Our thoughts open thread

 Since we’ve been on the subject of the little convience store where Cotton’s gas station used to be we thought we’d give you some food for thought.

 It’s been said that the same people who own this business also own the 3rd. Street Mart, the old SA gas station on 12th. and Brady, and another one that escapes us for the moment.  We had a thought. If the 3rd. Street Mart loses it’s appeal on its liquor license; should the other businesses lose theirs? Seems to us it should be guilt by association. We don’t pretend to know the laws concerning this, but it makes sense.

 We remember when the liquor stores used to be run by the state. Is it really getting that bad that gas stations have to sell beer and convience stores liquor? We’re not against selling it, but sometimes it seems areas that need the stores the least are saturated with them.

 Is there a city law that prevents such saturation? Obviously not; but should there be? It just seems to us that where these little marts open up, trouble follows. When they come to our neighborhoods, we notice a difference in crime rates. Maybe the owners of these businesses should be held more resposible for what goes down on and around their business. Perhaps there should be a cap on the number of these businesses in any one given area.

 That’s our thoughts on it, yours are welcome on this or any subject.

Post election open thread

So now we againsters are supposed to feel so sad, we lost. The build it at any cost side won. Meyer got beat, Olsen lost. Wow! The problem there is Meyer didn’t even campaign, had  negative illegal actions taken against him, and still took 43.4% of the vote. Olsen only lost by 1% with a last minute negative campaign thrown at her. What a landslide! And to you guys’ credit, we got the best politicians money can buy, and it didn’t cost our side a dime.

 We’ll wait and see if the projected budget this council votes in stays at $161 million, or if it magically increases. This particular redneck feels that running the city at a cost of over $1.6 million per resident is not a deal. We’ll wait until the lawsuits get settled along with the appeals, then maybe we’ll be sad.

 Consider this an open post as we’ll be busy again. Comments on about anything are welcome.

Campaign, and another loss open thread

 The election is sneaking up on us and we felt it was time for a reminder. It appears that the candidates are running clean campaigns; but having been on the recieving end of an auto-dialer call someone isn’t. While someone feels these calls are important enough to interupt our dinners, they are not proud enough of them to say their group is behind them. Please don’t bother us with your drivel, we do have brains and we know how to use them.

 We feel this is what cost Jamie Howard a shot at the Mayor’s seat. We don’t care what the other candidates did years ago. She just couldn’t hide from the smear campaign and her record as an elected official. We hope the others learned from her mistake.

 Another sore spot is Malin’s treatment of Alderman Meyer. Nice to find out you can’t bar elected officials from others,  weeks after you do. We have to ask; what does this council want to do that they feel Alderman Meyer will protest against? More taxes? We’re not big on the conspiracy theory, but something smells fishy. Regardless of which ward you live in, if we all just look at the incumbant’s voting record, the problems we may have encountered, and the promises of those sharing the ballot before we vote, and forget rumors and innuendos we’ll be a better city for it.

 On a sad note, we lost another friend died Monday. Al Siefers passed away. Over the years he was active in the car hobby, raised a family, and made a lot of friends along the way. He was a member of the Quad Cities Antique Ford Car Club, the Antique Snowmobile Club of America, and the Midwest Crosley Club. He also enjoyed attending events involving steam power and thrashing. He was a veteran, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. Our condolences to the family.

 This is going to be an open thread as we’ll be busy for while. Feel free to comment on any subject as long as it’s not illegal or fattening.

Season end open thread

This weekend was one we had to choose between events. We were leaning heavily toward Jenn Olsens’ event, but ended up going to the last Southpark cruise-in instead. It had just been a while since the wife and I went somewhere alone, besides the grocery store or Doctors’ office. We did hear that Jenn Olsens’ event did quite well without us, and it was a nice night to be out.

 Now the fun starts for us car guys getting ready for winter. We’re behind schedule, but should remedy that this week. We’ll just rebuild a Holley, add some Sea-Foam, and get ready to park a couple vehicles until spring.

