All posts in December Newsletter 2016

President’s Message

December 2, 2016 / Comments Off on President’s Message / Posted in: December Newsletter 2016, The President's Message

Wow!  Another year has come and gone…and quickly too.

I want to start out my message with my thanks to the MBRA Board of Directors for the time, dedication and talent they generously provide our organization.  A collection of individuals, each representing a different geography and demographic, this board reflects our neighborhood and the values we all share and wish to maintain.  We have a strong chemistry, engage in candid communication and share a culture of trust and respect.  This ensures that probing questioning, constructive criticism and challenging debate takes place.

I would also like to thank those individuals that continue to volunteer for the many activities and events we engage in throughout the year: Jan Krouse and her committee for producing the Moss Avenue Sale; Ed Tarbuck, Joanne Bannon, Tom Dougherty and Rick Melby for overseeing the Holiday Greens program; Rick Melby and Michelle Funk for assisting with the July 4th Celebration; Andrew Rand and his team at Advanced Medical Transport for donating the printing our newsletter; Tom Dougherty and Good Earth Landscaping for donating the maintenance of Tri-Corn park; David Wentworth who represents Moss Bradley on the West Bluff Council; and those others who make our life enjoyable.

I closing, I wish all of you the Happiest of Holidays and wish you Joy, Peace and Prosperity for the coming year.

Brian

 

Unhanging of the Greens

December 2, 2016 / Comments Off on Unhanging of the Greens / Posted in: December Newsletter 2016

What goes up must come down!

WHEN:  Saturday, January 7, 2017, 9 AM

WHERE: Meet at the corner of Moss Ave. & Cooper St.

WHAT:  Dress appropriately, wear gloves, bring wire cutters & ladders if you have them, pick up trucks helpful.

 

Hanging of the Greens

December 2, 2016 / Comments Off on Hanging of the Greens / Posted in: December Newsletter 2016, Hanging of the Greens

 

A heart-felt Thank You to everyone who was willing and able to help with the Hanging of The Greens on Saturday, November 19th.  MBRA neighbors, along with 8 members of the

Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and 15 students from Bradley’s Service on Saturday program made quick work of hanging evergreen garland from the street light poles within the neighborhood.

 

Splendor of Christmas Past Holiday Home Tour

December 2, 2016 / Comments Off on Splendor of Christmas Past Holiday Home Tour / Posted in: December Newsletter 2016, Peoria Historical Society

picture2Begin your holiday season with the Peoria Historical Society’s annual historic home tour.  There are five  beautifully decorated homes on the tour this year.

The historic home, the John C. Flanagan House Museum, will feature a 1940’s holiday.  WW II soldiers will greet visitors on the lawn.  Inside, there will be 40’s big band holiday music and costumed interpreters sharing anecdotes about the holiday and about Flanagan House.

Our other historic home, the Pettengill-Morron House Museum — will portray a French Christmas.  Miss Morron herself will greet visitors in the library to share her love of France. Learn what is on a French holiday dinner menu and see a beautiful Buche de Noel dessert.  Souvenirs from Miss Morron’s numerous visits to France will be highlighted, as well as her extensive collection of Louis Vuitton luggage. A gift shop will offer beautiful vintage items for sale.

Three private residences will be exquisitely decorated and open for viewing.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity to tour these beautiful homes and learn about their unique history and architectural significance. The five homes were built within an 85 year time period, beginning in 1837 and ending in 1922.   All of the homes have many original features, including leaded windows, beautiful woodwork, fireplaces and built in bookcases.

The homes will be open Saturday, December 3 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale November 1st.  Adult tickets are $15.00 each until December 1st and $20.00 after. Tickets may also be purchased at the door of any of the homes.   Children 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

To purchase tickets, please contact the PHS office at (309) 674-1921.   Tickets may also be purchased at Exhibit A Gallery, Relics, Urban Artifacts, and Gregg Florist. Check the PHS website for additional information:  www.PeoriaHistoricalSociety.org.

