Monday, January 28

Bunko Night at Eckert's, 6:30pm

Eckert's Country Restaurant

951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville

(618) 233-0513

www.eckerts.com

 

Tuesday, January 29

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive, 4-7pm

Central Christian Church

1420 Illini, O'Fallon

(618) 659-0542

www.bloodcenterIMPACT.org

 

Wednesday, January 30

Pulmonary Rehab Meeting, 1:30pm

Memorial Health Education Center

706 East Highway 50, O'Fallon

(618) 257-5560

A support group for people affected by COPD and who need care or rehabilitation for breathing problems. At the meeting, COPD and oxygen use will be discussed.

 

Thursday, January 31

Urban Chestnut Beer Tasting, 5-7pm

Grappa Growlers

1501 North Belt West, Belleville

(618) 234-9463

www.grappagrowlers.com

 

Friday, February 1

Milton Homes, Jr - Perspectives in Pen and Ink Opening Night, 5-8pm

Sole Survivor Art Gallery

125 East Main St., Belleville

(618) 257-3212

www.solesurvivorartgallery.com

 

Pre Superbowl Drink Tasting, 5-7pm

Grappa Growlers

1501 North Belt West, Belleville

(618) 234-9463

www.grappagrowlers.com

Belle's Organic Drinks, Bloody Mary Drinks and More

 

Cooking Class - Ladies Night Out-A Trip to Italy, 6-8pm

Eckert's Country Store

951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville

(618) 233-0513

www.eckerts.com

Join Jill Eckert Tantillo for a night of Italian fun! Jill will share delicious recipes using a variety of pastas and a few Italian wines. We'll also taste some Italian cheeses. Join us for this fun celebration of the flavors of Italy. Space is limited. $30.00/person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

 

Fri-Sun, February 1-3

Country Treasures Craft Show

Belle-Clair Expo Center

200 S. Belt East, Belleville

(618) 233-0052

www.bcfairgrounds.net

Handcrafted furniture, Florals, Jewelry, Wearable Art, Candles and More! Friday: 4-8pm; Saturday: 10am-5pm; Sunday: 10am-4pm

 

Murder Mystery Dinner- "Murder Me Always"

Turkey Hill Grange

Rt 15 & Green Mount Rd., Belleville

(618) 235-8237 or 235-3310

Feb 1-2 at 6:30pm; Feb 3 at 12:30pm. $20 per person. Seating is limited. CLICK HERE for flyer

 

Saturday, February 2

Housing Fair, 10am-2pm

SWIC Cafeteria

2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville

(618) 277-1980

CLICK HERE for flyer

 

Sat-Sun February 2-3

My Little Honey Brunch

Eckert's Country Restaurant

951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville

(618) 233-0513

www.eckerts.com

Express love and appreciation this Valentine's season by bringing your family to our Valentine's Brunch. This event is similar to our Breakfast with Santa event that all of our guests have come to know and love. Enjoy brunch made with love in our restaurant, ice a heart-shaped cookie, lovely face painting, cupid photos, chocolate fountain and a craft. $12.99/child and $8.99/adult. Reservations are required. Please call 618.233.0513 x 3 to reserve your spot today.

 

Sunday, February 3

Kids Cooking Class-Shop, Buy & Cook with Us, 1-3pm

Eckert's Country Store

951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville

(618) 233-0513

www.eckerts.com

Join us for a tour around the store to taste and discuss how many pounds of produce we need for our recipes. Each child will then be assigned to a shopping team with a list! Once they've used their Eckert bucks to buy ingredients, it's off to the classroom to cook! This is a great class for kids who are learning about money, weights and measures. Space is limited. $15.00/child. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

Customers in southern Illinois can place orders for their favorite sweet treats from Jan. 11-Feb. 2 , with delivery in early March.  They can also buy cookies during Cookie Booth weekends, when girls sell cookies in front of area establishments. Upcoming Cookie Booth dates are: March 15-17, March 22-24, April 5-7 and April 12-14.  To connect with local Girl Scouts, customers can visit http://bit.ly/GetCookies  or call 800.345.6858.

 

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the world's largest girl-led business.  Girls who participate benefit from "learning by earning" and develop five valuable life skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.  Girls use proceeds to support activities such as community service, leadership projects, camp and travel.  Proceeds also help Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois recruit and train adult volunteers, provide financial assistance, improve and maintain camp properties and deliver quality programming.

