One application in for 10th District alderman

City Council President Q.A. Shakoor II said he's received one formal application for the council's vacant seat.

Thomas Gursky Jr. was the first person to put in for the 10th District seat vacated by Tom Friedel. Friedel resigned to become city administrator.

Tenth district residents have until Aug. 10 to apply for the seat, which will be up for election next spring. Shakoor said the council hopes to fill the vacancy by the end of August.

Play Ball! with a kitten from Countryside

The Brewers are struggling, but the Cubs are hot -- what better excuse than that to adopt a baseball-loving kitten?

OK, maybe that's a stretch -- but you have to admit this is an adorable picture of a cute kitten from Countryside Humane Society!

Helios is one of many kittens Countryside has available for adoption. He is a domestic short hair with a black and white coat. Helios is eight weeks old, and has brothers and a sister also available for adoption.

Due to the large number of kittens currently at the shelter, you can get two cats or kittens for one adoption fee through Saturday, Aug. 1. The adoption fee is $95 which includes a spay or neuter, rabies and distemper vaccines, worming, microchip, feline leukemia testing, and a flea treatment.

Countryside has also recently changed its application for adoption to a simpler format. Bring shot records of any current cat or dog you own and all members of your family with you when applying and your application can be reviewed quickly.

Come meet Helios and all the other kittens at Countryside Humane Society, at 2706 Chicory Road, or call (262) 554-6699.

Stimulus money may pay for gang prevention coordinator

Racine is seeking a three-year, $450,000 stimulus grant to coordinate gang prevention activities in the area.

The money would be used to hire a director and to create a database that tracks young adults who have had contacts with gangs. The director would work with local organizations already in place and the database likely would be made available to nonprofits, schools and other agencies.

If successful, the city would likely subcontract the program to an agency like Racine Vocational Ministries, which runs the Community Re-entry program for people coming out of prison.

The City Council's Personnel and Finance Committee unanimously approved the grant application. Grant Coordinator Debbi Embry said her discussions with state officials led her to believe Racine had a good chance at receiving the money.

"After meeting with the state, we felt we had a good chance because we have all of the pieces in place," Embry said.

Alderman Q.A. Shakoor II was enthusiastic about the grant.

"This is exactly what we need, and this will make a difference," he said.

Racine Concert Band to split from city

The city will spend an additional $10,000 next year to cut ties with the Racine Concert Band under an amicable agreement pending before the City Council.

The concert band, which has been playing concerts in Racine for 86 consecutive years, would receive $35,000 from the city next year. In exchange, the band (which received $25,000 this year) would provide its own insurance, transportation and storage.

The agreement settles a question that came up last July over whether members of the concert band are city employees. If approved by the City Council on Tuesday, it would clarify band members are not employed by the city.

The additional $10,000 will be at least partially offset by shifts in "hard and soft costs," City Administrator Tom Friedel told the Personnel and Finance Committee this week. Hard costs are generally considered money and soft costs are things like services.

The finance committee approved the agreement unanimously.

The Racine Concert Band, under the direction of Mark Eichner, is scheduled to play a free show at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Zoo Park. The theme is baritone and flute solos.

The band's free Aug. 9 concert, also at 7 p.m. at Zoo Park, will feature soprano and oboe solos.

Lee comes down to earth, with $24.5 million loss

In the past month, Lee Enterprises -- parent company of the Journal Times -- saw its stock rise from below 50-cents per share to almost $2. Yesterday, it jumped up 17 percent to close at $1.92. Lee was benefiting from a general rise in newspaper stocks, ever since the nation's largest newspaper chain, Gannett, reported a profitable quarter two weeks ago.

Today, Lee came back to earth, with the release of the company's 3rd Quarter financial results. Although the company reported having cut costs by 22 percent, revenue dropped by 20.5 percent, leading to a quarterly loss of $24.5 million. Minutes after the NYSE opened, the stock was down 33 cents per share.

Here is the lede from the company's financial statement:

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE:LEE), reduced cash operating expenses, excluding unusual items, 22.0 percent in its third fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2009, as operating revenue declined 20.5 percent. Excluding non-cash impairment charges and other unusual items, diluted earnings per common share were 12 cents, compared with 30 cents a year ago. Free cash flow(2) totaled $22.1 million, compared with $34.2 million in 2008.

Including non-cash impairment charges, Lee recorded a loss per diluted common share of 55 cents for the quarter, compared with earnings of 6 cents per share a year ago.

“We are continuing to position Lee so it will emerge strong when the recession ends,” said Mary Junck, chairman and chief executive officer. “We reduced debt by $18 million during the quarter and again performed well within projections we provided to lenders in February. While overall business remains sluggish, it has stabilized, and many of our publishers are reporting cautious optimism from an increasing number of local advertisers. We are also encouraged by our efforts to expand our local advertising market share and the response we have received to new sales programs that reach non-traditional advertisers. Beginning this next quarter, we also expect an enthusiastic response to our rollout of online behavioral targeting advertising through the new Yahoo platform.”

