Community Choice Aggregation the topic of discussion!

Tonight’s Green Drinks of Peoria meeting will focus on the Community Choice Aggregation vote coming up on the ballot. City and County officials will be in attendance to answer questions about this topic and how its possible we could be a powerful advocate for renewable energy with this group energy purchase. Please attend to ask any questions you may have about the question on the ballot for you to vote on later this month.

The Green Drinks of Peoria meeting is tonight, 3/1 with social time at 5:30 and meeting starting at 6 pm at the Rhythm Kitchen on Water Street in downtown Peoria.

ACTION ALERT NOW : Calls and Emails Needed: Save the Springdale Savanna

PLEASE ! Whether you live in the city of Peoria or not, PLEASE email or phone as many members of the Springdale Cemetery Authority as you can to ask respectfully that they save the historic savanna at Springdale Cemetery. This environmental treasure was described in the 1870 classic book The History of Peoria, Illinois. Even  generations ago this rare tall oak and prairie grasses savanna was recognized for its importance as a remnant of the true landscape of Peoria.

This savanna has huge wide-spread oaks towering above prairie grasses and forbes. It is a historic treasure and environmental monument to our true roots and landscape. The Springdale Cemetery Authority wants to dig up this dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve to sell more grave plots, even though there are said to be 50,000 existing grave plots available at the cemetery. Cemetery financial problems will not be solved by destroying the Springdale savanna.

Ask that the Cemetery Authority members to save the savanna. This rare environmental treasure and historic legacy has survived hundreds of years in spite of human civilization and should not be destroyed now because of economic problems. It deserves continued protection.

Contact information is at   http://www.springdalecemetery.org/board-of-directors

For more information see the lead story on your HOI Group homepage.

The Cemetery Authority meeting to vote on the savanna is at 4:00 p.m. , Tuesday, February 21st, at the main cemetery building, located at 3014 N. Prospect Ave., Peoria.

This Saturday ! Starved Rock Winter Hike: Fun 4-hour hike in lovely Starved Rock State Park

Eagles and more at the Starved Rock State Park ! Join the Hike Jan. 28th

Heart of IL Group Outings Leader Wendy Marquis has a wonderful outing planned !

Please phone Wendy to RSVP at her number below.

Join in with other HOI friends for a healthy and relaxing hike and car-pool to the beautiful Starved Rock State Park. This weekend is Eagle Days at the park, and special displays and events will be at the lodge.

When:  Saturday, Jan 28, 2012

Where:  Starved Rock State Park (map)

Description:  Everyone is invited to participate in a winter hike at Starved Rock State Park on Saturday, January 28.

Meet at:   the Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights at 9 a.m. for the trip to Starved Rock, or meet in the Great Hall of the Starved Rock Lodge at 10:30 a.m. On the way up we will briefly stop to view the site of the proposed sand mine adjacent to the park, which the Sierra Club opposes.

The approximate 4-hour slow paced outing will explore some of the picturesque areas of the park that should also include bald eagle sightings and other photo opportunities. Dress for the weather, including waterproof footwear and an optional snack to eat on the trail. An optional dinner is planned after the hike, either at the lodge, or elsewhere. For more information, contact Wendy Marquis at 309-645-6263.

Great Movie ! REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR at the Normal, IL, Theater Jan. 26-27th

Don't Miss Seeing: THE REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR

REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR
January 26, 7:00 PM @ NORMAL THEATER

located at 209 North Street, in the historic downtown Normal, just east of the ISU campus.

driving directions are at  http://normaltheater.com/index.aspx?nid=85

Where better to see REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, than in the city of Normal, which is planning electric car plug-ins and going green !

This documentary film was released in 2011 and is a follow-up to the 2006 film, ” Who Killed The Electric Car. “  Amazing footage of key company directors takes you into the decision making at board rooms and to the production floor for the gorgeous Tesla.  The exciting world of electric cars roars through this film! The possibilities of a gasoline free vehicle future seem very close indeed!

90min/PG-13/

Special after-screening event On Jan. 26th ONLY!  Illinois Chapter Sierra staff and Prairie Group Sierra Club hopes to table at this event Jan. 26th.  Please attend and give them your support!

This film will also be shown Jan. 27th.

Don’t Miss This Chance to Learn About Energy Aggregation, Saturday, 9:15 a.m. at the North Branch Peoria Public Library

The Peoria League of Women Voters General Meeting will be a presentation on:
The Electric Referendum; Energy Aggregation and Referendum..

Saturday, January 21, 2012
9:15-11:00 AM
at the North Branch, Peoria Public Library, McKenzie Room, 3001 W. Grand Parkway, Peoria, IL 61615
(Behind Menards off Allen Road)

The public is welcome to attend and the meeting is free.

In many central Illinois communities, including the city of Peoria, the March 20 primary ballot will ask for voter approval to allow a governmental body to bid out residential electrical service to an alternative supplier. But any resident can opt-out — that is, choose not to participate.

Peoria has an agreement with the consultant, Good Energy, to educate the public about the referendum. Learn about this referendum at the meeting.  Speakers at the meeting will be  Tracy Fox of Global Warming Solutions (and HOI Sierra member)  and Chris Setti of the city of Peoria. 

This is your opportunity to ask how you can get honestly green and Illinois green power for your electricity provider!  Now that is exciting !

pure Illinos wind power / photo by Joe Dick