City of Peoria residents should have received their refuse collection bills by now. This bill covers the cost of household garbage collection throughout the City. Unfortunately, there was a printing error on the bill. The due date was incorrectly listed…
Much ado about … nothing
The office building of our main WiredTree support offices will be undergoing fire safety system upgrades and the main power to our building is going to be shut off to undergo this planned maintenance. As a result, our support offices…
Creve Coeur Club Genuflecting to Rove?
Complaints are building about the Creve Coeur Club bringing Karl Rove as its Washington Day banquet speaker, and the grumbling ranges from whines that the CCC “always brings in Republicans” to condemnation of Rove himself. Rove is scheduled to appear…
Science Highlights from 2012
From the “God particle” to Jurassic fleas, 2012 has been an incredible year for science. A lot happened while the myopic media remained preoccupied with an overload of election year political blather and smear, and superpac prevarication. Here’s a tiny…
Silly season on gun control
Imagine a United Stated where it is illegal to own or buy a gun. Paradise, right? Well, you would have to set aside the premise that one of the things that keep our government honest is that so many of…
Guest editorials
Out of the Mouths of Babes By Dolores M. Klein Peoria, IL A young actor created a furor recently by telling his young church-going friends not to watch “Two and a Half Men,” his TV show, calling it trash! By…
Future fears
I remember thinking when I was twelve that the year 2000 was fictional. I was convinced it was a year that belonged in a sci-fi movie and it was scary thinking of living in “the space age.” I remember hearing…
Resolutions, part 2
The prospect of making New Year’s Resolutions has always grabbed my attention even as a child. I love the idea of a new year waiting to be filled with all life has to offer. I have since learned, of course,…
West Peoria News for January
City Hall is reminding residents of some city regulations that will continue to be in place in 2013. All residents are required to sign up for garbage service with Waste Management – 1-800-796-9696. You will be charged for this service.…
Are You Using Your Smart Phone for Good, or Evil?
In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably admit that I used a headline that might be slightly over the top. But, while most of us probably aren’t using our iPhones, Androids, and other smart phones for purely evil…
Happenings for January
Jan 4 – 1st Friday Studio Tour at Wheel Art Pottery Studios from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at 1101 SW Washington St. Enjoy a night of art, food, music, and fun. Call 309-306-1741. Jan 5 – Winter Wonder Walks at…
Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Schedule
The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of January, 2013. Methodist features all digital mammography equipment providing improved, faster and more comfortable exams. January 8 – Methodist Medical Group at Chillicothe…
News Briefs for January
NOROVIRUS: THE “STOMACH FLU” The Peoria City/County Health Department reminds individuals that a norovirus outbreak, also known as the “stomach flu”, does not occur just on cruise ships this time of year. Noroviruses often occur in restaurants, schools, childcare facilities,…
The Amazing Kreskin to Perform on January 11th
The world’s greatest mentalist, the Amazing Kreskin will perform Friday January 11, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the Five Points Performing Arts Center at 360 N. Wilmor Rd. Washington Illinois. For over 50 years Kreskin has been telling people things…
Voters Have Their Say in November 2012
Illinois swings Democrat in the State House, White House and U.S. Senate. Few Republicans saw it coming. The influx of Democrat votes throughout President Barack Obama’s home state gave the sitting president a second term while ensuring Democrats a supermajority…
Holiday Health Tips from the Peoria City/County Health Department
The Peoria City/County Health Department is reminding area residents that by following some simple ideas their holidays can be healthy and safe. Greg Chance, Administrator at Peoria City/County Health Department, states, “Healthy habits can positively impact the health trends we…
Springdale Cemetery to Participate in the National Wreaths Across America Program
Springdale Cemetery will again participate in the national Wreaths Across America program on Saturday, December 15. The ceremony begins indoors at 11:00 a.m. at the Cemetery’s Volunteer & Maintenance Building, and similar ceremonies will take place concurrently across the nation.…
Schock: Hypocrisy or Opportunity?
U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock shouldn’t have it both ways. Peoria’s two-term Republican Congressman has been mentioned as a possible GOP candidate for governor in 2014, and the 31 year old has been quoted as saying his party should move toward…
The Voice of the Turtle
The oak didn’t look as large as I’d remembered. I came upon it while visiting some of my old haunts. This was one of the trees my brother and sister and I used to frequently climb when we were kids.…
You’ve gotta wonder what Steve Settingsgaard is thinking
Whatever it is, it’s not about the public’s right to know city business. The chief of Peoria’s Police Department got quoted in the Journal Star saying that he is going to use city resources to track down the identity of…
Straight Talk for December 2012
POST ELECTION NOTES Congratulations to the winners and losers in last month’s elections. The losers deserve special praise because it’s not easy to spend money, work hard, and wind up losing. No one enjoys losing. I congratulate you for trying.…
December Happenings
Dec 1 – Christmastime GospelFest – 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. @ Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points Washington. Call 309-472-0027. Admission: $20/adults, $10/children & students thru high school. Dec 1 – 27th annual Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis…