PeoriaStory

A great event: Rocky Glen is open

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Peoria Park District, Friends of Rocky Glen to Celebrate Grand Opening of Local Park

A grand opening celebration has been planned to commemorate the completion of renovations at Rocky Glen Park.

On Saturday, October 20, 2018, from 10am to 4pm, the Peoria Park District and the Friends of Rocky Glen will host a grand opening celebration to commemorate the completion of the hiking trail, trail signage, and trailhead kiosk at Rocky Glen Park.

The trail signage, trailhead kiosk, and grand opening celebration are funded by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation through a Public Amenities and Events grant to Friends of Rocky Glen.

Rocky Glen Park is 125 acres of natural area owned by the Peoria Park District. The park features a single box canyon with 60 foot sandstone walls, two small waterfalls, a number of prairie meadows, and hundreds of carvings, some dating back over 130 years.

The event will feature a brief ceremony at 10:30am. There will also be free guided hikes for those interested.

The Peoria Park District and Friends of Rocky Glen invite the public and members of the media to attend this celebration! With limited parking at the small parking lot, a free shuttle service will run from Jimmy's Bar, 2801 W. Farmington Road beginning at 9:30am.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF ROCKY GLEN
Friends of Rocky Glen (FORG), is a Federal non-profit organization of volunteers working to protect and promote Rocky Glen. Partial funding for the Celebration and trail signage was provided by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. For more information, please visit the FORG website
at www.friendsofrockyglen.org, visit Friends of Rocky Glen Facebook or contact President David Pittman at 309-573-2354.

ABOUT PEORIA PARK DISTRICT
Public stewards of nearly 9,000 acres of park and greenspace and another 185 buildings, the Park District's mission is "To enrich life in our community through stewardship of the environment and the provision of quality recreational and leisure opportunities." To learn more, please visit
PeoriaParks.org.

Peoria Park District | 309.682.1200 | ppd@peoriaparks.org | www.peoriaparks.org- 30  -

Bees -- cool event

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

 Internationally Known Author and Conservationist Thor Hanson to Speak October 3

At Peoria Public Library North Branch, 5 pm and 6 pm

Thor Hanson, Internationally known Author, Guggenheim Fellow, Switzer Environmental Fellow, speaker, biologist, researcher and conservationist will present both a children’s program and adult program on Wednesday, October 3 at Peoria Public Library North Branch.

A reception, talk and book signing with Thor Hanson will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to this free event and will enjoy refreshments and meet the author as well as hear him speak. His books, including his latest, Buzz, will be available for sale and signing. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Friends of the Library.

The main program will be preceded by a Children’s Program at 5:00 p.m. in the Beehive. Thor’s book for children, Bartholomew Quill, uses the explorations of a quizzical young crow to explain biodiversity. The book is also available for sale and signing at the event.

Hanson’s research and conservation activities have taken him around the globe. Thor’s research interests include birds, plants, primates, insects, endangered species, and the interface between human and natural systems. He has studied Central American trees and songbirds, nest predation in Tanzania and served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda where he helped establish the mountain gorilla tourism program in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

He has studied the effects of habitat fragmentation on rare plant communities, avian nest predation, and the reproductive ecology and genetic diversity of rainforest trees. Thor is currently involved in projects on Tufted Puffins and native bees, and his work on the interface between warfare and biodiversity conservation has been covered by news outlets around the world, including Reuters, Scientific American, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and The Times of India.

This program is provided through the generosity of Edward J. Barry, Jr.

Books by Thor Hanson

Buzz: the Nature and Necessity of Bees

Bees lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural world. Buzz shows up why all bees are wonders to celebrate and protect.

The Triumph of Seeds

Explore how seeds have influenced everything from the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the Industrial Revolution to the shape of the human face. Winner of four major book awards.

Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle

Feathers are an evolutionary marvel: aerodynamic, functional, and beguiling. Discover the sweeping history of this common object with uncommon abilities. Winner of five major book awards.

Bartholomew Quill: A Crow’s Quest to Know Who’s Who

Follow the journey of this young crow as he tries to figure out who and what he is. This fun read-aloud for the whole family is a whimsical mix of science and poetry.

The Impenetrable Forest: Gorilla Years in Uganda

Get a rare glimpse into the world of mountain gorillas and the human cultures that surround them. Thor’s two year odyssey is a must-read for anyone interested in endangered species.

For more about Thor Hanson’s work visit www.thorhanson.net.  For more about this program, call (309)497-2000.

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Peoria, IL -- Here's an interesting event:

Trivia Night!!!

Friday, September 28 - 6:30pm

All proceeds go to benefit the Peoria ACLU Chapter

 

Peoria Pizza Works 3921 N Prospect Rd Peoria Heights, IL 61616

 

Registration Begins at 6:30pm

Trivia Begins at 7pm

Trivia tickets: $10/person or $50 for a team of six!

***20% of food orders donated!***

Raffle Prizes – buy tickets for chances at great prizes from local businesses and artists! 

 

Hosted by Peorians Against Modern-Day Slavery, a local group committed to help end slavery and oppression in our world today. Talk to any of the team about ways you can help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rally Aug. 26

PEORIA, IL -- UPDATE: About 75 people, maybe more, attended the rally, in 93 degree temperature.  But good speeches, and good networking prevailed.

Here's a scene from those who dressed as the handmaids, in the Tale film.  After all, that's what Kavanaugh want to do to women: make them slaves to their bodies.

From a news release:

Local Activists Will Gather to “Unite for Justice” in Peoria to Urge Senators to Vote No on Brett Kavanaugh

On August 26th at 1:00 p.m., local activists, leaders, and champions for women’s reproductive freedom, including Helen King from the local NAACP chapter, Robin Sledge from SEIU Local chapter of the Service Employees International Union, Dana Garber from Planned Parenthood, Robert Jorgensen from the Heart of Illinois Sierra Club, poet/performer Beckett Kenny will gather for a Peoria “Unite for Justice” event.

Donald Trump has long promised to only nominate a justice who will end Roe v. Wade and criminalize abortion. Trump has found his man in Brett Kavanaugh. We can’t and won’t go back to the days when abortion was illegal in this country. We know what’s at stake in this fight: our most precious and fundamental rights.

Brett Kavanaugh will not only work to end Roe and criminalize abortion, he will rule to gut health care, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, environmental protections, workers’ rights, and immigrant rights. And his record of arguing for extreme executive privilege, such as suggesting that the Supreme Court was wrong to compel the Watergate tapes from President Richard Nixon, creates the real threat that confirming Kavanaugh will help Trump put himself above the law.

We're rallying to urge our senators to vote No on Kavanaugh and protect the freedom and agency of Illinois women and families.

WHAT: Unite for Justice Peoria Event

WHO: Indivisible Peoria Area, and Peoria National Organization for Women

WHEN: Sunday, August 26^th, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Federal Courthouse, 100 N.E. Monroe St. Peoria, Illinois

My take:  Be there! Your life could be at stake with Kavanaugh on the court. He's a right wing extremist, and would end medical care for millions. 

Elaine Hopkins

Rally pn Monday June 30, with a cake

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release: 

WHAT:   Medicare/Medicaid 53^rd Anniversary Event/Protest

WHEN:   Monday, July 30^th, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Federal Bldg. 100 NE Monroe St. Peoria IL

VISUALS: Anniversary Cake, signs

 

INDIVISIBLE PEORIA AREA TO HOLD EVENT PROTESTING PROPOSED CUTS TO MEDICARE/MEDICAID DUE TO TRUMP-GOP TAX LAW

Peoria, IL  – As the nation marks the 53^rd anniversary of the adoption of Medicare and Medicaid July 30, Indivisible Peoria Area, with other local organizations, will hold a birthday event to highlight Rep. Darin LaHood’s voting record and to release a new report showing how vital health care services for millions of Americans, including over 4.5 million elderly, disabled and low-income people in Illinois, are threatened by severe budget cuts to pay for new tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations.

The Trump-GOP tax plan that became law in December added nearly $2 trillion to the national debt. To make up the difference, President Trump and the GOP in Congress have targeted Medicare and Medicaid, along with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), for steep cuts. If adopted, these cuts will take health care away from millions of seniors, children, veterans and people with disabilities.

Rep. Darin LaHood voted against the interests of seniors and working families by voting in favor of the tax plan, last December, and by voting in favor of repealing the Affordable Care Act in May last year.

The report prepared by the Alliance for Retired Americans, Americans for Tax Fairness and Health Care for America Now, shows how over 4.5 million Illinois citizens enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid face threats to their coverage because of the cost of the Trump-GOP tax cuts that mostly benefit the state’s wealthiest families and most profitable corporations.

These cuts are already raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs under the Affordable Care Act and causing millions to lose their health care. Additional proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and repeal of the ACA could make life-saving medicines costlier for seniors and families eliminate key protections for people with pre-existing conditions and roll back Medicaid coverage for 2.8 million people in Illinois.

 

Contact: Jean Sloan, Indivisible Peoria Area 309-678-8099

                Admin1@indivisiblepia.com

Rally on Saturday, June 30

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

 

 

On Saturday June 30th, the ACLU of IL, Peoria Area Chapter will hold a rally in Peoria to protest the vicious, inhumane, and unjust treatment of undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers by the Trump Administration.

In this we will be joining our voices to people all over the country who will also being doing this in a National Day of Action. In addition to this, we will also be calling on the Peoria City Council to adopt the Welcoming City Ordinance that has been submitted to it by the Peoria Chapter of the ACLU so that we can help protect the local undocumented population and also allow them to report crimes and access city services without fear of disclosing their status.

Speakers from a diverse range of local organizations and faith groups will also speak to the affects of both national and local policies in this area.

This event will be held at 11 am in front of the Federal Building and US Courthouse at the corner of Main and Monroe.

For further information, please contact Anthony Walraven at 309-229-4122 or anthonywalraven@gmail.com

 

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Two worthwhile events coming soon

PEORIA, IL -- Two interesting events are coming soon:

 

1. Another showing of the film "How to Die in Oregon" takes place on Saturday, May 19th, at the Peoria Public Library, North Branch from 1-4pm. The address is 3001 W. Grand Parkway, Peoria.

