Dickert: 10-year plan will be incorporated into city budget

We sat down with Mayor John Dickert last week to hear his thoughts on how the first few months on the job are going. Here's a breakdown of the conversation:

On his 10-year plan: "We're going to incorporate it into the budget," said Dickert, who described a new budget process he hopes will focus on priorities such as improving the city's housing stock and improving its parks system.

"Instead of waiting for people to create budgets, we're meeting with them beforehand," said Dickert, who described his budget criteria with a question: "Is it working?"

If it is, Dickert said, it should be supported. If it isn't, it should be cut. All of the decisions should be made "looking long-range," said Dickert, as opposed to making short-term decisions.

"What I talked about in the campaign is what I'm doing," Dickert said.

During the campaign, Dickert said he had a "10-year plan" to make Racine a "Top 10" city.

On stimulus money for three new police officers: Dickert said it would be "irresponsible" to accept federal stimulus to hire three new police officers if there's no long-term plan to maintain the positions.

At issue is $813,000 in stimulus the city received to hire three police officers for three years. The problem is there is no money to cover the fourth year, but a requirement that the city keep those positions filled. Under federal law, the fourth year will cost the city a one-time payment of $250,000 if it accepts the stimulus money. In the fifth year the positions can be eliminated, if needed.

Dickert said staff is reviewing its short and long-term budgets to see if the city can afford the officers. He added the he called the Obama administration to ask them to "loosen the strings" on the stimulus money. "If they can loosen the strings a little bit, we can get the cops on the street," he said.

When asked why the city doesn't just take the money, hire the officers and worry about keeping the positions in three years, Dickert said that was "bad government."

"It makes sense if I was worried about getting re-elected," he said. "But I have to make the best long-term decision for the city."

On city parks: Dickert pointed to Alderman Aron Wisneski's efforts in Lockwood Park as a positive example of someone stepping forward to improve a city park. "He's making his park incredible," Dickert said. "Why aren't they always like that?"

He said the 10-year plan would include figuring out where the city should locate its parks and what services should be there. Should the city build splash pads for kids? How about a public pool?

In most cases, Dickert said he envisioned a public-private partnership, like the one used to build Kids Cove on North Beach, to make improvements.

On hiring a new public health administrator: Dickert met with a search firm last week to begin searching for Janelle Grammer's replacement. The city is also reviewing the entire department and considering if it's possible to consolidate services or make other changes, he said.

On the city's housing programs: Dickert hopes to get aggressive at revamping homes in the city. "I don't want to do two or three homes per year," he said. "We want to do 20 to 30 homes per year."

To get there, Dickert said he wants to study all of the housing programs in the city for "effectiveness and efficiency."

"We want to boost successes and move away from failures," Dickert said.

He said he also planned to re-evaluate city ordinances to take on landlords who are doing a poor job maintaining their properties.

On Tom Friedel as administrator: "He's exceeded expectations." On Friedel's first day he gave Dickert an update on the search for a new public health administrator and worked on several other local issues. "With any other new administrator I would have been driving them around and saying, 'This is Downtown,' this is 'Uptown,'" Dickert said.

Dickert defended Friedel's six-year contract, which is unusual among city, village and town administrators in Wisconsin. He said the city needed "consistency and uniformity" in the coming years, especially with another mayoral election coming up in 2011. Locking in the administrator through 2015 was one to stabilize local government, Dickert said.

"This way we're not recreating the government wheel," he said.

On his new job: "It's overwhelming. I never realized how deep it would go. I love it."

As proof, the new mayor said his blood pressure, checked recently, was 106/52. The nurse said that meant he had a stress-free job. "I told her I had the best job on the planet," Dickert said.

Starving Artists pick a few of their favorite things...

The Starving Artist Fair Sunday presented the usual challenge: navigating among the 100+ artists, and then trying to choose just one piece from each of those whose craftsmanship caught your fancy. As in past years, it was difficult, if not impossible.

So we tried to turn the tables a bit, stopping at booths that caught our fancy and asking the artists to tell us what their favorite piece was. Here are some of their selections. (It wasn't easy for them, either!)

