Conklin’s “Heavenly Singers” Return to Five Points in “Forever Plaid”
- Details
- Published on 28 September 2016
- Written by The Peorian
“Forever Plaid,” a long-time favorite of fans of Conklin’s Barn Theatre, opens a limited engagement Friday at Five Points Washington, the theatre company’s special home this year.
The musical will play three shows, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points.
“We are thrilled to be able to once more get the cast together for one of my favorite shows of all time,” said Mary Simon, owner of Conklin’s Theatre and the director and choreographer of “Forever Plaid”. “It has always been one of our most requested repeats, even after we had a ‘farewell performance’ in 2009! We’re happy to oblige one more time here in the incredible theatre at Five Points.”
“Forever Plaid” was written by Stuart Ross with musical arrangements by James Raitt. It is the tale of Frankie, Jinx, Sparky and Smudge, a delightful quartet of singers who are returning from the afterlife to give the performance they never got to give in life.
The Plaids were killed when their auto was sideswiped by a busload of Catholic school teens on their way to see the Beatles debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Throughout the show, we learn a lot about the guys and get to enjoy a wonderful concert of hit parade tunes like “Three Coins In The Fountain,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Cry,” “Perfidia,” and “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing,” all performed in the Plaid’s fabulous close-harmony style, along with hilarious choreography.
The highlight of the show is the Plaid’s three-minute version of the complete Ed Sullivan Show.
The original Conklin’s company of Plaids, which began performing the show together in 1997, have returned for this engagement. They are Dan Challacombe as Frankie, Pat Gaik as Jinx, Chad Kirvan as Smudge and Dave Windsor as Sparky. Alex Buzzell joins the quartet at the piano, with Al Hedstrom on bass.
Tickets for the show are $25 for adults and $8 for children and students through college. Reservations can be made in person at the Five Points Washington facility, 306 N. Wilmor Road in Washington, or online at www.fivepointswashington.org. To order by phone, call (309) 444-8222 or (309) 444-8600.
Free lunchtime shuttle to start Oct. 3 in downtown Peoria
- Details
- Published on 26 September 2016
- Written by Paul Gordon
Several downtown Peoria organizations have joined up to sponsor a weekday shuttle service that will take in downtown restaurants, starting Oct. 3.
The service, which is free and will include two bus lines, will operate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday 
as a means of getting downtown employees to and from downtown restaurants during their lunch break.
The service will start with a six-week pilot program to decide if the service is viable.
Called the Hop-On Hop-Off shuttle service, it will aim, with the two routes, to provide optimal timing so employees can enjoy lunch and get back to work on time. The Red Line will be shorter with fewer stops while the blue line will take in more of the downtown area.
A map of the routes can be found at www.visitdowntownpeoria.com/hop-on.
Sponsoring organizations are the Downtown Development Corp., City of Peoria, Peoria RiverFront Association, Peoria Civic Center, and Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
By providing clean, comfortable and convenient transportation, the groups hope to increase lunch traffic to downtown restaurants.
“The mission of the DDC is to promote the development of Peoria’s downtown. Providing a free, convenient, reliable shuttle will enhance both residential and business development in the downtown,” said Michael Freilinger, president and CEO of the Downtown Development Corp. “We are grateful to our partners and for the grant funding we received from the Tourism Reserve Fund to cover the cost of this six week pilot project. We anticipate that the success of this pilot project will enable us to secure funding for all day full time operation of this shuttle in the near future.”
Cara Allen, director of marketing for the Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Director of Marketing, added, “The Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking forward to seeing an increased level of traffic to our Downtown businesses through this program.”
RiverFront restauranteur Pat Sullivan, owner of Kelleher’s, encourages everyone to give it a try. “This would be a great opportunity for all workers and visitors in downtown and the warehouse district to shop local, whether its food, drinks, shoes, banking, or trips to City Hall or the county Court House. This is an easy Hop-on and Hop-off ride, so please enjoy.”
The pilot program will run Oct. 3 through Nov. 11. Ridership will be monitored throughout the trial period to determine the viability of a longer term program.
A ribbon cutting to kick off the service is planned for Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. in front of City Hall.
Caterpillar to invest $1 Billion in Business, Education and Training across Africa
- Details
- Published on 21 September 2016
- Written by Paul Gordon
Caterpillar Inc. Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman announced Wednesday that the company, its independent dealers and the Caterpillar Foundation will invest more than $1 billion in Africa over the next five years.
Oberhelman, who is currently taking part in the U.S.-Africa Business Forum in New York City, said the announcement reconfirms Caterpillar's long-term commitment to the Africa and is intended to provide a major upgrade in customer service capabilities. Those include enhanced parts distribution capacity, new state-of-the-art Certified Rebuild Centers, new dealer branch locations, the expansion of Caterpillar's Technicians for Africa online skills development program and millions of dollars to support programs that lift people out of poverty.
With approximately 15,000 Caterpillar and Cat dealer employees in Africa, Caterpillar already has a significant footprint in this important and growing market. Caterpillar's investment will increase that footprint while simultaneously boosting the infrastructure development and skills training capabilities necessary in African countries for them to continue their rise in global competitiveness.
