Winners of trophies in the 43rd Annual 4th of July parade are: Henry Strube as grand marshal for his dedicated role in the job of street department manager. Henry works many extra hours whenever needed or emergency circumstances arrive. Best Service Organization: Peoria Area Military Vehicles; Best Youth Group: Peoria Park District Explosion Cheer and Dance Team; Most Patriotic: Best Buds Garden Center; Best in Show: Greater Peoria Honor Guard. The parade route was lined several deep in many areas with fans of the event. Thanks for all the hard work and organization that the Lions Club and others extended to make this once again a remarkable event.

The third annual Calvin Coolidge Mothers Club reunion will be held at Sky Harbor on Monday, August 26th at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required by August 15th. Please contact Mary Hamm at 697-4118, Guydeen Roos at 258-1258, Diane Craps at 633-0669, Alice Nash at 674-4308 or e-mail Alice at amnash2415@att.net. This is a fun event that allows those who attend to catch up with and see women that they haven’t maybe seen in a long time.

The West Peoria Beautification Committee is again sponsoring the West Peoria Beautiful Award that is presented for improvement of an individual residential property. Residents are encouraged to check around their neighborhoods for nominees. Nomination forms can be picked up and then returned to West Peoria City Hall and must be submitted by August 31st. Awards will be presented at the September 19th West Peoria Residents’ Association meeting.

There was a fun event on Sunday, July 14th at the SideTracked concert at Franciscan Park. It was a great mix of soul, pop and cool jazz. Peoria Pops “We Make Music FUN” orchestra’s swing band is Sunday, August 11th in Franciscan Park from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and non-alcoholic beverages and experience a very enjoyable afternoon. The Concert in the Park events are sponsored by the West Peoria Residents’ Association.

The August 14th Neighborhood Watch Meeting will work on the up-coming Night Out Against Crime event scheduled for September. Deputy Joe Vissering, Peoria County Sheriff’s Department will provide an update on criminal activity in the area.

Thanks are extended to all the volunteers who helped with the dead heading and digging weeds in the community’s flower plantings. The spring rains were very well appreciated as the flowers and Mugo pines that were planted are growing well. (so are the weeds) Help with weeding work is needed and appreciated as it is an ongoing job. If you see some work that needs done, just stop and spend a few minutes cleaning the areas.

Courtyard Estates in celebrating its second anniversary as a member of the West Peoria community. They have been an asset for many area seniors and their families and offer events for the West Peoria community to enjoy with them.

If you wish to report a code violation or to register a complaint, please contact Code Enforcement Officer, Bill O’Neill at 674-1993 or 370-1142 during business hours of Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Hours on Tuesday are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

August is the start of the school year and brings with it more students out and about at different times requiring us all to pay more attention keeping them and us both safer and more comfortable with ourselves and community.