PeoriaStory

Weird play at Bradley U.

PEORIA, IL -- If you're up for a weird play that makes little sense but is extremely well done, see the current offering at Bradley University's Hartmann Center for the Performing Arts. It runs through this weekend, Oct. 1-2.

The play is Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play by Anne Washburn.

The time is post-electric because the nuclear power plants have exploded so there's no electricity.  Survivors at first gather round a campfire to entertain themselves by discussing what they remember from the past, the TV show The Simpsons. (The Simpsons? Why? How about Star Trek or Law and Order or Seinfeld or Cheers?)

They also discuss their plight, but neglect to adequately explain how they escaped the fires and radiation, then how they survive in this post-apocalyptic world. 

In the second act, seven years later, the survivors work on a play to entertain audiences, apparently for pay or food. And here's a memorable line -- two lithium batteries is the price in trade for a diet coke.

The third act, 75 years later, is an opera that supposedly depicts the situation, again focusing on The Simpsons. It's a sort of satire of traditional operas.  

All of this makes little sense. It's an absurdist drama, and its only appeal for me was to make me consider what a real disaster would mean --  for example, no electricity means no gasoline.

I read somewhere that if all the power plants, now running on computers, were hacked and destroyed, the nation as we know it could last only a few days until chaos ensued. 

But the play's attempt to depict this world is an odd failure. The structure of the play has potential but the dialogue is weak, there's no character development, and the opera is way too long. 

Nevertheless the complex play was very well performed with attractive and talented actors.

The play won a prize as best off-Broadway play in New York City, so the competition must have been weak. But it got a good review in the New York Times.  Go figure.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

 

 

$83 million but none for children

PEORIA, IL -- The city of Peoria has raked in $83 million from the Par-A-Dice Riverboat gambling venue over the last 22 years, but none has gone to the schools and children of Peoria.

Schools critic Terry Knapp gave the figures to the Peoria School District 150 Board of Education on Sept. 26 during the public comment periods, based on his Freedom of Information Act request. "Not a nickle went to children in this community," he said.

The money could be used to reimburse the district for transferring Peoria Stadium to the Peoria Park District, he said. In addition, numerous TIF districts have taken tax dollars away from the schools, he said. 

"We need to replace the council and mayor who is not supporting the schools," Knapp said.

Here is a recording of the comments.

Download D150 Sept. 26

Another speaker, Andrea Tortora of Friends of Peoria County Schools, told the board that Peoria mayor Jim Ardis (Mr. Twittergate, Mr. Give-Away-Riverfront Park) has agreed not to speak against passage of a referendum that would provide additional sales tax funds to schools in Peoria County. 

But Ardis is not supporting it, either. (And he has the nerve to run for re-election in next April's municipal elections.)

Knapp also spoke about a new DVD called Killing Education, about the Gulen schools, including Quest, the Peoria charter school.  The Gulen chain was finally kicked out by the Quest board after the FBI raided the school looking for visa violations by its Turkish staff. 

It's founder, ex-Caterpillar CEO Glen Barton and his pals, denied the Turkish connection until they could no longer do so. See previous posts.

(Barton is a developer of the apartments in Riverfront Park, not yet approved by the National Park Service.)

The DVD is long at 90 minutes and one sided, but interesting.  Knapp has given a copy to the School Board. (I have read elsewhere the founder Gulen is considered a moderate, but the film says he's a radical.  He's wanted in Turkey for fomenting the recent attempted coup, which he has denied. He lives in Pennsylvania.)

Knapp noted that Quest students went to Turkey four times, for "indoctrination," though more likely so their teachers could get a free trip home.

At the time Knapp kept asking why London and Paris had not been chosen instead. Members of Congress also got trips to Turkey, likely free. "This is garbage.," Knapp said.

"You need to know who is coming into our community," he told the board.

The final insult, according to Knapp:  "Woodruff (High School) was replaced by Quest, which graduated only 36 students last spring, half of the original class.  What happened to the rest? Knapp asked.  Were they kicked out or dropped out?"

No research has been done on the displaced Woodruff High School students. "Did they graduate?" Knapp asked.

Tortora said a campaign will begin to pass the sales tax referendum, and the groups needs donations.  It's website is FriendsofPeoriaCountySchools.org.

Two parents told the board of distressing situations at Richwoods High School. 

Charlie Thomas, a former district employee, said his daughter was suspended because someone said she smelled like marijuana, even though no drugs were found on her or her property. 

He picked her up and took her to Proctor Hospital where she tested negative for any drugs, he said, yet she was still suspended, requiring him to go to a hearing. He was obviously still furious.

