Video: Those Missing Rove Emails: On the election of 2004; 2008

Ohio was the tip of the iceberg. Click on the video for an interesting video.

Town of Union Meetings: XML Feed:

Many of the recent Town of Union meetings are on audio and video and can be downloaded from the XML site or if subscribed are automatically downloaded to your computer. These meetings are available to viewers and listeners worldwide.

Enjoy.

Wind Turbine: Proponent: Proposed ordinance contains things that are not true.

Proponent speaks of opposition to ordinance: That the ordinance contains things that are not true.


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"Have any of you lived near a wind turbine?"

Have any of you lived near a wind turbine? Dialogue between plan commission and Ecoenergy.


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Nostalgia: History: 2006: Dane Co Hospitals act to Improve Door to Balloon time

Click on the post for some news from 2006.

Supr. Heidi Carvin spoke in opposition to the ordinance proposed that has a set back of 1/2 mile. She hoped for compromise.


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Wind Turbine Study Committee Chair Tom Alisankus speaks; Objects to EcoEnergy coming at last minute saying they have additional info when have refused and delayed response prior.....


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Dane Albright, member of the Evansville Initiative and one who helped put up the wind turbine at the high school, spoke on the engineering---suggested that the new turbines are not the old turbines---the new turbines coming to Lena this summer are the type suggested for Union---getting real data should be easy--Need to compare apples to apples


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Matt Gaboda speaks of praise of the Town of Union research committee; Says that developers now saying they have more information is too little too late and simply a delaying tactic.


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Pro wind presenter; Plan member questions


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Scott McElroy,member of the Town of Union Wind Turbine siting committee, speaks on set back impact on public health


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Living with the turbines----farmers with experience speak---second farmer


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Living Under the Turbines----live testimony of residents with experience----


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Town of Union Wind Turbine Public Hearing-----Public Health Impact Takes Center Stage; Setback Concerns; 1-1/2 hrs; 30 speak

(Ed.note: The following is the complete gavel to gavel unedited audio of the Town of Union Planning Commission meeting on Thursday night 5-22-2008. You can listen to the meeting by clicking the audio icon; You can download the audio to your desktop and then move to your Ipod. Selected video will be posted of this meeting. A full movie of the public hearing may be available shortly. Stay tuned.)


Union Planning Commission: Wind Turbine Public Hearing re; Proposed ordinance: Unedited 1 1/2 hours of testimony.


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Gazette: United Way Faces Shortfall

Click on the post for the latest.

Economic Development Meets June 3---Task Force Review

Click on the post for the agenda for this special meeting.

Washington: Ex-Bush Press Secretary writes Tell All Book

Click on the post for the latest.

Gazette: Big Wind Meeting on Thursday--Eager Library 7PM

Click on the post for the article by Gina Duwe in the Gazette. On the right side of the blog is the resource center of links for the wind discussion.

Home Mortgage Rates Move Higher

Loan Type
Today
Last Week
30 Year Fixed
5.85%
5.71%
15 Year Fixed
5.42%
5.30%
1 Year ARM
5.90%
5.90%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo
7.07%
7.00%

Evansville High School Fine Arts Awards TONIGHT--7PM

Tonight, 7PM Sharp, EHS. Fine Arts has their night of awards.

Nostalgia: Business: " On Numero Uno; On the Golden Rule"

"Ed. note: This is from "The Trader's Little Black Book," or as my competitive brother calls it, "The Little Traders Black Book."

Click on the post. Enjoy.

Yahoo: Finance: Dow to raise prices 20%. Cites True Energy Crisis

Almost 40 years ago there were the "Dow" Riots at the University of Wisconsin in the midst of the Vietnam War. The energy impact of rising prices now will be of the same magnitude of impact---will Americans demand an energy policy? Will it be formed in secret as the Bush administration did and then kept secret for eight years? It is time.

Click for the article in Yahoo on the comments by Dow Chemical.

Justin, Mandy, Denise and Richard Frey at Madison Marathon Finish. Double click for largest version.

Mailbag: Grove Community Forest Project

News and announcements from The Grove Community Forest Project:
Hello All,

The Grove Community Forest Trail needs a load of bark chips/mulch to finish preparing our plantings for the summer months. If anyone with a truck or trailer would be willing to get a load, please contact us via e-mail or phone 882-4011. The City Dump on Water St. is open Saturdays, 9:00-2:30 and Wednesdays 5:00-7:00. Chipped bark is available there. (We won't use this mulch around the sugar maples because of possible disease; however, it is safe to use it around the other trees and shrubs.) This Sunday afternoon, May 25, from 2:00 - 5:00 we will work behind the high school and the district office on Fair St. to water and mulch. Come for any portion of this time that works for you! Please bring a shovel and/or wheelbarrow if you can.