  

The 4th Annual Benefit Breakfast for Christian Social Services of Illinois (CSS) will be on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Hecker Community Center, 230 East Washington St. in Hecker, IL. This annual event, which is free of charge to attendees, will create awareness in the community about CSS's services to help individuals and families with social and emotional needs regardless of their faith or income level.  Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and breakfast will be served at 9:00 a.m.  For reservations, please contact Marge Francois at francois@accessus.net or (618) 531-4483.

 

"CSS has a devoted group of volunteers, known as the Belleville Regional Advisory Council, who donate their time, energy and resources to make this breakfast happen," said CSS Executive Director Gary Huelsmann. "They put together the best mouth-watering breakfast in all of southern Illinois." Following breakfast, there will be entertainment and a brief presentation.  State Representative Jerry Costello II will be the emcee, and Joe Hubbard, former director of Catholic Urban Programs, will serve as the honorary chairperson. 

 

 "Many communities in the region are some of the most economically depressed areas in the state. During these challenging economic times, we are seeing more and more youth and families coming to us seeking counseling and assistance to address the stresses of their everyday lives. Whether they need individual help, couple's counseling, or help with parenting skills for an unruly child, CSS can help them work out their problems and return to a more functional and productive life," Huelsmann explained. "With the increase in demand for our services, we are also experiencing significant budget cuts for some of our programs. An event like our breakfast helps us spread the word about the needs in our community and people often respond by making donations to help us ease the burdens of their neighbors, friends and family members."

 

Christian Social Services of Illinois provides services to more than 4,410 individuals annually throughout its 42-county service area in southern Illinois. The Belleville Region includes Monroe and St. Clair counties as well as parts of Clinton, Randolph and Washington counties. "Through our Belleville office we manage the largest foster care program in southern Illinois," Huelsmann explained. "We have an adoption services department with certification for local and international adoptions and pregnancy care. We have highly skilled and experienced professional counselors who provide individual, family, crisis and school counseling.  We also operate the St. John Bosco Children's Center for abused and neglected children, and the St. John Daycare & Preschool Center in Belleville." 

 

CSS, founded in 1947, is a United Way of Greater St. Louis agency and has offices in seven communities in Southern Illinois: Belleville, Carbondale, Mt. Carmel, Mt. Vernon, Olney, and new offices in East Alton and Effingham.

 

For more information about the breakfast event, visit our website at www.cssil.org, e-mail Sandy Haas at sandy.haas@cssil.orgor call Sandy at (618) 688-1168.
 

CLICK HERE for flyer.

The Belleville Region of Christian Social Services of Illinois (CSS) is seeking nominations for the 23rd Annual Christian Service Awards.  The awards will be presented at a benefit dinner on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.  Up to three awards will be given to outstanding individuals who reflect the mission and spirit of CSS through their contributions in one or more of the following areas: faith-related service; community service; youth mentoring; advocacy; direct service to those in need; activity in community organizations, volunteerism, and/or fundraising.  Individuals nominated should serve or live in the following Illinois counties: Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair or Washington.  Nominations will be considered regardless of religious affiliation.  CSS is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that seeks to be a visible expression of God's loving community.  Consistent with the example of Jesus Christ, CSS provides direct services to persons of all backgrounds with social and emotional needs across the continuum of life.  For more information or a nomination form, contact:  Laurie Lindauer, (618) 394-5900, ext. 286 or laurie.lindauer@cssil.org.  You may also visit www.cssil.org to print a copy of the nomination form or submit an electronic entry.  Nominations will be accepted through February 11, 2013. 

 

CLICK HERE for guidelines and nomination form.

If you "Love Lucy," then you will love the variety of programs Memorial Hospital is offering during Heart Month in February to help you Live an Ultimate Cardiac Year. Please see complete listing below for all the heart healthy events planned in February.

 

Stories from the Heart

Monday, February 11
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Memorial Hospital Auditorium

Everyone has a story to tell - and most come from the heart. Memorial Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program welcomes you to listen to three program participants as they share the experiences that changed their lives forever.
Advanced registration is required and seating is limited. Call (618)257-5649 to make your reservation.

  

"I Love Lucy" Heart Fair

Saturday, February 23
8 - 11:30 a.m.
Orthopedic and Neurosciences Center
Enjoy free health screenings, exercise demos, giveaways, healthy snacks and more!
Advanced registration is required. Call (618)257-5649 to make your reservation.

  

 

Zumbathon®

Sunday, February 24
2 - 4 p.m.

Belleville Health and Sports Center

1001 South 74th Street, Belleville, IL

Get a taste of the newest exercise craze and get your heart racing with Zumba.® $10 admission.

 

 

Heart Healthy Conversation

Thursday, February 28
6:30 - 8 p.m.

