Racine Post

Gov. Doyle makes Juneteenth Day a legal holiday

2009-12-01T20:33:00.002-06:00

Gov. Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bill 170, a bill that designates June 19, Juneteenth Day, as a legal holiday.

The governor was joined by Rev. Ronald Myers, national chairman of Juneteenth Day, and Mac Weddle, the executive director of the Northcott House and local president of Juneteenth Day, for the signing at Northcott Neighborhood Center in Milwaukee.

“Milwaukee has long celebrated Juneteenth Day and I am proud that Wisconsin is moving forward to recognize this important holiday across the state,” Doyle said. “Juneteenth Day marks a historic milestone in our nation’s history and celebrates the freedom that unites all Americans.”

Juneteenth Day is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, slaves in Texas first received word that all slaves in the U.S. had been freed by President Lincoln. Milwaukee first celebrated Juneteenth Day in the 1970s.

Feingold rips Obama's Afghan troop surge

2009-12-01T16:55:00.006-06:00

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-WI, who objected to Republican President George Bush's war policies, today took a shot at President Barack Obama's.

At a news conference on Capitol Hill this afternoon, Feingold rejected the president's plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Obama is scheduled to announce his plans tonight, during a televised prime-time address.

"This is a mistake, to move in the direction of a huge troop build-up," Feingold said. Obama "is doing what he thinks is right. We just disagree."

Audio of Feingold's remarks is here.

Feingold was relatively mild; after all, he and Obama are both Democrats. And he gave the president the benefit of the doubt: "Anything I say would be tempered by giving the president an opportunity to actually explain how what I'm hearing about this plan would actually hold together."

But: "I continue to question the wisdom of sending thousands of more troops into Afghanistan."

Feingold said the U.S.'s goal in the region "...continues to be dealing with Al Qaeda, not nation-building in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda is not primarily based in Afghanistan any more." Furthermore, he said, more troops in Afghanistan would further de-stabilize Pakistan.

He also said he agrees with a troop removal time-frame of three years, one of Obama's expected points. "I would be very much in favor of this," Feingold said. "I don't see how that dovetails with increasing our troops to over 100,000."

What might Feingold and other senators do to prevent the president from sending more troops to Afghanistan? He suggested not including funding for troops, resolutions for time-frames and other approaches. "As far as I'm concerned, everything would be on the table to prevent this error from occurring," he said.

UPDATE: After the President's address, Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, issued the following statement:

“We cannot simply walk away from Afghanistan, let the Taliban and al Qaeda take over and threaten the stability of a nuclear armed Pakistan. After careful review the President has laid out a new strategy, with timelines and benchmarks and more emphasis on training Afghan troops and police. We should give his new strategy an opportunity to work, but be clear that this is not an open-ended commitment if the Afghan people and government fail to do their part.”

Glass artists' sale will benefit slain officers' families

2009-12-01T12:18:00.004-06:00

Hot Shop Glass is holding a sale this weekend to benefit the families of four police officers killed Sunday while doing paperwork in a Lakewood, WA, coffee shop. (Seattle police killed the suspect this morning.)

Doug Chaussee, Amanda Paffrath and Liz Gabriel, owners of Hot Shop Glass, pledged to donate 100% of sales of paperweights and ornaments from their downtown gallery this weekend to benefit the surviving families -- and nine children -- of the slain officers.

"We are deeply saddened by the outrageous act of violence against the four officers in Washington State and want to contribute to their families," said Hot Shop's owners. Chaussee, who retired as a Mt. Pleasant police detective after 27 years' in policing, is the driving force behind the local contribution.

"Christmas holidays are normally stressful for police officers. Adding this to the whole mix is the straw that broke the camel's back," he said.

Hot Shop Glass is located at 239 Wisconsin Ave. Gallery Hours are Friday from 2-9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 10-2. The ornaments and paperweights are $25 each.

Contributions can also be made directly to the families through the Lakewood Police Department Union website.

American Tire and Recycling seeking subsidies from two governments

2009-12-01T10:53:00.003-06:00

American Tire and Recycling has a busy week.

The company has meetings with governments on opposite ends of the state - including a Racine city committee - to discuss economic incentives to bring jobs to the communities.

American Tire officials will meet with the City of Niagara tonight to discuss leasing a portion of a former paper plant. Niagara is located on the border of Michigan and Wisconsin.

The company will then have business before Racine's Redevelopment Authority on Wednesday. The RDA will consider a rent subsidy to help the company open at 2301 S. Memorial Drive. The subsidy is expected to be about $40,000.

In June, American Recycling & Tire received a $200,000 loan from Marinette County to start its recycling program.

For the third time, city to take up option for West Racine grocery store, restaurant and gas station

2009-12-01T08:31:00.005-06:00

Officials are expected to meet this week on a $5 million commercial development that will create jobs and bring a long-desired service to the city.

The proposal is supported by surrounding residents, fits the long-range business plan for the neighborhood and appears to have the support of the mayor and several City Council members. It now just needs city approval to allow the developer, who has a solid track record on construction projects, to proceed.

Seems like a no-brainer for a city that's only landed a handful of new commercial construction projects in the past year. But, no.

The project described above is Tom Tousis's proposal to build a grocery store, restaurant and gas station at the corner of Washington Avenue and West Boulevard in West Racine. The $5 million project is now before the city's Redevelopment Authority, which is negotiating an option with Tousis to buy the land. (The RDA, which was created by the city, is the owner of the property.)

The problem for Tousis is Alderman Jim Spangenberg, who represents a portion of West Racine. Spangenberg has made no secret about his opposition to Tousis's project, largely because it includes a gas station. Spangenberg is the lone City Council member on the RDA and has an influential voice in all West Racine discussions.

The key issue is whether the grocery store and sit-down restaurant in Tousis's proposal make the gas station acceptable. Tousis argues the gas station is an important component of the plan because it will draw people to the site (and to West Racine).

But opponents, many turned off by Tousis's aggressive approach, are focused on the gas station. Dick Hinsman, who owns a business next to the proposed site, offers a glimpse of this one-track mind in a letter to the editor in today's JT. Hinsman wrote:

Also, recently, the City of Racine had put together a committee of local business people and people from the neighborhood. The committee was referred to as a Neighborhood Work Group. This committee came up with some recommendations as to what should be built on the site. The findings were that a business such as a gas station and a tattoo parlor were unacceptable/undesirable uses. Preferred uses include a full service grocery, and a table service restaurant.

Let's keep West Racine as a special area. A gas station will not be a destination business, nor will it be a business that will compliment West Racine.

Lost in this email is that Tousis is proposing a grocery store and restaurant, as well as a gas station. But Tousis's proposal is stuck with entrenched beliefs and hurt feelings.

It's now going around that Tousis' team didn't fill out the proper paperwork when submitting its plans to the RDA. Tousis disagrees, but let's assume it's true. If the fate of a $5 million development - that's $1.5 million more than the much celebrated $3.5 million "Treasures" warehouse proposed for the Southside industrial park - hinged on paperwork, you'd think someone would go out of their way to help the developer get things straightened out.

Maybe that's happening here. But the RDA is going on its third month of discussing Tousis's request for an option, and this is far from the last step for the project. It still needs to pass the Plan Commission, Access Corridor Review (which Spangenberg sits on) and needs a liquor license from the Public Safety and Licensing Committee, plus full City Council approval.

If every step takes three meetings, it could take Tousis another year to get a shovel in the ground. It raises questions of whether Racine is developer friendly, and what could be done to streamline the approval process for new construction.

50,000 books await kids at annual giveaway

2009-11-30T20:21:00.006-06:00

Jim Eastman of Merchants Moving with a huge box of books

Every year at this time, newspapers and airwaves are filled with stories (and ads) about the new "hot" toy every child must find under the tree on Christmas morning. This year, believe it or not, it's a robotic rat...um, hamster, from China, or somewhere. If you haven't already bought 'em, forget it. They're sold out and you're a failure as a parent.

Yeah, that's what they'd like you to believe. But the truth is, the rat's batteries will die and it will disappear under the couch in a couple of weeks (along with last year's Darth Vader or Furby thingie.)

What will your kid play with then? Well, if they're lucky, with the best toy ever -- a book. No batteries needed: only a willing imagination.

There are adults in Racine who know the value of childrens' books, people who spend all year working quietly behind the scenes to make sure that thousands of kids receive the gift of a lifetime this holiday season -- even kids whose parents couldn't afford the little rat ... er, hamster, even if it were available.

Instead of a few hamsters, they're giving away some 50,000 books!

This Saturday, Dec. 5, is the 7th Annual Kids Holiday Book Giveaway sponsored by Cops 'N Kids and the State Street Civic Association. Any kid -- from pre-school to middle school -- is welcome to choose an armful of books at the event, held inside one of Merchants Moving's cavernous storage rooms, 1215 State St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

As usual, there'll be more than books available: Santa will be on hand, and Christmas music will be playing, and the Racine Police Athletic Association will make SafeAssured IDs available at no charge.

And, given the event's mother, former Police Officer Julia Burney-Witherspoon -- who handed out books to kids as a way of teaching them not to fear the police -- policemen, firemen, FBI agents and, new this year, Sheriff's deputies, will be on hand to talk to the kids, maybe even autograph some books. For her efforts, Burney-Witherspoon was named ABC-TV's Person of the Year in 2008.

In past years, some 2,000 kids have braved the line, sat down on the floor and rummaged through the seemingly-endless piles of colorful books to find favorites to bring home for themselves, or even gift-wrapped for others. Last year, 40,000 books were given away.

This year -- I know, I said it before, but it's an incredible number that bears repeating -- there will be 50,000 books! Boxes of them line two long corridors at Merchants, awaiting scores of volunteers who will sort them into age-appropriate stacks later this week. The books have been donated by publishing houses, distributors like Treasures Media (the Christian bookstore company planning to build a distribution center in the Southside Industrial Park), book drives held by schools, churches, service clubs -- even the Postal Service.

Jim Eastman of Merchants Moving ticks off the names of the organizations supplying volunteers, who will open the hundreds of boxes of books: the Racine Public Library, the Healthcare Network, the Volunteer Service Center. Other partners include Barnes and Noble, the YMCA, Culver's, Educators Credit Union, Johnson Bank, the Safe Kids Coalition, the United Way, the Junior League. While Eastman is talking, he's surrounded by a couple of hundred room-sized wooden crates -- each holding about 1,200 pounds of stored goods -- that his crews will move to other parts of the warehouse to make room for Saturday's hordes of insatiable kids. "No problem," he says. Eastman became involved with the program more than a decade ago, when Officer Burney -- she wasn't married then -- found about 10,000 abandoned books while answering a burglary call... and came up with the idea of giving them away to kids.

Now, more than 70 other communities have copied the Cops 'N Kids concept she pioneered.

But how many of them will give away 50,000 books this Saturday? Far as we know, just one.

Santa, Eastman and Julia Burney Witherspoon at last year's event

Go here for our report and pictures from last year's book giveaway.

City may cut season pass golf rates for county residents

2009-11-30T13:00:00.007-06:00

The company that sells season golf passes to city golf courses wants the City Council to consider eliminating a residency requirement to buy the pass.

Scott Schuit, president of Public Golf Associates, said in a letter to Parks and Recreation Donnie Snow that the city can make more money on its golf courses by eliminating the higher rate for people who live outside of Racine, but in Racine County.

Last season Schuit's company sold 31 adult season passes to city residents for $715 and nine adult passes to non-residents for $1,040. Eliminating the higher fee for county residents would cut revenue by $2,925, Schuit wrote. But the lower price would attract more golfers - many from Mount Pleasant, Caledonia and Sturtevant - to more than offset the difference, he said.

"We have had several requests from customers over the past several years regarding this change in policy," Schuit wrote. "We strongly believe this change would help boost customer satisfaction, thereby increasing overall golf course revenues."

The proposal will be introduced to the City Council Tuesday night. It's slated to be referred to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board and the Finance and Personnel Committee.

City to consider $40,000 contract for annual fireworks show

2009-11-30T12:47:00.003-06:00

The City Council will consider renewing a contract for a $40,000 fireworks show on the Fourth of July for the next three years.

The annual show, provided by Melrose Pyrotechnics of Kingsbury, Ind., costs the city $17,500 per year. The remainder of the cost is covered by sponsorships and private donations, according to a letter from city purchasing agent Sam Aiello.

Melrose Pyrotechnics has run Racine's fireworks show since 2000.

