One week before Christmas, President Barack Obama announced plans to end the U.S. embargo of Cuba. The embargo had imposed hardship on ordinary Cubans without forcing Fidel Castro out of office. But reaction to lifting the embargo has ranged from…
Ten new short stories by Illinois, Midwestern and other writers are featured in the 2014 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria’s only literary magazine for fiction. Downstate Story is now being published only on the Web at www.downstatestory.com. Writers in the…
Peoria County is looking for ways to further decrease waste, encourage recycling and promote composting of yard waste. The county has been working with a Michigan-based consultant and plans to schedule three public hearings in upcoming weeks to present the…
By Kevin O’Brien, Ph.D. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) or “Obamacare” has been mired in controversy since the law was first proposed in 2008. It took two years of legislative drama before the 1,000-page bill was passed by Congress and…
by Imam Kamil Mufti Kamil Mufti is resident scholar and imam at the Islamic Foundation of Peoria where he has served for the past six years. His interests (or passions) include expanding understanding of Islam and developing interfaith harmony. His…
There are many ways for residents to work toward better neighborhoods, and the City of Peoria is encouraging two actions: organization and engagement. To be recognized as a neighborhood association by the City, organize thusly, according to Neighborhood Development Specialist…
MUSIC Dec. 3: Peoria Lunaire – New Music Ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Bradley University’s Dingeldine Music Center. 677-2650. Dec. 4: Central Illinois Youth Symphony. 7 p.m. Life Together Center. 685-5258. Dec. 4: Collegium Musicum. 7:30 p.m. Bradley University’s Dingeldine Music Center.…
By Doug Day Three dramas were performed locally in November. I met with Charles Brown at the Broken Tree Cafe on Main Street to learn about his experience being a guest artist for Bradley in the student directed production of…
By Doug and Eileen Leunig Most of us don’t. We take water for granted. Sure, drought in California, Colorado River drying up, headline-news thinking is everywhere and nonstop. But what do we really know about water? It is…
