Peoria Illinoisan

Billy Dennis on what I thought was a rare artsy photo on my part for NTPL #243: “Next time, try posting a picture that’s a bit more of a challenge, PI.”

Deviating from my recently adopted once weekly photo, I put up 6 new ones which should be a bit more challenging, though none of them are so off the beaten path that someone won’t know what they are. As usual, the more interesting stories and tidbits the better.

[Name This Peoria Landmark]

When I am going to find time to update all of these is anyone’s guess.

More interesting comments from my archives.

PEORIA on Walgreens on Main St. – Sold!:

It looks like the “Main Street Commons” project will occur, as an announcement billboard by the developer was recently erected in front of the (former) Walgreen’s building. It should be another gem for the Renaissance Park area!

Betty Perry on The Lincoln Museum. Springfield, Illinios.:

I am trying to get in touch with the New Lincoln Museum regarding a Lincoln family picture, which I uncovered in a family homestead of 1870. It was painted by b.f. schell, Published by John dainty 31 6th St. Philadelphia and engd by A.B. Walter.
I would like the address, or phone number of someone at the museum who could tell me if it is something the museum might want.

Exiled to CA on Adagio in the keys of B & U:

I grew up in the neighborhoods around Bradley–we lived on Sherman Ave., Barker Ave., and then on Columbia Terrace. I have such happy memories of walking by all these houses on snowy days on my way to Whittier School when I was very young. I eventually attended Bradley and grew to appreciate the surrounding homes from a different, more mature perspective–as wonderful historic properties, each with lovely individual characterics. Since moving to California seven years ago–where historic homes are few and far between–I have an even deeper appreciation of the Uplands/West Bluff area. While I applaud Bradley’s vision and continued growth, I also feel great sadness and nostalgia watching these images (although it was hard to really concentrate with my three-year old son shouting “There’s another bulldozer!” in the background). The Barber Adagio is perfect for this montage, by the way. Thanks for documenting this process . . . I’ve seen a few photos of the Field House demolition but nothing like this. I’ve got to say–my eyes are a bit misty!

Zach on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time:

Alright, it’s official. Rolling Stone’s has a huge prejudice against Pink Floyd. Here they put Darkside of The Moon at number 50? It should be number one, or at least in the top 10. I hate it when people do these surveys and have no intelligent explanations justifying their top 10 albums. “Oh, they have some lovely tunes in them.” That’s kindergarden reviews, that’s what it is. Also, I see nobody at my high school (yes I’m 16 years old) wearing Sgt. Pepper’s or Beach Boys shirts. Everyday I see someone wearing a Pink Floyd shirt. Clearly this shows just how influential they are. F*%$in teenagers have better taste in music than the Rolling Stones editors, who seem to pride themselves on the constant disappointment of their surveys. Good music is the balance between the music and the lyrics. Darkside has this. As do all their albums. My apologies if I seem to be ranting, but I feel very strongly that this Rolling Stones survey was wrong to not put Darkside of the Moon into their top 10.

master_dman on A Very Brief Review of Carlos O’Kelly’s:

I love Carlos O’kellys.

Eat there all the time. Service is always perfect. Waitress is always smokin hot. Food is always good. The atomic salsa is da bomb.

Jonathan scrivanich on The Death of an Idol:

Wow. i love spongebob i have him all over my room. im 40 , im trying 2 keep him in my pants. he keeps escaping.

Morton Malaise on Clearing up a common misconception:

Holy crap, I don’t even remember typing that last night. I was freakin’ wasted!

Emtronics on Note to WMBD 1470-AM:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I’m not exactly sure why I found this so humorous, and I’m certainly not about to begin to psychoanalyze myself, but I came home from work today and found this in my backyard kiddie pool:

[photo restored]

The Peoria Park District changed their Proctor Recreation Center photo on their Historical Places web page to this-

Yeah, I liked my photo better too, and nah, I wasn’t going to sue, although a link would have been nice… I was just giving you guys at the Park District a little friendly ribbing. Beautiful building, inside and out. Too bad this gem is so under utilized.

While I would never advocate thievery or vandalism, I must say I’m quite impressed with this latest episode, as reported in the Journal Star.

PEORIA — Vandals stole flags and poles from the greens of a West Bluff golf course this weekend, damaging one of the greens in the process.

The 18 flags, valued at $400, that marked the greens at Newman Golf Course, 2021 W. Nebraska Ave., were snatched between 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, according to a police report.

The thieves caused about $200 in damages to the 15th green, which appeared to have been cut by the poles.

Police are investigating.

Did you get that? Someone stole ALL 18 flags under the cover of darkness. Whoever did this must have had some great motivation, as 18 holes is nearly a 5 mile walk. Undoubtedly the flagpoles got a bit heavy by time the 15th green was reached.

No word on if the hoodlums from nearby Lexington Hills Apartments had anything to do with it.

