By Greg Speck

Have you ever heard of the Riverfront Visitors Center? Sure you have. But, what do you know about it? Well, for starters, it’s located in the oldest commercial building standing in Peoria. It was originally built in 1852 and is the only pre-Civil War commercial structure still standing in Peoria. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1998, the building was moved two blocks hoisted on 16 hydraulic jacks, and was hauled by a 2 ½ ton truck to its present location. Now it’s a one-stop shop for all your Peoria Area information needs – the “go to” place to go for area maps, guides, brochures, merchandise and so much more!

According to one of their brochures, this former Powell Press Building once housed a grocery and dry goods store, church, soda parlor, tire retailer, novelty store, and a printing company with a saloon in back. Curless furthers shares that the building is reportedly haunted due to the sudden death of John Schwab, a well-known saloon keeper on Adams.

The Riverfront Visitors Center is one arm of the Peoria Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, which is a non-profit, member (partner) based organization. Larry Curless, who is the Center’s Manager, explains that typically, the need for tourist information begins at the Riverfront Visitor’s Center. Hotel staff often refers their guests to the Center. Sometimes a visitor may be just passing by, or they may have seen the sign on the expressway leading them there. Sometimes they arrive looking for some other company, or an issue. Whatever the reason for stopping by, they can get a lot of information there!

Curless says that part of his role is “to also deliver information on the number of participants registered for an upcoming event to hotels and motels, within the event’s focus area.” At the time of this interview, he was out delivering information for the upcoming Illinois Music Educational Association, which is the largest group that they have hosted. He was also delivering visitor guides to the eight-county Chamber of Commerce Associations.

He stressed that their volunteers are great “life-long Peorians. “They have a super knowledge of the area and of the resources available.” According to Curless, they are the unofficial tour guides. They pick their own volunteering schedule as hey may have other volunteering roles. The volunteer’s primary role is always to provide the best one-on-one to the visitors who go there for more information.

“We greet the visitors and give them as much information as we can. We do this through our knowledge of the area, our travel brochures of Peoria, and of other counties, as well as brochures on the History of Peoria in seven different languages” says Curless. Area maps are distributed as well. Peoria memorabilia and souvenirs are sold with postcards at the top of the list.

Basically, visitors to Peoria want to know about good places to eat, what is there to do in Peoria, and where is a good play to stay.

The Riverfront Center recently hosted The Yule Walk where 200 visitors attended the event for an evening of story telling, dulcimer songs, info gathering by tourists and of course, refreshments.

Leslie Williams, the Communications and Media Relations Manager of the Peoria Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau explained that she “strives to maintain relationships with members regularly, communicating with travel writers,  media connections, news directors and reporters.” Williams writes the press releases for the various conventions, sporting events, and other attractions. If a staff member or a partner makes the news, notification goes out to Facebook and is posted on their website (www. Peoria.org) as a way of further promotion of the positive activities that are successful.

Williams further explains that funding is one of their biggest challenges. They have previously received Tourism Grants from the State of Illinois. According to Williams, they receive funding in the form of  a percentage of the sales taxes on the number of occupants who stay overnight for an event. They also receive a percentage of the sales taxes on hotel occupancy from other cities in the eight county area. Williams covers/promotes a total of eight counties; however, she’s quick to explain that she promotes Peoria first, as it receives that biggest draw of visitors.

Lelonie Luft is the Partnership Sales Manager. She solicits members, businesses, private organizations including restaurants, and social service organizations, for their partner-based organization, PACVB. This is all within an eight-county area. Luft said that she knows all of their members. These members are promoted through their Peoria Area Visitor’s Guide, or the Annual Partnership Book.

Additionally, Luft says that members receive notification of the coming attractions four times per year. According to Luft, you don’t have to be a member to benefit from being promoted by the PACVB, private or public from a list of attractions, dining information, and entertainment available. Luft further stressed that members are always first, but that she and the other staff will also promote non-member activities, such as one day conferences because it promotes the whole area.

“Sometimes,” says Luft, she “will go to the individual city officials within the eight counties in an effort to promote “groups of people.” This usually occurs after Luft has solicited the individual businesses or organizations and they feel that for whatever reason, that they can’t be a partner. City officials believing that they are acting in the city’s interest, will sometimes pickup the total cost of promoting their activities, businesses and organizations for the good of the whole.

Bob Marx is the President and CEO of the Peoria Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. In a recent Peoria Journal Star article (11/15/2011) Marx said, “We bring in $10 to $12 million a year to this community in tourism dollars, but we need to be more transparent in our activities. We need to do a better job letting the city know what a bureau does.”

Marx explains that he is a coach, mentor and leader to the people who work with him. According to him, the five funded cities that he works with know what the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau can and can’t do. Thirdly, he stated that “there is a need for an annual business plan, whose purpose is to attain goals and objectives.”

Marx point out that “Our return on investment to Peoria is in the millions of dollars spent here on the activities that far outweighs the outlay.”

Back in May of 2011, Marx was quoted in an Inter Business Issues article that “Peoria brought in 141 meetings and conventions of 200 or more in 2009, and 117 in 2010. The Office of Tourism issued an extremely conservative economic impact of those meetings tallied over $6 million spent in our area both in 2009 and 2010 or more than $12 million in incremental revenue from the convention trade.” Marx further pointed out that in 2010, “66 sporting event of all kinds that ‘Played in Peoria.’ It is important for each and every resident in our area to know that the PACVB does not receive any funding for our operations from city/county general fund collections or income. We are entirely funded from taxes paid from hotel occupancy (beds) from visitors when they stay at one of our hotels.”

