Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

David Van Roeyen, 23, gracefully bounds across the lawn of Olin Quad at Bradley University holding a flaming Chinese straight sword while practicing a variation of fire poi with other members of Phoenix Rising in August. The recently organized group of young Peorians now performs fire spinning in front of local audiences. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR
View the multimedia project here: http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?/multimedia/soundslide/controlled_burn

Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Fire poi, based on an ancient Maori tradition in which performers spin heavy objects dangling from ropes around their bodies, are usually kevlar balls hanging from chains and doused in kerosene and white gas. When spun around the body in a rhythmic motion the visual effect can be stunning. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Members of Phoenix Rising regularly attend a monthly gathering called the Full Moon Jam in Chicago, where they can join several other poi spinning groups along Lake Michigan north of the city. The event draws crowds of around 200 people, including fire spinners, drummers, dancers and spectators. Members of Pheonix Rising are trying to develop something similar in Peoria. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

David Van Roeyen give a friend a fire hug, in which the fire spinner spins poi around themselves and a trusting participant, while performing at the Full Moon Jam in Chicago. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Phoenix Rising spins glowstick poi, a safer alternative to fire poi for indoor shows, in front of an audience at an artists reception at the Contemporary Arts Center in Peoria. The group has steadily been booking more shows at area events. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

As dangerous as it looks, Van Roeyen and other spinners occasionally burn themselves when they're not careful. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Heather Arn of Bloomington gets a "fire hug" during a poi spinning performance at the Firefighters Street Fest in front of the CEFCU stage on the Peoria waterfront in September. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Controlled burn

Controlled burn
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

David Van Roeyen, 23, spins fire using a Chinese straight sword while practicing with the group Phoenix Rising at Olin Quad on the Bradley campus in August. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Big squeeze

Big squeeze
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Madeline Ellingsworth, 10, of Findlay, Ohio, is squeezed between her mother and marathon runner Tim Borland behind the Peoria Riverplex as they embrace her in a hug following the completion of the AT Cure Tour fun run along the riverfront Wednesday evening. Borland is midway in his mission of running 63 marathons in 63 days to raise money and awareness for ataxia telangiectasia, a rare degenerative disease, from which Ellingsworth and 20-year-old Megan Mautino, who was also present, suffer. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Shake, Rattle 'n Roll

Shake, Rattle 'n Roll
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Steadying her 6-year-old sister Olivia's arm, Audrey Driskell, 4, gets a closer look at one of the hundreds of butterflies released by participants in the the Shake, Rattle 'n Roll fundraiser for Parkinson's downtown. Along with the butterfly release, the daylong event organized by Joan Snyder, a Parkinson's sufferer from Rome, featured a walk along Water Street, live music and an ice cream social in the parking lot across from the Le Vieux Carre complex. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Shake, Rattle 'n Roll

Shake, Rattle 'n Roll
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Beth Turner, 19, left, and Ali Snyder, 20, daughter of Joan Snyder, let loose the last of the butterflies released during a ceremony honoring those that have died from Parkinson's disease during the Shake, Rattle 'n Roll fundraiser for Parkinson's at Liberty Park Sunday afternoon. The event, started by Parkinson's sufferer Joan Snyder of Rome in 1998, featured a walk along Water Street, live music and entertainment and a butterfly release at Liberty Park. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Bank robbery

Bank robbery
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

One of three suspects arrested for attempting a robbery at First National Bank on SW Adams St in Peoria is lead from the building by authorities Thursday afternoon. He and another suspect were in the bank, while a third suspect waited outside, according to police. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ladies' night

Ladies' night
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Volunteer Marilyn Lafary and Jacquie Hart laugh Wednesday night while trying to operate a sewing machine during Ladies Night Out, a weekly gathering for women at the Peoria Dream Center. The activity gives women a chance to get away from the responsibilities and concerns of their daily lives in order to bond with other women while learning important life skills such as cooking, sewing and parenting. "We all have responsibilities and we just leave them at the door," says Martha Dakin, one of the volunteer group leaders. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

First in the pool

First in the pool
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

During a recent trip to Peoria, hall of fame swim coach Jack Simon stopped by the Central Park Pool, which he helped open as its first pool manager in 1969. Simon now lives and coaches in Malaysia. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Irish

Irish
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Members of the Irish Nation prepare for the game before their Notre Dame boys varsity team defeated the Dunlap Eagles 3-1 Monday night at Notre Dame. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Irish

Irish
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Peoria Notre Dame high school defeats the Dunlap Eagles 3-1 during regular season play at Notre Dame Monday evening. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Irish

Irish
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Peoria Notre Dame high school defeats the Dunlap Eagles 3-1 during regular season play at Notre Dame Monday evening. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR