http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php en-us http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1151 http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1150 For more than 60 years the President of the United States has proclaimed March to be American Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross, now in its 125th year, has served the Nation proud with its gracious assistance in times of need. The local chapter of the Red Cross, located at 405 West John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave, has been long serving the Peoria County area. “We must join together in order to get our goals accomplished,” said Nora Sullivan, Director of Public Support for the American... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1149 While searching for affordable airfare, many travelers are finding that the actual price of an airline ticket is often a great deal more than the advertised price. Airlines are charging a myriad of fees on top of advertised prices, especially for international travel. The Department of Transportation (DOT) governs airlines on how they are able to advertise airfare. According to the DOT, the law states “fare advertisements by air carriers or their agents must state the full fare charged... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1148 Roam the Dome, TCRC’s (Tazewell County Resource Centers) annual spring fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 31st. The event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pekin Dragon’s Dome. The large white dome at 3401 Griffin Ave.off Court St. in Pekin will house the over 400 items to be auctioned. Admission is free and food items will be for sale. The celebrity memorabilia auction, which includes over a 100 celebrity autographed photos, CDs, basketballs, baseballs, television scripts, books and... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1146 It’s hard to figure. In my long years in politics and public office, I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m referring to the ongoing attacks by Mary Harkrader on Jeanette Mitzelfelt. http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1145 Five decades ago this year, the “Captain Kangaroo” kids show started airing a cartoon that TV Guide eventually named to its 50 Greatest Cartoons, “Tom Terrific,” with a great villain: Crabby Appleton. Crabby’s slogan? “Rotten to the core!” Five days ago, a study from the University of Washington was published that found that crabby co-workers can cause workplaces to feel “rotten to the core” to everyone else there. While not startling, the findings validate a couple of our hunches. http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1144 He didn’t remember when it happened, he just realized one day that he hadn’t heard a once familiar bird song for a very very long time. Recently, during a walk in the wintry woods of Wisconsin, a friend had asked, “what happened to all the whip-poor-wills? I haven’t heard one since I was a kid.” This is actually a surprisingly common question. “Whip-poor-will” was one of those loud persistent songs many people used to be accustomed to hearing in the evenings. Like many migratory... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1143 Ever try writing a newspaper column when all your roommate wants to do is cuddle? I don’t recommend it. I mean, it’s flattering that Pixel can’t keep his paws off me when I’m sitting at the keyboard. But it’s doggone (If you’ll pardon the term) unproductive to have a 10-pound tabby leap from your desk to your shoulder and try to take a nap right there on you shoulder you’re in the middle of giving some chowder head of a public official the lashing he so deserves. I just can’t bring... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1142 Embryonic Stem Cell Research in Peoria! By Rebecca Guzzi, Peoria, IL I recently received a copy of the River City Review Winter 2006 issue in the mail. While reading the Mayor’s Letter, I was surprised to learn that “embryonic stem cell research being done by Dr. Jasti Rao and his associates has already made Peoria a focal point.” The reason for my surprise was that the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act was up for a vote this month. This House bill would expand federal funding... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1141 Conceiving is easy; a thought, an idea a dream, flirts with a writer’s mind and it’s irresistible. Most writers gladly admit that it’s much more fun to play around with plots and titles, scenes and scenarios than to birth a book. The exhilaration of such thought swarm through a writer’s mind as a swelling bee hive; endless possibilities busily dart in every direction, sweeping them into a state of euphoria. Yet, writers who entertain such titillation without the commitment to capture... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1140 April 17, 2007 is Election Day in the City of West Peoria for some of our city officials. Voting will take place at City Hall for those in Wards, 3 and 4 and at the Cross Baptist Church on Heading Ave. for Wards 1 and 2. People running for office are: James Dillon for mayor; Carole Stephens for city clerk; Jennifer Main for treasurer; Hazel Thomas for Ward 1 alderwoman; Jerry Meismer and Merlin “Rocky” Mathewson for Ward 2 aldermen; John Venzon Jr. for Ward 3 alderman and Tom Dwyer for... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1139 “Electric energy bills are expected to rise this year by anywhere from 25 percent in northern Illinois to 55 percent downstate. To make matters worse, a lot of the money spent on heating and cooling will escape outside through inefficient windows, poor insulation, unsealed air ducts and leaky buildings,” said Ted Funk, a University of Illinois Extension agricultural and biological engineer. To reduce the hit that energy expenses take on your pocketbook, Funk suggested that... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1138 Well I finally found out what was wrong with me from late December to the middle of February. It turned out that I had Epstein Barr Virus, which is a virus-induced mono. I assumed that it was depression because of my difficulty dealing with holidays, and the Doctor thought that might be it also. She told me of another case she had and it took two months for the patient to recover, so I guess I was lucky. It was found in the blood test, and turned out to be something that I just had to... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1137 As I mentioned in an article of several months past, the only phone calls I get anymore are from those wishing to sell me a package funeral plan, or a grave digger who claims he can tuck me in at a price well below cost. Now this worries me no end because they could know something that I don’t. But, as I vaguely recall, my doctor did say, “Son, you can’t take things too slow or your whole life will get away from you.” I don’t know why he called me “son,” I’m way yonder older’n he is!... http://thecommunityword.com/weblog.php?id=P1136 PEORIA PARK DISTRICT MAGIC CLASSES The Peoria Park District is currently offering Magic classes for ages 9 & up. Magic classes are led by a professional magician and include a wide variety of close-up and card magic. Classes are held at Bicycle Safety Town in Peoria on Saturdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. beginning February 17 and Mondays from 6:15-7:45 p.m. beginning February 19. Classes run for four weeks. Fee is $23 for residents, $28 for non-residents. Registration is available...