Path-O-Gram Heads Up – The Path-O-Gram distribution list is large enough that some servers are rejecting the POG as spam (how dare they!). In light of this we will be switching to an online service to send it out; this switch should be effective for the Sept 19th edition. I’m not completely sure what’s it going to look like or if it will be printer friendly. As always; current and recent Path-O-Grams will be posted on our website in .doc format so you will be able to download it from there.
Holiday Program information needed – please send your program information to me at so we can get our annual guide together and out asap. Thank You!
PATH’s Community Resource Seminars – 2016. We want to answer your questions about our local system of social services -- register today for our ½ day (4 hour) training! The cost is $50/individual, plus $45 (optional and special seminar rate) for the McLean/DeWitt/Livingston County PATH Directory or $40 for the McLean County only Directory. Both go hand-in-hand with the seminar content.
Our next half-day seminars are Thursdays, Sept 15th and Thursday Oct 27th, from 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
To register, contact Amanda at 834-0580 or download the registration brochure from our website.
HOW FRESH IS YOUR PATH DIRECTORY? If you currently own a PATH directory, check your “freshness date” at the bottom right-hand corner. Is it over a year old? Make sure you have the very latest information to make the right referrals for your clients. Resources are constantly changing. If you do not own PATH’s Directory and you are working with people in nearly any capacity, you need one! Cost is $50 per directory for McLean County only information, $55 per directory for McLean, DeWitt & Livingston Counties combined. Additional charges apply if shipping is required. Contact Amanda at 834-0580or nd order a directory printed fresh for you.
Imagine is Eastview Christian Church’s Holiday Assistance Program and the 2016 Distribution Day is Saturday, December 3rd. If you are in need of assistance you are invited to register from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at one of these sites.
Tuesday, October 4th at Unity Community Center, Jesus House & Vale Community Church.
Wednesday, October 5th at Eastview Christian Church Food Pantry.
Thursday, October 6th at Grace Church, Boys & Girls Club and Western Avenue Community Center.
The final day to register is Saturday, October 8th at Crosswinds Church from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Please bring a photo ID and a piece of mail from your current address. Anyone who did not register can come as a walk in. Arrival times for walk-ins is between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm on December 3rd. Shopping will begin at 2:00 pm.
If you have any questions, contact Vicki Bennett at 309-451-5008 or ch.
Pre-K For All Screenings taking place at the Scott Early Learning Center by appointment. Please call the center office at 309-834-5210 for more information on this FREE half-day program and/or to see if your child, friend, family member, or client qualifies. (Child must turn 3 by September 1st and be a McLean County resident.) Hurry, spots are filling quickly!!!
FREE Dental Clinic - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2016
Registration begins at 7 am LIMIT: 120 patients
*** NO APPOINTMENTS TAKEN ***
All others will be referred to theMcLean County Health Department Adult Dental Clinic
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?Residents of McLean County
Adults with low income and no health insurance
Adults with dental pain, needing 1 or 2 teeth extracted.
WHAT WILL BE DONE?It will be an “extraction clinic.”
Limited to extractions of 1 or 2 teeth.
This is not for multiple extractions.
This is not for other dental care.
WHAT WILL IT COST?There will be no charges to participants.
All services are provided by volunteers, who are donating their time and services to address the dental pain of persons lacking access to care.
WHERE WILL THIS TAKE PLACE? At the office of Oral Surgeons: Dr.'s Doran, Capodice, Efaw & Ocheltree, 109 N. Regency Drive, Bloomington
WHO ARE THE DENTISTS?The above oral surgeons and several other local dentists will all volunteer their time and services at this free clinic.
ALL PATIENTS WILL COMPLETE HEALTH HISTORY FORMS WHEN THEY ARRIVE ON THE DAY OF THE FREE CLINIC
SPANISH INTERPRETERS WILL BE AT THE CLINIC
Illinois Housing Development Authority in collaboration with Navicore Solutions and other local sponsors have re-opened the Illinois Hardest Hit Funds program (HHF), a mortgage assistance program to support working families having trouble making mortgage payments due to loss of income.
Program Highlights:
- Eligiblehomeowners can receive up to $35,000 in reinstatement assistance and/or monthly mortgage payment assistance.
- Monthly mortgage payment assistance will pay 100% of the homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments up to 12 months.