Sisters Suzanne Seymour and Wendy Scully of Wauwatosa
quickly chose their toothy terra cotta dragon, $125.

Jim Ziccarelli of Adams Friendship, and his copper garden sprinkler,
$145. 'My father made me one and I immediately saw the potential.'
A machinist for 21 years, he's been making these for 11 years.

Mary Spencer of Oak Creek, career services director at MSOE,
picked African Pride, her fused glass mosaic, $250.

Thomas Zovar of Greenfield, a designer (and songwriter), airbrushes on granite
-- and uses a 'top secret' computer method to print words on stone. $75

Ron Strickland of Florida displayed this $600 stained glass guitar
(and said he didn't know of Starving Artist's $250 price limit until too late.)

Staci Schemm of Milwaukee chose this piece 'because it's different
from what I've been doing.' It's decoupage on canvas and cost $48.

Suzanne Lebermann with one of her glass bead designs, $125

Deborah Lofgren of Madison chose her ocean jasper necklace, $85 with earrings

Larry Jameson of Union Grove with a turned bowl

of Russian olive burl, $170. A Case retiree, he's on his 'second career.'

David Gaura of Franksville picked his spoon sisters, $49

Jason Krukowski of Milwaukee is an illustrator, 'an artist
day and night, night and day.' His acrylic on wood portrait was $200.

Vivian Baumgartner of Campbellsport trained as a painter but showed
photographs from Italy, including this of Positano from the Sea, $125.

Paul Dettmann of Waterford chose his 'curves and ball'
garden sculpture, made from 14 gauge steel, $250.

Raiders suck life from Soul in 51-19 victory

The Gateway (MO) Soul (5-3) fought to their last gasping breath, but it wasn't nearly enough Saturday night at Historic Horlick Field against the powerhouse Racine Raiders (5-0). The Raiders beat the Soul 51-19 in front of about 800 fans.

Wide receiver Charles Owens (Eastern Illinois University) is used to being on the big stage. In 2007, as a member of the Kane County Eagles, he received the Most Valuable Player award for his efforts in the National Championship game. Saturday night, Owens showed some of the same explosiveness he did nearly two years ago. He returned punts 45 and 70 yards for touchdowns and caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from newcomer Brett Hall (Temple University).

Running back Bryan Jennings, Jr. (Vermillion Community College), the leading rusher and scorer in the North American Football League entering this week, added 67 yards rushing and a touchdown. The passing game also finally began to click as quarterbacks Ron Ricciardi (Florida State University) and Hall combined to pass for 200 yards and four touchdowns, two of which were caught by wide receiver Sam D'Alie (Racine Horlick).

The defense continued to excel, allowing just one touchdown and holding the Soul to 106 total yards in the game. The Soul completed just 8 of 29 passes. Linebacker James Cichon (Carthage College) intercepted two passes, returning one 62 yards, setting up a Raiders touchdown.

The Raiders host the River City Rough Riders (0-6) at Historic Horlick Field next Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for children. Tickets can be purchased at Horlick Field beginning at 5:30 p.m. on gamedays.

County Fair 'could not ask for more' from Sara Evans

Country star Sara Evans used a mix of new songs and old hits to entertain the Racine County Fair on Saturday night. The popular singer and her band (which included her sister and brother) played for about 80 minutes to a decent crowd at the grandstand.

Evans is releasing her sixth album later this year and she drew on the new material for about half of the concert. Among her new songs was "Feels Just Like A Love Song," which was released July 20 on country radio. She also opened the concert with a new song called "Desperately" and later added "Anywhere," which is about throwing away maps and loving someone wherever you are.

But it was the old hits that brought the crowd to its feet. Evans gave a raucous performance of her No. 1 single, "Suds in the Bucket" (she had a group of young girls singing the words on the way out of the concert) and then later showed off her soaring voice in the ballad, "I Could Not Ask For More." She also sang her standard hits "Born to Fly," "Perfect" and "A Real Fine Place to Start."