“For Peoria to be recognized nationally, it needs greater visibility and cities need to continually advertise reasons for coming to Peoria and make it as easy as possible for people to make Peoria a destination.” said Marx.

Just days before Christmas, House Speaker John Boehner announced a Republican decision to accept a short-term extension of the payroll tax cut, preventing roughly 160 million working Americans from having to pay one thousand dollars extra in taxes over the coming year. The tax cut was set to expire December 31^st. The $33 billion package also includes an extension of benefits for millions of long-term unemployed Americans and Medicare payments for doctors also set to expire at the end of the month.

President Barack Obama had personally appealed to Boehner in a phone call, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had addressed a letter to the Speaker requesting him to reconvene the House, which had adjourned for the holidays, and approve the Senate’s short-term extension. Republicans had opted for a one-year extension of the benefits package rather than eluding responsibility to constituents by “kicking the can down the road,” as several members of the GOP have stated. Despite opposition, Boehner continued to assert the GOP as “the party of lower taxes for the American people.”

“We have fought for lower taxes for the 21 years I’ve been in this Congress,” he said. “We’re going to continue to be the party of lower taxes.”

Differences between the parties also encompassed how to fund the programs for the next year, a sticky point which both sides will take up after returning to Washington in late January. Republicans favor offsetting costs by freezing the wages of federal employees; however, Democrats have long sought a tax increase on the wealthiest Americans, those making upwards of one million dollars annually. The party temporarily dropped their plea after it became clear Republicans refused to consent.

A Wall Street Journal editorial accused House Republicans of giving Obama the upper hand in the political arena and advised the party to pass a quick extension of the benefits package in order to “cut its losses.”

Reaching Consensus

Boehner finally reached across the aisle and conceded to the Senate’s demand after the House adjourned the Tuesday before Christmas, caving to mounting opposition from Democrats and some Senate Republicans who had already headed home for the holidays after approving the short-term tax cut legislation. Senate Republican John McCain (R-Ariz.) stated in a tweet that the Wall-Street Journal was “right on the mark” after calling the House strategy a “fiasco.” The agreement came just nine days before the deadline.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested a compromise later adopted by House Republicans that provided for the passage of the two-month extension in exchange for a conference committee appointed by Senate members for the purpose of coming to terms on a longer-term solution. The proposal received support from both the President and the Senate Majority Leader, the former praising Congress’ efforts to “end the partisan stalemate” while also emphasizing the urgency for congressional action to extend the payroll tax relief for the remainder of 2012. The bill was passed by unanimous consent, which did not require all House members to return for a vote.

Before consensus had been reached, Obama, who had delayed his Hawaiian vacation because of the deadlock, chided House Republicans for their unwillingness to compromise on an issue on which “an overwhelming number of people in both parties agree.”  The White House also launched its own campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and whitehouse.gov entitled: What Forty Dollars a Paycheck Means to American Families. Congress’ latest action prevented working Americans from losing $40 from each paycheck beginning January 1^st.

Peorians Weigh In

Central Illinois residents have followed the squabbles in Washington closely over the past few weeks, some expressing anger over Congress’ inability to reach an agreement on a one-year extension while others are grateful a short-term solution has been passed.

“I’ve been unemployed for over a year after my company downsized and over 200 workers lost their pay,” says Martha Yates, a 42-year-old single mother of three. “For me and my kids benefits for two months is better than no benefits. It’s not a job, but it’s something.”

Ray Bachmann, a computer programmer, is thankful for the two-month extension but still says Congress isn’t doing its job. “It would be nice if workers had some certainty about what’s going to happen for the remainder of the year rather than practically living month to month without any knowledge of what’s going to happen next. Congress hasn’t lived up to my expectations. I’m hoping they can put something more long-term together in the future.”

The downstate Illinois writers in this issue are: Pepper Bauer of Mapleton; Ray Pierce and Cindy Baker of Peoria; Derek Kohlhagen of Morton;  Janice Croom of Bloomington; Jim Courter of Macomb; T.R. McKay of Hampton along with James Linn and Tacuma Roeback of Chicago and Danny Hankner of Davenport, Iowa.

Illustrations are by Ed Levene of Peoria and Amy Frasca of Champaign.

Published by Downstate Story, Inc., an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, the magazine aims to present original fiction by Illinois writers and writers with ties to Illinois and the Midwest as a quality alternative to today’s mass-market publishing.  The cost is $10 and is available at bookstores and gift shops, or can be ordered from the publisher or website.

The publication makes an interesting gift from the region, and is easily mailed.

THE FACTS

1. Limited edition. Probable collector’s item. Original art.

2.  Politically correct. Contributors paid for their work. No government funds used. Union printer.

3. Something for everyone.  Stories reflect diversity of authors, and include romance, horror, fantasy, mainstream fiction.

4. Promotes quality reading.  Content  realistic but not X-rated.

5. Promotes Illinois and Midwestern writers and artists.

6. Unusual concept for the arts.  Provides outlet for local writers and artists to reach local audiences.

7. Original work. None ever published before.

8. Quality work. Stories and art comparable to work in Harpers, Atlantic, The New Yorker.

9. No poetry.

DOWNSTATE STORY, Voume. 20

Authors:

Pepper L. Bauer, Mapleton, IL

Ray Pierce, Peoria, IL

Cindy Baker, Peoria, IL

Derek Kohlhagen, Morton, IL

Jim Courter, Macomb, IL

Janice Croom, Bloomington, IL

Dan Hankner, Davenport, Iowa

Tacuma Roeback, Chicago, IL

James Linn, Chicago, IlL

T. R. McKay, Hampton, IL

Artists:

Ed Levene, Peoria, IL

Amy Frasca, Champaign, IL

The West Peoria Township Relief Office has relocated to 2516 W. Rohmann Avenue. Their phone number is 674-0492.

The Street Department Manager asks that you please not shovel the end of your driveway until the plows have been down your street. This will save you the trouble of having to shovel again. It is against City Code to shovel your snow into the street. (Doing so only slows down the process of clearing the streets.)  This City Code also applies to raking leaves or landscape debris into the street because when it rains this causes the storm sewers to back up.

A parking ban on all West Peoria streets will be issued whenever two or more inches of snow is predicted, according to City Ordinance # 2006-17: All vehicles must be moved or it can result in a fine. Parking bans will be posted on all local television stations. Following is the snow route/parking code: SECTION 3-3-5 NO PARKING SNOW ROUTES – All streets within the corporate limits of the City of West Peoria are hereby designated as emergency snow routes. It shall be unlawful to park any vehicles on these streets at any time within twelve (12) hours after a snowfall of two (2) or more inches. Where there has been a snow forecast of two (2) or more inches for any calendar day, it shall be unlawful to park any vehicles on any of these streets for that calendar day.

The Street Department Manager shall be authorized to take the necessary actions to have those vehicles parked on streets designated as snow routes in violation of the provisions of this Section towed away in order to permit the clearing of snow from the snow routes. The payment of any and all charges incurred as a result of such towing shall be the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner. In addition to, or in lieu of towing the vehicle, the owner or lessor of the vehicle shall be fined $25.00 for first offense and $50.00 for second offense and for the third offense, the fine may be up to a maximum of $750.00. In all events, each day the violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.

WINTER STORM DAMAGE LIMB PICK UP – Please check the City website: www.cityofwestpeoria.com or contact City Hall for a copy of this policy.

Waste Management is the trash pickup provider for the City of West Peoria. Residents are responsible for establishing an account with them. Please call them at 1-800-796-9696 to set up your account. You will be billed for this service. Landscape Waste Pickup ends on the last Friday in December. It will begin again on the first Friday in April. This service is included in your Waste Management bill.

Illinois American Water partners with West Peoria to provide water service to the Stever District Improvement Association. The plans for transferring water service from the Stever District to Illinois American Water began many years ago. As of November 1st, the project was completed. The project involved the installation of 400 feet of new 8-inch water main, installing meters and transferring water service to approximately 62 customers. Mayor Dillon said, “This project will provide the residents in this neighborhood with better water quality, water pressure and water service.” He acknowledged several individuals for their commitment to the project. They are: Karla Teasley, Chris Johnson, Senator Koehler, and Rick Earley. Rick Early also noted the contributions of Don Neill, Gene Cooper, Bill Board and Sharon Woiwode. When asked about the start of the Stever District, Rick mentioned that he had a copy of bylaws for the District dated August 8, 1944. According to Mike Moler, operations manager for Illinois American Water, the project was necessary due to the age and condition of the current Stever water system. It will take three to five years for the upgrade of the entire system.

The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch meeting will be Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at West Peoria City Hall. The topic will be “Street Drugs.” Deputy Middlemas will give an up-date on any criminal activity in the area. The public is invited.

CityLink celebrated 2010’s excellent safety record at their Annual Safety Banquet. Among other awards 48 employees received the Great Performance Team Award. To win this award, the employee must work the entire fiscal year without any preventable accidents or incidents and have an outstanding attendance record. 97 employees were recognized for Great Safety. The criteria was no preventable accidents or incidents during the year. CityLink’s record speaks of the excellence of its employees and their care and concern for their customers and communities. These awards are presented to drivers and maintenance employees.

I wish all a successful, healthful and enjoyable 2011.

The Methodist Wellmobile will be bringing free health screenings to the following community locations during January. Screenings include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and lung functions. A 12-hour fast is required for cholesterol and blood sugar testing. Free heel scans to measure risk of osteoporosis are available at some screenings.

Jan.  4 -Methodist Medical Group at Lacon-8:30 -11:30 a.m.

Jan.  9 – Methodist Medical Center Café I & II-8:30-11:30 a.m.

Jan. 10 – Methodist – 1909 N. Morton Ave-8:30-11:30 a.m.

Jan. 11- Methodist – 2338 W. Sud Parkway-8:30-11:30 a.m.

Jan.  14 – Methodist Atrium Building-900 N. Main-8:30-11:30 a.m.

Jan.  16 – Methodist East Campus Lobby-415 St. Marks Court-

8:30-11:30 a.m.

Jan.  19 – Methodist Medical Group at Canton-2076 N. Main-

Canton-8:30-11:30 a.m.

Jan.  24 – Methodist Family Medical Center-815 Main Street-

Peoria-8:30-11:30 a.m.

Jan.  26 – Methodist Medical Group -901 Walnut-Metamora-8:30

-11:30 a.m.

For more info, visit the events calendar at MyMethodist.net or call 672-5900.

Peoria Rises in National Rankings Again

The Milken Institute’s annual survey of Best-Performing Cities reveals that the Greater Peoria Region jumped 19 spots on the list from last year.  We now rank 68th on the list of the top 200 largest cities in the nation.

Jim McConoughey, President & CEO of The Heartland Partnership says this news proves we are bouncing back from the recession quite nicely and this region is a good place to do business. “Seeing the Greater Peoria Region rank highest in Illinois and outrank many of our Midwestern competitors is great news because it proves that we are doing things right.”

The Greater Peoria Region received the highest ranking in Illinois and only a handful of Midwestern cities outranked the Greater Peoria area. Texas cities snagged four of the top five spots while Michigan, Indiana and Florida all had several cities at the bottom of the list.

Author! Author!  Authors Present Programs at Peoria Public Library in January

Mystery Author Julie Hyzy – January 12

Julie Hyzy, national bestselling author of the White House Chef Mystery series and the Manor House Mystery series will talk about her work and sign books on Thursday, January 12 at Peoria Public Library North Branch at 6:30 p.m. Anthony and Barry Award winner Hyzy will introduce her latest White House Chef mystery, Affairs of Steak. More about Hyzy, who is from Chicago, can be found at http://www.juliehyzy.com

Peter Caras Book Signing – January 21

Local author Perer Caras will sell and sign copies of his book on Saturday, January 21 at Peoria Public Library North Branch to benefit Friends of Peoria Public Library. Peter Cara, former Federal Judge for the State of Indiana, brings many years of experience to his first work of fiction, In Remembrance of Me, A December Killing. On a cold December morning in a small Midwestern town, two teenagers brutally murder a wealthy store owner for reasons or motives not fully known until the shocking end of the book. The case results in the most bizarre trial in the state’s history. With minimal physical evidence and witnesses disappearing or dying, it becomes clear that a conspiracy exists to thwart the prosecution.

Peoria Public Library McClure Branch Grand Opening Set for Saturday, January 7th

The Peoria Public Library Board of Trustees will open Peoria Public Library McClure Branch at a 10:00 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, January 7.

After a ceremony with short remarks, the public is invited to come inside and begin using the newly remodeled and repaired branch. This grand opening falls one day short of the building’s first opening on January 8, 1937.

The branch has been refurbished and repaired and upgraded with all the same technologies as other Peoria Public Library locations. Although the building could not be expanded as it sits in a flood plain, users will note that the signs of wear of 75 years have been erased and interior spaces thoughtfully rearranged to eliminate the previous cluttered look.

The brick exterior has been cleaned and returned to its former attractive look. Inside radiators have been eliminated and every window now has a window seat where readers can curl up with a good book or laptop. With wifi throughout the building and study tables with power outlets, as well as six public computers, access is available to the Internet for all.  Catalog-only computers, self-check stations and information desks are located both upstairs and down. Outside there are 20 parking spots.

Construction costs totaled just under $600,000 for the 4,270 square foot building which closed February 19, 2011 for remodeling. While construction was complete, a problem with delivery of shelving created a delay in reopening the building.

McClure Branch, known when it first opened as “the East Bluff Branch” was built on land donated by the Peoria School Board and cost $20,000 to build. The separate children’s room in the basement did not open until the next October. Crowds flocked to a January 29th evening open house hosted by the Library Trustees. According to newspaper reports of the day, visitors marveled at the new hot water heat system that was assured to keep the temperature stable and patrons comfortable.

One of the latest innovations was “anti-glare lighting” and everyone was pleased with the curtains. Curtains were exciting because they eliminated, “flapping roller shades that suddenly slip and rocket to the top with a fearful rattle, frightening the patrons.” Window shade technology has come a long way and McClure Branch now features the latest technology in window shades as well.

Hours for McClure Branch will be Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Gordon Highlights New Anti-Bullying Law

In an effort to tackle bullying in our schools, State Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) is calling attention to a new state law that empowers school boards to punish students who make online threats to fellow students or school personnel..

A new law, House Bill 3281, takes effect on January 1 and allows school boards to suspend or expel students who make an explicit threat to a teacher, employee, or another student over the Internet. This law was passed in response to a growing number of cyberbullying cases seen throughout the country.

For more information, contact Gordon’s office by calling (309) 681-1992 or via e-mail at repjgordon@gmail.com.

Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Schedule

The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of January, 2012.  Methodist features all digital mammography equipment providing improved, faster and more comfortable exams.

Tues., January 3 -Methodist at Morton, 1909 N. Morton, Morton

Thurs., January 5-County Market, 1090 E. Fort St., Farmington,

Tues. January 10-Cherry Tree Shopping Center, Washington,

Wed., January 11-Methodist Medical Group, 223 E. Main St, Princeville

Thurs., January 12-Kuhl & Co. -632 W. Jefferson St., Morton

Tues., January 17-Methodist at Morton, 1909 N. Morton, Morton

Wed., January 18-Heartland Clinic, 2321 Wisconsin Ave, Peoria

Thurs., January 19-Methodist at Lacon, 1112 E. Fifth St, Lacon

Tues., January 24-Wal-Mart, 2071 N. Main, Canton

Thurs., January 26-Pearce Community Center, Chillicothe

Tues., January 31-Methodist at Pekin, 1800 Broadway, Pekin

There is no need for a doctor’s order for a screening mammogram if you’re 40 or over. If you are uninsured or underinsured, tell us when you call for an appointment. You may qualify for a free mammogram

Call for an appointment at 671-8282

Need Help Paying for a Mammogram?