She added: “Our streamlining of costs also remains on track, and, thanks in part to 22 percent reductions in the June quarter, we expect to reduce full-year 2009 cash costs, about 17 percent below 2008, a decrease of nearly $140 million. We have completed page width reduction across the company, realigned staffing and consolidated or outsourced printing and distribution in several more locations. As a result of those actions and many more, the overall rate of decline in our operating cash flow(3) has slowed dramatically since last quarter, and more individual enterprises have begun exceeding prior year. Our operating cash flow margin(3), which includes corporate costs, has improved to 21.9 percent from 21.0 percent a year ago.”

THIRD QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS

Total operating revenue from continuing operations for the quarter decreased 20.5 percent from a year ago to $203.8 million. Combined print and online advertising revenue decreased 24.3 percent to $148.0 million, with retail advertising down 18.4 percent, and classified down 35.2 percent. Combined print and online employment advertising revenue decreased 60.4 percent, automotive decreased 30.9 percent and real estate decreased 35.0 percent. Online advertising revenue declined 29.3 percent, with online retail advertising down 1.7 percent and online classified advertising down 45.8 percent. National advertising revenue decreased 11.4 percent. Circulation revenue declined 6.3 percent, partially a result of elimination of less profitable delivery areas.

Operating expenses, excluding unusual items, depreciation and amortization, decreased 22.0 percent to $157.6 million and decreased 21.5 percent in total. Compensation, excluding unusual items, declined 22.4 percent, with the average number of full-time equivalent employees down 16.8 percent. Newsprint and ink expense decreased 41.4 percent, a result of a reduction in newsprint volume of 36.4 percent and more favorable newsprint prices.

Operating cash flow decreased 16.9 percent compared with a year ago to $44.7 million. Including equity in earnings (loss) of associated companies, depreciation and amortization, as well as adjustments for impairment and other non-cash charges, the operating loss was $13.8 million.

Turner works on bill to protect felony victims

Rep. Bob Turner hopes to minimize the number of times victims of crimes have to testify in court.

Turner, D-Racine, is working with Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, and other Democrats and Republicans to allow testimony in certain criminal proceedings to be readmitted at later hearings. Now, victims are often required to re-testify several times during criminal proceedings.

Here's an excerpt from a release on the proposal:

In many instances, rather than simply readmitting the previously delivered testimony, the victim must also testify at a revocation hearing because the accused person was already on probation, parole, or extended supervision.

"This bill comes at the urging and request of the Kenosha County Victim Witness coordinators at the Kenosha District Attorney’s Office. Based on their hands-on experience assisting crime victims through this often difficult process, they believe that this change would extend an important additional protection during a very challenging time," Representative Barca explained. “This will be especially helpful in protecting children.”

The proposal would allow for testimony taken from a felony victim at a preliminary hearing to be used in a subsequent revocation hearing in cases where the defendant was already serving a previous sentence. Under the bill, if a party can show good cause for requiring the victim to appear they could still be forced to testify.

Representative Turner, Chairman of the Assembly Criminal Justice Committee explained, "If a state court has already established ‘probable cause’ based on the victim’s sworn testimony, it should be sufficient evidence in a later hearing before the Department of Corrections."

Identical legislation passed the Assembly as Assembly Bill 431 in the previous session with the support of the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Wisconsin Troopers Association, and the Milwaukee Police Association.

Racine Produce store not closing, but it is for sale

No, Racine Produce isn't closing, as some customers have feared.

But the Hispanic-centered grocery store on Durand Avenue in Elmwood Plaza, is for sale.

Brothers Dino, left, and Jimmy Gregory opened the grocery store known for its abundant produce and Mexican foods in 2001. Dino says, "Business used to be good, but now it's down 40 percent from two years ago."

"It's not just us that are hurting," Dino says, gesturing to Racine -- and the entire country -- beyond. "Racine is very bad off," he says. "We need to get some jobs here," adds Jimmy.

"I see no hope here," says Dino. "People are leaving."

The brothers are Greek, but see nothing unusual in their running a store that caters to Racine's Hispanic population. Jimmy notes: "It's easy for Greeks to speak the Spanish language. There are cultural similarities between our countries. And it's traditional for Greeks to be in this business." He says many Hispanic-centered stores in Chicago are owned by Greeks.

If they sell Racine Produce, the brothers say they will open a similar store in Milwaukee, where they believe there is more opportunity. Right now, they say they've had interest in the store from "five or six" different individuals -- but "they've had difficulty getting bank credit."

The shelves at Racine Produce remain well-stocked. The bread aisle has plenty of churros, pan de platano, calabaza, canela and piedras. (Even some white bread rolls on a bottom shelf.) There is a full case of queso fresca; the deli section -- carniceria -- is stocked with pollo and pescados y mariscos. The cookie shelf has plenty of Marias, Sandwich Marquez, El Mexicano Canelas -- alongside the Oreos. And, of course, the fruit aisle is overflowing with the familiar and unfamiliar.

Racine County Fair extravaganza begins!

A well-stocked shelf of canned produce is a feast for the eyes.

And so it begins, the annual extravaganza of canned fruits, lovingly-raised livestock, crafts, tractor pulls, county fair food, music and gee-gaws... and so many more relics of a simpler age. All topped by the appearance of country singer Sara Evans Saturday night.

The Racine County Fair today officially opens its five-day run in Union Grove, with something -- many things! -- for everyone. And the best part, nostalgia for what once was, is free. All the rest -- well, admission is $8 a day for adults. (Bring two non-perishable items, and get $2 off the admission price until 3 p.m. today.)

Full Fair schedule here.
More pictures of the early 4-H judging are here.

Two Pekin drakes quench their thirst on this hot summer day. Their
owner is Mindy Oberhart, 12, of the Cloverview 4-H club of Sturtevant.

Lindsay Woelbing recognizes the face of Rachel Rushing,
a Union Grove classmate who lost her battle with cancer
on April 8, 2008, in a newsprint collage by Emily Helbling
of Sturtevant. It won a first-place ribbon.

Rylee Chart, 12, of the Cloverview 4-H club, discussed her drawings
with Tom Nowak. This one won a 2nd place ribbon.

Jeff Vogtshaller gives Samantha Ball, 16, of the Kan-Do 4-H club,
kudos for her 1st place photo.

After the seemingly endless flow of photographs was judged,
Will Meinke mounted them securely to the display wall.

T-shirt booth took shape the day before the fair opened.

'Grumpy's Grub' opening in former pizza place on Lathrop Ave.

A new family-style restaurant with a liquor license is poised to open in the former Geo's Pizza on Lathrop Ave.

"Grumpy's Grub and Suds" received approval for a liquor license Monday night from the city's Public Safety and Licensing Committee.

Owner Karley Barcalow, of Racine, plans to open Sept. 1. She'll employ about 15 people at the restaurant, which will be open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Barcalow described the menu as a traditional breakfast with handmade dinner special every day. "We want to keep it more of the home-cooked style," she said.

Barcalow brings a lifetime of experience to the restaurant. She started working as a dishwasher at 16 years old and worked her way up to waitress, manager and the owner of "Curt's Carryout and Delivery" in Kenosha. She now manages the Denny's Restaurant at the corner of Washington Ave. and Green Bay Road.

The restaurant site is basically an empty building, Barcalow said. She's installing a new kitchen with new ranges, and will receive a liquor license (pending full City Council approval) once the kitchen is approved by the city Health Department.

The committee approved the liquor license unanimously. The council will take it up next week.

Aldermen exchange barbs over committee's review of liquor licenses

Alderman Mike Shields accused the City Council's Public Safety and Licensing Committee Monday night of treating minority-owned bars and restaurants unfairly.

"The way they drill people of color is a problem with me," Shields said in the hallway during the committee meeting.

Shields' comments came after the committee asked Gerald Bester, an African-American businessman from Milwaukee, a series of tough questions about his plans to open a new restaurant in Uptown.

Alderman Aron Wisneski, chairman of the committee, forcefully rejected Shields' contention.

"As usual, he (Shields) didn't do his homework to make an informed decision," Wisneski said.

Wisneski said the committee asks every business that's applying for a liquor license a series of questions designed to probe the applicant's ability to run a safe business.

He acknowledged the committee is tougher than its predecessors, but said it's tougher because the council allowed people to sell alcohol without doing enough research into their backgrounds. The result: Unsafe and unruly bars that brought down the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

"Our committee is doing its job," Wisneski said. "We don't hand out licenses like candy. Liquor licenses are a serious job for our committee."

Every meeting the committee calls bars and restaurants before it to review recent police incidents in or near the establishment. License holders are typically asked to explain what happened and are given a series of actions meant to control crowds and cut down on violent incidents.

For example, the committee asks bars to install a certain type of video camera to help monitor the premises. Another common request is an electronic ID checker that forces the bars and liquor stores to scan IDs of people buying alcohol.

The committee will also ask bars to close early if police incidents are occurring after 1 a.m.

Occasionally, bars choose not to comply and turn in their liquor license. Cash Money, a former bar on S. Memorial Drive, shut down after a murder and a shooting occurred nearby.

Other times, businesses are denied. A proposed Sixth Street convenience store failed to win a liquor license because neighboring businesses were opposed.

Mostly, though, bar owners are called in, scolded for police incidents and ordered to work with the City Attorney's office to make improvements. The underlying threat is the city will pull a business's liquor license if it doesn't comply.

"We have to do a better job of making sure they're good neighbors, not bad neighbors," Wisneski said about liquor license holders. "Alcohol makes people do stupid things. Good tavern owners know how to do things responsibly. They know how to be good neighbors."

As for business owners of color, Wisneski said the committee is tough to all applicants and license holders. He pointed to a tough series of questions Karley Barcalow, who is white, went through about her new restaurant on Lathrop Ave. They were similar to the questions Bester and another applicant, who is Hispanic, had to answer Monday night. (Barcalow, who received committee approval, said after the meeting she was a little flustered by the committee's questions.)

To ensure fair treatment, Wisneski said the committee works off a list of standard questions it asks all applicants, Wisneski said.

He added that while the committee is tough, it grants most liquor license applications.

"It is very rare we deny a license," Wisneski said. "A person would have had to have committed a felony. But we take this seriously. We don't just rubber stamp applications. We have high expectations for them (license holders)."

It's Moo-la-palooza time!

What is it with cows? I like a good steak or burger as much as the next guy, but I can take or leave the big ol' flatulent bovine they come from. And yet, a couple of weeks ago, Racine had a "dress like a cow" event at Regency Mall. And now we're about to have a "moo like a cow" contest.

Only saving grace: this latest cowmedy event comes with a charitable segment: Every entrant will earn a dollar for 4-H.

And, of course, last year's winner came from Racine: Grand Champion in 2008 was the city's own Phillip Prantle, who won in a "moo-off." As you'd expect, we have a video of this championship event!



Our local bovine bellowers will qualify to compete in this year's Moo-la-palooza at the Wisconsin State Fair, a promotion run by the Cousins Submarines sandwich chain. The 2009 Moo Tour will visit Caledonia on Saturday, July 31, and the Racine County Fair on Aug. 1, in search of the best, brightest and most creative moo-ers to compete in Moo-la-palooza.

Moo Master Sean Cundy and the Cousins Moo Team will audition moo-ers on July 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cousins Subs at 5131 Douglas Ave. in Caledonia, and on Aug. 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. in front of the cattle barn at the Racine County Fair. Contestants come dressed in cow outfits, cow hats, and channel their inner moo. There is no cost to enter, and Cousins will donate $1 for every entrant to local 4-H youth groups. The most skillful moo-ers will receive a golden cowbell and the chance to move on to the big competition at State Fair.

The State Fair Moo-la-palooza grand champion receives a $1,000 prize and a year of free subs from Cousins.

“We hope this might be the start of a great tradition,” said Norman Lorentz, owner of the Caledonia Cousins Subs. "4-H does so much for the youth in our state, and Cousins wanted to give something back.”

The Moo-la-palooza competition at the Wisconsin State Fair is on Aug. 15.

For more information on Moo-la-palooza, visit its website or Facebook page.

Kohl votes for Sotomayor, but criticizes process

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, D-WI, voted today, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to approve Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court. While he expressed "no reservations" about Sotomayor, Kohl joined in criticism of the confirmation process itself, where nominees are unwilling to speak openly and "cautiously cloak" their responses "in generalities."

In his prepared statement, Kohl said:

...I am pleased to cast my vote for Judge Sotomayor, an individual whose life story is an inspiration to millions of Americans. A child of immigrants with modest means, Judge Sotomayor has risen by dint of exemplary academic accomplishment and hard work, to the cusp of confirmation to our nation’s highest court.

But Judge Sotomayor is much more than just a story of accomplishment. She has shown herself to be a judge truly worthy of elevation to the Supreme Court. Both on the bench and before this Committee, Judge Sotomayor has proved that she has the necessary character, competence and integrity to serve on the Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor’s distinguished 17-year judicial record demonstrates her commitment to fair and impartial application of the law, and respect for the values which make up our Constitution.

At her hearing, Judge Sotomayor assured us that she will listen with an open mind to all sides of an argument and that she will be mindful of the very real impact her decisions will have on each and every American. She pledged fidelity to the Constitution and to the Court’s precedent, as well as a responsibility to cautiously review precedent when justice requires.

As we conclude our Committee’s action on Judge Sotomayor’s nomination, we need to reflect upon the role that confirmation hearings play in the Senate’s duty to “advise and consent.” While I have no reservations about my support for Judge Sotomayor, I share the concerns expressed by many Americans, legal commentators and others about our Committee’s ability to have candid and substantive conversations with nominees about the issues Americans care about.

We all know that the confirmation process is crucial – it is the public’s only opportunity to learn about a nominee before he or she serves for life on the highest court in our land. But, for many years we have seen a familiar pattern from nominees – Democratic and Republican alike – who have learned that the path of least resistance is to limit their responses and cautiously cloak them in generalities.

Understandably, nominees don’t want to risk their confirmation by saying anything that might provoke potential opponents. And we cannot ask nominees to disclose how they would vote on cases that might come before them. But it is reasonable for us to ask them to speak more openly about past Supreme Court decisions and how they would decide cases that are close calls -- what reasoning they would use and what factors they would consider.

The concerns I raise do not reflect any personal criticism about Judge Sotomayor. I think she responded to our questions with great intellect and sincerity, and that she has rightly earned bipartisan praise.

However, going forward, Mr. Chairman, I hope that together our Committee can explore ways to achieve the greater candor that the confirmation process demands and the American people deserve. For example, we could convene a bipartisan group of committee members, members of the bar, constitutional scholars, and perhaps members of the media who have experience following the court and our hearings to help us determine what specific questions we can and should expect substantive answers about. If we can do this, then the Committee’s unique opportunity to engage nominees in the great legal questions facing our nation will more effectively fulfill the Senate’s constitutional duty.

