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Greater Burlington and Waterford community blog
June 2008
Monday June 30, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 6:18PM CST on June 30, 2008
A group of high school students were running along highway W on the way back to BHS last week. I was driving to the Wellness Center for my husband's physical therapy. Good thing I have pretty good reflexes or these kids may have been injured or worse. Isn't there a coach or someone who instructs the kids on when they should run across the street? These kids darted out in front of my car across Highway 11, causing me to slam on my brakes in order not to hit them. Please kids, be careful when you are running in heavy traffic—you scared me half to death! Friday June 27, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 2:58PM CST on June 27, 2008
I wonder how many accidents have occurred near the Burlington Post office. When they had the one way streets, it was a nightmare with the convergence of one way streets merging into a two way street, back into a one way street. Now with the two way streets—the problem seems to be just as precarious. Has there ever been any talk of moving that post office to a better location that is out of the main flow of traffic and put into a place that has ample parking? Surely there has to be a spot somewhere in this city where it might be easier to travel for the average person. Pedestrians also have a tough time with having to cross busy Pine Street or State Street to do their mailing. Thursday June 26, 2008
Posted by: beph_ann at 6:48PM CST on June 26, 2008
Clearly Hwy 83 south of Burlington is closed for construction of the new Hwy 11 bypass. The deteremined detour route is Hwy P south to Hwy 50. BUT, now there is a house fire on Hwy P. South bound traffic is being diverted down the bumpy gravel filled Yahnke Road and is forced to share the road with large graders. North bound traffic was being diverted down Fish Hatchery Road. * Who is going to tell all these people that are just passing through how to get around all of this? Because the police are not present when you come to the next intersection to tell you where to go. The only way to know is to ask a local. How do you get around this really? People complain about Hwy P being an out of the way route... try the LONG route like 142 or to Lyons! This is ridiculous, perhaps this should be thought of when the construction closures take place! Sad to see Burlington St. Vincent DePaul closing
Posted by: massiol at 6:33AM CST on June 26, 2008
What a shame one of our most important store's in town has to close. They have done so much for this community and helped so many people. Its too bad no one has stepped up to help them. All the empty buildings in this town, you'd think someone would give them a break! What are people who need help suppose to do especially now when help is needed most right now. Yes, we have Love Inc.,and they have been great, but they can only do so much. As for the "other place" in town - well, lets just say they are not as much help for the people in town. You can't get vouchers, food, and their prices - well, you might as well go to Walmart and find it cheaper (and with no stains!) With all these "rich big wigs" you'd think someone would help out!!!!
Tuesday June 24, 2008
Posted by: Mike Moore at 2:45PM CST on June 24, 2008
This post submitted by Jeff Koenen, secretary of Burlington Rescue Squad, Inc.:
Burlington Rescue Squad, Inc was formed in 1946 and is sponsored by the Burlington Rotary Club. The members of the squad are all volunteers who are willing give up their time with family and, for some, leave their employment, to help when a 911 call comes in. In 2007 the rescue squad responded to over 970 calls and assisted over 1,000 members of the community who needed help. Our medical control is located at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington.
The Burlington Rescue squad currently consists of 19 active members ranging in age from 18 years old to 70-plus years old. Members consist of EMT-Basics and EMT-IV Technicians, and Burlington Rescue operates as an IV-Tech squad. Burlington Rescue Squad, Inc has 2 Rescue Squads/Ambulances, 1 Command/Extrication vehicle, 1 ATV with trailer, and other necessary rescue equipment. Burlington Rescue Squad handles all our own extrication as needed.
Burlington Rescue Squad members are expected to make one monthly business meeting-held on the second Wednesday of every month; one monthly training that lasts from 2 to 3 hours on the third Wednesday of every month; help support community events like ChocolateFest, BHS/CCHS football games, the Christmas Parade, plus other events. Our members are expected to take call at night-one every four, and respond to as many calls each month as possible. Burlington Rescue Squad helps to make sure their members are kept updated with their Wisconsin EMS training and CPR certification, and will help with Gateway Technical College courses to advance in EMT levels. Burlington Rescue Squad members should live within a 6 minute radius of the station at 165 W. Washington.
