I’m taking a couple days off from the blog. Feel free to use this as an open thread, and have a great holiday weekend!
Monthly Archives: August 2008
Journal Star rates going up
From my mailbox today:
August 27, 2008
Dear Subscriber,
As a subscriber who has chosen to pay for your subscription through our Easy Pay Plus plan, you are among our most valued subscribers and wisest readers. That is why we are writing you today to let you know about an upcoming change in our rates.
Effective September 29, 2008, your new rate will be $19.50 per month. That is an increase of less than four cents per day. While our Easy Pay Plus rate has not changed in over two and a half years, fuel costs have increased dramatically as you well know, as well as newsprint costs. We feel that it is appropriate to help our carriers offset these increased fuel costs and enable us to retain carriers who will provide good service to valued customers like you.
We know that you recognize the value and convenience of paying for your subscription with the most economical rate that we offer. We are equally sure that you recognize the value of the news and information, entertainment and many saving values found in the Journal Star everyday.
Thank you for continuing to be a loyal and valued Journal Star reader.
Sincerely,
Bruce Nielsen
Circulation Manager
Considering they put all their content on the web for free, I would like Mr. Nielsen to explain to me what benefits I’m getting by paying almost $20 a month for the “dead tree version,” as Billy Dennis calls it. Billy gets the same news I get, only he gets it for nothing, and I pay over $200 a year for it. As one of the Journal Star’s “wisest readers,” why shouldn’t I cancel my subscription?
McCain picks Palin
When I heard that McCain was considering Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, I started reading up on her, and I must say, I’m impressed. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I think she would be a brilliant choice both on the merits and as a political maneuver. Palin is known for her high integrity and staunchly conservative credentials. She’s 44 years old, female (obviously), and as a governor she has experience that none of the other candidates have.
Read her bio on Wikipedia and I think you’ll agree, even if you’re not Republican, that it’s an inspired choice for the party’s VP nominee. It’s official.
Vonachens to close Monday
My in-laws had planned to take my wife out to Vonachen’s next Wednesday for my wife’s birthday. Fortunately, they made reservations. Unfortunately, Vonachens called today and said they’re closing Monday. So, if you want to enjoy Vonachens one last time, you have the weekend.
I’ve mentioned before how disappointed I am that they’re closing. My dad worked at Vonachen’s Junction (as it was then called) in the early ’60s. I remember going there with my parents many times growing up. I have many memories of dinner dates there when I was in my late teens and early twenties (including my most embarrassing date ever — when I forgot my wallet). My wife took me there for a surprise birthday dinner when I turned 30. My wife and kids and I will be dining there tonight for the last time.
I hope Junction Ventures can find a suitable, local replacement for the old place.
Poll: Schock leading Callahan by more than 2-to-1 margin
From a press release:
(PEORIA) With just over two months to go in the race, a new poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, Virginia on August 18-20th shows Aaron Schock leading Colleen Callahan by a more than two-to-one margin with Green Party nominee Sheldon Schafer getting 2% of the vote.
The 400 sample size poll conducted throughout the 18th Congressional District shows Schock with a commanding lead throughout the district. The head to head match up showed Schock with 56% of the vote to Callahan’s 27% and Schafer’s 2%, with 13% undecided.
The question was simply worded, “If the election to U.S. Congress were being held today, for whom would you vote.. .Colleen Callahan, Democrat; Sheldon Schafer, Green Party or Aaron Schock, Republican? The three names were rotated in order as the question was asked of voters.
The Schock campaign released two polls it had commissioned by Public Opinion Strategies in the primary race and both showed Schock with substantial leads. His final vote totals were even higher however, earning 72% of the vote.
“Public Opinion Strategies is one of the most respected and accurate polling firms in the nation,” said Schock campaign manager Steven Shearer. “Some people questioned the validity of the polls we released in the primary campaign and even scoffed that Aaron’s numbers couldn’t possibly be that high, but Aaron’s margin of the vote confirmed those poll findings.”
“Without question the only poll that counts is on Election Day,” Shearer continued. “That is why Aaron Schock is working exceptionally hard to earn new support each and every day, just as he has done in each campaign.”
A memo of the results of the poll has been prepared by Public Opinion Strategies and follows this page, and is being publicly released to the media.
Click on this link to see the full press release with the results memo.
New fundraising plans for museum block to be unveiled Sept. 2
There’s a press event planned for next Tuesday regarding fundraising efforts for the proposed downtown museum. The event is sponsored by the CEO Roundtable and sports a new catchphrase and logo to replace the old “Circle the Square” campaign: “Build the Block.” Here are the details directly from the press release:
Tuesday, September 2, 2008, 10:30 a.m.
On the patio at Martinis, 212 SW Water StreetThe CEO Roundtable, a Heartland Partnership Organization representing Peoria’s business leaders, will announce a new effort to raise needed funds to help build the Peoria Riverfront Museum Block. The new museum block will be a component of the overall development of one of the most important properties in Peoria’s downtown. The Caterpillar Experience, retail/commercial offerings and park-like green space are also planned for the site.
Speakers include:
Michael Bryant, Methodist Medical Center
Mike Everett, Illinois Building Trades Councils
State Senator Dave Koehler
State Representative Dave Leitch
Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis
Jim Owens, Caterpillar Inc.
Brad McMillan, Museum Collaboration Group
It’s encouraging that they’re not putting all their eggs in the new-county-tax basket. I can’t wait to hear what their new plan is. It’s also encouraging that they’re still calling it the “Peoria Riverfront Museum,” evidently backing off plans to remove “Peoria” from the name.
A sneak peek at the new Glen Oak School
If you couldn’t make it to the public hearing on Monday and are dying to know what the new Glen Oak School will look like, here’s the 3-D rendering of the new campus, as presented Monday in the gym of the existing Glen Oak School:
[flashvideo filename=https://peoriachronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/Video/Glen-Oak-flyover.flv /]
This plan and the plans for the new Harrison School and updates at other school properties were all approved Tuesday night at a special School Board meeting about 28 hours after the last public hearing ended. Public Building Commission approval is expected at today’s PBC meeting.
Chamber of Commerce announces new officers
From a press release:
Peoria, IL (August 26, 2008) – The new board members and officers for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce are seated and ready for the upcoming year. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize these new members and express its appreciation for the contributions that these individuals bring to the organization.
The new board members for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce are:
Kenneth Baum (Otto Baum Company, Inc.)
Thomas Fliege (Hawk Agency Inc.)
Karen Jensen (Farnsworth Group)
Jonathan Williams (Commerce Bank, N.A.)
Bob Woolsey (Jones Bros. Jewelers Inc.)The Chamber’s new officers are:
Chairman Debbie Ritschel (Peoria Civic Center)
Vice Chairman Charles Purcell (G & D Integrated)
Treasurer Michael Wiesehan (Lippmann’s Furniture & Interiors)
South Side Mission nationally recognized as top ministry
From a press release:
Peoria-South Side Mission has been awarded the honor of being named a top ten ministry in the United States for 2008 by the Acton Institute and published by World Magazine. Each of these ten “grassroots” non profit organizations are highly successful privately funded charities whose work is direct, personal, and accountable.
Because of the extensive work that the Mission has undertaken in building up the community on the south side of Peoria, the External Ministries of South Side Mission were recognized as a charity who, like the Good Samaritan of the New Testament, get intimately involved with individuals and work to bring about real change in the lives of those in need.
Director of External Ministries, Minister Craig Williams, is thankful for the honor. “We continue to do the work that the Lord places before us, serving the poor, and it is an honor to be recognized by a publication that we respect and usually look to for inspiration and new ideas to change lives.”
The August 23 edition of WORLD Magazine (www.worldmag.com) features a profile of South Side Mission’s External Ministries; along with the nine other finalists, including the Samaritan Award winner; Restoration Ministries, Inc. from Harvey, IL.The Samaritan Award is given annually to encourage charities who would not receive national attention for the quiet work that they do to improve the lives of those in the communities where they serve. For more information about the Samaritan Award or the Samaritan Guide, please visit www.samaritanguide.com.
South Side Mission is Peoria’s oldest rescue mission, and has been serving the poor of our community since 1925. The external ministries of South Side Mission include:
- Hope Builders — free repair for south side homeowners
- Satellite Offices — in two housing projects on the south side
- Elderly Services — dignity for south side senior citizens in crisis
- School Ministries — in three Peoria public schools
- Adopt-A-Block — Providing servant evangelism in on of the poorest zip codes in Illinois
Illinois Democrats share the love
Rich Miller of the Capitol Fax Blog is keeping up on a most remarkable showing of reconciliation between feuding Illinois Democrats, complete with video and pictures. Some are skeptical, but all appearances are that Governor Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan have hugged and made up after months of public fighting. They weren’t the only ones. U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Mayor Richard Daley also hugged, causing Jackson to get all misty-eyed. You have to see it to believe it. A true Kumbaya moment!