Good morning, everyone. Please feel free to comment on whatever you’d like here. Here’s what I’ve been up to:
- Watching HBO’s John Adams miniseries. We don’t get HBO at home, but my wife’s parents do, so they’ve been taping it for us. I’ve seen up through the third episode now. It’s very good — I like the authenticity of the sets, costumes, etc. The actors were well cast, too. I had read McCullough’s book (on which the miniseries is based) several years ago, and it is excellent.
- Doing my taxes. I usually do my taxes in February, but for whatever reason, I’m just now getting around to it — right before the deadline.
- Reading about ATSF’s Super Chief train (1935-1971). Amtrak’s Southwest Chief follows roughly the same route today. I’m always amazed by how much skill and effort went into the details back then. For example, a professional designer was hired to decorate the train in authentic Navajo patterns/designs and they hired professional chefs and waiters to provide fine dining on the 39+ hour trip. Nowadays, things like craftsmanship, fine food, and first class service are generally seen as inefficient, too expensive, and ultimately unnecessary.
- Oh yes, and I also read the latest Kellar Branch editorial in Sunday’s paper. Yawn.
What’s new with you? Anything you’d like to share?
Just heard that the Dist. #150 BOE is holding a special board meeting tonight because Hinton is making a big announcement. No word on what that might be. Anyone have any ideas?
Wikipedia has some good articles on other “streamliners,” including more Santa Fe trains. Note the Super Chief’s 1948 accident at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal reminiscent of the 1976 movie, SILVER STREAK.(Okay, it didn’t have any waiting room/gift shop/great hall to go through but like in the movie the end of track bumper didn’t fair too well!)
Interesting! This time of year there are deadlines to meet for personnel changes for next school year, but I don’t think today’s date is of particular importance. Maybe Mr. Hinton is going to take the Norm LaConte way out and retire!
On another note, I understand there is a survey that went out in the last week or so pertaining to dissatisfaction in the special education department regarding their newly hired director. I would love to see the results of that survey and also wonder if the BOE will be allowed to view the results.
ImaSwede there are deadlines – 60 days prior to the end of the school year for certified staff and 45 days prior to the end of the school year for noncertified staff. If they are still within that 45 day window, it could be more honorable dismissals, but it probably is something else. More school closing announcements perhaps?
It would be very interesting to see those survey results. Did the teachers compose the instrument? Who knows, a copy may “leak” out.
The Word on the Street’s reference to the city of Peoria’s ‘Guide to Development’ is just begging for a satirical spoof in light of recent zoning approvals.
The Word on the Street article this morning in the JS talking about how hard it is to do business in Peoria was making it sound like the people trying to open the teen club has been given a hard time by the city. I think in this case those people did not due their homework and it’s their own fault they are running into roadblocks. Anyone wanting to open a teen club, bar or nightclub or whatever should know that their are restrictions on where and how you can do that. It would be no different if you wanted to open a used car lot. Those zoning laws are in place to protect the neighborhoods and other property owners.
As far as the code enforcement making them tear out wood structures they had built without permits, this is for the protection of the occupants of the club. There are codes in place for a reason and having combustible building material in a night club would not only be irresponsible but criminal. All one has to do is look at the deadly night club fire in Road Island five years ago to see what can happen. The city is just doing their job in making sure that this business conforms to the zoning codes, fire codes and building codes. Thanks City of Peoria for watching out for us.
PrairieCelt, it is my understanding that the survey was all done on computer and also submitted on computer. I am not sure since I am not privy to viewing the survey, but I do not believe it was composed by the teachers, but rather “a survey company.” There must be online sites that specialize in surveys.
If there are to be more school closings all one need to is look at the stats. Which school has the lowest test scores? Which school is on watch by the state?
Another thought just entered my head, is ND up for sale? Aren’t they moving out north? I wonder if district 150 would be interested in that property.
PrairieCelt, there are also rumors they chose a new principal for Richwoods, but I can’t imagine they would need a special meeting for that….
I’d heard that they want the principal from Centralia High School for Richwoods. They could do that at a special meeting, but my guess is it’s something else.
This is copied from the district’s website:
April 14, 2008 , 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Board of Education Special Meeting
Monitoring Workshop faciliatated by the Illinois Association of School Boards. This workshop will follow the 5:15 p.m. Executive Session.
Julie Cramer 672-6763 julie.cramer@psd150.org
This might be one of the services offered by the IASB because they consider District #150 a failing or underachieving district, and that qualifies the district for access to a set amount of consulting workshops designed to get the district on the right track.