- Eligible hardships include:
- Unemployment
- Underemployment
- Decrease or loss of business income (NEW)
- Loss of income due to disability or health-related event (NEW)
- Death of spouse or title holder (NEW)
- Divorce of spouse or title holder (NEW)
- Hardship must have occurred after January 1st, 2010 and after the purchase of the property.
- Applicants must apply online or by calling 1-855-873-7405
FREE Transportation to Mammogram Appointments - The McLean County Health Department has partnered with YWCA McLean County’s Medivan program to offer FREE transportation to and from mammography appointments within the county. Did you know women over the age of 40 should discuss having a mammogram every year with their doctor? Sometimes transportation can be a barrier, but don’t let that stop you from taking care of yourself! The Medivan is wheelchair accessible and can accommodate spouses, caregivers, or children. You tell us when and where your appointment is, Medivan does the rest!
To take advantage of this opportunity contact Katie McHugh at (309) 888-5954 or .
Upcoming at the Bloomington Public Library:
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! To celebrate, Bloomington Public Library is offering:
-Free reusable bags and buttons to all new library cardholders, those who renew their library card, and to anyone who brings a friend to the Library or the Bookmobile to get a new library card;
-Free replacement cards;
-“Bring Back Our Stuff Days”
For two days in September (9/6 and 9/18), Bloomington Library will check in everything fine-free. This means that if you bring back your lost or overdue items on those days, you will not be charged – no matter how many days the items are past due
-Design A Library Card:
- Coloring sheets for children
- A computer design contest with prizes for teens
Sunday, September 11, Ring America
The Bloomington-Normal Community Bells, directed by Sue Miller, will perform patriotic selections as well as old Americana favorites at 2pm in the Community Room.
Tuesday, September 13, Computer Basics: Intro to Computers
For the very beginner, we'll learn about the mouse and keyboard, opening and closing programs, and navigating the computer's operating system. Registration opens Monday, August 29, at 10am. Each computer class will take place at 2pm in the Community Room and is limited to 10 people. Registration is required and can be completed by calling 309-828-6093 or using the registration link on the library’s website.
Wednesday, September 14, Tales for Tails
Tales for Tails pairs trained and certified therapy dogs with children who want to practice reading aloud. If your child is in grades K-5 and is interested in this program, come to the Children’s Desk between 6pm and 7pm the day of the program. Upon arrival, children will be assigned a 10-minute session with one of the dogs. (No registration; space will be limited).
Thursday, September 15, Retirement University 101: Strategic Retirement Preparation
This is the first class in an all-inclusive four-week course that will help you dissect all areas of the retirement process. Attend several or all of the classes to be financially prepared for this life phase. Presenter Bernie Wrezinski is theDirector of Midwest Operations for the Foundation for Financial Education (F3E) and has nearly 40 years of experience in finance. Each class will take place at 6:30pm in the Community Room.
- Thursday, September 15 - Learn advanced Social Security planning strategies and how you and your family can save thousands of dollars.
- Thursday, September 22 - Explore dollar cost averaging vs. dollar cost ravaging and develop a comprehensive understanding of Sequence of Return Risk.
- Thursday, September 29 - Discuss accumulation vs (de)cumulation and the income stream dilemma. Learn various aspects of long term care and the options/coverages available through Medicare.
- Thursday, October 6 -Common retirement mistakes: Tools to design your own perfect saving strategy. Learn all you need to know about wills, trusts, and tax efficient legacy planning.
AMEREN 2016 NON-RESIDENTIAL HARDSHIP PROGRAM
This program provides one-time assistance to non-profit organizations that have an active Ameren Illinois electric account and a hardship.
Applications are reviewed for program eligibility by the Energy Assistance Foundation, an independent non-profit organization that serves as program administrator. Qualifying customers will receive assistance in the form of a one-time grant applied to their organization’s Ameren Illinois electric account.
Visit for more information and for the application.
Women to Women Will Host Screening of “The Empowerment Project”
The Women to Women Giving Circle of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation invites you to a special event on September 13 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the ISU Alumni Center, 1101 N Main St, Normal.
“The Empowerment Project” is a fifty-five minute documentary by five young filmmakers which follows them on a cross-country journey to find ordinary women doing extraordinary things and asks the question, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid to fail?”
