Local Restauranteur, Bob Eid, Received “Pillar of the West Bluff Award” from West Bluff Council
One World Founder/CEO Bob Eid was the recipient of the 2012 West Bluff Council “Pillar of the West Bluff Award.” Eid was nominated by West Bluff Council member and Bradley University Business Manager Emeritus Ken Goldin. Founded in 1993 by…
A raise for Lathan? Not surprising
To those who’ve watched the board of Peoria’s School District 150, it wasn’t a surprise when members approved an unusually lengthy and wealthy package for Superintendent Grenita Lathan. Despite a “no confidence vote” by teachers, financial problems, poor classroom performance, challenges with bus…
Ingersoll, Independence Day & Freedom!
The bronze statue at the foot of Glen Oak Park is one of the few local landmarks linking Peoria and Robert Ingersoll. July is perhaps one of the best times to remember Ingersoll, who not only died in July (1899), but delivered…
Anthrozoology and Road Pizza
Lying on the highway ahead was a beautiful fox snake, maybe 4 feet long. It appeared to be warming in the morning sun. Because the middle of the road is just as dangerous for snakes as it is for politicians…
No buses on Sunday? This issue won’t walk away
“This is a really, really bad situation,” said Gregory Johnson. He’s a cashier at the East Peoria Kroger’s Store. He normally takes the bus to work. Except Sunday. On Sunday he walks. And it isn’t for the exercise. The problem…
Editorial page
Should All Women Care? By Dolores M. Klein Was the War on Women just dimwitted blustering? During the national media conversation lately, that assessment made some sense. But now, it’s being called “drop dead shocking” that Pope Benedict has attacked…
Freedom is ColorBlind
Daddy was colorblind. He could see no difference between black skin and white skin—brown skin and yellow skin; it made no difference to him or my mother. They quietly lived the “immortal declaration” written by Thomas Jefferson, “that all men…
Serendipity: A Community Class in Progress on Judaism
Respect and acceptance do not require official documents, summit meetings, or highly evolved symposiums to discuss matters at hand. Sometimes a room in a building’s lower level with participants gathered around a large table, some sporting beverages or maybe a…
West Peoria News for July 2012
July 4th is almost here. It is the one time a year where the population in our community probably doubles or more with all the visitors who will come for the 43rd annual 4th of July Parade and Flag Raising. Have your properties…
How 60 Seconds Online Can Make Your Whole Day
I spend a lot of time in my business, thinking about the practical, nuts-and-bolts aspects of the Internet: How do we use it better, what can it do for your research, business or career, etc.? It’s a fun field, because…
Happenings for July 2012
July 3 – Methodist Red White and Boom – Foghat and Blue Oyster Cult @Festival Park @ downtown Peoria Riverfront. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets $20.00 in advance at the Riverfront Visitors Center, Water St.; Co-Op Music Stores in Peoria,…
The Humana Guidance Center’s July Calendar
We offer a variety of activities every week, like dance lessons, informational sessions, or video game bowling tournaments. You’re sure to have a good time with old friends and new ones. 7915 N. Hale Ave., Ste. D, Peoria – Ph: 691-1677; Hrs:…
Miscelaneous stories
Illinois American Water Awards Approximately $70,200 through 2012 Firefighter Grant Program Approximately $70,200 will be awarded to 65 fire departments across the state through Illinois American Water’s 2012 Firefighter Grant Program. The program was created in 2010 to provide financial assistance…
Still remembering and celebrating St. Bernard’s Grade School
Memories are highly personal, and individuals often recall the same event with considerably different details. Ask siblings who grew up in the same household with the same parents and based on their childhood memories, it’s as though some of them…
Several organizations filing lawsuits in response to new mandate
The now infamous birth control mandate set forth by the Obama Administration has resulted in multiple lawsuits issued by Catholic dioceses, churches and schools that believe the White House has infringed upon religious rights. In the latest development regarding the…
What to do, what to do …
Two local community activists to be honored for their ‘Love in Action’
Joyce DeRenzy and Mark Spenny will be recognized with the Common Place “Love in Action” Award at the 6th Annual Common Place Love in Action Award Dinner at the Par-a-Dice Hotel on Thursday, June 21. Common Place Family Learning Center, a social service…
Thank you, ‘Moose’
More than 825 people attended the retirement party at the Bradley Renaissance Center for business manager Ken Goldin, Friday, May 25. Goldin was honored for 50 years of service on the Hilltop and in the Peoriacommunity. Space doesn’t allow for mention of everyone who spoke…
Flag Day, patriotism and outsourcing
It’s obvious and easy to criticize Wal-Mart for selling outsourced merchandise made overseas, some of it by virtual slaves or kids. But as Flag Day approaches, it’s worth noting that Caterpillar, Inc. and Peoria Flag & Decorating in Peoria Heights each in its…
Every day should be Earth Day
It boiled down to cleanliness. That was the consensus from a class of 4th graders, to the question, “What is Earth Day all about?” Their experience reflects a common impression that it’s about picking up litter; cleaning up our towns,…
Last call for the dead-tree media
I used to work at a newspaper called the Cape Girardeau News Guardian. It was a rare thing: a start-up newspaper. It began about six months before I joined up, and it ceased publication about a year after I left to…