The Evansville Lions Club has teams of members scheduled to water the trees and shrubs along the berm to the east of the high school, and our donated watering tank is stored behind Theodore Robinson Intermediate School ready for use. The Cub Scouts have begun watering the plantings in the Veterans' Memorial area, but we'll need a few volunteers to help water other areas throughout the summer.

Today, the Theodore Robinson Intermediate School Science Club planted, mulched and watered! Much thanks to them and to their teachers for their hard work after school. Thank you, also, to The Evansville Fund for awarding us funding for maintenance tools and signage for this project. It is encouraging and gratifying as students, community members and organizations come together to support a common goal!

Hope to see you soon!
Phil and Nancy

"America The Beautiful" by EHS Marching Band dir. by Mr. Z


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Memorial Day 2008 J.C. McKenna Marching Band.


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EHS Marching Band led by Maestro Mr. Z


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Evansville Police and Color Guard Head up Parade


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Mailbag: Mr. Connors Writes: RE: What it will take for TID #5 to Succeed

Encouraging current property owners in TID No. 5 to apply for assistance to fix up their properties is a worthy effort. But it is far from enough. TID No. 5 will fail financially unless the city attracts some big redevelopment projects (such as acquiring several lots, razing the existing buildings, and constructing condos or mixed use) that produce more tax increment revenue than they consume.

Bill Connors
Former Evansville City Administrator

Public Works Meets Tuesday, May 27th---Stormwater Utility Ordinance on the Agenda

Click on the post for the details.

2008 EHS Scholarship Night: The Overview

Over $300,000 in scholarships were awarded on Wednesday night at Evansville High School to graduating seniors. Some awards were from private colleges, some from corporations or service organizations, some from industry related organizations or religious groups, and some were from private families of Evansville.

This year was notable for four new awards: The Ethan Willoughby Award, The Jared Fredrickson Memorial Award as well as the Frank and Vivian Gildner Memorial Music Scholarship and the Kathleen Spanton Memorial Award . The Evansville Observer still gets visitors searching for information about Jared or Ethan. They have not been forgotten.

While it is so that academic and athletic achievements were part of many of the scholarships, the character of the persons honored in these four new scholarships represents an important recognition by our community of their legacy----far beyond any money award. The Evansville Observer salutes the recipients of these awards.

2008 Helen Smith Art Award: Ryan K. McNeal

Ryan McNeal is the 2008 Helen Smith Art Award Winner---his display of art is in the Commons of the Evansville High School. Ryan is known for his RKM Studios digital site, his producer role in "Final Motive" band, as well as his digital contributions to The Evansville Observer----Congrats, Ryan.


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UW Ag Award 2008-----

Robert O'Leary 2008 winner--


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Jared Fredrickson Memorial Award. for 2008

Adam George is 2008 winner.


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Robert O"Leary 2008 Kohl Award winner


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Mr. Keister Opens the Awards


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Economic Development Committee met Tuesday, May 20th----Will consider follow up details for marketing and entrapreneurial focus groups----Would like to have plan formulated by August 2008. Click on the video icon for report from the Observer on the meeting.


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Janesville Weekly News Notes----

Click on the post for the latest.

Minutes; Redevelopment: Modifications of Flood Plain and Impact on TID 5

Click on the minutes for the recent discussion on Tuesday night, May 20th.

Park Board Minutes for May 2008--4th Activities and More

Click on the post for the details.

Downtown Development; Follow up from Summit;


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Economic Summit Follow Up: Governtmental Relations : Further discussion of structure for delivering effective, streamlined interaction with new business prospects.


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Summit Follow Up: Topic #1: Workforce Development--committee works to refine ideas of conference


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Yahoo: The Dangers of Sleep Loss

Click on the post for the article today in yahoo on the effects of sleep loss.

WSJ: Entrepreneurial Living UW Focus at Sellery Hall

Click on the post for the latest.

Brodhead Municipal Court-----May 2008---Newspaper Report

Click on the post for the court report.

