Grandparents are life’s bonuses. Typically old enough to know many interesting things, they’ve lived long enough to acquire wisdom, good judgment and humor etiquette. They know what’s worth fussing about, and what to overlook. And they rarely feel the need…
Columns
The Lion’s Den | Sticks and stones
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | Sticks and stones
Everyone remembers the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” When scrutinized, this phrase is a thought process that is used as a defense mechanism to fend off insults and verbal barbs that…
Straight Talk | So much for medical privacy
by Roger Monroe • • Comments Off on Straight Talk | So much for medical privacy
In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act setting standards for the electronic exchange, privacy and security of health information. Commonly known as HIPPA law, it was designed to protect everyone’s health records. Hospital and medical office…
Bill Knight | Poverty
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight | Poverty
The word poverty can conjure thoughts of Appalachia, Ethiopia or inner-city neighborhoods, but often the reality of the less fortunate isn’t “them.” It’s “us.” The poor are used to being ignored. Poverty increased in almost one-third of U.S. counties since…
The Watch | Keeping an eye on housekeeping
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch | Keeping an eye on housekeeping
Early spring cleaning and preparation for a long election season apparently dominated the agendas for several local governments recently. According to Local Government Observer (LOGO) reports from the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria, the Peoria County Election Commission…
Nature Rambles | Hill prairies
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles | Hill prairies
March is one of those months that many would like to bypass. It’s not the depth of winter anymore, and spring seems like it will never arrive. From my perspective, March is the perfect month to revel in the last…
Heat Waves — In Red & Black | Climate matters
by William Rau • • Comments Off on Heat Waves — In Red & Black | Climate matters
In 2004, climate scientists predicted “more intense, more frequent and longer lasting heat waves” this century. In 2008, the 2nd National Climate Assessment projected heat waves in the Midwest every summer by midcentury. Last year, the Union of Concerned Scientists’…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Charity
by Dr. Mandar Pattekar • • Comments Off on Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Charity
There is a story of a famous poet Māgha in the 6th century who was carefree with his wealth and lived in poverty towards the end of his life. One day, a poor man came to his door asking for…
Inland Art | “The Volte-Face”
by Paul Krainak • • Comments Off on Inland Art | “The Volte-Face”
Dan Devening’s work is a meticulous hybrid of disciplinary practices. He treads the periphery of painting, collage, graphic design and architecture, looking for new paths between demonstrated customs and proven structures.
Art: What is it Good For? | If It’s Broke, Fix It
by Doug and Eileen Leunig • • Comments Off on Art: What is it Good For? | If It’s Broke, Fix It
The public education system in the United States is broken. A quick Google search reveals some of the problems that are nationally prevalent. Achievement gaps. Overcrowded. Underfunded. Outdated. High dropout rate. School-to-prison pipeline. These harsh realities have existed for decades…