You may qualify for a free mammogram. Proctor Hospital offers free mammograms to women age 40-64 that are low-income, uninsured, or underinsured living in Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, and Stark counties.

The best protection is early detection. Early screening and detection saves lives. This program has been made possible, in part, by a grant from The Memorial Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Call (309) 691-1083 for information and to schedule your appointment today. Medicare/Medicaid not eligible. Monday and Wednesday evening appointments available.
South Side Trust & Savings Bank Announces New branch managerS

South Side Trust & Savings Bank is pleased to announce Shannah King and Craig Myers as the new Branch Managers of the West Peoria and Downtown Facilities, respectively.

Ms. King has thirteen years of South Side Bank experience. She joined the Bank in 1998 as a co-op student from Limestone Community High School. Ms. King was the former assistant manager of the facility and has been a resident of West Peoria for four years.

Mr. Myers has ten years of banking management experience. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Economics from Illinois College. New to South Side Bank, Mr. Myers brings an area of specialty in Small Business, Mortgages and Investments. Mr. Myers is very active in the community.

PEORIA PARK DISTRICT Adult Co-Rec Soccer League Kicks Off at RiverPlex

The Peoria Park District will offer an Adult Co-Rec Soccer League this winter. Recreational teams will play indoors at the RiverPlex arena. This seven-game season will run on Friday and Sunday evenings on the following dates: 1/22, 2/3, 2/12, 2/17, 2/26, 3/9 and 3/16. Games will feature 6-vs-6 style play with two females on the floor at all times.

The team fee is $300 and is due by Jan. 13. Registration starts Jan. 9 at the Glen Oak Pavilion. For more information, call 681-2866 or msuellentrop@peoriaparks.org. Visit www.peoriaparks.org.

American Red Cross Offers First Aid and CPR/AED Courses Learn the Skills that Can Save a Life

Each year, more than 5 million people learn how to save a life in American Red Cross training classes and people in the Peoria area can join the ranks of these everyday heroes by taking a class now.

The First Aid and CPR/AED course teaches people how to perform CPR and use an AED, what to do if someone is choking, and how to prevent and respond to other emergencies until advanced medical help arrives. Course participants also learn how to control bleeding as well as how to care for seizures and other sudden illnesses.

Red Cross training courses meet OSHA guidelines, feature hands-on skills practice and include two year certifications, free digital materials and skill refreshers. Visit redcross.org/training or call 1-800-RED-CROSS for details and to register for a class.

YOUTH SPORTS FOR AGES 3-8 OFFERED AT PEORIA PARK DISTRICT

The Peoria Park District’s Franciscan Recreation Complex offers various sport programs for ages 3-8 beginning in January, including:

• All Star Sports (ages 3-4) starting Jan. 16 or 21. This class has a new sport each week, including basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and floor hockey.

• Little Pints Soccer (ages 3-4) starting Jan. 16, 18 or 21.

• Basketball (ages 4-8) starting Jan 17.

• Pee Wee Flag Football (ages 5-7) starting Jan. 21.

Fees for these classes range from $27-35. Registration will begin on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. For specific program details and registration information, check the Playbook, available starting Saturday, Jan 7, or visit our website at www.peoriaparks.org.

For more information on any of these classes, call 681-2866 or email: msuellentrop@peoriaparks.org. Visit www.peoriaparks.org.
Gordon-Backed Gun-Running Law Takes Effect with New Year

Legislation aimed keeping neighborhoods safe, which was sponsored by Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria), will become law on January 1, 2012. This new law will allow the secretary of state’s office to suspend the vehicle registration for individuals who have been convicted of gun running. The suspension will last for 90 days. Gun running is when an individual knowingly transfers guns unlawfully. This is a common component of gang activity. Suspending a vehicle’s registration means that the vehicle cannot be used on the road and, in this instance, it cannot be used to transport any guns illegally.

For more information on this or any of Rep. Gordon’s legislation, contact her at her constituent services office at (309) 381-1992 or via e-mail are repjgordon@gmail.com

Peoria Players Theatre Auditions for “Chicago”

Director Charles Killen will hold auditions for Chicago on January 28 and 29 at 2:00 each day. This high-energy musical is set in Prohibition-era Chicago. The cast includes four women and two men in leading roles, and Charles would like to cast an ensemble of at least six men and six women to participate in all ensemble numbers and to flesh out the cast by playing  supporting roles and in many cases, playing more than one character.

Auditions will be held at Jump Start Gymnastics, 8820 N. Industrial Rd. in Peoria .  For auditions, please prepare a song that best displays your range and bring your sheet music. Also dress appropriately for dance auditions.

The Cantina Opens in Pekin

by Sylvia Shults

There’s a fun new place now open on Court Street in downtown Pekin. Rob Shults purchased the bar formerly known as Bottoms Up, at 431.5 Court Street, and has renamed it The Cantina.

The Cantina is the third largest bar in Pekin, and the only one with a full-size music stage. Rob bought the bar with the intention of turning it into a destination for couples who want a place to relax with a good drink and quality entertainment. The Cantina reflects this with their return to the elegance of the drinks of the Prohibition and Big Band eras. Drink specials include Manhattans and Moscow Mules, reminding patrons of a simpler time. The Cantina bills itself as a whiskey bar, with many high-end whiskeys gracing the back bar. Menus on the bar allow patrons to choose from among the many mixed drinks available.

Currently the entertainment hosts mostly country and rockabilly bands. In the next few weeks, they’ll host Brown Bottle Fever and Rumpke Mountain Boys, among others. Beginning in January, they’ll be changing the format slightly to include acoustic rock and other styles of music.

