January 2012
Moss-Bradley Annual Holiday Party
PHOTOS BY KELLY KOLTON
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, neighbors gathered to catch up, meet new additions to the area, and enjoy holiday cheer at the home of James Adams.
Next Membership Meeting
Inside this Issue: President’s Letter • 2
Social 6:30 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m. Westminster Hall, 1420 W. Moss Topic: Traffic control in the neighborhood. Our guest will be Mr. David Barber, Director of Public Works for the City of Peoria.
Page 5
PHOTO BY DAN CALLAHAN
Wednesday, Jan. 4
School Notes • 2 Thru the Windshield • 4 Malvern Musings • 5 Live Music Corner and Events • 6 Calendar • 7
PHOTO BY DAN CALLAHAN
Monthly Messenger
A Letter from the President Despite the struggling world economy, bitter partisanship leading to stalemate in Washington, and a bankrupt state that doesn’t pay its bills, some things are right in the world. The Holiday Greens adorning light poles in our neighborhood are the best we’ve seen in the past 10 years. Many thanks to organizers, Joanne Bannon and Ed Tarbuck, and a volunteer crew of Moss Bradley residents and Pi Kappa Alpha members from Bradley University. The luncheon Joanne provided when the job was done was fit for royalty. The college kids fit right in with the rest of us and seemed much the same as way back … how many years ago was that? The Moss-Bradley holiday party on Dec. 7 was delightful. The beautiful Adams home was comfortably full; the food was good and the company great. The ample sounds of laughter and good cheer made good listening essential.
May we always be a neighborhood where homes are open to all. Thanks to those who came, and for those who missed, we hope to see you next year, if not next month. Take a walk or a drive down Moss Avenue. Nearly every home displays something to signify the season of good will. Each year the street gets a little brighter. Thanks to all of you who contribute to the glow on our street. I don’t know any place I’d rather be living than here in Moss-Bradley. Happy Holidays, and may your new year be blessed,
Rod Lorenz
President, Moss-Bradley Residential Association
ANNOUNCEMENTS Condolences to members of our Moss-Bradley neighborhood family: Grace Kelly and Vern and Vernon Dentino on the passing of their brother, Mike Dentino.
Congratulations to Mary Ann Middleton, who is the first Peorian since 1931 to hold a national office of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is one of 21 vice presidents general.
Send us your observations, story ideas or feedback! Email Kelly at mossbradleynews@gmail.com 2 – Monthly Messenger – January 2012
School Notes News from St. Mark School Submitted by Pat Nedza
St. Mark School wishes all our neighbors a Very Blessed New Year! Thank you to everyone that made purchases at Barnes and Noble during our bookfair on Dec. 10. We appreciate your support. We are continuing to save aluminum cans, used laser jet and ink jet cartridges and used cell phones for recycling. Also, we save Box Tops for Education and Campbell Soup Points. Feel free to drop off your donations to the school during office hours (7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) or call to make arrangements for us to pick them up. This year we will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 29 through Feb. 5. Many activities are planned to share with our community what is happening at St. Mark School, “The Beacon on the Hilltop.” Look around the community for displays of our student’s work and classroom activities. Beginning Monday, Jan. 16 and continuing through Feb. 5, our students, in cooperation with Haddad’s Market, will be participating in a canned food drive to benefit the West-Mark Food Pantry on Moss Avenue. Students will be posting information throughout the store regarding hunger and how your purchase & donation can benefit those less fortunate. Donations can be made at Haddad’s Market or St. Mark School. For complete details, visit www. saint-mark.net.
Help us continue to grow!
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Offer good for a limited time only at Peoria, Bourland Ave location only. Additional Topping Extra. Not valid with any other coupons or discounts. Limited Delivery Area, charges may apply. Customer responsible for all applicable taxes.
Offer good for a limited time only at Peoria, Bourland Ave location only. Additional Topping Extra. Not valid with any other coupons or discounts. Limited Delivery Area, charges may apply. Customer responsible for all applicable taxes.
Monthly Messenger – January 2012 – 3
PHOTO: KELLY KOLTON
Thru the Windshield
How do we look to those passing by?
