PeoriaStory

Environmental books and speakers

PEORIA, IL -- From a news  release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Friday, February 11, 2022 

Contact: 

Ryan Hidden 

(309) 265-8057 

[email protected]

NAACP & Sierra Club Youth Environmental Justice Speaker Event 

NAACP & Sierra Club Gave Environmental Justice Books To Peoria Public Schools

Peoria, IL -- Yesterday, Peoria NAACP and Heart of Illinois (HOI) Sierra Club gave copies of No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference by Greta Thunberg and M Archive: After the End of the World by Alexis Pauline Gumbs to Peoria Public Schools middle and high schools. In connection with the book giveaway, there is an online Youth Environmental Justice Speaker Event Thursday, February 17 at 7 pm, for young people to listen to youth environmental activists tell their stories and discuss their current projects. Register at bit.ly/YouthEJ. 

NAACP Peoria Branch President Marvin Hightower told Suzanne Mullen's 8th-grade science class at Von Steuben Middle School, "When I was younger, I didn't realize how important environmental issues are. But after seeing the changes in our environment, I realize we have one planet, and if we don't take care of it, we won't have any planet." 

The Peoria NAACP partnered with the HOI Sierra Club on the Environmental Justice Book Giveaway to Peoria Public School's middle and high schools. The books in the giveaway are No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference by Greta Thunberg and M Archive: After the End of the World by Alexis Pauline Gumbs. 

No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference contains the groundbreaking speeches of Greta Thunberg, the young climate activist, including her historic address to the United Nations. She has become the voice of a generation.

M Archive: After the End of the World is about a future researcher who uncovers evidence of the conditions of late capitalism, anti-blackness, and environmental crisis and shares their perspective. It is a future archive, an opportunity to consider the decisions we make now from the standpoint of those beings who are here after us. Read the book introduction here. 

"The program is designed to introduce young people to environmental justice and inspire youth leadership to lift the voices of their generation to address environmental crises. It is their lives; It is their future," says Ryan Hidden, organizing representative for Sierra Club Beyond Coal.

Tonyisha Harris, Illinois Environmental Council, will be speaking about the Environmental Justice Act (HB4093/SB2906), and Akin Carter, Black Oaks Center, will discuss the Pembroke, IL residential gas piping issue at the Youth Environmental Justice Speaker Event.

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Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP. 

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

 

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Peoria, IL -- an interesting event: 

Whiskey Barron Revealed

PEORIA, IL --Get Acquainted With Peoria Whiskey Baron Joseph B. Greenhut, Nov. 14, 2:30 PM at the GAR Hall, 416 Hamilton Blvd, Peoria, IL.

From a news release:  

On Nov. 14 there's a rare opportunity to learn about one of the least understood but most pivotal public figures of Peoria from Peoria author Dr. Victoria Loberg, as she explores the life and legacy of Joseph Benedict Greenhut: Whiskey Baron, Merchant Prince.

In the latter half 19th century, whiskey was king in Central Illinois. Atop the pyramid of distillers was Joseph Benedict Greenhut, the most powerful of those who became known as America’s “whiskey barons.”

Arriving in America almost penniless, Greenhut left Peoria several decades later worth millions, headed for the East Coast, where he acquired and operated what was known as the world’s largest department store.

Greenhut and his wife, the former Clara Wolfner, left an indelible mark on Central Illinois by helping establish the Children’s Home, the Peoria Country Club and much more…including our own Greenhut Memorial Grand Army of the Republic Hall.

Dr. Loberg will reveal the exciting story of Joseph Greenhut, who entered public life as a Civil War hero (leading the only all-Jewish unit to fight in the war), became a prolific inventor, pivoted to the distilling industry, entered the mercantile world and was a friend to U.S. Presidents and prominent Americans.

The G.A.R. Hall was principally funded by Captain Greenhut and dedicated by Civil War veterans and other citizens to his memory. Sunday, Nov. 14, will be a fitting way to celebrate our community, Greenhut, and the stewardship of Greenhut Memorial Hall by the Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation, which has worked for decades to honor and restore this National Register of Historic Places structure.