As a treat to the live audience, Evans sang a stunning cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" along with her sister, Ashley Evans, who works as a back-up singer for her older sibling. The classic started a capella and turned into a borderline rocker. There was no borderline with the closing tune. Evans and her six-member band rocked out to Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me," which was a real crowd-pleaser.

All together it was a great night for Evans and the County Fair. It's clear Evans is ready to rejoin the limelight after a messy divorce (she remarried last year), and the fair got a great performance from a bonafide country star.

Here's some photos from grandstand seats:

Sara and Ashley Evans singing "Jolene."

The light show with the evening countryside in the background.

More of the light show

Evans' bus was parked prominently near the stage. Her tour was sponsored
by ABC Daytime and the Soap network.

Racine County Idol Danyelle Vyvyan opened for Evans.

The Fair Royalty was on stage before the Sara Evans' concert.

Before the Evans' concert, I took a few pictures around the fair ...

This vendor was playing, "As Time Goes By," on the pan flute.

While my wife was eyeing this ride ...

I was queasy just watching this one roll around in circles.

We walked through the horse barn before the concert. So many beautiful animals ...
what incredible work by the kids who show at the fair.

And if you have no idea who Sara Evans is, here's the video for one of her biggest hits:

46 Norwegians descend on Racine for a birthday party

Ola Hirth at his birthday party Saturday at DeKoven's Taylor Hall

Racine's Norwegian population took a big jump this weekend, as 46 of Ola Hirth's relatives descended on the city to celebrate his 85th birthday.

Hirth,who founded Ola Hirth Painting and Decorating, was holding court at Taylor Hall, presiding over a celebration that included two of his sisters, one brother -- and their families. This is the first visit to the U.S. for many of them, and it is serving double duty, as a birthday party and family reunion. Ola rented a bus to pick up sixteen of them who flew into Milwaukee together.

The first thing you notice about Ola is that he's a "young" 85. In fact, this is the first year -- in 80 -- that he hasn't been on skis (the result of having broken his arm in a freak carwash accident; don't ask.) Ola came to the U.S. in the 1950s, after his two best friends in Norway moved to Seattle. He tried Chicago, California, Racine and Seattle -- in that order -- and then settled permanently in Racine.

The city then had a burgeoning Norwegian population, and a big Norwegian Club, Wergland Hall on State Street, where the bus depot is now. "It also had a big ski club," he says, "where you met a lot of nice people." This was not cross-country skiing either; nor just downhill. Rather, ski-jumping.

At 85 -- he was born Aug. 9, 1924 -- Ola is now the oldest of his six siblings. The family was close-knit, he says; "we had to make our own fun." His oldest brother died a few years ago, but he has two brothers and two sisters living in Norway. All but one brother is now here for the reunion. This is not their first family reunion -- there have been at least five previous ones, but this is the first in the U.S. Ola and his daughter, Kari Farrington, and sons Jim Hirth and Darren Hirth, and their families, live here in Racine.

Kari sent us the following update Sunday, after the birthday party ended:

"After you left we continued with the party by singing a couple of songs and my Dad's youngest brother, Arne, said a few words and presented my mother and father with some handmade wooden gifts. Then, from his twin nephews and their sister, they presented him with a vest and some handmade Norwegian mittens and socks (the best things to keep you warm in the winter).

"The rest of the night was for socializing, dancing and drinking. The party finally came to an end at 4 a.m. (my dad did not last that long but made it until around 1 a.m.) My dad did have a cute song that he sang that I played my violin along with, called, "Ola, they all called me Ola." It was about a hobo, so he wore an old hat and flannel shirt while he sang. It was quite funny."

She also sent us this picture, of all the partygoers outside Taylor Hall as the birthday festivities began.

Chair-i-ties: Art with a message you can sit on

Cody Denneau showed off Lattitude (and his colorful Mohawk!)

Every chair, every rainbarrel, every ... um, toilet-converted-into-garden-mosaic told a story at the Chair-i-ties auction Saturday.

