Farewell Letter from the Editor

After much deliberation, soul-searching, planning and researching, I decided the time had come for me to retire and find a new caretaker to carry on with the paper. This August 2014 issue is my last issue. After nearly a year…

As enrollments drop, local colleges and universities are tightening the reigns on spending as the winds of change affect the state’s higher education. The environment for higher education is changing. And it’s taking its toll on colleges and universities across…

Job loss and poverty seem to be feared in the United States, maybe with good reason. However, maybe Americans would be wise to also fear the pride that can distort our perspective, and what should be our power. Novelist, Guggenheim…

IGNITEPeoria! — and keep the fire burning

Must local arts and entertainment be another attraction used to promote potential visitors to be valid, to have value? This month’s arts festival IGNITE Peoria! at the Civic Center on Saturday, August 9 seems to be an admirable endeavor: part…

CHANGE 150 PRESIDENT TRANSFERS SONS TO PEORIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Encounter with Superintendent Contributes to Tough Decision, the leader of Peoria’s Change 150 group, known for his strong and frequent criticism of the superintendent and board of School District 150, has…

Last month, a progressive actor equally at ease playing a ne’er-do-well gambler, private eye or astronaut died: James Garner. He was the best among favorite actors – and still lives on old black-and-white western reruns. As he recounted in his…

James Surowiecki wrote a book a few years ago that began with an anecdote about a crowd that guessed the weight of an ox. When their individual guesses were averaged, they were spot on. The title sums it up: “The…

If I were JS reporter Nick Vlahos, I would be royally PISSED at the morons who run the newspaper’s Website. First, go to the front page of the PJStar.com and try to find ANY reporting on last night’s Peoria City…

by Terry Rowe – Peoria, IL The inherent flaws of central planning include a lack of information and the absence of communication with the intended victims. We are observing this scenario play out again as the wheels fall off of…

Aug 3 – German-American Central Society presents the annual Bratfest 2014 at Hickory Grove Park – 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Call 309-691-7484. Live Entertainment, Muscle Car, Hot Rod & Customized Motorcycle Cruis’n, Arts & Craft Village, soccer, folk dancing, Bingo,…

It was complicated. Three hundred pieces cut in the oddest shapes I’d ever seen for a puzzle. Some I swore were edge pieces and for a while was frustrated that they weren’t fitting into the frame with the other edge…

Join a book club at Peoria Public Library this month. New members are always welcome! Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club will meet on Sunday, August 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Lakeview Branch to discuss Windy City Blues by Sara Paretsky.…

Aug 5 – World Travelers – 2pm – 3pm – Grades 3-7. Experience cultures from around the world! Meet people from other countries, taste new food, and try crafts and games. Register by August 1st, Call for more info. Aug…

The creative concepts and innovative business practices that helped build Disney into a $150 billion worldwide enterprise are coming to Peoria. Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center is excited to host the Disney Institute for a magical, one day educational…