Saturday, April 23, 2016

What's in store for 8001 University Avenue in Middleton, Wisconsin?


Located just west of the Beltline.

Not sure when the building was last occupied, but the shrubbery looks overgrown and shaggy.


Previously home to Benchmark Classics and Prefinished Millwork.

It's listed as a Superfund site.

Alternate view.





There is a car parked in front of the building, to the left of the frame of both photos. Should we be concerned?

The Continental branch of the Putnam County Library System is scheduled to reopen on April 27



As reported in Woman arrested in connection with Continental library vandalism. (Defiance OH Crescent-News, 4/22/2016)

Hmm, according to the library's website, the branch isn't open on Tuesdays.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office press releases are current as of  November 22, 2012.

Margaret Lucia Piccirillo (1918-2016) Warren High School Class of 1935



1935 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
  • Lucia Clara N (wid Angelo A) retd h308 N Morrison
  • Piccirillo Carol L student r20 S Pine
  • Piccirillo Margt A Mrs clk Betty Lee Inc r20 S Pine
  • Piccirillo Ward L (Margt A) turbine opr Penelec h20 S Pine
1983 Warren City Directory

The popularity of 'Margaret' as a baby name is graphed here.

Time to take a look at 'Ward'.


'Ward' experienced a middling level of popularity at best.  Peak year:  1902.

BONUS ROUND:  Can you identify Marge's daughter Joan in this 1968 photo?


Other members of the class of '35:
Philip Ittel.  (3/12/2015)
Julia Juliano Decker.  (1/24/2015)

A closer look at Wisconsin's population loss: Oneida County



Oneida County's population grew steadily throughout the 20th century, experiencing two notable bumps in the 1970s and 1990s, in spite of the fact that its county seat and largest city, Rhinelander, lost population during these two decades.   Since 2000, the county's population has decreased by an estimated 3%.

Source:  Wikipedia + U.S. Census Bureau (2015)


As of July 1, 2014, 23.9% of Oneida County's population is 65 and over, significantly above the state average of 15.2%.  Its 0-to-4 demographic is 4.6% compared to Wisconsin's 5.9%.  



Related posts:
A closer look at Oconto County, (4/22/2016)

A closer look at Marinette County.  (4/21/2016)
A closer look at Manitowoc County.  (4/20/2016)
A closer look at Lincoln County.  (4/19/2016)
A closer look at Langlade County.  (4/18/2016)
A closer look at Lafayette County.  (4/17/2016)
A closer look at Juneau County.  (4/16/2016)
A closer look at Iron County.  (4/15/2016)
A closer look at Green Lake County.  (4/14/2016)
A closer look at Forest County.  (4/13/2016)
A closer look at Douglas County.  (4/12/2016)
A closer look at Door County.  (4/11/2016)
A closer look at Dodge County.  (4/10/2016)
A closer look at Crawford County.  (4/8/2016)
A closer look at Columbia County.  (4/7/2016)
A closer look at Clark County.  (4/6/2016)
A closer look at Buffalo County.  (4/5/2016)
A closer look at Bayfield County.  (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Barron County.   (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Ashland County.  (4/3/2016)
A closer look at Adams County.  (4/3/2015)
The majority of Wisconsin counties have lost population since 2010.  (3/28/2016)
Where Wisconsin's population growth is taking place (2010-2015).  (3/27/2016)
Dane County: Wisconsin's population growth engine. (3/27/2016)
 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates: Nearly half of Wisconsin counties lose population.  (3/27/2016)
Wisconsin population projections, 2010-2040: Top 10 counties by % decline and growth.  (5/14/2015)
Top 10 Wisconsin Counties by Percentage of Population Growth, Loss (2010-2014).  (3/27/2015)
Wisconsin counties:  Population 65 and older.  (10/24/2014)
Wisconsin trivia: What was Wisconsin's 2nd-largest city in 1910?  (/9/1/2014)
Dane County tallies 39% of state's population growth since 2010.  (3/27/2014)
2012 U.S. Census population estimates: More gains than losses among Wisconsin's largest communities.  (5/28/2013)

Friday, April 22, 2016

Frankie goes to Hollywood: Meet the real John Kasich


Chicken-hearted panderer.


