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Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates The Blog Peoria Project, which promotes community-based citizen journalism in his hometown, Peoria IL. Call me at (309) 863-5748 and leave a message.

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Recent Blog Peoria Posts

• Day by Day: Skin status update 3/21/2010 March 22, 2010

  Today’s strip: Sam’s put on a sweater, but she’s still got that low cut top on. But tattoo-girl Skye is still doing the belly short thing.

  
  Billy Dennis
• Neighborhood Assoc. Still in NIMBY Mode March 22, 2010

  I just came across this, but the Journal Star published a story last Thursday on the Detweiller Marina Neighborhood Association’s opposition to industrial zoning for land purchased by O’Brien Steel Service Co. for future expansion.

  Nearly a year ago, I reported the Association’s initial opposition before the city zoning commission approved the re-zoning, and was rightly critical of their illogical, anti-industry NIMBY attitude. See blog entries here and here.

  Nothing has changed. Association president William Ordaz told Peoria’s planning commission on Wednesday that:

  “It’s not heavy industrial use that will contribute to this neighborhood. It will kill things.”

  Huh? Heavy industry has dominated that part of the North Valley for well over a century. If anything, heavy industrial use has built those neighborhoods. After all, it was workers employed at the city’s factories that built the first houses there.

  O’Brien Steel plans to announce its expansion plans in 1 to 2 years. In a time of recession and with the consequences of reckless spending at all levels of government and rising tax rates sure to harm the manufacturing sector, we should support O’Brien Steel’s plans for growth, which will help the adjacent neighborhood by providing additional jobs.

  (The significance of this story to this blog is that O’Brien Steel Service Co.  is located on the Kellar Branch and served by the Central Illinois Railroad Co. Expansion might increase use of rail service.)

  - David P. Jordan

  
  David P. Jordan
• Teabaggers take one on the chin as health care reform passes, but Limbaugh and Beck secretly thrilled March 22, 2010

  What miserable pinko liberal swine thinks that the Democrats are going to GAIN votes  after passage of health reform? Well, conservative commenter  David  Frum is one:
  There were leaders who knew better, who would have liked to deal. But they were trapped. Conservative talkers on Fox and talk radio had whipped the Republican voting base into [...]

  Original post by Billy Dennis

  
  Billy Dennis
• It a development that surprises almost no one who’se been paying attention at District 150, it seems that the renovations at PHS are not being done in a competent manner March 21, 2010

  This arrived in my email inbox moments ago:
  District 150 Administration and School Board
  Ladies and Gentlemen:
  We are writing as concerned parents and supporters of Peoria High School students. We have been attending school functions and meetings hoping to hear about the upcoming changes for PHS and have been incredibly disappointed with the district’s total lack [...]

  Original post by Billy Dennis

  
  Billy Dennis
• In a development that surprises almost no one who’s been paying attention to District 150, it seems that the renovations at PHS are not being done in a competent manner March 21, 2010

  This arrived in my email inbox moments ago:
  District 150 Administration and School Board
  Ladies and Gentlemen:
  We are writing as concerned parents and supporters of Peoria High School students. We have been attending school functions and meetings hoping to hear about the upcoming changes for PHS and have been incredibly disappointed with the district’s total lack [...]

  Original post by Billy Dennis

  
  Billy Dennis
• The only thing missing from yesterday’s tea-bagger protest was Bull Connor, attack dogs and some fire hoses March 21, 2010

  Some of the anti-health care people sure do have some interesting views on race:
  Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., told a reporter that as he left the Cannon House Office Building with Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a leader of the civil rights era, some among the crowd chanted “the N-word, the N-word, 15 times.” Both Carson and [...]

  Original post by Billy Dennis

  
  Billy Dennis
• Spring Turning March 21, 2010

  The Cosmos strives for equilibrium today. The hours of daylight and dark are equal. Spring returns–even if the day is dark and cold, rainy, snowy, spitting sleet. It’s the thought that counts.

  Modern Wiccans call the day Ostara. I am not found of the name. Like Easter itself, the name is taken from a Teutonic lunar Goddess Eostre. Mike Nichols, author of The Witches’ Sabbats, from the website of the same name, “Her holiday, the Eostara, was held on the vernal equinox full moon.” Technically that will fall on the 29th of March. According to Nichols, the Roman Catholic Church divided the vernal holiday into Easter–the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox–and Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on March 25th. This, of course, the day that the Angel Gabriel announces that Mary is “with child.” “Lady Day” was the name used by our first Wiccan founders.

  I think I prefer the simpler “Spring Turning.” It was the phrase I used in my own fiction back before I was “officially” Pagan. It signifies a becoming. As Nichols says, it’s a springboard to Beltane, May 1st. Processes begun at the equinox find fulfillment at Beltane.

  I hadn’t planned to celebrate the day, but a friend called late in the morning and said, “Let’s go to Bloomington to the Mennonite Relief Sale.” The day was dreary; and I knew that by the time we got there, most everything would sold, but I hadn’t been to the Relief Sale since it left Peoria. I was pleasantly surprised to get a bunch of pussy willows. I can’t remember the last time I had pussy willows.

  And on the way back, I asked to stop in a Kelly Seed to look over their new shipment of heirloom seeds. I haven’t decided yet if I am going to plant a garden this year or slit my wrists, but Global Village in the Heights is collecting supplies for Haiti this month, and one of the things on the list is garden seeds. So I bought heritage melons, squash, radishes, and corn. And a packet of mixed lettuce if I decide to plant for myself. Spring is such a fickle time of the year…

  
  witchsbrew
• How Railroads Promote Ind’l Development – Past and Present March 20, 2010

  I think the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway’s 172-page Industrial Development Brochure is incredible for its detail, and it shouldn’t leave prospective buyers of listed properties and buildings with too many questions. But if they do have any, they can always contact the railroad.

