PeoriaStory

Two May Day events, 2017

PEORIA, IL -- Two interesting events are scheduled for May 1, May Day.  No riots, but possibilities for dissonance.

From a news release: The Central Illinois Monarch Butterfly Task Force, in conjunction with the Peoria Garden Club, St. Jude Leggo Firecrackers, and Peoria Park District will be hosting the Majestic Monarch Madness Kickoff Celebration, on Mon. - May 1st, 2017 at 3:30 P.M. at Donovan Park, 5805 N. Knoxville in Peoria, Illinois.    A pollinator garden has been created to assist in increasing the numbers of Monarch Butterflies, our state insect. Mayor Jim Ardis and Governor Bruce Rauner signed a Proclamation declaring the month of May 2017, Monarch Butterfly Month, to help increase awareness of the plight of the Monarchs.   Senator Chuck Weaver and Mayor Jim Ardis will address the participants. Activities will include Eagle Ridge, a native drum group, and dancers performing a dance honoring the butterflies. Children will be flying Monarch kites and others wearing Monarch wings.  There will be a number of Monarch items on sale, including hand painted Monarch stepping stones, annual tropical milkweed seed balls to create a mini Monarch garden, and No Mowing Signs.   The Monarch population is currently down over 96.5%.  This is due in part to the use of insecticides, loss of habitat, and a devastating storm last spring, in the area of Mexico where the majority of Monarchs spend their winters. The only plant the Monarchs lays their eggs on and the larva eat, is milkweed, which is down 73%. This pollinator garden will bring awareness to the plight of the Monarch butterflies and the need to plant more milkweed.  The Monarch garden can be utilized by school groups and the general public alike.    For more information call 309-367-2697   My take:  This is good, but hypocritical, as Ardis and Weaver  want to destroy Rivefront Park, also a habitat for Monarchs.

 Then following that event, the Peoria Federation of Teachers is hosting a rally, Build Schools, Not Walls, at 4:30 pm at the Gateway Building on the Peoria Riverfront, 200 NE Water.

The purpose: "Demand our schools be safe spaces free from racism, bullying, and ICE raids.
Demand an end to mass deportation and threats to
immigrant communities.
Demand that billions not be spent on a wall, but on
strengthening public schools to educate all our
children regardless of immigration status."

Good ideas!

-- Elaine Hopkins

 

Knapp's analysis

PEORIA, IL -- After a lengthy agenda of awards and presentations, the public comments before the Peoria School District 150 Board of Education got underway at 7:46 pm.  By then, only one person commented, veteran activist Terry Knapp.  But his remarks were worth hearing.

The board has been debating how to save more than $1 million by cutting bus schedules, a plan that would have young children riding to school in the dark during the winter.  Parents have been opposed, and the board so far has not done the cuts.

Knapp rose to the bait.  He congratulated the board for listening to the public, and surveying the public on the proposed cuts.  That didn't happen when a previous board and administration voted 4 to 3 to close Woodruff HIgh School, a move that led to the current deficit, Knapp said. Public money was "misspent," he said,  because the high school closing meant more busing.

That board was warned but didn't listen, he said.  There were no surveys, not even a public hearing. And a new board member who promised not to vote to close Woodruff instead cast the deciding vote to close it, he said.

The district should survey the students and neighborhoods impacted by the closing of the high school and another school, he said.  They were "disenfranchised," he said.

The fights and other problems that continue in the high schools may stem from busing kids out of their neighborhoods into other neighborhoods, he said.

And now the charter school, with its graduating class of around 40 students, is too small to offer a comprehensive curriculum, he said. "People have been hoodwinked."

He urged the board to visit the new Louisville Slugger complex, and seek to replicate it with the Peoria Stadium property.

He also praised the superintendent for trying to bring back the district's fine arts programs, which had been allowed to decline under the previous superintendent.  Fine arts programs lead to test score improvements, he said.

Here is a recording of Knapp's comments. 

Download D150 April 24 2017

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Equal?

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Equal Means Equal

WHAT: Public Screening of the Documentary Film ‘Equal Means Equal’ by Kamala Lopez

WHO: The Peoria Chapter of the National Organization for Women is hosting a screening of the film ‘Equal Means Equal’ directed by Kamala Lopez. The event is co-sponsored by Bradley University’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program.

            Peoria NOW would like to invite members of the public to attend this presentation free of charge. There will be a brief discussion about the film immediately after.