As quoted in Ohio Politics Now: John Kasich on 'a delegate hunt' in New York.  (Columbus Dispatch, 4/19/2016)

Clinton and Sanders do the Tighten Up in California


CA primaries take place on Tuesday, June 7.




Other state polls:
Cruz rides the slide in California.  (4/22/2016)
Clinton maintains lead over Sanders in Pennsylvania primary polls. (4/21/2016)
Trump, Cruz, Kasich listen to their engines idle in Pennsylvania (4/21/2016)
Preview of Maryland presidential primary races.  (4/20/2016)
Latest California primary polls give front runners a bump.  (4/17/2016)
Donald Trump's Joe Paterno meltdown moment in Pittsburgh.  (4/14/2016)
Presidential primary focus moves East: A look at latest polls from NY and PA.  (4/7/2016)
Trump continues to hold onto a slim lead in GOP California primary polls.  (4/5/2016)
Latest GOP Pennsylvania primary poll shows tight race between Trump and Kasich.  (3/24/2016)

Cruz rides the slide in California


CA primaries take place on Tuesday, June 7.




Other state polls:
Clinton maintains lead over Sanders in Pennsylvania primary polls. (4/21/2016)
Trump, Cruz, Kasich listen to their engines idle in Pennsylvania (4/21/2016)
Preview of Maryland presidential primary races.  (4/20/2016)
Latest California primary polls give front runners a bump.  (4/17/2016)
Donald Trump's Joe Paterno meltdown moment in Pittsburgh.  (4/14/2016)
Presidential primary focus moves East: A look at latest polls from NY and PA.  (4/7/2016)
Trump continues to hold onto a slim lead in GOP California primary polls.  (4/5/2016)
Latest GOP Pennsylvania primary poll shows tight race between Trump and Kasich.  (3/24/2016)

The Vandeheys of Mid-State Truck Service are big fans of Scott Walker



Wisconsin DOT Secretary says more funding is needed.  (WEAU, 4/21/2016)
Those comments were made by Wisconsin DOT Secretary, Mark Gottlieb, Thursday at the Mid-State Truck Service in Chippewa Falls. He talked about the transportation challenges state-wide and what the DOT is doing to improve them in the Chippewa Valley.

Background reading:
What is the history of the state gas tax andpassenger vehicle registration fees?  (Wisconsin Depaertment of Transportation)

Doyle:  Bring back gas tax indexing.  (Madison.com, 12/30/2008)
Spurred by conservative talk radio and bloggers, the movement to repeal the automatic increases took the Capitol by surprise three years ago, overcoming initial concerns from Doyle and the then Republican leadership of the Legislature. 
Signing the repeal three years ago, Doyle said, "It's not appropriate to raise taxes every year automatically, without elected officials having to stand up and be accountable to the people who are paying taxes."

Chris Christie joins Donald Trump in Indiana and looks as uncomfortable as ever



Chris Christie Rejoins Donald Trump for Indiana Trip.  (Wall Street Journal, 4/20/2016)
Looks like he can't wait to board the flight home.    Mr. Christie will accompany Mr. Trump during the meetings and was expected to return home late Wednesday afternoon, said Pete Sheridan, a spokesman for the New Jersey Republican State Committee. Mr. Sheridan didn’t say who else the two will meet with.

Donald Trump appears to have thoroughly flummoxed two high-profile Republican governors.

Scott Walker finds himself in a very uncomfortable position



Source of quotes:
Campaign woes prompt Scott Walker to drop out of race.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/21/2015)
Well, that didn't work out either, did it?  Walker has long favored other governors and conservatives as potential presidents, and his reference to positive alternatives to Trump could cover several other candidates, such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
Walker says he'll support Trump for President.  (WISN, 4/20/2016)

Weather Channel distances itself from retired founder and current climate-change denier


Photo credit:  Heartland Institute

As opined in Get politics out of climate change:  Opposing view.  (USA Today, 4/21/2016)

*As I suspect he wants to keep that Heartland Institute gig going.  Clearly, this conservative, free-market think tank has found itself a soul mate.  USA Today, of course, doesn't bother to tell us this.

The distancing took place almost 2 years ago.


Coleman's formal training is in journalism.

And he apparently considers himself something of an entertainer.



Other climate change posts: 
Climate Change and dying coral reefs: World sticks collective head in sand.  (4/10/2016)
Climate change, rising sea level threaten Kennedy Space Center launch site.  (4/6/2016)
Cold enough for you?  (3/9/2014)

A closer look at Wisconsin's population loss: Oconto County



Very much like Marinette County, its neighbor to northeast, Oconto County boomed during the 19th century and into the first decade of the 20th, the lumber industry being an important factor in this formula. Its population then settled into the 25,000-27,000 range from 1910 through 1970.  It peaked at 43,384 in 2010 and has since declined by 225 residents, or less than 1%.

Source:  Wikipedia + U.S. Census Bureau (2015)


As of July 1, 2014, 18.4% of Oconto County's population is 65 and over compared to a state average of 15.2%.  Its 0-to-4 demographic is 4.8% compared to Wisconsin's 5.9%.  



Related posts:
A closer look at Marinette County.  (4/21/2016)

A closer look at Manitowoc County.  (4/20/2016)
A closer look at Lincoln County.  (4/19/2016)
A closer look at Langlade County.  (4/18/2016)
A closer look at Lafayette County.  (4/17/2016)
A closer look at Juneau County.  (4/16/2016)
A closer look at Iron County.  (4/15/2016)
A closer look at Green Lake County.  (4/14/2016)
A closer look at Forest County.  (4/13/2016)
A closer look at Douglas County.  (4/12/2016)
A closer look at Door County.  (4/11/2016)
A closer look at Dodge County.  (4/10/2016)
A closer look at Crawford County.  (4/8/2016)
A closer look at Columbia County.  (4/7/2016)
A closer look at Clark County.  (4/6/2016)
A closer look at Buffalo County.  (4/5/2016)
A closer look at Bayfield County.  (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Barron County.   (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Ashland County.  (4/3/2016)
A closer look at Adams County.  (4/3/2015)
The majority of Wisconsin counties have lost population since 2010.  (3/28/2016)
Where Wisconsin's population growth is taking place (2010-2015).  (3/27/2016)
Dane County: Wisconsin's population growth engine. (3/27/2016)
 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates: Nearly half of Wisconsin counties lose population.  (3/27/2016)
Wisconsin population projections, 2010-2040: Top 10 counties by % decline and growth.  (5/14/2015)
Top 10 Wisconsin Counties by Percentage of Population Growth, Loss (2010-2014).  (3/27/2015)
Wisconsin counties:  Population 65 and older.  (10/24/2014)
Wisconsin trivia: What was Wisconsin's 2nd-largest city in 1910?  (/9/1/2014)
Dane County tallies 39% of state's population growth since 2010.  (3/27/2014)
2012 U.S. Census population estimates: More gains than losses among Wisconsin's largest communities.  (5/28/2013)

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Clinton maintains lead over Sanders in Pennsylvania primary polls





Other state polls:
Trump, Cruz, Kasich listen to their engines idle in Pennsylvania (4/21/2016)
Preview of Maryland presidential primary races.  (4/20/2016)
Latest California primary polls give front runners a bump.  (4/17/2016)
Donald Trump's Joe Paterno meltdown moment in Pittsburgh.  (4/14/2016)
Presidential primary focus moves East: A look at latest polls from NY and PA.  (4/7/2016)
Trump continues to hold onto a slim lead in GOP California primary polls.  (4/5/2016)
Latest GOP Pennsylvania primary poll shows tight race between Trump and Kasich.  (3/24/2016)

Trump, Cruz, Kasich listen to their engines idle in Pennsylvania





Other state polls:
Preview of Maryland presidential primary races.  (4/20/2016)
Latest California primary polls give front runners a bump.  (4/17/2016)
Donald Trump's Joe Paterno meltdown moment in Pittsburgh.  (4/14/2016)
Presidential primary focus moves East: A look at latest polls from NY and PA.  (4/7/2016)
Trump continues to hold onto a slim lead in GOP California primary polls.  (4/5/2016)
Latest GOP Pennsylvania primary poll shows tight race between Trump and Kasich.  (3/24/2016)

Our cat Boxer: Still quite the furball at 18



From the spring of 1998

Dr. Jennifer Coates at PetMD answers the question "How Long Do Cats Live?"
Another statistic that I commonly use in practice is that cats that spend significant unsupervised time outdoors tend to live to be about 7-years-old, while indoor-only cats can be expected to make it to around 14 years of age.

In her prime, Boxer spent 'significant unsupervised time outdoors'.  In fact, she experienced her own 'incredible journey' when she was 7 or 8, disappearing for a week and returning home unscathed, waltzing into the house as if her absence was no big deal.

She's one hardy and very healthy cat.

Madison's Esquire Club menu redesign: Functional but boring


Photo by Retiring Guy

The Usual Suspects enjoy the fish fry here.  The lake perch is particularly good.

Related links:

How do you make your coffee?


At Costco, boxes of single-serve coffee selections are taking over shelf space previously occupied by 2 and 3-pound bags of coffee beans.

Photo by Retiring Guy

Keurig’s New K-Cup Coffee Is Recyclable, but Hardly Green.  (The New York Times, 4/15/2016)
As K-Cup sales increased, consumers and environmental advocates grew more troubled. By 2011, the hashtag #killthekcup was circulating on Twitter. Last year, a special-effects-laden satirical video appeared on YouTube, depicting monsters made of K-Cups overrunning a city. Earlier this year, Hamburg, Germany, banned single-serve coffee pods in government buildings.




We're still 'grinders' in this household.

Video paired with news article: Virtual Arcade at the Tribeca Film Festival




Virtual Reality Movies Add Dimension to Tribeca Festival.  (The New York Times, 4/18/2016)
The arcade is where the festival is showcasing virtual-reality films, the still nascent art form made more accessible by a new generation of viewing devices that turn a movie into a 360-degree experience rather than something watched on a rectangular screen. Eighteen projects are gathered in a space at the festival hub downtown, and the sheer diversity is impressive. Especially if you’ve never watched a film in this format, it’s rather mind-blowing. But you may need a neck massage afterward from looking up, down and all around.
Much different headline from the print edition:  With a Helmet, Who Needs Popcorn?>

The crowd-pleasers:

Tribeca Film Festival

Franklin Ristau (1936-2016) Warren High School Class of 1954



1954 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory

1983 Warren City Directory

'Franklin' received a boost from the 32nd President of the United States in the early 1930s.


Other members of the class of 1954:
Richard Helmbrecht.  (3/27/2016)
Luella Wert Wile.  (3/15/2016)
Edward Erickson.  (3/4/2016)
Keith Otterbein.  (7/20/2015)
Marlene Ceriola English.  (6/28/2015)
Robert Johnson.  (8/10/2014)
Phillip Stewart.  (2/20/2014) 

A closer look at Wisconsin's population loss: Marinette County



The population of Marinette County boomed during the late 19th century then settled into the 33,000-36,000 range from 1910 through 1970.    Its population peaked at 43,384 in 2000 and has since declined by nearly 6% 

Source:  Wikipedia + U.S. Census Bureau (2015)


As of July 1, 2014, 21.7% of Marinette County's population is 65 and over compared to a state average of 15.2%.  Its 0-to-4 demographic is 4.7% compared to Wisconsin's 5.9%.  



Related posts:
A closer look at Manitowoc County.  (4/20/2016)

A closer look at Lincoln County.  (4/19/2016)
A closer look at Langlade County.  (4/18/2016)
A closer look at Lafayette County.  (4/17/2016)
A closer look at Juneau County.  (4/16/2016)
A closer look at Iron County.  (4/15/2016)
A closer look at Green Lake County.  (4/14/2016)
A closer look at Forest County.  (4/13/2016)
A closer look at Douglas County.  (4/12/2016)
A closer look at Door County.  (4/11/2016)
A closer look at Dodge County.  (4/10/2016)
A closer look at Crawford County.  (4/8/2016)
A closer look at Columbia County.  (4/7/2016)
A closer look at Clark County.  (4/6/2016)
A closer look at Buffalo County.  (4/5/2016)
A closer look at Bayfield County.  (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Barron County.   (4/4/2016)
A closer look at Ashland County.  (4/3/2016)
A closer look at Adams County.  (4/3/2015)
The majority of Wisconsin counties have lost population since 2010.  (3/28/2016)
Where Wisconsin's population growth is taking place (2010-2015).  (3/27/2016)
Dane County: Wisconsin's population growth engine. (3/27/2016)
 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates: Nearly half of Wisconsin counties lose population.  (3/27/2016)
Wisconsin population projections, 2010-2040: Top 10 counties by % decline and growth.  (5/14/2015)
Top 10 Wisconsin Counties by Percentage of Population Growth, Loss (2010-2014).  (3/27/2015)
Wisconsin counties:  Population 65 and older.  (10/24/2014)
Wisconsin trivia: What was Wisconsin's 2nd-largest city in 1910?  (/9/1/2014)
Dane County tallies 39% of state's population growth since 2010.  (3/27/2014)
2012 U.S. Census population estimates: More gains than losses among Wisconsin's largest communities.  (5/28/2013)

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

I Want You: Ted Cruz does Marvin Gaye


Almost there!


Ted Cruz Creepily Says America Is at Her Best "When She's Lying Down With Her Back on the Mat".  (Cosmopolitan, 4/20/2016)

Get a grip: With 216 career wins, pathetic Curt Shilling is still a major-league loser


Photo credit:  Wikipedia

As reported in ESPN Fires Curt Schilling Over Anti-Transgender Post.  (ESPN, 4/20/2016)

Like Scott Walker, ESPN has no clue as to how to vet.  They're as much to blame as the penis-obsessed Schilling.

It's not like he woke up on his 48th birthday and suddenly became a major-league Gomer.


Ted Cruz provides his own translation of veni, vidi, vici



Related reading:
Ted Cruz Loves the Senate -- the Roman Senate.  (Newsweek, 1/220216)

Andrew Shaw is from Belleville, Ontario, Canada


More than 80 per cent of children and teens with brain injuries were male, with an average age of 13. Researchers found that hockey accounted for 44.3 per cent of all brain injuries, with almost 70 per cent of them occurring in children 11 and older as a result of player-to-player contact or being hit into the boards.


Not that the two have anything to do with one another, but I became curious about the prevalence of head injuries among youth hockey players after I spotted the Post headline.

15 minutes up: Ben Carson, I hate to be blunt but you're now in "Ben who??" territory






David Thomson (1943-2016) Warren Area High School Class of 1961



1961 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Thomson David A & Vernice M; retd h15 Hemlock St
  • [county section] Thomson David C r402 W Main St (Sugar Grove)
  • [county section] Thomson Sandra K r402 W Main St (Sugar Grove)

The popularity of 'David' as a baby name is graphed here.

Let's take a look at Vernice, David's mom.


Nameberry describes 'Vernice' as a variant of 'Verna' and 'Veronica'.

But what about Bernice, which spent most of the 1910s and 1920s in the top 50?

Other members of the class of '61:
Ronald Hultman.  (6/24/2014)

Latest GOP and Democratic delegate count


Who's on track for the nomination:  Republicans.  (FiveThirtyEight, 4/20/2016)



Who's on track for the nomination:  Democrats.  (FiveThirtyEight, 4/20/2016)
The Democratic National Committee includes 712 “superdelegates,” usually elected officials and party leaders, whose votes at the convention are not bound to a candidate based on primary and caucus results. Because superdelegates can change their preferences before the convention, we are not including them in our delegate targets.

Superdelegate tally:
  • 502 - Clinton
  •   38 - Sanders

Preview of Maryland presidential primary races


Maryland is one of 5 primaries scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 26 -- the other 4 being Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.   

What's at stake in Maryland?
  • GOP:  38 winner-take-most delegates
  • Dem:  118 delegates awarded proportionally


The current RCP average percentage point advantage is +14.7 Trump.



The current RCP average percentage point advantage is +20.7 Clinton.

Other state polls:
Latest California primary polls give front runners a bump.  (4/17/2016)
Donald Trump's Joe Paterno meltdown moment in Pittsburgh.  (4/14/2016)
Presidential primary focus moves East: A look at latest polls from NY and PA.  (4/7/2016)
Trump continues to hold onto a slim lead in GOP California primary polls.  (4/5/2016)
Latest GOP Pennsylvania primary poll shows tight race between Trump and Kasich.  (3/24/2016)