The West Peoria annual town meeting, as mandated by the federal government for townships to inform citizens of events of the past year, will be 7:30 p.m. April 9 in the township building, 2516 W Rohmann Ave. West Peoria’s Annual…
Columns
Views & Perspectives | America’s infrastructure is falling apart
by Ray LaHood • • 0 Comments
The following remarks were delivered by me at the House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Feb. 7: We are two decades into the 21st century, and America’s infrastructure is falling apart, and our nation’s economic competitiveness is falling behind.…
Straight Talk | First woman hospital CEO to retire
by Roger Monroe • • 1 Comment
To some, she came out of nowhere. To those who knew her, she was destined for leadership. Debbie Simon started her career in health as a floor nurse at Methodist Medical Center in 1976. Over the years she advanced in…
Bill Knight | “Centrism” is an ideology, too
by Bill Knight • • 1 Comment
Cautious or incremental approaches can be sensible. If you aspire to play with the Heartland Festival Orchestra, it’s pragmatic to practice well before approaching conductor David Commanday; if you dream of running in June’s Steamboat Classic, gradually getting in shape…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Goals of life
by Dr. Mandar Pattekar • • 8 Comments
In Sanskrit, the ancient language of the Hindus, there is a term called Simhavalokan – Lion’s gaze. When a lion is walking, after covering a distance, he will pause and turn back, as if contemplating where he came from, and…
Serendipity | Cleaning for company
by Sandra Dempsey Post • • 0 Comments
When my three children were growing up, and old enough to understand some workings within a household, if they saw me dusting or vacuuming, they usually asked, “Are the ladies coming over?” They were non-specific about which ladies, and their…
Real Talk | They steal our Rhythm, but not our Blues
by Sherry Cannon • • 0 Comments
Blackface legacy is one of white supremacy and exploitation of Black identity. Historian Dale Cockrell attributed the fascination for blackface to the psyche of poor working-class white people, who felt marginalized both economically and socially and didn’t feel included in…
Nature Rambles | Vital lands in the Prairie State
by Mike Miller • • 0 Comments
I recently had the opportunity to take part in an annual workshop called the Vital Lands Illinois Summit. This is a gathering of Illinois Land Trusts, conservation organizations, and agencies that are all playing roles in the preservation and stewardship…
Inland Art | Inland Update
by Paul Krainak • • 0 Comments
The Community Word is framed by a 1960s style of liberalism –– a sanguine perspective where so-called average and so-called fortunate people have a stake in reciprocal social outcomes. In 2017, I began contributing to the paper’s composite demographic ––…
Art: What is it Good For? | Arts help heal
by Doug and Eileen Leunig • • 0 Comments
Stress is a killer. It’s not always obvious how it makes us sick, but more and more the healthcare industry is recognizing how stress and accompanying anxiety can literally make us sick. The American Psychological Association reports a link between…