Columns

The popularity of “Sesame Street” isn’t debatable. Still, when Bradley University’s former debate coach writes about the long-running program, one might expect persuasion, syllogistic reasoning, and rhetoric. Instead, Gary Dreibelbis in the new “Gospel According to Sesame Street” focuses on…

170 Years of Service: Ward Chapel AME Church The African Methodist Episcopal Church grew out of the Free African Society, an organization started by Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, and others in Philadelphia in 1787. The Free African Society formed after…

Sulphur Butterflies Along the sandy roads in Mason County grows the Partridge Pea. A member of the bean family, its feather-like leaves are familiar to many. The leaves of Partridge Pea have the interesting habit of folding up in the…

Heroes are somewhat in short supply these days, say many disappointed and disillusioned folks. Perhaps, although various tragedies have included heroes who helped soften the intensities of loss and devastation. Heroic deeds are often accomplished by unlikely individuals, leaving onlookers…

The 16th West Peoria Annual Night Out Against Crime was well attended. Judge Jodi Hoos spoke to the crowd and emphasized that when neighbors work together and report crime, crimes go down making your neighborhood safer. Live music, exciting vehicles,…

Martin vs. Malcolm Theoretical Perspectives on Why Black Lives Stopped Mattering In America We can all agree that when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, the American people were delusional with the idea that race relations in America…

Deric Kimler has been busy. He directed the very successful production of “Rent” for Peoria Players this past spring and then he played Huey Calhoun, the male lead, in Cornstock’s recent wonderful production of “Memphis.” He is as good a performer…

ARTS BEAT

MUSIC Oct. 1: Cousin Eddie. 8 p.m. Rhythm Kitchen. 676-9668. Oct. 1: Skillet, with Thousand Foot Krutch and Devour the Day. 8 p.m.  Limelight Eventplex. 693-1234. Oct. 2: Sarah McQuaid playing “Music in the McKenzie” 2 p.m. Peoria Public Library…

Through the African American Lens A group of black Civil War veterans had an idea in 1915 and now just over 100 years later, Americans are witnessing it come to life as “A place that transcends the boundaries of race…

Maximum Greed —  The EpiPen This is the amazing success story of Heather Bresch, daughter of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. Bresch become a pharmaceutical CEO, quadrupled the price of her company’s lifesaving EpiPen and was then able to increase her…