I attended a lecture at Bradley University by Dr. Simon Balto, an assistant professor of history and director of African-American Studies at Ball State University. The lecture was sponsored by Bradley’s department of history and was part of the Armstrong…
Inland Art | Gary Justis
In 1981 Gary Justis and I showed together at Randolph Street Gallery. It was our first solo exhibition in Chicago, each taking a floor of the expansive new site just off Halsted — an area that would gradually draw galleries…
Arts Beat | April 2018
MUSIC April 3: “Rockin’ Road to Dublin,” Irish dance, 7 p.m. Civic Center Theater. 673-3200. April 6: Cousin Eddie “Live at the Five Spot.” 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Art Center. 674-6822. April 7: Sun Stereo, with People Brothers Band. 9 p.m.…
Art: What is it Good For? | The Art Queen of Green
April 22 marks the 48th anniversary of Earth Day, the environmental movement born to combat widespread industry pollution. On the first Earth Day in 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Today,…
Nature Rambles | April’s new beginning
It wouldn’t be spring without the flush of new, green growth that happens each year in our woods and prairies of Central Illinois. There is that magical time, before the trees have fully leafed out, when sunlight streams through the…
Serendipity | Time and Timeliness
Procrastination isn’t a desired behavior although it often sneaks into daily activities. Like the unexpected guest showing up unannounced with expectations of luxurious amenities, procrastination can adversely affect good intentions and positive outcomes. It requires effort not to fall into…
Labor Roundup | April 2018
Striking graduate assistants at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign rallied March 8 to celebrate a tentative settlement after a marathon overnight bargaining session. “We got our two biggest priorities related to addressing financial stability and guaranteed tuition waivers” for…
Cleve Heidelberg died a free man
Early Saturday morning, police and property management found Cleve Heidelberg dead in his Peoria apartment after a friend failed to reach him. No foul play is suspected. “He died a free man. I don’t care what legal technicalities are pending,…
March for Our Lives Peoria
Blasts of ice and sleet from a late spring blizzard did not deter more than 350 people on Saturday protesting gun violence and demanding action at a “March for Our Lives” rally in downtown Peoria. Across the country, there were…
Clean Syringe Exchange: “I stand with them”
Marvin Hightower, president of the Peoria NAACP, steers with a steady hand through scores of emotional and potentially contentious racial issues. During a discussion about a clinic location in Peoria to supply clean, safe syringes to addicts illegally using drugs,…
Illinois Infrastructure: C-
On Aug. 1, 2007, in the middle of St. Paul-Minneapolis’ rush hour, the heavily-travelled eight-lane I-35W Bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed. Thirteen people were killed. Another 145 people were injured. Roll your eyes in boredom about infrastructure, if you…
Morton Water Warriors
BY ANDREA ROTH When Morton resident Tiffany Cruse takes her 8-month-old daughter Tahlia, for a medical checkup, she’s asked about lead paint. “What’s concerning to me is it’s (questions) only about paint, not other sources (of lead poisoning). I know…
Editorial: Trump bullies and coerces women; attacks basic human right to reproductive freedom
Donald Trump, his administration and his judicial appointments are waging an all-out assault on legal access to abortion and contraception. Consider this case: A 17-year-old woman detained in a refugee center in Texas has been denied access to an abortion…
Op-Ed: What Message Are We Sending Our Kids?
BY RYAN HIDDEN Illinois state legislators are considering adult-use cannabis legalization. Some argue the reason to legalize cannabis is to raise revenue for the state. One estimate is the state could generate $350 million to $700 million per year with…
Letters: Top Legislative Agenda Should Be Climate Change
Re “Immigration and Infrastructure Top of Legislative Agenda for Republicans in Congress” (Ray LaHood’s column, February 2018): I suggest a-top-of-the-agenda item for Congress—climate change. Tragically, the present Republican President, cabinet, White House staff and Congress not only do not identify…
Views & Perspectives: Opioid epidemic is mind numbing
The opioid epidemic is mind numbing, and the death toll is staggering. According to the CDC, 200,000 people have died from overdoes involving prescription opioids. Of the people using illicit opioids, 80 percent began their addiction with prescription drugs. The…
Inland Art: Central Time Ceramics
The biennial Central Time Ceramics exhibition will open March 6 at Heuser and Hartmann Galleries, Bradley University. Show founder and Bradley Ceramics Professor Randy Carlson chose Gail Kendall, emeritus professor, University of Nebraska, whose decorative pottery is widely recognized and…
Straight Talk: Another shooting tragedy
It was painful to listen and watch as details of another horrible multiple shooting were reported in the nation. The latest at a high school in Parkland, Fla., cost 17 lives and more than 14 injured. After the 19-year old…
Art: What Is It Good For? Community + Collaboration
Today’s world is filled with divisiveness and people intent on picking sides. But art has the potential to open eyes and bring us together, the power to unify communities.
Bill Knight: Don’t politicize from the pulpit
A year ago this winter, President Trump at the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast repeated his campaign promise to dismantle the Johnson Amendment, the federal law prohibiting nonprofits, including churches from getting involved in partisan electoral politics. “I will get rid…
Nature Rambles: Signs of Spring
This year, February made us remember it is still a month of winter. Frequent snowfalls and cold arctic blasts have kept the landscape in a dormant state for much of the month. As February wanes towards March, that wintery grip…
Reflections From A Baha’i: Religion must create world unity; otherwise world better without it
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.” Will…