Saturday, September 22, 2018

Get me rewrite: Ethereal view of Foxconn campus with soundtrack by Jerry Wallace


Visuals by Carlos Castenada?


Foxconn releases ‘sneak peek’ video of campus.  (Racine Journal Times, 9/18/2018)
File under science fiction/fantasy.  There also is a simulated glimpse of the theoretical self-driving cars and demo streets (that look like something out of an Isaac Asimov short story) that Foxconn looks to integrate into its campus in addition to a textured map, which shows the plan for all three areas of the planned 2,900-acre complex.



Jerry Wallace's "In the Misty Moonlight" debuted at #74 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending July 25, 1964.  It spent 11 weeks on the chart, peaking at #19 for 2 weeks.

UPDATE. Medicaid privatization in Iowa has been a really bad deal for consumers




Iowa Medicaid's per-member cost increases nearly triple since privatization.  (Des Moines Register, 9/18/2018)
Clearly, those predictions turned out to be wishful thinking at best, big piles of BS at worst.  Since fiscal 2017, the first full year of privatization, the per-member cost of Iowa's Medicaid program has risen an average of 4.4 percent per year, according to the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency. In the previous six years, the per-member cost rose an average of 1.5 percent per year, the agency said. 
The new cost figures come amid continuing controversy over whether Iowa should have hired private companies to run the $5 billion program. The shift’s supporters said it would slow growth in health care spending on the more than 600,000 poor or disabled Iowans covered by Medicaid.

8/31/2018 update, "More Medicaid privatization outrage from Iowa", starts here.

A heartless, misguided, power-hungry Iowa GOP.

The happy family is found at AmeriHealth Caritas

Reported in A private Medicaid company that pulled out of Iowa has yet to pay thousands of medical bills.  (Des Moines Register, 8/30/2018)


Original 8/25/2018 post, "Private Medicaid provider to clients:  No wheelchairs for you!  And they get a raise for their heartlessness", starts here.


Reported in Iowa Medicaid company forced to provide special wheelchairs to disabled clients.  (Des Moines Register, 8/20/2018)

The agreement will keep UnitedHealthcare and Amerigroup in Iowa, but it will mean state leaders must come up with about $103 million more than last fiscal year. 
[snip] 
The raises come amid continuing controversy over whether Iowa should have hired private companies to run its Medicaid program in 2015. 
Critics say the shift has led to cuts in services and loads of red tape. Supporters, including Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, say it is leading to more efficient, effective care, and is saving taxpayers millions of dollars compared to what they would have otherwise spent.

Related post:
Shredding the safety net UPDATE. In Iowa, Medicaid privatization increasingly becomes synonymous with 'claim denied'.  (4/3/2018)

New item on the menu at Lambeau Field


Something to take your mind off the national anthem controversy


What's new in NFL concessions for 2018.  (Restaurant News, 9/17/2018)

There's lots more.


I could go on.

Not the first time someone has been snookered by Foxconn (part 2)


Why Foxconn’s Wisconsin Promise Of 13,000 Quality Jobs Is An Empty One.  (Belt, 9/11/2017)

Glassdoor.  What workers say about the downside of working at Houston's Foxconn plant:
  • long working hours
  • low pay
  • weekend work
  • low salaries
  • too much ov
  • too much overtime
  • too stressful
  • pay really sucks
  • no benefits for contract employees
  • This is not a career.
  • lack of normal promotion process
  • company that does not care to retain even good employees
Related reading:
Northwest Houston’s growth brings boom in low-paying jobs.  (Houston Chronicle, 7/12/2018)



Part 1

Why Foxconn’s Wisconsin Promise Of 13,000 Quality Jobs Is An Empty One.  (Belt, 9/11/2017)

Related posts:
July-December 2018
Breaking news: Foxconn unable to find Wisconsin veterans.  (9/14/2018)
Foxconn UPDATE. The indefatigable Louis Woo.  (8/14/2018)
UPDATE: Goofy Scott Walker sure to offend voters all over the state with Foxconn headgear and desperate re-election message.  (7/31/2018)
Dear Scott Walker, We're waiting for a list to back up your bullshit 60 counties claim.  (7/6/2018)

January-June 2018
UPDATE. Dear Scott Walker, Most voters aren't buying your Foxconn benefits BS.  (6/24/2018)
Yet another example of how poorly Foxconn treats its employees.  (6/11/2018)
Wisconsin cities with highest unemployment rates could use some of that Chicago millennials Foxconn love that Scott Walker is dishing out.  (1/27/2018)

July-December 2017
Historic giveaways: Most expensive taxpayer-funded jobs in history is Scott Walker's top accomplishment in 2017.  (12/26/2017)
Gateway Technical College cutting-edge Foxconn curriculum does not include workforce development, employee relations, and management concepts.  (12/25/2017)
Foxconn job projections: Reality bites a hole in Scott Walker's bubble world.  (9/10/2017)
UPDATE. Funny how there's all this talk about Foxconn jobs that pay well below the alleged average salary.  (8/12/2017)
Of which just 3,000 of these 'new' jobs are permanent.  (7/31/2017)
While Wisconsin and Michigan duke it out for low-paying jobs, Foxconn announces $5 billion investment in India.  (7/8/2017)

Friday, September 21, 2018

Beflowered Little Free Library on Kenyon Drive in Middleton Wisconsin


Photos by Retiring Guy

Nothing of interest to me here.

Location


Other LFL posts:
2018
The little white schoolhouse on Sweeney Drive in Middleton.  (9/10/2018)
Castellated Little Free Library on Longmeadow Road in Madison WI.  (8/29/2018)
UPDATE. Lots of Harlequin choices in Chamber of Manitowoc County's LFL.  (7/29/2018)
What’s in a middle school Little Free Library during summer vacation? (6/28/2018)
Hate has no home here.  (5/15/2018)
Hilldale Little Free Library: Too much taking, too little returning.  (4/25/2018)
UPDATE: The Little Free Library of the Lost Gable.  (3/30/2018)
Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door, and see all the books.  (2/24/2018)

2017
Slim Pickins in this Little Free Library.  (12/23/2017)
UPDATE: St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church will say a little prayer for you (Dionne vs. Aretha).  (11/15/2017)
Across the street from Weston Place.  (4/1/2017)
Seen yesterday while doing a lit drop for Hans Hilbert, candidate for Middleton mayor redux.  (3/29/2017)
Seen yesterday while doing a lit drop for Hans Hilbert, candidate for Middleton mayor.  (3/28/2017)

2016
Nearly empty Little Free Library has since been replenished and includes 2 Bart Starr biographies.  (10/15/2016)
This colorful Little Free Library features James Clavell's chunkster novel Noble House.  (9/14/2016)
Little Free Libraries spotted during yesterday's Elroy-Camp Douglas Omaha Trail bike ride.  (8/8/2016)
Little Free Library at end of Woodrow Street in Madison has Scruples Two.  (7/10/2016)
Little Free Plant Stand meets Little Free Library.   (5/21/2016)
UPDATE: This Little Free Library now features 3 Jeffery Deaver titles.  (3/21/2016)

2015
More taking than returning at this Little Free Library location.  (11/2/2015)
Taking Little Free Libraries to the next level.  (10/20/2015)
An attractively designed, little box of discards on Amherst Road.  (10/13/2015)
Kudos to this Little Free Library design on 13th Street in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.  (7/27/2015)
One of the most colorful little box of discards set-up I've encountered.  (7/10/2015)
Little box of discards with benches.  (5/6/2015)
Get me rewrite: Little boxes of discards have big appeal.  (5/1/2015)

2014
Middleton little free library cleaned out; Independent bookseller suspected.  (12/19/2014)
Charter #5763.  (8/14/2014)
Charter #8443.  (7/25/2014)
Unchartered #2.  (7/24/2014)
Unchartered #1.  (7/21/2014)
Charter #5719.  (7/19/2014)
Charter #0657.  (7/18/2014)

Frank Chiaravalloti (1948-2018) Warren Area High School class of 1966



1966 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
  • Chiaravalloti Dominick F (Leona M) auto pntr J & R Esso Serv Sta h622 Beech
  • Chiaravalloti Frank whsemn Warren Grocery r622 Beech
1983 Warren City Directory

The popularity of Frank as a baby name is graphed here.  Let's take a look at Dominick.


Dominick never set the world on fire but has been a relatively steady presence since 1900, almost always in the 200-500 range.  Best year:  1914 at #197, his only appearance in the top 200.  He dropped out of the top 500 just once, in 1971 (#512).

Other members of the class of '66:
2018
Howard Johnson.  (8/3/2018)
Albert Conklin.  (4/11/2018)
Betsy Colt Brinkley.  (3/9/2018)

2017
Deborah Snyder Sproveri.  (8/8/2017)

2015
Sally Johnson Horrocks.  (4/3/2015)

2014
Charlene Postlethwait Knowlton. (10/8/2014)
Dennis Peterson.  (8/31/2014)

OK, folks, here’s a headline offering more proof that 'Scott Walker' is synonymous with 'weasel'



The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel changed its headline overnight.  Fortunately, WisPolitics preserved it.