Observations ... questions ... hopes ... concerns Compiled by Marjorie Klise
There was a recent article in the New York Times, published Nov. 26, 2011, that should be read by all of us who live in the “inner city.” Christopher B. Leinberger points out the folly of the suburban fringe areas that were overbuilt and are now not worth their original price, and therefore are unsellable. He says that “the most expensive housing is in the high-density, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods of the center city and inner suburbs. Considered slums as recently as 30 years ago they have been transformed by gentrification.” And that is our future, if we want it. And of course, we are well on our way already. In order to make this situation work, we need streets that are maintained but always safe for pedestrians and bicycles. We need cars and people and activity. We need good lighting up and down the streets. We need to know our neighbors and be available to them for a helping hand or pleasant conversation. And we need property owners who care – in both rental and owner-occupied dwellings. One vital ingredient is for us to let our suburban friends know of the positive aspects of our urban life style. We must show them our entrance foyers, large bedrooms, amazing woodwork, inviting porch areas, and private nooks and cran-
nies that intrigue and puzzle us all. And now for the sales pitch: the Moss-Bradley-RevolvingFund has two houses for sale and we need you all to spread the news. They are large houses. They are well priced. They are very different from each other but each has many strong selling points. So tell everyone you know about 1721 W. Barker Avenue ( four bedrooms upstairs, as well as spacious areas on main floor in the living room, dining room, parlor, den and kitchen) and 1405 W. Moss Avenue (four bedrooms and tenant income). Call any board member of the Revolving Fund. (Here are a few names; Abbie Alexander, Karin Lorenz and Marjorie Klise.) Mr. Leinberger ends by writing: “For too long, we over-invested in the wrong places. Those retail centers and subdivisions will never be worth what they cost to build. We have to stop throwing good money after bad. It is time to instead build what the market wants: mixedincome, walkable cities and suburbs that will support the knowledge economy, promote environmental sustainability and create jobs.” Above: One of the Moss-Bradley Revolving Fund houses available is 1721 W. Barker Avenue. It has four bedrooms upstairs, as well as spacious areas on main floor in the living room, dining room, parlor, den and kitchen.
PHOTO: ABBIE ALEXANDER
4 – Monthly Messenger – January 2012
Left: The Moss-Bradley Revolving Fund offers this house at 1405 W. Moss Avenue. It features four bedrooms and tenant income.
Malvern Musings A monthly column about growing things and growing a great neighborhood Submitted by Dan Callahan
It has been said that a neighborhood becomes livable when it contains: a grocery store (once again we have one), a druggist and a library. As of December, we have not one of the latter, but three. Yes, we have been blessed with our mainstay (the Bradley Library,) the Main Library (downtown) and perhaps, most extraordinarily, the newly expanded Lincoln Branch. The re-opening of Lincoln could be one of the greatest moments in recent times. Built in 1910 as a Carnegie Library, it long has been an important part of its immediate neighborhood. Situated in the middle of a five acre park, it graces its site elegantly in Classical Revival style. That structure has been restored magnificently. Now nearly 12,000 additional square feet are joined to the original. It is a delight to pass between the two wings, one looking forward and the other creatively repurposed. Meeting rooms, public computers as well as a computer lab, a “storytime room” and many other functional yet bright and invigorating spaces all have been joined together. It is handicapped accessible with convenient parking. It is a great example of how Peoria’s infrastructure can be both delight and function at the same time. I encourage everyone to visit and experience it. You will be amazed. The setting, the airy feeling of the interior
spaces and a sense of surprise as you walk among the various departments mark this as one of Peoria’s premier architectural creations. And at the same time, it is user friendly for library patrons. Currently there are display cases with an exhibition on the country’s Carnegie Libraries, a fitting reminder of how learning, architecture, philanthropy and civic vision took center stage in the first part of the twentieth century. As a testimony to how we can adapt our treasured heritage buildings and yet reach energetically into the future, ‘Linc’ is a signature link. Indeed, if I was 25 years younger, I would seriously think about buying a house on the surrounding square. This development has potential to be a game-changer for its neighborhood.
The Lincoln Branch is located at 1312 W. Lincoln Avenue. An easy trip (from the corner of Western and Moss, proceed down the hill and turn left at the Lincoln Ave. traffic light. Lincoln is one way going towards downtown. The trip on that route is less than two miles. Hours are: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Closed Wednesday; Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 497-2600 or go to www.peoriapubliclibrary.org.
