PeoriaStory

March on Sunday, June 7

PEORIA, IL -- Here's a Peoria march at 2 pm on Sunday, June 7:

Ambassador to speak on March 23, NOW Cancelled

UPDATE:  This event has been cancelled because of the virus, to be rescheduled later.

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Renowned U.S. Ambassador Opens  PAWAC 50^th Anniversary Celebration

Distinguished United States Ambassador Thomas Pickering will speak at a dinner launching the 50^th anniversary celebration of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council.  The six-time Ambassador will examine “Challenges to U.S. Foreign Policy” with his unique insight gained from over five decades as an American diplomat.

Pickering has served as ambassador to the Russian Federation, India, Israel, El Salvador, Nigeria and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under both Republican and Democratic administrations in a career that stretched from Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton. He also served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1989 to 1992 during the first Gulf War.

When Pickering was appointed Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the number-three position at the State Department under then-Secretary of State  Madeleine Albright, Time magazine called him the “five-star general of the diplomatic corps.” He retired from full-time service in the State Department in 2001.

In 2012, Pickering helped lead a State Department-sponsored panel investigating the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi. He currently serves as vice chairman of Hills and Company, an international consulting firm.

With ambassadorships around the world, Pickering is expected to analyze various hot spots when he speaks at 7 p.m. Monday, March 23 at the Hayden Clark Alumni Center on the Bradley University campus.  His presentation is preceded by dinner at 6 p.m.

Pickering’s address is the first of several events commemorating PAWAC’s 50 years of providing education about world affairs in central Illinois. Other organizations partnering with PAWAC to celebrate the year-long anniversary are Bradley University, Illinois Central College, Eureka College and Methodist College.

Cost to attend Pickering’s speech and the dinner is $60.  Sponsorships for the event, including the opportunity for more direct discussion with Ambassador Pickering, are available. To make reservations or find more information, visit www.pawac.org or call (309) 677-2454.

The Peoria Area World Affairs Council is a community-based, volunteer organization that brings the world to Central Illinois by holding a variety of forums on international history, culture and current events. Along with expert speakers, PAWAC offers guided travel opportunities, book club meetings and public discussion forums. In an era of increasing communication and globalization, the organization provides an interactive and engaging international perspective to our local community. The Peoria Area World Affairs Council held its first conference in 1970. PAWAC is affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America. - 30 -

 

Interesting event includes expungements

Peoria County Democratic Central Committee, 1200 Main Street, Campustown, Peoria, IL 61606   State Rep. Jehan Gordon Booth is a sponsor.

New novel by Peoria writer

PEORIA, IL -- A new novel titled, The Old Guard,  by Tom McKay will be featured at a book signing on Saturday, Feb. 8,  from 2-4 p.m. at the bookstore I Know You Like A Book in Peoria Heights on Prospect Road.

The Midwest Writing Center published it, and has information on its website. 

McKay writes, "The Old Guard is a funny novel about a young woman who writes a sports blog and suddenly needs help with the blog from her new neighbor, a man who knows nothing about sports.

"The story is full of mix-ups and twists and commentary on some of the absurdities of modern life. 

"Mary Davidsaver, author of Clouds Over Bishop Hill, wrote a nice blurb: 'Tom McKay exhibits a deft hand at humor as he crafts a story that uses his lively wit to present serious messages about the need for equal representation for women in sports and the folly of preconceived stereotypes in day-to-day life.  The Old Guard is a delightful read.' " -30-

 

 

A Christmas Carol coming

PEORIA, IL --  From a news release:

Dickens’ Christmas Carol on Dec. 8 at GAR Hall  

A reader’s theater production of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol at will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 at the GAR Hall, 416 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria, Il.

The event includes Christmas High Tea, music, and performances by Cheri Beever, Cindy Hoey, Gene Bourke, Dave Schick, Keri Rae, and Charles Brown as “Scrooge.”  The script was adapted by Doug Day. 

The event is free, but donations will be appreciated to benefit the GAR Hall.  An elevator is available as alternative for the steps to the hall.

***

Also on Dec. 8, Peoria's Sing It Yourself Messiah, 2:30 pm at First Federated Church, 3601 N.Sheridan Road, Peoria, and Holiday Home Tour for the Peoria Historical  Society, Dec. 8, 1 - 5 pm (also on Dec. 7, 5 - 9 pm) tickets at PHS's Facebook page. 

 

 

Talk to the EPA

PEORIA, IL -- Here's a worthwhile event:

 

Writing workshop

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

7th Annual Local Author Fair 

Two local authors will also discuss their paths to publishing on November 2.

Kate Bateman, who writes as K.C. Bateman, has been published by Random House Loveswept and Macmillan - St. Martin's Press. Her Renaissance romp, The Devil To Pay, was a 2019 RITA® Finalist.  She will talk about the world of traditional publishing during a mini workshop.

 

Bradley University Professor Sara Baker Netzley, who writes as Sara Whitney, has gone the self-publishing route and will discuss that during a separate mini workshop. Netzley's a 2019 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® award finalist.

Local authors will also have their books available for purchase - a great way to shop local for the holidays - and a portion of their proceeds will go to support Friends of Peoria Public Library, the 501(c)(3) that underwrites much of the library's programming.

 

Saturday, November 2, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

North Branch Peoria Public Library

3001 West Grand Parkway

For more information, please call the library at 497-2700.

 

Rocky Glen play

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release, this looks interesting:

The premiere performance of Legends of Rocky Glen: The Miners’ Story on Saturday, September 28, 2 p.m. will be entertainment for multi-taskers – combining a hike through the woods and a dramatization of a little-known part of central Illinois history.