WSJ: OpEd: School Beat: Where the Boys Are----

The academic gender gap was addressed by Evansville School Board member Melissa Hammann in her classic book, "School Issues That Count."-----

Click on the post for an OpEd piece in the Wisconsin State Journal today.

yahoo: Finance: "It Aint Over Till It's Over"

Buffett and Soros go contrary to the Street optimists. Click on the post for the full story.

Evansville Marathoners Remember--Prepare for Next race this Weekend

Wind Corner: Union Public Hearing coming on May 29, 2008---focus on Health and Safety--terms of ordinance

In the now famous video from the initial presentation of the proposed wind turbine siting ordinance for the Town of Union by Tom Alisankus, in the very opening of his talk, he indicated that the scope of the Town of Union Wind Committee was soly in the area of HEALTH and SAFETY.

Just in the area of HEALTH and SAFETY there are over a thousand pages of research available at the Eager Free Library that the committee weighed for their draft ordinance. I urge all residents to read these materials BEFORE commenting at the meeting. When Town of Union residents come together on Thursday night, May 29, 2008 there will be no discussion of appearance, property values, affect on birds, or the love or hate of "wind." There will only be comment on the relationship of the research of the committee on the final draft proposal, and the specific terms of the ordinance as it relates to health and safety. If every possible argument on every possible aspect of wind power was in discussion, it might go on for weeks. Thank goodness there will be limits of discussion.

The Evansville Observer will be providing complete audio coverage and selected video coverage for the event. Stay tuned.

Click on the post for one resident in Wisconsin who talks of the effects of turbine noise.

"Green" Corner: LEED standards

Beyond the sentimental term "Green" are other technical standards for construction that are being implemented for all governmental construction----click on the post for a discussion of these standards and how they are being implemented in Minnesota.

Wind Corner: New York: Eminent Domain Used to Seize Land for Wind Turbine Energy Transmission

Click on the post for the latest.

"Grumps"; Problems in the Trucking Industry Expand

Click on the post for the analysis of local blogger "Grumps."

Wright Lecture Series Coming Thursday--7PM---Monona Terrace Lecture Hall

Wright Lecture SeriesThursday, May 22 • 7 p.m. • Lecture Hall
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Victor Sidy Apprentice, Architect, Educator
Presented by Victor Sidy, Dean of Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture


Victor Sidy will present an overview of his wide ranging body of work, as well as recent work from the studios at Taliesin. He is an architect, inventor, writer, and lecturer. Sidy received his architectural training from the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture after receiving the Flinn Foundation Scholarship and Robert C. Byrd Scholarship. He has worked with artists, architects, and planners in Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States, and has taught students from elementary school to graduate school in a variety of architecture-related fields. Sidy hosted a television series on architecture for EMG Satellite Television that aired from 1996 to 1998 and was the youngest member of Architecture Magazine's May 1999 feature "Young Americans."


The Wright Lecture Series is sponsored by Southwest Chapter AIA Wisconsin, Monona Terrace, and Frank Lloyd Wright® Wisconsin.
MONONA TERRACE COMMUNITY AND CONVENTION CENTERONE JOHN NOLEN DRIVE I MADISON, WI 53703
VISIT COMMUNITYEVENTS.MONONATERRACE.COM

Redevelopment Meets Tuesday, May 20th-----Impact of Revised FEMA Map on TIF 5 will be discussed

Click on the post for the full agenda.

Economic Development Meets Tuesday, May 20th

Click on the post for the full agenda.

Book Beat; "They Marched Into Sunlight" by David Maraniss

Click on the post for the book review.

School Beat; Minn: Declining Enrollment, Teacher cuts Affect Minnesota Schools

Click on the post for the latest from Minnesota.

Blogs: End of Times: Iran v Israel; Politics and Religion and military unite

Lots of rhetoric in the press with the anniversary of the founding of Israel----Pres Bush as well as Bin Laden have thoughts on it.

For a little context of the event from the point of view of the "end of times" folks, click on the post. There is even a way to order some 'anti radiation pills" just in case the rapture turns out a bit different that one expected. Enjoy.

School Beat; Evansville School Reports May 2008

Click on the post for the May 2008 Reports.

Intro by Mr. Peter Dietrich---Explains the structure of the "Divine Comedy"


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Beginning of "Divine Comedy" arr Robert W.l Smith performed by EHS Wind Ensemble dir. Doug Zblewski.


