Livin' It Up In Hoodburbia: 2014

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Go Take A Hike

Now that nicer weather has slowly inched its way into Central Illinois, I've been itching to go hiking. I've been a couch potato all winter and out of shape so my hikes haven't been too long and maybe not even considered hiking. But what is cool is the fact that there are some trails very nearby the East Bluff.

The closest to me are the trails in Glen Oak Park. They are on the hillside below the park and west of Perry Street. If you park at the lower park entrance near the intersection of Perry and Abington you will see a paved trail heading into the woods. It meanders a bit until it takes a sharp right turn over a bridge. But if you look straight ahead instead of turning right, you will notice a path. And that path leads to a busted up concrete walkway that will lead you into eras gone by. It is in nice shape in some places and other places it is sad shape/overgrown/mudslid and non existent. However, it gets enough use that you can find your way around back there to discover creeks, bridges (at the top of this page is one of them), staircases and some old markers. These trails rarely make it back to the main park as their final destination is now the new zoo and you wind up at a fence. I would only hike this during dry conditions. There are several areas that could be treacherous when wet or muddy.

One can meander Springdale Cemetery, but I just find that a bit weird myself. Do you go to other local cemeteries just to go for a walk? Probably not. Yes, I know there is some cool and unique history there, but still......

Next is the new trail extension that is part of the Kellar Branch which starts near Marietta and Prospect in the Heights and ends up at Harvard Street (or you can progress further by somehow getting around a few streets into the north side of Springdale Cemetery to go under US Route150/ War Memorial Drive). At the end of trail, you can barely see the old railroad bridge that goes over 150/War Drive and now a dirt foot path that is most likely trespassing on City of Peoria property. Personally I think it is a shame that the powers who are couldn't/wouldn't use this bridge, but they could construct a huge new one over Knoxville - but I digress. This trail is pretty new and needs some clean up from post construction, recent storms and some litter problems. It is new and one shouldn't expect miracles from its early inception. Cool feature right now is the view of the McCluggage Bridge and upper lower Peoria lake. It is a slow downhill grade east and then uphill coming back. After you clear the area by the Country Club of Peoria, you wouldn't know you were on the edge of a city.

Just a bit farther away is the well known Forest Park Nature Center. There are many trails there which have varying degrees of difficulty. If you are looking for a short walk, it is there. If you want 6-7 miles, you could hike all of the trails, which most intersect to get a work out. It is noticeable that the easiest trails are the widest and most used. That isn't enough? Cross Forest Park Drive to the start of the Pimiteoui trail which traverses up and down the bluff that follows Prospect Avenue and ends up on Grandview Drive. I started this trail earlier this year and decided it was best to turn around and go back as my out of shape self might not make it. At this time of year, there are sweeping views of the Illinois River, areas of prairie grass fields and the Heights water tower reaching towards the sky.

Get out, get some fresh air and exercise.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Just a Heads Up, East Bluffers

Apparently, someone(s) went around the East Bluff Friday night around 9 PM and shot at/through/out at least a dozen car windows of cars parked in the street. It appears most of the activity occurred between Wisconsin and Knoxville with a smattering around the Glen Oak Park/Springdale Cemetery area.

I don't know if this was reported via the mainstream media or not, nor if any arrests were made or residents made aware. But in the meantime, heads up.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Feelin' Like The Redheaded Stepchild

So, the park district, city, rails to trails people put up this big, honkin' bridge to get the Kellar Branch of the Rock Island Trail over Knoxville Avenue. Yet, in my neck of the woods, you have to dodge three lanes of traffic to get across Adams Street and I don't even get a traffic light. Anyone else find it odd that they abandoned the old rail line WSW of Peoria Heights to run the trail through city streets and Springdale Cemetery (which isn't the purpose of a trail NOT to run on city streets) to avoid the old rail bridge across Route 150/War Memorial. What, we North Valley/East Bluffers not good enough for bridges and traffic signals? Meanwhile, the abandoned part of the aforementioned trail looks like hell and will be a weed infested jungle again this summer (if it ever gets here) which is something the city and R2T people whined like little kids not getting their way when Pioneer didn't maintain it to city/R2T people's standards.

Double & Triple Standards, favorites and a lot of back door politics going on IMHO.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

What Happened in January?

