November 2011

Next Membership Meeting

Wednesday, Nov. 2Social 6:30 p.m.

Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Westminster Hall, 1420 W. Moss

Topic: Update on Peoria Riverfront Museum construction and

programming presented by Jim Richerson, PRM CEO and President

Monthly Messenger

Hanging of the Greens

Saturday, November 19 9:00 a.m. Ed Tarbuck and Joanne Bannon’s home at 1705 W Moss Ave

Join the fun in readying our neighborhood for the holidays! Please bring a sturdy ladder if you have one, and a pair of work gloves! We’ll meet in the driveway. Afterward, volunteers invited to warm-up with lunch at Ed and Joanne’s!

Courtyard Estates of Peoria Grand Opening Submitted by Amanda Hendricks, Admissions and Marketing Director

Courtyard Estates of Peoria celebrated their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Oct. 18. The crowd was estimated to be more than 950 people ranging from business and health care professionals to lifelong Peorians anx-ious to see the new “Jumer’s” and to get more information about residency.

The opening featured horse-drawn carriage rides, hors d’oerves, spirits, live entertainment and grand tours of Peo-ria’s newest Senior Living Community. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Peoria Chamber of Commerce had the ribbon cut by Owner Mark Petersen and his wife Vicki.

Guest speakers included Petersen Com-panies Owner, Mark Petersen, Petersen Health Care Vice President of Op-erations, Cindy White, Congressman

Aaron Schock, and Mayor Jim Ardis.

Courtyard Estates of Peoria is a 100-apartment facility offering pro-fessional, compassionate services for seniors ages 65 and older while promot-ing independence. Courtyard Estates of Peoria provides their residents a wealth of services and amenities including three chef-prepared meals daily, house-keeping services, laundry services, care services, transportation and socializa-

tion opportunities. They feature a “Main Street” which includes a gift shop, Theatre Room, Beauty Shop and Lounge. Residents can also take advan-tage of the Active Lifestyles Room, Li-brary, Full Access Gym, Private Dining Room, and Spa.

For more information, contact Amanda Hendricks, Admissions and Marketing Director, at 674-2400.

PHoto courteSy: courtyard eStateS

2 – Monthly Messenger – November 2011

One of the most important political events in the past decade is underway in Peoria. No, I’m not talking about the 2012 Presidential campaign, nor am I talking about the City’s budget process. I’m talking about the process of redraw-ing boundaries for City Council elec-tions. The process has been underway in Peoria for nearly a year.

Recently an additional wrinkle was added to the process: the community has been asked to consider whether the basic structure of the Council should be changed by increasing the number of Council districts, and whether we should continue to unusual practice known as cumulative voting. These questions may be brought to a public referendum next spring, IF the City Council gets the message that the com-munity wants such an opportunity.

What’s at stake here? The implications are many. For example, if the City Council has 10 district representatives instead of the current five districts with five at-large representatives, each Coun-cil member will represent half as many citizens and a smaller geographic area. This should mean it would be easier for Council members to communicate with their constituents; they would have only half as many. Districts might be more homogeneous and therefore less complex to represent.

The current situation of having nearly half the Council members residing in one part of the City would not happen. Moving to 10 districts would presum-ably dispense with cumulative voting, since each of us would only vote for our own district Council representative. Cumulative voting is the practice in our at-large Council elections whereby a voter could vote for only one candidate, who would then receive all five votes

that voter could have cast. Cumulative voting potentially allows a small group of voters to have a greater voice in the election outcome by “outvoting” the majority. One of the options we are being asked to consider is having eight Council Districts and two at-large (city wide) representatives. In this scenario, cumulative voting might still be an option.

These are complex issues that could have an impact on all of us for a generation or more. The impact could be more immediate than any national election, more visible on our own streets, more apparent in daily living. If you have an opinion, let the Mayor and City Council members know now.

If you’re not sure, learn more about the implications and your neighbors’ thoughts on the subject at two upcom-ing public forums. These free events will be held at Bradley University October 26, 7:00-9:00 p.m., and at River West Frank Campbell Community Center on November 2, 7:00-9:00 p.m. For addi-tional details, call the Bradley Institute for Principled Leadership at 677-4408.

Take advantage of this opportunity to participate in defining Peoria’s future.

Rod LorenzPresident, Moss-Bradley Residential Association

A Letter from the President

Monthly Messenger – November 2011 – 3

November Review Submitted by Bonnie Mason

I love November. The atmosphere, the landscape, the light combine to create a perfect back-drop for Edward Gorey drawings … That absolute delight in mind coupled with the prospect and eventuality of the Thanksgiving Holiday make the month one of my favorites! Thanks-giving is so minimized as a holiday these days lost between Hallowe’en and Christmas – no doubt due to the shallow market for Pilgrim and Indian costumes. I think the high point in marketing during this precious holiday is convincing the public that they need a 3-D, 10-foot screen TV on which to watch football all afternoon instead of actually interacting with loved ones and appreciating our blessings and the freedom of living in the USA. The simple concept of Thanksgiving – gathering people together for a meal, an expression of gratitude – even better when everyone brings a dish … what simple pleasure. I love it. (I have especially fond memories since it was one of the few meals my Mother ever cooked.) My books this month relate to the idea of Giving.

I received a copy of St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run, Running for Their Lives, written by Lee Hall. You may recognize him from WEEK Channel 25 Sports. I think this book should be on everyone’s “Must Read List.” Not that it is a perfectly writ-ten book, it is not, but it was written with so much heart and relates such tender stories. I can’t read many pages at one time because I can’t see through my tears. The book includes stories from the history of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the story of Billy Johnson’s donation of 75 cents to Danny Thomas who put Billy’s envelope under the Statue of St. Jude where it remains. When the statue was moved (three times) the envelope went with it. I remember Mike McCoy and Gene Pratt from the old Landmark days when they started this race. Another example of what two guys with an idea can become. Lots of pho-tographs, lots of stories – you need to read this book. Lee Hall has made a major contribution creating a detailed history of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and an outstanding tribute to those involved. This book is available at Running Central, The St. Jude Run Office, and I Know You Like a Book in Peoria Heights. I hope you will find a copy and read it.

Animal lover, Pen Farthing, author of One Dog at a Time, was a Brit-ish Royal Marine stationed in Afghanistan who made a difference, in a different light. “Appalled by the horrors of local dog fighting, Pen had no choice but to intervene. Then one of the dogs he frees finds his way into the Marine compound —and into Pen’s heart. Soon other strays are drawn into the sanctuary provided by the makeshift pound. As his tour of duty draws to an end, Pen cannot leave the dogs of Now Zad to their fates. He begins hatching plans to help them escape to a better life.” Pen Farthing came to our “Bark in the Park” event last year with his books and his tales of rescue. What a courageous guy and one more example of the effect one person can have. This book, published by St. Martin’s Press, August 2010, hardcover, sells for $24.99.

One last note on Giving: This is the 10th Anniversary of the William J. Clinton Foun-dation. Whether you like his politics or not, Giving, written by Bill Clinton, is an interesting string of examples of the power we all hold to make a difference. Published by Knoph Doubleday Publishing Group, 2007, hardcover $24.99. Find a good book to read – quilt weather is upon us again! I will be counting my blessings – I hope you will, too! Happy Thanksgiving!!

4 – Monthly Messenger – November 2011

thru the Windshield

How do we look to those passing by?Observations ... questions ... hopes ... concernsCompiled by Marjorie Klise 

There have been some real milestones in the reclamation of the West Bluff over the last 20 to 25 years. We saved the original decorative street light poles. We publish very profes-sional neighborhood newsletters to keep all citizens involved. We formed the West Bluff Council to help us work together rather than competitively. We invite citizens, city-wide, to at-tend our neighborhood sales and parties. And we established the Western Avenue Greenway. And that last victory is one I would like to reflect on in this column.

Can you imagine what would have happened if we had left those houses that sat within 20 feet of four lanes of traffic, after Western Avenue was widened! The potential damage to residents was unthinkable. The property owners were forced to rethink the wisdom of walking out their front door to pick up the newspaper of a morning. Their lives were in danger. They wondered if the dishes would stay in the cupboards as large trucks rumbled by. And the possibility of convincing new people to buy and reside in these homes was minimal.

So a small group of people has labored over the years to buy these homes, demolish them, plant the area and develop a totally amazing urban berm to buffer the neighborhood from the commercial strips and heavy traffic. The time donated to this project has been vast – planning, painting, planting and fund-raising. The names are all too familiar … Norma, Pat, Jim, Paul, Bernie, John, Dan, Peter, and many more. We are all truly grateful for their time and effort!

But, is anyone (maybe four or five of us) looking for a project to aid the Greenway Board? This might be the time for a subgroup to contact the few businesses that remain on the east side of Western Avenue, and help them to find some sort of unified decorative greenery for their buildings and parking lots. It could be as simple as very large planters (a la Robbie’s Service Station). Or shrubbery. Or linear flower beds. This would require regular maintenance on the part of the busi-nesses, but surely it would encourage new neighborhood pa-trons. That makes us all winners – merchants and neighbors!

We could feature this cooperative project in our newsletters. The master gardeners are always there to guide any plans to be sure they will withstand summer fumes and winter salt trucks.

So, don’t be shy. Offer to help out this group which has been so hard-working for us all, and take on this project. We will all be grateful.

