Ducks

Ducks
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Thousands of rubber ducks await release into the water of the Illinois River before the start of the 19th annual Duck Race fundraiser held by the Center for Prevention of Abuse Sunday afternoon. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the non-profit organization. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ducks

Old Settlers
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Dick McDonald scrambles to stop hundreds of escaped rubber duckies from flowing into the Illinois River after after they unexpectedly breached the final containment barrier during the 19th annual Duck Race held by the Center for Prevention of Abuse on the Peoria Riverfront Sunday afternoon. Other volunteers and boaters quickly came to his aid, but it was unclear whether all of the ducks were captured. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ducks

Old Settlers Days
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Julie Aylward of Peoria laughs as she poses for a picture with friends after attending the 19th annual Duck Race hosted by the Center for Prevention of Abuse on the Peoria Riverfront Sunday afternoon. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ducks

LST 325
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Pedestrians walk by a giant inflatable duck positioned on the Peoria Riverfront for the 19th annual Duck Race fundraiser held by the Center for Prevention of Abuse Sunday afternoon. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ducks

Grape stomp
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Volunteer Brooke Boland and the Duck Race mascot stand in the parking garage of the Old Chicago building after the conclusion of the 19th annual Duck Race fundraiser held by the Center for Prevention of Abuse Duck Race on the Peoria Riverfront. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Taste of Bradley

Ducks
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Bradley students eat and converse in the shaded grass of Olin Quad during the Taste of Bradley Sunday evening. The event, part of Welcome Week, allows students and others the chance to try food from various local restaurants. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Taste of Bradley

Ducks
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Bradley junior Mark Bright walks away from the Chevy's restaurant stand with a heaping plate of nachos during the Taste of Bradley at Olin Quad Sunday evening. The event, part of Welcome Week, allows students and others the chance to try food from various local restaurants. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Taste of Bradley

Ducks
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Bradley sophomore Kyle Gavelek tries to pull off his shirt while balancing a soccer ball on the back of his neck while hanging out with friends during the Taste of Bradley at Olin Quad Sunday evening. The event, part of Welcome Week, allows students and others to socialize and try food from various local restaurants. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Bar scene

Taste of Bradley
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Pizza Parlor: Boston, Mass. DAVID ZENTZ

Loose Ferret

Taste of Bradley
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Loose ferret: Boston, Mass. DAVID ZENTZ

An evening with Dog

Bar scene
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Duane "Dog" Chapman speaks about his life as a bounty hunter during An Evening with the Dog at the Peoria Civic Center Theater Thursday night. Dog has gained recent fame with his popular reality TV show, Dog the Bounty Hunter, on A&E, and is noted for claiming to have nabbed over 6,000 wanted criminals. His wife Beth also made an appearance. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

An evening with Dog

Loose ferret
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Duane "Dog" Chapman speaks about his life as a bounty hunter during An Evening with the Dog at the Peoria Civic Center Theater Thursday night. Dog has gained recent fame with his popular reality TV show, Dog the Bounty Hunter, on A&E, and is noted for claiming to have nabbed over 6,000 wanted criminals. His wife Beth also made an appearance. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Crack bust

An evening with Dog
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Special Agent Kevin Shaw with the Illinois State Police, left, and Peoria police officer Corey Miller examine a container containing crack mixed with an unknown chemical substance while officers search the house at 420 E Arcadia Avenue in Peoria for drugs Wednesday evening. When officers first entered the house with a warrant to search for drugs they were affected by noxious fumes coming from an unknown substance found mixed with the drugs. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Campus tragedy

An evening with Dog
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Lauren Jozefat, a Bradley University sophomore and friend of Sheridan “Danny” Dahlquist, collects herself in front of St. Mark’s Catholic Church as friends, family and other members of the community filter in and out of the church during his public viewing Tuesday afternoon. Dahlquist, a 19-year-old BU soccer player, died Sunday after a prank involving Roman candles went wrong. Jozefat is holding a card and soccer ball signed by Dahlquist’s friends, intended as gifts for the Dahlquist family. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Campus tragedy

Crack bust
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Kaitlin O'Brien, 19, in back, and and Amanda Cicciarelli, 18, console each other in front of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Peoria after attending the public viewing of Sheridan "Danny" Dahlquist, 19, Tuesday afternoon. The two played soccer with Dahlquist's sister at Notre Dame high school before graduating. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Grape Stomp