Legends of Rocky Glen: The Miner’s Story tells the story of late 19^th century central Illinois coal miners and their daring efforts to form a labor union. The play, a production of Off Off Loop Theatre Troupe will be performed in the canyon of southwest Peoria County’s Rocky Glen Park with the park’s dome rock serving as stage, the overhang (etched with century-old pro-union graffiti) as backdrop and a waterfall as background music.

Written by journalist Bill Knight, the play is based on an historical novel by Tom Tippett which Knight edited. Tippett was a labor activist whose parents immigrated to central Illinois from England in 1873 to work the coal mines between Pottstown and Bartonville. Immigrant laborers, primarily from England, Wales and Ireland, settled in what is now Horseshoe Bottoms, working mines that stretched to the Illinois River.  Rocky Glen Park’s canyon and dome rock became a clandestine meeting place for miners forming a labor union.

The 30-minute play features Peoria actors Clark Abraham and Rebekah Dentino with vocal performances by KeAnna J. Nichelson and Michelle Watson.

Legends of Rocky Glen: The Miner’s Story is free; however, donations will be accepted for the Friends of Horseshoe Bottoms.  The local group is working to return over 100 acres of land — directly across Kickapoo Creek Rd. from Rocky Glen Park to natural prairie.

The Rocky Glen Park parking lot accommodates eight vehicles. Patrons are encouraged to park at Jimmy’s Bar on Farmington Rd. and carpool to the park.  Patrons should allow time to hike into the canyon before the 2 p.m. performance and are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets for the performance. - 30 - 

 

Wrongfully accused

PEORIA, IL -- This will be an interesting event.  From a news release:

Join us on Sunday, October 6 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Peoria's Gateway Building for our annual Central Illinois event. This year's gathering, called Stand with Families, celebrates the Family Justice Resource Center's pioneering work to protect children and families by promoting due process and evidence-based medicine in child abuse investigations. 

 

LOCATION

Gateway Building

200 Northeast Water Street

Peoria IL 61602

 

DETAILS

The featured speakers are Colin White, a retired Illinois State Trooper, and Doug Parrott, the President of the Bank of Toulon. Both are grandfathers whose families each experienced wrongful allegations of child abuse due to their grandchildren's medical conditions. 

 

Come enjoy live music, hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks, and a chance to mingle with families and fellow professionals who share your commitment to the cause of justice. 

 

REGISTER

The event is free, but registration is required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-with-families-peoria-tickets-71133966609. Please share this invitation with friends, family, and colleagues via email and social media. 

 

If you cannot attend the event but would still like to support our work, please go to www.famjustice.org/get-involved to make an online donation or mail a check to Family Justice Resource Center, 411 Hamilton Blvd. Ste. 1928, Peoria IL 61602. All donations are tax-deductible. 

 

For questions, email Executive Director Michelle Weidner at  michelle@famjustice.org.

 

FJRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Diane Redleaf, President

Alan Novick, Vice President

Tony Lawlor, Secretary/Treasurer

Brian Bray

Elizabeth Bray

Mary Broderick

Tara Crady

Douglas Parrott

Melissa Staas

 

China talk

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Speaker to Explore Impact of Burgeoning U.S.-China Trade War on Central Illinois

The uncertain U.S.-China economic relationship and its impact on Central Illinois businesses will be discussed when a China expert speaks on the Bradley University campus Monday, September 16, at 7 p.m. in the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center.

Steve Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations and a China observer for more than 40 years, will speak at an event sponsored by the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, Bradley’s Institute of International Studies, the Illinois SBDC (Small Business Development Center) International Trade Center, the International Affairs Organization, and the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce.

Orlins remarks are especially timely because of the ongoing trade negotiations between China and the Trump Administration. In recent days President Trump said he’d expand tariffs on Chinese goods and then he decided to postpone imposition of many of those tariffs until later in the year.

From the burgeoning trade war to currency manipulation to agriculture exports to artificial intelligence, what happens in the developing policies between the U.S. and China directly impacts the local economy, particularly since Caterpillar Inc. does millions of business in China and has several manufacturing plants there.

Local companies with markets in China and those who want to expand into the Chinese marketplace are invited to attend. Community members are welcome as well.

Before taking his current position in 2005, Orlins was managing director of Carlyle Asia and chairman of the board of Taiwan Broadband Communications, one of Taiwan's largest cable television and high-speed internet providers. He’s also served as a senior advisor to AEA Investors Inc., a New York based leveraged buyout firm that does business throughout Asia; managing director of Lehman Brothers and president of Lehman Brothers Asia; and as a practicing attorney in New York City.

From 1976 to 1979, Orlins worked in the Office of the Legal Advisor of the U.S. Department of State, where he was on the legal team that helped establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

Orlins received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, and also earned his law degree from Harvard. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Cost to attend the presentation and dinner is $40 for the general public and $35 for PAWAC members. To attend only the presentation: public $10, PAWAC members $5, and no charge for students. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. with a reception at 5 p.m.

The Peoria Area World Affairs Council is a community-based volunteer organization that brings the world to Central Illinois by holding a variety of forums on international history, culture and current events. Along with expert speakers, PAWAC offers guided travel opportunities, book club meetings and public discussion forums. In an era of increasing communication and globalization, the organization provides an interactive and engaging international perspective to our local community. The Peoria Area World Affairs Council held its first conference in 1970. PAWAC is affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America.