Village Hall will have the following holiday hours:
Wednesday, November 24th: 8:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday, December 21st: 8:00am-1:00pm
Thursday, December 23rd 8:00am-1:00pm
Thursday, December 30th 8:00am-2:00pm
Regular Business hours are M-F 8:00am-5:00pm.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The 2020 Light the Heights champion is the 2021 Light the Heights champion, and he has but one word for it: “Awesome!”
Frank Covello of 4914 N. Conn outdid himself again this year, stringing together some 14,200 twinkling lights of varied colors – crushing last year’s 10,000-bulb output – to come away with nearly 45 percent of the popular vote in the “Showstopper/Best Overall” category. “We stepped it up a little bit from last year,” said Covello, obviously understating the case.
The most notably addition to the display this year was a twin set of nutcrackers, six feet tall, made from buckets and other household materials that had the Covellos tapping into their artistic potential. Why go to all this effort? “It’s what the whole season’s about, bringing a smile to peoples’ faces,” said Covello. Fundamentally, it’s about “being that little kid driving around and going, ‘Oh my God, look at that! That’s so cool! How did he do that?’”
It’s also about continuing the family tradition that started back in his native Chicago, and that now continues for the Covellos in downstate Illinois. Frank doesn’t do all of this by himself. “Everyone plays their role,” he said.
Peoria Heights Mayor Michael Phelan was present at this Christmas reveal and awarded Covello the traveling trophy. “We know all the Ameren shareholders are happy tonight,” joked the mayor, noting the pure wattage being put out by those 14,200 lights, which required nearly the entire month of November to install. He complimented the Covellos for “bringing so much beauty and joy” to the community, and also for setting the standard in a contest that saw double the number of participants in its second year. “Even though you’re the winner, lots of homes in Peoria Heights look terrific,” said Phelan.
Meanwhile, Covello plans to up his game again next year, and he’s throwing down the gauntlet to those who might aspire to the throne. Indeed, he welcomes the competition. “Somebody, come take it,” he said. Those interested in seeing the display andhearing Covello’s interview can do so here. Meanwhile, the other local winners were:
Best Traditional/Classic Display: 4725 N. Grandview Drive, Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Cullinan
Best Business Storefront: Michele’s Floral Toyland Award, 705 E. Sciota Ave. Events, 1225 E. Samuel, Michele Birkner
Peoria Heights Waterworks routinely monitors for the presence of drinking water contaminants and is dedicated to following the standards established by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).
Recent tests showed an increase in the naturally-occurring mineral manganese which exceeded IEPA standards. Through additional testing and adjustments of water source combinations, as of 11/15/21, the current manganese level complies with IEPA standards.
Peoria Heights Waterworks will continue to work diligently to monitor and treat the water supply for the safety and well-being of our community.
For more information, click here.
The Peoria Heights Zoning Board of Appeals will meet Monday, December 20, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 4901 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, Illinois.
The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following request:
Variance application filed by Steve and Stephanie Kool seeking approval of a variance to allow construction of a home with a front yard setback of 18.5 feet, which is less than the 25 foot setback required from abutting streets on a corner lot as required by Section 10-7A-5(A) of the Village Code, and a side yard setback of 4.8 feet, which is less than the 6 foot side yard minimum depth as required by Section 10-7A-5(B) of the Village Code, for the property located at 4777 N. Grandview Drive, Peoria Heights, Illinois, 61616 (PIN No. 14-22-428-001), which property is currently zoned R-1 (Low Density Residential District).
Additional documents and information are available at the Village Administrator's Office in Village Hall and/or by calling 686-2385.
Just in time for the candy-coated Christmas holidays, Popcorn Works and Sweet Shop is opening on Small Business Saturday – Nov. 27 -- in the historic former Pump House waterworks building in Peoria Heights.
“We’re ready to go,” said Pete Clarno, who owns and will run the business with wife Linda and daughter Erica Ogden at 1201 E. Kingman Ave., across the street from Tower Park in the shadow of the Heights’ most iconic feature.
The Clarno family is subletting the property from Kim Blickenstaff’s KDB Group, which in turn rents the structure from the Village of Peoria Heights. The two parties oversaw the renovation of the Depression- era Pump House, which was built in 1934 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) “with Roosevelt money.”