Who: AUTHOR VICTORIA LOBERG
When: SUNDAY NOV. 14, 2:30 p.m. ($10 donation requested)
What: PRESENTATION FOLLOWED BY BOOK SIGNING, SNACKS AND DRINKS, PRIZES & FUN
Where: GREENHUT MEMORIAL GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC HALL, 416 HAMILTON BLVD., PEORIA
—Copies of Dr. Loberg’s book, Joseph Benedict Greenhut: Whiskey Baron, Merchant Prince, will be available for sale to the public.

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Sculpture Garden Dedication Oct 2

PEORIA, IL -- From a  news release: DONOVAN SCULPTURE GARDEN, SET TO BE DEDICATED SATURDAY,    OCTOBER 2, 1030 am   donovansculpturegarden.org    

The Donovan Sculpture Garden Volunteer Team, in cooperation with the Peoria Park District, Build Peoria, and the Urbana Park District, announce the Dedication of Donovan Sculpture Garden, Saturday, October 2,1030am:

 The Dedication will feature the unveiling of local Artist Preston Jackson's new Work, 'About Angels', thus completing the first six Art Works at Donovan Sculpture Garden.  

9:00 am          Hosted by Cyd’s In The Park, local 'sidewalk chalk art' will begin around Cyd's Restaurant at Donovan. Groups include high school art students, Bradley Fraternity/Sorority Members, Artists from 22VA, Richwoods MCJrROTC, BIKE PEORIA, Friends of the Rock Island Trail, and more.

As guests arrive, this area will also be a ‘sign-in’ area - guests asked to add their name, organization, ‘art’, as they wish.

9:00 am          Free coffee and goodies.

9:00 am - 11:00 am        Guests arriving at Donovan via the entrance off Knoxville, and will be greeted (saluted, actually) along the length of the roadway, by a detail of Midwest Central Young Marines –

10:30 am     A Brass Ensemble from the Heartland Festival Orchestra, David Commanday conducting, will begin performing at the site of the Preston Jackson Work, about 40 yards north of Cyds. Volunteers will direct guests to the site.

This area will also include a photographic display of the other 5 Sculptures exhibited at Donovan.  The Artists will be available in this area.

Photographs of those 5 Works are attached.

11:00 am     Master of Ceremonies Lee Wenger will welcome, and begin the brief ceremony, concluding with Preston Jackson presenting his 'Artist's Statement' for the Work, "About Angels".  Emily Cahill, Executive Director, Peoria Park District, and Robert Johnson, PPD Board President, will share thoughts for the occasion. 

A Special ‘Poetic Tribute’ is planned during this brief Ceremony.

Lindsay Couquit, Art Teacher at Peoria Heights High School has had her students craft an 'Art Wrap' for 'Angel' and they, everyone, will be asked to participate in its unveiling.

The Program is brief, but guests are encouraged to arrive early, and Celebrate … “A Day of Community Building in Central Illinois”.

11:30 am      Event concludes.

Please note:  We are following the weather forecast carefully, and intend to ‘Dedicate and Celebrate’ Saturday morning … unless. 

In the ‘event of …’ the Donovan Dedication is rescheduled for 30 days, to Saturday, November 6. 

                                                     -30-

 

Rally for Choice Oct 2

PEORIA, IL --YES FOR CHOICE RALLY

WHEN:  4 pm on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the corner of Main & University streets, Peoria,IL

A Yes for Choice rally, to show solidarity with all working to overturn the laws restricting abortion access, will take place at 4 pm on Saturday Oct. 2 at the corner of Main & University streets, Peoria, IL.

Speakers for the event will include ministers, medical doctors, and others who support choice for all in the USA.

Sponsors for the event are the Peoria chapter of NOW, the National Organization for Women; the Peoria chapter of the ACLU,  the American Civil Liberties Union; Peoria Pride; and others.