Memorial Health Education Center

706 East Highway 50, O'Fallon, IL

Join Dr. Omar Almousalli, cardiologist on Memorial's Medical Staff, as he discusses general information on what you need to know about heart health and the difference between men and women's hearts. Advanced registration is required and seating is limited. Call (618)257-5649 to make your reservation.

Since 1963, the month of February has been named "American Heart Month" to raise awareness and provide education on cardiovascular diseases. St. Elizabeth's Hospital, a region-leader in health care and a Top 50 Cardiovascular hospital (named by Truven Health Analytics), wants to send the message of heart health to the communities we serve.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. These conditions are also leading causes of disabilities, which prevent people from working and enjoying family activities. However, we can fight back against heart disease.

 

Keeping up with the latest trends and diet plans can be hard at times but once you know which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit, you'll be on your way toward a heart healthy diet. Below are a few tips to keep in mind during American Heart Month:

 

Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol.  Limiting saturated and trans-fats is the most important step you can take to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

 

Choose low-fat protein sources.  Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and egg whites are some of your best sources of protein. Choose lower fat options, such as skim milk rather than whole milk and skinless chicken breasts rather than fried chicken patties. Beans and peas also are good sources of protein.

 

Eat more vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits also contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as cheese and snack foods.

Select whole grains.  Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health. You can increase the amount of whole grains in a heart-healthy diet by making simple substitutions for refined grain products.

 

Reduce the sodium in your food.  Eating a lot of sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Reducing sodium is an important part of a heart-healthy diet.

 

Celebrate February as Heart2Heart Health Awareness month at St. Elizabeth's and mark your calendars for our unique and educational events:

 

FEBRUARY 11 & 12- "RED" FASHION SALE by DILLARD'S  - 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday and 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday in the Millennium Room (340 West Lincoln Street, Belleville). This 'pop-up' department store offers the public to buy items such as apparel, accessories, jewelry, perfume, small appliances, and much more - all in shades of red for heart month.

 

FEBRUARY 14 - DINE WITH YOUR VALENTINE and CPR CLASS - Celebrate love and friendship this Valentine's Day by learning skills that can help save a life. $15 fee per person includes heart healthy dinner, CPR and AED training course. Call 618-234-2120, ext. 1480 to make reservation. CLICK HERE for flyer.

 

For those in health care, the hospital's Clinical Education department also has several American Heart Association courses for BLS, ACLS and PALS. Classes are held in the Education Classroom #1604. Call 234-2120, ext. 1480 for dates and to register. 

The Victorious Missionaries, a group dedicated to the spirituality of persons with disabilities, are sponsoring their annual Winter Retreat, "Our Journey with Jesus," at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, in Belleville, Ill, Friday, February 15, through Sunday, February 17, 2013. The retreat will begin with dinner on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and end with lunch at noon on Sunday. This weekend winter retreat is an opportunity to step aside from your busy life and refresh your spirit.

 

Presenter: Sister Colleen Mary Mallon, OP

 

Each Lent we are called as a community of faith to embrace the way of Jesus, our Messiah, and to open our minds and hearts to His message, His deeds, yes, His very Person! This weekend we will take time to consider both our life journeys and His life journey in order to hear again the gospel invitation, "Come, follow me."

 

Cost for the weekend:

$150 Friday, Saturday & Sunday (includes six meals, two nights

lodging, snacks & handouts)

$115 Commuting

$90 Saturday & Sunday

$65 Saturday only

 

To hold your reservation, a $50 deposit (non-refundable) should be made by Friday, January 25, 2013.

 

The Victorious Missionaries has been a ministry of the Missionary Oblates since its founding in 1964.  To learn more or to register, call 618-394-6281 or from St. Louis, 314-241-3400, Ext. 6281 (both Voice & TTY).

 

A printable registration form is available online at vmusa.org.

 

  

Brass Rail Players Trivia Night

The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will host its fourth annual Trivia Night on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Signal Hill School gym (community center), 40 Signal Place, in Belleville.

 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and questions begin at 7 p.m., with fun categories, attendance prizes, mulligans, and a 50-50 drawing. Our fourth season, beginning the summer of 2013 through spring 2014, will be announced.

 

Entry fee is $10 per person, with up to 8 players per team. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three teams. Soda and bottled water will be for sale, but tables are allowed to bring their own snacks. Alcohol is not permitted.

 

Call Lynn Venhaus at 618-917-8175 or email lynn.venhaus@brassrailplayers.org to reserve a table. If you want to play but need help filling a table, let us know.

 

All proceeds will benefit the Brass Rail Players theatrical endeavors.