“Those zoning laws are in place to protect the neighborhoods and other property owners.”
Read the article below regarding the LDC… code’s? What codes?
“protect the neighborhoods”
Yeah… remember the Arbors
move to East Peoria then.
They started to tear down the old Field House this morning. Kind of sad.
Anybody notice the gas pump isn’t the only place where prices are skyrocketing? Meantime, the rate banks are paying on our savings accounts are almost negligible. Result? Your savings accounts are becoming worthless. If you are living on credit cards, you are in even worse shape, because your monthly bills are rising, so you aren’t making any progress in paying down debt are you? Are any of the three stooges running for President addressing this? How about Gov. Blago? Oh, sorry, he’s got his own problems, doesn’t he. Of course, all the clowns that run local govt. can do is think of ways to sneak tax increases through the legislature. We are going to hit the wall soon, people, and it ain’t going to be pretty.
“move to East Peoria then.”
I can’t. I don’t own a pickup truck.
Comcast – What a JOKE!
I signed up to pay my Comcast bill via a direct charge to my bank checking account on day one.
Well, I kept checking to see if it worked even though they “HOLY Comcast” said it would – well…it didn’t. Today I got an email with the new notice saying that I still owed $93 from March and since I didn’t pay it on time I was assessed a late charge! HUH?
The email went on further to say that my March and April payment totaling $186 + late charges would be deducted from my checking account on May 2nd – I thought “Ok fine” but it went on to say unless “we receive payment by 4-27 your service will be disconnected!”
Rather than to disrupt my “wonderful service” from those Comcast corporate idiots I drove over to Dries Lane and dealt with them! Guess there is a training ground here in Peoria for being a corporate Comcast idiot!
^oo^~
May we sing…”What a friend we have in Comcast” hmmmmmmmmmm
^oo^~
Feral, come and join us in DirecTV land….no more Comcast is pretty nice.
re Comcast:
The transition from Insight to Comcast is not complete. The employees are still Insighted and are still working under the influence of Insight which was much worse than Comcast could ever be. Give them time [Comcast}. They are working, still, on being profitable [at your expense].
PrairieCelt, I missed the announcement! And it is 7 AM and the PJStar online isn’t up yet. I watched the 10 PM news and still saw nothing. Do you know what was the meeting about?
Peoria Notre Dame High school has an idea to move out North of Ressurection Cemetery, they own the land already thanks to Maurie Cicciarelli. They have plans in hand and know how much it will be, but are gettng some heat from those who will be paying for it. Peoria Christian is interested in buying the present plant. The SOS is taking new applications.
Still living in “Dunlap”, Kat? LOL.
vonster,
I happen to live in an unincorporated township out here in Peoria county and have a mailing address of Dunlap. Why you have such a problem with that I don’t know. I bet you “win” every argument with your ex-wifes and ex-employers too, don’t you?
^oo^~
‘“move to East Peoria then.”
I can’t. I don’t own a pickup truck.”‘
You have it somewhat over under backwards. East Peoria=progress.>YUKHURRAH<
When is prohibition coming back Peoria town like it should.
East Peoria – If progress means fast food restaurants and chain hotels.
FERAL CAT: Comcast – What a JOKE!
I signed up to pay my Comcast bill via a direct charge to my bank checking account on day one.”
That is the same scam Sprint pulled on me! I signed up for online billing, never got a billing notice until the second month and was charged a late fee.
Ahhhh… capitalism… you gotta love it!
It seems that the bigger the company the more faults. I too have had problems with Comcast and Verison and Wells Fargo and others. When I show them documented answers all they can say is, “we don’t know how that could happen”. And don’t try to make them believe it over the phone, they will argue until the sun goes down. You have to go in person and even then they try to dispute that you have a problem. I tried for three years to get Wells Fargo to believe there was a glitch in their system because they were sending me two bills a month for different amounts. Turns out they had me in their system twice as having two residences on one lot. Like I could afford two houses. Then they had to refund me quite a bit of money for late fees that I never owed. But it took forever and hundreds of phone calls.
Why don’t you people read more books!?! Join NETFLIX, pirate videos, something! I can’t stand one more corporation holding us by the b_lls, squeezing until we turn blue or cough up the cash. I [try] to download the occassional song or video and I am the criminal! The only way to fight fire is with…. I forgot the last part…..
… the fire department?