Take, for instance, Shaniece Kelley's mosaic, Tea Time. "My inspiration was the teacup because it is such a beautiful item. With a teacup, you can do anything with it, like execute a floral design or a heart pattern...I used broken bowls and plates in various colors to fit my design. I also used a teakettle on the top of the toilet to add an additional creative touch..."

Got that? "...a teakettle on the top of the toilet..."

Shaniece is 14, a graduate of San Juan Diego Middle School who will be attending Case High School. What she also learned is this: "I found that anything you set your mind to do, you can pull it off."

Or Sitting Pretty, right, a chair painted by Alissa Casteneda and Arielle Exner, who said, "We both wanted to do the chair, so we decided to work together."

And that is what the Main Gallery's summer art program is all about: teaching kids that if they work together they can do anything. This summer, 40 youngsters participated in the six-week program: researching art and the environment, repainting the flag-motif banners hung downtown, and finally transforming their found-object chairs, rainbarrels and discarded toilets into art befitting this year's theme, "Green Racine."

The auction of the 34 pieces sold today brought in $4,515, and the accompanying silent auction of matted and framed photography and live plants from the Racine Urban Garden Network brought in $687.

Some of this year's best-sellers were:

• "What Kitties Do Best," a kids' toy chest with cushion painted by Katie Wright. The chest itself was found by the artist's mother, thrown out as garbage. It fetched $275.
• "Poe-Tree of Life," a collaborative poetry/photo rain barrel, brought $225. Kids from photo group made collages of tree bark photos to create the image of a tree on the side of the barrel. Paint was also used and original poetry written by the youth is hand-painted on the barrel. Local poet and Volunteer Sandy Christiansen took several of the youth to the REC center along the Root River and they wrote short poems inspired by our waterways.
• "Make Art not War," a chair painted by Alissa Castaneda, sold for $200.
  

Artists who led the youths during the program were Denise Zingg, photography; Toby Priolette, multimedia; Dave Castaneda, furniture painting; and Jane Cascio, mosaic.

Main Gallery is sponsored by the City of Racine, Parks and Recreation Department and the Racine Arts Council. The program costs about $50,000 each year, with most of that paid to the participating youth, who work 18 hours a week for six weeks for minimum wage. Auctioneer Saturday was Dave Castenada, with MC help from Jason Mars, recreation supervisor at the Humble Park Community Center who oversees the program, and Jessika Mikol, executive director of the Racine Arts Council.

Mars and Castenada presented a plaque and painted chair to Lois Solberg, who now heads Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store and who is a long-time supporter of the arts in Racine (and an enthusiastic bidder.) Solberg noted that youth in the program keep a journal of what they're doing and what they've learned each day. "It's 'waterworks' when you read them," she said.

Monument Square was filled with bidders...

Chuck Tyler, former head of Parks and Rec, who helped start
the Main Gallery in 1995. That's Hannah Gudbauer's In the Key of P.

What Kitties Do Best, by Katie Wright

Make Art Not War by Alissa Castaneda

Serenity by Ali Sabrine, with its new owner, Jose Palacios

Cheer Up by Veronica Cameron gets a hand

Tea Time by Shaniece Kelley was a handful

Arts Council director Jessika Mikol framed by Serenity

Dave Castaneda and Jason Mars honor Lois Solberg

Signing up for RUGN's silent plant auction

Another $2 billion? Ryan says no

"A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money."

-- (attributed to) Everett Dirksen

The U.S. House of Representatives understands the axiom very well, and today voted 316-109 to authorize another $2 billion for the "Cash for Clunkers" program.

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, voted "nay."

In the same House session, lawmakers approved, 237 - 185, limits on executive pay at major corporations, allowing shareholders to vote on executive compensation (although those votes would be non-binding).

Ryan again voted "nay."

Dickert outraised Turner by $30,000 in mayoral election

John Dickert outraised state Rep. Bob Turner by $30,000 in the May 5 special mayoral election, according to campaign finance reports.

John Dickert's campaign contribution report | Bob Turner's campaign contribution report

Dickert raised $66,759 for the mayoral campaign, including $32,244.88 after winning Racine's 11-candidate mayoral primary on April 7.

