By Marie Blood QUESTION: What is the best kept secret in Peoria? ANSWER: The Butcher Block Steakhouse & Grill which morphed from a small meat/deli shop in Lake of the Woods in the mid-90’s to a booming full-service restaurant at…
Hick’ry Stick Cafe: New Addition to Family Catering Business
Standing proudly in front of their new cafe, Hick’ry Stick, located at 1122 E. McClure in Peoria are (L to R) Ron Foster III, Ron Foster, and Ryan Foster. The family-operated business offers eat-in, catering and carry-out. Tip jars on…
Stop the presses!
The sleuths at the Peoria Journal have uncovered another major crime! While there are murders on the streets and alleys of the city, drug deals almost in the open, fights among teens at Peoria High, and muggings of shoppers, the…
‘Waiting for Superman’ incomplete on education
If hospitals didn’t provide scalpels to surgeons or if contractors prohibited plumbers from using wrenches, would we get out the pitchforks and torches to storm operating rooms and basements? That’s unclear after seeing the new documentary from Oscar-winning director David…
Pray to God … But Row Toward Shore
John Shimkus, Republican representative from Illinois, proclaimed recently, during a congressional hearing, that there is no need to worry about global warming because of a promise God made to Noah. With God protecting us from the awful consequences of climate…
Gordon energizes young voters, tosses older Democrats under the bus
The Journal Star’s “Word on the Street” column ran a post-election love letter to State Rep. Jehan Gordon and the young, energized voters who attended her victory celebration. No mention is made of her unnecessarily negative and misleading campaign ads.…
Who Foots the Bill for Illegal’s Expenses?
By Ed Klein, Peoria IL A recent report revealed that upwards of $1.1 billion is spent by U.S. taxpayers on medical, educational and other social benefits for illegal immigrants. Many communities are facing financial hardship because, in some cases they…
A Moment of Silence at School
By Delores Klein, Peoria, IL District 150 has renewed the debate about prayer in schools by talk of re-instating a “Moment of Silence.” Public discussion always seems to be phrased as if only Jewish and Muslim citizens or atheists would…
Why Travel This Christmas?
Thanks to the underwear bomber who ruined Christmas, the friendly skies have turned dark. Travelers over this past Thanksgiving took to the highways in record numbers in order to avoid scanners and strips searches at airports. But travel they did…
Christmas
Celebrating December 25th has become a complicated affair. We struggle with what to call the day: Christmas, as it’s traditionally known; Winter Solstice, a newcomer name; Winter Holiday, rather generic; with additional options certain for the future. Even the most…
West Peoria News for December 2010
The West Peoria Residents’ Association invites everyone to join them in kicking off the Christmas Season at the annual Christmas Party, Sunday, December 5th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation Center. Bring your family and enjoy entertainment…
Musings for December 2010
Thank Goodness another Thanksgiving is over. Each year I make a decision to not let the date or Holiday get to me, but it does. It has now been twelve years since Jack, my dear husband, died on Thanksgiving Eve,…
Happenings for Dec. 2010
thru Dec. 31 – Poinsettia Show at the Luthy Botanical Gardens. Call for ticket prices and times at (309) 686-3236. Dec. 2 – Magician Mitch Williams at The Whammy Bar from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Call (309) 647-3692. Dec. 3…
Peoria Park District Happenings in December
SOMMER PARK HOSTS ANTEBELLUM CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 4 The Peoria Park District’s W. H. Sommer Park will host an Antebellum Christmas on Saturday, December 4, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Learn some customs of the era, sing popular Christmas songs, and…
Ag Service Award Presented
Jordan Feucht of Princeville is the recipient of the Peoria County Farm Bureau’s 2010 Ag Service Award. This is the 15th consecutive year that a Peoria County resident has been recognized for demonstrating outstanding service to agriculture. Jordan has served…
Volunteer Emergency Service Award Winner
Richard “Dick” Archibald of Brimfield was recently presented with Peoria County Farm Bureau’s Volunteer Emergency Service Award at their annual meeting. Dick has been a member of the Brimfield Community Fire Protection District for over 50 years and is a…
2011 Peoria County Farm Bureau Photo Calendar
Peoria County residents are encouraged to stop by the Farm Bureau office in Peoria at 1716 N. University Street to pick up a FREE 2011 colored photo calendar. The calendar features 14 farm-related pictures that were submitted by members for…
Book Signing and Speaking Engagement by Author Michelle Alexander on December 6th
Author Michelle Alexander, whose book The New Jim Crow – Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness has been called “the best book ever written on mass incarceration and the war on drugs,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. on…
Peoria Park District named gold-medal award winner
The Peoria Park District received the National 2010 Gold Medal Grand Award at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress and Exposition in Minneapolis, MN. The Gold Medal Grand Award – considered the highest and most prestigious honor attainable…
Enchanted Florist & Boutique hosts VIP Shopping Night in support of Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Kick off the holiday season at Enchanted Florist and Boutique for a VIP shopping night in support of Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and enjoy Girl Scout cookies and hot apple cider while you shop. This event will be held…
Homeowners Saluted for Beautification
The Iris Award is given annually to neighborhood associations and homeowners for outstanding landscaping and beautification of homes, yards and gardens. Each winning homeowner was presented with a special Keep Peoria Beautiful sign to display in the yard. The Iris…
Illinois American Water Encourages Customers to Prepare for Cold Weather Now
Illinois American Water reminds homeowners to take precautions now to be prepared for freezing winter temperatures ahead. Acting now can prevent costly plumbing repairs and headaches for homeowners. During winter weather, interior water pipes need special care to keep them…