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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Community Center: Dec 2007--Floodplain?

Question: Is the new Evansville Community Center Site in the flood Plain? Click for the answer.

MP3 File

Friday, July 30, 2010

Creekside Place to be built on Allen Creek: With State Taxpayer Funding

Click on the post for some fond memories of Allen Creek.

There will be no basement in the planned facility. Technically, the building will be above the flood plain since dirt fill will be brought in to elevate the facility.

It is unfortunate that States fund building in flood plains.....in light of the fact that FEMA ends up in some cases funding the flood repairs....Actually all across the country because of politics, governments from Malibu to Evansville cannot say no to the lure of the swamp. Stay tuned.

Wisconsin Taxpayers to pay for Evansville Creekside Place: Gazette

Click on the post for the article in the Janesville Gazette.

I and E Club Meets August 11st: Musician Entrepreneur in the Spotlight

Keep up with club news through LinkedIn.com. Under “Groups,” look for the Evansville Area Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club.***



Drumming Up Business: August 11 Speaker is Musician Entrepreneur



What happens when an award-winning drummer gets a degree in business? He starts a music company, then starts an online business, then sells the online business, and concentrates on his passion.



Britton Rice, a Madison entrepreneur, speaks about these experiences at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, at the Evansville Area Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club. The meeting will be held in the lower level of the historic Eager Economy Building at 7 E. Main St., Evansville.



Rice is the founder of Tin Whisper Media Group, and co-founder of eXsellera. He also is a drummer, music producer, and founder of the band Polydream. In 2007, Polydream was recognized with the Madison Area Music Award as New Artist.



The I&E Club meetings are free and open to the public. In addition to hanging out with a talented musician Aug. 11, participants will be able to enjoy refreshments sponsored by Jacob Clevenstine of Mass Mutual, a comprehensive financial services firm. Clevenstine specializes in helping middle income individuals and families safely plan for retirement and college savings while avoiding common, costly mistakes. Sponsorships like Clevenstine’s and donations support the non-dues-paying club.



For more information, contact the president, John Gishnock III, at 608-882-6656, or Sue Berg, vice president of marketing and outreach, at 608-882-0986.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Nostalgia: 2009: Dateline Normal, Mn: High Schooler Quadruples debt equation--solves world crisis

Last week, right in the midst of the greatest financial crisis to hit our modern times, I was stuck way up in northern Minnesota----and felt by the way pretty helpless to give any instruction, which in fact turned out for the best.

Right in the middle of the frenzied discussion on Saturday morning at Betty Lou's Coffee Shop in Normal, Mn....right in the middle of quite a bit of hand ringing of the guys as to whether their cd's would be good at the local bank, one young high school freshman, smack dab in the middle of his algebra homework at one of the side tables, raised his hand in the middle of the discussion.

"Why not just quadrupple it? he shouted. Make it Debt to the 4th. Rather than cube the debt------ quadrupple it?

The crowd at Betty Lou's was just stunned. How come they had not thought of it. Just add another layer, just like they would clothes in the winter time. Kind of a layered look---not lawyered look---the layered look.

The guys were pretty wild and crazy about the idea. They all rushed to the phones to call their congressman.

Just then, the tv in the coffee shop in the upper corner flashed the latest news---it seems that their idea had travelled mysteriously all across the world and currently was being implemented in Spain...and then the total European Community. The guys were just speechless.

"This must be a miracle", Herman shouted.

Everybody went wild. And ordered another round of strong coffee, with extra sugar and whipped cream.

See. Just a little of good old common sense...from the downhome northern tundra...could go a long way to solve the handwringing of a few million worldwide. Ya just never know when a little algebra might help.

Mayor Dave's Blog: The Potosi Dream Revisited

If you click on the post you can see the Potosi Dream described by Mayor Dave---a national Brewery Museum for Potosi. What a dream for every community in America.

Janesville Gazette guilty of Gutter Journalism: Rock Net Roots:

Click on the post for the story.

"Fair Indigo" describes "fair" employment in China

(This is text from item 00772 in the online catelog from Fair Indigo.)

