SHARON MCBRIDE
Neighborhood Watch will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 in City Hall. Speaker to be announced. Begin 2019 with participation in your community. Plan on attending and bring a neighbor or friend with you. The Residents’ Association will meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 in City Hall. This meeting is open to the public.
The first City Council meeting of 2019 is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. Other city committee meetings are shown on the City website: cityofwestpeoria.org. Meeting times are routinely shown on the site.
Remember that during snow storms of 2 inches or more, no parking is allowed on West Peoria streets on that calendar day. Warning tickets have been issued during our early snow storms and tickets will be issued if the requirement is not followed.
The evening of Dec. 11, West Peorians were treated once again to caroling within our community. Our Cub Scouts and families toured the streets riding on a Christmas float and welcomed all and the season with a touch of holiday cheer. They have done this for several years, and it is fun when seeing the flashing lights from the fire truck, go outside for a brief time to hear and see them. They certainly start off the season with a spirit of community that allows us to enjoy again that the living is best to the west of Peoria.
A West Peoria legend/institution will soon disappear. Joe’s Barber Shop is scheduled to close Jan. 19, exactly 56 years after it was opened by Joe Baumgartner. It has served as a social center where much was exchanged among the clients and ‘drop-in’ visitors. Many young men had first hair cuts there and enjoyed this as a passage rite. I wish both Diane and Cindy, the current owners, the best in their retirement.