The Cantina has the best selection of whiskeys outside of Chicago or Saint Louis, including Buffalo Trace bourbon and Templeton Rye. Templeton is made in small batches (each bottle is hand-numbered) using a Prohibition-era recipe. It quickly became Al Capone’s whiskey of choice. And Buffalo Trace is the oldest continually operating distillery in the United States, even operating throughout Prohibition “for medicinal purposes.” The Cantina carries over thirty different whiskeys. The back bar is an impressive lineup, a who’s who of whiskeys: Maker’s Mark, Maker’s Mark 46, Woodford Reserve, Johnnie Walker Blue, and Basil Hayden, to mention just a few of the illustrious names on display.

The Cantina will be opening a kitchen as of January. Featured dishes will be simple, something to nibble on while enjoying the bands. Foods offered will include pizza, sandwiches, and cheese-and-sausage plates.

The Cantina is envisioned as a place to relax, a destination of elegance and class in downtown Pekin. With their wide selection of quality drinks, their attention to detail, and their welcoming atmosphere, they’re sure to become a popular Pekin nightspot.

Peoria Area SeniorNet Sponsors Free Electronic Tax Preparation Seminar

Peoria Area SeniorNet, the local chapter of a national organization that promotes computer literacy among seniors, is offering a free seminar on Electronic Tax Preparation on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. The workshop will be held in the McKenzie Room of the new North Branch Peoria Public Library at 3001 W. Grand Parkway west of Allen Road near Walmart. Registration in advance is not necessary and the workshop is open to all ages. Bob Picton, an AARP tax aide, will demonstrate many of the common features and functions of the PC version of TurboTax. The knowledge gained can also be applied to using other software if that is your choice.

What’s the big deal with electronic tax preparation? If you are in your twenties or thirties it has always been around. But to an old timer, it still seems like something new. The IRS web site has a section on e-File that gives some interesting facts that show e-Filing has been around quite a few years. Electronic filing began in 1986 when about 25,000 refund-only forms were filed by five tax preparation professionals. Each year since then the system has been expanded to reach more and more taxpayers. In 1992, filing from home began with the 1040 TeleFile research test in Ohio. By 1994 over 14 million individuals filed electronically. In 1996 the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) was implemented allowing individuals to pay their taxes electronically. Payment by credit card was begun in 1999. The IRS goal is to enable all forms and schedules to be filed electronically, along with electronic payments and refunds.

For 2003, tax professionals (H&R Block for example) filed 37 million returns electronically and a total of 53 million returns were filed electronically. The number keeps growing. In 2007 139.3 million returns were filed in total and 79.98 million were filed electronically. In 2011 the number of forms files electronically passed the 100 million threshold.

Several software companies offer tax preparation software for individuals. TurboTax by Intuit is perhaps the most popular. TaxCut by H&R Block and CompleteTax by CCH Tax and Accounting are two other packages. TaxACT by 2nd Story Software is free to individuals. These are just examples of available software. There is a fee for electronic filing, but for many of the software packages, the fee is included in the software price.

For more information about the seminar, call 1-800-872-4651, extension 1510 and leave a message. A SeniorNet volunteer will return your call and answer any questions you may have. You can also contact SeniorNet by email at PASeniorNet@yahoo.com.

Peoria Area SeniorNet is sponsored by Illinois Eye Center and PNC.

Peoria Players Theatre Auditions for Big River

Director Chip Joyce will hold auditions for Big River on January 14 and 15 at 1:00 each day. Big River is based on the Mark Twain novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” This show requires multicultural casting and features an abundance of performance opportunities for both Caucasian and African American performers. Roles are available for 15-18 men/boys and 7-10 women. Ages of characters are relatively open. Most actors will appear in multiple roles. All actors sing in group numbers, and many feature vocal solos. Auditions will be held at University United Methodist Church, 2818 N. University.  For auditions, please prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre, folk or gospel song (not from the show) that shows range and personality. You might also be asked to read or sing materials from the show.

The Christmastime Gospelfest concert continues to grow in popularity every year with additional concert dates and even more people enjoying this traditional, inspirational music as an integral part of their annual holiday celebrations. On Friday, December 9, a concert will be held in the Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points Washington for folks living in the Peoria area. For those living in the Bloomington area there will be two concerts held at Calvary Baptist Church in Normal on Saturday, December 10. The first will be held at 1:30 p.m. and the second will be at 6:30 p.m.

The concerts feature Shawn Degenhart and the Gospelfest Singers performing joyful southern gospel Christmas music that proclaims the birth of the Savior King. This year the show will have a country theme and an exciting new set design reminiscent of an old Christmas postcard.  The country setting and old-fashioned music will transport the audience to a more peaceful time and place. Singers will perform classic gospel tunes that will remind listeners of years gone by when life seemed simpler and Christmas was a true celebration of the birth of Christ.

“This year’s theme of ‘Christmas in the Country’ works so well with southern gospel music, which has its roots in the south. The beautiful set and music will complement each other as we share a ‘down home’ Christmas with the audience!” says Degenhart.

Another new addition to this seventh annual Christmastime Gospelfest will be the appearance at all three concerts of a talented puppet team from Calvary Baptist Church. The puppeteers are youth members of that congregation and they use the puppets and music to share Bible-based stories that will delight young and old alike.

