Cones, Conifers, & Christmas

The practice of bringing an evergreen tree indoors to celebrate the winter solstice very likely began around the 16th century in Germany. Now conifers and Christmas go together like eggs and Easter; like cake and birthdays, like Molly and Fibber…

City Beat for December 2013

Boycott all NFL games As I am writing this, word is that the NFL is telling the Chicago Bears that they are NOT allowed to wear patches promoting Washington High School. This would be a way of showing support for…

Guest editorials for December 2013

Valuing Water’s True Worth By Karla Olson Teasley, Illinois American Water President How many times do you use water, directly or indirectly in a given day? Ten? Twenty? More? You’ve probably never thought about it. Yet, you’ve come to expect…

Mary had a little lamb

Enemy forces occupied their country. Without notice, raids infiltrated their towns and their children’s blood ran in the streets. Spies mingled among them as they shopped. Life was not safe when they made their way home. The road was rocky,…

Serendipity for December 2013

December 25th is absolutely the day that causes monumental excitement for some, dread for others, enthusiasm for many, fear for a few, and conflicting emotions ranging from wanting the day to end to hoping it will last beyond its 24…

West Peoria news for December 2013

The West Peoria Residents Association and co-host Franciscan Recreation Complex invites the community of West Peoria to kick off the Christmas season at the Annual Christmas Party on Sunday, December 1st from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation…

Laptops vs. Desktops on Selecting Your Computer

Around this time of year, people are looking for new computers. Whether it’s for the last minute business expense spending or a generous holiday gift, a computer is a useful and sometimes frustrating tool. Contrary to what some computer dealers…

Happenings for December 2013

thru Dec 20 – Luthy Botanical Gardens Candlelight Walks – Experience the beauty of the Poinsettia Show at night under the warm glow of hundreds of candles. Conservatory admission will be waived during the holidays. 2520 N. Prospect Rd. thru…

Newsbriefs for December

December Programs at Dunlap Public Library Thursday, December 5, 12, 19 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. – “Downton Abbey” – Get ready for Season 4! Bring a friend (or two) to enjoy watching Season 3* of the British drama series.…

Business as usual as General Assembly returns

From the gay marriage debate to the state’s ongoing pension problem, Illinois lawmakers have their plates full as they return to Springfield. October 22 was the first day of fall session in Springfield, signaling the start of another legislative year…

I was hungry and you fed me

CUTLINE: Claire Crone stirs the soup being served that particular day at Sophia’s Kitchen. Patrons receiving food number in the hundreds. The kitchen is located at 103 S. Richard Pryor Place and provides nourishment and encouragement to those in need.…

Lance Armstrong movie connects with Peoria

They’re making a movie about Lance Armstrong. You know the amazing cyclist who won the grueling Tour de France a record seven times and then was disqualified for allegedly using chemicals, or doping as it’s called. The movie will star…

50 Years Ago This Month, Innocence Was Lost

The week before Thanksgiving in 1963, the Friday-morning weather had some fog and a little drizzle; afternoon temperatures reached the 60s. “It’s true,” I heard from a trembling freshman schoolmate in Latin class, seconds after laughing and saying how I’d…

Closed until further notice

There’s a date I won’t soon forget. Tuesday, October 1, 2013. On that day, first thing in the morning, my wife and I entered a restaurant / gift shop in Jacob Lake, Arizona (just a stone’s throw from the north…

White flight doesn’t work

Three weeks. Three home invasions in Peoria. Well, actually there have been three home invasions in North Peoria. I’m trying to not chortle, because it really isn’t funny. Whether you live on the South Side or the East Bluff, or…

Guest editorials for November 2013

Have They No Shame? By Ed Klein, Peoria, IL As we watched Ted Cruz in his outlandish demagoguery, we were certainly not alone in comparing him to the late Joe McCarthy. As with Cruz, his fellow congressmen foolishly let him…

Doors and Windows: Missing Julie

It rained all afternoon. It was Saturday, September 28, 2013, and I was dining with friends at Sazani’s in Peoria, a river-side Italian restaurant on Route 29. A few miles down that same road, another friend of mine, Julie Peters,…

West Peoria News for November 2013

Scout Troop 11 is selling fresh holiday wreaths again this year starting October 28th with a delivery date starting November 16th. Call Scoutmaster Bob DeSutter at 674-6668 with your order in that time frame. Cub Scout Pack 11 is selling…