Christmas Decorations 2015!

Well I am finally going to post some Christmas Decorations sorry that it has taken me so long to do this for everyone to enjoy but had to wait for our computer to come back and we still has some little problems that I had to figure out. Now we are up and running so I am going to post some pictures for everyone to enjoy.

I am going to start with Candy Cane Lane and when you go there you will see people standing out there taking donations for the M.A.C.C. Fund. The M.A.C.C. Fund is for Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer. While I was in line to get in I seen cars drive right past the people and I think that is really sad. Last year and this year I let the people know I am taking the pictures to post on here and I hand them one of our cards so they know we are here trying to help them out.

Here are some of the pictures we had taken-

                               I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and there are more to come.

"Hertzberg: JT should not allow anonymous online comments"

I'm bumping this up because of ongoing interest in the Mark Hertzberg fiasco.  The story on the Journal Times has 54 comments as of this writing.

From The Journal Times.com:

December 15, 2015 12:15 am (23) Comments 

"It is reprehensible that The Journal Times continues to allow readers to post comments online anonymously. Many comments are mean and judgmental. In some cases, they are also racist. Some clearly show that the poster did not read the article carefully before hitting the keyboard because he or she is asking questions that were answered in the story.

"These comments do not advance community dialogue in any positive way. It is reasonable to assume that we would not read these comments if the writers had to sign their name, as with letters to the editor in the print edition. Indeed, the newspaper does not print letters to the editor without first verifying the identity of the letter writer. Why should online posts meet a lower standard as e-readership eclipses print readership?

"A Lee newspaper in Montana recently announced that it will not allow anonymous posts after Jan. 1. The Journal Times should follow the lead of its sister newspaper.

"Mark Hertzberg

"Racine"

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/hertzberg-jt-should-not-allow-anonymous-online-comments/article_583bc263-308c-57f9-8e25-3f4681ccd009.html


I didn't even know that the Journal Times allowed anonymous commenting again.  The censorship  suggested by Mr. Hertzberg led to the creation of the JT Irregulars.

Open Blog - Weekend

Have a great weekend.

"4 New African Penguins Join Racine Zoo"

From Racine County Eye:

By Heather Asiyanbi in Community · December 17, 2015 · No comments 

 "The Racine Zoo‘s African penguin family has four new members, bringing the size of the group to 10.

"Bob was born in 2006 and is the largest of the four, weighing in at 10 pounds; Eon is eight years old and loves to swim and eat his fish off the floor; Stevie is the youngest at six years old, is shy with people but loves other penguins; and Norm, the old man of the group, is also the friendliest.
"African penguins are considered medium-sized and are the only species of penguin that live at the southern most tip of Africa. They can dive more than 100 feet and hold their breath for more than two minutes as a time. In the wild, penguins eat up to 14 percent of their body weight, and their favorites are anchovies, small fish, squid, and shellfish."

Read more: http://racinecountyeye.com/4-new-african-penguins-join-racine-zoo/


Penguins are cool no matter where they're from.

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone yes we have our computer back and believe me we are so happy. I just want to thank the sheriff for stepping in for me while the computer was down. Here are the questions for this week-

1) Are you all done with your Christmas shopping?

2) Have you taken a drive to see any of the Christmas decorations?

3) What are you plans for Christmas?

4) Have you watched any of the Christmas movies on t.v.?

Have a great day and I will be posting some Christmas decoration pictures later. Drew and I went to Candy Cane Lane to get some pictures and we went around town too. 

"Caledonia Police- A call with ALOT of humor, Beaver gets a ride in a squad!"

From RacineUncovered:

12/17/2015 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Posted by: racineuncovered

"From the Caledonia Police Department facebook-Call #15-22765 12-16-15 Three Mile Rd @ Johnson Park Dr. Yesterday Ofc. Gelden was dispatched to a complaint of a beaver in the roadway causing a traffic hazard. Ofc. Gelden responded to the scene and found not Jerry Mathers, but an actual beaver standing in the roadway. Ofc. Gelden using a trained and practiced technique was able to coax the Beav into his patrol vehicle. Beav was then taken to a local pond where he was given a short but effective lecture on violations of 346.25 in regards to pedestrians yielding way to vehicles when crossing the roadway. Beav was then released and pointed in the direction of some trees. As you can see in the photos Beav was happy to be released and waved goodbye to Ofc. Gelden.

"Make sure to visit and like them on facebook VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA POLICE DEPARTMENT FACEBOOK"

Credit - CPD

Credit - CPD

Read more: http://racineuncovered.org/2015/12/caledonia-police-a-call-with-alot-of-humor-beaver-gets-a-ride-in-a-squad/ 

Leave It To A Beaver

Open Blog - Friday

One more week and it will be Christmas Eve. Where does the time go?

"Kindergartners suspended for simulating sex at school"

From Racine Community Media:



"SHOCKING SEXUAL ACTS TAKING PLACE INSIDE CITY OF RACINE UNIFIED SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS. FOX6 MILWAUKEE REPORTS. CONCERNED COMMUNITY ASKING, 'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THIS CITY?'"

Read more: http://racinecommunitymedia.tumblr.com/post/135390479738/shocking-sexual-acts-taking-place-inside-city-of

Related: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/unified-board-meets-in-closed-seesion-about-kindergartner-suspensions/article_df052761-f2d4-56d9-86b1-228ab8bd6a50.html 

Top 10 Media Thursdays

Open Blog - Thursday

Sorry, I dropped the ball on the last two open blogs.

"Breweries ordinance approved"

From The Journal Times.com: 

 

19 hours ago  •  CARA SPOTO cara.spoto@journaltimes.com

"RACINE — Breweries and brew pubs will now have the right to set up shop in Racine.

"On Tuesday, the City Council voted 13-0 to approve changes to the city’s zoning to allow the businesses.

"There was no council discussion about the item."

Read more:  http://journaltimes.com/news/local/breweries-ordinance-approved/article_962a7d68-1be6-531b-87db-3fbc2e3a4630.html


Hot damn, time to start making moonshine at home.  I once had a Pyrex condenser, but sold it on eBay. 

"The Great of Racine and our community!"

From RacineUncovered:

12/16/2015 | Filed under: Commentary/Opinion,Local News | Posted by: racineuncovered

"We just wanted to share the happiness and the GREAT in the people of Racine again in case you missed them. Here are the tops stories from the last 2 weeks. From firefighters getting warm coats for an entire school, to cops and kids shopping, to someone paying it forward to a little boy that got a huge birthday surprise we thought we would share them all and show there is so much GREAT in this town!"

Racine Firefighters provide winter coats for Janes School

2nd-annual-shop-with-a-cop-a-huge-success/

Military wife would like to say thank you to Jims Garage Door Service

THANK YOU! Woman pays it forward in Racine standing in check out line

Thank you Racine Uncovered readers, YOU HELP MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

Police Officer Jay had a huge surprise for his 4th birthday! Thank you Racine Police!

Read more:  http://racineuncovered.org/2015/12/96576/

Let's hope I will be able to hear

Today is an important day in my life.  Well, at least, I hope it is.  The first of December, I had cochlear implant surgery.  Since that day, I've been almost totally deaf on my right side.  Today, the implant will be activated.  There is a chance that today I will hear things that I've been missing for over ten years.

Today, I become bionic!

UPDATE:  it's operational. Sounds are mechanical in nature and will settle down over time.  I cannot wear my left hearing aid for at least one month.  This forces me to rely on the right ear.  I can discern speech to a point.  I still need to sort out sounds and that will take time.  However, I could understand people speaking to me.

Time will handle most of these whacky sounds.  Everything we do makes a noise.  Oh, yes....

Now, here is the new advances I saw yesterday.  While I received a hybrid cochlear implant, I met a young man who had an implanted hearing aid that connected to a port behind his ear.  Small in size, maybe half an inch.  Another person had a much smaller implant.  New things are on the horizon in hearing loss technology.  Amazing strides are being taken.  

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my dear deer!  How are you?  Nationwide spring-like weather is being reported.  Enjoy it while you can.  We all know what January and February can do, weather--wise.  They can cripple everyone with days like 20 degrees below zero, maybe a string of such days.  Well, that's what winter is.  All populations on the planet celebrate the winter solstice in one way or another.  Ours is "Merry Christmas." And a Happy New Year!  Most Christians consider Christmas to be a serious, yet festive, occasion.  Number 2 only to Easter.  But I struggle each year harder and harder to get "into the Christmas spirit."  I think the holiday end of Christmas, the commercial end, to be 90% of the population's preoccupation.  The other 10% spend the time praying and celebrating the birth of our Lord.  On Christmas Day, people who don't attend regularly often show up in church.  Good for them. On Christmas Day may we praise the Prince of Peace.  May we practice what we preach in our every day dealings.