What makes it fair?
Amidst the breathtaking changes taking place in China's industrial breadbasket, lower-skill workers are unfortunately absorbing the brunt of the downside of industrialization. To compete with emerging lower cost countries, Chinese workers face enormous pressures to work harder for hardly life-sustaining wages. This factory is an one of those "needle in a haystack" exceptions we were lucky enough to be referred to by our social auditor. The pay is outstanding, the facility is fully air-conditioned, meals are free, and there's an on-site gym and doctor. The factory even pays for workers' train tickets to enjoy the Chinese New Year with their extended families. It's no wonder the turnover rate here is a fraction of what's typical in apparel factories

Video: "The Art of Theodore Robinson" now available on Mediafly for FREE download

Click on the post for the classic lecture by Richard Krake.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Nostalgia; Background: Mr. Bill Connors Explains "Backloaded Bonds"---

Backloaded bonds are bought by the desparate, and they create a nightmare over time. Both the city of Evansville and the Evansville School district have them, and thus this post dating back to 2005 is relevant. Click on the post. Enjoy.

School Scoop: Fireworks at School Finance Meeting:

Click on the post for the latest from Melissa Hammann's blog...the fireworks at Finance last week.

The Story of Gays Mills, Wi: Journal Sentinal

Click on the post for the informative story of Gays Mills, Wisconsin.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Public Works Meets Tomorrow---Tues July 27th

Click on the post for the full agenda.

Brodhead Municipal Court Report; June 2, 2010

Click on the post for the latest.

UW Education as an Export Product: CapTimes

Click on the post for the latest.

Town of Union Wind Turbine Hearings attract Statewide attention

We have seen internet visitors from all over the State of Wisconsin listening to the Town of Union Wind Turbine Hearings. Click on the post to see them. Scroll down for all the episodes.

High Podcast Download Demand on Evansville Observer; Patience requested: Techies in review

Apologies to those that have tried to download video by podcast link---For some reason this is not working on all files correctly. The techies are working on it.

Try google search for the video item, or search on top left box of Observer for the subject. Run the video right from the Observer post rather than podcast link.

Rock Net Roots Blog: Continuing Saga of Janesville Ice Arena: Boondogle?

Click on the post for the latest saga.

White House: Jobs in the Heartland

Click on the post for the latest.

Home Talent Annual Youth Baseball Night THIS THURSDAY---July 29th

Home Talent Youth Baseball Night Rescheduled

On Thursday, July 22 the Evansville Home Talent's annual Youth Baseball Night game was cancelled due to severe weather. The new date for the Youth Baseball Night game is this Thursday, July 29. The Jays will host Utica Association for a 7:30 pm game time start at Lake Leota's upper baseball diamond. This special game is where young Evansville baseball players and fans are welcomed to the park to play catch with the Jays before the game, chase down free foul balls during the game and get player autographs after the game. Find this event on Facebook or on the team's website at www.evansville.hometalent.org. The concession stand will be open, so come and have a hot dog, brat or burger at the ball park. The Jays hope to see you there!

Event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140303385993320

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Yahoo: Finance: Stocks: Time to put your Rally Caps on?

After July blues, is it time to put the rally caps on? Click on the post.

School Board Meets Monday---

Click on the post for the full agenda.

Electric Car Corner: "Range Anxiety--or running out of juice": Yahoo

Are you ready for the electrics? They are coming. Click on the post.

Yahoo: Tech Ticker: Will the Damage to Gulf be less that feared?

Click on the post for an interesting article.

"Taxes are for the "little people" and other funny ideas: Ideas that persist

Some years ago, there was the story of Leona Helmsely---she and her husband were billionaires.....but their concept that only the "little people" should pay taxes got them in big trouble...and eventually Leona spent some time in jail. Click on the post for the story.

One would have thought that that was it. Folks would all laugh at Leona, and always remember the lesson of the tale---but recent stories all across the country suggest otherwise. Whether it is school districts where school administrations try to slip raises for themselves through while cutting other folks salaries, or in the corporate world, where the big boys get bonuses where the lower paid workers get pay freezes or firing.

So----all across the country there are cuts coming----cuts for you...and not for me...that seems to be the theory. And that theory is just as flawed now as it was with Leona. Let's just watch the story unfold.

Battle Ahead on End of Bush Tax Cuts: NYT

Click on the post for the latest.

"Nirvana and the Theory of Uneven Flooring": Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Click on the post for the latest.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Video; 9: Chamber; Roger Berg Speaks

Video: Chamber: Roger Berg Speaks.

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Video: Chamber: John Mourning Speaks

Video: 8: Chamber of Commerce President John Mourning speaks.

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Video: 5: Mr. Hagen Speaks

Video: 5: Chamber proposal: Mr. Hagen speaks.

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Video;3: Chamber Proposal: 7/13/2010

Video; 3: Chamber Proposal: 7/13/2010

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"Traders Little Black Book" now available for full book preview

Click on the post for a classic published several years before the recent crash.

