Positive Quote of the Day

Because I've always felt, whether the fatwa or whatever, the writer's great weapon is the truth and integrity of his voice. And as long as what you're saying is what you truly, honestly believe to be the case, then whatever the consequences, that's fine. That's an honorable position.

-- Salman Rushdie

--------------------------------------

The commentators of this generation are lucky enough to be able to opine about their beliefs without persecution (for the most part). HOWEVER, I think reporters and journalists are not privy to this luxury. There is a difference between the two. Reporters should be delivering unbiased news and facts. People like Katie Couric should not be orating about their opinions; however, commentators such as Keith Olbermann or Bill O'Reilly have open mics.

Do you support a TIF for a Downtown entertainment district?

The most recent poll question in the SJNP was: "Do you support a TIF for a Downtown entertainment district?"

"Downtown Entertainment District"? Judging by what is already situated in downtown and from what I have heard the City would like to see there, there is very little entertainment per se in the area. When you combine words like 'bar' and 'entertainment', I really don't see 'arts' in that equation. Ideas like 'theatre', 'class','family', or 'tourism' are also missing.

When I first moved to Missouri, I was so excited to read all the signs pointing to "(any city's name here) historic downtown". I always had a preconceived notion that I would be able to drive to these downtowns and be greeted with quaint older buildings in good repair. I would hope for a shopping "avenue", restaurants and other shoppes conducive to enticing travelers to stop for a visit and spend some much needed money (similar to Weston). So many times this is not the case. St. Joseph is no exception. The original concept of a downtown was centered around department stores and the idea of the location being a "one-stop-shop" for shoppers. While it is nearly impossible to get department stores back into downtown, it certainly is a viable option to make it a one-stop-shop place for residents and tourists alike.

Before we move forward with the TIF plan, our city needs to identify what their goals are for the downtown area. If it is meant to be purely a "bar" environment, then they should move forward with the "Downtown Entertainment District" theme and market their availability to topless bars, lounges, and foster the adult-only atmosphere. If they want to expand and broaden their consumer base, they may want to reconsider the naming and solicit businesses such as:

* Pharmacy (CVS?)
* Boutique shoppes (candy store, soda fountain, women's clothiers, novelty/specialty stores)
* Restaurants (coffee shop, deli, UPSCALE restaurant)
* Arcade
* Movie Theatre (haven't been in the existing one, but it needs a facelift)
* BETTER PARKING
* Art gallery
* Comedy club?
* Florist

I think everyone would agree that if we had a thriving downtown, both our citizens and businesses may feel better about attracting tourism, growing the residential base near the downtown region, and evoke an overall city pride.

Tracking ARRA Locally

The Missouri State Auditor's office has set up a website dedicated to tracking funds received under BO's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). According to the website,

"The state auditor's office is Missouri's independent watchdog agency and ... (is) committed to embracing a high level of transparency and accountability of public funds within Missouri state government."

It's kinda neat that our state is making this information available to residents.

Click Here to visit the site.

Miss USA Contestant Holds a Moral Compass

In discussing the recent "scandal" surrounding the Miss USA contest where Miss California was asked about her view on gay marriage, several folks were saying that Carrie Prejean's answer was not politically correct enough. My friends were telling me that had she really wanted to win she should have replied differently, more indirectly. Responses ranged from the idea that she should have kept her personal beliefs out of the subject and told the audience that it was up to the states to make their own decisions or she should have recognized gays as equals to heterosexuals.

Regardless of her opinion, I applaud Miss Prejean. She did not respond in a politically correct manner. She did not cater to the minority. She did not falter in her response. She refused to "take it back" afterward and stood by her answer. She responded with an answer that strongly reflected her beliefs.

The response voiced by bloggers, viewers, etc; was so unanimous - if she wanted to win, she would have replied differently. I disagree. All too often, we Americans are used to being lied to or our questions ignored or passed over. We like politicians to tell us whatever makes us feel good, not necessarily what is the truth or belief of our community leaders, we only get to hear what is popular... what will get them a 'win'.

Pity. We never learn about what our community leaders truly believe. We never truly learn who they are or how they feel about issues. We blindly follow our leaders. We are sheep. Especially if we Americans can get so irked about a single comment made by a beauty pageant contestant. This is what makes America great - we have the freedom to voice our own opinion, popular or not. Why can't we respect Miss Prejean's values and beliefs? Who really cares if they are in line with our own beliefs? It's a breath of fresh air to see someone telling the truth on camera, especially with such a 'loaded' question.