Being a member of the Burlington Rescue Squad requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and time; but the rewards and appreciation from the community are limitless. If you are interested in more information regarding Burlington Rescue, or would like to see about joining the squad, please leave a message at 262-767-1105 and one of our officers will get back to you as soon as possible or stop by the Burlington Fire Department’s station at 165 W. Washington and pick up an application. Wednesday June 18, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 8:59PM CST on June 18, 2008
Say, has anyone gone to Walgreens or Daily Brew to pick up that kids'
movie, Little Sister? It is a great little film for kids ages 2-8 and
although it runs a bit long compared to most films these days,
captivates the attention of the kids for the entire movie. I got a few
copies for my nieces, my nephew and granddaughter who all fit in that
age bracket and they were mesmerized. Filmed solely in the Burlington area, the film features four year old Cora Davis who spends the day helping her mother feed the animals on her farm. Tired from her morning, Cora falls asleep and dreams that the baby animals have wandered away. She works to get them reunited with their mothers only to realize she has lost her own mother. Luckily she is comforted by an old lady who helps her find her mom. Great story by local film writer Greg Lavin—stay tuned for more, as he plans to get a series going. Friday June 13, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 7:53PM CST on June 13, 2008
Civil War Museum
Posted by: write2thepoint at 7:50PM CST on June 13, 2008
One great way to treat Dad this Father’s Day would be to take him to Kenosha’s new Civil War Museum. Saturday and Sunday is a great opportunity to get a sneak peak into the nearly completed museum as well as participate in family fun activities, such as period style music, Civil War reenactments, speeches, and crafts while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The first of its kind, this museum focuses on the personal lives of those in the Upper Middle West—their contributions and the affects on soldiers as well as those left behind. The event is free to everyone. Not much is going on in town; it might be good to check out if you have time! Wednesday June 11, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 7:48PM CST on June 11, 2008
Burlington Public Library Reading Program
Here is a great time to relax into some summer reading by enrolling in
the library's annual reading program. Usually this is just a kid
centered event with prizes like small toys, gift certificates, a
t-shirt and ice cream social just for reading a book! Monday June 9, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 3:20PM CST on June 9, 2008
With gas prices so high and income perhaps not so much--vacationing at home seems like a good idea to me. With only one kid left at home out of five, I am trying to think of some fun things to do that don't involve a lot of cash. There is the Burlington Pool, making a picnic and going fishing at Echo Park, biking to Uncle Harry's, spending the day at Brown's Lake Beach and participating in the Library reading program, but after that I have pretty much run out of ideas. I am looking for some creative ideas---does anyone have some great things to do with a 13 year old boy that are fun but won't break the bank? Rain Relief
Posted by: write2thepoint at 3:19PM CST on June 9, 2008
Another night spent in the basement while the storms blew overhead. I
can tell you that I am so very grateful that we were spared damage from
the tornadoes or the severe storms-it could easily have been a repeat
from the one that hit near us in January. The sheets of rain that
pummeled our home was incredible--in my nearly 50 years of driving and
watching weather conditions, this has to be one of the very worst
weather patterns I have seen. While, we are fortunate here, I do worry about several friends who live along the Fox River--especially one that lives right on the River off of Spring Street in Burlington. I have tried contacting her or stopping over to see what we can do to help, but no one is home. Perhaps they have evacuated--I hope so. Anyone know if there are any relief efforts going on in the Burlington area? I feel so blessed that we have been virtually unaffected and would really like to reach out to help others. Perhaps we can get some feedback about anything we can do to help. Friday June 6, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 10:52AM CST on June 6, 2008
Is it just me or is traffic getting worse in Burlington? I am having
the worst time getting around the area by Adrian's Custard—no matter
what time of day I go. Over near St. Mary's is bad, Pine, and Market
is bad and Milwaukee Avenue near the Theatre—drives me nuts. Another
thing, getting rid of the one way streets, while good in some ways, is
really tough in others because they removed all those stop signs which
makes it dangerous getting through those intersections. I wonder if when the bypass is completed that some of that congestion will be alleviated. It never fails, the times I do get through town rather quickly, I am so excited that I forget to look down at the roads and then, bang! I nearly lose part of my car in those whopper potholes. Wednesday June 4, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 7:16PM CST on June 4, 2008
I am so excited that we are finally getting a farmer's market in
Burlington! It won't be stuck in the parking lot near the Vet's
building—it will be a REAL Farmer's market similar to the type in
Madison around the capital building. Thanks to a nice guy named Jamey
Berger with a keen eye on what is essential in building up a
community, we finally have a spot in library park to buy locally grown
tomatoes, basil, and other great farm produce. They will be closing off a portion of Washington Ave so locals can walk around without fear for their lives. Weekly music is the goal. I can't wait to check it out tomorrow afternoon from 3-6! Hopefully the rain will hold off. The Medicare Bidding Disaster
Posted by: lc626 at 1:08PM CST on June 4, 2008
< Medicare bureaucrats are rolling out a new “competitive bidding” program for home medical equipment and services that are required by some seniors and people with disabilities. Everyone can agree that government spending must be kept in check. That’s especially true for programs like Medicare, which has a skyrocketing annual budget of more than $400 billion.
