The Community Word

The City of West Peoria is having a “Community Night” with the Peoria Rivermen Hockey team at the Peoria Civic Center Sunday, March 9. There is a “Fun on the Run Family Fun” event from 2:00 -3:00 p.m. Enjoy $1 Hotdogs, $1 Cokes and $1 Chips. Also, there will be Fun-on-the-Run inflatables along with The Unique Twist balloon animals and face painting by the Zoo Lady. Come watch our West Peoria mayor, Jim Dillon, drop the puck to start the game. The official start time for the game is 3:00 p.m. There is also a post game skate with the Rivermen, you can bring your skates and skate with Rivermen players for 30 minutes after the game. Admission is only $1 for kids 12 & under. Tickets at the Peoria Civic Center box office are $18 for lower bowl and $13 for upper bowl.

The West Peoria Easter Egg Hunt for West Peoria children will be held on Sunday, March 16th at Woodridge Professional Building on Heading Avenue. The Hunt is for children up to eight year old. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. and the hunt starts promptly at 2:00 p.m. Special prize baskets will be awarded in the three age groups of egg hunters.

Now at Franciscan Recreation Complex: Winter Walkers! Come walk in a heated gym this month. Walkers are welcome Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. This is a free service!

The West Peoria Lions Club is sponsoring a Free Hearing Screening on Tuesday, March 11th from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Haddad’s. They will also be giving information and sugar free candy on March 22nd at Haddad’s for the American Diabetes Association. The Club continues to sell 100% soy candles. If interested, call Carolyn at 208-3815. The Club meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. For more information, contact Lion Linda at 673-6409.

Troop 11 News: The United Disciples Christian Church will soon be seeing some changes as Ryan Murphy gears up for his Eagle Scout Project. His plans include some repairs and painting. The troop is looking forward to helping him complete the project and obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouting was on the move the last two months. Troop 11 went to Ingersol Scout Reservation for an over night campout with sledding and ice fishing in January and in February snow skiing at Snow Star Ski Resort in Andalusia, IL. March is shaping up to be busy also! Trash bag sales are starting, with deliveries expected to be around the first of April. If you have not heard from a scout by mid March call Scoutmaster Bob DeSutter at 674-6668, he will notify a scout to contact you or you can place your order with him. The Scouts rely on these sales to help pay for their summer camp. The cost is $14.00 for a roll of 100 bags. Second year WEBLOS will be crossing over into Boy Scouts in March, growing again and looking forward to great things happening.

The West Peoria City Council recently approved a new ordinance defining and restricting garages sales. Garage sales shall not be conducted more than one time or for more than three consecutive days each calendar quarter. In no event shall a garage sale be conducted either before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on any one day of sale. Residents are advised that all public works projects are almost impossible to reschedule and will proceed as planned, regardless of garage sales. It is recommended that residents check with City Hall about planned public works before scheduling a garage sale. All garage sale advertising shall have the date, time and address of any such sale included thereon. All signs advertising any garage sale shall be removed within 24 hours after the conclusion of the sale. To view the entire ordinance, visit: http://www.cityofwestpeoria.com/new_ordinances.asp. Please contact West Peoria City Hall with any questions at 674-1993.

In the case of snow storms, the snow removal policy is CURB-TO-CURB PLOWING, as there is a need to clear streets so that Fire & Rescue vehicles can travel safely, and for the availability of on-street parking. Priorities are to ensure that Swords hill and the main thoroughfares in the community are cleared for emergency vehicles. All streets in West Peoria are designated emergency snow routes during a snow storm, although the main thoroughfares are: Heading, Rohmann, Ayres, Callender, and Waverly Avenues. As these main thoroughfares are cleared, the City focuses attention to clearing secondary routes and side streets. When a snow fall is imminent, you can help the City by parking your vehicles in your garage or driveway, and by shoveling the sidewalks in front of your residence. Also, please assist us by shoveling out fire hydrants wherever you may see them. Thanks again and please drive safely this winter season.

The City of West Peoria has an interest in pursuing a beautiful, clean and safe community. They continually strive to make West Peoria a better place to live and hope this goal is shared by all community members. They have implemented a program to improve the quality of life for residents by focusing on one target area at a time. The city code enforcement officer, community police officer and animal control specialist will be inspecting your neighborhood in the future. This team will survey the neighborhood, provide resources, will issue violations if they deem necessary and will be available to answer any questions. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact West Peoria City Hall at 674-1993.

The Jamboree Race is back and we want YOU! In order to give the race a running start, volunteers are needed to help coordinate and organize the event. If you would like to be a part of this year’s success, please contact Krystiana Bronny at 674-1993. The committee has already met and there is great need for help from the community. Assistance is needed the day of the Jamboree, June 7, 2008 and before. Respond if you are able to help get this fun West Peoria event back on track.

A bit of West Peoria information for you about CityLink routes: the #5 Main bus travels 216 miles in West Peoria only during its weekly runs. The #11 Western bus travels 53 miles in West Peoria only during its weekly runs making the weekly total 269 miles and allowing the community many opportunities to ride with CityLink.

The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8th at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall. This annual township meeting is mandated by the State for a specific time and date. It offers the opportunity for citizens to come and have a voice in their local government.

Government Day, a program for local students to visit both township and city government, is scheduled for Friday, April 11th. This is an opportunity for the students involved to have a “hands-on” opportunity to learn how their local governments operate.

2008 dues remain $10/individual and $18/families for the West Peoria Garden Club. If you are interested in joining please mail a check to Pat Sharp, 609 N Swords Ave, West Peoria, IL 61604. Plans for 2008 include building containers, learning about raised bed gardening and touring local gardens.

Clean-Up Day for West Peoria residents will be Saturday, April 26th. This is for West Peoria residents ONLY. Volunteers are needed. Any questions or to volunteer, contact Bob DeSutter, 674-0462.

Is anyone else ready to see one of our change of seasons? Let’s all think S-P-R-I-N-G.

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