Columns

In 2008, I founded the Inland Visual Studies Center at Bradley University. The Center’s mission draws attention to the significance of Illinois and the Midwest as a critical hub of American art that has been under-identified in the broader art…

Arts Beat

MUSIC Jan. 6: “Jazz Night in the Broadway Lounge,” with the Boss Trio. 8 p.m. The Waterhouse. 494-9100. Jan. 6: Dexter O’Neal & Funk Yard “Live at the Five Spot.” 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Art Center. 674-6877. Jan. 6: Three and…

Labor Roundup

Hoffa beats Zuckerman in tight Teamsters race. With a late surge of votes from the West and Canada last month, Teamsters President Jim Hoffa overtook challenger Fred Zuckerman and narrowly won re-election. After ballots were counted from the East, South…

Natural Diabetes Cure on the Internet?  Eight Questions to Ask A pill that cures diabetes would be wonderful. An Internet search for natural diabetes cures found 38 different items that were promoted including: corn silk, fenugreek, ginseng and mango leaves.…

Monroe

Exclusive PARK DISTRICT ENDS MARKETING The marketing department and all of its employees at the Peoria Park District are gone. It was done with one swipe of the management dismissal brush. That includes the head of the department, we’re told,…

Nutty nattering about a “War on Christmas” should emerge anytime, the argument that everyday greetings such as “Happy holidays!” somehow diminish Christmas (implying it’s acceptable to ignore December’s holidays of Hanukkah (Judaism), Mawlid (Islam), Omisoka (Japanese New Year’s Eve), Kwanzaa…

Meetings of local governments tend to be less than exciting affairs. I have frequented a few in my years, and I remember when I used to be one of the youngest ones in the audience. Now, I’m one of the…

Every late October we bring two very large hibiscus plants inside for the winter.  This year we delayed the process a few weeks thanks to extended warm weather.  Eventually frost is predicted and moving inside necessary to keep plants alive. …