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

North Canton Mine issue will be on At Issue

The PJ Star reports “At Issue” will host spokesmen for & against the North Canton Mine issue on Fridays show. It will air on WTVP on Friday at 8:30 pm. Please watch it to stayed informed on the topic.

Starved Rock needs your help!

There is a sand mine proposed for some land near Starved Rock. There’s potential for interruption of some very delicate areas. Please take action by contacting LaSalle County Board members & express your interest in protecting Starved Rock State Park. Read below for more information.

From Prairie Rivers Network Website: www.prairierivers.org

If you have time for just one call, the board chair is Jerry Hicks, 815-795-2608.

A proposed sand mine adjacent to Starved Rock State Park could drain a rare, brackish wetland, with high quality plant communities and specific habitat for threatened and endangered species. The noise generated from blasting and constant truck traffic will have a negative impact on the wildlife populations that inhabit the area.

Starved Rock State Park receives over 2 million visitors annually; many of whom come to view the abundant wildlife that occur in the area, such as the bald eagles that overwinter there and the white pelicans that migrate to the Illinois Valley in spring and fall.

It’s not too late to let members of the LaSalle County Board know that you oppose locating this mine near Starved Rock. Please take the time to call board members and voice your concern.

In December, the LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously in favor of the Permit. However, the proposal will go before the full LaSalle County Board on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 for a final vote.

Please contact the County Board Members or attend the County Board Meeting in support of Starved Rock State Park.

When: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 1 PM

Where: Knights of Columbus Hall at 401 W. Main Street in Ottawa, Illinois