If it’s a tag-team match between Hitler, Stalin and the Boogeyman on one side, and Santa, Jesus and Bernie Sanders on the other, I stand with the latter trio. “Ho! Ho! Huh?” you say? The connection is socialism. I don’t…
Letters
Pray for justice for Father Cassidy As a St. Ann parishioner, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bill Knight and the staff of your newspaper for the article that you posted in your November issue about Father…
Op-Ed
A BRIEF HISTORY OF FOLLY: From the Trojan Horse to Donald Trump and Climate Change By George Hopkins “Mankind has never abstained from any folly of which it was capable,” said Mark Twain, sourly summing up his view of history.…
Despite its success, Affordable Care Act still attacked
Misinformation about the Affordable Care Act is a veritable industry. Editorials like one in a local newspaper (OTHER TAKES: Health insurance mandate gets costlier) are based on ideology, not economic facts, democratic principles and truth. If polls are correct in…
Is There Room in Our Inn?
This past summer I was fortunate enough to spend four days in one of the world’s most fascinating cities, Paris. There is elegance in Paris, but also earthiness, sensuality and vibrant aliveness. Just sitting in a Paris café watching…
Oh Christmas Tree . . . December is upon us, and it’s time to start gearing up for the holidays. One of the hallmarks of the holiday season for our household is the decorating of the Christmas tree. Usually around…
Various employment assignments and volunteer opportunities take me to many locations in Peoria and surrounding areas. Such experiences are often poignant reminders of the challenging circumstances many people confront daily. On a blustery cold morning I drive by Sophia’s Kitchen on Richard…
West Peoria News
Get into the holiday spirit during Breakfast with Santa 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 5 at the Franciscan Recreation Complex. Enjoy a breakfast of donuts, pastries, waffles, hot chocolate and coffee. Kids, have your picture taken with Santa, enjoy the…
Leitch to conclude 27-year career in Legislature
When State Rep. David Leitch, former Journal Star reporter, Commercial National Bank vice president and strongly pro-business Republican, announced recently he would not run again, expressions of admiration came from Democrats. Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, and Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria,…
Heights News
I recently read an article I found quite interesting. “In 2008, Airbus made the new A380 quieter than any previously manufactured plane in an effort to improve passenger experience. Unfortunately, Airbus didn’t realize until after they shipped the aircraft that…
Arts Beat
MUSIC Dec. 2: The Bradley Guitar Ensemble. 7:30 p.m. BU’s Dingeldine Music Center. 677-2650. Dec. 3: Senior Concerto Competition & Recital from the Central Illinois Youth Symphony’s. 6:30 p.m. Life Together Center. 685-5258. Dec. 4: The Swon Bzrothers. 8 p.m.…
WTVP broadcast James Lapine’s play, “Act One” on Nov. 23 as part of the “Live From Lincoln Center” series. The play, which was also directed by Mr. Lapine, is an adaptation of the autobiography of Moss Hart of the same…
Make Art, Not War – Love Mongering We started our column a year ago with a modification of words from the 1970s song, “War, what is it good for?” and now a year later, we find our connection to art…
Labor Roundup
Workers occupy lobby of SuperAmerica Minn. HQ. Workers seeking better wages and working conditions demonstrated on Nov. 17 at a St. Paul, Minn., SuperAmerica store, then briefly occupied the lobby of the company’s headquarters in nearby Woodbury. The actions called…
Neighborhood Notes
Jackson Corners Neighborhood Association Mary Genzel of the Jackson Corners Neighborhood Association reports that Peoria Neighborhood Development Specialist Steve Fairbanks will be the guest at the group’s next meeting, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Phone 682-4689 for more information. The…
Elder Care Concerns
By Dave Weiman It can be a bewildering array of facts and figures that an elder and their family face attempting to select a care provider. The following information may help in understanding the basic services provided by skilled nursing…
New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Answers to 10 Questions? In October, the American Cancer Society recommended women get fewer mammograms to screen for breast cancer. Many people were alarmed. Isn’t testing more often better? There are no simple answers, as…
From jail architects to jail teachers in the era of mass incarcerations
The presidential debates confirmed that reducing America’s burgeoning incarceration rate is a bipartisan goal. “Three-strikes-and-you’re-out,” tougher drug sentencing even for non-violent drug crimes and mandatory sentencing guidelines have all added to the problem. Today, as presidential candidates from both parties…
Strengthening Peoria’s economy will take ‘horse sense’
It’s jarring when reality thumps wishful thinking. But “if wishes were horses, beggars would ride,” as it’s said. (Maybe the central Illinois equivalent is, “If wishes were caterpillars, butterflies would come.”) Anyway, the Peoria economy seems to be crying, “My…
The Myths of Immigration
Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton and professor at University of California, Berkeley, has tackled “The 4 Big Lies about Immigrants – and the Truth” in a recent piece on his blog. Debunking these myths gives an important…
DIRTY POLITICS?
Steve Shearer is well-known by folks who follow politics. He’s been a part of Aaron Schock’s political life almost from day one. At one time he was Schock’s chief of staff. Like Schock, Shearer has been questioned by the F.B.I.…