Campus tragedy
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Despite scattered afternoon showers Jeremy and Kristen Duckworth of Princeville enjoy their wine, cheese and beer comfortably beneath their umbrella during the 2nd annual Grape Stomp at the Kickapoo Creek Winery in Edwards Sunday afternoon. Although the rain made organizers decide to cancel afternoon grape stomping sessions, it was not enough to put an end to the festivities. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Grape Stomp

Campus tragedy
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Brian Rowe of Peoria sips his wine after sticking out a brief rain shower at the 2nd annual Grape Stomp at the Kickapoo Creek Winery in Edwards Sunday afternoon. The rain was not enough to end the event, but did cause afternoon grape stomping sessions to be cancelled. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Grape Stomp

Grape Stomp
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Leah Ropp, 5, and Cristy Love dance to live Louisiana-style music provided by the band Creole Stomp during the 2nd annual Grape Stomp at the Kickapoo Creek Winery in Edwards Sunday afternoon. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

LST 325

Grape Stomp
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

The Landing Ship/Tanks (LST) 325 travels up the Illinois River to arrive in Peoria Monday evening. The WWII ship was designed to deliver tanks and equipment to hostile territory and is one of two functioning WWII war ships in existence. It will be docked on the Peoria Riverfront for tours through the end of August. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

LST 325

LST 325
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Crew member Sidney Hisel is seen in the wheel house of the LST 325 as it travels up the Illinois River to arrive in Peoria Monday evening. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

LST 325

LST 325
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Passengers are seen through a wheel house portal as they ride the LST 325 north from Pekin to Peoria. About 150 guests, including local officials and the media, were invited to ride the war ship as it came into Peoria. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

LST 325

LST 325
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Members of the Navy assist the onboard crew of the LST 325 as it docks in Peoria. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

LST 325

Ducks
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Chief select Troy Grant, a Navy recruiter in Peoria, and crew member Bill Rockey, a WWII vet, talk while waiting to deboard the LST 325 after traveling up the Illinois River from Pekin to arrive in Peoria Monday evening. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Old Settlers Days

Ducks
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Left to right, Zac Smith of Williamsfield, Dylan Hayden of Princeville, Garrett Wight of Williamsfield and Alec Fourdyce of Brimfield, all 9 years old, compete in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the first evening of Old Settlers Days in downtown Brimfield Thursday night. The event, in its 118th year, features carnival rides, music and other family activities. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Old Settlers Days

Taste of Bradley
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Pete Cahill of Brimfield watches the rides during the first night of Old Settlers Days in Brimfield on Thursday. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Unleaded

Unleaded
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Jeannie Jorgensen of Peoria sits with her daughter Gracie, 8, son Billy, 4, and daughter Lauren, 6, left to right, among some of the many toys that the family has collected for their five children. Jorgensen, who has gone through all of the toys looking for those being recalled by Mattel for containing lead paint, was particularly concerned for Gracie, who has Rett Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, because she is constantly putting the toys in her mouth. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Taking a bite out of crime

Night against crime
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Left to right, Carl Sally Jr.,6, Daniah Jones, 12, Shanice Brock, 13, and Justice Hicks, 10, play with others under a rainbow-colored fountain at the South Side's Logan Recreation Center during one of several gatherings in the area for National Night Against Crime Tuesday evening. Following the fun outdoors, participants went inside to listen to community leaders talk about what they can do to fight crime in their neighborhoods. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Taking a bite out of crime

Night against crime
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Rick Moreland shares his cotton candy with his granddaughter, Monica Moreland, 4, as they enjoy the evening with family and neighbors gathered for National Night Against Crime on the 1200 block of East Seneca Place Tuesday evening. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Taking a bite out of crime

Night against crime
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

District 150 school board member Linda Butler takes a turn talking to families gathered at the South Side's Logan Recreation Center Tuesday evening for National Night Against Crime. Participants at this meeting and several others around town gathered to raise awareness and discuss what can be done to lessen crime in their neighborhoods. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Taking a bite out of crime

Night against crime
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Scruff McGruff hangs back while community leaders speak to attendees of a National Night Against Crime event at the South Side's Logan Recreation Center Tuesday evening. There were several taking place in the Peoria area. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Aging links

Aging links
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Gerry Niemeyer, director of the National Corn Growers Association, talks with individuals waiting in line for a tour of a river barge they were aboard for the 2007 Barge Tour as it made a trip from Pekin to Peoria Monday afternoon. The tour, hosted by the Illinois Corn Growers Association and various other parties interested in making major improvements to the lock system on the Illinois and Upper Mississippi Rivers. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Aging links