From the J-S article:
Would the Wisconsin Legislature be willing to adopt many of the provisions in the Affordable Care Act? 
That would have to happen for Gov. Scott Walker to make good on his promise last week to ensure that people with pre-existing health conditions have access to insurance if Wisconsin and 19 other states succeed in having the law declared unconstitutional. 
Here’s one reason: The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover specific health benefits, including prescription drugs for almost every medical condition.

The answer to the question is a big, fat NO. 

It's going to be years before the Democrats regain control of the Assembly, where they are currently outnumbered 64-35, a margin too large for a single blue wave to wash away.



Related posts:
UPDATE. Weasel words with a side of fawning: Scott Walker finally speaks out on Trump uproar.  (8/17/2017)

Dear Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Could we please have a report on campaign contributions to Steve Nass from deer farmers? Thank you.


For Steve Nass, it's not unusual be to an asshole.


Reported in Wisconsin senator looks to kill CWD regulations.  (Star Tribune, 9/19/2018)

Lead-in time?

For crying out loud!  How much time do you need?

2002

2003

2004

2005


And today?

Related post:
UPDATE: Instead of fiddling around, Scott Walker should have listened to George Meyer 3 years ago.  (5/3/2018)
Wisconsin trails Illinois in fighting CWD.  (5/13/2016)

Scott Walker and the power of incumbency


With no margin for error in the Fox Valley, Scott Walker pulls out the state's checkbook.


Walker Budget Puts $5M Toward STEM Center At UW-Green Bay.  (Wisconsin Public Radio, 9/17/2018)


"Bridges": A new dimension in book publishing


Photo taken at Madison Central Library by Retiring Guy

Book sizes and dimensions  (Blurb)
  • Trade (5 x 8 inches)
  • Trade (6 x 9 inches)
  • Trade (8 x 10 inches)
  • Mini square (5 x 5 inches)
  • Small square (7 x 7 inches)
  • Legacy statndard portrait (8 x 10 inches; difference in trimmed pages from same-sized trade)
  • Standard landscape (10 x 8 inches)
  • Large landscape (13 x 11 inches)
  • Large square (12 x 12 inches)
  • Magazine dimentions (8 x 11 inches)

Thunky escalator ride at East Towne Mall Penney's


Still as noisy as ever as you approach it on the main floor.



A history of the escalator last revised in September 2005.  Definitely old-school web design.

Another oldie.

A Prezi presentation from 2014, when this method was all the rage.

East Towne Mall gets creative in filling empty space


Photos by Retiring Guy

A combination brewpub and movie theater helps East Towne Mall evolve.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 7/5/2018)
A Flix Brewhouse, one of just six [make that tenin the country, will open Thursday in a spot that at one time was home to a Steve & Barry’s clothing store and more recently a Steinhafels furniture store. The 39,000-square-foot combination brewpub and cinema features a system that can brew seven barrels of beer at a time, has 48 taps and a nine-screen cinema with auditoriums ranging in size from 33 to 225 seats in which moviegoers can enjoy a beer, pizza, sandwich or several other items off the menu.


Related reading:
16 Ways Malls Are Filling Space Besides Stores.  (The Motley Fool, 6/6/2018)
  1. Gyms (Planet Fitness at East Towne)
  2. Supermarkets
  3. Apartmnets
  4. Hotels
  5. Co-working spaces
  6. Escape rooms
  7. Pop-up stores
  8. Expanded food courts
  9. Local stores
  10. Activities
  11. Movie theaters
  12. Event spaces
  13. Arcades (wan't this already a thing?)
  14. Art spaces
  15. Medical businesses
  16. Nonprofits

East Towne Mall Boston Store is closed if not completely dark


The Boston Store name has been scrubbed from the mall directory.


Not a great location for people watching anymore.

Photos by Retiring Guy

Some display furnishings remain in place


I don't make a lot of visits to East Towne Mall, but every time I do, the concourse between the now-empty Boston Store and an ailing Sears is Deadsville.


Related post:
UPDATE. West Towne Mall Boston Store: Going.....going.....gone! (But last I checked, the lights are still on.)  (9/11/2018)

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Patrick Michael Sheehan (1936-2018) Warren High School class of 1954



 1954 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
1983 Warren City Directory
The popularity of Patrick as a baby name is graphed here.  Let's take a look at friend Walter.