In the meantime, I commend President Obama for nominating Judge Sotomayor – a woman of great ability who has demonstrated an enduring commitment to public service and to the law. I look forward to her tenure on the Court.

Good things in the past year ...

A local business wrote us this morning asking for "good things" that have happened in Racine and Racine County in the past year. Here's the list I sent her back off the top of my head ...

1. Lots of great local events like the volleyball tournament, triathlon, Hot Rod Power Tour, Great Lakes Beer Fest bringing people into the community.
2. Farmer's markets, urban garden at Park High, and creation of "Eat Right Racine" and "Neighborhood Walk" programs
3. Horlick High basketball making the state finals.
4. Fourth of July parade and Post Prom's continued success
5. MitchellMcKinley Middle School kids win national documentary film awards
6. Relay for Life
7. E3 jobs program for young adults interested in green jobs
8. Work on expanding I-94 started
9. REC Center on the Root River in Racine.
10. North Beach wins national beach award - again.

There's lots more to add ... post them in the comments!

Volunteers to build city's first special-needs-accessible playground

An overhead view of the Lockwood Park playground that will be built Aug. 15.

UPDATE: Have some time this weekend? Help build the new Lockwood Park playground. Work starts on Saturday at 8 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. It'll start up again on Sunday at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and protective eyewear. Drinks will be provided both days and lunch will be provided on Saturday.

Questions? Contact Alderman Aron Wisneski at: aron.wisneski@cityofracine.org


ORIGINAL POST: The city's first playground designed for children with special needs will be built in Lockwood Park in August.

The new playground will include wheelchair-accessible ramps to playsets for toddlers and older children. It will also have a poured-in-place rubberized surface that's both soft and firm. The blue surface will be poured after the playground is built and will provide a padded landing in case children fall, but also a firm surface for wheelchairs to cross.

Alderman Aron Wisneski has worked on getting the playground for over a year. He and his wife are now recruiting volunteers to help build the playground on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Wisneski said the playground is accessible to all people. For example, elderly or disabled residents who may be wary about six or seven steps to reach a playset with their grandchildren will be able to walk up the ramps. The same goes for the rubberized surface. Most playground use wood chips or sand as a base, which is nearly impossible for someone in a wheelchair to cross.

"It's more accessible for everyone," Wisneski said.

The City Council agreed to spend $63,230 on the playground, which came with a matching grant from the equipment manufacturer.

The Kiwanis Club of West Racine recently donated $360.75 to the city to purchase a "Zero-G chair" (a hanging swing with harnesses) for the new playground. The Finance and Personnel Committee approved the donation Monday night.

If you're interested in volunteering to build the new Lockwood Park playground, contact Alderman Aron Wisneski at: aron.wisneski@cityofracine.org

Restaurant planned at former nightclub 'The Bank' in Uptown

Gerald Bester plans to open a new restaurant in Uptown. "Gerald's" will be located at
1501 Washington Ave., the former home of "The Bank" nightclub.

The former nightclub "The Bank" in Racine's Uptown is ready for its next act.

Gerald Bester, of Milwaukee, is preparing to open a restaurant in the space that was once home to the controversial nightclub. Bester is planning to buy the building at 1501 Washington Ave. and turn it into "Gerald's," a restaurant he described as "upscale that's a step below elegant dining and two or three steps above fast food." The restaurant has a smokehouse theme and will serve a variety of specialty items, Bester said.

His plans took an important step forward Monday night. The City Council's Public Safety and Licensing Committee agreed to give Bester an alcohol license as soon as he adds a kitchen capable of serving 150 people in the building.

The committee grilled Bester on his plans, but a strong business plan and an endorsement from the Uptown Business Association won over the aldermen. They unanimously backed Bester's restaurant.

Bester said he plans to build the kitchen toward the end of October. Contractors and plans are lined up for the job, which will actually complete a kitchen started when a restaurant/bar called the "The Vault" was in business about five years ago.

Bester, of Milwaukee, hopes to open "Gerald's" in spring 2010. He has experience running businesses. He now owns a trucking company, which he plans to sell to open the restaurant, and is the former owner of "The Comedy Spot," a comedy club in Milwaukee.

He'll also have some help. Karl Kopp, the owner of Kopp's Frozen Custards in the Milwaukee area, will serve as a mentor. "He's agreed to help in every aspect of the business," Bester said.

The distinctive building at 1501 Washington Ave. (right) is a former bank that was converted into a nightclub in 2000. The interior is beautifully designed with a second-story balcony overlooking the floor.

The building has sat vacant for the last five years after "The Vault," a bar/restaurant that replaced "The Bank" nightclub shut down. "The Bank" was open from 2000 to 2003.

Current owner Linnea Anthony said several people looked at the building, but none were a good fit. "It's been waiting for Gerald," she said.

Richard Kemper, a dentist who lives a few buildings down from the proposed restaurant, spoke in favor of Bester receiving a liquor license as long as he puts in a full kitchen and treats the space more as a restaurant than a bar or nightclub. Kemper, speaking on behalf of the Uptown Business Association, said he was "cautiously optimistic" about Bester's proposal.