  Closer to home, RailAmerica’s Toledo Peoria & Western Railway lists these properties. I’m curious, though, why two of them, here and here, which are nowhere near TP&W track, are listed (furthermore, they could find out that “Middle Road” is not spelled “Middel.”).

  Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., owner of two local shortlines – Illinois & Midland Railroad and Tazewell & Peoria Railroad – provide few details on their website, but it does say this:

  I&M’s extra-wide 200-foot right-of-way, and adjacent industrial sites on both I&M and T&P, offer excellent location opportunities for manufacturing, distribution and transload facilities.

  Before the Internet Age, railroads published and circulated booklets detailing industrial development sites in various communities they served. One example was the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad’s 1964 booklet. One page of the Peoria section, which appeared in the railroad’s 1963 Annual Report, can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail below.

  

  The Rock Island’s promotion of both the Galena Road Industrial Park and Pioneer Industrial Park caught the attention of the Peoria Journal Star, which mentioned it in a June 16, 1964 editorial.

  Past and present, American railroads know that to remain viable long term they must continuously promote their services to prospective industrial and logistics firms. And the only change is the type of media.

  - David P. Jordan

   

  
  David P. Jordan
• I write this with all love and respect to the local guys because they ROCK, but Comcast is Satan March 20, 2010

  I’m the kinda guy who is always going to wait until the very last minute to pay his cable bill. Usually, I find out it’s due when I can’t get on the Internet
  So I’m in the Comcast office on Dries Lane ever other month.
  Those guys rock. Professional, friendly and quick. Kudos.
  But when I have actual [...]

  Original post by Billy Dennis

  
  Billy Dennis
• Day by Day: Skin status update 3/20/2010 March 20, 2010

  Today’s strip: Chris Muir is hearing my pleas. Sam is again in the low-cut, skin-tight little black dress. Chris treats up to a front view and a maddeningly curvaceous profile.

  
  Billy Dennis

Tell Peoria Business Directory

• AAMCO Tranmissions Unknown Date Format
  AAMCO is your local automotive repair specialist from synthetic oil changes to rebuilt transmissions.
• Health and Harmony: Barb & Dick Lulay Shaklee Independent Distributors Unknown Date Format
  ExtremeHealthMakeovers.com offers top quality products with an impeccable reputation. The Shaklee products are all natural, safe for you and your family, and safe for the environment. Customer satisfaction is guaranteed.
• dESCO, LLC Service Management Software Unknown Date Format
  The Better Way to Run Your Service Company ESC simplifies the management and operations of service companies. ESC will organize and streamline the work flow of both small and large service companies, making them more manageable and profitable.
• Mitch Williams Magic Productions Unknown Date Format
  Make your events absolutely unforgettable, with entertainment programs by international award winning sleight of hand artist and speaker, Mitch Williams.
• ExplorePeoria.com Unknown Date Format
  ExplorePeoria.com is a locally owned & managed information portal website featuring a comprehensive events calendar, free e-newsletter, a business directory, free classified ads, restaurant menus, real estate listings, job listings and much more.

PeoriaChronicle

• “Better than nothing” now a national slogan March 22, 2010
  I’ve joked before about numerous City of Peoria projects being defended on the grounds that they’re “better than nothing.” After listening to the health care debate in the U.S. House of Representatives on C-SPAN this afternoon, I’m disheartened to hear that this has evidently become a national slogan. After several representatives expressed grave [ […]
• Peoria High parents and boosters express concerns March 22, 2010
  From my inbox: District 150 Administration and School Board Ladies and Gentlemen: We are writing as concerned parents and supporters of Peoria High School students. We have been attending school functions and meetings hoping to hear about the upcoming changes for PHS and have been incredibly disappointed with the district’s total lack of communication wi […]
• City mulls over cuts to basic services, giving $37M to hotel developer March 20, 2010
  According to this Journal Star article, the City of Peoria is looking for ways to cut basic services like sidewalk and sewer improvements due to a nearly “flat projection” in sales tax growth. Meanwhile, according to this other Journal Star article, developer Gary Matthews is still pitching his hotel plan which relies on $37 [...] […]

Merle Widmer’s Peoria Watch

• A Common Sense Judge March 21, 2010
  Forwarded to me by my daughter Mary Jo Greytak whose son is in the armed services. She checked with Scopes. All my family support strong judges and strong actions against terrorists, often called "insurgents" or "freedom fighters" by the liberal press. For comments on my site, please email them to me. If researched and factual info, I wil […]
• FireFly - What Community Leaders Said March 15, 2010
  "Calling FireFly 'the poster child' of Peoria NEXT", National City regional president Doug Stewart said that technology was not in short supply in Peoria. "Ideas are not our problem. The issue is management, first, and capital second. If we are going to hit a home run, FireFly is the closest thing we've got."Doug was probab […]
• FireFly Closer to Burning Bright March 15, 2010
  So wrote Molly Parker, reporter for the JS in May of 2007. The resolution by the County to guarantee, along with the city, a six million dollar loan to FireFly by National City Bank, State Representative Dave Leitch, Vice-President, who personally urged the County Board to approve this loan. Quoting Ms. Parker,"The resolution passed both committees by v […]

The Community Word

CW Notes

CapitolFax

• Sunday update: Lt. Governor hopeful videos March 21, 2010
• Reader comments closed for the weekend March 19, 2010
• *** UPDATED x1 *** Afternoon campaign roundup March 19, 2010
• More thoughts about Garrett’s lite guv candidacy March 19, 2010
• Question of the day March 19, 2010

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