The annual Pushcart Derby will be held in Uptown Normal on June 15.

BLOOMINGTON

LINK match coupon program at Farmers Market

The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market, through a grant received from LINK Up Illinois, began distributing and redeeming LINK Match coupons up to $25 on the purchase of LINK approved, locally grown fruits and vegetables.
The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market was among the first markets in Illinois to accept LINK cards in 2009, and remains committed to making locally produced foods available to all members of the community.
Coupons will be available at the DBA Information/transaction booth at the Main and Jefferson Intersection. (Limited to $25 per market.)  Coupons must be redeemed by the end of the calendar year. LINK match Coupons are made possible through a grant from USDA and LINK Up Illinois, a program of the Experimental Station in partnership with Wholesome Wave and the Illinois Farmers’ Market Association.
The Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market is a partnership of the Downtown Bloomington Association and the City of Bloomington.

McLEAN COUNTY

 4-H robotics team competes in World Championships

The MetalCow Robotics team competed in the World Championships in Detroit.

During the competition, they had 10 qualifying matches, and the McLean County 4-H club earned five wins, four losses, and a tie, resulting in placing 18^th among the competition’s 67 teams.

A variety of factors can be attributed to the success of MetalCow’s team – promoting learning by doing, an innovative alliance strategy, youth ownership, and the high level of commitment from youth and mentors.

The McLean County 4-H MetalCow Robotics Team at the World Championships in Detroit held this spring (MetalCow Robotics).

From code changes to structural adjustments for tactical purposes, MetalCow analyzes the team’s performance and makes the necessary adjustments based on what they have learned. Throughout their competitive season, MetalCow has competed among over 400 teams from 30 different countries, allowing opportunities to align with a variety of teams. This exposure allows for increased opportunities for gaining alliances that strengthen information flow and support.

MetalCow is also revered by competitors as one of the few teams operating with an all-youth driving team. As a 4-H club, MetalCow is committed to maintaining the organization’s youth-led philosophy.

The success of MetalCow’s team this season is a direct result of the youth-adult partnership between the club members and the club’s leaders and mentors.

NORMAL

Discovery Museum and ISU present Pushcart Derby

The third annual CDM Pushcart Derby will be held on Saturday, June 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Children’s Discovery Museum will once again partner with Illinois State University’s Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology for this annual fundraiser powered by STEAM.

Teams of youth (third– eighth grade) will begin the day with a workshop led by ISU and Museum educators. Implementing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math within

the design process, teams will use this time to construct their unique carts

and prepare for the challenge ahead.

The cost is $20/participant, and proceeds from the fundraising event will support the

Museum’s mission — enabling the expansion of programs, creation of exhibits,

continuation of outreach initiatives and scholarship provision for disadvantaged

youth. Purchase tickets here: https://72435.blackbaudhosting.com/72435/2019-Pushcart-Derby

For more information regarding the event, team registration, or sponsorship opportunities please call 309-433-3402 or visit http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net/199/Pushcart-Derby.

REGION

 ICC athletics director retiring at end of month

ICC Athletics Director Sue Sinclair has elected to retire, effective June 30.

“During her nearly 30-year career at ICC, Sue has not only served as athletics director, but also as assistant athletics director, assistant softball coach, director of physical education, and head volleyball coach,” said Dean of Students Dr. Emily Points.

“Sue is such an integral part of the Athletic program that it is hard not to see this as a loss for ICC, but we are happy for Sue and her family. Sue’s legacy is found in the enduring contributions she has made through the leadership of the many students whose lives she has touched.”

Sinclair’s teams have enjoyed phenomenal successes throughout the years under her leadership, including two national championships for volleyball and softball. In total, she has coached 17 teams to qualify for Nationals, and 85 players have moved on to play at the next level (NCAA DI, DII, DIII, and NAIA).

Sinclair also has received many individual accolades, including her induction into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018, the 25 Women in Leadership Award in 2018, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Junior College/Community College Central Athletic Director of the Year 2005-06, and the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004, just to name a few.

“I am very grateful to ICC for the many opportunities I’ve had over the years while leading the athletic program and coaching these talented student athletes,” Sinclair said.

“While I elected to retire at this particular time due to family responsibilities, I am remaining in the area and have every intention of continuing to be active in the program as both a fan and volunteer. Once a Cougar, always a Cougar.”

ICC plans to appoint an interim athletic director prior to Sinclair’s retirement, with a search for a permanent replacement slated for the March-April timeframe. The college immediately will begin a search for the head volleyball coaching position.

It’s all about Brain Health at Diabetes Clinic

How often do you think about your brain when you are choosing the foods you eat? Discover the type of diet that can influence energy levels, mood, memory, and more. University of Illinois Extension invites you to join them for the June Diabetes Clinic all about “Brain Health”.

This program will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at the Woodford County Extension Office, 109 E. Eureka Ave., Eureka. You will receive a packet of recipes and watch a food demonstration.

Diabetes clinics are informal but informational walk-in programs with a different topic each month designed especially for persons living with diabetes. There is no cost to attend this program and no registration is necessary.

For more information on this program or upcoming events, please visit us at go.illinois.edu/LMWCalendar or contact University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator & Registered Dietitian, Jenna Smith by phone at 309-663-8306 or email at jesmith6@illinois.edu.

 STATE

 EPA accepting applications for drug takeback program

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2020 Medication Takeback Program. The program will provide funding to communities or organizations for the safe disposal of opioids and other harmful medications collected from residents.

“To date, the Illinois EPA Medication Takeback Program has already removed 20 tons of unused medication in fiscal year 2019,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “This program not only properly disposes of medication to protect our water resources, but it also assists communities in addressing the opioid crisis, and we look to do even more in the next fiscal year.”

For the FY19 program, there were 104 community partners in the Medication Takeback Program, and the Illinois EPA is seeking to expand upon those partnerships. Communities and organizations interested in being part of the Medication Takeback Program should complete and submit the application available online at https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/Documents/iepa/waste-management/waste-disposal/medication-disposal/medication-takeback-application.pdf. Applications must be submitted by Saturday, June 15 for collections beginning on July 1. Application Instructions are also available on the EPA website.