Illinois, Peoria Recent Hot Spots for Politicians

D.C. Democrats visit Central Illinois while Governor Quinn reveals a new use for shingles. Home State Tour Campaign 2012 is revving up across the country and Illinoisans are seeing some early signs—most notably President Barack Obama’s bus tour across the…

Happy Birthday, Pete!

Pete Vonachen, Peoria’s “Mr. Baseball,” celebrated his 86th birthday, Wednesday, August 31. Mayor Jim Ardis proclaimed that day “Pete Vonachen Day” in honor of Pete’s leadership and community service. Few people remember his many years on the city’s Liquor Commission…

Progressive – and proud of it!

For progressive-minded radio fans who love variety in their music and local personalities on the dial, the Peoria area can be frustrating. It’s worse when stations licensed to certain communities ignore those towns. So increasingly, listeners seeking voices and tunes…

Keeping the Parts

My sister, Lora, was absolutely right. When her mother-in-law, Oma, died this past July, she said, “It was like losing a library…” That’s a perfect way to put it. Having lived through almost all of the twentieth century, Oma had…

America, the Light is Fading …

by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL After Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s union busting bill was signed, Mahlon Mitchell of the firefighters union said, “It doesn’t feel like America. Where the hell are we?” I can answer that. We’re in an era…

A Woman for President?

by Dolores M. Klein, Peoria, IL Now that a woman may be nominated by the Republican Party for President, the questions arise again, and by now should have been addressed many times over. A woman’s abilities, etc., etc., etc. The…

Musings for September 2011

September is coming up, and it’s hard to believe that the year 2011 is drawing to a close. Children are back in school, and hopefully the weather is going to cool off. It will be good if this is the…

Granddaughters and Kindergarten!

Dear Emma and Lili, When I think about you, my two angel granddaughters going to kindergarten, my heart just flip-flops. I remember vividly that exciting moment when your Papa and I were told we were going to be grandparents. And…

West Peoria News for September 2011

West Peoria is hosting their 11th annual Night Against Crime on Saturday, September 17th from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. at Franciscan Park. Traditionally, these events are held in August but this was changed in order to avoid the heat of…

9/11 Remembrance Event

The City of Peoria today announced plans to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11 by holding a 9/11 Remembrance Event at O’Brien Field on September 10, 2011, from 10:00 until 11:15 a.m. This special service, which is free and…

September Happenings

Sept 2 – 3 – 23rd Annual Blues Festival at the Riverfront Park. Call             309-863-5121      . Features great blues entertainment on three stages at beautiful downtown Peoria´s Riverfront Park. Sept 4 – “Party with a Purpose,” hosted by OSF & the…

September at Peoria Park District

Xbox Football Game Tournament – Compete in the Peoria Park District’s new Xbox 360 “Madden NFL 11” Tournament. Players will go head-to-head on Saturday, September 10, starting at 7:45 p.m. at the Glen Oak Amphitheatre. The Xbox 360 will be…