Many of the original features remain, though otherwise the building has been reinvented for the 21st century as “a mini-Willy Wonka chocolate factory,” said Clarno, giving it an utterly unique, updated but simultaneously retro feel.
Of course, what you can purchase there is the primary draw. Indeed, the irresistible aroma of fresh popcorn greets you before you even enter the store – more than 30 flavors and growing every day. This coming holiday season is well represented with the likes of Christmas Cookie, Grinch Pop, White Chocolate Peppermint, etc., no small amount of it popped after hours by the signature gnomes that populate – and before long, perhaps over-populate – the place. Don’t say you weren’t forewarned if you happen to trip over one. Expect a naming contest for the whole crew in the near future.
Meanwhile, coming to a Popcorn Works shelf near you is a virtual smorgasbord of gourmet candies, gummies, taffy, fudge, boba beads, Pixy Stix, etc. As the weather warms, expect shaved ice and
concession staples such as grilled hot dogs – might the “wonder dog” return? – nachos, and so much more, all of which can be enjoyed on the backyard patio.
“Parents hate me and dentists love me,” joked Clarno, who ultimately sees this as not just a place to satisfy one’s sweet tooth but as a community gathering spot, not unlike Velvet Freeze and the Ben Franklin store were in the Heights, once upon a time.
Anticipate lots of bicycles and baby strollers parked out front come next spring. Longtime Heights residents should recognize the Clarno name.
Pete grew up in the Heights, formerly managed Oliver’s Pizza and owned the gone-but-not-forgotten No Wake Zone Bar and Grill on Galena Road. He began his career in the golf industry, making his way through the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama before returning to central Illinois – “We wanted to raise our kids back here,” he said – as the golf course superintendent at Mt. Hawley Country Club, where he stayed 15 years. He still gets the urge to jump on a riding mower and start manicuring the fairways every now and again.
His family’s fondness for the popcorn he’d make at home prompted his comeback from retirement – that and the chance to put not only the mom and the pop in the business but a daughter and, someday, perhaps the grandkids as well. When word got out that the Clarnos were looking at potential locations, boyhood pal and Peoria Heights Mayor Mike Phelan called with an opportunity too good to pass up.
“This location is a dream,” said Clarno. “We had looked around. Nothing else fit. It’s a match made in heaven.”
Renovating a building of this age, and in a way so far afield from its original purpose, posed its challenges, but that patience has been rewarded.
“For the Village, it’s really a two-fer. A historic building that had been vacant has been brought back to life, and something that had been draining dollars from Village coffers is now generating revenue,” said Phelan. “The final product is attractive and functional. It’s just a plus all the way around.”
“It took a while, but I think we got it right,” said KDB Group CEO Greg Birkland. “A historic structure has not only been saved, it has been made useful again. The Clarno family and Popcorn Works are the perfect fit for this building and for this location.”
“It’s a nice project. I’m giving back to the community I grew up in,” said Pete Clarno, who opens the doors at 11 a.m. on Saturday and will also have a booth at the Heights’ inaugural Kris Kringle Market at Tower Park on Dec. 3. “Now’s the time to take what has been a negative year and end it on a positive note.”
So come for the goodies, come for the architecture, come for the company and conversation, come for the sights and sounds and aromas, come for the gnomes, just come to Popcorn Works and Sweet Shop. Follow the business on Facebook and on its website.
The Village of Peoria Heights is soliciting bids for the following equipment. Bids will be due no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, December 17th, 2021.
1949 Seagrave Quad (no water tank)
1976 Ford/Howe Engine 1000 GPM pump and 500-gallon tank
Please send written offer to:
Village of Peoria Heights
4901 N. Prospect Rd.
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Minimum Bids in the Amount of $1,000
Questions may be emailed to administration@peoriaheights.org.
Forest Park Dr hill will be closed for maintenance on Thursday, December 2nd, from 9:00 am-1:00 pm, weather permitting.
The November 23, 2021 regularly scheduled Village Departmental Board Meeting has been cancelled.
The Village of Peoria Heights will accept proposals/statements of interest from qualified parties for the development of a detailed capital improvement plan for the Village’s water system.
click here for the RFP