Monday, May 5, 2014

Local Loyalty - thoughts

While "Thoughts" would be a cool sounding place, these are my thoughts, ponderings, and more. 
This adventure has taken me places I didn't know existed. I have met some of the most interesting people, and have gotten to spend time getting to know new friends,  learn about their lives and their businesses. I don't take any of that for granted.  It means alot to me to have them share of their precious time with me. I'm not a reporter, I'm not a journalist, I'm just an every day person, trying to help local businesses get a little boost (tho a big boost would be awesome!)

I haven't been declined many interviews. 
One, was a definite language barrier and my still struggling effort to try explaining who I am and what I'm doing.
Sadly, 3 others declined due to them retiring, or selling their businesses. 
That made me sad. I feel bad for any business that can't stay going strong.
* Common Scents on Main Street -
hoping to sell but uncertain. 
Doug is a good guy, always helpful. He hopes to try working out of a duplex, if he can work it out. I hope so, that way he can still stay in business, just relocate.
* Fired Up, also on Main Street,
retiring, hoping to sell. If these places can't sell and be bought by people hoping to continue the businesses they began, poof, gone. We can only hope whoever buys them, will be successful in whatever they venture to do.
* Megabytes Cafe - also on Main Street.
He declined, though he didn't say why. I read a little while ago, that he went out of business. Such a shame. I don't think he was open very long. Everything I heard about his place was all positive. I wish I had gotten the chance to get to know it better. 

* Burlington RV in Sturtevant.
Not sure why they declined, but I do feel the need to give them a shout out. We're not the camping kind of family that some are. Our neighbors are what I call 'fancy' campers. They have one of those big pull behind fancy 'campers'.
They go camping quite frequently when the weather is decent out. I know one of their popular camping destinations is Wisconsin Dells. 
When they had a problem with a seal, they went to the dealer that they bought it from to find out what it would take to fix it. The quote was out of this world (multiple thousands - and this is from where they bought it from!)
They went to Burlington RV and were quoted much less and the actual fix, came in even cheaper. They are very helpful and not out to gouge. My neighbor couldn't be happier.

I still have quite an extensive list of places to try getting in touch with. I just felt I needed to share this with you.
If you know someone in business in Racine, or any of the Racine counties, or know of a place you would like to see featured, please don't hesitate to let me know! I'm always open to ideas. 
As always, thanks for reading!


Open Blog - Monday


If Monday "went away," what would we replace it with?

Sunday, May 4, 2014

"3rd Coast Bicycles burglarized this morning"

From RacineUncovered:

"3rd Coast Bicycles, was burglarized early this morning – ADT called the owner at 6:30 this morning and as the owner rushed down to his shop, he saw 2 male blacks between 16-18 with his (owners) BMX bike (red 20 inch BMX bike) and by the time he was able to do a U turn to track them down he lost them. They used a crow bar to gain access to his shop. They also took the cash drawer and all the money in it (there was only a very small amount of money in the drawer). Anyone with information please contact Racine County Dispatch at 262-886-2300 or you can contact Racine Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330, via e-mail through the website www.racine.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending a text message to CRIMES (274637) and typing in TIP417 with your text message.”

Read more: http://racineuncovered.org/2014/05/3rd-coast-bicycles-burglarized-this-morning/


I post this because the Journal Times just featured a story on this business' success downtown and its move to expand: "Downtown bicycle shop to move, quadruple space" - http://journaltimes.com/business/local/downtown-bicycle-shop-to-move-quadruple-space/article_86e64f30-cba3-11e3-9030-001a4bcf887a.html

You can't have anything decent in this town without either the local government or criminals (often the same) ruining it.

Wildflowers 2014 Pt 1!

Yes it is Springtime and now we all know that since the wildflowers are coming up. I could not believe it myself either but believe me I am happy about it because now I know the warmer weather is coming. I hope everyone will enjoy these pictures as I post them on here just as much as I am enjoying going out and taking the pictures to share with you. Here is the start of the pictures-

                     This is a Blue-Eyed Grass the picture was taken at Trout Ponds in Caledonia Wi..