Christmas is happening next week.  Where did the time go?

To the right you  an see the current standings in the Irregular Football League.  my Screaming Psychics are in the semi-finals.  The Orbliterators were obliterated.  They get to play in a consolation game against  the Fighting Mongrels

In the :real: world our mighty Green Bay Packers trumped and tromped the Dallas Cowboys.  Next, they meet the Oakland Raiders this Sunday, December 20, at 3:25 PM, on Oakland turf,  Please crush the Raiders.  Destroy then any way you can,  We love our Pack.

I would post about all of the festivities occurring this time of year, but there;s just too much.  I would check all of the local news and blogs to get information: Journal Times, Racine Uncovered, Racine County Eye .  I believe that you get more information in the print edition of the Journal Times.  I'm sure there's plenty going on through Christmas Day.  All you have to do is look a little bit.  It's a great time of year to mingle with other people.  It's just a great time of year.

The other day I was in the Walmart Neighborhood Market. I saw a young, male employee trying to help an old, bent over gentlemen pick out a card.  I don't know if it was a Christmas card or not that the elderly gent wanted.  You could say that the employee was just doing his job, but when I saw it, it was a much more tender moment.  It's what Christmas is made of.

Thank you one and all for reading my blog this week.  I enjoy the company of visitors, and I hope they enjoy mine.  Love, love, love to everybody!

Have you been naughty or nice?  Ask madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

"They" say the weather is supposed to dip for awhile, but then bounce back.  Who knows? Only God.  Drive carefully, especially behind school buses and in shopping parking lots.  I love you all.  Christmas is only one and a half weeks away. Ho-ho-ho!

Open Blog - Wednesday

Oops. Like Garfield, I like to sleep. So sorry this is late.

"Survey finds public skeptical of flu shots"

From JSOnline:

A Walgreen’s customer gets a flu vaccination.  

Associated Press

By Crocker Stephenson of the Journal Sentinel

"With the height of the influenza season fast approaching, a survey published Tuesday by the federal Department of Health and Human Services found a sizable number of Americans are skeptical that a flu shot makes much of a difference.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

 "Paul Biedrzycki, director of disease control and environmental health at the Milwaukee Health Department, said the vaccine is a powerful preventative to reduce the severity of flu symptoms and to tamp down spread of the disease.

"'It's still the best tool we have,' he said.

 "But less than half of those surveyed —43%—said they strongly believed a flu vaccination would help protect them from the illness and nearly a third —32%—said they didn’t think it would help at all.

 "The Harris Poll online survey was conducted in mid-October among 2,225 adults. Because the sample in based on those who agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys, no sampling error could be calculated."

Read more:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/health/survey-finds-public-skeptical-flu-shots-make-a-difference-b99634959z1-362539431.html


I got my flu shot early this year.

Open Blog - Tuesday

Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

"Open government group files complaint against Public Records Board"

From The Journal Times.com:

5 hours ago  •  MATTHEW DeFOUR Wisconsin State Journal

"MADISON — A state open government watchdog group has filed a complaint alleging an obscure board made changes to the state's records retention policies in August in violation of the state open meetings law.

"Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, wrote Monday in a verified complaint to Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne that the Public Records Board made changes to the state's records retention policy without proper notice or record in its minutes of motions and votes.

"Cullen Werwie, a spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker's Department of Administration said last week 'while we do not agree that there was any violation, to the extent the Department of Administration provides administrative support to the Public Records Board, we plan on working with (the Department of Justice's) Office of Open Government to implement best practices for both the agenda and meeting minutes moving forward.'"

Read more:  http://journaltimes.com/news/local/state-and-regional/open-government-group-files-complaint-against-public-records-board/article_bce0ec4e-6e57-5a87-b19d-ede317b01b52.html


Racine and Wisconsin used to be good places to live, but now the corruption by our "leaders" have ruined both.