"We look forward to 2010," he said.

While the committee backed Bester, they made it near impossible for him to open just a bar at 1501 Washington Ave. Along with a finished kitchen, the committee required Bester to give them a menu, set hours of operation and come back to the committee if he makes any significant changes to his restaurant business plan at any time.

Bester agreed to the changes and the committee gave him the go ahead for a liquor license. The full City Council will vote on the license next week.

Judging begins as County Fair nears

Lauren Woelbing, 15, of the Raymond 4-H Club, won
a variety of ribbons from Judge Eileen Mirsberger

The Racine County Fair doesn't open until 8 a.m. Wednesday, but there's plenty of activity already under way at the Fairgrounds in Union Grove on Highway 11. Set-up, of course, but also the judging of numerous 4-H projects.

The "official" opening of the Fair is noon Wednesday, but that's preceded by Junior horse and dairy judging, and the antique tractor pull. Don't take our word for it: there's excitement every day: livestock and produce judging, truck and tractor pulls, motorcross jumpoff, antique tractor parade, bands and singers, the crowning of the Fairest of the Fair and country singer Sara Evans on Saturday night.

Complete Fair schedule is here. The Fair continues through Sunday.

One bit of advice: When it comes to that great County Fair food, pace yourselves.

Here are some more pictures of the early 4-H judging, taken for us Monday by Linda Peterson.

Carson Bunker, 10, won a 2nd place ribbon from Judge Charlie Reich

Charlie Reich, who's been a judge for seven years, said, "It's great to see so many young people carrying on the fine woodworking tradition. A lot of credit goes to parents for their encouragement, and to instructors Dale Helgerson, George Henderson, and others. I look forward to judging every year...it's the best job I've ever had."

Kathy Braun judged Open Class photos in front of avid photographers

First-year woodworker Alex Westman, 10, won a blue ribbon

Lindsay Woelbing's baskets earned blue and red ribbons.
She's 18, and has been a Raymond 4-H member for nine years.

Cloverbud Morgan McNamara, 7, talks with Junior 4-H judge Marissa Meinke

A perennial exhibitor, Paisley lawn furniture, is in its usual location.

Kelly Pum, 4, waits cheerfully while her brother's project is judged

New youth tennis tournament this weekend at The Prairie School

The Prairie School will host a new youth tennis tournament this week for boys and girls between 10 and 18 years old.

The Racine Area Tennis Tournament, or RATT (hence the logo), starts Wednesday and runs through Friday. The entry fee is $10 and guarantees two matches.

Divisions are 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under and 18 and under.

Click here to download the entry form. Email Nich Schaefer at nschafer@prairieschool.com or call Denis Navratil at 752-1451 for additional information.

RCEDC helps local manufacturing company expand

The Racine County Economic Development Corporation put out some good news today about a Racine business. Nelson Bros & Strom Co. at 1620 Racine St. expanded its operation with a low-interest loan. Here's the release from RCEDC:

Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC), in partnership with M&I Bank, has assisted Nelson Bros & Strom Co., Inc. in purchasing a new CNC machine for their business located at 1620 Racine Street, in Racine, WI. In an effort to assist a seasoned manufacturing company to become more competitive in the market, while also creating new jobs for the City of Racine, RCEDC’s business finance division, Business Lending Partners, offered Nelson Bros & Strom a loan with a 2.44% interest rate to be used towards the purchase of the new equipment.

In June 2009, Nelson Bros & Strom was seeking to expand their business and was contemplating the purchase of a new 5-axis vertical CNC machining center that would increase their customer base and improve production efficiencies. When the Company found out about the City of Racine’s low interest rate financing program administered by Business Lending Partners, they decided it was the right time to acquire the machine.

Mayor Dickert, a strong supporter of the loan program, stated “The City’s low interest rate programs are a great way for local companies to become more competitive in the market place, improving their cash flow and helping them to expand.” The low down payment requirement of the program allowed Nelson Bros & Strom to free up capital for other working capital purposes while the reduced interest rate lowered their monthly payments. Nelson Bros & Strom hopes that being one of the only manufacturing companies in Racine with the technology offered by their new CNC machine will help set them apart from their competitors. The City of Racine stands to benefit from this project as well.

Dickert was quoted as saying, “The City of Racine will benefit from the opportunity to create new manufacturing jobs for a community suffering from an unemployment rate of over 16%, the 2nd highest rate in the State of Wisconsin."

The interest rates on small business loans currently offered by RCEDC have been reduced from 4% to as low as 2% to help stimulate business growth throughout not only the City of Racine, but the rest of Racine County as well. Individuals and Companies seeking to start or expand a business are encouraged to contact Business Lending Partners, a division of RCEDC, for low rate financing options.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Engel of Business Lending Partners at (262) 898-7420, or visit our website at www.businesslendingpartners.org.

Health care forum invigorates debate on need for reform

Community leaders made a forceful argument Sunday for the need to overhaul our nation's health care system to reduce costs and expand coverage. A series of speakers invited to Community for Change's "Community Conversation on Health Care" laid out the toll the current system is having on people, businesses and local governments, with several experts concluding change is needed.