Turner raised $36,678.26 for the election, including $26,349.26 after the primary.

Both candidates were required by law to file a campaign finance report with the city by July 20. The reports covered candidates' contributions and spending between March 24 and June 30. Dickert won the May 5 election 55-45 percent.

The records reveal Dickert had strong support among local business leaders, including the Johnson family, while state politicians and unions backed Turner.

Turner received $6,685 from state politicians and unions in the weeks leading up to the special election.

Turner received donations from state Reps. Mike Sheridan, Mark Pocan, Pedro Colon, Barbara Toles and Jon Richards. He was also backed by the Teamsters, IBEW and the Racine Education Association.

Dickert received maximum contributions (about $800) from W.H. Pugh, Alan Ruud, Craig Leopold, Helen Johnson-Leipold, Ken Buser (head of Wheaton-Franciscan All Saints) and Charles Johnson (head of the Racine Police and Fire Commission). Fisk Johnson contributed $750 to Dickert's campaign, and Curt Johnson gave $500.

Despite being outraised, Turner was able to draw on previous donations to outspend Dickert by about $2,000 between the primary and special elections. Turner spent $34,856.55 from March 25 to May 1, compared to $32,434.34 for Dickert.

But throughout the entire campaign (including the primary), Dickert outspent Turner by about $17,000. Dickert spent about $57,000 getting elected, compared to about $40,000 for Turner.

The candidates major expenses include:

* Turner paid Craig Oliver about $11,000 in consulting fees. After Oliver was dismissed from the campaign, Joshua Stephany was paid $1,200 in consulting fees.

* Dickert paid Greg Bach $1,000 in consulting fees and WZW Consulting $1,500.

* Dickert paid Mission Control, of Mansfield Center, Conn., about $17,000 to handle lit pieces and postage.

* Turner printed his brochures through Walgreens ($580), Office Depot ($96) and Accurate Printing, in Kenosha, ($5,084). He paid Diamond Laser, of Racine, $4,784 for mailing service.

Odds & Ends

* Only a few aldermen donated to the mayoral campaigns. Alderman Ray DeHahn donated $160 to Dickert and $60 to Turner. Alderman Jeff Coe donated $150 from his campaign fund to Dickert. Alderman Ron Hart gave Turner and Dickert each $100. Alderman Mike Shields gave Turner $25.

* Turner loaned his campaign $5,000 and Dickert loaned his $6,000. Dickert's loans are paid back. Turner's loan is outstanding, but he still has $7,166 in cash on hand to pay himself back.

* Dickert, who's up for re-election in 15 months, has $4,617 cash on hand. He raised $4,933 after the May 5 election.

John Dickert's campaign contribution report | Bob Turner's campaign contribution report

Root Communication given 'Best of Racine' award

Root Communication, Corp. has received the 2009 Best of Racine Award in the Systems Integration Services category from the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

This year's award program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners were determined based on the information gathered both by the USCA and third parties.

Glass through glass: Therman Statom unveils new work in RAM's window gallery

Therman Statom talks with a member of the Racine Art Museum staff Thursday while installing his work, "Outside the Box," in the museum's Windows on Fifth Street gallery.

Therman Statom's art is displayed around the world and he's known as a leading figure in the contemporary-glass movement. But Thursday the 56-year-old artist was thinking about Menard's.

Statom is in Racine this week building his remarkable new installation "Outside the Box" in the Racine Art Museum's "Windows on Fifth Street Gallery." Statom designed and built much of the installation in his Omaha, Neb. gallery, but assembling the final piece in RAM's window was its own creative process. He painted windows, shaped and polished leaves, positioned sculptures and taped neon tubes to walls in preparation for Saturday's unveiling.

"Outside the Box" is the sixth installation in RAM's window gallery. Statom's work replaces Arline Fisch's "Creatures from the Deep," which was installed in 2008.

Statom's installation is a collection of glass sculptures and paintings. The sculptures include a house, ladder and chair - three standard objects Statom works with. Each of the objects comes with layers of meanings, he said. Here's a summary of his work as described with a 1993 sculpture in Los Angeles:

His work incorporates simple forms which, when combined with other shapes, tell a story or establish a theme. Over each form Statom adds a layer of brushed paint, bringing the artist’s hand back into the creative process.