This is what we KNOW happened in January. 116 things to be exact. Ok, these aren't just only crimes that happened in the East Bluff, it includes some North Valley incidents, but they occurred in a one mile radius of my Hoodburbian home at the edge of the East Bluff. Source: Cyberwatch Crime View which derives its information from Peoria Police and Peoria County Sheriff. I think I will make this a monthly feature.
Stay safe, folks.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 10

BURGLARY / THEFT FROM VEHICLE 19

BURGLARY GARAGE, STORAGE 4

THEFT - RETAIL ONLY 2

VEHICLE THEFT 2

WEAPONS 11

TOTAL 116

Monday, January 20, 2014

A Good Day For A Walk

As we have had somewhat bearable temperatures in Peoria the last few days, I thought I would take a walk. I figured during half time of the Broncos-Patriots game would be just as good of time as any. So, I headed over to Le Grande Dame of Peoria's Public Parks...Glen Oak.

I love wandering around here. The lagoon, the views, the history if you take the unbeaten path. I would have loved to see this place in its prime which would probably would have been in the 1920-50s. Since places like this were the entertainment of the day instead of Peyton, X-Box and Facebook, the adventurous would find much stuff to do.

Walked around the lagoon except for the part that is fenced off. I hope when this new section is done, one can walk completely around it. Thought I would stop for some winter sun-tanning.

Dang my face looks fat. No, I didn't put the weight I took off, back on. I guess I'm a bad selfiephotographer. Anyway, behind me is the new section around the lagoon that is being built. It is home to the 1890s Spanish-American War cannon that has sat there for decades. A view of the lagoon from the parapet behind me:

I wandered around for awhile and was amazed how many like minded people were out taking a stroll on a pleasant (for the middle of winter) day. Then I decided to wander over to the old bridge. I don't remember the specifics, but this bridge is rare for some reason. Either its design, its architect, its significance, how few are left, something, but it is in sad shape. It had been restored at one time, but supposedly incorrectly. You can't cross it now. And if you could, it no longer really goes anywhere as the new zoo almost blocks its exit on one end.

Well, from this view one could take a sharp left, follow the zoo fence and end up on the service road that goes under said bridge. However, if you took the service road away from the park and went towards the woods and down the hill, you would almost come to the stone bridge that is in the picture at the top of this blog. Loooong forgotten as is that part of the park which has some cool things. OK, cool in my book.

So, I headed home after about 45 minutes. The Broncos held the ball most of the third quarter while I'm sure Peyton Manning changed the play after they got up to the line, so I didn't miss much, but got a nice healthy dose of fresh air.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Since it is "nice" outside....

The last few days I've noticed it....it is the pre-season for lollygagging/meandering/roaming wherever/whenever/however through the streets of the East Bluff. Screw cars and other vehicles...they'll stop. Got to get our training in before the real season of nonchalant jaywalking occurs around the first week of April.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

French Onion with Shiitake Mushroom Soup

So, I mentioned on Facebook the other day that I was in the mood for/was going to make French Onion Soup with the addition of Shiitake Mushrooms. So, bored on a Sunday morning (yes, I could be working on organizing the basement or going to church), I thought it would be a good time to do so. And while I was at it, thought I would document it. And keep track of what I put in it…GASP…a recipe!!! And PICTURES!!!!

First, we need proper “cooking on a Sunday morning music”. In the CD player we have on random play Extreme’s “Pornograffitti”, Elton John’s “Elton John”, Guns and Roses’ “Use Your Illusion 2”, Indigenous’ “Live at Pachyderm Studios” and Jennie DeVoe’s “Strange Sunshine”. Make sure this is all played through 750 watts of Yamaha powered Cerwin Vega H-15 (or the like) to completely annoy your neighbors just like they did to you last Sunday morning with their 7:30 am snowblowing.

Back to the soup. Here is the ingredient list:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon margarine

3 medium sized yellow onions, thinly sliced and roughly chopped

3 garlic cloves, mashed and minced

8 large dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated in hot water, sliced 1/8” thin*

1 ½ tablespoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper

1 ½ teaspoon rubbed sage

½ teaspoon ground cloves

2 large or 4 small bay leaves

Salt to taste

3 pints (48 fluid ounces) roasted vegetable stock#

Over medium heat in a very heavy bottomed pan or pot, add the oil and margarine. Wait until the margarine browns a bit. Add the onions and garlic.