The event is part of a national day of these events everywhere to express outrage about unconstitutional and restrictive laws on abortion.

BACKGOUND: The Texas legislature has ended access to safe, legal abortion, before 85% of people know they are pregnant. Texas has placed a $10,000 bounty on women, pregnant individuals within the LGBTQ community, and those who provide support in ending an unwanted pregnancy. This bounty can be claimed by ANYONE wishing to file suit, without protection for victims of rape and incest. The US Supreme Court chose not to stop the Texas law from going into effect, and will hear arguments on a Mississippi abortion ban this fall!

Join us in solidarity with rallies across the country, at the corner of Main & University streets in Peoria, to show support for safe, respectful care for pregnant people seeking abortions regardless of their state of residence. 

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Sculpture Garden Dedication

PEORIA, IL -- Here's an interesting event: Dedication of Donovan Sculpture Garden

WHO: Donovan Scultpture Garden Volunteer Team, Peoria Park District, BUILD Peoria, and Urbana Park District

WHAT: These organizations will come together to celebrate the dedication of the Donovan Sculpture Garden, BUILD Peoria's 2020-2021 Community Project. The dedication will feature the unveiling of local artist Preston Jackson's new work, 'Angel', completing the first six art works at Donovan Sculpture Garden.

WHERE: Donovan Park, 5805 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria

WHEN: Saturday, October 2 at 10:30 am.  There will be music and speeches.  

Rally tonight

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

EVENT DATE/TIME: Friday, June 18, 2021, 7:30pm<<

"Candle Lights For Voting Rights"

Peoria Area Activists Will Gather to Support the For The People Act – Comprehensive Legislation to Assure Voting Access for All Americans & Clean and Fair Elections

Peoria, IL - On Friday, June 18, at 7:30 pm, Indivisible Peoria Area will gather with local citizens at the corner of University and Main Streets in Peoria to voice support for S1 (Senate bill 1), the For The People Act, to urge citizens to pressure Senators to support it, finishing with a candlelight (and other lights) vigil. Speakers will include:  

---Rev. Jennifer Innis, Minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, Harvard Divinity School educated and previously served congregations in Alabama, Texas, Geneva, Illinois.

---Pastor Marvin Hightower, Pastor of the Liberty Church of Peoria, and President of the NAACP, Peoria Branch.

---Haleemah Na’Allah, recent graduate, 2020/21 President of the Bradley University Speech Team. A young and experienced leader, working towards equity and safety for marginalized communities and working with Peoria students before pursuing law school.

Across 48 states, 389 bills have been introduced with the purpose of restricting access to voting and making election results easier to overturn, undermining the foundation and process of American democracy. The For the People Act provides for: reducing or eliminating the influence of big money, dark money, and foreign money in politics; ease of registration and voting; eliminating gerrymandering, and strengthening ethics and financial disclosure.

WHAT: Candle Lights for Voting Rights, rally and candlelight vigil to support the For The People Act (S1) to assure voting rights and clean, fair elections.

WHO: Indivisible Peoria Area and local citizens, speakers listed above.

WHEN: Friday, June 18, 2021 at 7:30 pm

WHERE: Corner of University and Main (1200 W. Main St.), Peoria IL

VISUALS: Signs, candles and other lights

INFO ONLINE: www.facebook.com/events/1321425751585669

For more information, please reach out to the contacts listed at the top.

Indivisible Peoria Area is a grass roots political organization of local citizens which works toward raising up progressive values, empowering citizens by uniting and amplifying voices through networks, resources, and public platforms.

Speaker photos and bios follow.

MEDIA ADVISORY Page 2 - Candle Lights For Voting Rights, Friday June 18, 2021

---Rev. Jennifer Innis, Minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, Harvard Divinity School educated and previously serving other congregations as far away as Alabama and Texas, and as near as Geneva, Illinois. She accepted her position here and relocated with her family to Peoria last summer during the pandemic. She has been preaching online ever since!

---Pastor Marvin Hightower, Pastor of the Liberty Church of Peoria, and President of the NAACP, Peoria Branch. He is a longtime leader here in the Peoria area.

---Haleemah Na’Allah, the 2020/21 President of the Bradley University Speech Team who recently graduated at the top of her class with a BA in Political Science and Philosophy. As a young and experienced leader, she is devoted to working towards a future of equity and safety for all marginalized communities. Haleemah will be working with students in Peoria before pursuing law school.

Free music

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Music In the McKenzie, Peoria Public Library’s popular community concert series, returns to live, in-person shows on Sunday, June 27 with Sarah & The Underground, a Peoria band best described as SoulFolk.   Free and open to the public. Concert is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the grassy area outside the McKenzie Room at North Branch Library. Please bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs. There is no rain date.   Sarah Marie Dillard and Brandon Mooberry combine their talents to bring independent music a new sound that’s attracted thousands of listeners all over the Midwest and is best described as a big sip of warm, dark whiskey for the ears. Through Sarah’s music, you’re invited into her life. Her creative lyrics and sweet vocals are masterfully set against the melodic lines that resonate from the rich tone of Mooberry’s upright bass.   For more information on this event or other Peoria Public Library events, please the library’s new website at www.peoriapubliclibrary.org.   Date: Sunday, June 27 Time: 2:00 p.m. Peoria Public Library - North Branch Free and open to the Public.

Peoria portraits event June 12

PEORIA, IL -- This will be interesting:

 

Join us this Saturday, June 12 at 10:00 AM.   If you want to look back at our City’s past and some of the people who put Peoria on the map, look no further than the corner of Main and Adams Streets in downtown Peoria. Big Picture Peoria and Discover Peoria, with the support of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, are proud to launch Portraits of Peoria—a series of large-scale portrait installations created by local artists. We will dedicate the first two portraits this coming weekend, and are delighted to announce that Peoria’s newly elected Mayor Rita Ali will be the featured speaker.

 

The first two portraits in a series of upcoming murals feature two Peorians who were both focused on education, equality, and breaking down barriers—Dr. Romeo B. Garrett and Betty Friedan.

Joining Mayor Ali will be Big Picture’s Executive Director Mae Gilliland Wright, Discover Peoria’s President/CEO J.D. Dalfonso, Dr. Romeo B Garrett portrait artist Kevin J Bradford, Big Picture’s co-founder Doug Leunig, and Big Picture intern and recent Richwoods High School graduate Trent Miles. Guitarist Chris Stevens will provide music before the event, and all attendees are invited to go to The Nut House on Main Street afterwards for a complimentary bag of chocolate.
 
About the Artists:
Dr. Romeo B Garrett portrait artist, Kevin J Bradford: Bradford is a traditional artist and self-taught digital artist located in Peoria. His experience in pen, color pencils, watercolor, and oil paint spans over 15 years. Bradford is a member of the Peoria Guild of Black Artists.

Betty Friedan portrait artist, Eliza von Zerneck: Von Zerneck is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Peoria. She has a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design. Like Friedan, she has roots in both Peoria and New York City. Von Zerneck often explores subjects of gender and domesticity, with a focus on female portraiture. - 30 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prro-Palestine rally

PEORIA, IL -- Here's a rally worth going to, but first my solutions to the Israel-Palestine issues. 

In return for total disarmament, enforced by UN inspectors, Palestine gets funds to rebuild its infrastructure.  Israel agrees to end its occupation, recognize Palestine as a nation, get out of its territory (the settlements)  and quit harassing Palestinians who live within its borders. Jerusalem becomes an international city.  Without this,  no funding aid for Israel.The US has a big stick -- the money -- and should use it. 

The rally:  

Palestinians continue to be oppressed by the Israeli Apartheid government. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue the illegal eviction and demolition of Palestinian communities, killing women & children, targeting journalists and mosques.

Join us Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 at 2PM on the corner of Main & University for a rally to support the Palestinian people.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/803485960283264

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Solidarity,

PeoriaNoBanNoWall

 

-- Elaine Hopkins