Walter was an extremely steady performer into the 1920, remained in the top 50 through 1950, and in the 100 until 1972.  After bottoming out in 2008, he seemed to be making a bit of a comeback.

Other members of the class of 1954:
2018
Charles Salerno.  (3/19/2018)
Joan White Wood.  (2/12/2018)
Janet Lauffenberger Day.  (2/11/2018)

2017
Georgeanne Pappas Kornreich.  (11/27/2017)
Anita Miller Smith.  (10/25/2017)
Michelene Figliuzzi Colgrove.  (6/1/2017)
James Hornstrom.  (3/9/2017)
Richard Latimer.  (1/31/2017)
Guard Pierce.  (1/24/2017)

2016
Thomas Gray.  (10/16/2016)
Franklin Ristau.  (4/21/2016)
Richard Helmbrecht.  (3/27/2016)
Luella Wert Wile.  (3/15/2016)
Edward Erickson.  (3/4/2016)

2015
Keith Otterbein.  (7/20/2015)
Marlene Ceriola English.  (6/28/2015)

2014
Robert Johnson.  (8/10/2014)
Phillip Stewart.  (2/20/2014)

4 weeks after the storm in Middleton: Boardwalk access to Tiedeman Pond


Photos by Retiring Guy


After the storm in Middleton (and Madison) posts:
Pheasant Branch Trail at Park Street (part 2).  (8/21/2018)
Powerwashing between the Beltline and Parmenter Street.  (8/22/2018)
Along Pheasant Branch Creek east of Parmenter Street.  (8/23/2018)
Costco and environs.  (8/23/2018 update)
Entrance to Esser Place parking lot, then and now.  (8/24/2018)
Longmeadow Drive and Stricker's Pond, then and now.  (8/24/2018)
Greenway Station is open for business.  (8/24/2018 update)
Views of Pheasant Branch Creek from Parmenter Street bridge.  (8/25/2018 update)
Intersection of U.S. highway 14 and Deming Way.  (8/27/2018 update)
Century Avenue and entrances to Pheasant Branch Conservancy trails.  (8/27/2018)
UW Health administration office building.  (8/27/2018)
Longmeadow Gulch.  (8/28/2018)
Stricker's Park.  (9/4/2018 update)
Flooding in East Washington/East Mifflin area of Madison.  (9/7/2018)
The dual dead ends of Middleton Street.  (9/10/2018 update)
Stricker's Pond footpath.  (9/11/2018 update)
Confluence Pond expands to become Confluence Lake (and back again).  (9/12/2018 update)
Stricker's Pond.  (9/12/2018 update)
Pheasant Branch Creek algae bloom.  (9/15/2018)
Tiedeman Pond access at Pond View Road.  (9/15/2018 update)
Pheasant Branch Trail at Park Street (part 1).  (9/17/2018 update)
Pheasant Branch Conservancy trail and bridge.  (9/17/2018)
Pheasant Branch Conservancy just north of Century and Branch.  (9/17/2018)
Woodside Heights Park.  (9/18/2018 update)
Voss Parkway.  (9/18/2018 update)
Tiedeman Pond pumping.  (9/19/2018 update)
Boardwalk access ramp to Tiedeman Pond.  (9/19/2018 update)


9/7/2018 update starts here.




9/4/2018 update, "Newly installed boardwalk access ramp to Tiedeman Pond now looks compromised", starts here.

Friday, August 31
Photos by Retiring Guy

Tuesday, September 4.  The only improvement appears to be the washing away of debris by the weekend rains.


Friday, August 31 close-up/  Yucky stuff.

Tuesday, September 4 close-up.  OK, there's evidence of a drop in pond level here.



8/24/2018 update, "Boardwalk access ramp to Tiedeman Pond now incessible", starts here.
As of yesterday, Tiedeman Pond was still rising, as there nowhere but up for the water to go.

Photos by Retiring Guy

Hidden behind the lower left of the tree branches -- there's better glimpse of it in the above photo -- is an observation deck that had been constructed on the opposite shore of the pond.


Floodwater has encroached onto the parking lot of an apartment building.


City of Middleton capital improvement plan


Original 8/15/2018) Around Town post, "It's now easier to access to Tiedeman Pond from Park Street", starts here.

Photos by Retiring Guy

Source:  Tiedeman Pond Conservancy Area (red arrow added)