Video: 2; Chamber Proposal 7/13/2010

Video:2; Evansville Chamber Proposal: 7/13/2010

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Video; 1: Chamber Proposal: 7/13/2010

video: 1: Evansville Chamber of Commerce Presents Proposal to partner with City to handle Economic Devleopment: Common Council; July 13, 2010;

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"The FREE fishing pole": Tales from Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Click on the post for the latest.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

School Scoop has the Scoop: School Board Highlights---

Click on the post for the latest.

Questions for Mr. Connors:

(Ed.note: I recently posed these questions to Mr. Bill Connors, former Evansville City Administrator)

Bill: In a generalized decline of valuation of a community real estate, is it so that because within the group all is still relative no further change is needed since relatively the tax remains the same?

Why is Minnesota property tax so low? An Edina, Mn. property worth $325,000 pays a real estate tax of $3200 or what a home in Evansville would pay valued at #125,000. How can this be so?

Bill answered:

You are correct that if all the property in a city increases in value by the same percentage or decreases in value by the same percentage, it has no impact on the property taxes paid by any property. A change in value affects property taxes only if the change causes the property to make up a greater or lesser share of the total tax base. If a successful TIF district ends and a huge amount property value formerly captured by the TIF district becomes part of the general tax base, that would lower the property taxes on all property in the city (including the property that was in the TIF district), all things being equal, because all the properties in the city would make up smaller shares of the general tax base. However, the primary factor that produces increases (or decreases) in property taxes is the decisions by the taxing authorities regarding how much property tax revenue (i.e., property tax levy) they feel they need to collect.

The reason homestead property taxes are so much less in Minnesota than in Wisconsin is the property taxes are so much more on other kinds of property in Minnesota than in Wisconsin, and that is because of differences in the states’ constitutions. Wisconsin’s constitution prohibits governments from taxing different kinds of property at different rates, whereas Minnesota’s constitution contains no such prohibition. So non-homestead property in Minnesota pays property taxes at a rate two, three, or four times the rate applied to homestead property. This allows Minnesota local governments to collect the property tax revenue they feel they need without collecting much from homeowners—they obtain most of their property tax revenue from the owners of other kinds of property.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Audio; Common Council: Chamber Proposal Front and Center

Audio: Evansville Common Council: July 13, 2010; Evansville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Presentation re: Proposal to manage Economic Development for City of Evansville

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Evansville Common Council Meets Tonght: Chamber Proposal tops the agenda.

Click on the post for the full agenda.

"Poems of the Fishermen" now available for full book preview FREE:

The classic fishing book about fish, bait, the walleye guys, beer and much, much more is now available in full, free preview form. Click on the post.

Tales From Normal, Mn: FICTION. now available for full Book preview

Click on the post for the latest.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Susie Favor Hamilton inducted into Sports Hall of Fame: WSJ

Click on the post for the latest. Local runners well remember Susie since she did run the Janesville Turkey Trot several years in a row, and it was quite a thrill for the High school kids to run with her.

Duluth Trading Tent Sale Coming July 22nd-24th--Click for details

Only once a year is there a physical sale---and folks come from all over the country for it.....Plan on stopping by and finding out what all the fuss is about....

Click on the post for the virtual sale. Stop by next week for the Tent Sale. Tell them the Evansville Observer sent you.

"True Confessions" comes to the I and E Club Meeting---This Wednesday!!!

True Confessions: Entrepreneur Tells It Like It Is at July 14 Club Meeting



Starting a business of your own might be your dream, but it requires a stout heart.



Learn more about the pitfalls you could face from someone who has been through it. Entrepreneur Greg Marshall is giving a frank presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, at the Evansville Area Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club. Free and open to the public, the meeting will be held in the lower level of the historic Eager Economy Building at 7 E. Main St., Evansville.



Marshall, an Evansville resident, is a product designer and owner of a small manufacturing business near Madison. The company was founded two years ago, and has since created a line of beverage ware and sports-themed drinkware for the hospitality industry. They are currently in negotiations to supply a major waterpark chain with products. Another project in the works is custom-designed drinkware for several major city festivals in the Midwest.



Following Marshall’s presentation and question-and-answer session, participants will have a chance to talk a minute or so about their own businesses, inventions, or opportunities. The ever-popular informational exchange has resulted in successful new connections for many people.



Light refreshments for the July meeting will be sponsored by Sue Berg Solutions, LLC, whose focus is on marketing communications and public relations. Sponsorships and donations support the club, enabling free membership and meetings. For more club information, contact the president, John Gishnock III, at 608-882-6656, or Sue Berg, vice president of marketing and outreach, at 608-882-0986.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Friday, July 09, 2010

Wisconsin Faces 2.5 Billion Dollar Budget Hole; Wisconsin State Journal

Click on the post for the latest.

Video; 2010 Audit: Evansville: GO Limit

Video: City of Evansville, for period ending 12.31/2009. Discussion of GO bonds, percentage of indebtedness allowable; Amount of Sewer bonds not included in calculation.

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Blogs: Real Estate: Minn: The Skinny for June

Click on the post for a nice video recap.

Classic Garrison Keillor:

Click on the post for an interesting article.

Registered Virtual Home of Evansville Idol:: Historic Karoke

The podcast site for the 2010 Evansville Idol will be ready shortly for your download pleasure to the big screen, or to your handheld.

Thanks to all 2010 Contestants. Plans are already in the works to make it even better next year. Evansville Idol 2010 was sponsored by Bank of Evansville.

"New Purchasing Policies Established: Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Click on the post for the latest.

There was an informal understanding of this policy for the past 100 years, but finally under pressure from the Normal, Mn. accounting firm, and the 100 years of management letter recommendations, a firm policy was established.

"School Closes Building Due to Declining Enrollment": Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Click on the post for the latest.

Wells Fargo to close 15 Loan Offices; Gazette

Click on the post for the latest.

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Debt Capacity (Does not include sewer debt

 
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Evansville Audit; 1 of 3: Public Safety and Debt Service; High and Going Higher?

 



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It's Miami !!!!!!: Yahoo: Sports

WOW. This puts the Observer in a tough spot. It was easy to cover Cleveland from Evansville, but Miami? I do like the weather, but the beaches are so oily now...just a difficult decision.....

Audio: Evansville Sets Fund Balance Objective

Audio: Finance discusses fund balance objective for upcoming year; With difficult times ahead, too high or too low. Discussion.

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Audio; Evansville Finance: Audit: 2009

Audio; Audit Report by Johnson, Block and Co. for the Year ended Dec. 31, 2009.

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Video: Evansville Idol: 12: 1st Round

Video: Evansville Idol: 1st Round: 12: July 4, 2010: With Evansville Idol, every contestant is a star.

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Video: Evansville Idol 1st Round:11: 7/4/2010

Video: Evansville Idol: First Round; 11: 7/4/2010: Every Contestant is a star with Evansville Idol.

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Video: Evansville Idol: 10: First Round; 7/4/2010

Video: Evansville Idol: 10: First Round; 7/4/2010; Every contestant is a star with Evansville Idol.

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Video: Evansville Idol: Opening Round:9: 7/4/2010

Video: Opening Round: 9: With Evansville Idol every contestant is a star.

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Video: Evansville Idol:8: Opening Round: 7/4/2010

Opening Round: Evansville Idol:8: July 4, 2010; Every contestant is a winner in Evansville Idol.

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Evansville Idol: Opening Round: 6: July 4, 2010

Video: Evansville Idol: Opening Round: 6: July 4, 2010: Every contestant is a star on Evansville Idol.

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Video: Opening Round: Evansville Idol:5: 7/4/2010

Video: Opening Round: Evansville Idol:5: Every contestant is a star on Evansville Idol

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Video: Evansville Idol: 4: Round One; July 4, 2010

Video: Opening Round 1: 4: Evansville Idol: July 4, 2010: Every contestant is a star on Evansville Idol.

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Video: Evansville Idol: First Round:3: July 4, 2010

Video: First Round; Evansville Idol: 3: July 4, 2010: Every contestant is a Star in Evansville Idol.

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Opening Round; Evansville Idol:2: July 4, 2010

Video:2; Opening Round: Evansville Idol: July 4, 2010; Every contestant is a star with Evansville Idol.

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Video: First Round; 1: Evansville Idol: 7/4/2010

Video; Opening Round: 1; Evansville Idol: 7/4/2010

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White House: Geithner: All Americans have stake in Wall Street Reform

Click on the post for the latest.

Evansville Finance Committee Meets TODAY: Thursday: 5:30PM Audit on Agenda

Click on the post for the full agenda.

Over 3400 visitors come to Evansville--Observer to see:; Video: 3 of 3: Art of Jonathan Wilde

(Ed.note; Last month with the heightened interest in John Wilde due to the Chazen Museum showing of his art, over 3400 people came to The Evansville Observer to see this film clip.)

Video: Classic painting of the interior of the home of Jonathan Wilde in Evansville---explanation by docents and relatives too....

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"More Beer Consumption cited as Major Economic Development Objective":: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Click on the post for the latest.

