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.
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.
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 Street
The 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.
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.
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