Mason has second daughter

A stork flew over our house this morning (Whew!) on its way to Rep. Cory Mason's house, where it left a baby -- Mason's second daughter.

 Mason and his wife, Rebecca, have named the little girl Amelia Earhart Mason, joining her older sister, 20-month-old Eleanor Roosevelt Mason.

Mason, a Democrat seeking his third term in the state Assembly, representing Racine's 62nd district, is opposed in the November election by Republican Chris Wright of Sturtevant. Wright and his wife, Mary, also have two children: Bria, 5, and Luke, 3.

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

Racine Camera Club picks photo scavenger hunt winners

The winners of the Racine Camera Club's 2010 Photo Scavenger Hunt were chosen at the club’s first meeting of the programming year.

Winners in each category are: LEAF: (tie) Linda Peterson, Perry Rossmiller; HAPPY: Jason Madson; HUMAN SILHOUETTE: Linda Peterson; TRAVEL: Paul Oemig; WILDLIFE: (4-way tie) Mary Barrows, Tom Leih, Paul Oemig, Ron Morishita;  SUNRISE OR SUNSET: Perry Rossmiller; CLOUDS: Perry Rossmiller; FIREWORKS: Perry Rossmiller; FOOD: Tom Leih;  GLASS: Linda Peterson. We've posted most of them below.

The photographs will be posted on the club’s website, www.racinecameraclub.com. The RCC meets the second Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Racine Arts Council, 316 Sixth St. Another competition will take place at the Oct. 14 meeting.

  Leaf, by Linda Peterson

 Happy, by Jason Madson

 Human silhouette, by Linda Peterson

 Travel, by Paul Oemig

  Sunrise, by Perry Rossmiller

 Clouds, by Perry Rossmiller

 Fireworks, by Perry Rossmiller

Food, by Tom Leih

Glass, by Linda Peterson

 Wildlife, by Mary Barrows

Wildlife, by Paul Oemig

 

Wildlife, by Ron Morishita

 

Wildlife, by Tom Leih

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

Racine's 'Ball Star' releases video featuring the city

Here's an excellent new video from Racine's 'Ball Star featuring B Dubb" ...



You can hear from Ball Star, including their song "Pick N Save or Sentry," on their MySpace page.

Ball Star is Justin "Jynx" Christensen, Jesse "Jay Novel" Booker, and Tom "Tuts" Tuttle.

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

No truth to rumors about Tony Romo buying Racine's Meadowbrook Country Club, general manager says

The general manager of Meadowbrook Country Club said there is no truth to rumors that Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo is interested in buying the club.

"I have never spoken to Tony Romo in my life," said Niall Power, general manager of Meadowbrook. "If he was interested in buying the club, he would have to talk to me. But Brett Favre also wants to buy the club. That's not true either."

Power's statement runs contrary to sources with knowledge of the club. They say Romo, who lives in Dallas, has looked at buying Meadowbrook for his father to run. Sources for the rumors have knowledge of discussions by Meadowbrook's Board of Directors. We first heard the rumors about a month ago, and have heard them repeated at least three times by independent sources.

Power flatly denied the rumors. He did, however, confirm the club has streamlined operations since he took over about nine months ago. The club has laid off employees in its banquet and accounting departments and made other changes to cut down on operating costs.

"They were all business decisions to straighten out the club," Power said.

He added that he's heard the rumors about Meadowbrook's financial difficulties. But Power said recent changes have improved the club's financial outlook.

"There are a lot of bad rumors out there," he said.

Court records show Meadowbrook had two claims filed against it in August, and it also filed claims against seven people in small claims court. Outcome of the cases are still pending.

Meadowbrook also has unpaid property taxes from 2009, but Racine County Treasurer Betty Majeski said club officials have been in to see her and are working out a plan to pay the back taxes.

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

Y receives $15,000 'Excellence' award for Focus on Fathers

The Racine YMCA has been given a $15,000 Families Count/Family Strengthening Award from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in recognition of its Focus on Fathers program.

The Y was one of five across the country honored. Three received $15,000 Excellence Awards and two got $7,500 Inspiration Awards.

The award recognizes the Y's "exemplary work to strengthen and support families."

Excellence Awards recognize innovative and proven family strengthening programming that can serve as a model for Ys across the country.  The Racine Family YMCA began its Focus on Fathers program in 2007, after learning that 75 percent of community households were headed by a single parent, most often the mother. The goal is to nurture a healthier father-child relationship by addressing parenting challenges for dads no longer living with their children.