Barb Tylenda, executive director of the Health Care Network of Racine County, gave a forceful speech about the need to expand health care coverage to all people. Tylenda was hired about 20 years ago to run the non-profit, but was only promised a job for three years because organizers said health care reform was inevitable. Two decades later Tylenda is still running an organization that is needed more today than at any time in its history.

"In 1987, the (health care system) was unacceptable," Tylenda said. "Today it is not unacceptable, it's unsustainable."

While the forum coincided with Obama's effort to reform the U.S. health care system (an effort that presidents have tried and failed at for 100 years), the most poignant debate among speakers centered on a "single-payer" system that would remove health insurance companies from the process and put the federal government in charge of paying for health care for everyone.

Paulette Garin, who ran for Congress in 2008, said a 6.6 percent payroll tax (essentially 6.5 percent of your pay would go to health insurance) would cover the cost of a national system that guaranteed every American top-of-the-line health care. She said the current system is broke because insurance companies place "profits over patients." The result are 46 million uninsured Americans who are locked out of the health care system.

Garin's line, "Health care is a human right," drew applause from the crowd and a shout of, "I am not a statistic." She described the fight for health care reform as the "civil rights movement" of our time.

"It's the fight of our lives because our lives depend on it," Garin said.

Dr. Kenneth Kurt, of Racine, rebutted Garin by saying 70-80 percent of Americans have adequate health care (though the safe number is closer to 65 percent), while those who don't have care cost the system "a tremendous amount of dollars."

"They're not the healthiest group of people in our country," Kurt said.

However, he didn't dismiss the idea of a single-payer system.

"We need to look at single-payer, but we need to look carefully at who is going to pay the bills," Kurt said, drawing applause.

Alderman Greg Helding (above) discussed the potential impact of health care reform on the local level. Helding estimated 20 percent of the city's budget pays for employees' health care. Switching to a single-payer system that charges an 8 percent payroll tax would save the city millions of dollars it could use for additional street maintenance and city services, like police.

This year alone the city is expecting an 11 percent increase in its health care costs, Helding said. Over time health care costs could grow to 10 times the amount of the city's property tax levy, a number that is simply unsustainable, he said.

"(Health care) costs us a lot of money and it's increasing rapidly," Helding said.

Rep. Cory Mason echoed Helding's speech on the state and national levels. He said 16 percent of every dollar is spent on health care - a number that far exceeds European countries' rate of 8-10 percent. Worse, the U.S. system provides worse coverage than other industrialized countries.

Mason said part of the problem is we have a "sick care system" that only responds when people are ill. Preventative care is often uncovered and too expensive, Mason said.

Racine gets it particularly bad because it has some of the highest health care rates in the country, but still deals with thousands of people without health insurance every year.

"We have to do better," Mason said.

Kelly Gallaher (above), of Community for Change, moderated the speakers during the forum. She opened the speeches by briefly discussing the organization's path to the forum. Community for Change was formed from volunteers who worked for President Obama's campaign, but is now working to become a non-partisan community organizer that connects groups around important issues, she said.

The health care forum gathered together 50 local businesses and organizations, 14 speakers, a 12-member community panel and three short documentaries made by local filmmakers.


Several hundred people (I'd guess 300, but no one had an accurate count) attended Community for Change's Community Conversation on Health Care Reform at the Masonic Center in Racine. Attendees listened to speakers and walked through an exhibit hall.

Designed as an opportunity to open dialogue about the leading issue of the day (Congress is debating an overhaul of the health care system), the forum's strongest messages came from a series of speeches delivered by local experts on health care and politics.

Sarah Clemmons (above), of the Racine Health Department, was on the list of scheduled speakers, among at least 16 in the afternoon. They included:

Bruce Joffe, LGBT Center; Jack Waters, Kenosha Community Health Center; Paulette Garin, Progressive Democrats of America; Nina Frank, ADRC; Steve Drenning, Transition Living Services; Sister Brenda Walsh, Siena Center; Maggie Bruhner, Lakeview Pharmacy; Mary Wilson, NAMI; Linda Stengel, Partners in Health; Art Shattuck, Roots and Legends; Betty Williams, Racine County Birth to 3 program; Jeff Van Koningsveld, IBEW; Greg Helding, Racine City Council; and Sarah Clemmons, Racine Health Department.

Featured speakers included: Ron Thomas, United Way; state Rep. Cory Mason; Barb Tylenda, Health Care Network; and Pastor Melvin Hargrove, Zoe Outreach Ministries.

RacinePost sat on the community panel along with County Executive Bill McReynolds, Mason, four aldermen, union leaders and others.

A small farmer's market was available outside of the Masonic Center. Fresh veggies and eggs were for sale.

Overhead view of the exhibitor's hall.

More from the exhibitor's hall ...

and more.

A patriotic finish to Quilts on Barns project

Kathi Wilson with barn-hung quilt on Hwy 45

Racine's combination quilting bee and barn raising came to an end today, with the hanging of the final three "barn quilts" in Kathi Wilson and the Racine Arts Council's Quilts on Barns project.

