More organic products should be available for purchase at grocery stores soon.
Read this article in The New York Times July 15: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/15/business/paying-farmers-to-go-organic-even-before-the-crops-come-in.html
Read articles in Community Word in April and May that transitional organic is coming. Look for the label.
State’s Attorney Jerry Brady has announced two community forums Tuesday July 19 and Monday July 25 to combat heroin problems in the Peoria community.
The heroin epidemic is not just on the rise nationally but is a growing problem within our own area. Peoria is considered a geographic area of concern for the state of Illinois. Please join members of the Mayor’s Community Coalition Against Heroin for two public meetings regarding this epidemic.
On Tuesday July 19 at Northwood’s Community Church (10700 N Allen Road) and Monday July 25 at St. Paul Baptist Church (114 W Forrest Hill Avenue), these programs will educate, engage and provide information to the public about the heroin problem sweeping the country and our own city. These forums, scheduled from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., will be led by speakers from the community. The general public will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers during a panel discussion following the presentation. Both meetings are free and open to the public.
Please contact State’s Attorney Jerry Brady at (309)-672-6900 for more information.
Research rarely measures the total economic value of parkland, partly because there is value from direct, on-site use as well indirect, off-site benefit.
A recent study by Colorado State University and Harvard Kennedy School looked at both direct and indirect benefit and found a $92 billion valuation for National Park Service Lands and Programs, far exceeding the cost of operating and maintaining the parks.
The study has relevance for evaluation of Riverfront Park. The study shows that whether or not Riverfront Park is used by residents of Dunlap or Germantown Hills, they derive benefit from the park.
RELEASED BY: Dr. Rita Ali, Chairperson
Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations
DATE: July 8, 2016
SUBJECT: KEEPING THE PEACE
The Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations was reestablished in 2010, as a subcommittee to advise the Peoria City Council. A key element of the Committee’s purpose is to promote the peaceful dialogue between our community and law enforcement.
The Committee provides a platform and voice to anyone who seeks to peacefully contribute to the ongoing discussion of law enforcement’s important role in our community. The Committee recognizes the daily dedication of the Peoria Police Department to keeping our community safe and we are grateful for their contributions.
During the course of our work, the Committee has heard the frustrations of many in and outside our community. Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, Eric Garner’s death in New York, and the recent deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, highlights the concerns over the use of deadly force by law enforcement. We share these concerns over the brutal and senseless deaths and support peaceful protests and calls for change.
Last night in Dallas, one or more individuals resorted to deadly violence and overtook the peaceful majority’s Constitutional right to peaceful protest, while senselessly taking the lives of five members of law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dallas law enforcement community and all those who were affected by this tragedy. Violence has no place in the on-going important discussion of equal civil rights for all. We also, hereby, express our support for officers of the Peoria Police Department and for those in our community who engage in expressions of their concerns through peaceful, nonviolent methods.
The following are the scheduled programs for the Central Illinois Jazz Society during the next three months. For additional information you may contact Dick Marsho at 692-5330.
The Central Illinois Jazz Society is a non-profit organization that is open to anyone who enjoys jazz. You do not have to be a musician to be a member or to attend our programs. The purpose of the organization is to further the appreciation of jazz among residents of Central Illinois. We provide opportunities for jazz musicians to perform and for jazz fans to enjoy their favorite music. For more information, visit www.cijs.org.
Please note that admission rates changed as of June program
Sunday, August 21: Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band at 6:00 p.m. and The Sally Weisenburg Trio at 7:15 p.m., in the Starting Gate Banquet Room, at the Landmark Recreation Center, 3225 N. Dries Lane, Peoria. Members $6.00; non-members $8.00; students are free. Call 692-5330 or visit www.cijs.org.
Sunday, September 18: Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band at 6:00 p.m. and John Miller and the Romaniacs at 7:15 p.m., in the Starting Gate Banquet Room, at the Landmark Recreation Center, 3225 N. Dries Lane, Peoria. Members $6.00; non-members $8.00; students are free. Call 692-5330 or visit www.cijs.org.
Sunday, October 16: Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band at 6:00 p.m. and Preston Jackson and Friends, featuring vocalist Judy Page at 7:15 p.m., in the Starting Gate Banquet Room, at the Landmark Recreation Center, 3225 N. Dries Lane, Peoria. Members $6.00; non-members $8.00; students are free. Call 692-5330 or visit www.cijs.org.
An unprecedented sit-in on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Congressman John Lewis, D-Ga., over failure to call a vote on gun controls was met by House Republicans calling for adjournment and shutting off CSPAN.
Gun control is a public policy issue that Community Word and Peoria NAACP discussed at a free public screening of “Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA” on May 26. Just 18 days after this documentary was screened in Peoria, there was a mass shooting in Orlando leaving 49 dead and 53 injured.
There have been 15 mass shootings so far in Florida this year. Illinois has had 11 mass shootings so far this year.
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos joined the sit-in. Here is a release from her office:
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos joined her colleagues to protest the Republican Majority’s inaction on legislation that would reduce gun violence. At issue are several common sense bills that would help protect Americans against terrorism, mass shootings and everyday instances of gun violence on our streets. One of the bills, H.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, or the “No Fly / No Buy” bill, would prevent anyone on the no fly list from purchasing a deadly weapon. Another key piece of legislation is H.R. 1217, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act which would require criminal background checks on all gun sales to prevent violent offenders from getting deadly weapons.
Because the Republican Majority put the House in recess to turn off CSPAN’s cameras during the sit-in protest, as a former journalist, Bustos took it upon herself to start interviewing members of Congress on her Snapchat account.
You can watch those videos at repcheri on SnapChat.
“Too many mothers and fathers have lost their children to gun violence and they deserve more than thoughts and prayers, they deserve action,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “That’s why I’m participating in the sit-in protest to demand Congress hold a vote to close loophole that allows suspected terrorists to buy guns, and a vote expanding criminal background checks to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of violent offenders. Americans are sick of inaction from Republicans in Washington and they deserve a vote on common sense proposals to protect our families.”
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The AMA, with its powerful lobbying, has been pushed into action following the Orlando massacre. The organization is calling on Congress to lift its ban on gun research:
The Most Powerful Medical Association In The U.S. Gears Up To Fight Congress Over Guns
Friends of Riverfront Park presents a Save Riverfront Park Benefit Concert, from 6 pm to 8 pm on Thursday June 23 in the park at the foot of Morton Street in Peoria, IL. near Constitution Gardens.
The event stars Barry Cloyd (http://www.barrycloyd.com/) and Freedom Street with special guest Robin Crowe (http://robincrowe.com/).
The event is free. Donations will be gratefully accepted to support expenses to preserve the park.
People should bring lawn chairs and blankets. Picnics are appropriate and food will be available for purchase. No alcohol is permitted in the park.
Parking is available at the Riverplex, or at the Morton Street parking lot for the mobility challenged.
Friends of Riverfront Park aims to save the park, a unique urban open space, from being ruined by four 4-story luxury apartments and a road. Details about the efforts to save the park also will be announced at the event.
Rain location is the GAR Hall, 416 Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria. Check the Facebook page for the latest information.
The concert is dedicated to Dorothy and Henry Sinclair. Peoria City Council member Dorothy Sinclair was a founder of Riverfront Park, and a memorial to her is in the park. Henry Sinclair spoke out to the City Council against the apartments shortly before his death.
FRIENDS OF RIVERFRONT PARK
An Illinois not for profit corporation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverfrontparkfriends
Email: peoriaforp@yahoo.com
Greater Peoria League of Women Voters Program on
How Citizens Can Get Information From Their Government
“How Citizens Can Get Information from Their Government” is the topic of discussion for Drinks & Dialogue, a program hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria. The public is invited to participate in the dialogue, at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the Lariat Steakhouse, 2232 W. Glen, Peoria, 61614. Social hour begins at 5 p.m.
This dialogue about citizens getting information from their government will open with comments from Peoria City Clerk Beth Ball and City of Peoria Deputy Corporation Counsel Sonni Williams, and be facilitated by League members. Both Clerk Ball and Ms. Williams have extensive experience and knowledge of the most common tool for citizens wanting information – FOIA (Freedom of Information Act).
Regarding this topic, the LWVUS’ position is: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.
Drinks & Dialogue provides an opportunity for people to share opinions and ideas, ask questions and become more aware of local, state and national issues and the options for making change. There’s no cost to participate, and refreshments are available to buy. It is offered monthly, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, for one hour starting at 5:30 p.m. on local, state and national topics.
The League is a non-partisan, issues oriented, volunteer, member-directed organization committed to open, responsive and effective government brought about by informed, involved citizens with membership open to both men and women in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. For more information, go to www.lwvgp.org.