FoF focuses its work on neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty and/or high rates of juvenile crime, alcohol and drug use. Trained Y staff meets with groups of fathers for a 13-class session. In addition, fathers are provided opportunities to meet at home, school or community sites to share and learn from one another. Success is measured by the amount of time father and child spend together and the father's attendance and  participation at community events and activities, such as visiting the Y.

"The Families Count / Family Strengthening Awards recognize organizations that work to give vulnerable children what they need most – strong, capable and economically successful families," said Bonnie Howard  of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. "The Ys selected this year truly make a difference in their communities. Their outstanding work opens doors to real opportunities for the families they serve."

Other Y's honored are in Phoenix, AZ; Elgin, IL; Brocton, MA; and Richmond, VA.

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

Turner declares victory in Racine Assembly primary

State Rep. Bob Turner, D-Racine, released the following statement after gaining the Democratic nomination to serve the people of the 61^st Assembly District:

“I am so humbled by the outpouring of support from the great people of Racine. Whether you are my friend, neighbor, supporter, or just want to bring Racine back to its roots, I am so grateful to all of you, and am honored to have the chance to serve you again.

I want to first thank my wife Gloria for the time she puts in and the time she allows me to put into my campaign. Her and my three sons have been by my side since I first ran for State Assembly, and I am thankful for them every day.  I also want to thank the great volunteers that helped me have face-to-face conversations with voters. Without them, none of this would have been possible. 

I also would like to recognize my opponent Jim Dematthew for his willingness to serve this district. I know that he shares a great concern for this district just as I do, and I look forward to working with him in the future to fight for hard working families.

Tonight we made a big step forward in our campaign and in the next seven weeks, I will continue to talk to voters about their concerns facing Racine.  While Republicans want to continue to help Wall Street and not Main Street, I will continue to work to make sure working families have a voice. We need to elect good democrats this fall to ensure that middle class families come first, and so we do not go back to the failed policies of the Bush administration.

I will continue to make bringing good paying, family supporting jobs to Racine my top priority. I will not stop until we bring Racine back to its roots. I believe my experience mixed with the new ideas I have, makes me the most qualified candidate to serve Racine. I look forward to continuing to earn your trust and work for you on November 2^nd.” 

Bob Turner represents the 61^st Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Legislature, where he has served for more than 20 years. Turner also served for nearly three decades on the Racine City Council, as well as numerous local boards and committees. The general election will be held on November 2nd.

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

Election results thread

Smiles lit up Chris Schmaling's election night party -- as he led the Sheriff race

 We'll post election results here as they come in ...

9:04 p.m. - We're still waiting on results. Word earlier today is some polling places were running short of ballots. Not sure anyone thought turnout would be a problem, but maybe the Republican governor's and sheriff's races brought people out. Or maybe just not enough ballots were ordered.

9:06 p.m. - State Rep. Bob Turner is declaring victory. Not sure where his numbers are coming from, but here's the statement from his campaign:

Bob Turner released the following statement after gaining the Democratic nomination to serve the people of the 61^st Assembly District:

“I am so humbled by the outpouring of support from the great people of Racine. Whether you are my friend, neighbor, supporter, or just want to bring Racine back to its roots, I am so grateful to all of you, and am honored to have the chance to serve you again.

I want to first thank my wife Gloria for the time she puts in and the time she allows me to put into my campaign. Her and my three sons have been by my side since I first ran for State Assembly, and I am thankful for them every day.  I also want to thank the great volunteers that helped me have face-to-face conversations with voters. Without them, none of this would have been possible.

I also would like to recognize my opponent Jim Dematthew for his willingness to serve this district. I know that he shares a great concern for this district just as I do, and I look forward to working with him in the future to fight for hard working families.

Tonight we made a big step forward in our campaign and in the next seven weeks, I will continue to talk to voters about their concerns facing Racine.  While Republicans want to continue to help Wall Street and not Main Street, I will continue to work to make sure working families have a voice. We need to elect good democrats this fall to ensure that middle class families come first, and so we do not go back to the failed policies of the Bush administration.

I will continue to make bringing good paying, family supporting jobs to Racine my top priority. I will not stop until we bring Racine back to its roots. I believe my experience mixed with the new ideas I have, makes me the most qualified candidate to serve Racine. I look forward to continuing to earn your trust and work for you on November 2^nd.”

Bob Turner represents the 61^st Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Legislature, where he has served for more than 20 years. Turner also served for nearly three decades on the Racine City Council, as well as numerous local boards and committees. The general election will be held on November 2nd.

