Peoria Illinoisan

Pending Council Approval, I now live in Renaissance Park.

As much as I hate to do it, I’ve come to accept my fate and will not utter the words Med-Tech ever again.

http://www.googlism.com/

Some tidbits from a Googlism search of Peoria:

peoria is located in peoria county and it is the county seat

peoria is highly industrialized with heavy machinery and industrial alcohol as the main products

peoria is the 3rd largest city in the state of illinois

peoria is a microcosm of america herself

peoria is the largest producer of steel nails in the usa

peoria is in a soil region along the illinois river that is very difficult to explain because it embraces extremes from extensive floodplains to very fertile

peoria is the oldest civilized settlement in the state of illinois

peoria is on your right

peoria is no different

peoria is located at 4613 north sheridan rd

peoria is the site of a french fort built by explorer rené robert cavalieur sieur de la salle in 1680

peoria is good for east peoria

peoria is not a little chicago

peoria is the 3rd largest city in the state

peoria is designed specifically for people who need more than just a room while away from home

peoria is a pain

peoria is flying high

peoria is the fifth largest city in illinois

peoria is two blocks west of halsted

I frequent the North University (Pioneer Park) McDonalds often, and I consider it to be the one of the most efficient fast food locations in Peoria, especially with the lunch crowd they get. Today, the drive-through line was pretty short. Only a few cars ahead of me. In and Out, I figure. Nope. It took nearly as long as when I’m blocking traffic on University trying to get into the parking lot. Usually there are two people working the pay window. One taking orders and the other handling the cash. So what do I see when I pull up to pay? The ‘order-taker’ has a well worn WORD SEARCH book laid flat out, dilligently working on another word. And when she found the word, she turns to the ‘cash-lady’ to show her. It appeared they had about a quarter of the ‘puzzle’ finished.

I may have to start saving my pennies so I can subscribe to XM Satellite Radio… “XM Satellite Radio today announced that Bob Dylan will host a new music show exclusively for XM, marking the first time the music legend has hosted a radio show. The weekly hour-long music show will feature an eclectic mix of music hand-selected from Dylan’s personal music collection. In addition, Dylan will offer regular commentary on music and other topics, host and interview special guests including other artists and will take emails from XM subscribers.” Press Release

Here’s a simple question. What kind of 21 year old would have $1,000 in his pant pockets? Now don’t think too hard…

People don’t randomly break into a house and demand DRUGS or MONEY without knowing there likely will be one of the two.

Maybe Jermaine should’ve layed low instead of calling the cops. Now they’ll have him on their radar too. I suspect this won’t be the last time we see Jermaine McDonald’s name in the paper.

Here’s the report from the Journal Star:

PEORIA - A Peoria man told police he was robbed of nearly $1,000 after two men with guns forced their way into his West Bluff home Sunday morning.

Jermaine M. McDonald, 21, told police he was sleeping in his bedroom when the door was kicked in and a man standing over him with a gun demanded drugs or money.

McDonald’s 61-year-old grandmother, who was in the living room at the time, said someone had been knocking at the door when another relative went to open it and the two gunmen ran inside about 12:45 a.m., police reports said.

No one was injured during the robbery.

McDonald told the man his money was in his pants. The robber grabbed the cash and fled the home.

Police, Fire & Courts

I’m still not thrilled by the proposed name change from Med-Tech to Renaissance Park. WMBD1470 is reporting it’s pretty much a done deal (reading between the lines).

The marketing department apparently doesn’t think the name The Med-Tech District has enough pzazz.

“the proposed name has been tested and accepted by neighbors, business owners and scientists.”

Huh?

The Med-Tech District is not only a cool name, it serves the double purpose of describing exactly it’s intended purpose. In a few years, if asked by an out of towner for directions, those that don’t live or work near Main Street may not know where Renaissance Park is- but they damn sure would know exactly where the Med-Tech District is.

I can hear it now… “Renaissance Park? Isn’t that just off of Richard Pryor Place somewhere down on the south-end?”

How about we put some grass down and some park benches on the old Steak ‘n Shake lot. What would it be called?

The Renaissance Park Park, of course.

I guess it’ll just have to grow on me.

Out with the Old:

 

In with the New:

It’s unfortunate, but maybe THIS is what it will take for Peoria to properly acknowledge Richard Pryor. Honestly, I doubt it.

Related Post: Where is “Richard Pryor Place” Again?

My primary checking and savings accounts are at an out of state online bank, but I have one local account at Dunlap Bank that I use as a slush fund and for cashing checks. I don’t go there often, but once in a while I need to cash a check.

The last two times, after I pulled up to the drive through, the teller knew me by name as she said hello (before she took my check). The first time, I thought I misheard her, but I went again today, I’ll be damned if, she knew my name and said hello with a smile.

Maybe she went to Sky-High and her superhero power is name-remembering. I can hardly remember my own name sometimes, but she can remember one out of litereally hundreds of people.

Old fashioned customer service.

I’m a fan of Dunlap Bank, not because of anything groundbreaking, but because one person took the time to learn my name, and that’s a lost art.

If you’re wondering, I checked, and I don’t have my name written on my forehead.

I was listening to a radio tribute to John Lennon today and got to thinking how wonderful it is in this digital age to be able to easily skip all the Yoko Ono songs on Double Fantasy…

For those weather freaks like me, it’s time to break out the Snow Cams!

Caterpillar Sears Demolition Cam

PJStar McCluggage Bridge Cam

Bradley Fieldhouse Cam

These are the only live web cams in town that I know of. Does anyone know of any others?

 
BERLIN (Reuters) - A German man who fell asleep in a rubbish container after a bout of heavy drinking had a lucky escape after he was tipped into the hydraulic press of a garbage truck, police said on Wednesday. The 47-year-old was only saved from being crushed when the truck’s driver stopped to urinate before continuing his round. He quickly switched off the press after he heard swearing coming from the truck’s interior. “The man admitted drinking a lot of booze the previous night and climbing into the container to seek refuge from the rain where he passed out,” the police said in a statement. The man, from Fischbachtal in southwestern Germany, suffered only a minor head injury and mild shock.

Lincoln is getting it’s new SuperCenter, and giving up over a half-million dollars in taxes revenue. You can read all about it here. I don’t know Alderman Benny Huskins, but he had it right when he said this: “It’s going to be an expense to the city,” he said. “If we don’t give them anything, they’re still going to come here.” Exactly.

Thurday, Jan 12., site TBA.

TBA?

Is Expo Gardens losing another exhibitor? Expo on the night of the Cubs Convention has the feel of a raunchy old bar, in my opinion. Moving it would probably make it classier, hopefully a little roomier, and probably more kid friendly. The Cubs must think we’re a bunch of hicks down here in Southern Illinois when they get to Expo and think “this is their convention center?” Gotta admit, though, I’ll miss that stinky ol’ bar feel.

This, from Waterville, Maine. Officers are going to try to “blend in” at College parties, then bust them for underage drinking.

I think the Peoria Police department should look into doing something like this in the Bradley area. I’ll even volunteer to help.

Reminds me of when I took my kids to the Lakeview water park this summer. Every 15 to 20 minutes, a Park District policeman would come in and walk around, making sure there was no trouble. Funny thing was, they never took off their shades, and they were obviously checking out the eye-candy. I could imagine them playing poker on the weekends, with the winner getting to patrol the Pools. I wonder what patrol the loser gets?