Jennifer Clark said her daughter has been bullied at school, but school officials won't do anything to discipline the offenders. "I've watched it happen," she said, adding she has a video of an incident.

Now the girl hates school and doesn't want to go.  "She gets picked on every day."

She said she would move out of town if she could afford to do so, and she knows other parents who have moved because of bullying.

In its response to the comments, board members briefly sparred over the recent closure of the alternative school at Woodruff, with Dan Walther saying he decided not to call for a vote to reopen it, but he objected to the closure process with parents and children not notified in a timely way.

Board president Martha Ross said board members were notified in advance, but Walther said he wasn't notified. Ross said the closure decision was an administrative function therefore up to the superintendent.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Peoria Candidate Forum

PEORIA, IL -- The first forum for candidates running in Peoria County in contested races began to define the differences between them.

The event was on Sept. 24, sponsored by the Greater Peoria League of Women Voters, and followed rules that included only written questions from the audience.

Here is a recording of the forum. 

Download Peo candidate forum Sept 24 16

Circuit Judge:  Democrat Jodi Hoos and Republican Tim Cusack, both now serving as appointed judges, are competing for this open post. Both stressed their experience, though Cusack likely has an edge with his 27 years as an attorney, in private practice, as a public defender, a prosecutor and now a judge.

Hoos has been a lawyer since 2000, and worked in the prosecutor's office before her appointment to the bench 18 months ago.

Cusack made an interesting observation that his service in juvenile and family court has saved taxpayers $4 million, in settling cases and keeping kids out of the state system.

In an April forum on so-called shaken baby syndrome, it was noted that he is open to the science on that subject. The science maintains that it takes real trauma to cause the symptoms often cited in court, and therefore physical signs of that trauma.  Merely shaking a baby cannot cause death or trauma.

This is a question that should be asked of these candidates in other forums.

Peoria County Auditor:  Democrat Carol VanWinkle is the incumbent in this office, there since 2007. Republican Alan Paredes is the challenger.

Both agreed that the office should not be abolished, as it provides independent oversight on county spending by an elected official answerable to the public. The alternative is a hired auditor who only samples the expenditures, a situation that has led to fraud elsewhere. 

VanWinkle said she believes in transparency, and that the county's checkbook is on the web and "can be downloaded." Paredes said it's too complicated, and "should be simplified."

Peoria County Coroner: Incumbent Johnna Ingersoll, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Jamie Harwood, a certified forensic nurse.

Ingersoll was elected in 2004, and has worked in the office for 28 years. She said 78 percent of all deaths in the county are reported to the coroner.

Harwood said she has not taken advantage of training for her staff, and that inquests should be abolished as they are obsolete in today's world. That would enable a death certificate to be issued more quickly, a crucial document for survivors to access insurance and other necessities.

"We're one of the few (counties) offering inquests," Harwood said.

Ingersoll said "we issue pending death certificates."

Harwood said families should be told what happened to the deceased, but "not in the courtroom setting," namely the inquest.

These candidates also need other questions about their actions in this office. A civil lawsuit involving employment issues is pending against Ingersoll.

Peoria County Board, District 11. Democrat Laurie Covington and Republican Greg Adamson are the candidates for this open seat.

Adamson, a physician, was scheduled to attend but did not appear. Covington was only able to introduce herself, then mingle with the audience, according to LWV rules. 

In a forum for the Republican primary, Adamson had to ask for an explanation of TIF districts, Tax Increment Financing districts, controversial because they deprive taxing districts such as the schools and parks of tax revenue for 23 years to foster development.He should be asked about this if he appears at a subsequent forum.

Also present at the event was the Democratic candidate for the 18th Congressional District, Junius Rodriguez.  He is challenging Daren LaHood, the Republican incumbent.  LaHood has ducked the League's attempts to schedule a forum for this race, claiming to be too busy.

Rodriguez, a Eureka College history professor and author, also mingled  with the audience. 

Here's the Journal Star's story on the forum.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

 

Peoria Stadium's future may be bright

PEORIA, IL -- The future of Peoria Stadium may be bright, since most people at an informal meeting on the stadium on Sept. 20 want it saved.  

The stadium built in 1905 (!) and its 1937-era track, need $1.8 million in upgrades, Peoria District 150 School Board member Dan Adler said. But of the dozen people from the audience who presented ideas, only one wanted it demolished and replaced, and one suggested using it for a private school.

The meeting took place at the stadium, which reminded me of Wrigley Field -- solid, functional, somewhat dated but also historic.  In fact it likely could be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, which would add to its appeal. 

