On the brink of failing to extend a payroll tax cut into the New Year, Congress sends the average worker an early Christmas present. Just days before Christmas, House Speaker John Boehner announced a Republican decision to accept a short-term…
Happy New Year
Peoria’s only literary magazine Downstate Story is now available
Ten new short stories by Illinois and Midwestern writers, illustrated with original art, are featured in the 2011 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria’s only literary magazine. The downstate Illinois writers in this issue are: Pepper Bauer of Mapleton; Ray Pierce and…
Thank you!
Royce Elliott and I would like to thank everyone for their many acts of kindness during the Christmas season, especially the food. Actually, the food, period. Cookies and cakes were abundant as were the phone calls. We love what we…
Local Red Cross administrators and civic leaders should reassert control of Peoria operations
The heavy hands of out-of-state attorneys and a dominating national headquarters seem to be getting in the way of a settlement in the long-delayed unionization of Peoria’s Heart of America Red Cross Blood Services division. Local Red Cross administrators and…
A Look Back at Science in 2011
The news, as most of us know it, can seem to be a study in redundancy, a repetitive procession of murders, wars, bombings, deaths, thefts, floods and fires, with a few tornadoes and earthquakes thrown in. But when you review…
Every station in Peoria has a labor problem
And if by “labor problem,” you mean a “management-is-trying-to-screw-workers-around” problem, you’re right. WMBD 31 electrical workers recently put out an informational picket describing how WMBD 31 management — actually Nexstar — has them working without a contract. So, WMBD 31…
Arrogant Ignorance!
by Sherry Matulis, Peoria, IL With the exception of Ron Paul, who I’m convinced is still a political Libertarian, I’ve found myself pondering whether the Republican candidates for President in their zeal to appeal to the Righteous Right have displayed…
What Europe and America Have in Common
by Harold Bob Jones, Blair, OK Europe and the USA have many things in common, one of which noted currently is the massive debt crisis both are experiencing because of politicians who fail to learn from history. George Santayana noted…
Inanity in the World of Commercial Television
by Dolores M. Klein, Peoria, IL Lowe’s Corporate Execs have caved in, as of today, to a muslim-hating group, taking their commercials off the “reality show” portraying an American Muslim family. But, all across the television stations, cable and otherwise,…
For Sale – The Government of the U.S.
by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL Republicans very loudly proclaim their mission to shrink government by eradicating as many departments as possible – and one wonders – impossible. But how can they shrink government when the plutocrats – the Kochs, Waltons,…
All Things New!
I was packed for a cruise to the Bahamas when I got the call: Daddy died of a massive heart attack. Details were sketchy, but his last minutes on earth were spent snow-blowing his driveway. This month marks one year…
Serendipity: January beckons with a new month and year
Stores open, prices slashed, bonus dollars, later hours, payment plans, never better offers, and the hype continues from late summer through December. Before sales, after sales, lowest prices ever, and while we’re still celebrating one season, we’re shoved into the…
West Peoria News for January 2012
Kudos to our very brave Scouts who once again this year braved very frigid (single digit) temperatures to travel through our community to carol. It is always a very pleasant sound to hear their float escorted by the WPFD travel…
An Introduction to Peoria County
[Editor’s Note: The Community Word offers this column to various agencies and governmental organizations such as the City and County of Peoria, the Library, etc. in order to inform the public just what it is that they do for our Peoria-area…
Happenings for January 2012
January Happenings Jan 2 – May 21 – River Valley Cloggers – weekly at Lakeview YWCA. Clogging instructor is Margie Ashburn. Jan 5 – Proctor Hospital will be hosting the American Red Cross blood drive from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00…
Newsbriefs for January 2012
Methodist Provides Free Community Health Screenings The Methodist Wellmobile will be bringing free health screenings to the following community locations during January. Screenings include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and lung functions. A 12-hour fast is required for cholesterol and…
Merry Christmas
Christmastime ‘Gospelfest’ concerts continue to grow
The Christmastime Gospelfest concert continues to grow in popularity every year with additional concert dates and even more people enjoying this traditional, inspirational music as an integral part of their annual holiday celebrations. On Friday, December 9, a concert will…
Springfield State House Rescues Unemployment Fund
Illinois’s General Assembly takes swift action to mitigate the state’s loss of insurance to the unemployed. Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund has been on hiatus. Although the state added 30,000 jobs last month, officials say as more of Illinois’ jobless re-entered…
Peoria County Genealogical Society Seeks Assistance to Locate Veterans of the War of 1812
The Peoria County Genealogical Society needs your help! They are currently working with the Illinois War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to locate and honor the veterans buried in Peoria county cemeteries who served in the War of 1812. If you…
Remember Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Program
Peoria Public Library will offer two films with discussions on Saturday, December 3rd at Peoria Public Library Main Library Auditorium in honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. At 10:30 a.m. watch the new documentary L-Bird- The…