Whole Foods? Trader Joes? Specialty Store?

July 4th, 2008

hyvee.gifNone of the above. Welcome the newest tenant to Sheridan Village, Hy-Vee. It’s a nice grocery store, but… well… it’s a grocery store.

Not exciting.

High of 108 shatters previous record set in 1931

July 1st, 2008

hoinews.jpg

Funny, it didn’t feel that warm. Must have been a dry heat.

The gauntlet has been thrown

June 29th, 2008

Billy Dennis on what I thought was a rare artsy photo on my part for NTPL #243: “Next time, try posting a picture that’s a bit more of a challenge, PI.”

Deviating from my recently adopted once weekly photo, I put up 6 new ones which should be a bit more challenging, though none of them are so off the beaten path that someone won’t know what they are. As usual, the more interesting stories and tidbits the better.

[Name This Peoria Landmark]

When I am going to find time to update all of these is anyone’s guess.

Peoria Public Library: Closed

June 28th, 2008

ppd_closed.jpg

My Back Pages, Pt.2

June 27th, 2008

More interesting comments from my archives.

PEORIA on Walgreens on Main St. - Sold!:

It looks like the “Main Street Commons” project will occur, as an announcement billboard by the developer was recently erected in front of the (former) Walgreen’s building. It should be another gem for the Renaissance Park area!

Betty Perry on The Lincoln Museum. Springfield, Illinios.:

I am trying to get in touch with the New Lincoln Museum regarding a Lincoln family picture, which I uncovered in a family homestead of 1870. It was painted by b.f. schell, Published by John dainty 31 6th St. Philadelphia and engd by A.B. Walter.
I would like the address, or phone number of someone at the museum who could tell me if it is something the museum might want.

Exiled to CA on Adagio in the keys of B & U:

I grew up in the neighborhoods around Bradley–we lived on Sherman Ave., Barker Ave., and then on Columbia Terrace. I have such happy memories of walking by all these houses on snowy days on my way to Whittier School when I was very young. I eventually attended Bradley and grew to appreciate the surrounding homes from a different, more mature perspective–as wonderful historic properties, each with lovely individual characterics. Since moving to California seven years ago–where historic homes are few and far between–I have an even deeper appreciation of the Uplands/West Bluff area. While I applaud Bradley’s vision and continued growth, I also feel great sadness and nostalgia watching these images (although it was hard to really concentrate with my three-year old son shouting “There’s another bulldozer!” in the background). The Barber Adagio is perfect for this montage, by the way. Thanks for documenting this process . . . I’ve seen a few photos of the Field House demolition but nothing like this. I’ve got to say–my eyes are a bit misty!

Zach on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time:

Alright, it’s official. Rolling Stone’s has a huge prejudice against Pink Floyd. Here they put Darkside of The Moon at number 50? It should be number one, or at least in the top 10. I hate it when people do these surveys and have no intelligent explanations justifying their top 10 albums. “Oh, they have some lovely tunes in them.” That’s kindergarden reviews, that’s what it is. Also, I see nobody at my high school (yes I’m 16 years old) wearing Sgt. Pepper’s or Beach Boys shirts. Everyday I see someone wearing a Pink Floyd shirt. Clearly this shows just how influential they are. F*%$in teenagers have better taste in music than the Rolling Stones editors, who seem to pride themselves on the constant disappointment of their surveys. Good music is the balance between the music and the lyrics. Darkside has this. As do all their albums. My apologies if I seem to be ranting, but I feel very strongly that this Rolling Stones survey was wrong to not put Darkside of the Moon into their top 10.

master_dman on A Very Brief Review of Carlos O’Kelly’s:

I love Carlos O’kellys.

Eat there all the time. Service is always perfect. Waitress is always smokin hot. Food is always good. The atomic salsa is da bomb.

Jonathan scrivanich on The Death of an Idol:

Wow. i love spongebob i have him all over my room. im 40 , im trying 2 keep him in my pants. he keeps escaping.

Morton Malaise on Clearing up a common misconception:

Holy crap, I don’t even remember typing that last night. I was freakin’ wasted!

Emtronics on Note to WMBD 1470-AM:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The Death of an Idol

June 27th, 2008

I’m not exactly sure why I found this so humorous, and I’m certainly not about to begin to psychoanalyze myself, but I came home from work today and found this in my backyard kiddie pool:

dead_spongebob_drowned.jpg

[photo restored]

Well Whaddaya Know

June 26th, 2008

The Peoria Park District changed their Proctor Recreation Center photo on their Historical Places web page to this-

proctor_exterior2.gif

Yeah, I liked my photo better too, and nah, I wasn’t going to sue, although a link would have been nice… I was just giving you guys at the Park District a little friendly ribbing. Beautiful building, inside and out. Too bad this gem is so under utilized.

No Wife. No Kids. 4 Days.

June 26th, 2008

A Good Walk Spoiled

June 25th, 2008

While I would never advocate thievery or vandalism, I must say I’m quite impressed with this latest episode, as reported in the Journal Star.

PEORIA — Vandals stole flags and poles from the greens of a West Bluff golf course this weekend, damaging one of the greens in the process.

The 18 flags, valued at $400, that marked the greens at Newman Golf Course, 2021 W. Nebraska Ave., were snatched between 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, according to a police report.

The thieves caused about $200 in damages to the 15th green, which appeared to have been cut by the poles.

Police are investigating.

Did you get that? Someone stole ALL 18 flags under the cover of darkness. Whoever did this must have had some great motivation, as 18 holes is nearly a 5 mile walk. Undoubtedly the flagpoles got a bit heavy by time the 15th green was reached.

No word on if the hoodlums from nearby Lexington Hills Apartments had anything to do with it.

What in the world is going on around here?

June 22nd, 2008

7th_newman_gc.jpg

On the heels of the craziness of Heritage Days and the riot at Steamboat Days comes this little tidbit buried in the sports section…

Illini Golf has collected more than 28,000 golf balls and 500 golf clubs for shipment to U.S. troops in Iraq. The Country Club of Peoria, Mt. Hawley and WeaverRidge also have begun collecting equipment, which IG manager Jim Hoffman said will be shipped some time in August. … Speaking of Hoffman, his cell phone and Sky Caddie were stolen from his golf cart on June 5 when he was on the No. 7 tee at Newman. Hoffman said a group of 15 to 20 teenage boys were coming down the fairway. One of the kids snatched the items from Hoffman’s cart and they took off running across Nebraska.

You’re telling me that Golf Courses aren’t safe havens from the chaos of life anymore? What in the world is this town coming to? NOW I’m getting pissed.

Peoria Park District: I’m Flattered

June 21st, 2008

I’m flattered that you thought I took such a good picture of the beautiful Proctor Recreational Center, you decided to use it on your Park District Historical Places web page.

Park District Photo:proctor_exterior.gif

My Photo, NTPL #115:peoria_landmark_115.JPG

Notice the similarities? With an annual operating budget of $40,000,000 I’m sort-of surprised they can’t take their own photos.

I hope the Cubs don’t meet Tampa Bay in the World Series

June 20th, 2008

L: 2-3
L: 4-5
L: 3-8

And that’s all I have to say on the matter.

Email from Ken Hinton

June 17th, 2008
YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY COULD BE SOLD LEGALLY TO A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FOR IMMEDIATE CASH, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A LIFE SETTLEMENT.Are your premiums payments too high, excessive or just unaffordable? Has there been a significant change in your personal life such as a predeceased spouse, divorce or children who are independently financially secure and no longer require your life insurance?

Do you have a need for immediate funds? Do you wish to use the payout to purchase even larger and superior life insurance?

IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS ABOVE THEN A LIFE SETTLEMENT MIGHT BE THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR YOU!!!

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN TURN YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY INTO A LUMP SUM PAYOUT.

[link removed]

Kennith Hinton

In other news, the District 150 School Board accepted Ken Hinton’s recommendation to shorten the primary school day by 90 minutes on Wednesdays with the promise that “We will see improvement in student learning.” Our middle schools are next in line for this improvement.

Concert Announcement

June 16th, 2008

The great John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful fame is booked to play a concert at Glen Oak park, quite possibly with Mandolinist David Grisman whom he is touring with to promote a new album. Any of you Deadheads out there will recognize him as a member of the band Old & In The Way which also featured Jerry Garcia.

This info from a comment on my Summer In The City video-

This hasn’t been announced yet, but I wanted to let you know that we have secured John Sebastian to headline our Fall Music Festival at Glen Oak Park on September 13th! Hope to see you there!

I’ll definitely be there.

The AntiPundit is back

June 13th, 2008

A whole three days after he quit for good. Randall, in a few months when you decide to quit again, give it a good week before changing your mind… it makes your return more dramatic.

The Peoria AntiPundit 2.0