SHARON MCBRIDE

A greeting from the West Peoria Beautification committee: “Garland and lights have been hung on the Welcome Wall, Township and City Hall with care knowing that the holiday season would soon be here. Snowmen are keeping a watchful look out knowing that Santa and reindeer will soon be about.” The West Peoria Residents’ Association will kick off the holiday season with Breakfast with Santa 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Franciscan Recreation Complex. Get your picture taken with Santa and have a breakfast of donuts, pastries, waffles, hot chocolate, juice and coffee. Activities will be available and fun for all ages. The event is co-sponsored by the WPRA and the Franciscan Recreation Complex. No charge but donations merrily accepted.

CityLink’s Stuff-a-Bus campaign will be collecting donations in City Hall until Dec. 3. Please get non-perishable food items to the many in our broader community who are in need of help this season. The donations are given to Friendship House to feed many families each week. Food help is an ever increasing problem in the Peoria area and the Stuff-a-Bus donations do much to help with that huge need. The total amount donated will be announced Dec. 4. Eleven tons is the goal for this year.

Guest speaker Lt. James Middlemas will talk about holiday safety at the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 12 in City Hall. There will be no Resident’s Association meeting in December with the next meeting scheduled for Jan. 17. The Resident’s Association recently awarded the Beauty Award for the Most Improved Residence to Brian Stear, 2111 W. Heading Ave.

West Peoria’s Transportation Committee is chaired by Jamie Silver, Alderman 4th ward. Members are Hazel Thomas and Jeff Goranson. The committee meets at 5:30 p.m. every third Wednesday in City Hall. They are joined by Henry Strube from the street department and Alicia Hermann of Hermann & Associates. Residents are encouraged to attend with questions and concerns they have. The committee also discusses water drainage control and large improvement projects. You are reminded not to push snow into the streets because that hinders street snow removal. Pile snow in your yard.

Landscape waste pick-up ends the last Friday in December. “As the Page Turns” Book Club will meet on Dec. 17 to discuss “Snow Falling on Cedars” by David Guterson.

Farewell to Joe’s Barber Shop which is closing permanently. It has been a part of West Peoria for two generations of barbers and a few generations of customers with several traditions enjoyed by both groups. Wish Diane and Cindy well with good health and enjoyment. They will be missed.

Have a good holiday season. I wish you a healthy, prosperous and less contentious 2019. Remember that we live in a community that serves us well.