Many of the speakers stressed the history of the stadium. "It's a gem," one said, the only covered high school stadium in the state. It can seat 4,000 people, and could be marketed to the surrounding 16 counties for activities.  

"It's hard to put a price tag on tradition," said Gale Thetford, an Illinois Central College trustee.

The board has apparently ruled out selling it for commercial development. It should somehow be used, and saved as green space, a document stated.

The ideas for the stadium included expanding its use for other sports such as soccer, LaCross and rugby. And it could be developed with a public/private partnership, a special not-for-profit that would guarantee it is open to the schools and public.

Better promotion and marketing would help pay for renovation, someone said. One person suggested giving it to Notre Dame High School for a new school site, by swapping it for property Notre Dame owns on Allen Road, which then could be given to the Peoria Park District. 

Here is a recording of the comments. 

Download D150 Sept 20

Board critic Terry Knapp suggested pressuring the city of Peoria to spend its riverboat tax dollars on the stadium. The city has never given a penny of that to the schools, he said.

Passage of the sales tax referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot would provide $4.2 million annually to District 150 for facilities, a potential source of revenue for the stadium upgrade.

The school district will accept comments from the public on the stadium through its website.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Springdale Cemetery tour/walk

UPDATE, 10/8/16:  This event was terrific as usual, on the 11 am walk today.  The cemetery is beautiful, the actors are excellent. Who knew what notables lie buried there!  Don't miss it.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

PEORIA, IL -- From the Springdale Cemetery website. This event is always interesting:

The 14th annual Springdale Cemetery fall tour and walk takes place on the following dates:

Saturday, Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9: 11 am and 2 pm

Friday, Oct. 7: 6 pm

Arrive 15 minutes before the tour.

Reservations from Laurel Ellis at 309-696-0956

$10 for adults, $5 for child, under two years, free.

The Prairie Folklore Theater will portray the lives of six people buried at Springdale.

The cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Classical jazz -- what a combination!

PEORIA, IL -- The famed Ramsey Lewis Trio, a superb jazz group, played with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra at the Sept. 17 opening concert of its 2016-17 season, creating a brilliant evening of fusion rarely seen anywhere.

The concert opened with Lewis' Concerto for Jazz Trio and Orchestra, a 45-minute romantic piece of mostly soft jazz with symphonic sounds. Traditional classical music rules were suspended, as the Peoria Civic Center theater audience clapped between movements and after jazz improvisations within the symphony from the trio members. Lewis is the pianist.

The piece received the first of three standing ovations during the evening.  Audience members praised the concerto during the intermission.  The percussion sounds were great, said one. "He has a beautiful touch on the keyboard."

"It was very impressive," said Linda Ringsby. "I told my daughter I'm going to hear real musicians tonight, nothing electronic." 

"I was entranced," said Dan Callahan.

After the intermission, conductor/music director George Stelluto interviewed Lewis briefly, and Lewis told of growing up in Chicago where he began learning music as a child. He attended a public high school, he said, which offered many different musical and arts groups, even ballet. "I don't know what happened to the public schools in terms of the arts," he said.

Stelluto responded, "this is a testament to the great education that was publicly funded, thank you," to applause.

The next three pieces were selected by Lewis, who had classical music training, Stelluto said. They were Romance No. 2 in F Major for Violin and Orchestra by Beethoven, then the Etude Op. 25. No. 1 by Chopin featuring piano soloist Elizabeth Lindqwister. 

She is a Richwood High School senior and apparent musical prodigy. She received a standing ovation, and for an encore played Chopin's flashy and difficult Impromptu Fantasy.

That was followed by Ravel's Mother Goose Suite - The Fairy Garden.

To top off the evening, Lewis and his trio then did a lengthy jazz set with pieces including Satin Doll by Duke Ellington; Body and Soul; a medley of several jazz pieces, a blues piece and a gospel piece, all done with expertise and interesting jazz styles.  A third standing ovation ensued.

It was a most interesting and memorable concert. 

 -- Elaine Hopkins 

(Note --  the program misstated Ravel's birth and death dates. He lived from 1875 - 1937.) 

Oops, bad decision!

PEORIA, IL -- If everything old is new again, then the old hands with Peoria School District 150 have seen it all before. And they have not forgotten.

The District 150 School Board on Sept. 12 got an earful from unhappy students, parents and others about the sudden closing last week of an alternative school at Woodruff Career and Technical Center, formerly Woodruff High School. It had opened two weeks earlier.

Even worse, it brought back memories of the closing of Woodruff High School on a 4-3 vote. 