The three major sculptures in the RAM installation are linked together with smaller sculptures, paintings on glass, neon tubes and the hanging leaves.

"It's one big painting, essentially," Statom said of the work.

Statom uses mirrors to bring the viewer, and the surroundings outside of the window, into the installation. He described the mirrors as "temporal."

"It takes what's outside and brings it in," said Statom, who is the first artist to use mirrors in the RAM window gallery.

Statom's glass house sculpture in RAM's window.

Statom and a member of the RAM staff hang a leaf in the window gallery.
The Johnson Bank building is reflected in the gallery's exterior glass.

Statom designed "Outside the Box" in his studio in Omaha, Nebraska. Having lived in Washington, D.C., he moved to Omaha five years ago because it's centrally located in the country.

"People say the coasts are the center of the art world, but the Midwest is a great place to create," he said.

Statom taped out the RAM window space in his studio and created the various pieces over several months. He described using "intuitive treatments" in his work designed to deeply connect with people.

"The decision process doesn't have a linear structure," Statom said. "It's more emotionally based." He added intuitive perception underlies all creativity, be it in fields as diverse as art, education or science.

"So many decisions are intuitive," Statom said. "Even hard sciences come from intuition. This is about that perception."

But while he relies on his intuition, Statom is an expert craftsman with 25 years of formal training and practice at creating art. His works are on display in museums in Paris, Lausanne, Switzerland, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Detroit and San Jose. He also has many sculptures and paintings for sale in galleries around the world.

"It's not subjective where you can do anything you want and justify it," he said about his creative process. "I couldn't just come here and paint everything pink because I like pink."

Instead, Statom described a variety of elements that influenced the final piece being installed at RAM. Natural and artificial lighting, weather, trees the shape of the space, the lake, and people he's met in the city are some of the influences he cited in the RAM installations.

Searching for a word to describe Racine, Statom finally said: "The city is just 'multi.'"

Back in April, Statom taught art classes to 200 elementary students. He said teaching is increasingly important to his career and turned him from an introspective studio artist into someone trying to reach out into communities.

"I consider education art, just like this," Statom said.

Along with the Racine installation, Statom has a new work on display in Orlando. "Stories from a New World" is a 6,000 square-foot collection of glass art based around explorer Ponce de Leon's pursuit of the Fountain of Youth in Florida. Statom said Europeans' migration to America changed the world by giving people an escape from monarchies and a new freedom to live and create.

"It really affected everything," he said.

By comparison, the RAM installation isn't political, Statom said. Instead, he created an abstract piece designed to connect with the viewer on a "primary, intuitive sense that exists in everyone."

"I wanted it to be inviting," he said.

Statom (back left) and members of the Racine Art Museum staff lift the base of Statom's giant chair sculpture into place on Thursday afternoon. The back of the chair still had to be added to the piece.

In person, Statom comes across as a humble, warm man who easily slips between art theory and chatting with museum staff. He's also very trusting. It's RAM staff members who assembled and even placed parts of Statom's work in the windows. While Statom created the larger pieces in his studio, he still had painting and metal polishing to do Thursday.

Executive Director Bruce Pepich played a role in the piece when he allowed Statom to paint on the glass wall that creates a backdrop for the Windows on Fifth Street gallery while separating the interior of the museum from the street traffic. Statom is the first artist to paint on the panels.

"It fits beautifully with the piece," Pepich said.

"Appreciate you allowed me to do it," Statom said. "I didn't expect you to say yes."

Statom and RAM Executive Director Bruce Pepich (right)

The paint in the background is the first time an artist has painted on RAM's glass wall that separates the gallery from Fifth St. The sculpture in front is not Statom's piece.

Statom's piece will change throughout the year. In six months he'll return to Racine to switch in new sculptures and paintings. The space's connection to the outside world - as opposed to a controlled interior museum space - brings a seasonal aspect to the installation, he said.