               This is a Daffodil Yellow and White the picture was taken at Grant Park in Milwaukee Wi..

                            This is a Viola Suavis the picture was taken at Colonial Park Racine Wi..

Slam the Politicians Tuesday

"Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." --George Orwell

"Riding Around Racine"

Credit. http://racinesales.wordpress.com/
From Property Reports:

"The weather has finally gotten nice and the snow is gone!

"Some photos and commentary from Racine, WI.

"Clicking on the picture will enlarge it. Some of these are big files."

Read more: http://racinesales.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/riding-around-racine/

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Fishing Licenses



If you be a Wisconsin Fisher Person, don't forget to renew your licenses.

You can renew them online or at one of many local businesses here in Racine. I generally go to Farm & Fleet in Sturtevant.

Wisonsin DNR

Open Blog - Weekend


On the weekend, you can roar or rest. Or both.

Friday, May 2, 2014

"Skies Fall informs Racine Cable Commission that it resigns"

From Racine Community Media:

"Racine- Skies Fall informs Racine Cable Commission that it resigns from future contracts with the city, citing the current political climate, lack of success with the channel and being advised by friends and business leaders to resign from the contract.

"The contract Skies Fall had with the city of Racine expired on March 31st, 2014 and was a one year contract with no clause of 30 days or 60 days included within the contract, (despite the claims of City Administrator Tom Friedel that there is a 60 day clause for which to renew, there is not a clause in their contract)

"Follow this link to view the full official city contract:

http://issuu.com/communicatornews/docs/skies_falls_contract_with_city

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/belletv-contract-up-for-discussion/article_7d7fce2c-ccf6-11e3-8522-001a4bcf887a.html

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/fuzzy-reception-a-year-after-getting-city-contract-belle-tv/article_77bc8762-a90d-11e3-a10f-001a4bcf887a.html

Read more: http://racinecommunitymedia.tumblr.com/post/84048762136/racine-skies-fall-informs-racine-cable-commission


The Journal Times posted online two important stories on this subject this evening:

"Dickert: City should return to operating BelleTV" - http://journaltimes.com/news/local/dickert-city-should-return-to-operating-belletv/article_f622c84a-d24e-11e3-ba5e-0019bb2963f4.html

"Hearing set on BelleTV complaint" - http://journaltimes.com/news/local/hearing-set-on-belletv-complaint/article_1a335ce6-d276-11e3-888a-001a4bcf887a.html

This timing guarantees that the stories will appear in the Saturday print paper.  Nobody reads the Saturday paper.  This is an old journalistic trick to muffle the noise a headline would normally make.

Four for Fridays

Hello everybody and welcome back! Today is Friday, right? This week sure flew.... Time flies when you are busy. Anyways your questions....

1) What was the last song stuck in your head?

2) What part of pop culture you wish would just go away?

3) What is the the most dramatic view you have ever seen?

4) What did you do for allowance as a child?

Enjoy your weekend!

How Can We Improve The JT Irregulars?

Here's your chance to criticize or congratulate us.  Or both.

What do you like about our site and what don't you like?  What can we do to make it better?  What do you want to see and hear?

How would you encourage new members to join and post in the JT Irregulars?  How can we attract new readers?

Tell us what you think in the comments below.  Please be honest.  Anonymous posting is enabled.

This blog may be bumped up occasionally.

Thank you.

Open Blog - Friday


Me, too.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Dead Tapes - "Where did she go?"



This is how rock 'n' roll is born. I love using the megaphone for a mike. In five years, this guy will be famous, or dead, or both.

Best of Racine 2014 - Italian (general)

Hi Guys!!
Since we haven't done this feature in over a year, 
I think we need to do it again.
New places have popped up, 
we may have discovered places we didn't know
were there, or we hadn't tried until recently. 

Let's kick off the nominating/voting with
who your favorite Italian restaurant is. 
(Pizza will have it's own, so this is Italian food, overall)
Please vote now :)

Alltime10s Thursdays

Open Blog - Thursday


Have a wonderful first day of May.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

"Arrow Trick - Amazing"



This trick is best performed by people who don't know whether they're coming or going.