The alternative school at Woodruff was for students who cannot function in regular classrooms, some obviously special education students, others just unique, or witnesses to gun violence, or young parents, even transgender.  They spoke before the board, accompanied by parents, to say they loved the school and their teachers. They said they had been harassed and bullied at their previous schools, or just unable learn in a traditional classroom.

Their teachers also spoke, saying how they loved these students, how the school was like a family. Some were tearful.

So once again, even with a new superintendent who this time is liked by all, a well functioning school has been closed, without adequate notice or planning.

The irony of the district recently hiring someone to work with social and emotional learning for students while closing a school that was successful in those goals was noted by several speakers. 

The School Board expressed concern. They never voted on the closing, saying it was up to the administration. But they are taking the heat.

Superintendent Sharon Kherat said "it was never the intent to cause discomfort.  There are 69 or 70 students whose needs are met, but over 1,500 whose needs are not being met. It's a balancing act."

The school was closed to transfer the students back to regular classrooms and the teachers into classrooms now being taught by substitutes. The district has a serious teacher shortage, reportedly about 50 open positions.

But one teacher noted that these are middle school and high school teachers, whereas the vacancies are in the lower grades, and these teachers are not certified for those grades.

There were many riveting moments during the long public comment period.  As usual, board critic Terry Knapp tossed a grenade into the discussion. "You want to pass a referendum and you're doing this?" he asked.

Then he recalled the closing of Woodruff High School, with 900 students, 200 seniors, "so Glen Barton and Roberta Parks could have their charter school."

Last year the charter school Quest graduated 36 seniors, he said, with the district spending $5.5 million a year on it.

The displaced Woodruff High School students who were sent to other high schools never fitted in, he said, and lost their high school years.

The district spends $2 million on Valeska Hinton for three and four-year-olds, but never has done any research to see whether that school makes a difference in their school careers, Knapp said.

 Board members expressed support for the superintendent but also concern for what has occurred. "Good people can make bad decisions.  This was messed up," said the newest board member Dan Walther, adding he had never heard of this special school.

Whether the board will do anything to rectify this situation remains to be seen.  Don't bet on it.

Here is a recording of the comments and the board's reactions. 

Download D150 Sept. 12

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here are the comments of Sharon Crews:

I learned long ago that teachers who move up the ladder quickly morph into principals, administrators, and superintendents. Teachers and administrators are never going to agree wholeheartedly because each group approaches educational problems from a different perspective. The best we can hope for are board members willing to listen to teachers and other stakeholders. Listening is only the beginning—the results of listening must be compromise.

And that is the case with proximity learning, which I expected to be on tonight’s agenda since there had been no vote yet. I fear that once again momentous decisions are being made with little input from teachers and little discussion and no vote from the board. The board members who were or are teachers and the student board member gave opinions that prove they understand that teacher-student interactions and student interactions with each other are valuable components of the learning process. Of course, the board is mainly interested in finding a solution for unfilled teaching positions.

Manual has once again been chosen as the guinea pig. From 1994 through 2007 a significant number of devoted, experienced Manual teachers retired (five of us from the English department) and were replaced by very competent teachers who, also, loved Manual and its students. Then in 2008, in order to acquire thousands of dollars, the board chose a grant that required that over one half of the faculty be exchanged for either new, inexperienced or new-to-Manual teachers. There were few familiar faces to greet students as they entered Manual’s classrooms that year. Much continuity and much of Manual’s history were lost. Manual has not had a stable faculty since then. Students were and are the losers.

To make matters worse, that grant led to the board’s selection of a block schedule program that exposed students to English, math, science, and social studies classes for only one semester, leaving them with a semester and a summer—7 months--to forget much of what they had learned. Four years of students were deprived of adequate learning opportunities just when NCLB testing was at its height. No wonder Manual students did so poorly on the tests.

Dr. Kherat, you were given the task of supporting the program and making it work. A year later, you stood at this podium to tell the board that they and the superintendent were not supporting the program. I believe your requests were ignored. Now the roles are reversed. Please, heed tonight’s requests,  

I hear talk about the importance of teacher-parent connections, but the proximity program will make it impossible for that connection. There will be no teacher to call parents or to meet with parents at open house or any other time.

At the last meeting three exemplary Manual grads —Derrick Booth, Jeff Adkins-Dutro, Bernice Gordon-Young—stood at this podium—they should be a reminder to all of you that today’s Manual students deserve the same opportunities those graduates were given—the right to a stable faculty with which to build enduring relationships. Please don’t continue to further harm Manual students. Now you, also, have to deal with the complaints from Woodruff teachers and parents.