 To answer a few questions we’ve been getting when we do make it out, yes we still have the Chevy, the Plymouth, and the truck. Yes a strong wind would still blow me away, no I don’t have a chip on my shoulder, and yes I know what a Barber Shop looks like. Those who really know me know it isn’t quite time for my yearly trim yet.

 There won’t be much car stuff locally for months now. Of course the first part of next month is the Rockabilly Reunion, but that’s about the music. The indoor Car Show show will roll around the end of January, and Monticello indoor show in February. We really miss the 3-D Sound Christmas Dinner in Dixon, Ill.

 So consider this an open thread and comment on just about anything.

The cruise and some Cub Scouts open thread

This is a non-election post. Don’t know about anyone else, but I’m burned out on the subject. That could change after the results are in, but consider this an open thread as I’ll be busy for a few days putting a garage together.

 Last Saturdays ‘Toys for Tots Cruise’ had 218 cars and trucks actually bring a toy and cruise the streets of Davenport. Estimates of the total number of vehicles at the cruise-in varied from 450 to 700. We just know there was a bunch. It looked like everybody was having a good time, and we even hung around later than usual. We didn’t get to see all the vehicles, Repo knows what I mean. It was nice to touch bases with old friends again, and it was needed to maintain our sanity. We can only go so long without looking at a bunch of neat cars and trucks. 

 Some Cub Scouts from LeClaire, Ia., are going to the Lake Davenport Sailing Club Thursday October 11th from 6:30 pm until around 8 pm. Doc Davis is going to give them the nickel tour plus. Sounds like it might be fun for all involved.

 This is an open thread, feel free to post about what’s on your mind. No, I don’t have the truck straightened out yet; and no, I don’t care if you comment on the election or candidates. So tell us what’s on your mind.

Non-political meeting open thread

 Here’s a press release we recieved about an upcoming meeting.

The public is invited to the Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers’ October 9th meeting at The Brown Bottle, 1624 - 5th Ave., Moline, IL

The topic is “Using Simulation Models to Analyze Systems”.  The speaker is Rainer Dronzek, Assistant Vice President of TranSystems, Chicago, IL.

There will be cocktails at 5:30, dinner at 6:30, and the presentation will begin at 7:30 pm.  The cost is $20 per person.  For Reservations, please contact Bonnie Thiede (309-756-1454 or thiedebonniej@johndeere.com ) by Friday, 5 October 2007.

Through model demonstrations of actual project case studies, Rainer will provide an overview of various simulation tools and highlight their use in different applications and industries.   Mr. Dronzek has held engineering and management positions in the consulting, aerospace and oil and gas industries.  His background includes design engineering, project management, process analysis and operations.  He specializes in simulation modeling of manufacturing, transportation, and service industry processes, including manufacturing lines, parts distribution, intermodal operations, supply chain networks, and traffic and pedestrian flow.  Rainer is active in the Institute of Industrial Engineers (including serving as the simulation expert for their Ask the Expert program), the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
The Mississippi Valley Chapter of IIE is made up of 65 leaders of business, government, and education in the Quad-Cities, Eastern Iowa, and Western Illinois.

 Consider this an open thread, comments on any subject are welcome.

Rumors and a Car Show open thread

 Consider this an open thread. Anon posted a comment on an earlier post, and I don’t have an answer, only rumors.  Here’s the post-

Cruiser - I couldn’t find a recent open thread, so I thought this post was close.  Do you know what is going on with EDDC?  I heard today that the ED is resigning and it is likely more than 400K in affordable housing rehab dollars will have to be returned to the State early next year  if they don’t use them…What is going on?

 There are several things that have been happening, the resignation of some of the board members of the AHTF, a conspiracy theory by some that recent buyups of retail and commercial properties are linked to Baltimore. Seems Pierce school in the Village of East Davenport, the Putnam block downtown, and just about anything else that’s been for sale. Some seem think gambling money is involved, others think when the dust settles some of these people won’t make good neighbors. This is a rumor, but it does have some merit.

