Newsbriefs for February 2010

Peoria Public Library McClure Branch to Close for Remodeling Peoria Public Library, engaged in a $28 million dollar building program for all facilities, will close McClure Branch, 315 W. McClure Avenue, at the end of the day, Saturday, February 19…

A New Day, New Way in Peoria

Peoria, Illinois, is taking the New Year in stride, building on past successes and moving forward with new ideas to prompt increased safety, better employment and community growth. New Decisions from Washington U.S. Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin’s…

The Bradley Renaissance Campaign Continues

You may have noticed a lot of construction going on at Bradley University lately. Why have we seen so much activity? Well Bradley is actively continuing their Campaign for Bradley Renaissance. The campaign has seven key initiatives, some of which…

New Faces Eager to Warm Council Seats

New challengers for the Peoria City Council are getting ready for 2011 elections. It’s time for (yet) another election. And locals never seem to tire of the campaigning, mudslinging or celebrating with cash bars open ‘til midnight. But celebrations are…

New Downstate Story Now Available

Ten new short stories by Illinois and Midwestern writers, illustrated with original art, are featured in the 2010 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria’s only literary magazine. The downstate Illinois writers in this issue are Pepper Bauer of Mapleton; Connie Stepe…

Merle’s parting shot

Merle Widmer has retired from the County Board, but not from politics. Everyone who knows him, and I do, knew he would not go quietly. After a big time losing effort to slow down, if not stop the downtown museum,…

Good Guys and Wise Men

 When the lingering, languid Fall finally faded, it went fast, yielding to the harsh arrival of frigid temperatures, blustery winds and suddenly obvious darkness.  The days are too short.  The days were too short, too, for two good guys who…

A Sampling of Science Hightlights from 2010

 Even though, in 2010, the radio and TV were preoccupied with political prattle, there actually were some interesting discoveries and/ or findings in science, that went largely ignored. Here are just a couple that caught my eye. I’ve included scientific…

Editorials for January 2011

January 22nd Marks 38th Anniversary of Roe v Wade by Debbie Adlof, Editor/Owner Community Word, Peoria, IL   It’s no secret that our great country of America has always sought and/or fought to grant freedom to its people. In the beginning,…

Serendipity for January 2011

You’re as young as you act, so act accordingly!   After an early morning eye doctor’s appointment, I visit a fast food restaurant for a quick breakfast at bargain prices. Without inquiring if I qualify, a senior discount on coffee is…

West Peoria News for January 2011

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…

Coffee Crawl

I love coffee. Evidently I’m not alone in that love. Over 100 million Americans are daily drinkers of coffee; 30 million of these drink a specialty coffee daily (such as mocha, latte, espresso, cappuccino, as well as frozen/iced coffees).  The…

January 2011 Happenings

Jan. 5 – “Starting a Business in Illinois Workshops” – at PeoriaNEXT Innovation Center, 801 W. Main, St. at 3:00 p.m. For full details and registration info, go to: www.bradley.edu/turnercenter/events or call 309-677-4321. Jan. 7 – 9 – The 87…

Newsbriefs for January 2011

Peoria County Genealogical Society January Meeting  Jon Austin, General Manager of Springdale Cemetery, an avid genealogist and professional historian, will speak during the January 13 meeting of the Peoria County Genealogical Society. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and…

Illinois still blue despite Republican gains

A tainted Republican victory leaves Democrats retaining power in the 92nd district, the Senate and in the State of Illinois. Peaking Too Early? In the months leading up to midterms, Republicans were motivated. Voters were disgruntled over a health care…