You can’t hear me now because you are worried about the serious problems facing the district as a result of ignoring years of warnings about laying off teachers at the end of the year. I can only imagine the total number of teachers that have found other jobs over the years instead of waiting for this district to recall them. There is no hope for this district if you are not willing to admit to and find solutions for all the reasons why new teachers are not drawn to this district.

Congratulations to Alex Sierra for his acceptance from Georgetown. - 30 -

 

Pipeline protest

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

 

Date and What:  Peoria events in solidarity with No Dakota Access Pipeline events across the United States on Tuesday, September 13^th, 2016

 

Times and Locations:

 

1) Noon to 1 p.m. on the sidewalk at the corner of Main and Monroe Streets, downtown Peoria, and again at 4 p.m.

 

2) 6 p.m. at Liberty Plaza on the Peoria Riverfront, foot of Liberty Street

 

In solidarity with events across the United States, several Peoria gatherings will be held Tuesday, September 13^th to urge that the Dakota Access Pipeline be halted.

From noon to 1 p.m. there will be a walking signs rally at the corner of Main and Monroe Streets in downtown Peoria [contact Joyce Blumenshine, Heart of Illinois Group Sierra, 309-678-1011].

At 6 p.m. Eagle Ridge singers will be drumming at Liberty Plaza on the Peoria Riverfront, at the foot of Liberty Street and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend for this after-work-hours event. [contact Jimmy Lakota, 309-868-4982].

 

These events are to draw attention to concerns regarding the Dakota Access pipeline. The pipeline is proposed to be 1,168 miles long and would carry 450,000 barrels a day of fracked oil from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois and then continue south via existing pipelines to the Gulf. The Army corps of Engineers approved general permits for this project under a fast tracking provision that did not require a full environmental impacts review and did not allow for public input or tribal consultations. The Army Corps has not yet issued an easement for drilling directly under the Missouri River in North Dakota.

 

Concerned citizens will speak about the need to protect water resources and to respect tribal heritage lands and resources.  - 30 -

__._,_.___

Learn to Run

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Greater Peoria League of Women Voters Co-sponsored

Candidate Training Classes

Running for Elected Office - Tips for a Successful Campaign

Will your name be on the ballot?

The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria,  the NAACP Peoria Branch and Illinois Central College are co-sponsoring candidate training classes, aimed at next spring’s municipal elections.

The classes at ICC North will take place from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm on Mondays, October 3, 10, and 17. The series costs $45.

Sign up for classes at  http://cce.icc.edu/acp/

For those who want to run for elected office but don't know how, or who think, "I could do a better job!" these classes are a way to get started in politics.  

Six accomplished politicians who’ve won and lost on the ballot will explain the campaign process from start to finish. Topics will include:

* Designing and implementing an effective Campaign Plan

* Budgeting for the real cost of campaigning

* Deadlines for petitions and other essential documents

* How to identify District boundaries and potential voters

* Communicating your message to voters

* How friends and family can help with your campaign

* How to respond to negative/attack ads

* What materials are essential for running a successful campaign

Two local politicians will present at each class: They are Rick Cloyd, Ernestine Jackson, Beth Jensen, Allen Mayer, Gary Stella, and Gale Thetford. They have served and campaigned for themselves and for others. Each class moderator - Matt Jones, Rick Cloyd, or Pat Landes - also offers campaign experience.

* Journalist Chris Kaergard will give tips on dealing with the media, editorial board interviews, etc.

In April, local voters will decide who will fill many municipal, school board, ICC board, and township seats. This series will prepare candidates to run successful campaigns. -30-

Beethoven at Heartland

WASHINGTON, IL -- The Heartland Festival Orchestra opened its eighth season with an all Beethoven program, highlighted by virtuoso violinist and guest soloist Rachel Barton Pine. And what a program it was!

Pine was spectacular in Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 61.  Before the piece began she spoke briefly about its cadenzas, created by her. Also unique were its dissonances, opening the door to modern music.

For an encore Pine played Fritz Kreisler's Recitativo and Scherzo Op. 6, another breathtaking piece.

The orchestra also played Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Op. 84, followed by Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F Major Op. 93.

Conductor and artistic director David Commanday paused after the first movement of the symphony to give a brief talk on metronomes, and demonstrated the beat with a traditional device, then his cell phone. The second movement of the symphony keeps a beat much like a metronome. 

The evening was entitled Beethoven's 8th Wonder, an appropriate beginning to the orchestra's eighth season.

 -- Elaine Hopkins