The Internet's Own Boy - Official Trailer



Boo! Looks interesting.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my blossoms and blooms!  How are you?  Slowly, but surely, nature pushes up and outwards toward the sun, giver of all life.  Much of our grass has greened up.  Daffodils and tulips are beginning to show themselves.  The trees’ buds swell.  It’s springtime.  It might be cold, but it’s still springtime.  Wisconsin is not unaccustomed to cold springs.  We plant our containers and our fields all the same.  It may be cold and it may rain and rain, but we’ll get something growing.

Tomorrow is already the first day of May.  Please heat up soon, Mr. Sol.  We’re 2/3’s through spring and it still feels like late winter.

“Charter to buy Time Warner cable subscribers” - http://journaltimes.com/news/local/charter-to-buy-time-warner-cable-subscribers/article_5fcd90aa-cefc-11e3-ab3c-0019bb2963f4.html That’s out of the frying pan and into the fire, as far as I’m concerned.  Charter has a reputation for poor service, even poorer than Time Warner Cable.  Egad.  I predict that consumer costs will rise while service drops.  Thus spake Madame Zoltar®!  Of course, I’m reminded of the blogs that Mr. OrbsCorbs posted:  http://www.jtirregulars.com/2014/02/experts-predict-price-increases-after.html  The gouging of the customers just gets worse and worse.

What also gets worse and worse is Junior’s nagging of me to get his “temps” so he can learn to drive.  Now that the streets are clear of snow and ice, he’s eager to go.  Very eager.  But I’m not eager to grant him his wishes.  I love him like any mother loves a son, but I have to admit he has a wild streak in him.  I blame that on his father.  I worry about that wild streak making an appearance while Junior is driving.  His father’s driver’s license has been revoked ten times over.  Like father like son?  Oh my.

Then there’s the fact that a young male driver on a probationary drivers license shoots car insurance rates through the roof.  Junior doesn’t seem to want to listen when I talk to him about getting a part-time job to pay for the increase in premiums.  And to pay for gasoline and repairs.  Of course, Señor Zanza just gives me that “he isn’t my kid” look.  Well, when Junior can prove that he can pay for driving, I’ll consider letting him get his temps.

Don’t forget that S. C. Johnson’s Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Research Tower is now open for public tours for the first time ever.  You can read more information and book tours here: http://www.scjohnson.com/en/company/visiting.aspx

And, of course, this Saturday, May 3, is the 60th annual Kiwanis Club of Greater Racine Pancake Day at Festival Hall.  From 6 AM to 6 PM you can stuff yourself with pancakes and the fixings: http://kiwanisracine.com/?page_id=545

Thank you my dears, one and all, for visiting my blog today. You’re special because you’re my friends.  May the great god Kiwanis bless you with pancakes and syrup of joy.

How much to “donate” to the DMV examiner? Ask madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Enjoy the stirrings of spring, my sweets.  You can hear, smell, and see it all around you.  Let us give thanks for spring’s rebirth.  Hallelujah!  Raceme!

Open Blog - Wednesday


Have a good one, my friends.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Local Loyalty - Synchronicity

 Synchronicity Logo







Welcome back!
This week, I give you
6800 Washington Avenue
262-886-2321
Info 

Now you know, I've mentioned that I'm not always that observant. This place proved just how bad I can be! Less than a mile from my house, is this pilates studio. How long has it been there and I've been completely unaware? Try 10 years! WOW!
Now, how I found it is another wow thing - 
in my pursuit to find local places, I was going through the white business section, (just before the residentials). If I hadn't spotted a name that piqued my interest, I would still be oblivious to the fact they are nearly my neighbors!

While I can't pretend to know much about pilates, 
I can tell you what I learned.
From my own stand point, I am quite intrigued. 
I threw my back out having 'miss froggy', and was also involved in a really bad car accident (vs. beer truck) a long time ago, so I have neck and back issues.   
Pilates is designed to help improve concentration, control, stabilization, alignment and centering, endurance and stamina, balance, and breathing (coming from a chronic asthmatic - cool!)
Every movement has purpose. 
Synchronicity has Reformer machines that help much more than just floor mat pilates. With weights and springs, and varying tensions, all adjustable for whatever level you're at, you can put so many movements into place to help with anything, whether something specific, like strengthening your knees,or back, or just to improve your posture. 
The studio is smaller, so as to give better personalized service, and smaller size classes. 
No matter what your abilities or limitations are, there is something beneficial for everyone. 
I know I will be looking into this further in the near future. I could see the benefits that I personally could gain by getting into this. 
Please check out their website (click on their name above). 

Here are the 3 words chosen - 
1. Reshape
2. Rehab
3. Restore
 Please let them know you saw it here. 
Help spread the word, and again, thanks for reading!

Open Blog - Monday


Enjoy your day.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Coming soon!

It has been over a year since our voting for the Best of Racine. 
I think it's time to update and see if our choices changed. 
The categories this year will be the following
(posting will be on Thursdays)
Italian (overall)
Pizza - both pan and thin
Mexican
Burgers
Gyros/Greek
Steak
Fish Fry
Buffet
Chinese
Fast Food
Subs
Sandwich shops
and Fomal dining. 
Start thinking, nominations/voting coming soon!

Friday, April 25, 2014

Four for Fridays

Hello everybody and welcome back! Still on vacation and loving it! Yet, I'm still getting up early..... Hmmmm. Anyways, your questions...

1) What do you have a bigger collection of-books, music or music?

2) What do you prefer eating-salt water or freshwater fish?

3) Would you ever want to take a submarine to the bottom of the ocean and see what's down there?

4) During summer months, do you prefer grilling out or cooking indoors?

Enjoy your weekend!

:ШУТКА))"



Amazing!

Open Blog - Friday


It seems to take forever.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

"Meet Boomer!"



Aw, what a cute little guy, as long as those teeth aren't too sharp.

Related: "Zoomer The Dog - 2013 New York Toy Fair - The Toy Spy" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AptcW3k5UGM

Alltime10s Thursdays

Let's try Alltime10s Thursdays:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2a8WiJyNw

"March 2014 Property Report"

From Property Reports:

"According to the Wisconsin IPAS system, 151 documents were recorded during March of 2014 for the City of Racine. There were 32 foreclosures, and most homes sold for tens of thousands less than the assessed value. So far in 2014 there have been 97 foreclosures in the City of Racine during the first 90 days of 2014."

Read more: http://racinesales.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/march-2014-property-report/

Our Weekend Up North!

We had a really nice weekend with both families we also did some birding while we were up there too. Friday we stopped by my son's house to see the Grandkids and give them their Easter Baskets and my younger daughter stayed by my son's house for the weekend. It was so nice to see them and my son also cooked out on his grill. Our Granddaughter even got Grandpa to get on the floor to play with blocks it was funny she would knock the blocks down to get Grandpa to keep building with her. Both of the Grandkids kept taking their bunnies we got them all over the house with them. There was no snow in Shawano Wi which I was really surprised.

Then we finally made it to Drew's parents house were we spent the weekend and there was some snow up there and the lakes are still frozen. It was so nice to get out of the car for the night. We sat up taking with his mom and dad and I started to get really tired and I was yawning from being tired with driving all day long. Then on Saturday we went and did some birding and then spent the day with his family is was so nice to see his sister and his brother-in-laws daughter. His brother-in-law was home sick with the flu we missed seeing him. I was a really nice day just being able to sit and talk with the family and we also got to see some pictures that his dad put on to a dvd.

Then Sunday we said goodbye to Drew's parents and we went to my older sister's house to spend time with my family and on the way we had to pick up my daughter at my son's house. When we walked into my sister's house we got attacked by our Grandkids. Our Grandson son kept saying Papa he wanted Grandpa. Everyone was sitting down to eat when we walked in the door so we got our food and the Grandkids wanted to sit on our laps while we ate our dinner so we had to share our food with them. At the same time we found out that one of my nieces is separated from her husband and the kids are moving her out of her apartment that day. The day was really nice to see everyone and to talk to everyone until my younger sister blew up and stormed out the door with something that someone had said and she scared the little ones really bad with it.

