Central Illinois Perspective

News Intellihot, a Peoria NEXT Innovation Center tenant, will be featured in an upcoming reality TV show highlighting the best startups outside of Silicon Valley. Technology guru Bob Cringley launched an online contest to identify the top 24 startup companies from around the nation in six different categories, and Intellihot made the final cut, beating out nearly 400 other nominations. Cringley’s caravan will pull into Peoria today, and television cameras will capture it all as they get to know Intellihot founders Sridhar Deivasigamani and Sivaprasad Akasam, the company and the Peoria area. Nominations for the 17th annual 40 Leaders Under Forty awards celebration will be accepted beginning August 1st. Visit peoriamagazines.com for more information. At 8pm next Thursday, July 29th, WTVP will air the first of several programs called “Medical Innovations,” which highlight revolutionary medical advances in central Illinois. With the assistance of OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital, HeartCare Midwest and the Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists, WTVP will take you inside the operating room for the actual implantation of a newly-designed stent. Vascular surgeons Nabeel Rana, M.D., Syed Hussain, M.D. and Jennifer Ash, M.D. will discuss the innovative operation and resulting benefits. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, the W.D. Boyce Council will host “Over the Edge for ScoutREACH” from 8am to 5pm this Friday. About 100 individuals, including Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis and Congressman Aaron Schock, will rappel down the side of the Civic Center Plaza. The public is invited to come down, support participants and take part in live entertainment and activities. Proceeds will benefit the ScoutREACH program of the W.D. Boyce Council. For more information, call (309) 673-6136 or visit overtheedgepeoria.com. RLI Corp. reported second quarter 2010 operating earnings of $32.2 million ($1.52 per share) compared to $28.7 million ($1.32 per share) for the same period in 2009. This Saturday from noon to 4pm, spend the day at Grady’s Fun Park in Bloomington—50 percent of sales for the day will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Grady’s is located at 1501 Morrissey Drive in Bloomington. Cost is $20 for unlimited attractions; call (309) 662-3332 for more information.   Events Wednesday, July 21st @ Two25 Two25 will host a Tequila Dinner with Sonia Sotello, Tequila Ambassador for Diageo Corporation, USA. Tequila tastings and cocktails will accompany a five-course dinner. To RSVP, call 282-7777 or email jill@two25peoria.com. Thursday, July 22nd @ OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Join the Peoria Area and East Peoria chambers of commerce from 5 to 7pm for Business After Hours. Take a private tour of the new OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois—the last public event before patients are seen in the new building. Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres from Cracked Pepper Catering and the chance to win door prizes. There is no charge for Chamber members/$25 for non-members. Thursday, July 22nd to Sunday, July 25th @ Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino presents Legends in Concert, the world’s greatest live tribute show, this weekend. Five shows will feature celebrity impersonators portraying Garth Brooks, Tom Jones, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Tri-County Urban League, George Washington Carver Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $10, and can be purchased by visiting Par-A-Dice Hotel’s front desk or calling 698-6083. Visit paradicecasino.com and click “entertainment” for more information. Friday, July 23rd to Sunday, July 25th @ Peoria International Airport The General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport welcomes back the 2010 Prairie Air Show this weekend. Each day will feature demonstrations by the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, with a special show for the USO Friday night, complete with exclusive performances, a fireworks display, pyrotechnics, smoke ring aerobatics and live music. The Friday festival begins at 5:30pm and the air show begins at dusk. Gates will open at 8am and close at 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visitprairieair.com. Sunday, July 25th @ Junction City The Paws for a Cause Dog Show, sponsored by the nonprofit Paws Giving Independence, will take place at Junction City from noon to 4pm. An informal dog show will be held; any dog owner is eligible to enter his or her pet. Registration is $10 per dog. View the categories and register your dog online at givingindependence.org. Sunday, July 25th @ Wildlife Prairie State Park The second Project Pack the Place event, sponsored by PNC, will take place on Sunday, with tickets available for $12 each for blocks of 10-24 or $10 each for blocks of 25 or more. Ticket purchase includes park admission, t-shirt, daily animal programs and special discounts. Reserve tickets online at wildlifeprairiestatepark.org or call 676-0998. Sunday, July 25th @ Kickapoo Creek Winery Enjoy the vineyards, engage in wine tasting and relax to the beat of local musicians at an afternoon summer concert at the winery in Edwards. The concert takes place from noon to 5pm. Bands include West MacQueen Street Band, Pink Sushi and the Bonnie Douglas Duo. Admission is $10/person, with proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Central Illinois Chapter. For more information, call 681-1100. Monday, July 26th @ Five Points Washington The Peoria Pops Orchestra will present a “Tribute to Great American Composers” at a concert at 7pm at the Five Points Washington Caterpillar Performing Arts Center. The evening will feature a line-up of songs and medleys from some of our country’s greatest composers: Gershwin, Copeland, Mancini, Berlin, Bernstein and more. Tickets are $15/adults and $12/seniors and students; purchase online at fivepointswashington.org. For more information, call 694-4190