Columns

Bricks & Mortar

For 104 years, the John C. Proctor Recreation Center, 209 S. Dusable St., has acted as a community centerpiece for Peoria’s Southside. Built in the Classical Revival style, the building is set off with twin limestone staircases that rise up…

Arts Beat

Music April 1: Kansas, with the “Leftoverture 40th Anniversary Tour.” 8 p.m. Peoria Civic Center Theater. 673-3200. April 1: Larry Keel Experience, with Still Shine. 10 p.m. Kenny’s West Side Pub. 676-1693. April 1: Bradley Trumpet Day guest artist concert…

LaHood

Cat C-suite leadership leaves; Community leadership must join forces to move Central Illinois to a new level  “A kick in the gut.” “The rug has been pulled out from under us.” “A betrayal by Cat of the community.” These quotes…

Monroe

Bob Michel was a hero  Bob Michel is gone. At the age of 93, the Peoria native slipped from this world to the next leaving a history of accomplishments and service unmatched by anyone from this city or this state.…

A warm day in February Today as I write it is 71 degrees in Peoria. I cannot remember any time in my life when it was this warm in February in Illinois. People are sitting in cafes drinking their coffee…

Nature Rambles

Spring cleaning Who would have thought that we would be seeing February days with sustained 60+ degree temperatures! While spring seems to want to make an early start, I have a feeling that we will still see more of old-man…

Serendipity

Even with limited technology skills, I often use and greatly appreciate the wonders of Google. Entering only part of a quote I remembered, Google responded instantly with missing words and the author’s name. Amazing! That technological capability alone is worth…

West Peoria News

Upcoming City Council meetings:  7 p.m. March 14 and 28 in City Hall. The following names will appear on the April 4 consolidated general election ballot for the position of alderman: Ward 1, Leroy Dohm Jr.; Ward 2, Jerry Meismer;…

Bricks & Mortar

Peoria City Hall total cost with furnishings in 1899: $271,500 Public buildings are by their intrinsic nature a reflection of the community that they serve and the time in which they are built. So it is with Peoria City Hall,…