Here  are some pictures from the weekend:

                         This is Skylee with her peeps on a stick and her bunny she is 2 years old!

                                               This is Ace with his bunny he is one year old!

                                                  Deviled eggs my son made for Easter!

This is a Broad Winged Hawk I found in the Menominee Reservation and I was going about fifty miles and hour and seen it on the side of the road in a tree. I stopped and turned the car around to find it again to get a picture. At first I didn't know what I seen in the tree then I found it and took some pictures. This was on Sunday going towards Shawano.

"Miley Cyrus - The Backyard Sessions - 'Jolene'"



That's a Miley Cyrus that I like.

Open Blog - Thursday


One day at a time.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

"Sympathy For The Devil"

From Racine Exposed:

Read more on Racine County Dustrict Attorney Rich Chiapete's DUI and surrounding circumstances: http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/sympathy-for-the-devil/

"Frank Lloyd Wright-designed S.C. Johnson research tower finally goes public"

From JSOnline:

By Meg Jones of the Journal Sentinel

"Racine — For decades Frank Lloyd Wright fans have flocked to the S.C. Johnson & Son corporate headquarters to ogle the beautifully designed and innovative buildings that inspired employees to invent consumer products found in kitchen cabinets throughout the world.

"After tourists trooped through the great workroom inside the administration building and craned their heads to look up at the giant lily pad-like structures supporting the roof — the famous Wisconsin architect compared them to a glade of trees — they stopped to take pictures of the glass tube-enclosed research tower, glowing like a candle in the center of the complex. And they asked: Can we go inside?

"Always the answer was: Sorry, no.

"But starting May 2 the Johnson Wax research tower will open to the public for the first time. The prospect of seeing one of the few surviving Wright-designed corporate offices from the inside has prompted intense interest with most of the free tours already reserved throughout May and into June. Two-hour tours of the administration building and research tower will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays."

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my sparrows and robins!  How are you?  We received a real taste of warm weather over the Easter weekend, but now we’re back in the cooler.  “They” say the aftereffects of this past winter will last a long time.  We’ll probably have a cool spring.  Maybe even more snow.  A friend told me yesterday that up north there’s still snow on the ground.  Oh my.  Most of our early spring blooming plants can take some snow, but a hard frost will nip them.

The spring cleaning continues at home, both indoors and out.  I thank the Lord that I have Señor Zanza and Junior to do the heavy work outside.  If only the weather would cooperate.  One day it’s in the 60’s, the next, the 40’s.  And we’re cleaning part-time as I have my business to run, Junior has school, and Señor Zanza has what he calls his “enterprise” to tend to.

[You know, I still don’t know what the “enterprise” is or where it’s located, but Señor Zanza leaves home every workday for 8-10 hours.  I don’t know where he goes or what he does.  Of course, attempts to use my psychic powers on him are useless because of his powers.  He can’t read my mind, either.  We meet in shock when we’re both reading Junior’s mind.  That poor boy...]

Attention: I have a suggestion to make to the powers that be in downtown Racine.  I know that you have your First Fridays (and even some Third) and various other events and celebrations throughout the year.  However, your big one, Party On The Pavement, needs to be balanced by a Spring Fling early in the year.  Spring is the time of rebirth and the celebration would be conducive to a great crowd.  By the way, I think that’s the 3rd or 4th suggestion that I’ve given you. Wise up.

Another announcement I have to make is that I officially proclaim that I back both the medical and responsible recreational use of marijuana and/or its components.  I believe that it should be regulated in a manner similar to alcohol.  Taxed, too.  Unlike alcohol, I believe the tolerance level for users driving under the influence should be 0%.  With other states decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana, I don’t think it’ll be too long before researchers come up with a portable marijuana detector similar to a breathalyzer.  For the sake of honesty, I have to admit that some components of my own elixirs and potions may contain a small dose of cannabis, just like many other medications may contain alcohol as one of their components.  The dosage in my products is so small as to be undetectable.  If someone were to try to get “high” using my products, he or she would have to consume trainloads of products to get any effect.  I don’t think the effect would be pleasant.

