Communicator News - Nov. 1, 2012 Edition by Communicator News

COMMUNICATOR VOL. 1 NO. 5

NOV. 1-15, 2012 • 262.752.0030 racinecommunicator.com FREE

The Hippies Were Right!

NEWS INSIDE: The Racine Black & White Series

A Look Back At The 1960s Counterculture 8

The Unfair Treatment of Rosie’s Bar 6

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NOV. 1-15, 2012

Communicator Spotlight: Racine IMX

s you open the front door to 1130 Water Street in a non-descript old factory building expecting to see skeletons of old machines sitting idle from an era gone past. Your adrenaline jumps into high gear as the sound of racing motors and the smell of power filled the air. You are then greeted by the new ambassador to the building, Kim Aker, the track manager welcomes you and explains the old factory was converted into an indoor motocross track, Six hundred truckloads of dirt, sand and clay has built a half mile track within the factory. A hot water heating system within the track keeps the dirt track warm and soft. The track sees most of its activity from riders from October through April when outside tracks are no longer available. “It’s a great track to keep your skills sharp and have a lot of fun,” Aker said. The Racine IMX Track was designed with passing lanes in four sections of track to promote aggressive yet save traffic passing. “We have all ages who ride this track, and a couple of brothers 48 and 52 who are regular riders and are just a blast.” The track does require a higher level skill set to aggressively ride. Both intermediate and advanced riders will find

the track friendly to ride while still challenging. Racine IMX offers motocross schools. Quads runs Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Times for kids and pit bikes are made available on the main track. Required safety gear, riding rules and release waivers, are required for entry into the pit and track. Membership fees are $30 during the weekdays and $40 on weekends. Nonmember fees are $50. Group rates, track rentals, and gift certificates are available. CN

Racine IMX 730 Water Street Racine, WI Racine IMX can be reached at 262 -633-0323 or www.racineimx.com Monday closed Tuesday 4 PM to 8 PM Wednesday (MX School) Thursday 4 PM to 8 PM Friday 4 PM to 8 PM Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM -Communicator Staff

“It’s a great track to keep your skills sharp and have a lot of fun,” says Kim Aker, manager of Racine IMX (pictured below).

COMMUNICATOR NEWS

Diebold voting machines hacked with $10 in parts

ANYONE WITH ABOUT $10, physical access to a Diebold voting machine and rudimentary knowledge of electronics can remotely hack into the device, according to experts at the Vulnerability Assessment Team at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. A hacker could potentially change a person’s votes without them ever knowing about it. “We believe these man-in-the-middle

attacks are potentially possible on a wide variety of electronic voting machines,” said Roger Johnston, leader of the assessment team. “We think we can do similar things on pretty much every electronic voting machine.” CN — Eric W. Dolan, via Rawplay.com.

VOL. 1, NO. 5

Politicians Give Big Boost To Wind Power

IN AMERICA’S CONTINUING EFfort to become less oil dependent, wind power is about to receive an enormous boost. Politicians nationwide have agreed to start giving speeches directly in front of the turbines. A bill that seems headed for approval in Congress would require all politicians in the country to set aside at least one hour a day for power generation. It is estimated that their combined wind power would generate enough electricity to light the nation. And, as the efficiency of the turbines increases,

political wind power could eventually supply the nation’s every electrical need. Other nations, eager to limit their own increasingly costly dependence on imported oil, have also begun to debate the advisability of tapping their own treasure trove of political wind power. The innovation will mark the first time that a socially useful role has been developed for true blowhards. CN — Tom Attea, Humorist and Creator of NewsLaugh.com.