Aging links
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

The 2007 Barge Tour heads into Peoria Lock on its voyage from Pekin to Peoria Monday afternoon. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Aging links

Aging links
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Judy Rand of Canton watches as the water level rises in the Peoria Lock while on the 2007 Barge Tour Monday evening. The tour invited guests to come along for a ride from Pekin to Peoria to promote navigation and ecosystem improvements on the Illinois and Upper Mississippi Rivers. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Aging links

Aging links
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Pat Miller of East Peoria looks out over the Illinois river while aboard the 2007 Barge Tour heading from Pekin to Peoria in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' study calling for navigation and ecosystem improvements on the Illinois and Upper Mississippi Rivers. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Myspace ministry

In motion
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Isaac Downing, 25, shows his Myspace homepage at Twelve Oaks Community Church, on Loucks Street in Peoria, where he serves as the worship director and is head of all things technology. Downing uses networking sites Myspace and Facebook to direct users to his blog on ministry and his church's website, which he also made happen. More and more, churches are using technology to spread the word. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

In motion

In motion
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Physical therapy instructor Elise Litwiller leads a Tai Chi exercise for members of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Exercise club at the PTS Village Courts in Morton on a Monday class in July. The class has recently added Tai Chi to its regular physical therapy sessions to help with flexibility and balance. The members pictured are, clockwise from the front, Carolyn Wagnaar, 61, of Morton, Nelson Stuber, 83, of Morton, Guy Bordner, 80, of East Peoria, and Sherman Burrus, 70, of East Peoria. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

In Motion

Myspace ministry
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Sherman Burrus, 70, of East Peoria, and Carolyn Wagnaar, 61, of Morton lift weights as part of their physical therapy regimen during the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Exercise club at the PTS Village Courts in Morton. The club has recently started integrating Tai Chi into therapy sessions as well to help with flexibility and balance. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

In motion

In motion
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Elise Litwiller, 21, and Michelle Sheckler, 19, lead Carolyn Wagnaar, 61, and other members of the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Exercise club at the PTS Village Courts in Morton in facial exercises during a therapy session as physical therapy assistant Karen Budzinski, in back, looks on Monday afternoon. In addition to traditional physical therapy exercises, the class has started integrating Tai Chi into therapy sessions to help with flexibility and balance. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Captain Hook

Captain Hook
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Left to right, sisters Caryn, 4, Mollie, 6, and and Jadyn Kephart, 4, hold hands with their babysitter Keylee Marasciullo as they walk down W Farmington Road in Farmington Friday afternoon on their way to Marasciullo's house for a swim. The group had to walk away from the curb for a moment due to construction at the intersection of Lightfoot Road. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Two-timer

Two-timer
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Jerry Lay, 58, a retired Army helicopter pilot who served in both Vietnam and again in the latest war in Iraq, is seen outside of his personal hangar at home in Minonk, Ill., with an Enstrom F28 1978 helicopter he was repairing for a customer on Wednesday, August 2, 2007. Between wars he worked at one point as a pilot for OSF and now primarily works as a helicopter mechanic from his home. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Two-timer

Two-timer
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Jerry Lay, 58, a retired Army helicopter pilot who served in both Vietnam and again in the latest war in Iraq, is seen in his personal hangar at home in Minonk, Ill., with a Hughes TH55 1964 helicopter he was repairing for a customer on Wednesday, August 2, 2007. Between wars he worked at one point as a pilot for OSF and now primarily works as a helicopter mechanic from his home. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Two-timer

Two-timer
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Jerry Lay, 58, a retired Army helicopter pilot who served in both Vietnam and again in the latest war in Iraq, works on the radio from a customer's Hughes TH55 1964 helicopter in his personal hangar behind his house in Minonk, Ill on Thursday, August 2, 2007. Between wars he worked at one point as a pilot for OSF and now primarily works as a helicopter mechanic and flight instructor. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Q&A with Ray

Dinner with Lahood
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Left to right, Bradley University's Brad McMillan, social studies teacher Patricia Robblee of Lejeune High School in North Carolina, Frank Mackaman of the Dirksen Center in Pekin, and U.S. Rep. Ray Lahood listen as Lahood takes questions from social studies teachers participating in Congress in the Classroom after dinner at the Pere Marquette Monday evening. The four-day workshop, held at the Civic Center, is organized by Bradley University's Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service and the Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR