Curious Places 4 Curious People

The West Racine business district is an interesting place. No, I’m not talking about being out in the county. I’m talking about those businesses on Washington Avenue, from West Blvd. to about Blaine Ave. We all know Wilson’s Coffee, Infusino’s carry out, and CVS. We are mourning the loss of Nelson’s Dime Store, which recently closed. But, please don’t mourn too much... There are still gems left in the area, and some of them are one of a kind places, which take you back in local history. Think Mom & Pop stores, unique, and worth your time.

I was out and about today, and dropped off a pair of Chad’s jeans for a new zipper. It’s a place called West Racine Shoe Service, located at 1138 Hayes Ave. They do adjustments, fix heels, repair clothing with patches, etc. It is a very neat store, which will give you the feeling of that nostalgia of the 1950’s with what they have in there, but with a modern interior to keep current. Plus, who doesn’t want to pamper that favorite pair of jeans? I they can do just about anything, from putting new soles on your shoes to cuffs on your leather coat. They have been there since about 1987 at this location, and the original location was on Douglas Ave, and this shoe service has been around for about 100 years. Pretty cool.

Another cool place in the West Racine area, is Snooper’s Paradise, located in the strip on Lathrop Ave. which has fun items in there, many of which are antiques and other unique items, such as nostalgic Coke items. It’s worth looking through, you never know what you might want, until you see it. Here they are in the Journal Times: http://journaltimes.com/snoopers-paradise/image_88bd3a54-2098-5355-9884-c0a9e54db91a.html

Of course, me, being a curious person, loves to check out things. Across the street, is this “new” store called Refined Salvage & Pallet Designs 1137 Hayes Ave. Talk about original items, and they are all talking points. Everything from using old windows to wooden pallets and turn them into planters, coat hangers, and a lot of other cool things. There are items like roofing nail rings, rod iron items, and you never know what you will find there. It is a totally interesting place, and, if you want that one of a kind gift for you or someone else, this place is a definite “go-to” place. Can’t find that perfect something that talks to you? Come back in a few days, or get a gift certificate. You will find that thing. It’s like being able to go to School Days Mall, but in a place that reminds you of specialty items you might find at Olsen’s Mercantile from Little House on the Prairie. It’s a really neat place. To get a sneak peak at what they have, here is an article on Racine County Eye: https://www.racinecountyeye.com/refined-salvage-pallet-designs-west-racine/

I encourage people to rediscover West Racine, and check out the different stores that go down the side streets. The next time you’re out to enjoy coffee from Wilson’s, don’t forget to bring those pieces of clothing or foot wear to get fixed at the West Racine Shoe Service. It’s right around the corner at the stop light from our favorite coffee joint. Since you’re right there, bring your curiosity with you, and check out Refined Salvage & Pallet Designs. It’s really neat, and you won’t be sorry. 

Sex Offender Residency Limit to be dropped

Well, as much as I dislike the idea of violent sex offenders near our children, the flip side is that "home" is where you sleep. At 1500 feet, we are talking only about 3 or 4 blocks away, if there is space. That is close enough to walk to the school areas to be near the children during their waking hours, so, these residency laws are actually quite useless.

 

https://patch.com/wisconsin/mountpleasant/s/g4ik3/violent-sex-offenders-could-live-near-schools-under-wisconsin-proposal?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=weather&utm_campaign=alert

 

The thought is if they are back in their original communities, they have the support system needed with their family and friends to better able to "lead a normal life". But, how many times have we heard people say they don't want to be involved? Sex offenses are rarely stranger danger. So, if a parent or some other relative is sexually abusing children, and people don't want to be involved, you're putting these people right back into the communities where they know the area, and can easily access the places they like to go.

 

Those who push for therapy... Maybe if the offender is young, and it's their 1st offense, maybe the therapy might work... (Romeo & Juliet would be an exception, because they're peers). But, for those who are pedophiles? There is no cure for pedophilia. They're sexually attracted to children.

 

Sign and share the petition for #LikasLaw4Wisconsin around all of Wisconsin:
Click the link or copy/paste into your search bar: - http://www.thepetitionsite.com/367/880/690/likas-law-4-wisconsin-demand-stiffer-sentencing-4-child-sex-offenders/
 

Internship Luncheon

I finished up my internship at the Victim Witness Office, which is an extension of the District Attorney's Office, inside the Racine County Courthouse. It was an enjoyable experience, where all of the women who work there all had their own strengths to bring, to build a strong team as a collective. I admire them all. To beat that, I did get an awesome letter of recommendation from my immediate supervisor.

Because these are such awesome people, including those from the DA's main office, I brought in lunch for my last day, in hopes that giving them good food that starts with real ingredients and should be nutritious and delicious will show how much I appreciated them as well as my experience.

Bean/Veggie burgers (inspired by Robert Irvine, but adjusted to fit what I had): 2# pinto beans - soaked overnight, picked and cooked, then blended into a very thick paste. 1# brown Jasmine rice, cooked and cooled on a sheet pan. 1 yucca root - peeled, cut & boiled for 10 minutes, 2 medium carrots peeled and cut, 2 medium yellow onions peeled and cut, 1 bulb of garlic pealed: roast these veggies for 30 minutes, and mince in a food processor. Combine all of these in a large bowl, and add 1 TBS sea salt, 1 tsp freshly ground pepper corns, 1/2 cup medium-hot salsa, 3 TBS cilantro, 1 tsp cumin, juice of 2 limes. Mix well, and form into 1/8# patties. Bake on cookie sheet in a 350F for 8 minutes on each side (may be longer for larger patties). Serve on pretzel buns with hot mayo (mayo or salad dressing mixed with sriracha sauce - I do 2/3 dressing & 1/3 sriracha).

Sushi rolls: 5 cups of sushi grade Japanese rice, rinsed until water runs clear, let rest for an hour, w/o water. Add 6 cups of water to rice and a large piece or so of kombu kelp. Add 7 TBS rice vinegar, 6 TBS sugar, and 5 tsp sea salt. Mix well, cook until all liquid is absorbed, covered. Let rest for 10 minutes after cooking. Put into a large pan, and continuously cut, fold, & fluff the rice with a fan, until easy to work with. Roll with sushi seaweed, and feel free to be creative with what to put in the middle. This recipe, I did tofu, asparagus, takuan (Japanese pickled radish) and flavored shiitake mushrooms. I've also used shrimp, cucumber, carrot, egg omelet Japanese style, don't be shy to use what you like. Blanched asparagus, cauliflower, and other veggies are also good.

Anyway, now that I am done, with an awesome letter of recommendation in hand, I am looking for a full time office position where I am responsible for managing databases, give customer service, answering phones to give information and/or referrals, make copies and agendas for meetings, pass necessary information to those who need it, public speaking, taking meeting minutes, etc... I would love an attorney's office, corporations like Coka-Cola, State Departments such as DMV, and I am open to industry. I also have a medical background, also, so a personal injury type law firm would be benefited greatly with my employment. If you know anyplace which is hiring, please let me know! Thank you in advance.

In the mean time, please sign my petition, #LikasLaw4Wisconsin here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/367/880/690/likas-law-4-wisconsin-demand-stiffer-sentencing-4-child-sex-offenders/