"For 90 years, Caterpillar machines have helped build critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa. Today, we bring not only construction machinery to the continent, but also traditional and renewable power generation solutions, diesel-electric locomotives, marine engines and mining equipment," said Oberhelman.
"With today's announcement, we are proudly confirming our plan to make a long-term investment to help build, develop and power communities, and serve as an education and training partner to broaden and strengthen local workforce talent and expertise," he added.
Since 2010, the Caterpillar Foundation has invested approximately $50 million to support projects in Africa that focused on affecting those living in poverty, specifically girls and women, through training, policy work, entrepreneurship programs and more. These investments are benefiting hundreds of thousands with access to education, energy, clean water and sanitation, and microfinance.
Building on these historical investments, the Caterpillar Foundation will commit another approximately $15 million by the year 2020 to organizations working to improve lives across Africa.
As part of UN Week, Oberhelman will participate in a skills development discussion panel during the historic African Business Forum with President Kenyatta of Kenya, President Mahama of Ghana and IBM Chairman and CEO Ginni Rometty. During the discussion he will highlight Caterpillar's significant progress since the launch of Technicians for Africa in 2015.
Technicians for Africa is a free, online learning platform for Africans seeking to develop important technical skills needed to pursue a career as an equipment technician.
Before his panel, Oberhelman shared Caterpillar's excitement over the success of the program to date and the expansion plans.
"Technicians are essential for our dealers and customers; they keep projects on schedule and customers productive. With investment and innovation, and through projects like Technicians for Africa, we can address the skills gap that currently exists. In 2017, Caterpillar will expand the availability of Technicians for Africa from three to 15 countries, and we expect thousands of people to benefit," Oberhelman said.
Further enhancing Caterpillar's involvement in Africa, Resource Industries Group President Denise Johnson was named to the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.
"It's an honor to be named to this Council dedicated to improving trade and business opportunities between African countries and the United States," said Johnson. "I'm looking forward to working alongside my industry peers to share Caterpillar's decades of experience in Africa and provide counsel to the President as we seek to bolster those relationships."
Johnson's appointment strengthens Caterpillar's voice in providing information, analysis and recommendations on U.S.-Africa trade and investment priorities, the company said.
Vice President Joe Biden Endorses Congresswoman Cheri Bustos
- Details
- Published on 21 September 2016
- Written by The Peorian
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos has picked up a pretty important endorsement in her bid for a third term as U.S. Representative from the 17th District.
Vice President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he has endorsed Bustos, an East Moline Democrat.
Biden cited her strong commitment to veterans, job creation and protecting Medicare and Social Security when he declared the people in Illinois' 17th District have a tough leader in Congress fighting for them.
“I'm proud to support Cheri Bustos, who has always made growing our economy and creating jobs her top priority in Congress,” Vice President Biden said. “Cheri Bustos is a champion for the hardworking families of Illinois, and is tirelessly fighting to keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and making sure that our workers have the skills they need to compete in the global economy. She will continue to work to protect the Social Security and Medicare benefits our seniors deserve and to make sure our nation's veterans have access to timely, high-quality health care and good paying jobs.
“Illinois families have a common sense, tough leader in Cheri Bustos, and I know she will continue to have their backs in Washington.”
Said Bustos, “No one has worked harder on behalf of middle-class families than Vice President Joe Biden, and I’m honored to have his endorsement in this election. “Our region faces tough challenges, and we need strong, effective leadership in Congress. Whether it’s boosting our manufacturing industry, fighting for our family farmers or ensuring our veterans receive the care they’ve earned, I will continue delivering results for the hardworking families in our region.”
Bustos serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
She is opposed by Galesburg Republican Patrick Harlan.
Caterpillar Enters Home and Outdoor Power Market
- Details
- Published on 21 September 2016
- Written by The Peorian
Caterpillar is entering the home and outdoor power market with the introduction of portable generators, the company announced Wednesday.
The new generators -- the Cat® RP Series – are designed to provide reliable backup or recreational power to residential users and portable power to professional contractors who need to power tools and lights on the job.
The initial models of portable generators in the Cat RP Series range in size and power from 3.6 kW to 7.5 kW in North America and 2.5 kW to 4.4 kW in Europe, the company said.
This product is available to purchase through a new multi-channel distribution approach — including Cat Dealers, local retailers, and eventually national retailers and wholesalers — that will serve as Cat Home & Outdoor Power Authorized Sales and Service Centers.
“This is about providing a new customer base with the right solutions for their home and outdoor power needs that reflect the reliability, rugged capabilities and quality with which Cat products are known,” said George Taylor, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Marketing & Digital Division and the company’s chief marketing officer.
“We want to connect these customers to Caterpillar’s decades of experience in the electric power business, and this new distribution approach means we can do just that,” Taylor explained.
The new products will be introduced to distribution networks in the U.S. and Canada over the remainder of 2016 with a move into European networks late in the year, the company said.
An expanded home and outdoor power portfolio is under development with more product launches anticipated in 2017, it added.
For more information on the new generator line, visit: http://www.cat.com/homeandoutdoorpower.