NOV. 1-15, 2012

COMMUNICATOR NEWS

Too Much Whining by Heather L. Premo

n parenting, whining is expected from our little ones when they want or feel they need something. Children have an innate sense of selfishness about them. Generally we just tell them to knock off the whining and fit throwing and go about our business, but not before you get a return stomp from a tiny foot on the floor and a scrunched face of displeasure. Granted, it is pretty cute when you think about it. Just make sure you giggle at them after they leave the room. However, when this type of behavior is displayed by a grown man or woman, it’s not so funny. In all actuality, it’s disgusting. It’s the kind of thing that really just makes me wish I could flick that person in the brain, you know just in case the electricity wasn’t flowing through the brain quite well. Problem is, I don’t think that a lapse in judgment for a moment was the problem. I truly believe that some people think that they are owed in some way and when they don’t receive, we get some childish behavior out of big people. Granted this is not a life threatening issue, just an annoyance that really makes that particular moment distasteful. This sort of childish behavior portrayed by an adult is a mild irritant in the scheme of things and will only ruin your day if you let, but I still have to say, “REALLY?” In some ways, society has become too spoiled rotten. Apparently the history books did absolutely nothing for them. Our ancestors worked hard to survive, change ways of life, and even died for what we have today. So many issues have been mortally wounding to the soul of so many. So here we are whining, about what? Well I shall share my insight. In many cases I have witnessed people whine and complain about using the bus for transportation. Here’s the clincher, they don’t have a vehicle, don’t have a job, and it is so cold outside that snot is frozen to the outside of your nose.

Heaven forbid that you get on that low class transportation. That person will actually get on their cellphone to call for a ride. Here they are in the freezing weather whining for a ride from anyone they can find. Then we have some people who ride the bus on a regular basis, but somehow forgot the concept of routes and specific stops. They actually believe they should have door to door service because two blocks was just too much for that day and every other day. Another example is while I wait outside at the bus-stop or at the transit center, wherever, and someone I do not know will come up to me and ask me if I have a cigarette. They don’t have a dime to their name but since it wasn’t a name brand Newport cigarette they refuse to have anything to do with it. Maybe they should have saved the money that they paid for their long fingernails, expensive shoes, or other garments and accessories and bought a carton. Well, what I say to that is, I wasn’t going to give you one anyway. Soda, is soda that serious? Various people have refused to touch the available soda I have because it was generic. I had a friend that did that, refused to drink soda that was not name brand Mountain Dew. Wildwood Spring Mist is the same, same taste, everything except the price. I just got more for my dollar than she did then because when she was out, I am still smiling. Now the biggest whining story and you are going to love it. Many people are struggling with making it these days. It is not uncommon. I have struggled myself recently and I know how it feels. So when someone runs out of food in the home and/or needs a little extra, the Salvation Army is there to provide you with a basic need. So the Salvation Army provides you with a food voucher then you go to various locations in the city depending on the day of the week and the times available. One

of these locations provides you with a box or two of food to get you through. Many of these places are churches. Once you get to one of the places, you wait in line to receive your box that was prepared by a handful of gracious and sweet volunteers to help you out from their own time. I thank God for these people, you volunteers are fantastic! Anyways, while waiting, I have heard people whining about what they are going to get in the box before they have even gotten it. As if that wasn’t enough, I hear them cussing and swearing as well, IN A CHURCH! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Here someone is broke, asking for help, and are saying some sort of crap about what they are getting for free from someone’s generosity. If that wasn’t enough still, a thank you wasn’t applied to the volunteer’s time and effort for your butt to have some food in it. To add fuel to this fire, now this person is at the church, whining, cussing, and rude. Their ride is waiting for them outside because they were too dang lazy to get on the bus with $4.00 out of $10.00 that they chose to pay for gas for someone to give them a ride. The $6.00 difference that could have gotten them a

couple of burgers from McDonalds and dang Mountain Dew. I know hardship very well. The last couple of years have been very hard and scary for me. So I have seen these things first hand. Unfortunately not just on one occasion, but on several in each instance. It is hard to go through some of the things that I had to, to survive. I don’t feel that anyone should have to endure that kind of struggle, but my days get better and better. However, the blatant disregard for the things God grants us really needs to be put to a halt. The “Whole World owes me something attitude” has got to go. I refuse to accept it. No one owes you anything that you didn’t earn. If you wish to buy something that is overpriced for status or ego, then you do not have any right to whine about what you cannot afford when the money you did have could have been spent more wisely. When someone gives you something, a thank you is an understood requirement by society, and a gentle smile would be even better. CN — Heather L. Premo

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The Racine Black & White Series