Free sample! Sir! Free sample, yes! You take! Free sample!

The East Hills Mall has proudly announced:

EAST HILLS SHOPPING CENTER ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF TOKYO-SAN JAPANESE GRILL & SUSHI

Tokyo-San Japanese Grill & Sushi opens this Friday, April 17th in the Sunporch Cafe & Lounge.

Experience a unique Japanese dining experience. The freshest food prepared right before your eyes. Visit Tokyo-San in the Sunporch Cafe & Lounge and try their tasty free samples! Plus, enjoy an everyday chicken entree special for just $4.99; includes vegetable and rice.

Menu selections include teriyaki chicken, black pepper beef, honey spice chicken and SOBE green tea just to name a few.

I wonder how many various Asian cuisine restaurants the mall thinks they can sustain. The count is up to three, but I'm sure they're shooting for two more to fill up the empty spots...

Discount Dining

I stumbled quite literally upon this website: http://kqtv.nexstardeals.com/

Here you can get dining discounts. The website is sponsored by the St Joe Channel, so I'm guessing it's legit. I haven't had the opportunity to utilize the services available yet, but I'll let you know when I do if it works. If you use it before me, let me know!

Email to: joemama30@gmail.com

Newspaper Viability

I'm addicted. I admit it. I'm a news junkie. I watch various programs on the television, I read the newspaper, I search the web. With so many avenues to obtain information it's really not surprising that the bankruptcies of newspapers across the country are making headlines.

Answer this question: since career searches, coupon clipping, ads, and article information are all available online (FOR FREE), why would anyone pay for a newspaper subscription?

Sure, the smell of the ink, the feel of the paper, and the general nostalgia of reading the paper (weekend or otherwise) tend to give me a sense of comfort and regularity. But really, am I missing anything by canceling my print subscription? I suppose in contrast to the cost of cable and internet newspapers are much more cost-effective as a source for information.

Maybe people like me want MORE! Yes, more. I believe people are searching for different points of view so they can try to make a story objective, less slanted, and perhaps even more informative. I have found that our local News-Press paper doesn't provide enough articles. They seem to omit so much information - or report it too late. Case in point - the Big Brother/Big Sister program recently ran a month-long volunteer recruitment drive. The NP chose to report it after the drive was completed. How were folks to know when/where/how to sign up? The NP's world is so small... so limited. It's almost as if they don't report much world, national, state news it doesn't exist. And their articles are almost always slanted and biased. Is there no balanced news source nowadays? In a "small" town like ours, it's hard not to overhear rumors on the gossip mill. Yet, there is no reliable/dependable news source to catch up on all the accurate happenings here. Oh well, it sure gives people like me an opportunity to voice an opinion.

Fake & Bake

It's that time of year again, folks. Time to "fake & bake". I still marvel at how many men, children, older women (heck, women period) choose to get their tan from a bed. Whatever happened to the good old days when people spent ample time outdoors getting good old fashioned suntans from playing and working outdoors?

I can't say I blame these folks. We do live in a society centered around convenience and materialism and this is just another easy way to get something we want with little effort. It is rather comical, though, to see the fake and bakers. You can spot them a mile away. This time of year many are burned from overbaking (OUCH!) and some are rather "oompa-loompa-ish" (can you say ORANGE?). I wonder if they acknowledge that they stick out... and not necessarily in a good way? Overall, I think it's easy to notice these folks simply because (a) any person relying on sunshine to tan doesn't have an all-over even glow - tan lines, sunglass lines, etc; are obvious, and (b) how many individuals are exhibiting a dark tan this early in the season?

My favorite people to gawk at are the young women (<21) who go overboard. They really look bad. Nothing natural to their tan at all. They are so fried, their skin is wrinkly and badly colored. In fact, even their lips are tan! They look so silly compared to the majority of the populace. But man, I'm sure they look great in that tanning salon!