Zoe Outreach Ministries seeks $4,800 from the city

2009-11-30T12:36:00.002-06:00

Zoe Outreach Ministries, 2130 Racine St., is seeking $4,800 to pay for damage from a sewer backup. The church is claiming the backup occurred after the Racine Water Utility made repairs to a water main across the street from the church's property at 2118 Racine St. The line is connected to the Mount Pleasant sewer system.

The city is recommending the claim be denied. The claim will be introduced to the City Council Tuesday night and referred to the Finance and Personnel Committee.

City seeks 'subsidy of rent' to lure jobs to Memorial Drive

2009-11-30T12:15:00.003-06:00

Update: Mick Burke over at the JT already laid out this deal. He reports the rent subsidy will be about $40,000. (See the end of the article.)

Original post: The city is pushing ahead with plans to help American Tire and Recycling Corporation move to 2301 S. Memorial Drive.

City Development Director Brian O'Connell is asking the City Council and Redevelopment Authority to approve incentives to help the company, and an estimated 88 jobs, move to the city.

Here's O'Connell's request to the City Council, which will be referred to the Redevelopment Authority and the Finance and Personnel Committee:

In order to match the employer with a suitable workplace, a temporary subsidy of the rent at the location is necessary. I am recommending that the city provide this subsidy from the Intergovernmental Sewer Revenue Sharing fund.

Heritage Title moving from Sixth Street to West Racine

2009-11-30T07:47:00.000-06:00

Sixth Street's loss is West Racine's gain.

Heritage Title, 610 Sixth St., is pulling out of Downtown Racine and moving to West Racine. An employee confirmed Wednesday the title insurance company was moving, but we were unable to reach owner Rhonda Lapotko. Lapotko owns the building, which was assessed at $178,000 in 2008.

The move is scheduled for some time in December.

Heritage Title has been in business since 1963.

How you can help feed the hungry

2009-11-29T10:19:00.005-06:00

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

~Mother Teresa

For the period ending June 30, 2009, the Racine County Food Bank reports pounds of food donated were down by 15 percent from the previous year. Individuals served increased by 4 percent to 59,620.

Unemployment for the City of Racine hovers around 15 percent; for the county it is 10 percent. Executive Director of the Racine County Food Bank Dan Taivalkoski states, “We are serving more people with less food.”

Now is the time to help.

Donations for holiday baskets are being collected now through Friday, Dec. 4.

Canned hams (especially the “Celebrity” brand, 12-ounce ham – the can is blue)
Boxes of Jello
Canned yams
Microwave popcorn

Donations of the Super Six are always welcome:

Canned fruit
Peanut butter
Tuna
Canned meats
Beef stew
Canned pasta with meat

There will be a collection barrel at the Volunteer Center of Racine County from Monday, Nov. 30, through Monday, Jan. 4. Donate your time and take a ride over to the Volunteer Center with your food contributions. Please be generous. The office is at Western Village, 6216 Washington Ave.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

~Winston Churchill

A movable feast: Music lovers feed the hungry

2009-11-29T00:38:00.018-06:00

Saturday Night Preachers

Saturday night was a movable feast -- for Racine's music lovers and our poor and hungry.

It was Thoughts for Food night, the smaller Fall version of our annual music extravaganza. Some 15 bands were scheduled to play (only one failed to show up) at five different venues and the price of admission was a mere $10 and two non-perishable food items for the Racine County Food Bank. Over its 16-year history, Thoughts for Food has raised some $300,000 and 70,000 pounds of food for the county's food pantries. Unfortunately, overall donations are down 15% this year ... as the number of individuals served -- 59,620 -- is up 4%.

How you can help feed the hungry

The bands all performed for free, with two of them coming all the way from Madison. And from what we heard, sampling here and there at all five stages, there was something for everyone: folk-rock, hard rock, heavy metal, even jazz from a jam session with constantly rotating musicians in the lower level of Hiawatha's.

It was hard to pick a favorite, although it was clear that JJ McAuliffe did, holding up a handwritten mash note to Sunspot's drummer, Wendy Lynn Staats: "You're beautiful when you're drumming." JJ knows whereof he speaks, as you can see for yourself below. She sounded pretty darn good, too.

Preliminary totals showed some $700 raised after expenses, along with 800 pounds of food, from 330 in attendance. (Updated totals in the comments.) Organizers had hoped for greater turnout, unsure what the holiday weekend might bring. Still, as Dan Taivalkoski, executive director of the Racine County Food Bank said at the end of the evening, "I had hoped for more, but hey, it's more than we had this morning."

Wendy Lynn Staats of Sunspot

Will of Tomorrow

Aaron Andrews during the jam session

Mean Jake

Danno of Hwy 13

Mesnard Location

Dan Taivalkoski of Food Bank canoodling with his fiancé, Chris Dellich

Standing-room-only at McAuliffe's Pub

Now the NY Times rips Racine on infant mortality

2009-11-27T08:51:00.005-06:00

A 21-year-old former Racine resident is back in the news criticizing her former city, this time on the national stage.

Ta-Shai Pendleton, who moved to Madison from Racine, was featured in an October cover story in Madison's weekly newspaper, Isthmus. She ripped her former city in the article, blaming violence and isolation for the deaths of her first two babies. After moving to Madison, she had a successful pregnancy, which she credited to Dane County visiting nurses and support from her church.

Isthmus used her story to celebrate Madison's success in dramatically dropping its infant mortality rate over the last decade. It also pointed out Racine has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world.

At the time, we ripped Isthmus for ripping Racine without talking to anyone from the city about positive steps being taken to help at-risk pregnant mothers. It was a particularly egregious omission because the paper allowed Pendleton to blast Racine without questioning her own conduct in the loss of her first two babies.

Now, Pendleton is telling her story in the New York Times. Times' reporter Erik Eckholm featured her in an article today again degrading Racine and praising Madison. He writes:

As she cradled her 2-month-old daughter recently, she described the fear and isolation she had experienced during her first two pregnancies, and the more embracing help she found 100 miles away with her third. In Madison, county nurses made frequent home visits, and she got more help from her new church.

Eckholm, like Isthmus, doesn't interview anyone from Racine about recent efforts to help young mothers like Pendleton. He dedicates one sentence in the lengthy article to those efforts:

The programs exist statewide, but in Milwaukee, Racine and other areas they do not appear to have achieved the same broad coverage

This is a delicate article because Racine does have the highest infant mortality rate in the state, and one of the highest rates in the country. It's also seems clear Pendleton's life is in a better place in Madison than it was in Racine.

But both articles present a simplistic view of a complicated issue. Both articles highlight Madison's success, but fail to offer the perspective of Racine's efforts to reach similar success. They would have done well to interview someone in Racine, rather than only rely on an ex-residents' perspective.

Want locally-made or U.S.-made goods?C4C's new website provides direction

2009-11-26T23:32:00.007-06:00

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Community for Change has introduced a Buying for Change website.

The site highlights Racine stores selling locally-made, American-made and Fair Trade products.

The release from Community for Change says "The goal of Buying for Change is to create and maintain a consumer resource that supports local economy and businesses with a handy and informative way to find and connect with them."

Supporting local businesses is one of the most effective ways to support our local economy, and Racine has an excellent variety of options, the site notes, adding there are many great opportunites to "vote" with your dollar to support local business.

The Locally Made page provides links to local artisans and handmade gifts. It also contains links to find locally owned businesses, craft fairs, business associations and bakeries with “Uniquely Racine” treats and edibles.

The American Made page contains information on internet resources for American-made products. It also contains information on autos and imported food with links to Wisconsin food co-ops, and information about supporting American workers and Racine manufacturing.

The Fair Trade page gives an overview on the Fair Trade international movement, Racine businesses that specialize in Fair Trade and a listing of Fair Trade products available in area retail outlets.

For people who prefer to make charitable contributions in lieu of giving gifts, there is a Charitable Gifts page with links to area organizations which accept donations and institutions to purchase family memberships and sponsorships. There are also links explaining how to donate used items and household goods instead of throwing them away.

Community for Change plans to maintain and add on to the current information and invites the public to share ideas and additions. There is no charge or advertising fee to be included in Buying for Change. Submissions can be emailed here.

Buying for Change can be found directly at www.communityforchange.com/buyingforchange.html or by following the link on the C4C main page.

SNOW! (But not for long... this time)

2009-11-26T07:58:00.004-06:00

The weatherman promised us snow, and he delivered overnight. Just a light dusting. Was it all gone by the time you woke up?

Here's the proof!