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rosies bar ROSIE CAROTHERS, OWNER OF Rosie’s Bar 1333 Douglas Avenue, was called to the Public License and Safety Committee March 12, 2007. Rosie stated she was having a birthday party for her granddaughter and that she wasn’t aware it was illegal. She informed the committee she will not hold anymore parties in the future. June 4, 2007, 10 people were in Rosie’s bar at closing, Rosie son,( Dionte Cobb ) had stopped to help his mother clear out the bar. A patron Altherelle Robbins pulled out a gun and started firing hitting Cobb in the chest. Cobb returns fire hitting Robbins. In the crossfire Rosie Carothers is shot in the hand. Robbins and Cobb are both arrested. Sgt. Mike Polzin said “Rosie’s bar has not been a trouble spot” At the June 11, 2007 Public License and Safety Meeting Ald. Helding asked for nonrenewal of Rosie’s liquor license. The item was granted. Then on July 23, 2007, the Public License and Safety Committee extended the liquor license until the police reports on incidents were complete. Rosie is then called in again on August 13, 2007 to

the Public License and Safety meeting. She was asked to install metal detectors at her bar. She stated her bar was very small and she could not afford them. Carothers on January 21, 2008 again was in front of the Public License and Safety Committee for incidents and calls to her bar. Carothers informed the committee that those were incidents that occurred outside of the her bar and she could not be responsible for those types of incidents. Ald. Kaplan stated Carothers never contacted him after the shooting so they could work out problems at her establishment. Ald. Helding motioned for a due process hearing. Ald. Maack second the motion. Later Maack withdrew his second and Ald. Mozol second the due process which passed by voice vote. On June 9, 2008, Rosie’s bar is again suggested for nonrenewal of their liquor license. Rosie’s bar is taken to the due process July 7, 2008 and her liquor license is revoked by the common Council on July 15, 2008. At the common Council meeting Ald. Kaplan stated he had tried to work with Rosie’s bar to install security cameras, metal de-

tectors, and off-duty police officers. Ald. Maack stated “the last thing we want to see is another homicide in this community and one associated with our one of our bars”. Ald. Friedl stated “there is no evidence that they have installed security cameras, there is no evidence that they have hired security personnel, no evidence of off-duty personnel.” “ The only action is revocation.” Peg and Lou’s Bar A 37-year-old man was found dead at 1:40 AM May 10, 2011 by a patron leaving Peg and Lou’s Bar and Grill 3113 Douglas Ave. The bartender witnessed three men fighting in the bar, the bartender also stated the victim was very intoxicated, the fight later exited the bar and continued in the parking lot, the victim was hit and left unconscious in the parking lot. The two assailants returned to the bar and bragged about the fight. The two assailants were later charged with first-degree reckless homicide. On September 26, 2011 agents for Peg and Lou’s bar were called to the Public Safety and Licensing Committee

regarding the incident at their establishment. The minutes from the meeting stated ,Peg and Lou Larson appeared and stated they have requested that their staff “be extra diligent and watching for animosity between customers and calling for outside assistance when ever is needed.” They stated they have an old camera system inside and at this time they are not able to afford to update it or add cameras outside”. The Public Safety and Licensing Committee requested no further action. After examining the Racine Police Department call simple list it was found that very little difference between Peg and Lou’s bar and Rosie’s bar.. Did the Public License and Safety Committee ever ask or investigate why the bartender by his own admission was serving a highly intoxicated man? Was the police ever called by the bar? Why wasn’t Peg and Lou’s Bar held to the same standard as Rosie’s bar? CN — Communicator Staff

COMMUNICATOR NEWS

NOV. 1-15, 2012

The Racine Black & White Series Compare:

