✉️Princeton NOW Newsletter

And the Princeton Person of the Week is…

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Princeton. February, February, February. Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, and Galileo Galilei were all born in February. Also, In February 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, marking a significant milestone in the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. His spacecraft, Friendship 7, circled the planet three times in just under five hours on February 20, 1962, a feat that was broadcast on live TV to millions of viewers worldwide.

So there’s that. Let’s go.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
🤵🏻‍♂️Princeton Person of the Week
💕Princeton Valentine’s Day Specials
🎸Local Music
👩🏻Local Independent Consultants
🐹Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

📸Chelsea Sanchez

  • Kelly Van Den Bussche and Lyle Ganther were born several years ago today. Happy birthday! 🎉

  • Kevin Hieronymus wrote this article on Grady Thompson, Princeton High School all-time boys basketball points leader. A quote: “He’s played in all 19 games for the Spartans with one start, averaging 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds over 22.3 minutes a game, shooting 45% from the field, 39.5% on 3s.”

  • Paisano’s Ristorante’s pizza of the month is a brand-new creation: The Birria Pizza. Stewed meat marinated in a deeply flavorful broth made of dried Mexican chilies, herbs, and spices — cooked in a broth. They start with a little of that broth as a base on their homemade pizza dough, then they add marinated, slow-cooked beef, their special blend of mozzarella cheese. It is topped with melty shredded queso cheese, onion, and cilantro with a side of consome juice to dip.

  • Beginning in the Spring, Wild Ginger Bistro will be open for lunch and dinner (dine in or carry out) Tuesday through Saturday. Wild Ginger Bistro will also available for private events: bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties and rehearsal dinners — the possibilities are endless. The first special event will be a Mother's Day Tea (more information to follow shortly). They are all about Princeton and will be posting soon about job opportunities. They will be looking to hire locally first.

  • The Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens is seeking fine artists for their outdoor Artisan Market Saturday, September 14th. Get more details at this link.

  • The Believe Foundation’s 50/50 raffle is still going. The pot is now up to $1,030. Purchase your tickets at Sophisticuts or through Venmo at this link. All proceeds stay local to help cancer families.

  • On February 16th, the PHS jazz band invites you to come enjoy the sounds of classic swing music by the greats like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and more. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

  • Z Tour 2024 bike ride is set for June 22nd. Register here.

📸Kevin Hieronymus

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☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: The day is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 54°F, transitioning to partly cloudy at night with lows around 36°F.

Sunday: Conditions are anticipated to be partly sunny, reaching highs near 50°F, and partly cloudy at night with lows around 32°F.

Monday: The weather will clear up to sunny skies, with the temperature climbing to a high near 46°F. Nighttime is expected to be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 29°F.

Tuesday: It will be mostly sunny with a high near 47°F, indicating pleasant weather for the day.

Wednesday: Cloudy initially, then gradually becoming mostly sunny with a high near 45°F. By Wednesday night, it will be partly cloudy with lows around 35°F.

click here for road conditions.
click here for an I-80 traffic camera. 

🤵🏻‍♂️PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

🏅Gary Swanson

Reason for nomination: “Gary has provided sound and entertainment in this community for DECADES. Rain, snow, sleet, fog. You can count on him to be there and come through for you. I can't think of anyone who has given more and accomplished more for this community.”

Gary, you a well-deserving of this award. Thank you for your service. You’ve won the illustrious Princeton Person of the Week.

You can nominate someone for next week’s Princeton Person of the Week here.

💘PRINCETON VALENTINES DAY SPECIALS

  • There is a Valentine’s Day Prime Quarter Steak House special Tuesday, February 13th-15th.

    • Sirloin dinner for two - $54.95

      • Dinner includes: Baked potato, Texas Toast, and Unlimited Salad Bar; 2 of our 20oz Top Sirloins (no substitutions). And a dessert to share.

