One consequence of conservatives’ insatiable hunger to starve government could jeopardize people’s health by letting drinking water become contaminated and go unreported, according to a report from the non-partisan Government Accounting Office (GAO). For now, people can still track local…
Taking a ‘Lichen’ to Mutualism
It was meant as a helpful hint. I was walking around my yard with a friend, when he noticed some sizable, dirty looking, crusty blotches sullying the stone facade on my house. He offered to lend me his power washer…
Dad gets beat up a little
My nephew Noah’s car was T-boned by a UPS semi earlier this month. Noah was banged up, but Dad suffered some broken ribs. They ran a bunch of tests on him in the ER, and they kept him overnight for…
Warning to Journal Star Subscribers
by Robert Renner, Peoria, IL If you are a subscriber to the Journal Star and participate in its Easy Pay Plus program with automatic monthly deductions from your credit card or bank account, you are being charged a hidden cost…
Children of the Depression – Can’t We Relate Today?
by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL For those of us who grew up in the 30’s and 40’s remembering the Depression is often an exercise in nostalgia. We married after the War and raised our families in so much better times.…
Commercial TV – Laying Waste the Wasteland
by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL It used to be, what with all the violent programming on TV, you could count on the commercials for a little respite – if often inane and hard to figure out. But no longer. For…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part ten
Rachel is absorbed in Mrs. Stone’s book of poetry amidst a restless sea of defendants and plaintiffs, all waiting for their day in court. It’s 9:45 a.m. When lies are love and love is a lie When truth is pain…
It’s never too late to reconnect & enjoy memories
Plans commenced months ago. While not previously a faithful reunion attendee, I wanted to be part of our 45th high school class reunion. I also hoped to encourage some of my dearest classmates to be there so I began checking…
West Peoria News for October 2011
The West Peoria Firefighters’ Association is planning their annual raffle and fund –raising hog roast at Crusen’s, 2117 Farmington Road on Sunday, October 16th from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Your firefighters will be going door-to-door selling the fund-raiser tickets. Tickets…
Happenings for October 2011
Oct 1 – Spider Hill – Recurs weekly on Friday, Saturday from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Three Sisters Park. Call (309) 274-8837. Admission: $8.00 per person. Spider Hill is located at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL and…
League of Women Voters Sponsors Oct. 5th Panel Discussion on Education Issues
The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria invites the public to hear a panel of local speakers talk about their experience with education standards and federal requirements for education funding from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5,…
Fun for the family at hayrides and hotdogs
Attend at least one of the great Hayrides and Hotdogs evenings at the Peoria Park District’s Sommer Park this October! Come to Sommer Park on these Thursdays in October—October 6, 13, 20, or 27, 5-7 p.m.—and enjoy a great evening…
Folks singer/songwriter Bill Stains in concert
As part of their 2011 “Songs from the Woods” concert series, the Forest Park Nature Center will host a special Sunday night concert by folk-singing legend/songwriter Bill Staines on October 2, at 7:00 p.m. For more than 40 years, Bill…
Attracting birds to your backyards
This presentation on October 15, at 1:30 p.m. gives you the info needed to make your front or back yard appealing to many different kinds of birds. Various kinds of bird feeders, feeder placement, types of seed and suet mixes,…
Four-color walks
The Peoria Park District will hold Fall Color Walks on Sunday, October 9 and Sunday, October 23, at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy the splendor of autumn as nature unfolds a tapestry of fall color on these naturalist-guided tours – which are…
Don Haynie and Sheryl Samuel in concert
This concert will be on October 22 at 7:00 p.m., as part of the 2011 “Songs from the Woods” concert series. Advanced tickets can be obtained at the Nature Center’s Trailhead Nature Store. General admission seating is available at the…
Peoria Park District grant awarded
The Fine Arts Department of the Peoria Park District received a grant from the Illinois Arts Council in the amount of $5,000 for general operating support of fine arts programming. The funding will be used to support programs in drama,…
PDC to Build Compressed Natural Gas Commercial Fueling Station in Peoria
Company partners with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to bring cleaner-burning fuel alternative to our community Peoria Disposal Company (PDC), the city of Peoria’s environmental services contractor for residential trash, yard waste and recycling collection, is teaming with Clean Energy Fuels…
Louisa May Alcott Month Explores Forgotten Side of Famous Author
Peoria Public Library, in conjunction with Illinois State University, Bloomington Public Library and Normal Public Library; will present a variety of programs throughout October that reveal the forgotten side of “The Woman Behind Little Women.” Louisa May Alcott wrote secret…
Safe Kids Peoria Area & FedEx Promote Safe Walking for Local School Children on International Walk to School Day
More than 1,000 Schools Nationwide will Participate in Safe Kids Sponsored Walk to School Day Events WHO: Safe Kids Peoria Area, FedEx, Harrison Community Learning Center WHAT: Safe Kids Peoria Area and FedEx volunteers, will walk with children that attend…
Peoria Park District Kids’ Sports in October
DODGEBALL – Dodgeball, the famous playground game, is reborn as an exciting new sport of teamwork, strategy and skill. Co-rec teams of six to 10 players (with at least two female players) put it all on the line trying to…
October Book Clubs at Peoria Public Library
The following book clubs will meet in October and are open to new members. Discover the joy of discussing a great book with others this month! Biography and Non-Fiction Book Club – Biography and Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on…