Romney, Ryan Duo Excites Members of Both Parties

Peoria County area Republicans aren’t shy about praising GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s choice for Vice President, but Democrats see a different advantage with Ryan on the ticket. In the latest debate between Peoria area Republicans and Democrats, members of…

Don’t shoot

Under the leadership of Mayor Jim Ardis, Peoria County State’s Attorney, Jerry Brady, Sheriff Mike McCoy and several others, Peoria is implementing a new program to combat youth violence. Badly needed in our city, it’s called “Don’t Shoot.” It was…

Super PACs Spent Big in Peoria

Super Political Action Committees (super PACs) spent almost a quarter of a million dollars in the Peoria TV market during the campaign from January-March, records show, together paying $3.74 per vote for the March 20 primary. That’s lousy for democracy…

Change … The Only Certainty

Every once in a while something comes along that changes everything. For example: in the mid seventeenth century, Dutch scientist, Antonin Van Leeuwenhoek, invented the first microscope. He could actually see previously unknown single-celled critters we now call microorganisms. This…

I am surrounded by death this month

First, my Uncle Joe Binder died after a long illness. Uncle Joe was born in Hungary, but escaped to the United States in the 1950s to avoid having to serve in the Army. He met my Aunt Barbara in a bar in Peoria. He…

Selective Memory OR???

Dolores M. Klein, Peoria, IL Things never were the way they used to be! That saying applies to the kinds of statements in the atmosphere as the election gets closer. An Associated Press series about Social Security contained an assertion that had…

They’re Playing Games with our Lives

Ed Klein, Peoria, IL The vote buying games politicians have been accused of playing from time to time is nothing new. They probably never really made a lot of difference as far as influencing an election. But, the Republicans have taken the…

Alice Cooper Was Wrong?

Are you still in school? That’s a rhetorical question. The wisest man who ever lived told me you are. I am, too. We are all born into a classroom, and whether we learn or not, the lessons and tests will…

Column for September

The 12th annual Night Out Against Crime, hosted by the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch, the City of West Peoria, West Peoria Township and the Peoria County Sheriffs’ Department, will be held on Saturday, September 8th from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. at…

How to be a Better Digital Citizen

Most of us would agree that “being a good citizen” is an easy way to make the world a better place, and part of our unspoken, unsigned contract with the rest of society. We count on each other to do…

Happenings for September 2012

Sept 1 –Peoria County Democratic Women meets @ noon Childers Catering Center, 3113 Dries Lane. Democratic candidates for the Illinois State Senate, Dave Koehler & Jennifer Graves Allison, will speak. Other Democratic candidates are invited. The event is free/the public is…

Great silent comedy based on Civil War chase

Buster Keaton comedy at the Apollo Saturday, Sept. 8th One of Hollywood’s top humorists and filmmakers based what he considered his best movie on an often-overlooked Civil War incident known as the Great Locomotive Chase, and downtown Peoria’s nonprofit Apollo…

September Book Clubs at Peoria Public Library

The following book clubs will meet in September and are open to new members. Discover the joy of discussing a great book with others this month! Club Read meets on Wednesday, September 26 at Lakeview Branch at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Great…