Food service workers can strengthen their food safety credentials through a certified workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension. Participants must attend both sessions to qualify for the exam. Fees include materials, testing, and lunch.
CHAMPAIGN - Whether you run a kitchen, prep the line, or manage food service staff, staying current on food safety rules is no longer optional — and a February workshop in Champaign aims to make it manageable.
Food service workers looking to strengthen their kitchen safety credentials will have an opportunity this February as University of Illinois Extension offers a Certified Food Protection Manager Course in Champaign.
Photo: Peter Muniz/Unsplash
Students will learn safe food handling practices, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and cover food safety in order to pass a certification course.
The two-part training will be held at the Champaign County Farm Bureau auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, and is open to adults and youth ages 15 and older. The course is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and meets the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Food Service Sanitation Code requirements.
Participants will receive instruction aligned with the FDA Food Code, covering food safety and contamination, employee health and hygiene, safe food handling practices, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, commonly known as HACCP.
The workshop is structured over two days, and participants must attend both sessions to be eligible to take the certification exam. Classes are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided during the Saturday session.
The registration fee is $100 for adults and $60 for youth, which covers educational materials, the certification exam, and lunch. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
To register or learn more, visit go.illinois.edu/CFPM-CC.
Those needing reasonable accommodations to participate may contact Rachel Mannen at rmannen@illinois.edu
or Mynda Tracy at mynda@illinois.edu.
TAGS: Certified Food Protection Manager Champaign, food safety training Illinois Extension, Champaign County food sanitation course, HACCP training Champaign Illinois, Illinois food service certification workshop
A free Tai Chi for Arthritis series begins Jan. 14 in Savoy, offering residents a proven way to improve balance, reduce pain and boost mobility.
SAVOY - There’s a moment in life when many of us realize our bodies aren’t bouncing back the way they used to. Maybe it’s a stumble on the front step, a stiff knee that wasn’t there last year or the kind of stress that lingers long after the day is done. For a growing number of adults, the answer to those creeping reminders of age isn’t found in a gym or a pill bottle - it’s in the slow, deliberate movements of tai chi.
You may want to carve out time this winter for a special tai chi series built specifically for arthritis relief and fall prevention.
Vlada Karpovich/PEXELS
One of the most profound benefit to practicing Tai Chi is perhaps the simplest: preventing falls. There are a number of other positive benefits like enhanced strength and mobility, a boost in cardiovascular health, and reduction in stress and anxiety that make learning simple Tai Chi movements more than worthwhile.
The University of Illinois Extension office is inviting members of the community to “experience a gentle, yet powerful way to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance while reducing pain and fall risk.” The upcoming program is based on Tai Chi for Arthritis, developed by Dr. Paul Lam and recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an evidence-based and effective approach.
Family Life Educator Emily Harmon and Nutrition and Wellness Educator Rachel Mannen will lead the weekly sessions, which are tailored to help participants “boost mobility, ease discomfort, and support lifelong wellness.” No matter one’s experience level, it’s never to late to start practicing Tai Chi.
Classes will meet Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Windsor Court room at the Windsor of Savoy, 401 Burwash Ave., beginning Jan. 14 and running through April 29, 2026. Dates include Jan. 14, 21 and 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25; March 4, 11, 18 and 25; and April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
Space is limited, and because each session builds on the previous one, organizers encourage participants to attend consistently to get the full benefits of the series. Although the program is free, registration is required. Community members can sign up at go.illinois.edu/taichisavoy or call 217-333-9260.
tai chi classes for older adults in Savoy, evidence-based fall prevention tai chi program, Tai Chi for Arthritis course Illinois, gentle mobility classes for seniors Champaign County, winter wellness programs for aging adults
The University of Illinois Extension will host a Double Feature in Savoy focused on health and harmony. Vanessa Jones leads a session on smart eating habits for aging well, while Emily Harmon offers advice for handling family heirlooms without hard feelings. The event is free and open to all.
Photo: Suzy Hazelwood/PEXELS
SAVOY - Let’s face it, the golden years aren’t so golden if you’re too tired to enjoy them. Between morning walks, grandkid playdates, and the occasional round of golf or competitive bingo, keeping your energy up takes more than a steady diet of coffee and willpower. Good nutrition can make the difference between napping through the afternoon and seizing the day with enthusiasm, whether that means tackling yard work, volunteering, or finally taking that ballroom dance class you’ve been talking about.
To help make healthy living easier and more enjoyable, the University of Illinois Extension will host a “Double Feature” wellness program Thursday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Savoy Room at The Windsor of Savoy, 401 Burwash Ave.
The event begins at 1 p.m. with Eating Well as You Age, led by Vanessa Jones, Extension Program Coordinator. Jones will share simple, practical strategies for staying fit and nourished through smart food choices that promote energy and long-term health.
After a short break, Emily Harmon, Family Life Educator, will present Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? at 2 p.m. The second session helps families navigate decisions about meaningful heirlooms and keepsakes with fairness, understanding, and open communication to keep relationships strong.
Participants can attend one or both sessions of this free event. Registration is encouraged for anyone ready to make the most of their golden years with a healthy plate and a happy heart.
For details or to register, visit the University of Illinois Extension website.
For those who may need reasonable accommodations to participate, you can contact Emily Harmon at ebaine@illinois.edu.
TAGS: healthy aging tips for seniors, nutrition for older adults, staying energized in retirement, family heirloom planning, managing family conflict, University of Illinois Extension events, free senior wellness programs, eating well as you age, healthy lifestyle for retirees, Savoy Illinois community events
Individual standouts powered Unity’s run through the tournament. Hunter Shike and Chason Daley both finished 6-0, recording multiple...
On This Day
Discover the headlines published on each of these days from our news and sports coverage from Champaign‑Urbana and the wider community. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