The film also introduces Women to Women’s grant focus for 2017 – programs that seek to inspire and empower girls and young women to achieve their highest potential. Grant writers and staff of local nonprofits are encouraged to attend the screening. There will be a panel after the film featuring Nikki Bruno, detective with the Normal Police Department, Anita Moore, Dean of Student Success at Heartland Community College, and Kelsey West, State Farm Youth Advisory Board Coordinator.
Women to Women will begin accepting grant applications on September 26 through October 27. The group has $40,000 available for projects and programs that fit the focus. Women to Women will consider pilot programs as well as established ones.
“The Empowerment Project” is suitable for all audiences and is free. No reservation is required; however, space is limited. Contact Kathi Davis at (309) 662-4477 or for more information.
Free Bus Transit Orientations @ LIFE CIL or at your Organization! Curious about public transportation? Want to know how it works or what the NEW ROUTES look like? Come to a Free Orientation, or call to schedule one for your group! LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL), in association with Connect Transit, is offering a FREE Transit Orientation class. You’ll learn about: fixed-route, or “regular” bus service, and Connect Mobility (the ADA Paratransit option provided by Connect Transit); how to read the new bus maps; how to plan your trip; who may be eligible for Paratransit service and how to apply.
The following orientations will be given by Shannon Tarkowski, Transportation Specialist, at LIFE CIL in Bloomington (2201 Eastland Dr. Suite 1, Bloomington IL 61704). If you have questions, you can reach her by phone 309-663-5433 or email: .
Wednesday September 14, 11a-12n
Wednesday October 5 11a-12n
Wednesday October 19 11a-12n
OR Call and schedule an Orientation at your place of business or during your organization’s regular meeting.
(Presentations can be customized to fit your needs).
**To request an accommodation such as large print materials or an interpreter, please contact Shannon at least 10 business days before the orientation.
September at the Normal Public Library:
National Library Card Sign Up Month - 9/1 - 9/30 - Register for a library card to win a Nook Galaxy tablet. Check Facebook for our Word of the Week to get prizes each time you come in.
Show Your Library Card Uptown - 9/1 - 9/30 - Show your library card at participating businesses in Uptown Normal to get great discounts on your purchase!
Drop-In Ebook Help - Mondays • 10:00 - 3:00 - Drop by the library for hands-on, step-by-step instructions on checking out and downloading ebooks to your device.
Lunchtime Yoga - Tuesdays & Thursdays (No sessions 9/1, 9/8, or 9/29) • 12:00 - 12:45 - Take a break from your busy day to join us for a beginner-level yoga class over your lunch hour.
Visit Us at Light the Night - Thu, 9/1 - Visit us at Light the Night in Uptown Normal! Enjoy food, music, safety-checks, giveaways, and free bike lights for everyone!
Autism Cafe - Thu, 9/1 • 6:30 - 7:30 - A monthly activity-focused social gathering for adults living with autism. Gather for a themed social hour with other adults in a safe, quiet environment.
Artist Reception: Hannah Kerrigan - Fri, 9/2 • 4:00 - 6:00 - Celebrate the work of photographer Hannah Kerrigan, on display in the library's Art Gallery through November. Refreshments provided.
Happy 100, Roald Dahl! - Tue, 9/6 • 10:00 - 7:00, Special Activities 2:30 - 4:00 - Celebrate the 100th birthday of the beloved author of The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and more.
Teen Manga / Anime Club - Tue, 9/6 • 4:00 - 5:30 - Held on the first Tuesday of every month, Manga / Anime Club is for any teens interested in Japanese comics and animation.
Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - Tue, 9/6 • 6:00 - 8:00 - Celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month with a literary movie. This activity is for all ages. Snacks provided.
Melted Pony Bead Bracelet - Thu, 9/8, 10:00 - 12:00 - Make a bracelet out of melted pony beads. Registration required.
Tech-It-Out - Thu, 9/8 & Mon, 9/19 • 3:00 - 5:00 - Explore LEGO WeDo Robotics, Ozobots, MaKey MaKeys, and more at our Tech-It-Out program series.
Teen Advisory Council - Thu, 9/8 & 9/22 • 4:00 - 5:30 - If you want a say in teen programs at the NPL, this is the place to be.
What’s It Worth? Professional Antique Appraisals - Fri, 9/9 • 10:00 - 4:00 - See author and antiques expert Mark Moran at work appraising items. Registration required to have an item appraised, but not to observe.