Private Detective Agency Report 7-10-2008 THE FOLLOWING IS EXCERPTS from a private detective report 7-102008 used as Exhibit 3 in a Civil Court Case in Racine County. In 2007, there were three attempted homicides(shootings) cases in or around three separate taverns. Two of the Tavern agents were brought before the committee. These cases were filed without action. The third was brought in front of the committee. It is now in the “due process stage”. There were no exceptional differences in the three incidents. The third agent is black the others are white. On August 31, 2007, a shooting occurred in the rear parking lot of Georges bar, 1201 N. Main St. One tavern patron shot a second tavern patron. The police have investigated the incident, but no one has been arrested due to the lack of cooperation of the victim. The agent was brought in front of the committee. The agent told the committee that he changed the rules at the bar, and the shooting would have happened anywhere due to bad blood between the offender and the victim. The committee filed the complaint (no action) without further action. On August 31, 2007, a shooting, unrelated to the shooting at Georges bar occurred inside and outside of Kenny’s Tavern, 1300 N. Main St. A tavern patron became involved in a fight in the tavern and was asked to leave. He did leave, but returned with a handgun and

threatened the patrons that were standing outside of the building and on the sidewalk directly next to the building. He shot and hit a person that was west of him on the sidewalk. He then shot at people in an easterly direction, he then chased two people back inside of the tavern. He opened the front door and intentionally shot a man and his adult son. He then fled the scene. He was apprehended by police on a later date. The tavern agent was called in front of the committee, he reported that the incident occurred outside of the building. He fired three bartenders and hired a bar manager. The committee filed the complaint (no action) without further activity. The owner/agent did not tell the truth. The shooting of the man and his son occurred inside the building. The agent is white. in June of 2007, a shooting occurred inside of Rosie’s Bar 1333 Douglas Ave. A patron refused to leave at closing. He pulled out a gun on the owners son. The owners son responded by pointing his own gun at the patron and they shot each other. The owner was also shot in the hand. The Son and the patron have been arrested for the shooting. The tavern owner is currently being processed in a “Due Process” hearing. The agent is black. CN — Communicator Staff

COMMUNICATOR NEWS

VOL. 1, NO. 5

The Hippies Were Right! A Look Back At The 1960s Counterculture

COMMUNICATOR NEWS

NOV. 1-15, 2012

LAY BACK IN THE GRASS, LOOK into the sky, imagine your thoughts traveling to another part of the planet and being intercepted by the exact person you wanted to make contact with. In the 60s those thoughts would’ve been ridiculed by the Ozzie and Harriet generation and could only be conceived by the Hippies, strung out on hallucinatory drugs. The Hippies -a free thinking crowd, dispensing unlimited information, free access to information, to art, sex and whatever the mind can conceive. The turn on – tune in – drop out crowd shed the “keep up with the Jones mentality “ and opened up a whole new world for the rest of us. What if IBM had control of the Internet? Would it be free? Would there be unlimited access? The counterculture views of alternative energy currently have Walmart today installing solar panels on their roofs, selling and promoting natural products. The hippie counterculture has changed society, from composting, to music festivals. The sexual revolution, brought birth control, natural childbirth and an honest look at the human frailty and the brutal exclusion of out of wedlock births, and sexual preferences. Whole industries today are built recycling products, solar power has come a long way from the rainwater hanging from a tree wrapped in aluminum foil, communal living, raising your own natural foods, using no pesticides, collecting rainwater, natural herbs, and living in peace. Today it’s buy local, natural diet, organic fruits and vegetables, recycle and chemical free products. The Hippies strongly opposed violence, in particular the Vietnam War, the drafting of sons, neighbors and friends, to be sent to faraway lands to fight an unjust war manipulated by their own government disagreed with their way of life. They believed that the government and the authorities were the root of the

COVER STORY

problems in acquiring peace. Many officials at the time felt threatened by the presence and radical ideas expressed by the Hippie culture. Civil rights marches, protests to the war, civil unrest brought about laws and social changes that we have today. Handmade clothing, jeans, beads and other clothing styles influence the clothing we wear. Men’s long hair, beard and mustache became acceptable fashion statements. Music of the 60s and the counterculture inspired the music festivals. Musicians of the time wrote songs with strong messages, about war about society. The songs made us think, it sent out a message and brought people together. Songs that were banned or thought to be anti-American are now hailed today as classic works of art. The Hippies have given us courage to look at ourselves, to look at our government and to look at our society. The Hippie movement generated transparency and social awareness. It inspired people to stand up for what they believe in and be free to speak their mind and be themselves. CN — Communicator Staff

The Hippie movement generated transparency and social awareness. It inspired people to stand up for what they believe in and be free to speak their mind and be themselves.

