 quarts of fluids daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty;
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks containing caffeine;
• Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities if possible;
• Take advantage of cooling centers, public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls during periods of extreme heat. Even a few hours a day in air conditioning can help prevent heat-related illnesses;
• Offer pets extra water and place the water bowl in a shaded area if outdoors. Make sure pets have a shady refuge;
• Seek medical attention immediately if someone experiences dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion and a rapid pulse. These could be the symptoms of heatstroke.

Get additional tips about how to protect from heat-related illnesses from the state’s Ready Illinois website, www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

Website launched for school nutrition professionals

University of Illinois Extension has a new website for school nutrition professionals, called the ABCs of School Nutrition.

University of Illinois Extension has partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education to provide professional development opportunities for school nutrition professionals across the state. These opportunities are available through onsite training, online training and live and recorded webinars.

For onsite training, Extension educators will provide in-person training to staff on a range of topics to satisfy the USDA Professional Standards. To host such a training session, contact Michelle Fombelle at mfombell@illinois.edu.These trainings are focused on new evidence-based approaches to achieve school nutrition success.

The website also offers online courses on relevant school nutrition topics. Create an account to get started at extension.illinois.edu/ABCsofschoolnutrition.

Webinars take place the first Wednesday of each month during the school year. USDA Professional Standards credit is given for live and recorded webinar viewing. For more information, go to the website at extension.illinois.edu/ABCsofschoolnutrition.

–Woodford County News Briefs–