All together, the installation offers a new way of seeing. With the difficult times, Statom said, the combination of sculpted glass, paint and light offered an abstract glimpse of Racine's future.

"It shows what the city can become," he said.

Statom's glass ladder blends in with reflections in the Fifth Street window.

Local Theater: Over Our Head Players lighten up Eric Bogosian's 'Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll'

The Over Our Head Players' performance of Eric Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll" opens
Friday night at Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth St. in Racine.

When Joe Piirto was set to play Eric Bogosian's signature role in a production of "Talk Radio" at UW-Parkside, he emailed Bogosian himself for advice.

"It's going to be your character," the actor answered. "Make it your own."

That's no small task when it comes to Bogosian. Not only does the actor, now most famous for his role on CSI "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," bring a searing intensity to his roles, he wrote the plays for himself to star in.

But after early success in "Talk Radio" as an actor, Piirto is ready to take on the challenge again. The technical director for the Over Our Head Players at Sixth Street Theatre is directing Bogosian's "Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll" set to debut Friday night. The show is a pared down version of a one-man, 12-act show Bogosian wrote and starred in on Broadway in 1990. It features a series of sketches about life in the underworld of a major city.

Though it's 18 years old, many of the urban issues Bogosian was talking about back then are still relevant today, Piirto said.

"We found a lot of the topics he looks at are still plaguing us today," Piirto said. "We looks at the underbelly of man, especially the American man, from bums on the street to very successful attorneys and mob bosses."

Piirto took a few steps to make te play "his own." First, it's not a one-man show. (Bogosian wrote the original play as a vehicle to demonstrate his acting range, Piirto said.) He cast seven men and woman for a show. Second, it's shorter. Bogosian originally performed 12 sketches and wrote five additional "orphans" that were published along with the script. Piirto narrowed it down to six sketches and four orphans. Third, it should be funnier.

Bogosian is an aggressive, snide actor best known for intense monologues that are darkly funny. Piirto took it as a challenge to retain Bogosian's words, but lighten the mood around them.

"It was hard for me to reconcile with just beating our audience up with this stuff," he said. "... Without changing lines, we had to figure out how to bring the humor out."

"Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll" stars Zach Chacon, Chris Clausen, Joshua Devitt, Nick Hoyt, Daniel Myers, Jay Rattle, Brandy Harrell, and Jesse Silva. Harrell, who performs a monologue offstage, is the only woman in the cast.

Rehearsals have gone well, Piirto said. The cast came from a small audition - only one actor didn't get a part - but drew in talent perfect for the show, he said. Everyone came in with lines memorized on day one, which has given them time to develop characters and work on "audience interaction."

"I'm awed by them," Piirto said. "They carry the audience through a roller coaster ride. Hopefully at the end everyone is entertained and smiling."

Piirto, who moved to Racine when he was 5, described himself as a "minimalist" director who uses simple sets. "Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll" is a plain set with graffiti, from local artists, sprayed on the wall.

"The idea is you're in an alley somewhere in the city," Piirto said. "It speaks to the urban ideas most of the monologues contain."

Piirto graduated with theater degree from UW-Parkside eight years ago and now works as a freelance technical director and set designer for theaters throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson. He is the full-time resident technical director and set designer at the Sixth Street Theatre.

Prior to moving back to Racine, Piirto worked in Florida and in the Seattle area.

Along with Piirto, Matthew Rangel assistant directs and stage manages the show. The production staff includes Jenny Kostreva, Erik Piirto, Claudia Bruce, Bradford Ermel, Hans Michaelis, Taryn Fuhrman, Jerry Horton, and Tom Spraker.

"Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll" opens Friday at 8 p.m. and runs six shows over two weekends. The other dates include: Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.; Aug. 7 and 8, 8 p.m., and Aug. 9, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 on Fridays and Saturdays and $12 on Sundays.

For reservations, call the box office at (262) 632-6802. Sixth Street Theatres is located at 318 Sixth St.




Eric Bogosian in a classic monologue from "Talk Radio."



And one more scene, just for fun ...

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.