We would also like to thank the many, many volunteers who make this tour possible, and our sponsors — Good Earth Landscaping, Wheels O’ Time Museum, Methodist Service League,  Team Oyler Realtors/Brokers of Keller Williams Premier Realty, and K & S RV Consulting — for each sponsoring a home.

This tour would not be possible without the willingness of the following homeowners to share their magnificent homes with the community.

 

Councilman Chuck Grayeb

December 2, 2016 / Comments Off on Councilman Chuck Grayeb / Posted in: Chuck Grayeb, December Newsletter 2016

chuck-grayeb

Greetings, as we move into the holiday season!

The Neighborhood Awards Banquet is in the rearview mirror, and, once again, we honored those who toil  in our neighborhoods to make Peoria a great place to live. The Ted Bannon Brick Award was awarded to Tom Wester who is a very effective neighborhood leader and President of the Heart of Peoria NA. Tom is also a newly appointed member of the Historic Preservation Commission and has been instrumental in drawing attention to properties which can be saved.

Another city issue which looms large is balancing our biennial city budget. To date, our deliberations have produced near unanimity in the importance of continuing to focus laser sharp on public safety and roads/ infrastructure. I hope the budget will be put to bed well before Christmas.

A huge issue before us is the Combined Sewer Outfall Issue. I hope that our City is successful in getting the EPA to allow Peoria to be a Green City, which will allow a roughly 225 million dollar investment in the greening of Peoria, which will result in millions of dollars being spent in District Two with lots of good paying local labor jobs! We need to get this country moving again!!!!

The overall condition of our roads, bridges, ports, highways, and airports is a disgrace. Just down our street,  the MacArthur Highway Bridge has a structural integrity score of 8 out of 100 with 100 being the best! It has been languishing for many years with rocks falling on cars beneath it. In 2018, all of this will change, and we will continue to engage all of you in the planning of what the new bridge will be like.

Finally, when you read this, we will, in all likelihood, have a new President-Elect. This election will be very important for all of us. I hope that the new President will rally Congress to pass an infrastructure rebuild Marshall Plan scaled bill and make the USA the leader in solar and wind energy as well as other clean energy fuels.

If the Green Model is implemented here, thousands of good paying middle class jobs will be created, as we fix infrastructure in our neighborhoods. Once Caterpillar starts the new headquarters, there will be jobs for the trades for at least 10 years. All or most of these pieces will fall into place, thereby creating a bright future for our City and Nation.

Your Councilman believes this community’s best days are ahead. I wish to extend my best to all of you at this sacred holiday season.

 

Upcoming Events at Westminster Presbyterin Church

December 2, 2016 / Comments Off on Upcoming Events at Westminster Presbyterin Church / Posted in: December Newsletter 2016, Westminster Presbyterian Church

wpc

We welcome you to JAZZ VESPERS every Sunday at 4 p.m. – If you have not been, come check it out!  A fully professional Jazz Quartet leads the music of the service which also includes a short meditation on the scriptures for the day, silence and prayers for our common life together. Sunday December 18 will be the last Jazz Vespers service and will resume on January 8.

Sunday, Dec. 4 – A service of worship and music at 10:00 am, with the preaching of the Word in song by the Westminster Chamber Choir. The Choir will present a Christmas Cantata, “Welcome All Wonders” by the contemporary British composter, Richard Shephard, who blends ancient texts and poetry to his warm, embracing contemporary style of composition.

Sunday, Dec. 11 – At 4:00 pm. The traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols sung by the Westminster Choir and the gathered congregation will help you welcome the Christmas Season in your life.

Sunday, Dec. 18 – A Jazz Christmas led by David Hoffman and the Westminster Jazz Quartet.  Carols in swing, and poetry and scripture from a new angle make this an exciting and different Christmas experience.  Festivities begin at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec 24  An early service for Christmas Eve allows families to celebrate Christmas around the family table that evening.  We begin at 4:00 p.m. with music starting at 3:45. Join us and make Westminster your church home this Christmas.

Sunday, Dec. 25    A Service in celebration of the Nativity at 10:00 a.m.   Come and join us around the manger as we again sing the carols of Christmas and hear the joyous message that God is indeed with us!