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Reflection: On Gambling: On Rolling out the Call: On Rolling Out the "Con"; On Delusion

Today we have news that year on year, foreclosures have increased 65% in April 2008. Secretary Paulson says we have turned the corner. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says we need to do more to confront the impact of foreclosures. I will leave it to the reader to deduce which has the clearer sense of reality.



I have been reading the book "Blood Sport", the story of President Bill Clinton during the Whitewater years---it is in audio form also. The banking crisis of those days----and I remember them well as a homeowner with interest rates over 10%, and banks failing, and even some in the conservative states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The total losses picked up by the FDIC was 50 BILLION. Today-----the crisis of mortgage foreclosures is at 500 BILLION and headed to a TRILLION according to some estimates. The major technique of most humans faced with these numbers is DENIAL. Especially during political season. We need some bold ideas for action and not just delay-----but DELAY is the strategy locally, nationally, and whether it will work is questionable----and the stakes are huge. Here is the analysis.



If you click on the post there is my classic post on the "Theory of Double Down"----in gambling, in stock investing-----as I recount, I have been debating this theory with my brother for the past 50 years since we were playing competitve MONOPOLY in the garage.



As a young stockbroker I remember vividly staring at investor accounts the days after the stock market Crash of 1986 where they were fully margined. The issue was right on the table for those who did have margin calls----should the investor meet the margin call with additional capital or should the position be closed out? The answer depends on what one thinks will happen in the future---the past charts are not relevant.

In the options business this dilemma is called "Rolling out the Call"----an investor with a losing position in an expiration ---say peanut butter chunky September 25 Calls, and suddenly the value of chunky falls to 10---there is the impuse to sell the call, take the tax loss, and buy the March 2009 Call, or would the March 2010 call be better. That way---when the market for chunky peanut butter comes roaring back.......WHEW....all will be well. (Chunky calls are fictional for example purposes only.)

On a local basis, if there is a very soft real estate market, with new home sales near zero, the rolling out the call could consist of ADDING lots to create a "Mix" or "Menu" of homes available for purchasers to choose from. Behind the rhetoric of this theory is the practical idea of bankers to hedge their bets by adding and in fact creating a monopoly of homes available in the new market---capturing this market for the next 20-30 years. Rolling out the call to 2030. This is a game for only the strongest players. The rest have to fold.

In the national scene---the infusion of capital from the Federal Reserve and the changes to the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to add capacity have allowed banks to get cash for poor quality collateral, and avoid disaster temporarily.....

This all reminds me of a young wife who is unhappy with her marriage, and in her despair decides to have children in the hopes that this will solve her unhappiness. The essential relationship is the key.......and it is the key in the financial sector as well. Unless the essentials are faced, the prospects are not bright.

Who is the best candidate for America? Is it Hillary who spent lots of time on the Whitewater accounting and the problems of Madison Guarantee Savings, or McCain who had his own involvement with problem banks. Yes. I can see it now. President Hillary visiting with the financial gurus in the White House, while, Bill, maybe in the Blue Room, wanting to be supportive, meeting with ...well....who knows....maybe Jennifer Flowers would stop by the White House just for old times sake.

That's how I see it.

Yahoo: Business: Foreclosures surge 65% in April

On a year to year comparison, foreclosures are up 65% in April. Click on the post for the full story.

Gazette; Town of Union Public Hearing coming on May 29 on Wind Turbine

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

School Beat; Music: EHS Wind Ensemble performs "The Divine Comedy"

Final Band concert of Year---EHS Wind Ensemble performs The Divine Comedy arr Robert W. Smith. This clip is form the opening of the second section, Purgatorio and opens with the French Horn.


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Fire at Langdon St. destroys Frat House---all safe

Doubleclick on photo for largest version. Click on post for coverage from The Critical Badger Blog that covered the fire on a minute by minute basis. Well done.

WSJ: Reject Irresponsible Budget Deal

Click on the post for today's OP in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Yahoo: Business: AIG in crisis

Click on the post for the latest.

"Complete Works of The Evansville Observer---Vol I---The Early Years" Goes to Press

Shortly The Complete Works of the Evansville Observer, Vol I--The Early Years will be published by Blurb, Inc. . All of it that is fit to print. With the usual eclectic mix of rants, poems, Reflections, Political diatribe, the Tales From Normal.... and yes even some heretofore unseen pics. 440 pages in hardcover and softcover.

