The label “Americana” means music that blends folk, gospel, country, R&B and gospel, but it’s no uniform, sound-a-like genre. Artists carve out distinctive sounds mixing acoustic and electric, creating an eclectic delight. Edward David Anderson’s record released in October is…
Editorial | Bright Future for Hotel Pere Marquette/Peoria
Paul Flynn, business manager of IBEW Local 34, lamented recently about a columnist in the Journal Star who ridiculed the transfer of the Hotel Pere Marquette from the local ownership of Gary Matthews and partners to INDURE Build-to-Core Fund, National…
Letter to the Editor | Senior Republicans should be speaking out
Issues that should disturb us include Russian interference in our sacred elections, Putin’s admission of support for Trump as President and the Russian spy Maria Butina’s work with the NRA. I long for presidents who governed our foreign policies when…
Letter to the Editor | Supreme Court tilts from justice
The Senate’s recent confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court likely means curtains for reproductive rights, environmental protection, union membership, voting rights, public education, medical coverage, even LGBTQ rights, as cases involving these issues work their way through…
Op-Ed | Vote As If Our Country Is Depending On You
BY DALE GOODNER Margaret Chase Smith probably never expected that her “Declaration of Conscience” would become listed as No. 41 in American Rhetoric’s Top 100 Speeches of the 20th century. The Republican Senator from Maine delivered that speech on June…
Reflections From The Clergy | More than equal rights
As a society, we have been embroiled in a battle over equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community for years now. We have fought for legal recognition of marriage and gender status, healthcare coverage and equal services and simple non-discrimination protections.…
Nature Rambles | A new invasive species
It’s not everyday that I get stumped when I’m out in nature, but every once in a while, I see something that I have no idea what it is. A few weeks ago, Peoria Park District staff and volunteers were…
Inland Art | A poet’s eye
Before Bill Conger became curator of exhibitions and collections at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, his critical capability was honed at the University Galleries at Illinois State University. He worked with Barry Blinderman for more than a decade, a highly productive…
Real Talk | We need a culture change
I could use this space bemoaning why I vehemently oppose Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme court. It is clear to most of us that he got the benefit of the doubt simply because he is a white man. Being…
Serendipity | Rose-colored glasses
Knowledge and ability to turn back the clock could make results both interesting and heartwarming on many levels. November and December usher in festivities and celebrations and, for many, an abundant sense of nostalgia. Add the well-known picture of the…
Arts Beat | November 2018
Music Nov. 1: ORGŌNE, with special guests Ridgeracer. 8 p.m. Kenny’s West Side Pub. 676-1693. Nov. 2: Hoobastank, with Secondhand Serenade. 8 p.m. Monarch Music Hall. 966-0826. Nov. 2: Cousin Eddie “Live at the Five Spot.” 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Art…
Yes, Peoria | Retirement Destination – Florida? Texas? Peoria!
We are at the stage of life where as a couple we are halfway into retirement. One of us is already there, the other has a way to go. So we spend a lot of time discussing this topic. How…
Journal Star: A “ghost newspaper”
Incompetence and greed” is how a source described corporate, out-of-state management at the Peoria Journal Star, now owned by GateHouse Media headquartered in New York. Within just the last few months, the newsroom’s already devastated staff was cut by another…
West Peoria News | 25th anniversary celebration
West Peoria’s 25th anniversary celebration is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in City Hall. Landscape yard waste pick-up ends the last Friday in December; the waste needs to be placed in bags or containers clearly marked…
Labor Roundup | November 2018
This month’s mid-term election “really is all about power,” said former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, and unionists must use the vote – and convince others to cast ballots – to yank power back from the corporate elite. “The nation is…
Kavanaugh and Supreme Court to planet: drop dead
Vote to save your life. Vote to save the planet. https://www.thedailybeast.com/kavanaugh-and-supreme-court-to-planet-drop-dead
Bread: Living flour, airborne yeast, explosive flavor
In France, bread is still baked daily and consumed with every meal. The list of ingredients numbers three. In America, the culture of real bread baking died long ago. Now, bread is manufactured by Wall Street corporations. It has a…
City stalls over fine for dumping raw sewage
Peoria city officials are attempting to negotiate a civil penalty imposed by the U.S. Department of Justice for failure to adequately redress the combined sewer overflow problem that results in raw sewage flushing into the Illinois River. This has been…
$1 million more for Illinois farmers markets
For state Rep. Tim Butler, access to wholesome food is part of the fabric of American society. Or it should be. Butler grew up in Peoria, worked for then-U.S. Congressman Ray LaHood, and later Congressman Rodney Davis. He worked at…
“Peoria War” changed history
Two hundred six years ago this month, a nearly forgotten series of small skirmishes that became known as the “Peoria War” made up a big part of the elimination of Native Americans in Illinois. According to local historical societies and…
Views & Perspectives | Catholic Church pastors must speak directly and frankly to their congregations
The sexual abuse scandal that now grips the Catholic Church needs much more clarification by local pastors for local parishioners. I was very pleased with the Aug. 21 statement from Bishop Daniel Jenky that states, in part, ”I was truly…
Bill Knight | Something wicked this way comes – again
Some things can’t be — mustn’t be – hidden. Fortunately, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke are initiating actions to disclose facts about sexual abuse of children, facts apparently covered up by high officials…