Saturday, January 3, 2015

Trempealeau County Officials Hope for Greatly Expanded Use of Sand Bunkers




Good Times Run Out for Sand Producers.  (The Wall Street Journal, 1/1/2015)
Sand companies’ biggest customers used to be golf courses and glass manufacturers, but the oil boom brought energy clients to their door and now roughly 60% of business is tied to fracking, according to PacWest Consulting Partners, which forecasts sand demand.
Now that oil prices have fallen, many fracking companies are retrenching—and that is bad news for sand producers.
Earlier this fall PacWest projected sand use would grow by 20% each year in 2015 and 2016. But following the plunge in oil prices, PacWest now expects sand demand to stay flat.

Other mining posts:
What Do Chieftain Sand and Source Energy Have in Common? (12/24/2014)
Tom "Terrific-for-the-Frac-Sand-Mining-Industry" Tiffany.  (12/19/2014)
Trempealeau County Residents Wonder If Their Drinking Water is Contaminated.  (10/16/2014
2010: Scott Walker pledges to get government out of the way.  (9/30/2014) 
More hills posed to go away.  (9/27/2014)
A personal account of the impact of frac sand mining.  (9/26/2014) 
Report: Communities At Risk: Frac Sand Mining in the Upper Midwest.  (9/26/2014) 
Makes you wonder: Do campaign contributions pay for a license to pollute?  (9/15/2014)
Maybe it has something to do with the hardhat.  (8/9/2014)
In other words, Kevin, people don't want to live near a frac sand mining operation.  (8/7/2014) 
UPDATED: Scott Walker continues his "Thank You for Your Contributions" tour.  (8/3/2014)
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favors,  (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners.  (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest.  (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill.  (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud.  (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair.  (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific".  (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues.  (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board.  (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money.  (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease.  (11/5/2013) 
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents.  (10/29/2013) 
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato.  (10/28/2013) 
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349.  (10/25/2013)
Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013).  (10/25/2013) 
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak.  (10/18/2013)
Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately  (10/10/2013)

Open Enrollment's Impact on the McFarland School District

Focus on Dane County: McFarland recommends limiting open enrollment.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 1/2/2015)
In fall 2013, a Madison School District report showed that 78 would-be Glendale students went to McFarland through open enrollment, and 20 more went to the Monona Grove School District — by far the highest number of students leaving any Madison elementary school.

And why are parents looking elsewhere?


Without knowing the racial make-up of the 98 students who attended other schools through the open enrollment program, I can't say how much part 2 has to do with the situation.


Barbara Gorton O'Bier (1943?-2014) Warren Area High School Class of 1961



1961 Dragon yearbook

"Barbara" spent 32 years in the top 10 -- from 1927 until 1958.  She enjoyed a run of 8 years (1937-1944) at #2, always playing second fiddle to MaryLife has been a bit of a bouncy experience for her of late.

This song was finishing up an 8-week run in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 when the class of '61 graduated.  (And Retiring Guy had just finished up a year in Mrs. Johnson's 5th grade class at Jefferson Street School.)


Other class of 1961 members:
Charles Grinnen III.  (7/15/2014)
Ronald Hultman.  (6/24/2014)
Patricia Martin.  (2/17/2014)

The "Wonder Theaters" of New York and New Jersey




 Kings Theater in Flatbush Set to Reopen, and Lift a Neighborhood.  (The New York Times, 12/30/2014)

5 -- count 'em -- 5. 
Kings Theater was one of five “wonder theaters” in New York and New Jersey built in 1929 and 1930 by the Loews movie theater chain. The Kings, designed by the architectural firm Rapp & Rapp, had interiors by the Rambusch Company that were inspired by the Palace of Versailles and Paris Opera House. With its reopening, four of the theaters — the Jersey, in Jersey City; the Paradise, in the Bronx; the 175th Street Theater, in Upper Manhattan; and the Kings — will be used for entertainment. The fifth, the Valencia in Jamaica, Queens, is now a church.

The 70s Get the Shaft at Sweet and Sassy


From 2010.


.
After a Spa Day, Looking Years Younger (O.K., They’re Only 7). (The New York Times,1/2/2015)
The spa industry has begun to target children in a big way, going way beyond mother-daughter manicures. Adult spas are adding separate menus of services for girls, usually ages 4 to 14. In most major cities, there are now dedicated day spas for children, offering a range of massages, facials and other treatments for girls (and sometimes boys) too young to have had their first pimple.

The $35 Ice Princess makeover package* includes:
  • braid like Anna or Elsa (full disclosure:  this was initially a Retiring Guy stumper)
  • Ice Princess nails
  • make-up application
  • snowflake glitter star
  • Ice Princess necklace
  • Ice Princess tiara
  • Ice Princess photo
  • $2 Sassy buck
*Pricing and participation may vary by locations.  While supplies last.
 
The limo ride is a $50 add-on -- per person, I assume.

A DJ Dance includes the following themes
  • sock-hop 50s
  • hippie 60s
  • big hair 80s
  • neon 90s
The 70s get the



Then there's the aptly named "All About Me" birthday girl special.

No Sweet and Sassy franchises operate in the upper Midwest.

No Friend to the Environment: Republican Representative Todd Young, Indiana's 9th Congressional District


  Photo sourceU.S. Congress
Text sourceInsurance Newsnet

Young was re-elected to a 3rd term with 62% of the vote.   He serves on no environmental committees.

Recommended reading/viewing for Rep. Young and his south-central Indiana constituents.

Getting ready for climate change -- right now.  (JC Online, 9/27/2014)
Johnson said all Indiana residents should be concerned about climate change because when one part of the state gets hit with severe weather, it can raise insurance costs for everyone.

No Friend to the Environment dishonor roll.

Alabama Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives.   (Their anti-environmentalism can be summed up in one word:  coal.  Which is odd, since Alabama contributes a mere 1.9% of U.S. production, good enough for an overall ranking of 13.  The state's peak year of production:  1990)  
Alaska Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
  • At-large District.  Don Young (R).   Ridiculed environmentalists as a “self-centered bunch of waffle-stomping, Harvard-graduating, intellectual idiots.....not Americans, never have been Americans, never will be Americans.” 
 Arizona Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Arkansas Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
California Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Colorado Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
No House Republicans hail from Connecticut and Delaware. 
Florida Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Georgia's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Idaho's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Illinois' Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Indiana's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives

No Friend to the Environment: Republican Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D., Indiana's 8th Congressional District


  Photo sourceU.S. Congress
Text source Think Progress

Bucshon was re-elected to a 3rd term with 60% of the vote.   He serves on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Recommended reading/viewing for Rep. Bucshon and his southwestern Indiana constituents.

'The Daily Show' skewers Rep. Larry Bucshon on climate change.  (Indianapolis Star, 9/23/2014)

No Friend to the Environment dishonor roll.

Alabama Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives.   (Their anti-environmentalism can be summed up in one word:  coal.  Which is odd, since Alabama contributes a mere 1.9% of U.S. production, good enough for an overall ranking of 13.  The state's peak year of production:  1990)  
Alaska Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
  • At-large District.  Don Young (R).   Ridiculed environmentalists as a “self-centered bunch of waffle-stomping, Harvard-graduating, intellectual idiots.....not Americans, never have been Americans, never will be Americans.” 
 Arizona Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Arkansas Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
California Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Colorado Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
No House Republicans hail from Connecticut and Delaware. 
Florida Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Georgia's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Idaho's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Illinois' Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Indiana's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives

No Friend to the Environment: Republican Representative Luke Messer, Indiana's 6th Congressional District


  Photo sourceU.S. Congress
Text sourceU.S. Congressman Luke Messer

Messer was re-elected to a 2nd term with 66% of the vote.   He serves on no environmental committees.

Recommended reading for Rep. Messer and his southeastern Indiana constituents.

Climate change warming Kentucky, Indiana, report says.  (Louisville Courier-Journal, 5/7/2014)
 
No Friend to the Environment dishonor roll.

Alabama Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives.   (Their anti-environmentalism can be summed up in one word:  coal.  Which is odd, since Alabama contributes a mere 1.9% of U.S. production, good enough for an overall ranking of 13.  The state's peak year of production:  1990)  
Alaska Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
  • At-large District.  Don Young (R).   Ridiculed environmentalists as a “self-centered bunch of waffle-stomping, Harvard-graduating, intellectual idiots.....not Americans, never have been Americans, never will be Americans.” 
 Arizona Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Arkansas Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
California Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Colorado Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
No House Republicans hail from Connecticut and Delaware. 
Florida Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
Georgia's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Idaho's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Illinois' Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
 Indiana's Congressional delegation:  U.S. House of Representatives
  • 2nd District.  Jackie Walorski (R).  That’s My Congress” notes Rep. Walorski has followed a conservative course when voting on environmental legislation -- and everything else, for that matter.   Earned a 0% rating from the League of Conservation Voters after her first year in the House.
  • 3rd District.  Martin Stutzman (R).  Signed Americans for Prosperity’s “No Climate Tax Pledge” a month before being sworn in as a member of Congress in 2010. 
  • 4th District.  Todd Rokita (R).  This climate change denier respects "God's green earth".  Anyone who thinks otherwise is arrogant.
  • 5th District.  Susan Brooks (R).  The Walorski summary fits Brooks to a T. 
  • 6th District.  Luke Messer (R).   Considers climate change a social issue.