COMMUNICATOR NEWS

VOL. 1, NO. 5

Breast Cancer Awareness Month By Ann Salerno

ne evening in August of 2007 at the age of 49, after doing a self breast examination, I discovered a lump in my left breast. I must admit that I was long over do for a mammogram, and had initially been putting it off due to insurance issues. I had a strong feeling that it was cancerous because of it’s location on my breast. Needless to say, I called my doctor the very next day and was told to come in immediately. With in a few hours I was at the Racine campus of the Women’s Pavilion at Wheaton Franciscan for a mammogram, ultra sound and multiple biopsies. I left convinced that the diagnosis would be cancer. A few days later I was called with the news. It wasn’t good. I had, in fact, two cancerous tumors and would require a mastectomy. I told myself it was no big deal as long as I wouldn’t loose my life. I mean after all I wasn’t losing a limb or an eye or a vital organ. It was just a breast, an accessory. Not something that would keep me from living an active and meaningful life if I survived. For the most part that was true. I didn’t fully realize at that time that this was a seminal moment in my life. That the road I would travel would entail a vast amount of courage and trust. I was very fortunate to have an amazing team of medical professionals to guide

through my surgery, chemotherapy and recovery. This team included a general surgeon, a plastic surgeon, an oncologist, chemo infusion nurses and a patient navigator. They, along with my family and friends, were the key to my morale and survival. You realize, when going through such a life changing event, what really matters in your life and how important your survival is, not just for you but more importantly the people you love. The idea that I might not be around for my children was a devastating realization. Then there became an issue with the one person central to my life. Some men fear their relationships with a woman who has breast cancer will change. And believe me it will, if that person is not strong enough to support the cancer patient at a time that is most critical. I found it necessary to step away from my relationship for a time so that I could focus on the task at hand. I did eventually return to this person, because I couldn’t deal with the loss of a relationship and cancer at the same time. However, his emotional absence has remained a major scar in my memories of that pivotal time in my life. I know of many women who survived breast cancer but unfortunately their relationships or marriages did not. On the other hand I have seen some amazingly supportive husbands, wives and significant others who have been

the source of strength and encouragement. Luckily I found that strength in my son, daughter, siblings and friends. I was very lucky; my cancer was stage two because of a microscopic amount of cancer in one lymph node. I awoke from my surgery with a reconstructed breast of my own abdominal tissue, a procedure called a Tram Flap. So, I not only had a new breast but the add benefit of a tummy tuck. It is amazing what plastic surgeons can do these days. I had only four rounds of chemo and I am on a medication which is an estrogen blocker that retards tumor growth. I currently see my oncologist once every six months and should be off all cancer meds in the next two years. I am 5 years cancer free. The survival rate for early stage breast cancer is encouraging. I have, since my diagnosis, met many other breast cancer survivors, yes; even men who have had and survived breast cancer. My own 10 year old Labrador retriever is a survivor of a double mastectomy. If you have mammories you can get breast cancer. I encourage woman to have their scheduled mammograms and to do self breast exams on a monthly basis. That includes men. We are also finding that young women are often diagnosis with breast cancer. So, please do not assume that if you are a woman in her early twenties, or even younger, you could not develop breast cancer.

Some one once asked me why breast cancer gets so much attention when there are so many other cancers to consider. I guess the number one reason is that breast cancer is highly treatable and curable if diagnosed early. It is a comforting fact to know that you are not alone if you are a breast cancer survivor. We number many and are a significant political force. Right at this moment we are looking at a possible removal of federal funds for Family Planning. How many women will go with out their much needed mammograms if this federal funding is removed? When you vote consider the candidates stand on this vital life saving service. Finally, there is life after breast cancer. It changes you, it challenges you and it makes you grateful for every moment of every day and all the days ahead. It magnifies the meaning of your relationships and the quality of character of the people that share your life. Blessings surround us that before we never appreciated and too often took for granted. This horrible disease was a metamorphosis. It brought me closer to family, friends and my faith in God. CN — Ann Salerno

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