 The Quad-City’s Vintage Rods 36th Annual Car Show is Sunday, September 30, 2007 at the Black Hawk College Campus, 6600 34th. Ave., Moline. It runs from 9 am, to 2 pm,  for spectators and there is a $2 admission fee that goes towards the clubs scholarship program. If you have any questions, call Mark Schumacher at (309)314-3919.

 There are other events going on also. Jenn Olsen is having her Musical Fundraiser Sunday at Mojo’s in the RME, LaMark Combs is having a taco dinner fundraiser Sunday and much more. I will post about these events sometime Saturday. Your comments on any subject are welcome.

Open thread

 Tomorrow, August 11, is the Cruise-in at Northpark. It starts at 6 pm, and goes till’ the fun runs out. If you’ve never been to this cruise, it’s one of the better ones around.

 Next weekend is the Flying Eyeball and I’ve found out a few things about that also. Friday the event kicks off at the RME with registration starting at 3 pm. The poker run is 3-5pm, and the street dance starts at 5. The street dance will go on until the oldfarts get tired, or the cows come home. Saturday is an all day event at the fairgrounds starting with a pancake breakfast. Sunday is run what you brung at Cordova drag strip. From what I hear you have to be a member of the PTA to run. Not that PTA, the Prairie Timing Assn. For more info on this group go to www.officialpta.com

 I mentioned the 100 Homes program in my last post. If you didn’t read, you should. It sounds like a good program for SoLo neighborhoods, and they’re still looking for suggestions.

 The shooting by 15th and Arlington is a reminder that even though crime is down, it hasn’t gone away completely. These so-called ‘fueding families’ should take their fight elsewhere. With the children around the area this sort of behavior is not to be tolerated.

 The election is getting interesting, so if people get informed and see through the smoke and mirrors of campaign promises, we can get some people who really care what we think into office. There are things that need to be done differently around here. Let’s hope the right people step forward to get it done.

 Consider this an open thread. We don’t know how busy we’ll be this weekend, only that it will be hectic. Your opinion on the menioned subjects, or any other, are welcome.

Stuff open thread

 A person has been arrested in the Sav-A-Lot shooting. Here’s the QC Times take on the story.  Barb Ickes also has a take on it. Both are from today’s paper.

This weekend was busier than usual. We had several irons in the fire, just hope we got to all of them.
 I have a few things I want to talk about so, in no particular order, here they are-

 To the person or persons who have been vandalizing my truck, stop. It has been humorous up till now, if it’s a problem you have we me come up to the door. We’ll go out in the alley and resolve the problem. If you’re just someone who enjoys damaging other peoples property, I will catch you, and you won’t like how it ends.
 We just found out a friend of the family died unexpectly recently. My condolences to the family. I’m being a little cryptic, but I’m sure his family will understand.
 It would seem that some people who use the skatepark don’t want it to be around long. When you destroy property, drive cars on the aprons and grass, and make a mess, you will lose the skatepark. Security issues are going to have to be addressed, and problems resolved. If not our million dollar skatepark will be history. The apathy shown by both the City and Police adminitrations illustrate they obviously don’t care what happens in or to the park. That’s sad.
 Since the Mark was renamed, some posters suggested naming the skybridge. I like the idea. If we think about long enough, I’m sure we could come up with something that would stick. The Police Union is starting a petition to get the tax allocation on the ballot. They want a vote on allocating 10% of the 40% from local option sales tax designated for capital improvement to go to the hiring of more Police Officers. With the City Council not coming to an agreement on this, I hope you get it done. I know I would vote for it.
 Lastly, to the guy getting released from prison for the attempted murder of my family and myself. You are coming back to Davenport in the work release program. keep your nose clean, and don’t mess up your parole.
Comments on any subject are welcome.

Bush Library flooded open thread

PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DESTROYED BY FLOOD –   Crawford, Texas – 

  A tragic flood this morning destroyed the personal library of President George W. Bush.   The flood began in the presidential bathroom where both of the books were kept.
Both books have been lost.    A presidential spokesman said the president was devastated, as he had almost finished coloring the second one.
The White House tried to call FEMA, but there was no answer.