NewsSaturday, October 13, 2007 9:46 PM CDT

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Youth center enjoys success in Streator

By Greg Stanmar
and Tony Sapochetti
gregstanmar@insightbb.com
tsapochetti@pantagraph.com

STREATOR — A dream that Jim Cashmer had of giving kids a place go, much like he had as a youth, has come true for more than a year.

Total Rec on North Bloomington Street has been successful enough that it now hosts band concerts as well as arcade games, five pool tables, air hockey and a jukebox that bring in nearly 100 young people every Friday and Saturday. It has partnered with Safe Havens Inc., another Streator nonprofit group, to put three local bands on stage every month.

The next concert will be Nov. 10. Admission shoots up from $1 to $5 on those nights, though patrons don’t seem to mind, Cashmer said.

“They just want a place to go instead of hanging around a parking lot,” he said. “I can understand that since (a youth center) is where I and my future wife (Kelly) would go.”

His meeting place has long since disappeared as well as other, more recent endeavors. Cashmer said he hopes this will be a center that will stick around for a while.

The idea of a youth center began with Cashmer and Will Price talking about the need for one, “and so we decided not to just talk about it, but do something,” Cashmer said.

The pair are expecting their nonprofit status to be confirmed by the state shortly, after which they will be able to apply for grants. For now, the money brought in from admissions and the snack bar helps keep the center open.

New title — St. Anthony Grade School in Streator took home the state baseball championship in Class 1A play for the Illinois Elementary School Association.

Only six months ago the school took top honors in state academic competition.

Wal-Mart approval — The Streator Plan Commission has approved the application for a Wal-Mart retail store on the north side after minor modifications were made. Ground breaking will be next spring, with completion expected a year from then.

The commission also approved a 125-car parking lot at the high school, although there were objections about safety and blowing garbage. The objectors were told to present their case to the city council when it meets Wednesday to finalize recommendations.

Disaster aid — Community outreach workers for the Federal Emergency Management Agency are contacting residents affected by the late August flooding. FEMA aid is available by calling (800) 621-33622.

Trick or Treat — Livingston Manor, 14335 U.S. 66 in Pontiac, will host trick-or-treaters from 4 to 6 p.m. on Halloween. Residents and staff will lead games and provide treats.

Support packages — The Livingston County Farm Bureau, Bank of Pontiac and Pontiac First United Methodist Church are teaming up to collect phone cards and other items to send to troops overseas.

Contributions can be mailed to: Phone Cards for Troops, c/o Livingston County Farm Bureau, 901 W. Howard St., P.O. Box 410, Pontiac, IL 61764. Checks should be made out to “Phone Cards for Troops.”

Contributions need to be received by Nov. 5 for the Thanksgiving holiday and Nov. 20 for Christmas.

Conference — The Going, Giving and Getting the Extra Mile Conference was held Friday at the Pontiac Bible Church, 1611 W. Reynolds St. The conference focused on young children from birth to age 6 who may have special needs.

Speaker Lilian Katz, professor emeritus of early childhood education and parenting at the University of Illinois, was at the conference to focus on providing quality care and education for young children.

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