Following local political tradition, The Observer will be emphasizing a youthful and vigorous spirit and all photos will emphasize a youthful zest. Stay tuned.

Mother's Day 2008

Hymns for Mother's Day---heard in Evansville "Gentle Mother" by George Wollinger with Jane Oberdorf on piano

Mothers Day 2008---"Ave Maria"

Mother's Day 2008---St. Paul's---George Wollinger with Jane Oberdorf on piano singing "Ave Maria."

Scenes from EHS Junior Prom 2008---doubleclick photos for largest version

Gazette: State reviews traffic response

Click on the post for the article today on the State DOT response to the freeway problem last winter. So far it has been all bun, no beef. Stay tuned.

School Beat: Madison Schools Face 9.2 Million Budget Gap

Click on the post for the latest.

Fashion Design: U of Minn; College of Design

The Observer does not cover design. However---the University of Minnesota College of Design does. Click on the post for a glimpse of the senior student designers. Enjoy.

School Beat; Building and Grounds Meets Monday---Shot Put and Discus Area may be moved

Click on the post for the full agenda.

Evansville School Board Meets Monday, May 12, 2008

Click on the post for the agenda.

Analysis: "The Reverse Empty Nest Syndrome---the theory"

As the first born of three children, I spent little time wondering about how my parents were coping with the empty nest. As the time approaches for our family to face the empty nest however, I have begun to review the many articles on this syndrome. In a cursory glance of all the stuff that has been written....I have concluded that much of it no longer applies---here is why.

Nowdays, it is far more prevelant that the kids are moving home with their kids, and in fact....the parents are looking for hotel rooms so they can have a getaway weekend for two. Thus----there is in fact NO empty nest syndrome. It is a myth of the past like the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

Blogs; The Right Stuff: "Nihlist in Golf Pants"

Click on the post for the latest from the wildly popular conservative blog in the Twin Cities.

School Beat; Edgerton plans for enrollment decline; Skinnies may be added to 4 period

Click on the post for the latest from the Gazette.

Evansville Common Council Meets on Tuesday---

Click on the post for the full agenda.

Business: Citigroup announces "winding down" of 400 billion of assets

Click on the post for the story.

Yahoo: Americans would pick Time over money

Click on the post for the video.

The Latest----MEET and GREET----for PETS

What:

A meet and Greet for pups that have been rescued from high kill Shelters and are now looking for forever homes

WHEN:

Saturday, May 10th
9-3 Rain or Shine

WHERE:

Big Sweeties
790 Brown School Road
Evansville, Wi 53536

We will be selling homemade brats and soda with all donations going towards Happy Hounds Rescue

If you are not looking for an addition to the family, come and eat a great homemade brat made by Alberici's Deli.

Public Safety Committee: Supr. Heidi Carvin Speaks on truancy policy--click on the video icon

5-7-2008; Public Safety Committee Meeting; Supr. Heidi Carvin presents Evansville School position on truancy policy, procedure and sanctions


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Fashion Design: Mailbag: Joan Sends Photoshoot:(Click on the post) Deni on Camera; Rake Magazine

I am grateful to Joan Hector, Senior in Fashion Design at University of Minnesota for sending these photos from the finale photoshoot---captured on Rake Magazine----and the surprise is that Deni, my sister's son, was the photographer.

So. Click on the post and enjoy. This is the Observer. I cover the fishing. I leave fashion coverage to the relatives from Uptown.

Public Safety Committee: Ald. Wessels Speaks on governance; truancy procedures

Alderman Wessels speaks re Truancy procedures; Addresses Governance issues


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Public Safety Committee: 5-7-2008----Judge Tom Alisankus Speaks on Why sanctions requested

Evansville Municipal Judge Tom Alisankus speaks on why placing sanctions in municipal ordinance is necessary regarding truancy


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Twin Cities: Deal with the Recession the Harley Way----

Click on the post for the Harley version of a long time business adage-----

Back in 1982 in the depth of the recession, a Dale Carnegie speaker announced: "Forget the news----work like crazy and take one day at a time. "

Harley has the same message....with a slightly different text.

Gazette; The Truancy Ordinance Proposal detailed by Gina Duwe

click on the post for the latest.

Truancy in Focus: Public Safety Meeting 5-7-2008

Public Safety: 5-7-2008: Discussion of possible revison of truancy ordinance language; Presentation by Evansville School officials re current procedures; Presentation by Judge Alisankus re requested sanctions language


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