I just don’t have anything to say today. So I’ll let you do the talking. Have at it!

The New York Times has an interesting article today that questions whether children’s menus are good for kids. David Kamp writes, “the standard children’s menu is regressive, encouraging children (and their misguided parents) to believe that there is a rigidly delineated ‘kids’ cuisine’ that exists entirely apart from grown-up cuisine.”

Especially irritating to the author is the ubiquitous chicken finger. I have to admit, it is on every kids menu I’ve ever seen, even at Avanti’s where chicken fingers wouldn’t seem to fit an Italian menu. Says Kamp, “It pains me that many children now grow up eating little besides golden-brown logs of kid food, especially in a time when the quality, variety and availability of good ingredients is better than ever.”

The NY Times offered a place for readers to posit their opinions here. But I wonder, locally, what do you all think of children’s menus? Are you concerned that the food offered isn’t the healthiest? Or are you most concerned with the limited number and homogeneous nature of the offerings? Or do you think they’re great and wish you could order off of it yourself?

The Children’s ISA is the best financial option for parents. More and more parents are impressed by child ISA allowance. Visit their website for more info.

If I were tasked with picking out a tool that would illustrate “elevator renovations,” one that definitely does not spring to mind is “hammer.” Maybe that’s just me.

Also, a sign like this really gives one pause before using the elevator.

My wife and I got back from our weekend getaway last night (it was very fun and relaxing, by the way). But now there is much work to catch up on, so I won’t be able to do much blogging today. Maybe this evening I’ll have some time to write up a couple of things. The school board meeting should be interesting. If anyone is interested in watching it, the school board meeting will be televised live on Insight cable channel 17 tonight.

Well, truth be told, my wife and I are getting away for the weekend, which means I have to do a week’s worth of work in four days. Hence, not much blogging. But in the meantime, I encourage you to check out the other fine blogs on my blogroll. In particular, Billy has a great post today where he interviews Jonathan Ahl from WCBU.

I have a head cold that is getting worse as the day wears on. So, while I had hoped to do some blogging tonight and tomorrow, it’s probably not going to happen.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy the beautiful weather for me. And, if you find a spare moment and want to comment on anything that comes to mind, you can use the comments section of this post as an open thread.

I’m not going to be able to blog much today. So, here’s an open thread for you — feel free to discuss whatever you’d like! You always come up with great topics.

I received this e-mail today from Amy Irving, wife of City Council candidate Dan Irving:

CJ,

I am writing to ask if you could somehow post on your blog my heartfelt thanks to George and Jeannine Jacob who were so gracious to me and my family after the sudden death of my dad on Monday morning, the day before elections.

During this extremely difficult time for all of us, George, Jeannine and his crew offered to post Dan’s signs at several pricinct locations, and even made a follow-up phone call Monday evening to tell him they were done. They also arranged to have meals from Basta restaurant delivered to my mother’s house, along with other sincere acts of concern.

Thank you, again to the Jacob Family.

Amy Irving & Family

My wife and I also offer our deepest condolences to Amy and her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of grief. I commend George Jacob and his family for their selfless acts of compassion; they’ve provided a great example of what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Greg Woith from Counseling & Family Services sent me this e-mail today (emphasis mine):

CJ: I can offer free tickets to the first 10 people who request them and say they saw it on your blog! This conference will address many of the kinds of issues that you discuss.

That’s a nice offer — nice enough that I’ll be happy to provide some free advertising for the event. 🙂

PEORIA-April 12, 2007-One of the world’s “top management gurus”, Peter Senge, will be the keynote speaker at a conference in Peoria May 1 that will focus on building a healthy environment, healthy communities and healthy families.

The event, led by Counseling & Family Services, is a multi-sector collaboration between business, government and civil society to introduce the concept of sustainable development in the Peoria area. Panelists and speakers representing Fortune Magazine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Peoria’s City Council, World Wildlife Fund, Caterpillar Inc. and more will discuss how we can best prepare for the future of our community using the concept of sustainable development.

Sustainable development is the process of balancing of the environment, economy and social responsibility to improve the quality of life for residents now and into the future.

“Building a Healthy, Sustainable Community: Planet, Places, People” will be held May 1 in the new ballroom at the Peoria Civic Center from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Admission is $20 for non-students and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Counseling & Family Services at 676-2400.

They keynote speaker is Dr. Peter Senge, author of the widely acclaimed “The Fifth Discipline.” Dr. Senge, based at M.I.T., lectures extensively around the world. He stresses that vision, purpose, reflectiveness and systems thinking are essential if organizations are to realize their potentials. The Journal of Business Strategy named Senge one of the 24 people who have had the greatest influence on business strategy over the last 100 years. The Financial Times and Business Week both named him one of the world’s “top management gurus.”

Marc Gunther, a senior writer for Fortune Magazine, columnist for CNNMoney.com and author, will moderate a panel of local thought leaders to discuss sustainable development and how this important concept relates to the planet, people and the Peoria area. He is a gifted moderator who has appeared on NBC, ABC, PBS, CNN and NPR.

“It is critical that we recognize the interdependence of the environment, economy, and social responsibility,” said Doug Allan, executive director of Counseling & Family Services. “We are in the business of helping people overcome problems and improve their quality of life, and ultimately the quality of life in our communities. It is important for us to take a leadership role in bringing the community together to explore ways to sustain our environment, our businesses and our people.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Greg Woith
Resource Development Director
Counseling & Family Services
309 676-2400

Sounds like an interesting event. I like to watch things like this on C-SPAN. It would be pretty cool to attend one live. Good luck snagging one of those ten free tickets (remember to tell them you saw it on the Peoria Chronicle)! Thanks to Greg Woith for the offer.

I don’t often talk about my faith here on the blog, but since today is Easter Sunday, the holiest of Christian holidays, I think it’s only appropriate that I do.

Another name for Easter is Resurrection Day. I, along with millions of other Christians, celebrate today in remembrance of Jesus rising from the dead. Christ’s resurrection is the linchpin of the Christian religion. That’s why the Apostle Paul said:

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also….

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

All those eye-witnesses — that’s what really sways me. Not just one or two, but over 500. That’s a pretty good testimony.

That’s what we celebrate today. Jesus Christ took the punishment for our sins on himself so we could be reconciled to God, and by putting our faith in Him and His sacrifice, we can have the assurance of eternal life.

Happy Easter, everyone.