It's sponsored by Final Options Illinois (FOI).

A similar event was held last fall in Peoria, when FOI members hosted the film and a discussion in Peoria.  The topic is Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), and the film captures the journey of several people in end-of-life situations as well as Oregon's journey to pass legislation enabling MAID.  The goal of the event on Saturday is to increase awareness and hopefully increase the number of voices active in promoting legislation in our own state which could make MAID available to the people of Illinois.

 

I have seen this film and it's worth seeing and working for this cause.

Peoria contact is Margaret Tomlins, MPH, BSN, RN

Final Options Illinois - Peoria

www.finaloptionsillinois.org

 

2.  On Sunday, May 20, from 2 - 4 PM the GAR Hall, 416 Hamilton Blvd., will hold an open house with music, dancers, refreshments, and a brief talk on U.S. Grant, the former president, at 2:45 pm. 

 

This is a good chance to see this historic building and its fascinating photographs from the Civil War.

 

 -- Elaine Hopkins

District 150 teachers rally

Peoria, IL -- From a news release:

The Peoria Federation of Teachers Rally Today  

 

PEORIA – The Peoria Federation of teachers will be rallying at the Peoria Public Schools Administration Building on Monday, April 23, 2018, at 5:30 pm. The rally will focus on drawing local attention to issues teachers are facing both here and nation-wide.  The specific concerns being addressed in the PFT’s current contract campaign are more time for teachers to prepare quality lessons, better learning conditions for all students, and adequate compensation for all teachers.

“I don’t think most teachers get into to teaching for the money, over all they get into teaching because it is their calling. Currently we have a statewide teacher shortage, 1000 jobs, and in Peoria we are short 40 positions.  We have had 40 openings in Peoria because every year we lose as many teachers as we gain - largely due to working conditions - and it’s important to note that teachers’ working conditions are our students’ learning conditions. We are ready to unite with our brothers and sisters in Illinois and across the nation to DEMAND funding for our schools and respect for our profession.”     Jeff Adkins Dutro

The Peoria Federation of Teachers represents more than 1000 teachers, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, School Social Workers, and School Psychologists working in the Peoria Public Schools.  The PFT is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers, and the AFL-CIO.

Additional info:  https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/13/health/teachers-pay-profession-charts-stats-trnd/index.html?no-st=1524503727

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ACLU event May 10

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

PEORIA ACLU Chapter’s Annual Meeting is May 10, 2018   

The Peoria ACLU Area Chapter’s 57th annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the IVY Club, 1502 N. Galena Road, Peoria Heights. 

The guest speaker will be Celeste Stewart Stack, an attorney with extensive experience litigating constitutional violations including wrongful convictions, police misconduct, psychiatric issues and conflict of interest cases. She worked in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office in Chicago for three decades where she held various supervisory positions for 15 years, including supervisor of the Conviction Integrity Unit which was created based on the organization set out in her application for federal grant funds.  Her units were responsible for reviewing and litigating 1,000 post-conviction petitions. She assisted Chicago attorney Andrew Hale on the Cleve Heidelberg wrongful-conviction case as well as other Central Illinois post- conviction and civil rights cases, and she recently opened an office for Hale Law in Peoria at 456 Fulton Street.

Sam Belfer Awards will be presented to Dr. Rahmat Na’Allah and Judge Lisa Wilson.   Dr. Rahmat Na’Allah is a family physician practicing at UnityPoint Health, and she is on the faculty at University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. She believes access to health care is a basic human right and all women should have access to reproductive health care. Judge Lisa Wilson has been an Associate Judge in the Tenth Judicial Circuit since 2009, She is presently the chair of the Tenth Judicial Court Pro Bono Committee and the Tenth Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council among many other organizations.

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 May 2.  An invitation can be downloaded from the chapter website, at http://aclupeoria.org.

The public is invited, and welcome to attend the program free of charge.  Media coverage is also welcome.      ***

Great speaker, great subject

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

RACIAL JUSTICE AND POLICE PRACTICES IN ILLINOIS

Thursday, April 12, 2018,  5:30 pm

Childers Banquet Center, 3113 Dries Lane,, Peoria, IL

The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria will present a program on Racial Justice and Police Practices in Illinois, featuring guest speaker Ed Yohnka, on Thursday, April 12, beginning at 5:30 pm at the Childers Banquet Center, 3113 Dries Lane, Peoria, IL. The event includes dinner at 6 pm, and the speaker at 7 pm.

Edwin C. Yohnka is the Director of Communications and Public Policy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.  Since 1991 Yohnka has been the primary spokesperson for the most prominent civil rights and civil liberties advocacy organization in  Illinois, an organization with more than 35,000 members and supporters. 

He appears regularly on television and radio programs in Illinois and throughout the nation to speak out on a myriad of issues. Yohnka also is widely cited in newspapers and publications on legal and legislative matters related to the ACLU of Illinois’ priorities. 

Racial justice and police practices is one of six key issues for the Illinois ACLU in 2018.

Tickets for the dinner are available at  www.lwvgp.org.  The deadline to order tickets is April 4.