Tickets for Christmastime Gospelfest are $15 in advance or $18 at the door for adults, $7 for children aged 5 to 12 and children 4 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the desk at Five Points Washington, at Hoerr’s Berean Bookstores, at Calvary Baptist Church in Normal, by visiting www.gospelfestradio.com or by calling 309-472-0027.

Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund has been on hiatus. Although the state added 30,000 jobs last month, officials say as more of Illinois’ jobless re-entered the workforce to apply for seasonal jobs, the influx of new searchers caused the jobless rate to rise from 10 percent in September to 10.1 percent in October. Unemployment figures are calculated with the number of jobless people who are actively seeking work.

Illinois added almost 66,000 jobs in 2011 alone and approximately 108,000 jobs since the beginning of 2010. The surge came following almost two years of recession in the Illinois job market and an unemployment rate cresting at 11.2 percent. The professional and business services industry added more jobs than any other industry with 10,600. Trade, transportation and utilities added nearly 5,500 jobs and educational and health services added 5,300.

Needless to say, the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the unemployment insurance it provides workers are indispensable instruments of state government—and not just for Illinois. With a national 9.1 percent unemployment rate, unemployed workers in states across the country rely on government handouts. Unfortunately, Illinois’ recent high unemployment rates have taken a toll on funding necessitating action from state lawmakers in Springfield.

Slipping to Desperate

In response to the need to help Illinois’ unemployed, Springfield politicians acted in unison to pass legislation outlining a plan for restoring dollars to the state’s unemployment fund. State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) says insurance for people without work is “vital.” A member of the Senate Labor Committee, he says an inability for families to obtain unemployment benefits could cause them to “slip from successful to desperate in a single day.”

Illinois’ unemployment fund is more than $2 billion in debt. In response, a plan to bolster the unemployment insurance program has been set forth by Illinois business leaders and the labor community who have collaborated with legislators to produce Senate Bill 72. Illinois is currently borrowing money from the federal government to meet the needs of the state’s jobless. Interest accrued from borrowing the money costs Illinois businesses millions. The new legislation allows provision for borrowing up to half the fund’s debt or up to $1 billion.

The bill will also save businesses millions of dollars in the next few years by allowing the state to issue bonds to borrow money at lower rates. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed the legislation in mid-November. The bill will save Illinois about $240 million over the coming years and will save businesses approximately $400 million.

Making News

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn appeared on the MSNBC political talk show Morning Joe, hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, in November to discuss Illinois’ plans for boosting job growth. Acknowledging the financial deficit as well as the “ethical deficit” he inherited when he took over the governorship three years ago, Quinn applauded the benefits of 21st century technology and focused on speed trains as essential for job growth and a stable economic future for Illinois.

Despite current setbacks, the Governor says Illinois can still enjoy the perks of a stable economy based on specific developments including the state’s commitment to high-speed trains in the Chicago area. The state’s goal is to realize the benefits of high-speed, 140 mile-per-hour trains running from Chicago to St. Louis and between Chicago and Champaign by 2014.

The Governor claimed that for Illinois, job growth and agricultural exports go hand in hand. As one of the nation’s top states in agriculture, Illinois exports will greatly benefit from speed trains. Illinois is the number one exporting state in the U.S. not on located on either coast. Speed trains will open up new avenues and provide increasingly efficient methods for shipping Illinois agriculture products to various locations, therefore helping open new markets for Illinois and create new jobs in the state.

At 1:30 p.m. watch December 7^th, a period documentary directed by John Ford that is seldom seen now and uses footage from Pearl Harbor.

After the 40 minute show, Bradley Assistant Professor Rustin Gates from Bradley University will lead a discussion about how our information and understanding of the “Japanese enemy” has developed extensively since the end of the war.

December 7^th takes a close look at the day Pearl Harbor was attacked while L-Bird, The Little Plane That Did examines the light-weight reconnaissance planes that took off and landed from cables strung on the sides of aircraft carriers. December 7^th begins with the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and mixes footage of the invasion with re-enactments. Individual American soldiers are profiled and honored and finishes with the Navy’s recovery of a vessel. L-Birds, also known as liaison aircraft, were widely used in WW II for a variety of purposes including: reconnaissance, observations, military evacuation and a variety of other roles. Flown by civilians and enlisted men alike, this movie will illustrate the importance and unique role that these planes played in World War II. Both programs take a look at the brave men and women who were caught up in extraordinary circumstances created by the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The public is invited to attend either or both programs. Those who wish to stay for both programs are invited to bring lunch and eat in the auditorium.

The Tradition of the Poinsettia: Fact and Fiction

December 12 is National Poinsettia Day in the United States. By decree of Congress, it marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who shipped cuttings of the native Mexican plant to his South Carolina greenhouse in 1825. He propagated the plants and sent them to friends and botanical gardens around the country.

But the history of the Poinsettia goes back much farther than Mr. Poinsett. The Aztecs used the bountiful plant to make a red dye when they reigned in southern Mexico. The white sap stored in the red bracts, which is commonly and incorrectly considered poisonous to humans, was used by the Aztecs as medicine for fevers. The sap and bracts can cause an upset stomach if consumed in large enough quantities.

A Mexican folktale tells how a poor Mexican girl with no gift to present to the Christ Child at Christmas Eve services gathered some plants (poinsettias) into a bouquet on her way to church. She approached the altar with love and reverence, and the bouquet turned into brilliant red blossoms. That is why flowers are known as the Flores de la Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, and bloom each year during the Christmas season.

