Good news!

I’m happy to report that Peoria’s “Mr. Baseball,” Pete Vonachen, is on the mend. Pete fell at home recently and broke his hip resulting in surgery at OSF St. Francis. Following recovery from the operation, the 86-year old Vonachen was transferred to Proctor Hospital to…

For Mothers’ Day: more progress, please

As Mothers’ Day approaches this month, I recall inadvertently insulting my Mom decades ago, trying to defend a girlfriend’s career goals by complaining about the lack of opportunities for women who stayed home. “I chose to be a housewife and raise you…

SuperPACs not so super

From my vantage point at the curb, in front of Green Bay West High School, I could see the approach of the police escort followed closely by a large black car. All of us students crowded to the road and started waving and…

Guest editorials

Ready, Aim, Fire! by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL The history of the United States is, in one sense, a history of guns … from the matchlocks of the Pilgrims to the rapid firing heavy caliber assault rifles of today. And the right to bear…

Time in Stitches

The tick seems louder. The clock on the wall of my office once hung on the wall above the breakfast bar between the kitchen and dining room in my childhood home. It’s a wood-framed clock with a two-paned glass door…

West Peoria News for May 2012

Best wishes, good health and good times to our retiring City Administrator, John Carlson. The Annual West Peoria Memorial Day celebration will be held on Saturday, May 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the West Peoria War Veterans Memorial at Heading and Sterling.…

Computers are Actually Educational Tools?

Computer Tech Tips With all the hype of Angry Birds, Facebook’s Words with Friends, and other unwanted games on your computer, it is sometimes hard to imagine that we can actually get an education using our computers. Many people are…

Technology Can Reinforce Teaching

Math was a rather comfortable and interesting subject until I entered high school. Solving the unknown in Algebra, most of Algebra’s content was unknown to me, and plane and solid geometry caused me unbelievable anxiety. But my friend, Michelle (Davis)…

What can you do with this?

Business Buzz Get the Scoop on Local Small Businesses: new, unique, etc. If you want some metal or wood object repaired or restored, would you take it to just any handyman? Or would you look for someone who has specialized…

The Community Corner

5th Installment Features …… info from the City of Peoria [Editor’s Note: The Community Word offers this column to various agencies and governmental organizations in an effort to inform the public just what it is that they do for our Peoria-area community. This…

Happenings for May 2012

May 2, 9, 16, & 23 – SING FOR THE HEALTH OF IT – If you’ve been mouthing the words instead of singing with gusto, this is for you! HAVE FUN “making a joyful noise” singing songs & meeting cool people!…

Newsbriefs

May activities at Proctor Hospital May 3 – 4 – Masquerade Jewelry Sale – 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily in Hospital Lobby. Sponsored by Proctor Service Auxiliary. May 17 – Seniors on the Go – Free @ Hult Center for Health…

Peoria Park District events

PEORIA PARK DISTRICT HOSTS ANNUAL DRAMA FESTIVAL The Community Children’s Theatre of the Peoria Park District hosts the Annual Drama Festival on Saturday, May 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Corn Stock Theatre Tent in Bradley Park. Enjoy…

Illinois one step closer to general election

Central Illinois’ primary results set the stage for the long fight to November. The spring primary gave Central Illinois residents a look at who will battle for congressional seats between now and November 6. On March 20, Illinois voters grappling with high gas prices,…

Disabilities are Us!

Are you disabled in any way? How does one live with that? “A disability is a minority of people that accepts everyone, regardless of race, creed, national origin or gender” according to Melody Reynolds, Executive  Director of Advocates for Access.…

Personal feud at the Peoria County Courthouse

It’s obvious Peoria County board member Brad Harding has a personal feud with Sheriff Mike McCoy that has now expanded to include State’s Attorney Jerry Brady. Unfortunately, the Peoria Journal has embellished this non-story to front page coverage. I’m not sure why. Harding has apologized…