There Goes the Neighborhood By Ed Klein, Peoria, IL What do you do when you find out that two guys living down the street turn out to be homos? They’ve been living there together for five years and I never…
West Peoria News for February 2014
CityLink is having a public hearing about adding Sunday Service at West Peoria City Hall on Friday, February 28 from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12 at City…
Newsbriefs for February 2014
ARE YOU MY TYPE? PROCTOR CENTER BLOOD DRIVE Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center and the JEMS Girls Basketball Team will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, February 22 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at Proctor Center,…
Happenings for February 2014
Feb 6 – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Page Turners Book Club – “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins at the Dunlap Library. (309) 243-5716. Feb 6 – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – “Belly Dancing: You Can Do It!” Call to register:…
The Beatles on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago musically commemorated in Peoria Feb. 9
To some, five decades back seem like ancient history: “Biblical times.” Indeed, in the winter of 1964, social media meant face-to-face conversations or maybe passing notes in class. At home, there were three main TV networks, and weekends wound down…
‘Eating wild’ is good for you
Despite centuries of cultivation and hybridization, commercially-grown produce lacks the nutritional punch of wild, edible plants growing in your backyard, according to best-selling author Jo Robinson who spoke last month in Springfield at the Acres U.S.A. conference. But it’s possible…
Thoughts on Midwest winters
Snow in the forecast is never to my liking. It’s lovely on Christmas Eve – provided all streets and driveways are clear – and perhaps some lingering snowflakes the next morning to add some holiday charm. But December 26, it…
Lawmakers Bring Pension Standoff to an End
Following years of gridlock in the state capitol, lawmakers passed a pension reform bill that has union leaders and some Democrats questioning its constitutionality. A narrow Senate vote of 32-24 and House vote of 62-53 brought an end to one…
Tweets Twitters and Onomatopoeia
Amid solitude and snow, the sound of “chick-a-dee-dee-dee,” gives voice to the winter wind. That one-of-a-kind call is so common and recognizable it gives the chickadee its unusual name. This familiar bird may be tiny but it has a very…
West Peoria News for January 2014
Remember that landscape waste pickup has ended for the season and will return in April. All streets within West Peoria are designated as emergency snow routes. It is unlawful to park any vehicles on city streets anytime within 12 hours…
Vatican questionnaire not distributed to area laity
In the New Testament, Jesus says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” and “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Nevertheless, it’s unclear whether Pope Francis will be able to…
Not a good year
2013 was a tough year. Losing three very close friends was devastating. Royce Elliott was like a brother. Pete Vonachen was like a father and Jonathan Winters was a joy, an absolute joy. I had known Royce since high school.…
Peoria Has Major Mental Health Needs: Analysis
When Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds was injured by his 24-year-old son Gus on Nov. 19, the attack was preceded hours before by a mental-health evaluation of the younger Deeds, who was recommended for emergency custody, an order that could…
Physicians’ Debut Nutrition Program – Asserts Reform Starts in the Kitchen, Not in Washington
When Dr. Jeffrey Leman and his family moved to India, they cooked chicken the first night in their new home. That prompted a visit from the landlord who informed the young couple that meat could not be brought onto the…
Mental illiness: The big picture
* 20% of American adults have some form of mental illness – 45.9 million people. * 20% of that number – 9.2 million people – have some form of substance dependence or abuse.* 20% of American adults have some form…
The impact in Peoria County
* Suicides are trending upward, with annual rates above the national rate in four of the last 10 years. * Drug-related deaths overtook alcohol-related deaths over the last decade. Drug-induced deaths went from 48.3% to 63.9% while alcohol-induced deaths fell…
Local, State Politicians Step Up in Storm’s Aftermath
After cars were toppled and buildings destroyed in the wake of a massive storm system affecting Illinois and several Midwest states, Governor Pat Quinn and others reached out to help residents of Central Illinois pick up the pieces. The day…
Room in the Inn
As Director of Sales at the Peoria Residence Inn Marriott, Bonnie Petrenko typically is selling overnight stays. But on the night of Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, complimentary overnight stays are available to people visiting loved ones in nursing homes and…
Straight talk for December 2013
BARNEY AND GOMER The 80 year old man took another drink of his coffee and then loudly announced, “I’ve been scammed!” “Stolen identity?” someone asked. “No.” “Over charge on auto repair?” “No.” “What then?” With anger in his eye, the…
Predicting holiday shopping is a cynical ‘game’
When the Peoria County Board in mid-November unanimously passed a resolution supporting Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, it rekindled an appreciation for independent retailers with local owners and workers – and the merchants who refrain from making forecasts of…
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…