The Citizen Convenience Center in Bloomington has set new hours of operation for summer. (Photo courtesy of city of Bloomington)

BLOOMINGTON

Citizen Convenience Center sets new summer hours

The city of Bloomington is changing the operating hours for the Citizen Convenience Center for the summer.

Now through Sept. 3, the facility will be open from Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays  from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The facility will be closed on Sundays and municipal holidays. Entrance gates close 15 minutes early.

The Citizen Convenience Center is located at the corner of East Street and Jackson Street, south of the Bloomington Public Library.

The facility enables people who participate in the solid waste program to take their bulk waste, brush, and other acceptable items to a central location for processing rather than waiting for curbside collection.

In addition, anyone can use the Citizen Convenience Center to find out information about local charities that accept donations and find out how to dispose of waste in a sustainable manner. The city provides these services at no additional charge to solid waste program users.

For more information, visit www.cityblm.org/publicworks, or call the city of Bloomington Public Works Department at 309-434-2225, or email publicworks@cityblm.org.

 NORMAL

‘Mamma Mia’ comes to town at amphitheater

The local summer high school theater program will stage “Mamma Mia” at the Connie Links Amphitheatre, 621 S Linden St., Normal for eight performances.

This sunny, funny, international sensation unfolds on a Greek island paradise when on the eve of her wedding, a young woman’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited twenty years ago.

Non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers, along with the magic of ABBA’s hit songs that include “Super Trouper,” “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Thank You for the Music,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “SOS,” combine to make this enchanting show.

The show times are 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9 and same times Thursday through Saturday, June 13-15.

Ticket prices are $6 per ticket for adults, $4 per ticket for students and seniors.  A season pass for the summer is $40.

REGIONAL

 Health community partners on cancer screenings

The Partnership for a Healthy Community put together a position statement recommending women start annual breast health screenings at the age of 40. Additionally, the position statement recommends that all women have a risk assessment for breast cancer completed by their physician by age 30.

The Partnership for a Healthy Community is a community-driven effort to improve health and wellness in Central Illinois

The program helps to identify and prioritize health and quality of life issues, map and leverage community resources to implement health improvement strategies in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties.

As part of the Partnership for a Healthy Community, the Breast Cancer Action Team formed to address the community health plan goal to reduce death and disability of breast cancer in the Tri-County area.

The Breast Cancer Action Team members include area hospitals, health departments and other women’s health providers.

Screenings and risk assessments were identified as evidenced-based interventions.

“In reviewing local and national data, the action team recognized the need to promote a common set of community screening age guidelines.” said Breast Cancer Action Team Chair Greg Eberle, Hopedale Wellness Center. “The team chose the recommendations for screenings following those outlined by American College of Radiology, The Society of Breast Imaging, and The National Comprehensive Cancer Network.”

To find position statement in full, or to learn about other Partnership initiatives, visit www.healthyhoi.org.

Volunteers needed for SOIL summer games

The Special Olympics of Illinois has many volunteer opportunities available for the Summer Games to be held at various locations around Bloomington and Normal from June 7- 9.

More than 2,000 volunteers to help make this event a success.

The weekend is split into morning and afternoon shifts for both Friday and Saturday and morning shifts for Sunday. There are also volunteer opportunities available at the SOILL office Monday-Wednesday the week of Summer Games.

If you are interested in volunteering for multiple days/times go to www.soill.org/event/summer-games.

If you have any questions, contact Nate Henry at nhenry@soill.org or Aubrey Deerwester at adeerwester@soill.org.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources is presenting free fishing clinics through Aug. 2 at Miller Park Lake in Bloomington.

IDNR presents free fishing clinics in Miller Park

Individuals and groups are invited to participate in free fishing clinics sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at Miller Park in Bloomington, 1020 S. Morris Ave.

The Let’s Go Fishing clinics will be held Monday through Friday now through Aug. 2 from 9 to 11 a.m.  and from 1 to 3 p.m.
Each two-hour session will include an educational seminar and a lot of fishing. Fishing equipment and bait will be provided.

Registration is required by calling the Bloomington Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts office 309-434-2260 during office hours.
Registered individuals or groups will meet at the shelter north of the bandstand in Miller Park.

STATE

Summer pass  gives unlimited admission to museum

Visitors to the Illinois State Museum this summer can have unlimited access to exploration, discovery, learning and admission for just $10 with the museum’s summer pass, now available for purchase at museum in Springfield.

“The Illinois State Museum has extensive exhibits and a calendar full of programs that seek to tell the story of the land, life, people and art of Illinois – so much so that we know people will want to come back again and again,” said Elizabeth Bazan, interim director of education, Illinois State Museum. “That’s why we’re so excited to offer unlimited access to the great things the museum has to offer for a one-time $10 fee this summer.”

For $10, visitors to the Illinois State Museum in Springfield can purchase unlimited admission for one adult through Labor Day.

With the summer pass, visitors can enjoy admission to the museum and all of this summer’s great programming including weekly tours, the Summer Film Fest, Super Saturdays, Story Times, and more.

Summer pass holders are not entitled to Museum Society Membership benefits such as program discounts and members-only events.

Regular museum admission is $5 for adults ages 19-64. Admission for children, seniors, veterans, and military personnel is always free.

Through Labor Day, admission also is free for the families of veterans and active duty military personnel through the Blue Star Museum program.

The summer pass will expire Sept. 2. The museum is located at 502 S. Spring St., Springfield.

For more information, contact the Illinois State Museum at 21-782-7386.