On the heels of the craziness of Heritage Days and the riot at Steamboat Days comes this little tidbit buried in the sports section…

Illini Golf has collected more than 28,000 golf balls and 500 golf clubs for shipment to U.S. troops in Iraq. The Country Club of Peoria, Mt. Hawley and WeaverRidge also have begun collecting equipment, which IG manager Jim Hoffman said will be shipped some time in August. … Speaking of Hoffman, his cell phone and Sky Caddie were stolen from his golf cart on June 5 when he was on the No. 7 tee at Newman. Hoffman said a group of 15 to 20 teenage boys were coming down the fairway. One of the kids snatched the items from Hoffman’s cart and they took off running across Nebraska.

You’re telling me that Golf Courses aren’t safe havens from the chaos of life anymore? What in the world is this town coming to? NOW I’m getting pissed.

I’m flattered that you thought I took such a good picture of the beautiful Proctor Recreational Center, you decided to use it on your Park District Historical Places web page.

Park District Photo:

My Photo, NTPL #115:

Notice the similarities? With an annual operating budget of $40,000,000 I’m sort-of surprised they can’t take their own photos.

L: 2-3
L: 4-5
L: 3-8

And that’s all I have to say on the matter.

YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY COULD BE SOLD LEGALLY TO A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FOR IMMEDIATE CASH, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A LIFE SETTLEMENT.Are your premiums payments too high, excessive or just unaffordable? Has there been a significant change in your personal life such as a predeceased spouse, divorce or children who are independently financially secure and no longer require your life insurance?

Do you have a need for immediate funds? Do you wish to use the payout to purchase even larger and superior life insurance?

IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS ABOVE THEN A LIFE SETTLEMENT MIGHT BE THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR YOU!!!

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN TURN YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY INTO A LUMP SUM PAYOUT.

[link removed]

Kennith Hinton

In other news, the District 150 School Board accepted Ken Hinton’s recommendation to shorten the primary school day by 90 minutes on Wednesdays with the promise that “We will see improvement in student learning.” Our middle schools are next in line for this improvement.

The great John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful fame is booked to play a concert at Glen Oak park, quite possibly with Mandolinist David Grisman whom he is touring with to promote a new album. Any of you Deadheads out there will recognize him as a member of the band Old & In The Way which also featured Jerry Garcia.

This info from a comment on my Summer In The City video-

This hasn’t been announced yet, but I wanted to let you know that we have secured John Sebastian to headline our Fall Music Festival at Glen Oak Park on September 13th! Hope to see you there!

I’ll definitely be there.

A whole three days after he quit for good. Randall, in a few months when you decide to quit again, give it a good week before changing your mind… it makes your return more dramatic.

The Peoria AntiPundit 2.0

Peoria Journal Star, April 6, 2005:
Ardis, an at-large city councilman for the past six years, bested Ransburg – 12,187 votes, or 55 percent, to 9,950 votes, or 45 percent, according to final but unofficial results from the Peoria Election Commission. Official results of Peoria’s 93 precincts won’t be ready until Thursday.

City Council Minutes, Jan 3, 2007. City Council to approve a non-binding public referendum reading as follows:
“Shall bonds in the amount of $35,000,000 be issued for Library purposes of the City of Peoria, In Peoria County, Illinois, of acquiring, constructing and installing a new library building and additions to existing facilities (including site acquisition, library materials and technology) and related fixtures, furnishings, improvements, facilities and costs, bearing interest at the rate of not to exceed 7%? Paid for by a property tax increase approximately 16 cents per $100 of the equalized assessed valuation.”

ORDINANCE NO. 16,063 was approved by roll call vote.
Yeas: Gulley, Jacob, Manning, Morris, Nichting, Sandberg, Spears, Turner, Van Auken, Mayor Ardis – 10;
Nays: None.

Peoria Journal Star, April 5, 2007:
“We don’t have any particular target or number, but when we go to the City Council for the formal request of the bonds, they have to be pretty confident that the citizens have spoken, that’s it’s not just a squeaker,” said library director Ed Szynaka.

Peoria Journal Star, April 15, 2007:
Mayor Jim Ardis, along with most current council members and at-large council candidates, has endorsed the advisory referendum and increasing taxes to pay for restructuring libraries.

Peoria Journal Star, April 18, 2007:
Peoria voters overwhelmingly approved plans for a $35 million expansion and makeover of the Peoria library system.

With all precincts counted Tuesday, there were 9,951 votes in favor, or 71.6 percent, and 3,949 votes opposed, or 28.4 percent.

“I believe I can speak for the entire board in saying we are humbled by this larger-than-expected support,” said Peoria Library Director Ed Szynaka. “There is one message to take from this – there is a desire to have a different library. (The voters) did a very hard thing: They voted themselves a tax increase to make that happen.”

Peoria Journal Star, June 11, 2008:
“I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid regarding the 72 percent (of voters who supported the referendum in 2007),” Ardis said. “Only 23 percent of registered voters even voted. Everyone will bear the burden of our decisions.”

A problem preventing some Internet Explorer users from leaving comments necessitated I change my theme again so I switched to the same theme as Name This Peoria Landmark which features a random header generator. So far I’ve only put together two new ones, but I’m going to work on more as time permits. Let me know what you think, and if you know where I can get some P’s and E’s. Those are hard to come by.

Thanks to Peoria.com for helping me out with PhotoShop and to Billy Dennis for his technical help and uploading these images to the server.