Horticultural Terminology: What is a Bract?

Because of their varied colors and the way they are grouped, people often think the bracts of the poinsettia are the flower petals of the plant, but they are actually the leaves. The true flowers are grouped within the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch. The colors of the bracts – which are most often red but can also be orange, pale green, pink, white, burgundy or marbled – come from photoperiodism, meaning they require darkness for 12 to 14 consecutive hours to change color. This leads into the complicated subject of how to get a Poinsettia to do what you want it to do – like exhibit color during the specific dates of the Luthy Botanical Garden Poinsettia Show.

Care and Forced Blooming

Horticulturist Elona Mason knows all about this subject, because she has been entrusted with the care of the tiny, two inch Poinsettia cuttings from the time they come from the specialty nursery — usually in July or August—to Luthy Botanical Garden. Long before anyone else is thinking about the holidays, Elona is already preparing for them every day – first by researching the market and selecting the varieties to star in this year’s show, and then by caring for the plants and “forcing” them  to  bloom when expected. How is “forced blooming” accomplished? The concept is simple, but stringent control is required to obtain success. Starting anytime from late September to the first of October, the plants must experience total darkness for 12-14 hours a day. Unfortunately, any small light can upset the process. During the day, the plants should get six or more hours of sunlight.

At the writing of this column, Haddad’s is a week away from re-opening. I know that many of us are ever so thankful to have them back as a vital part of our community and our lives. I know I missed them a lot and many people feel the same way.  Welcome back, everyone.

Christmas is just around the corner. Do you have a neighbor or loved one in West Peoria that needs a Christmas Food Basket? If so please call the West Peoria Lions Club at 673-6207 before December 12^th; the Club will see that they get a basket. Need a gift for that person who has everything? How about a Greater Peoria Dining Tour Book? They are still only $30.00 and the sale of these books helps the Lions fund needed programs for the visually and hearing Impaired. Call Emil @ 693-1191 or Jim @ 673-6207. The West Peoria Lions Club wishes everyone a Happy and healthy Holiday Season.

All West Peoria residents are required to sign up for garbage service with Waste Management – 1-800-796-9696. You will be charged for this service. Landscape Waste pickup ends on the last Friday in December. It will begin again on the first Friday in April. This service is included in your Waste Management bill.

As the winter season approaches, here is some information that will be vital to the way our City keeps up with the season when the season dumps snow on us.

Snow routes /Parking Ban information is as follows: All streets within the corporate limits of the City of West Peoria are hereby designated as emergency snow routes. It shall be unlawful to park any vehicles on these streets at any time within twelve (12) hours after a snowfall of two (2) or more inches.  When there has been a snow forecast of two (2) or more inches for any calendar day, it shall be unlawful to park any vehicles on any of these streets for that calendar day. The Street Department Manager shall be authorized to take the necessary actions to have those vehicles which are parked on streets designated as snow routes in violation of the provisions towed away in order to permit the clearing of snow from the snow routes. The payment of any and all charges incurred as a result of such towing away shall be the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner. In addition to, or in lieu of towing the vehicle, the owner or lessor of the vehicle shall be fined $25.00 for first offense and $50.00 for second offense and for the third offense, the fine may be up to a maximum of $750.00. In all events, each day the violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. This can be found in the City Code.

For winter storm damage limb pick-up, – Please check the City website or contact City Hall for a copy of the policy. For more information visit the City website:

www.cityofwestpeoria.com.

The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Deputy Middlemas will give a brief up-date on any criminal activities in the area. Holiday refreshments will be served. The public is welcome.

The new West Peoria Library has opened. It was organized and is being run by Emily Huff and is located in the former West Bluff Christian Church at the corner of Kellogg and Cedar. A calendar showing current times and days of operation can be found taped to the back door of the building in the parking lot.  The library is run by volunteers and if you have an interest in becoming involved, stop by the library or contact Emily atwestpeorialibrary@yahoo.com.  Library cards are available and can be gotten at the library.  Check the back of the Church for updated information.

Now that colder weather is coming, it’s time to visit the West Peoria Library! The room has over 4,000 titles to choose from, everyone is sure to find a book to enjoy.

The library strives to be open Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. However, this is volunteer staffed so someone may not always be available.

The new library signs are gold and red, so if they are out, generally someone is in the library. The entrance in the back of the building is the closest to the library and will be open on library days. If you are interested in volunteering a few hours, please come by the library or call Emily Huff , 453-8139. Support is picking up and many residents have come in to get a card and check out books. This will be a very busy season for the library!

Several upcoming events are planned for the winter months. A Children’s Story Hour will be held at the library on Fridays once a month. The first will be a Christmas-themed book and related craft on Friday, Dec. 16th. Story Hour will also be held Fri., Jan. 6th and Fri. Feb. 3rd. Storytime begins at 10:15 a.m. Children up to age five are welcome to attend with their parents. Registration is necessary; sign up at the library or call Emily for further details.

While the library isn’t accepting donations at this time due to lack of shelf space; the West Peoria Food Pantry is always accepting non-perishable food items and personal hygiene
products for all family members. the food pantry will be open to any West Peoria resident in need on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. -noon as soon as the shelves can be stocked. Food donations can be brought  any time to the library.

Thank you for showing your support for the West Peoria Library and Food Pantry. I hope to meet many residents these upcoming winter months through these endeavors.

My best wishes to all of you for a healthy, pleasant and fun-filled holiday season!