TRIGGER WARNING: This film contains potentially distressing material, such as scenes depicting physical violence and openly discussing sexual assault, which may not be suited for a younger audience. Viewer discretion is advised.

WHEN: May 6, 2017, 3pm to 5pm.

WHERE: Bradley University, Westlake Hall Auditorium, 814 N Glenwood, Peoria, IL 61606

MEDIA CONTACT: For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Brittany Miller @ [email protected]

EQUAL MEANS EQUAL offers an unflinching look at how women are treated in the United States today. Examining both real-life stories and precedent-setting legal cases, director Kamala Lopez uncovers how outdated and discriminatory attitudes inform and influence seemingly disparate issues, from workplace harassment to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault to the foster care system, and the healthcare conglomerate to the judicial system. Along the way, she reveals the inadequacy of present laws that claim to protect women, ultimately presenting a compelling and persuasive argument for the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.

Source: http://equalmeansequal.com/synopsis/

Monarch butterfly event: fun and hypocritical

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

The Central Illinois Monarch Butterfly Task Force, in conjunction with the Peoria Garden Club, St. Jude Leggo Firecrackers, and Peoria Park District will be hosting the Majestic Monarch Madness Kickoff Celebration, on Mon. - May 1, 2017 at 3:30 P.M. at Donovan Park, 5805 N. Knoxville in Peoria, Illinois. (The former golf course).

 

A pollinator garden has been created to assist in increasing the numbers of Monarch Butterflies, our state insect. Mayor Jim Ardis and Governor Bruce Rauner signed a Proclamation declaring the month of May 2017, Monarch Butterfly Month, to help increase awareness of the plight of the Monarchs.

 

Senator Chuck Weaver and Mayor Jim Ardis will address the participants. Activities will include Eagle Ridge, a native drum group, and dancers performing a dance honoring the butterflies. Children will be flying Monarch kites and others wearing Monarch wings.

 

There will be a number of Monarch items on sale, including hand painted Monarch stepping stones, annual tropical milkweed seed balls to create a mini Monarch garden, and No Mowing Signs.

 

The Monarch population is currently down over 96.5%.  This is due in part to the use of insecticides, loss of habitat, and a devastating storm last spring, in the area of Mexico where the majority of Monarchs spend their winters. The only plant the Monarchs lays their eggs on and the larva eat, is milkweed, which is down 73%.

 

This pollinator garden will bring awareness to the plight of the Monarch butterflies and the need to plant more milkweed.  The Monarch garden can be utilized by school groups and the general public alike. 

 

For more information call 309-367-2697 - 30 -

 

My take:  this might be fun, however Ardis and Weaver support the apartments in Riverfront Park, which would destroy Monarch habitat there. So no net gain, maybe a net loss.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Heidleberg case continues...

PEORIA, IL -- The Cleve Heidelberg case has taken a new twist, as reported by the Community Word.

Check this out: http://thecommunityword.com/online/cwnotes/2017/04/22/state-prison-kicks-out-cleve-heidelberg/

Be sure to read my comment.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Peoria ACLU Annual Meeting

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

The Peoria ACLU Chapter’s annual meeting is Thursday, April 27, 2017 at the IVY Club, 1502 N. Galena Road, Peoria Heights.  

The event features Peoria City Council member Beth Jensen speaking on Civil Liberties and Municipal Government. An attorney, Jensen was the top vote-geter in the 2015 election for an at-large seat on the council. She has received many awards for service in various organizations, and has been President of the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois.

Currently she is the Program Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative, an organization dedicated to expanding legal access to individuals, families and communities needing legal services. She is also on the boards of Alignment Peoria, Quest Academy and the Children’s Home Foundation.  As a lawyer she has represented many municipal governments and school districts.  

The Community Word and its managing editor Clare Howard will receive The Sam Belfer Award for valuable and important journalism.  Ryan Hidden will receive The Citron award for founding the group ChangePeoria to support candidates seeking political offices.

The event begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. with the program and speaker, presentation of awards and election of officers to follow.

Reservations for the dinner are due by April 21.  An invitation can be downloaded from the chapter’s website, at http://aclupeoria.org.

The public is invited, and welcome to attend the program free of charge. 

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Bombing Syria? Baad idea

PEORIA, IL -- Trump's decision to bomb Syria is a terrible idea, could lead to World War III.  Why didn't he consult with his pal Putin before the bombing?