Here’s a short, cute video to brighten your day:


Thank you my dear friends for visiting my blog today.  I love entertaining guests.  “You are a stranger but once here,” they say, but actually I get stranger every day.

Beam me up, Madame Zoltar:  madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Take care of yourselves my wonderful friends. After a hard fought winter, we have a hard won spring.  Enjoy it.  No matter what, at least it isn’t twenty degrees below zero.  Gallionic!

"Meskel Square, Addis Abeba"



http://www.endoethiopia.com/

Now that's driving.

Open Blog - Wednesday


Happy hump day.

Monday, April 21, 2014

"The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger (original narration by Randall)"



This is old, but still funny.

Also see: "Honey Badger Houdini - Honey Badgers: Masters of Mayhem - Natural World - BBC Two" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c36UNSoJenI

Local Loyalty - Black-Eyed Press

Welcome back!
This week brings us to a very unique
and awesome place - 
This one is going to be hard to put in to words,
all that Black-Eyed Press is all about. 
Located at
1515 16th Street, 
is an amazing, complex, intriguing, 
artistic, incredible, expansive place. 
When I asked Samira what her place was all about, 
she said it was a community print making studio. 
After visiting, it is that, but so much more.  
At it's core, it's a print and book making studio. 
Besides doing that,  Samira is also very talented in various types of art, and origami, to name only a few. Her talents seem endless.
Once a month, usually the 1st Saturday of the month, she hosts a 
Book Arts Guild from 10-2. You learn how to make a new, hand bound book, marble paper, how to print, do collages, and more. 
Local artists can also rent space, and use equipment they otherwise wouldn't have access to. 
There is also a program for teens, 14-19, that works on writing and printing their work, both in word and in art.
Open studio nights will begin this summer.
Her goal is to build a community, providing resources and space. 
Within the building she is in, are over 30 other artists and studios. 
I know my words can't do this place justice, it's awe inspiring. 
To for more information contact Samira, 
Phone: 262.994.8780
Email: sam@blackeyedpress.com

She was an amazing host, sharing her passion with me of what she is doing. I thought we'd connect for maybe 20 minutes, and ended up visiting for 2 hours! 
Please check it out, 
I think you too, will be amazed. 

Of course, I can't conclude the feature without those 3 chosen words :)
1. Encouraging
2. Engaging
3. Creative. 
Yes, yes and yes! 
Let your creative side come out, whether in writing, drawing, painting, book making, paper creations, she's here to help!
Don't forget to let her know you saw it here!
Thank for reading!

 

Open Blog - Monday


My, such anger.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

"On the Road: Teen repays father's debt"



http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/on-the-road-teen-repays-fathers-debt/

Very nice.

"Racine – A City Under Financial Siege"

From Racine Exposed:

"The Government Wide Financial Analysis revealed that difference between the the net assets and net liabilities fell by $49,153,636 from 2009 until 2012. That’s a NEGATIVE. In 2009 net assets exceeded liabilities by $271,291,402 and in 2012 that number was $222,137,766. On average, that is a loss of $16,384,545 per year.

"Even more alarming is the City’s growing Other Post Employment Benefits obligation, which grew from $55,005,102 in 2009 to a staggering $115,787,911 in 2012. That’s an increase of $60,782,809 in ONLY 3 years. Further compounding the problem is that in 2009 those promised OPEB were UNDERFUNDED by $15.4 Million, which grew to $18.5 Million in 2012.

"Then in 2012, the City experienced a shortfall of $2.5 Million in the budget for it’s self-funded Health Insurance fund, in spite of having budgeted a whopping $18.7 Million for this expense.

"In the meantime spending at all levels increased with no realistic plan from City Hall being formulated to control those costs. The financial crunch time grows closer."

Read more: http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/racine-a-city-under-financial-siege/

Happy Easter