  • Cafe Grace will be serving from 4-8pm on Feb. 14th. They are serving Lobster tail, Tuscany salmon, Parm-crusted ribeye, "Marry me” Chicken, Pasta Lafayette, Portabella-stuffed Ravioli, Apple and whiskey-stuffed pork chop, and Surf & Turf.

  • Tony’s Butt Shack will be serving Prime Rib and Cod Dinners on Valentine’s Day.

🔗TOP CLICKS THIS WEEK

  1. WLPO: The Illinois State Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a 23-year-old Princeton resident.

  2. Shawna Fillenwarth Photography is now booking Senior, maternity, family, and couples photos.

  3. Ben Parr, a 2004 Princeton High School graduate, has made quite a name for himself. Born in 1985, Parr showed promise early on, becoming an Eagle Scout and finishing top of his class in high school. He’s best known for his book "Captivology,"

🎸LOCAL MUSIC

Princeton

  • The Generics | The Moose Lodge | Princeton | Feb. 9th, 6:30

  • Wild Card | The Cliff | Princeton | Feb. 10th, 7pm

  • The Wise Guys | Hawg House Saloon | Princeton | Feb. 10th, 3pm

  • Pat Owen Leary | The Barrel Society | Feb. 10th, 7pm

  • Brushville | Hawg House Saloon | Princeton | Feb. 17th, 8pm

  • Zack Fedor | Barrel Society | Princeton | Feb. 23rd, 7pm

  • Wayne “The Train” Hancock | Moose Lodge | Princeton | March 16th

  • STEAM Irish Quartet | Grace Theater | Princeton | March 30th at 7:30pm

Local

  • Open Mic | The Camden | Lasalle | Feb. 6th, 8-2pm

  • Trippin Molly | Dudley’s Bar and Grill | Walnut | Feb. 10th, 9pm

  • Tailgate Confessions | Troy’s | Arlington | Feb. 11th, 2pm

  • Open Mic | Core Cafe | Spring Valley | Feb. 16th, 7pm

  • Rockstar 2024 | Starved Rock Lodge | Utica | Feb. 21st, 7pm

  • Midnight Rider | Green River Saddle Club | Amboy | Feb. 24th, 5pm

  • Black and White Ball | Starved Rock | Utica | Feb. 24th, 5pm

  • Dueling Pianos | Sublette 365 | Sublette | Feb. 24, 6:30pm

  • Danger Zone | Route 30 Slots | Rock Falls | Feb. 24, 6pm

👩‍💼LOCAL INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS

🐹LETTER FROM LORI

Do you have a habit that's interwoven into your personal tapestry? Perhaps you drink coffee every day, or you adhere to a daily exercise routine. These activities didn't become a part of you until you performed them regularly. Consider the act of weaving a blanket. The threads that form those beautiful patterns are intertwined with others, collaborating to reveal to the world what or who they represent. It requires all of them to create the pattern. Have you ever pulled on one of those threads and removed it? The structure begins to unravel because it leaves a void, a lack of support for the other threads that relied on it. If that thread enhanced the design, its loss diminishes the beauty. If the thread was frayed and flawed, the tapestry might improve without it, yet it needs replacement with something stronger and more vibrant. Integrating a new thread into the existing design isn't straightforward. It demands time, patience, and focus. You might need to pause and restart several times to perfect it, but once in place, you'll appreciate the completed work.

Today, take a moment to reflect in front of the mirror. What does your blanket look like? Are there threads that need removal? Are you satisfied with your design? Are there any improvements you can make? Look closely, and open your eyes to the possibilities.

Perhaps there's a person you need to include or exclude. Maybe it's a detrimental habit like excessive drinking, smoking, or spreading negativity. Or possibly, it's a beneficial habit you wish to incorporate, such as improving your diet, exercising, reading, praying, or offering compliments to strangers. There's always room for enhancement. Thus, focus on refining your blanket today and every day, so that at life's end, you can admire the beauty you've woven.

—Lori Boekeloo

Lori owns the Boek-el-ZOO in Princeton. It’s not just a pet shop. It’s an experience!

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