Monthly Messenger – November 2011 – 5

Malvern Musings

A monthly column about growing things and growing a great neighborhoodSubmitted by Dan Callahan

“Green Dream”

We are a neighborhood of dream-ers. Thankfully. A couple of decades ago, the dreamers cast their gaze upon Western Avenue. A massive street-widening project was about to take up a big chunk of our western boundary. The residences at that edge of Moss-Bradley were smack up against “enhanced” traffic flows. Front yards were being radically truncated. The dreamers saw it both as a threat and as an opportunity. They gradually bought up some threatened residences and slowly built a linear park that they hoped would serve as a green buffer and preserve the livability of the adjacent neighborhoods.

The dream became reality. More houses were acquired. The parkland grew into “The Western Avenue Greenway.” Trees were placed. Paths lengthened. Irrigation was installed. A gazebo was built. Berms were planned and they were planted. Funds were sought from any entity that would listen. Organizations small and large pitched in. Salvaged stone was donated and it was stra-tegically arranged up and down the length of the park.

All this was done with an indepen-dent board guiding the process. It’s

not the park district, it’s not the city. Neighbors have been in control. Most of the work is not glamor-ous. Emptying trash cans. Picking up downed limbs. Cajoling funds to keep the grass mowed, the beds watered, the plantings mulched, the retaining walls intact.

We are so used to seeing “green” as we drive down Western, we could hardly imagine it any other way.

It started as a dream, but continues as “a work in progress.” A Master Gardeners group has adopted the park and labors weekly to keep it in shape. Just imagine what it would be like to take on the care of the gardens of 15 or 20 neighbors on either side of yours. That’s about what they do.

Yes, this takes a ton of work, and there is always more to be done.

You can help. Spread the word about this dream that became a beautiful park. And spread the word that the park can stay green if funds come its way.

A fun way to make the latter happen is a wine and cheese event on Nov. 11 at the home of Peter and Carol Getz. (See separate article at right for more details.)

Green for the GreenwaySubmitted by Peter Getz

The Western Avenue Greenway Project will host a fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 11.The event, Green for the Greenway, will be at the home of Peter Getz and Carol Spengel, 1306 W. Moss Avenue. Starting at 6:00 p.m. we will welcome our guests with music, wine, cheese, and light browsing. We will be holding a silent auction. A donation of $25 is requested.

This will be an opportunity to enjoy an evening with neighbors and friends of the Greenway and to support our mission. This is the major fundraiser for this year. Tell your friends and neigh-bors to drop by and enjoy the evening. If you can’t make the party a donation will always be welcome.

Green for the Greenway

Friday, Nov. 11

6:00 p.m.

1306 W. Moss Avenue

For more information contact: Peter Getz at

688-2322 or circle@ocslink.com

Send us your observations, story ideas or feedback! Email Kelly at mossbradleynews@gmail.com

6 – Monthly Messenger – November 2011

Upcoming Jazz EventSubmitted by Dick Marsho, Publicity Chair, Central Illinois Jazz Society

The Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra (CIJO), founded in 1998, is from Peoria. The CIJO is a 16-piece big band, which is committed to keep-ing the big band jazz sound alive. Originally called the New Millen-nium Big Band, the CIJO is made up of professional and semi-professional musicians from the Heart of Illi-nois that includes music educators, business professionals, and full-time performers. The group plays classic jazz charts from Count Basie to Stan Kenton and from Duke Ellington to Maynard Ferguson.

They have established themselves as one of the hardest swinging bands in the Midwest. Dr. Todd Kelly, Di-rector of Jazz Ensembles at Bradley University, fronts the CIJO and plays lead trumpet. The CIJO performed at the 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. They recently found a new home at the Fieldhouse in Cam-pustown, where they play the first Wednesday of each month. Those who regularly attend our monthly

programs know many of these talented musicians. The CIJO does swing! You may want to dance to a few of these songs. Invite a friend and see them in action.

The Central Illinois Jazz Society (CIJS) House Band will play during the first set, under the leadership of Larry Harms. The CIJS House Band features outstanding jazz musicians from the area. They will entertain you with a mixture of jazz styles.

For more information, call 692-5330 or visit www.peoriajazz.com.

UpcoMiNg ciJS EvENt: SUNday, NovEMbEr 13, 2011

cIJS House Band - 6:00 p.m.

central Illinois Jazz orchestra – 7:15 p.m.

Finish Line Banquet room (Located in Landmark rec. center)

3225 N. dries Lane, Peoria

admission: $5.00 Members

$7.00 Non-Members children 14 years and under Free

contact: 692-5330 or www.peoriajazz.com

“Banker Hour Luncheons”

November 16, 2011 – 12 Noon416 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria

Free to attendSongs of Thanksgiving –

Connie Tumminelli and her Richwood High School Madrigal

Singers provide light seasonal entertainment.

Bring your own lunch to the GAR Hall, next to South Side Bank and eat while listening to music performed by symphony

players from the Peoria Symphony.

Call 636-7022 for more information.

News from Westminster Presbyterian ChurchSubmitted by the Westminster Church Office

Start your Christmas shopping early! Buy baked goods and crafts at West-minster Presbyterian Church’s “Make It -- Bake It -- Take It” event on Sunday, November 20, at 11:45 a.m. in the Fel-lowship Hall. Proceeds will help pay for winter heating. Everyone is welcome!

Westminster Presbyterian Church is changing its worship time. Starting Sunday, Nov. 6, join us for worship at 10:00 a.m., with coffee fellowship AFTER the service.

For more information, call 673-8501 or visit www.westminsterpresbyterian.org

Submit your organization’s news and events to mossbradleynews@gmail.com

Calendar compiled by Amy Blain

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1Bradley Percussion Ensemble 7:30 pm - Dingeldine Music Center Free

2Moss-Bradley Membership MeetingSocial - 6:30 pm Meeting - 7 pm

Bradley Faculty Recital - Todd Kelly Quintet 7:30 pm - Dingeldine Music Center - Free

3ZoningCommission 1 pm City Hall Room 400

4No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

5

6

Daylight Savings Time Ends - Set Clocks Back 1 hour (Fall Back)

7 8 9 10Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 8 pm Hartmann Center

11 No School - (Dist. 150) Green for the Greenway (pg. _)

Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 8 pm - Hartmann Corn Stock Theatre Angels in America: Perestroika - 7:30 pm

12Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 8 pm Hartmann Center

Corn Stock Theatre Angels in America: Perestroika 7:30 pm CS Theatre Center

PHS Style Show (pg. 2)

13MSCS-Bradley Symphonic Winds & Band 3 pm - Dingeldine Music Center, $5/Students Free

Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 2:30 pm Hartmann Center

Corn Stock Theatre Angels in America: Perestroika 2:30 pm CS Theatre Center

14 15Bradley Honor Band 7:30 pm - Dingeldine Music Center - $5/ Students Free

16 17Bradley Jazz Combo 7:30 pm - Dingeldine Music Center - $5/ Students Free

Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 8 pm Hartmann Center

18Peoria Lunaire - New Music Ensemble 7:30 pm - Dingeldine Music Center- Free

Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 8 pm Hartmann Center

Corn Stock Theatre Angels in America: Perestroika 7:30 pm CS Theatre Center

19Hanging of the Greens 9:00 am - 1705 W Moss

Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 8 pm Hartmann Center

Corn Stock Theatre Angels in America: Perestroika 7:30 pm CS Theatre Center

20Bradley Guitar Ensemble 7:30 pm - Dingeldine Music Center - Free

Bradley Univ. Theatre Almost Maine 2:30 pm Hartmann Center

21 22 23No School

24Happy Thanksgiving!

No School

25No School

26

27 28 29 30 Looking for something to do?

Check our Comprehensive Events Calendar & Sign Up for our Free E-Newsletter!

November 2011

Owned & operated by long time MBRA resident Amy Blain

Moss-Bradley Residential Association1512 W Barker AvePeoria, IL 61606

dated Material – Please deliver ProMPtly PRST.STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #1036

Peoria, IL 61601

officers & coMMittees

West Bluff Council Marjorie Klise 674-6864 Paul Masick 674-6365Bradley Univ. Robert D. Aviles 673-8896Moss Ave. Sale Jan Krouse 676-7900Neighborhood Pride AvailableSocial Dr. Lindsey & Kathy Ma 637-3271Historic Commission Paul Masick 674-6365 Sid Ruckriegel 303-0083Landscaping Dan Callahan 673-7348Greeter Skip Cravens 674-8037Greenway Project Peter Getz 673-0925Webmaster Steve Erke 678-0370TriCorn Park Jim Adams 256-1484

Board MeMBers

President Rod Lorenz 673-9520Vice President Jim Evenhuis 303-3245Secretary Brian Buralli 369-2037Treasurer Jim Adams 256-1484Director Margaret Cousin 676-2460Director Wayne Johnson 453-9436Director Marjorie Schwebel 672-2363Director Tim ShawDirector Rita Speck 453-6700

non-voting Past Presidents

Sid Ruckriegel 303-0083 Andrew McGowan 677-9808 Paul Masick 674-6365 Joanne Bannon 676-0330

neWsletter

mossbradleynews@gmail.com

Kelly Kolton, EditorSkip Cravens, Mailing and Subscription CoordinatorAmy Blain, CalendarMonthly Contributors and Photographers as credited

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