NPL Used Book Sale: Preview Sale - Fri, 9/9• 4:30 - 7:00 - Find great books and support the library! $5 admission for anyone over 12-years-old.
NPL Used Book Sale - Sat, 9/10 • 8:00 - 4:00 & Sun, 9/11 • 1:00 - 4:00 - Find great books and support the library!
Wendy & DB in Concert - Sat, 9/10 • 10:00 - 10:45 - Enjoy a free interactive show for kids and families.
Leah Marlene Performs - Sat, 9/10 • 3:00 - 4:00 - Leah Marlene is a 15-year-old musician who shocks listeners with her talent playing popular songs.
NPL Used Book Sale: Free Day - Mon, 9/12 • 9:00 - 7:00 - Books left over from the Friends of the Normal Public Library Book Sale will be free! Come on in and take as many as you can carry!
Partners in Reading Begins - Mon, 9/12 - Grade school kids pair up with college students to meet together and enjoy the library once a week, September 12 through November 17. Registration required. Kids register by September 2.
Baby Rock - Mondays, starting 9/12 • 9:30 & 10:30 - Enjoy stories, songs, and bubbles, all intended to stimulate and enhance babies’ development for language and senses.
Teen Writer's Workshop - Mon, 9/12 • 4:00 - 5:00 - Calling all teen writers and artists! Bring your best ideas to our teen writer's workshops on the second Monday of each month.
College-Age Book Club - Mon, 9/12 • 7:00 - 8:00 - All college-aged and twenty-somethings, come enjoy snacks and discussion of the books selected by club members!
The Weather in Normal, A Reading by Carrie Etter - Mon, 9/12 • 7:30 - 8:30 - Carrie Etter's new manuscript in progress, The Weather in Normal, explores the weathers of home, addressing climate change in Illinois, a sense of place, and family history. Carrie will read from the work, followed by Q&A.
Tuesday Tales - Tuesdays, 9/13 - 12/13 • 10:30 - Come join us for stories and songs!
Nonprofit Marketing Professional Meetup - Tue, 9/13 • 2:00 - 3:00 - Join fellow nonprofit marketers on the second Tuesday of each month to swap information, socialize, and build relationships.
Teen Game Day - Wed, 9/14 • 4:00 - 6:00 - Whether you love Rock Band and DDR or prefer Apples to Apples and Settlers of Catan, come game with us!
Baby Rock: Evening Edition - Wed, 9/14 • 6:00 - Enjoy stories, songs, and bubbles, all intended to stimulate and enhance babies’ development for language and senses.
Movie Matinee: Finding Nemo - Thu, 9/15 • 1:30 - 3:30 - Join us on the third Thursday of each month for movies and snacks!
Avoid Report Card Surprise - Thu, 9/15 • 6:00 - 7:00 - Sylvan Learning in conjunction with the Normal Public Library presents, Avoid Report Card Surprise!
Game of Thrones Trivia Night - Thu, 9/15 • 6:00 - 8:00 - We will be sorting people into 5 houses (teams) to answer trivia questions about Game of Thrones Seasons one through five.
NPL BookClub: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck - Thu, DATE • 6:30 - 7:30 - Everyone is welcome to the discussion!
Pages & Paws - Sat, 9/17 • 10:30 - 11:30 - Children may sign up for 10 minute reading sessions with a Certified Therapy Dog. Sign up begins at 10:15 am outside the Story Hour Room on day of the program.
Anime Club for Adults - Tue, 9/20 • 4:30 - 6:00 - Held on the third Tuesday of every month, Manga/Anime Club is for anyone interested in Japanese comics and animation.
Story Hour for Three-, Four-, and Five-Year-Olds - Various Days and Times, 9/20 - 10/20 - Three-, four-, and five-year-olds are invited to attend a weekly program that includes stories, songs, games, crafts, and more! Registration required.
Movie Night: Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Thu, 9/22 • 6:00 - 8:00 - Celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month with a literary movie. This activity is for all ages. Snacks provided.
Book Adventures: Giraffes - Fri, 9/23 & Sat, 9/24 • 10:30 - 11:00 - Join us for stories, songs, games, and a craft.
Learn the Art of Zentangle - Sat, 9/24 • 10:00 - 12:00 - Learn the art of Zentangle - an easy, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Registration required.