Now Putin is mad.  What will he bomb?

Diplomacy worked for Obama, at least for a few years.

But here's an idea:  Russian can retaliate by releasing Trump's tax returns.  That would bomb Trump (allegedly and metaphorically).

Here's a terrific post on the Syria bombing from Benjamin Studebaker, complete with maps:

https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2017/04/07/5-reasons-why-president-trump-is-wrong-to-intervene-in-syria/

He says Syria must fight it out, like Europe did for centuries.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Free Vaudeville

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release. This looks interesting.

Vaudeville Comes Back to Peoria

Wednesday, April 12

Peoria Public Library North Branch (off Allen Road behind Menards)

Lincoln Center Local: Free Screenings– 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

The Nance - Nathan Lane gives the performance of a lifetime as Chauncey Miles, a comedian of the 1930s who plays gay men for laughs – at least on stage. With a touching love story at its core, Douglas Carter Beane's Tony Award-nominated play is also a fond and funny tribute to the golden age of burlesque.

Lincoln Center Local: Free Screenings brings intimate, exciting, and masterful performances from the New York Philharmonic, American Songbook, Great Performers, Out of Doors and more to audiences ... right here in your community! Join us each month as we view an exciting and entertaining FREE cultural event. Most screenings last approximately an hour. Major funding is provided by the Oak Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Altman Foundation and the Booth Ferris Foundation. For more information, please call 309-497-2143

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Jackson at Rally for Thomas

PEORIA, IL -- Is Peoria ready for a black mayor?

Peoria’s black community is ready for a black mayor, Couri Thomas, who is challenging incumbent mayor Jim Ardis (see posts below).  The election ends April 4.

Surrounded by black ministers and other leaders of the African-American community,  Thomas on April 1 was also encouraged by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who attended a rally for Thomas at New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

It’s great that a young person has ambition,” he said of Thomas.

 Couri Thomas, left, watches as Jesse Jackson speaks to the audience.

“Our country has become so polarized,” Jackson told the large audience. “There is such anger and bitterness, fear and frustration.  We must learn to live together.”

Jackson attacked Pres. Donald Trump’s wall, without mentioning Trump by name. “When walls come down and bridges are built, we learn to live together,  We can all heal. We can all grow,” he said.

“A poor peoples campaign lifts the nation from the bottom up, not the top down.  Every in, nobody out. We all matter,” he said.

"Under President Barack Obama, 25 million people have health insurance.  They never had it before," he said.

The Republicans would reverse that, he said.

“I saw people in Kentucky that wanted affordable care insurance.  They didn’t want Obamacare," he said.

“Don’t let anybody break your spirit, he said. "When your back is against the wall, resist.”

The rally was filled with religion, as hymns were sung and prayer occurred. Jackson prayed with a group that came to the front of the church sanctuary at the close of the event.

Other speakers stressed the necessity to vote, and urged the audience to tell their friends, and take advantage of Illinois’ law which allows people to register and vote on election day.

After the rally, a group was to march to the Peoria Election Commission office to vote.

-- Elaine Hopkins

Great Music

PEORIA, IL -- Of all the arts in Peoria, the standout is music, especially classical music.  The many great classical music performances in Peoria offer the classical fan a wonderful selection.

The March 31 event, Chamber Music by Candlelight, featuring Kyle Dzapo, flute; Marcia Henry Liebenow, violin; John Orfe, piano; and Carol Wessler on cello was an outstanding example of the wonderful offerings in Peoria.

The venue, Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 NE Randolph, has great acoustics, and is a beautiful space as well. The candles were lit. The event drew a large audience, almost filling the sanctuary. 

The program featured traditional and modern classical music.  Modern classical included Three American Pieces for Flute and Piano by Lukas Foss; and a piece by Joachim Andersen.They were lovely, interesting without being jarring. 

The traditional classical numbers were Haydn's Trio in C Major and Bach's Prelude in B. Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1. 

Then came Brahms, the Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, a glorious, fast-paced and exciting piece.

This 90-minute concert was amazing, with excellent, even world-class musicians and chamber pieces that were fresh, not played often.

The event, which could have charged $40 or more in Chicago, was free, though an offering was passed at the intermission.

So consider -- Peorians who want to leave for the big city or the warm weather.  You will miss Peoria's fine music scene.

 -- Elaine Hopkins