All Posts

FSIS Announcement Source: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/star-meat-delivery-inc--recalls-raw-pork-beef-and-goat-products-produced-without WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2026 – Star Meat Delivery Inc., located in Lucama, N.C., is recalling approximately 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef, and goat products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, bearing labels with a false USDA mark of inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspec

You can apply for free emergency furnace repair or replacement through Kankakee County Community Services Inc. by calling 815-933-7883 or visiting them at 657 E Court St, Kankakee, IL. [1, 2] Source: https://ilvalley-edc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2027-LIHEAP-Benefit-Matrix-FINAL-20260616.pdf Where to Get Emergency Furnace Assistance Kankakee County Community Services Inc Address: 657 E Court St, Kankakee, IL 60901 Phone: 815-933-7883 Details: Offers the Low Income Home E

An equinox is the precise time twice a year when the sun shines directly above the earth's equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night. [1, 2] Key Facts About the Fall Equinox When it happens: Twice a year around March 20 (spring) and September 22 (autumn). The 2026 autumn equinox: Arrives on September 22, 2026, at 5:05 p.m. PDT (00:05 UTC on Sept. 23). Meaning of the name: Comes from Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night). Day vs. night length: Days are a

Source: https://illinoisaudubon.org/ Our Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary Certification program is reaching new heights and unique places. In the past few weeks we have certified the gardens at a skyscraper, a five-acre hotel complex, and the parking lot of a 165-year-old bakery. Read their stories below. Overlooking the Chicago River and Riverwalk, 200 South Wacker is a 40-story office tower located in Chicago's West Loop financial district. Quincy Park wraps around the building

A CDC-PHP Perspective on the Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center (2014–2026) Field Museum Educational Investments in Pembroke - Mighty Acorns Program in partnership with Lorenzo R. Smith Sustainability and Technology Academy, Johari Cole hosting "Know Thy Backyard Tour" - Source For more than fourteen years, The Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center has been one of the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke-Hopkins Park's (CDC-PHP) most valued partners.

What an incredible three weeks! 🎉🌿 A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped make our Summer on the Savanna Day Camp and B3 Pollinators Program, July 6 -24th, such an amazing success! 🌿🎉 What an incredible Summer on the Savanna! 🎉🌿 This summer, more than 20 youth traded screens for sunshine as they explored nature, discovered wildlife, built new friendships, and learned through hands-on adventures in the savanna. We were thrilled to welcome campers from near and far—inclu

Farmer John Thurman and family featured in the Daily Journal, October 2025. Source: Shaw Media Farmers, Builders, Community Leaders, and Keepers of the Land “I wore out all four of these corners on the 4-Way. It’s what I do, who I am.” — John Thurman John Thurman was born in Pembroke Township, but in 1977 his family moved back to Mississippi, where his father was born and raised. Seventeen years later, John returned to Pembroke—bringing with him a deep connection to the commu

Rosemary Foster Rosemary Foster has been serving as our Kankakee County Board representative for Pembroke and Sun River Terrace for past 6 years. As Kankakee County Board member, she works on the Executive and Financial Committees. Her connections with key community leaders introduced her to the world of politics. While attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the oldest church in Pembroke where most everyone went back then, she met Ms. Hayes, one of our community’s pillars. M

Kim Roman - IL Nature Preserves Commission, Soledad Maristany - Field Museum and friend Maria To Our Friends of Pembroke, we extend a huge thank you for your support, What began with a vision and a dedicated group of community advocates has grown into a catalyst for community-led change. Since its founding in 2018, the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke-Hopkins Park (CDC-PHP) has worked alongside residents, nonprofits, and government partners to strengthen Pembroke

Robert Thurman Robert was brought up in Pembroke where his birthright lies. He is the youngest of 11 children born to Roy Thurman a native of Pembroke since 1906. His father, Roy, was in construction and left a historical legacy in buildings that he constructed like the old St. Clair Gas Station in Pembroke, IL and the old Purina Dog Chow building in Kankakee, IL among other historic sites. He was nearly 100 years old before he passed. Roy maintained two family farms, one dow

BASU and Pam met in 1989 in Pembroke and later married and have eight children. They chose to live in Pembroke for similar reasons.

Aaron Woodard at the 2025 Gala Celebration held at Lorenzo R. Smith School. Photo by Louise Campbell-Anthony Aaron, age 24 - “I believe the reason I was hired to the line and selected to go to China is that I told them I had taken 4 years of Spanish. That I was diligent at practicing my Spanish when I was at DePaul and with the CDC. While with the CDC, I practiced it to bridge the gap with our Latino community. I also told them I’m trying to learn Chinese. ” Aaron came to Hop

Source: By Pat Leonard, June 12, 2017 - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-beauty-and-biology-of-egg-color/ From the Summer 2017 issue of Living Bird magazine. Subscribe now . Fish do it. Frogs do it. Even insects lay eggs with color. But birds do it best. Only birds produce eggs in such a wide range of eye-pleasing shades and intricate patterns on the hard surface of their eggs. Like gems in a jeweler’s window, they vary in base color, how shiny they are, and whether t

Gloria Hamilton, mentor for C.R.A.F.T. “I have worked with Center for Re-Creation and Family Training (C.R.A.F.T) for over 25 years. I am a board member and a staff member. I mentor junior high school students (6th - 8th grade) at Lorenzo R. Smith School. I encourage students in life skills, self-esteem and character education. C.R.A.F.T has been instrumental in helping me achieve my long-term goal of empowering local youth to reach their full potential and help them strive

PHP, if you see dead whole trees or trees with rolled, twisted, or cupped leaves [see picture], it may be caused by chemical or herbicide drift. Over 70% of PHP is farmed by large commercial Ag producers with little local regulations and oversight. Unfortunately, the heavy reliance on toxic pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers affects PHP residents, wildlife, and the landscapes at multiple levels. Drifts can spread in a 1-mile radius . Herbicide-impacted trees.

e-Bird App and form for PHP to get ready for bird migration in April- May. Please, take the Bird Migration Survey Click link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaq3qLlLpzSCNgoB9_TLQ_dwZ9zDBdWCfnlLDTQQPhd-tc2g/viewform?usp=send_form

We are in a serious housing and affordability crisis. Before we can find solutions, we must first understand the problem. The following information can bring light to reality. Out of Reach Housing Stats for IL Source: https://nlihc.org/oor/state/il Click on the link and see the document below to learn more: https://nlihc.org/oor/state/il

Register TODAY! https://forms.gle/Rd84ozK4putSHHGEA The tournament is published in the Illinois Chess Association and nationally via the United States Chess Federation email system. The OKAN Chess Tournament will be on March 28th, 10 AM - 2 PM at: 4 Rounds Swiss G/15;d5. Awards will be Trophies 1st - 5th Place. Get Ready with Wednesday Night Chess!

The PHP Farmers Conference on March 7th was well-attended and full of conversation! Thanks to Marty Travis of Down at the Farm, an aggregated wholesale marketplace. Also, a big thanks to Wand Larry xxx for sharing an international market opportunity in China that is coming up in May! Please see the links to the contracts and information for both if interested. Produce Safety Alliance [PSA] and ServSafe Training took place Feb. 8th and Feb 21st with the University of IL and

Data Centers: Environmental and Community Impacts and the Path Ahead March 5, 2026 | 7:00 pm | On Zoom Register Here: Link Suddenly, data centers are a hot issue all over Michigan. Twenty new data centers proposals are being pushed in our state by big and wealthy tech interests, at least half of which are huge hyperscale centers. Communities are wary and people are protesting. How will new centers affect electricity demand and rates, water usage and water rates, and clea