Another inmate has died at Racine County Jail

2009-11-26T05:55:00.005-06:00

Efforts to revive a 51-year-old male inmate failed at the Racine County Jail, and he was pronounced dead at St. Mary's emergency room at 8 p.m. Wednesday night. He was the third death at the jail this year.

The Racine County Sheriff's Department said the following:

"11-25-09: At 1900 hours on the second floor of the Racine County Jail, Corrections Officers received an emergency alarm from one of the cells. The jail nurse was notified and she, along with the Corrections Officers, entered the cell and attempted to get a response from the inmate. The inmate was moved to the floor where CPR was started along with the use of an Automatic External Defibrilator.

"City of Racine Fire and Rescue responded and took over for jail personnel in attempting to revive the inmate. They worked on the inmate for a period of time and then they transported inmate to St. Mary's E.R. where efforts were continued until he was pronounced deceased at 2000 hours. Identity of the inmate is being withheld until next-of-kin can be located. The inmate was a 51-year-old Racine County resident."

UPDATE: The dead man has been identified as Samuel Lee Wilson of Racine, who had been in the jail on a probation violation since Nov. 13.

Prior to this, the most recent inmate found dead at the jail was on Sept. 19, when officers were unable to revive Todd Anderson, 43. In May, a baby was born, and died, at the jail when 20-year-old inmate Melissa Woten gave birth prematurely.

Thanksgiving Eve Ceremony brings faith communities together

2009-11-25T21:21:00.017-06:00

Olympia Brown choir

If you're searching for a way to express gratitude this Thanksgiving, open your heart and wish others happiness.

Master Teachers Tony and Linda Somlai, of the Original Root Zen Center, offered that teaching Wednesday night during an ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Ceremony at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church.

The Rev. Tony Larsen, of Olympia Brown, welcomed the crowd of more than 100 by imploring people of different religions and faiths to find common ground.

"Our world today so needs people of different religions to come together," he said.

The 80-minute ceremony included singing, prayers and reflections from religious leaders of nine different faith communities in Racine. The Olympia Brown choir opened the singing with a lovely Native American song, "Ancient Mother."

Nabeeh Al-Amin

Nabeeh El Amin, of the Racine Islamic Center, then offered a beautiful prayer from the Qu'ran.

Linda Somlai, of ORZC, read a passage from the Dhammapada imploring all to be "spirits of light." Tony Somlai then taught the crowd how to do a Buddhist half bow, or "hapchong," and led the audience in wishing happiness to each other.

"If you open your heart, all you can do is wish people happiness," he said.

Master Teachers Linda and Tony Somlai

The Rev. Tony Larsen and the Rev. Ben Johnston-Krase

Larsen and the Rev. Ben Johnston-Krase, of First Presbyterian Church, which hosted the service last year, then led the audience in the hymn, "Gather Us In." Johnston-Krase would later lead the hymn, "Giving to Life," and offered this teaching on giving thanks: "Gratitude is not something you feel. Gratitude is a practice," he said.

John Brosseau

John Brosseau, of Beth Israel Sinai Congregation, read from Genesis 7:2 and then introduced the theme for the evening, "hidden treasures."

Ann Pratt at the podium

Ann Pratt, of the Racine Dominicans' HOPES Center, led the organization in a "Harvest Prayer." The well-written prayer used a vegetable and gardening theme to give thanks for friendship.

Joyce Gregg

Joyce Gregg, of the Evangelical United Methodist Church, read scripture from Matthew 6:19-21 and 13:44-45.

The Rev. Liz Simmons

The Rev. Liz Simmons, of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, shared a personal story about finding "hidden treasures" in difficult times. She was laid off from her job - she called it "getting fired by God" - and spent five months wondering where he life would take her. But her congregation collected money for her, three people offered her a place to stay and eventually she found her way to her new congregation at St. Luke's in Racine.

"We don't always know what hidden treasures are in the tragedies of our life," Simmons said.

The Rev. Brad Van Fossen

The Rev. Brad Van Fossen, of First United Methodist Church, offered a similar reflection on "hidden treasures," asking if we can find hope in suffering. He then quoted author Parker Palmer, in asking if we had the "courage to stand with each other in a simple and healing way."

The feel of the evening was light and open. The audience learned how to clap in sign language - you lift both hands above your head and twist them in a waiving motion - and laughed heartily throughout the evening. Afterward, many people stayed for pie.