Money ran out this year, cutting the project short; it ends with 26 quilted barns -- mostly working barns, some over 100 years old, each decorated with a different 8'x8' painted quilt block. It was somewhat bittersweet this morning, under sunshine and a beautiful blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds as the last three quilts were hung by a volunteer crew. As the last screwhead was daubed with touch-up paint, Wilson described her emotions as "happy, joyful, excited and overwhelmed."

Looking over at the last quilt, in the very patriotic Four Flags pattern near the top of Robert and Judy Grove's 1902 red barn in Caledonia, she stated the obvious: "That looks gorgeous up there." And so it did. And then she and Pat Levine of the Arts Council broke out the champagne.

But let's start at the beginning this morning.

Before 8:30 a.m., the crew arrived at the Yorkville farm of Marge Demuth, who with her husband, Bob, raised six children on their farm. Well, let me put it the way Marge put it: "We raised sheep for 35 years, and the sheep helped us raise the children."

The farm now is down to 10 acres, but in its heyday it was over-run with those sheep, for 4-H projects, and goats, ponies, what-have-you. In the "old days," it was a dairy farm, and the original horse stalls and cattle stanchions are still in evidence.

Marge put out a picture, right, of the barn-raising from 1900 or 1902 -- who can remember back that far? -- and said she's "very interested in preserving barns."

The basic structure of her barn is sound -- although it was shifted slightly on its two-ft. thick stone foundation some thirty years ago, when a tornado ripped through the county, destroying five barns less than a mile away.

Here's the first half of the quilt, being hoisted into place

And now, ready for its closeup: Cornucopia on Plank Road

The barn, located at 19030 Plank Road (Route A near Hwy 45) is now decorated with a square from the quilt pattern Cornucopia. Sponsor was Karen and Bill Boyd; painters were the Quad Quilters.

Jerry Seitz, Al Barry and David Wilson decide how
to hang second quilt. Not pictured is crew member Jan Rolland

This morning's second barn, belonging to Keith and Beth Jacobson, dates from 1850, and has been in Keith's family since 1872. His grandparents farmed the homestead "next door," and Keith's parents bought this farm back in 1948. "Keith has always had animals," Beth said. For many years, while raising their five children, they ran the operation as a dairy farm, getting out of that in 1997. Now they just raise steers, "for our own use and for friends."

"Milk prices are terrible now," Keith says. "Back then, our costs were $12 a hundredweight just to break even; they've probably doubled by now, but the price being paid is only $11 a hundredweight." And with a dairy operation, he says, "you can't turn it off when prices are low, and then turn it back on."

"Farmers are eternal optimists," he said. "That's why we're Packers fans; gonna win the Super Bowl next year..."

Balloons in remembrance of Patsy Bushey frame Sawtooth 16

The quilt-hanging at the Jacobson's barn was a party celebrating the life of Patsy Bushey, who died in 2006 from complications during chemotherapy. Her friends and family -- including daughter Sue Fliess and daughter-in-law Chris Bushey -- brought colorful balloons to the quilt-hanging and remembered the many quilts Patsy Bushey had made for members of her family. Watching the block from Sawtooth 16 Patch go up, they recalled that Patsy had made that very quilt, although in a different color scheme. "It's perfect," Sue said.

Patsy Bushey's family and friends sponsored and painted the quilt square. The Jacobson barn is located at 5200 Raynor Ave. (Hwy 45).

Judy Grove takes one of many pictures at the quilt hanging

The final barn of the morning, and the project, belongs to a full-time farmer, Robert Grove and his wife Judy. They have 65 acres of their own, but Robert farms 1,000 acres in all -- raising corn, wheat, soybeans, alfalfa and so on. In fact, when the quilt crew arrived at their farm, Robert was nowhere to be found. His wife explained: "He's on 'farmer time,' which is always a half-hour late. Robert was off haying; "Got to cut it today if I'm going to bale it Tuesday," he said when he arrived.

The couple raises almost all the food they eat, starting with 25 beef steers and a big garden. "I can and freeze," said Judy. "When we sit down to a meal, it's very satisfying to look around the table and say, 'this we raised...and this....and this..." Some of the steers came out to warily watch the quilt hanging.

Robert Grove signs the back of his quilt panel

The farm has been in Grove's family since 1952, and they've raised two children there. The quilt pattern is Four Flags, and was chosen by Robert after the couple spent many hours on the internet searching for a pattern they both liked. But there's no question about who made the decision. On the back of the quilt square -- written in black marker that won't be seen for many, many years -- is a note written by Judy: "Bob wanted this one," it says. "Just for you, honey."

"I guess I just felt patriotic," he said, noting his service as a county supervisor for the past six years.

Four Flags quilt patch in Caledonia

The Groves' barn is located at 8024 Nicholson Road, just off 7-Mile in Caledonia. They sponsored the quilt block, which was painted by members of the Caledonia Conservancy.

Click here to view all our stories about the Quilts on Barns project.

Kathi Wilson and Pat Levine of the Arts Council break out the champagne