9:41 p.m. - With early results in it looks like Chris Schmaling will win the Republican nod for Sheriff. He's blowing away Ron Molnar and Gonzalo Gonzalez at the moment, but few results from the city are in. It's possible the east end could even things out.

10:20 p.m. - Schmaling continues to more than double Molnar and Gonzalez combined.

10:21 p.m. - Scott Walker easily defeated Mark Neumann for the Republican nomination for governor. Looks like Rebecca Kleefisch is also going to win.

10:49 p.m. - Looks like it'll be Walker/Kleefisch vs. Barrett/Nelson for governor.

11:59 p.m. - Gonzalez and Molnar combined couldn't beat Schmaling in this election. An aggressive campaign, a decent amount of money, and a strong candidate added up to a route for the Sheriff's Department investigator. Wonder if Schmaling is going to return to work or extend his leave of absence through the Nov. 2 general election.

No surprises tonight. Turner and Wannggaard rolled, as did Walker. Some good news out in Union Grove where voters approved money to build some new science classrooms. That's only to help the district lure Mount Pleasant students away from Racine Unified.

The County Clerk's office appeared to struggle a bit with this election. Not sure what happened, but it's rare that we have to wait until after midnight for election results. Voter turnout was projected at around 33 percent, which is pretty good for an election many people didn't even know was going on.

Vote Today!

It's an election day!

There are two key races on today's primary ballot, both within the Republican Party.

Locally, the Republican nomination for Racine County Sheriff is up for grabs. Gonzalo Gonzalez, Ron Molnar, and Chris Schmaling are competing for a slot on the general election ballot. It's an important race because odds are the winner will be the county's next sheriff. All three candidates have run strong campaigns, and the outcome is up in the air.

Statewide, Mark Neumann and Scott Walker are running for the Republican GOP nomination. Walker is largely expected to win the race and the right to take on Tom Barrett in the Nov. 2 general election.

There are a number of smaller races on the ballot. Both the Republican and Democratic parties have primary elections for lieutenant governor. Democrats running are Spencer Coggs, Tom Nelson, James Schneider and Henry Sanders. Republicans running are Brett Davis, Dave Ross, Rebecca Kleefisch, Ben Collins and  Robert Lorge.

Locally, Rep. Bob Turner is expected to easily win his Democratic primary over challenger James DeMatthew, and Van Wanggaard should defeat Union Grove businessman Bob Gulan for the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. John Lehman in November.

Voting is countywide. If you need to find your polling place, visit: http://www.elections.racineco.com/voting/districts.aspx

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

Olympia Brown UU Church signs statement of support for Muslims, people of all faiths

At church on Sunday, September 12, 2010 and for several days before, over 170 members and friends of Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, signed onto a Statement of Support for religious tolerance for Muslims and people of all faiths.  

The statement reads as follows:  

“We, the undersigned members and friends of the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, along with Unitarian Universalists throughout the country, stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters and their right to the free exercise of their religion in these United States.  We deplore the senseless destruction of their places of worship and we denounce all acts of intolerance against Islam and other religions.  We support the right of Muslims and those of all religions, as affirmed in the U.S. Constitution, to worship in their faith tradition.” 

            

Rev. Tony Larsen, minister of the church, explained the rationale behind the effort.  “We’ve seen a lot of anger lately directed against Muslims – people vandalizing mosques, a man in New York attacking a taxicab driver because he was Muslim, and a minister threatening to burn Qurans on September 11^th.  So we felt that it was important to stand up for tolerance and understanding not only for Islam but for all faiths and for people of no faith, too.”

            

Rev. Peter Morales, President of UUA, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, issued a statement on September 8^th asking Unitarian Universalists across the country, to devote service time to “topics of religious freedom and tolerance” and “to speak up for diversity and freedom.”

            

Rev. Tony Larsen connected the issue of tolerance with the Constitutional rights of our country.  “A great thing about America is our freedom to worship in our own way.  That is why we took this action, to remind ourselves and others what our country stands for, in hopes that people of good will from all religions will join with us.  We can be the great nation we are called to be.”

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!

City's new housing program in trouble?

Mayor John Dickert's signature program may be in trouble, according sources close to the situation.

They described the city's Neighborhood Stabilization Program as "in shambles" after problems with contractors and the DNR forced rehab work on 18 homes to shut down.

Dickert recently announced the NSP created hundreds of jobs in the city. But sources said those jobs are at least on hold pending review of the program.

More as it develops ...

---

Get more Post! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Want to advertise? Learn how!