This can take awhile, but infrequently stir the onions and garlic until medium golden in color. Add the mushrooms. Cook until onions, garlic (if you can even distinguish it at this point) and mushrooms until they are a dark golden brown. This ensures that the color and flavor of the soup will in part, come from the caramelization and not just from the stock.

Not yet. We want this:

Add seasonings (yes, we already added the mushrooms, but I didn't feel like taking the time to edit them out with my horrible photo manipulation skills. I cook, remember?)

and stir for just a moment or two. Add stock.

Bring to a boil then to a light simmer. Let this cook for 30-45 minutes until the liquid barely covers the vegetables.

Play air guitar solo along with Nuno Bennencourt during “Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee”.

Add 2 cups of water and reduce to the aforementioned “barely covers the vegetables”.

OK, the soup is done.

At this point, adjust the seasonings. I added a tablespoon of salt at the beginning and think it did an appropriate job.

But now, I’m going to “Uhmerkicanize” it. Uh, huh…2 ounces of Bourbon Whiskey. Add it, leave it out, use Applejack, sherry, red or white wine, port, whatever….I’ve seen ‘em all. But use something decent. Unkle Bart Bathtub Bourbon doesn't cut it but using Eagle Rare 17 Year Old is overkill. Buffalo Trace does well.

Pull out the bay leaves. Nobody wants to choke on them.

At this point, the soup is vegan. Ain’t that nice. It was actually the driving force behind the recipe and creation of the soup. Geez, now you’ll have to eat vegan food. In my best Fran Drescher “Oh, ain’t that hoooorrrrribblllllle”.

There are now many options. You can use toasted bread rounds, croutons (easiest to eat), bagel chips or an array of bread products. And for the cheese, I like a blend of finely shredded Emmentaler Swiss and good Provolone to provide a good balance of tangy and gooey. Heat the soup to boiling. Place the bread in individual bowls, ladle the soup over it and then top it all with the cheese. At this point, hopefully the soup is hot enough to melt the cheese. Or you can pop them in the oven. Or you can take a blow torch to it (to which you must make Beavis and Butthead voices of “FIRE! FIRE!”). If you really want to get all fancy pants and impressive you could go the route of Paul Bocuse’s famous Truffle Soup V.G.E. where the top of the soup cup is topped and sealed with buttered and egg washed puff pastry and baked until a dome of glistening crust appears (notice the cup…it is labeled especially for the soup. I guess you could take a magic marker to your grandmother's antique Noritake china....)

Me, no cheese or bread.

You should get about 6 8 ounce servings out of this.

* I usually have dried shiitakes around and you can use fresh ones if you want. I poured about 1 ½ cups of boiling water over them and let them sit partially covered overnight. The next day, I squeeze all of the liquid out of them into the bowl in which they were soaking. I use that soaking liquid as part of the stock….speaking of which…

# “How much roasted vegetable stock is there on the planet?”. Well, I make mine. I save all the veggie scraps and freeze them. Brown them up with a little oil in a pot, barely cover with water, add some bay, thyme, pepper and garlic and let it simmer very lightly for two hours refreshing with just enough water to barely cover. Strain, cool, reserve in the ‘fridge. If you don’t have veggie stock, you can use chicken or beef, but make sure it isn’t that GAWDAWFUL overly salted fakey flavored crap or it will drown out the flavor of the onions.

So there you have it. Don't expect this to be a regular column.

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Perfect Job For Me? Hmmmm....

As a lot of Americans have experienced over the last few years, I am facing being unemployed. While I am somewhat enjoying the time off to work on a few home projects, I worry about being unemployed, finances, job hunting and the like. I check about 3/4 dozen employment sites twice a day hoping something I'd like to do, rather that have to do, pops up. To ensure I don't miss anything, I've signed up for several job alerts. I use keywords like Chef and kitchen manager. I put in, if applicable, a 30 miles radius of 61614. This is what showed up this morning in my e-mail from one of them:

US-Nationwide

Technical Service Personnel - Offshore

FMC Technologies