The beautiful stained glass windows at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church in Downtown Racine.

Walden III students donate 10,300 pounds of foodand $6,000 to Racine County Food Bank

2009-11-25T16:47:00.011-06:00

Dan Taivalkoski of Food Bank with stack of food collected by Walden students

Older generations love to criticize the younger generation, how much trouble they get into, the terrible music they listen to, how they waste so much time on video games or social networking, how they wear their hair in outrageous styles and colors.

What we don't hear about -- because it isn't news? -- is the good some of these kids accomplish.

Like the students at Walden III, who this morning stepped forward with 10,300 pounds of food for the Racine County Food Bank. Nor did they stop at that; they also presented Dan Taivalkoski, executive director of the food bank, an oversized check for $6,000.

Nor is this a one-time occurrence. Walden III consistently ranks second or third in the community, donating more to the food bank than almost every other local donor, behind only some big corporations and agencies like Feed the Children.

"It is truly heartwarming to see the effort that these kids put into raising food and funds, and no one has more fun at the end of a drive than they do," Taivalkoski said after this morning's assembly and presentation. "If these kids are our future leaders, our community will be in good hands."

Sadly, the need is greater than ever. The trend, Taivalkoski said, is less donated food and funds, along with an increase in demand for services. In October, the local network of pantries provided assistance to a record , 2,190 families. This year, the county's pantries served 728,583 meals to 59,620 individuals.

Thanks to Walden's donation, along with a recent gift from Caron Butler, the Racine County Food Bank is preparing an additional 1,000 holiday meal boxes, double the number distributed in previous years.

Photos by Kimberly Mycon and Dakota Gursky of Walden III Yearbook

Mason announces 'Toxic Toys' legislation

2009-11-25T10:10:00.005-06:00

Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, kicked off the holiday shopping season with a proposal to require manufacturers to identify chemicals in children's toys.

Mason said the proposal would help keep children safe and parents informed.

"After enjoying our Thanksgiving feasts, many of us will head out to shop the bargains this Friday. Like all parents, I want to ensure that the toys I buy for my young daughter are safe, and won’t harm her," said Mason, whose daughter Eleanor will turn one in December.

The bill:

· Requires the state’s consumer watchdog agency, the Department of Agriculture, Trade ad Consumer Protection (DATCP) to identify chemicals that, based on credible scientific evidence, are capable of causing harm to children;

· Requires manufacturers and distributors of products containing these chemicals to provide information to DATCP about these products;

· Requires DATCP to identify safer alternatives and requires manufacturers and distributors to replace problematic chemicals with available safer alternatives within a reasonable amount of time;

· Requires DATCP to develop an educational program to educate and help consumers and retailers in identifying children’s products that may contain these problematic chemicals.

The proposal, dubbed the “Toxic Toys” legislation, is being circulated for legislative co-sponsorship and will be formally introduced in December.

Mason's legislation comes the same week the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group released its annual "Trouble in Toyland" list of potentially dangerous toys and the largest recall of cribs ever.

Click here for a mobile web site for shopping parents.

Comments closed for excessive nastiness. Folks, we can check the IP addresses and know when people are piling on.

City offering indoor tennis lessons for all ages

2009-11-25T09:49:00.003-06:00

The City of Racine’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will be collaborating with the Racine Tennis Club this winter by providing tennis lesson for all skill levels at the Indoor Facility.

Registration will be taken at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, 800 Center St. Room, 127, Monday, Nov. 30 through Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.

Class dates and times are as follows:

Sundays (Youth and Adults) Jan. 3 through April 18, 2010
10–13 year olds, 2-3 p.m.;
14–18 year olds, 3-4 p.m.; and
Adults 3-4 p.m.

Wednesdays (Adults only) January 6th through April 21, 2010
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Lessons will be held at the Racine Tennis Club, 5100 Briarwood Lane. The cost for
these 16-week classes is $160.

Registration Forms are available at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Department; Community Centers and the Racine Tennis Club.

For information or questions, please call (262) 636-9131 or come down to the Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Services Department, 800 Center St., Room 127, City Hall
Annex.

Holiday shopping deals in Downtown Racine

2009-11-25T07:21:00.018-06:00

You may have heard: Friday is something of a major shopping day.

