Columns

Land and Water Conservation Fund Survives

Late in the day on Dec. 16, a 50-year-old conservation program survived to see another day (we hope). The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was passed and signed into law on Sept. 3, 1964. Since that date, over $3.6…

By our own admission, we are a family of planners. Mother, father, one son, two daughters who enjoy involvement in the many excellent, fun-filled, necessary, enjoyable, and “helping us become better people” activities life offers. Sometimes we’re participants, other times observers. We’re extroverts…

West Peoria dedicated signs on both ends of Park Road to local musician Jimmy Binkley on Dec. 11. Park Road was chosen because of Binkley’s 12 years entertaining at Sky Harbor. Mr. Binkley died recently; his life was celebrated at…

Have you heard of the “Streisand Effect?” The website Informy.com provides a brief description of it: “We know now that the more fuss somebody makes about something on the internet, attempting to get it removed, the greater awareness people have…

I attended two productions in December: one for the acting, one for the writing; one was worthwhile, one was not. Bradley’s “Fall Forward, a Festival of Student Directed Plays” was a tedious evening that eventually found me making a quick…

Arts Beat

    MUSIC Jan 2: Rooster Alley “Live at the Five Spot.” 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Art Center. 674-6822. Jan. 2: Three and a Half Men. 8 p.m. Rhythm Kitchen. 676-9668. Jan. 8: Moon Taxi, with Maia Sharp. 7 p.m. Limelight…

Art Still Lives in Central Illinois

Why do all the great artists live in big cities? Trick question. They don’t. The reality is creativity exists globally in humans regardless of location. From high-ceiling, red-bricked warehouses to garage studios to small spaces in homes, artists in central…

Labor Roundup

The year has had some labor victories. There were several big wins for the labor movement in 2015: the UAW (representing 142,000 workers) ratifying contracts at General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler; Fueling Agents at Phoenix’ Airport unionizing with the…

Ignorance and Profit: Margarine and the Heart “Avoid butter, use margarine” was standard medical advice in the 1970s to reduce the risk of heart attack. This advice was based on ignorance of the dangers from margarine made from hydrogenated vegetable…

ON THE AIR AGAIN! It’s exciting, and the timing is perfect since I love the sounds of Christmas. “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” is returning on Internet Radio as “Breakfast with Roger and Friends,” starting 6 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.…