But the way this federal program has been designed is a disaster – for patients, providers, and taxpayers. As a result, this “competitive bidding” program will reduce the availability of care to many of the most vulnerable users of home medical equipment and services, such as home oxygen therapy, power wheelchairs, diabetic monitoring systems, and hospital beds used at home.
The bidding program has been touted as a money-saving improvement. However, a true accounting would include the higher costs to Medicare and to taxpayers for more frequent emergency room visits, longer hospital stays, and physician visits that will result from fewer homecare providers available to serve Medicare beneficiaries. The impact of failed businesses and lost jobs in this cost-effective sector of Medicare should be considered.
Home medical equipment and services in Medicare represent less than two percent of the Medicare budget. It is the slowest-growing and the most cost-effective sector in Medicare. Yet, policymakers in Washington have singled out homecare to be a guinea pig in this high-stakes bidding experiment. On July 1, 2008, the bidding program is scheduled to begin in 10 metropolitan areas: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Kansas City, Miami, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Riverside, and San Juan. The federal agency that oversees Medicare wants to expand the program to 70 more areas in the near future.
Implementation of this program has been plagued by problems and errors. Homecare providers who have long served their patients have been improperly disqualified from participating in the program. Out of state providers who now provide only scooters has won the bid to provide oxygen. Is this where you would like your next breath to come from? A scooter provider? Providers fear that if mistakes are not addressed now, they will become imbedded in the program.
In fact, a May 5 letter to Congress from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, which includes the American Association of People with Disabilities, Easter Seals, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and 18 other disability groups, calls for a delay in the bidding program. Their letter states that the group “is very concerned that competitive bidding will significantly threaten access to and quality of assistive devices and technologies that are essential components of the health and independence of individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions.”
Congress must delay this bidding program so it can review the many concerns about access to care, quality, and fairness.
Homecare providers are the answer NOT the problem –
1 day in hospital costs $3,400 1 visit to the emergency room $4500 1 YEAR on oxygen at home $2895 Call your congressman today and express your concern for yourself, your loved ones, your neighbor or anyone who will be in a position of need someday.
Tuesday June 3, 2008
Posted by: write2thepoint at 12:43PM CST on June 3, 2008
Not long ago, our sweet little parakeet, Frankie became quite ill—we knew that
the prognosis was not too favorable for his recovery. We called all over trying
to find a veterinarian who would agree to see our suffering bird—but the only
one who seemed interested was Dr. Phil Molitor of Molitor's Pet and Bird Clinic
in Burlington. He greeted us personally when we arrived and quickly examined Frankie. While he was unsure of the problems, he sympathetically offered three options—and acknowledged that he wasn't sure if the first two would cure him. Because we were having a very tough time watching our little bird suffer so greatly, we opted to have him put to sleep. Dr. Molitor was more compassionate than any human doctor we have ever encountered and I have dealt with many of them, especially during the rough times when I lost both my parents unexpectedly. This man actually seemed to care and took the time to explain our options and the decision to end his little life. Not only did this man care, a day later we received a sympathy card in the mail. In all the years dealing with the medical profession with my parents, my husband and my own five children—I have never witnessed anything like this. Thanks Dr. Molitor and believe me, the human doctors could learn a lot from you. |
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