While Best Buy, Walmart and other major stores are inundating us with deals on flat screen TVs and MP3 players, every store is counting on the legions of "Black Friday" shoppers to make some money this year.

Being a local source for news, we like to focus on the local stores and businesses trying to compete with the major retailers (that's no knock on the major retailers, it's just judging from TV, radio, email, mail, etc. they don't need much help on the publicity front).

Below is a list of the Friday deals we know of at Racine-owned shops. If you have deals to add, post them in the comments or contact us at: racinepost@gmail.com

Upurea, 304 Main St., Get a $10 gift card to give as a gift for every $50 spent.

Piranha Gaming, 234 Main St., 15% off games, 10% off gaming systems and 15% off of gaming system repairs all weekend.

Copacetic, 409 Main St., 20% off Smart Wool socks, 20% off Life is good socks, 20% off EarMitts bandless ear muffs, 20% off Men's leather belts and wallets.

Artistry, 512 Monument Square, 20% off everything in the store. Not valid on custom artistry pieces, custom orders, and already reduced or previously purchased merchandise.

Elegant Pauper, 433 Main St., Free custom monogram cashmere scarf for men or women if you spend $100 (a $35 value). 25% off all holiday boxed cards and invitations.

Molly Magruder, 330 Main St., 20% off all sweaters, excluding consignment, all weekend.

Art Metals Studio, 332 Main St., 30% off any loose colored gemstones from our extensive collection to anyone who mentions that they saw this notice on Racine Post. Friday only.

Racine Art Museum store, 441 Main St., All books in the Museum Store are 20% off, RAM Members receive 25% off. Plus, Special sales for Black Friday customers, like 50% off on all Echo of the Dreamer jewelry and more. And, for every $100 you spend, receive 2 complimentary passes to the RAM.

Dimple's, 416 Main St., Free gift with any purchase of $50 or more.

Uncorkt, 240 Main St., For every $50 spent, shoppers will receive $10 "Bottle Bucks" vouchers that can be redeemed in January.

Fired Up Racine, 320 Main St., Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Come in before noon and receive 20 percent off any holiday piece, like Christmas mugs and plates.

Inside-Out, 406 Main St., $10 off purses and scarves over $50; 10 percent off new jewelry, discounts throughout the store and a free gift if you spend more than $50

Northern Lights Gallery, 423 Main St., One Day Sale on Friday. Philadelphia jeweler Ian Gibson mixed metal jewelry 25% off; Derek Alexander Purses 40% off; Select pottery, including Bill Cambell’s 25% off; Story People by Brian Andreas 10% off. Plus, many gifts under $30.

Dover Flag and Map, 323 Main St., begins its annual Globe Sale on Friday: 20% all globes in stock. 25% off all Toland art flags when you mention you saw it on RacinePost.com.

Day care planned for former Ham-N-Egger

2009-11-24T16:24:00.001-06:00

We drove past the former Ham-N-Egger restaurant Tuesday and saw a day care - Almost Home Academy 2 - is planned for the space. Remodeling work is underway on the inside and a new playground is already built behind the building. The original Almost Home Academy is located in Kenosha. More on this as we hear more.

Project Honor coming along

2009-11-24T16:01:00.006-06:00

SC Johnson knows how to build an impressive building.

The company's impressive "Project Honor" is nearing completion. The circular building with glass walls soaring 47-feet tall is a spectacular addition to the company's Racine campus. The photo above was taken Monday evening and shows a glowing Fortaleza Hall, which will house the Carnaúba, the airplane Sam Johnson and his sons flew to Brazil in 1998 to retrace the route HF Johnson Jr. to discover carnauba wax used to launch the company's fortunes.

SCJ's official information says the building is expected to be finished in January. The project's total cost is somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 million.

(No comments on this story because of the predictably negative comments.)

JT plays catch up on deal for company that recycles tires

2009-11-24T14:17:00.004-06:00

The JT is playing catch up today on a story we had last week about the city's efforts to buy a trucking depot for a company that uses recycled tires.

JT Reporter Mick Burke reported today the city's Redevelopment Authority could take action on the deal at its Dec. 2 meeting. We had reported the deal was in jeopardy because another bidder has emerged for JMP Intermodal's former trucking depot at 2301 S. Memorial Drive.

The city intends to buy the trucking depot and give it to the unnamed company.

Here's Burke's story, which was posted this afternoon.