Boston: 23 Firefighters Cut; 3rd Station Shuttered

Click on the post for the story from Boston.

Larson Acres Decision Headed for Supreme Court: Gazette

Click on the post for the article in the Gazette.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Duluth Trading Tent Sale Coming July 22nd-24th--Click for details

Special deals online as well as at the physical tent Sale in Belleville---a Once a Year event. Click on the post for the details. Tell them the Evansville Observer sent you.

Town of Union Wind Turbine Hearings get Statewide attention

The interest in the State of Wisconsin Wind Siting meetings has drawn visitors to the hearing archive of the Town of Union from 2008. Click on the post and enjoy.

Opus Scandal Raises Questions on contributions to St. Thomas and St. Catherines: Minn: StarTrib

Click on the post for the latest.

Abandoned Wells, 27,000, pose threat in Gulf: Star Trib

Click on the post for the latest.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Encore: Wendy Wilbur: "I Want You to Want Me"

Encore Performance after the Win of Evansville Idol 2010: Wendy Wilbur: "I Want You to Want Me"

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The Award Ceremony; Evansville Idol 2010

Video: The Award Ceremony: Evansville Idol 2010: Congratulations to all participants: Short Clips of Round One will be available later in the week on special podcast site coming. Remember with Evansville Idol every contestant is a star.

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Final Round; Evansville Idol 12

Video: Final Round: Evansville Idol: 12
July 4, 2010

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Monday, July 05, 2010

Evansville Idol: 11; Final Round

Evansville Idol: 11: Final Round: Wendy Wilbur; July 4, 2010

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Final Round: Evansville Idol: 10

Final Round; Evansville Idol:10: July 4, 2010

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Evansville Idol: 9: Round 2: Video

Evansville Idol: 9: Round 2: Video: July 4, 2010

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Evansville Idol:8: Round 2: July 4, 2010

Video: Evansville Idol: 8; Round 2; July 4, 2010

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Video; 7: Evansville Idol: Round 2:

Video; Evansville Idol: Round 2: July 4, 2010

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Video: Evansville Idol: 6: Second Round

Video; Evansville Idol: Round Two: Evansville, Wi; July 4, 2010

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Video; Evansville Idol: 5: Round Two:

Video; Evansville Idol: Round Two: July 4, 2010

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Evansville Idol: 4: Round Two:

Video; Evansville Idol: 4; Round Two: Evansville, Wisconsin: July 4, 2010

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Evansville Idol: 3: Round 2:

Video: Evanville Idol: 3: Round 2: July 4, 2010 Evansville Wisconsin

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Video: Round 2 Evansville Idol

Round Two Evansville Idol July 4, 2010

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Sunday, July 04, 2010

Video; Evansville Idol 2010: Round 2

Evansville Idol 2010; Wendy Wilbur Wins: Details to follow;

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Wendy Wilbur Wins Evansville Idol 2010: All the Video to follow: All Contestants

Stay tuned. It was a quite a battle. One woman pitted against all those talented male vocalists. Stay tuned. You can see for yourself on the Evansville Observer.

Evansville POPA in the News;

Click on the post for the latest.

Chasin: The Evansville Parade Photos: July 4th 2010

Thanks for the wonderful photos. Click on the post.
 

 

 

 
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Saturday, July 03, 2010

Evansville Rocks the 4th: Blooze Brothers coming on Sat, July 3rd, 2010

Click on the post for a look back to the Blooze Brothers as they kicked off the opening set at Lake Leota Park in 2008 with "Soul Man."

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Evansville Rocks the 4th of July: Schedule:

 
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Windwatch; Wisconsin Wind: The Movie

Click on the post for a movie covering wind development in Wisconsin over the past several years.

Minnesota Nurses Strike Settled: Star Tribune.

Click on the post for the latest.

Video: Nostalgia: Town of Union: Wind Turbine: 7-28-2008: Discussion of Linking Setback and dBA and Adverse Health Effect.

Town of Union Planning Commission reviews draft ordinance---aims to directly link evidence of health impacts to specific ordinance provisons. For full gavel to gavel of this topic see the uncut audio. For best viewing, right click and save to desktop and play in full screen in windows media player.

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BetterPlan Blog; Wind Turbine Siting Hearing Video: Impact on Health of improper setback

Click on the post for the video from Better Plan Blog.

Town of Union Wind Turbine Hearings now available: On Mediafly: For download FREE

Click on the post for the Town of Union Wind Turbine hearings. There has been some technical difficulty on a previous link, but this link works. I am having techies review the other. Any problems, advise fre2observe@yahoo.com This is an area that has had nationwide interest.