System Builders, Inc. - Business Profile

System Builders was founded in 1974 by Raymond Johnson and Wick Lehr as a General Contracting Company, providing Butler Metal Buildings on small commercial projects. Some of their first customers are still customers today: Missouri Western State College, Shamrad Boiler, Phillips Roxane, Iowa-Missouri Walnut, Ryder Truck, St. Joseph Light & Power, Lloyd Metal Products, Pillsbury, Thompson Implement, Reynolds Machine & Tool, Lawhon Construction, Lehr Construction…

Located at 621 S. 5th St, the privately owned company has expanded it's services to become a Design / Build Contractor providing Varco Pruden Pre-Engineered Building Systems. On System Builders' website, they list some interesting facts about the benefits of using Pre-Engineered systems for construction, citing that Pre-Engineered building systems are appropriate for all uses including retail, religious, manufacturing, office, warehousing, distribution, institutional, educational, and commercaial.

System Builders currently employs about 10 'key' people. The philosophy that remains fundamental to their success is that "Reputation is Everything".

Click Here to visit their website and learn more about the services they provide.

Positive Quote of the Day

Some people say I have attitude - maybe I do. But I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does - that makes you a winner right there.

-- Venus Williams US tennis champion

========================

THIS is a positive quote? I think there is a difference between confidence and arrogance (or "having an attitude). I don't think I've ever heard an athlete say that they knowingly have an attitude and tout it as a good thing. This is an interesting spin on believing in yourself.

Men in Blue @ Home?

One of my neighbors is an officer with the SJPD. I've never talked to him except for the day I introduced myself after I moved in; he didn't mention his career at our introduction, and has been uninterested in any further discussion. So, how do I know what his occupation is? Because his patrol car is parked in his driveway more hours than it is away. I attribute the consistency of its appearance to the idea that perhaps this fellow works the night shift. Don't get me wrong, I think the vehicle's presence is a good deterrent from would-be thieves, but that is the extent of the positive feeling I have about this patrol unit being parked day-in and day-out at this officer's house.

Unable to find any relative answers, I am left wondering the following:
1) Do all street patrol officers take their vehicles home?
2) Is there a substantial reason for having a vehicle for each officer?
3) Has it ever been considered that some, or most, officers could share their vehicle with someone on a different shift, thereby saving costs?
4) What is considered a full-time shift period?
5) Is it common for patrolmen to spend a significant time at home?

A few disclaimers:
a) I highly respect our police force. It takes a special person to put the uniform on every day with the intentions of keeping our city safe.
b) The only reason I raise this discussion is because I have never heard of patrol officers having a personal vehicle in any other city.

**UPDATED 4/17/09** In the recent newsletter distributed through the City, there was a notice indicating that the SJPD will be purchasing TEN Chevy Impalas. Do they need that many vehicles or are they replacing their fleet?? WOW!

Wanted: Teen/Youth Community Center

I am a strong proponent of a free youth center for teens to "hang out" at. All too often I have seen teens "cruising" The North Shoppes or The Belt or hanging out in parking lots. A while ago, several businesses complained that the teens were unwelcome in their parking lots because of concern that they may cause mischief.

If our kids have nowhere to go, it is reasonable to assume that in a community where few parents question their child's actions, our teens are going to find themselves searching for free or low-cost activities that continue to pique their interests. Why are these options not available to our kids? Maybe this would even help reduce the number of teen pregnancies!

My solution: a city- & community-sponsored INDOOR recreational facility that is open evenings and weekends where our youth can congregate. The center should provide a basketball court, pool tables, vending machines, adult supervision (30+ years), and free or reduced-cost admission (around $1); I guarantee the kids will come.

A quote from a popular movie says "If you build it, they will come". Our teens don't need babysitters, but they need a safe place to go and "hang out". I'm sure if this service were provided, teens would gladly provide input as to what activities they would like to see available at the community center. This would be managed by the parks & rec department.

The State of MO has a curfew of 11:59pm on weekends and 11pm during the week. Our City lists on their website that the curfew for minors (16 and under) is 11pm every day of the week. The community center should close 15 minutes prior to close so that the kids can get home "on time".

As far as I know, this service is presently unavailable but would easily serve a growing need for our youth. Just think how easily it would be to convert an abandoned downtown building thereby reducing blight also! Doesn't our esteemed mayor hold some interest in several properties? An investment in our youth is an investment in our future.

Positive Quote of the Day

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame someone else.

-- John Burroughs

¿Habla Usted Espanol?

Do YOU speak Spanish? According to a recent report from the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, nearly 1 of 2 new Americans in 2008 was Latino!