Open Blog - Monday

Sounds like a good deal to me.

"Journal Times editorial: A disservice to all who wear the badge"

From The Journal Times.com:

 2 hours ago  •  Journal Times Editorial Board

 

"Law enforcement officers do an incredibly difficult job. They go into places and situations most of us would stay away from, because they have sworn an oath to protect and serve.They uphold the law. But they are not above the law, and when they have abused the power and authority of the badge, they are just as bound to be held accountable as civilians.
 'Which is what makes the crimes committed by former Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw so disturbing.

"Late Thursday night, a jury announced that it had found Holtzclaw guilty of committing numerous rapes and sexual assaults while on duty and faces a possible life sentence in prison.

?Holtzclaw, accused of committing sex crimes against 13 black women while patrolling a low-income neighborhood, was found guilty on 18 counts, including four counts of first-degree rape."

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/print_specific/column/journal-times-editorial-a-disservice-to-all-who-wear-the/article_909b28e7-1b21-56eb-8199-1d4b206f87da.html

"Journal Times editorial: Trump taps vein of fear"

From The Journal Times.com:

December 12, 2015 8:00 pm  •  Journal Times Editorial Board

"Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been nonstop making headlines for his call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States until the nation’s leaders can 'figure out what is going on'

"His views are concerning, but with that said it’s understandable why many Americans are supporting Trump’s extreme views.

"They are mad. And they are scared because they don’t see what is being done to keep the nation safe.

"On Nov. 13, 130 people died in France in a terrorist attack that rocked the nation. The attack was later determined to be connected to Islamic State terrorist group.

"Then our own country was hit when a radicalized husband and wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif."

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/journal-times-editorial-trump-taps-vein-of-fear/article_a5401953-d552-5acf-ae0b-2741790744b5.html


At first, I thought Trump was just a clown.  Now I wonder what it would be like if he becomes president.

"Racine Kringle in National Spotlight"

From Racine County Eye:

By Paul Holley in Community · December 13, 2015 · No comments 

"The Racine area’s famous Kringle – and Wisconsin’s Official State Pastry – finally got its delicious closeup on 'CBS Sunday Morning' on Sunday, Dec. 13.

"Correspondent Vinita Nair and a crew took viewers on behind-the-scenes tours of three Kringle bakeries: Bendtsen’s Bakery, Larsen Bakery and O&H Danish Bakery. The approximately 3.5-minute minute story shows how butter, flour and numerous filings come together to make an incredibly popular pastry treat.

"The story includes a brief history of the Danish bakery culture and interviews with bakers Ben Bendtsen, Eric Olesen and Don Hutchinson.

"For more on “The Kringle: A Sweet Wisconsin Favorite” click HERE.

"(Photo: Kringle serving board courtesy of Kringle Etc.)"

Read more: http://racinecountyeye.com/racine-kringle-national-spotlight/


I believe I could survive a year eating nothing but pecan kringles.

Commentary by Steven Levy

"HOPE WE FIND GOD AGAIN BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

"APPARENTLY THE WHITE HOUSE REFERRED TO CHRISTMAS TREES AS HOLIDAYTREES FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR WHICH PROMPTED CBS PRESENTER,STEVEN LEVY, TO PRESENT THIS PIECE WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITHYOU. I THINK IT APPLIES JUST AS MUCH TO MANY COUNTRIES AS IT DOES TOAMERICA.

"_THE FOLLOWING WAS WRITTEN BY STEVEN LEVY AND RECITED BY HIM ON CBSSUNDAY MORNING COMMENTARY._

"My confession:

"I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think
Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think
people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around,
period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an
explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I
don't like it being shoved down my throat...

"Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that
we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as
we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old but
there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came
from and where the America we knew went to.

"In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is
a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny,
it's intended to get you thinking. In light of recent events...
terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when
Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years
ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school... The Bible
says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor
as yourself. And we said OK.

"Then Dr. Steven Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children
when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be
warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son
committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking
about.. And we said okay..

"Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why
they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to
kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

"Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it
out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

"Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the
world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say,
but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes'
through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start
sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through
cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school
and workplace.

"Are you laughing yet?

"Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many
on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or
what they will think of you for sending it.

"Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us
than what God thinks of us."

"The Beach Boys - 'Little Saint Nick'"