PHOTOS: DAN CALLAHAN
“Linc’d In””
Monthly Messenger – January 2012 – 5
Live Music Corner Wednesday, Jan. 4 –The Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra at the Fieldhouse Bar and Grill in Campustown, 1200 W. Main St, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Call 494-9600. Saturday, Jan. 14 – Live music: The Jim Davis Band. 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. The Fieldhouse Bar and Grill in Campustown, 1200 W. Main St, from 7:009:00 p.m. Call 494-9600. Sunday, Jan. 22 – The Central Illinois Jazz Society (CIJS) House Band at the Finish Line Banquet Room. Admission is $5.00 Members, $7.00 Non-Members, free for Children 14 years and under. Call 692-5330 or visit www.peoriajazz.com. Wednesday, Jan. 25 – “Banker Hours” series of the Peoria Symphony presents “Tearing Down Walls and Building Bridges” at the GAR Hall, 416 Hamilton, at noon. Bring a lunch and enjoy free music.
Fieldhouse Offers Shuttle to Basketball Games Submitted by Michelle Renick
Enjoy a free shuttle to the Bradley University men’s basketball game at Carver Arena on the following dates: Wednesday, Jan. 4. at 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 7 at 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 15 at noon. The Fieldhouse Bar and Grill is located at 1200 W. Main St. Suite 24. For more information, call 494-9600 or visit our website at fieldhousepeoria. com. Like us on Facebook for all the latest updates.
Courtyard Estates of Peoria Chili Cook Off
Submitted by Amanda Hendricks
Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 11:30 a.m. for the Courtyard Estates of Peoria Chili Cook Off! The public is invited to attend. No RSVP is necessary. Admission is $1 for all-you-can-eat Chili. Those who enter a chili in the contest eat for free. We will judge best chili and most unique. If you are interested in entering your personal or businesses chili, please contact Amanda Hendricks at 674-2400.
Above: The Peoria Historical Society hosted a wonderful fund raiser event for Peoria Promise at the Pettengill-Morron House on Dec. 1, 2011. Right: Volunteers at the PettengillMorron house Candlelight Tours, which were held during the first two weekends in December. SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE D. ALBERTSON, PEORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
6 – Monthly Messenger – January 2012
Open Volleyball
at Franciscan Rec Complex Mondays from 7:30-10 p.m. Self-refereed pick-up games $3 per visit, or $20 for 10 visits Franciscan Recreation Complex 908 Sterling Avenue in West Peoria www.peoriaparks.org or call 677-6705.
January 2012 Calendar compiled by Amy Blain
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Moss-Bradley Membership Meeting Social - 6:30 pm Meeting - 7 pm
Zoning Commission 1 pm City Hall Room 400
PSD 150 School Resumes
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16 Martin Luther King’s Birthday PSD 150 No School
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MSCS Faculty Recital Michael Hull, guitar 3 pm Dingeldine Music Center $5 for general public and Free for students
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PSD 150 Half Day Early Dismissal Historic Preservation Commiss3on 8:30 am City Hall Room 400
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Newsletter mossbradleynews@gmail.com Kelly Kolton, Editor Skip Cravens, Mailing and Subscription Coordinator Amy Blain, Calendar Monthly Contributors and Photographers as credited
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Officers & Committees West Bluff Council Bradley Univ. Moss Ave. Sale Neighborhood Pride Social Historic Commission Landscaping Greeter Greenway Project Webmaster TriCorn Park
Marjorie Klise Paul Masick Robert D. Aviles Jan Krouse Available Dr. Lindsey & Kathy Ma Paul Masick Sid Ruckriegel Dan Callahan Skip Cravens Peter Getz Steve Erke Jim Adams
674-6864 674-6365 673-8896 676-7900
Board Members President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director Director Director Director Director
Rod Lorenz Jim Evenhuis Brian Buralli Jim Adams Margaret Cousin Wayne Johnson Marjorie Schwebel Tim Shaw Rita Speck
673-9520 303-3245 369-2037 256-1484 676-2460 453-9436 672-2363
Non-Voting Past Presidents Sid Ruckriegel Andrew McGowan Paul Masick Joanne Bannon
637-3271 674-6365 303-0083 673-7348 674-8037 673-0925 678-0370 256-1484
453-6700 303-0083 677-9808 674-6365 676-0330