Several years ago, I attended a speech by Newt Gingrich. One point he made was that businesses who do not start formulating a plan now (back in 2004) for marketing to Hispanics were going to be very sorry. My first instinct was to think, "Too bad for those who don't speak English... they should learn." Bad me. Mr. Gingrich had a valid point. These Latios are coming to America, and they are coming in droves.

How does this affect St Joe businesses and residents?

• Businesses need to learn Hispanic culture. You would be surprised what different products they purchase! A huge market waiting to be tapped is knocking on your doors.


• Residents should learn Spanish. Obviously, the Hispanic populace is expanding. Often times there will be only one English speaker in a household of 2 or 3 families. This interpreter will accompany family and friends on "excursions" out of the home. Unfortunately, the English speaker is too many times a child. Any individual who can speak Spanish will be highly desirable in the work force... need I say more?


• Business owners need to hire bilingual individuals. Anyone who works with the public should be able to speak 2 languages. You'll be surprised how your customer base will expand.


• Parents should teach their children at a young age. Studies show that it is easier for younger students to pick up new languages. Hint: there is a reason Dora the Explorer is such a popular program!


• Latinos are not staying in states like CA or FL. They are quickly migrating throughout the entire country and will soon be a major voice in our region. The better prepared we are for the influx, the more tolerant and prosperous our community will become.

This is a good start and should plant seeds for thought in St Joe residents. Although I believe most locals are "behind the curve" in establishing a plan for marketing to Latinos, it is never too late. Keep your customer base local!

Click Here to read the article about the growing US Hispanic population.

Safety Net?

Last night on national news, I heard about an 8-yr-old California girl who was found in a suitcase, murdered. It breaks my heart every time about I hear about any crimes toward children. Youth. Innocence. Lost. This child was playing in front of her house with a neighborhood pal. As she went from one friend's home to anothers, she was abducted. Playing in front of her house.

As parents, we all try to give our kids boundaries. We are bombarded with news reports citing the climbing rise of obesity in children. So, trying to be the good parents that we are, we encourage socializing with other children and promote outdoor play. What happened to the "Leave it to Beaver" days when children could go outside, blocks away, form a baseball team, and play with their buddies from just after school until dusk? Parents never worried about abduction or murder - they just prayed their child wouldn't be the one getting "in trouble"!

I watch the neighborhood children on my block gallantly frollick back and forth across the streets. All kids are welcome to play; none is ever turned away. The kids bounce from home to home, swindling treats from each family home, sharing their slides and swings and other various playground-type equipment, playing basketball and riding bikes. Each child truly enjoys his/her playtime with the kids in their neighborhood - they share a unique bond. They live in the same area!

But as content as it is for me to watch them, in the back of my mind I always have a watchful eye. Watching for what? The boogeyman? Sure, if that's the form these predators take. I want them to be safe, happy, and unharmed. When one falls from a bike, I'm sure to run out to make sure it's only a skinned knee and not a broken appendage. But where are the parents? Are they not also worried about the well-being of their child? Are they convinced that "someone else" is watching out for their child? Are they too preoccupied with their daily chores that they cannot set aside time to enjoy the age of innocence?

I wish we didn't have to watch our children every second of the day. I wish kids were able to ask their parents if they could go for a bike ride and we wouldn't have to worry about the "what-ifs" that might happen. I wish it were as easy as worrying about your kid getting hurt on that bike ride, not something as extreme as abduction, murder, or rape. But I'm also not naive. I realize that the world has changed and we cannot allow our youth to play outdoors unsupervised. A pity, really. These children will never brawl to work out their differences, a parent will always be there to intervene.

Living in St Joe has given me a sense of safety. Saying it outloud tells me how silly it sounds. But really, I enjoy being a member of a community where I'm not overly concerned if I forget to lock my doors at night. I take for granted that my kids can go outside and play in the field while I glance up every now and then, instead of the persistent watchful eye that is needed in other parts of the country. But is this a false sense of security? What makes our city any different? Does the boogeyman live here, too? Are the predators watching my kids, too?

Tonight I'm going to tell my kids just how much I love them, give them big hugs, and pray that tomorrow they will have another day of fun, oblivious to the boogeyman and his evils, and I will be watching to ensure their safety. Always watching.

What Newcomers Are Surprised About When They Move to St Joseph

1. The number of stars in the sky (who knew?).
2. There isn't any smog... anywhere.
3. There are white people... everywhere.
4. It's okay for religion and politics to be intertwined.
5. Personal property tax sucks - and it's really high.
6. Property taxes suck - and they're really high.
7. Parks & recreation has such a paltry budget it's amazing that department can do anything.
8. Lots of parkways everywhere (YAY), but too few places to park to take advantage of them if you don't live near them (BOO).
9. Few homes have fences; the ones that do only have short fences; even less people have dogs.
10. Kids are bussed to school and spend all day there.
11. There are a lot of older people here.
12. If you don't know anyone, you'll never find a Friday night poker buddy. Chances are your new friends hang out with their extended family and old high school pals... all. the. time.
13. You won't find a "real" ethnic food restaurant. Chinese? Mexican anyone?
14. Adults have more opportunities for sporting leagues than kids do.
15. Wide open spaces.
16. Corn.
17. Soybean.
18. Cows. Horses. Livestock.
19. Hay... basically... crops altogether.
20. The weather is highly unpredictable, but wonderful. 4 seasons rock!
21. Locals don't love their local college team as much as they should.
22. Local college doesn't market to "outside" students as much as they should.
23. Cable is very expensive and doesn't work all the time. They blame sunspots.
24. Cellphone reception is "iffy".
25. Internet connections are terrible! Speeds vary from slow to really slow and are many times disconnected if you use DSL. Cable isn't any better. Or cheaper.
26. Traffic - there isn't any!
27. You can't get quality groceries at one store - you have to shop around. Meat at one store... produce at another... etc;
28. People here LOVE to eat out.
29. People here love to smoke (EWW). And it's okay with everyone else.
30. Lots of public pools.
31. Lots of parks that are actually open spaces that aren't any good for someone with a toddler who wants to climb.
32. Concrete roads are weird. And bumpy.
33. Lots of places to volunteer.
34. Salt is not at a premium here - MoDot and the City use it freely when bad weather is expected - rarely will the main roads be impassable.
35. You'll miss the last place you lived. :)

Gitmo Prisoners to Receive Federal Aid

Did you catch this a couple of weeks ago?

"President Barack Obama's intelligence chief confirmed Thursday that some Guantanamo inmates may be released on US soil and receive assistance to return to society.

"If we are to release them in the United States, we need some sort of assistance for them to start a new life," said National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair at his first press conference.

"You can't just put them on the street," he added. "All that is work in progress.""

Welcome terrorists to the good 'ol US of A. Here's some money so you can get started on your new life of freedom. After all... you deserve it more than I do! Seventy-five percent (75%) say Guantanamo inmates should not be released in this country, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Click here to read the entire article

Driving Miss Daisy on Rural Roads

I recently pulled directions from Google for a trip to Kansas. When reviewing what I had printed, I quickly glanced over the directions to make sure they "made sense", then took a quick double-take. I was shocked that Google was sending me on "back roads" instead of traditional Interstate roadways. Nevertheless, I trusted that Google would get me to my destination, and was correct in my assumption.

What is shocking to me is the speed limits that are imposed on most rural highways! Posted limits range from 55-60mph. I would be more accepting of these limits if the roads themselves were relatively straight and wide; however, this isn't the case. Nearly all the "Routes" in ours and neighboring counties have extreme changes in topography (they can be very hilly), have many unpaved arterial streets with access at the crest of a hill, and are narrow with steep embankments on either side. Frequent travelers of these roadways travel at very high speeds and are inclined to tailgate those less familiar with the highways. I now understand why there are so many accidents and fatalities on our rural highways - a simple over-correction or blink of an eye can have devastating consequences.

I guess Google knew I would get to my destination faster sailing over the rural highways than I would cruising along the interstates.

Tax Day Tea Party

On February 27th, an estimated 30,000 Americans took to the street in 40+ cities accross the country in the first nationwide “Tea Party” protest. Organizers of the February 27th events pledged to continue on with an even bigger and better protest to follow the first. With April 15th being “Tax Day”, it was decided to schedule the second round of Tea Party protests to ride alongside the tax deadline. And with that, the “Tax Day Tea Party”, the second round of the Nationwide Tea Party protests, moved into reality.

Our Tea Party starts;
City: Kansas City
When: April 15, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Liberty Memorial
Website: taxdayteaparty.com
Email: kctaxday@gmail.com
Phone: 816.694.2844
Facebook Group: Click Here