February open thread
1 February 2010
RS
14 Comments
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I understand everyone is angry about the cost of $750,000 and who knows what kind of back room deals to get the Bandits to Elgin. I think it is too bad they are hoping to leave, but it is another example of a good idea that got so twisted!
Bandit games are fun. The girls are amazing athletes and great role models. Last year they played an exhibition game against the Schaumburg Flyers that drew over 8,000 people (played in Schaumburg, of course). They seem to always pop up at community events and also hold many low cost clinics for young players in the area.
With all that though - the attendance just sucks. Parking is limited, beware of the mosquitos since you are sitting on the banks of the Fox River, and if it’s supposed to be accessible to those who have trouble walking … I wouldn’t want to attempt it.
AND if you are going to eat a $4 slice a pizza, darn it, many folks would like a BEER to wash it down!
Womens Professional Softball might not be as popular as say, minors baseball like the Kane County Cougars. But if it was done right, from the beginning, having the Bandits in Elgin could have been a nice plus to the community. And at $9 general admission, I would bet it would have appealed to more of the community than say, Highland Golf Course (what is that? $95 a day) or the Roadhouse.
I always thought a downtown Elgin venue for a minor league baseball or softball team would be great for Elgin. Create a small version of
Wrigleyville. I thought a long time ago that a prime spot would be what has now become festival park or the old Gail Borden library or the land where the Centre is located. No other town can boast a minor stadium smack dab in the middle of an urban environment. All of the bars and restaurants would be packed before and after the games. And on off days the stadium could be used for musical events and festivals. We could have been the envy of every other suburb. Probably too late now but what a draw it could have been downtown. The only hope now would be a small stadium North of the library. The only problem with that is the parking garage that was built is at the other end of center city.
Yes, I know many could argue that the Bandits are downtown but the venue lacks the character of other minor league baseball venues. No beer with pizza?
I guess you’ve never been to a Joliet Jackhammers game at Silver Cross Field. Right in the middle of downtown Joliet.
No I haven’t but it sounds great.
There are several good bars and restaurants near by and the boat is within walking distance. The stadium is beautiful too. Really good place to see a ball game. It is also where the Bandits are considering moving to.
More Bandit thoughts -
Now that Rockford’s team has officially left and gone to Tennessee, do you think Bandit attendance will increase?
Wouldn’t the land Elgin just swapped to ECC have made a nice location?
1.4 million for a stadium would have been much easier to swallow if we hadn’t already spent half as much for a temporary location.
Once the Bandits leave, the only winner here will be Judson. They are left with the “state of the art” facility. There are other organizations that use it - Fox Valley Sport Academy and Northern IL Lightning use the field. The Lightning and Elgin Heat use the indoor facilities. I don’t know how much the field costs (and Judson mans the small concession during those games), but the indoor facility is $150 per hour. There are a lot of travel teams in the Fox Valley and not a lot of indoor locations large enough for winter practices. Judson is making a bundle.
So I can’t help but beat my head against the wall - how many people would have benefited from a $1.4 million softball facility vs. a $9 million golf course?
And I am interested in what you all have to say - would having alcohol concessions have made a difference?
In my opinion, beer and ball games go hand in hand. I do like the golf course but a stadium would have been a more unique use of the land.
Many people don’t know that Elgin has within its borders a film production company that makes documentaries. Wanderlust Productions, based out of Judson University, is small because it is a grass roots company. But it is also growing because it is putting out some documentaries that make your jaw drop. The next one comming out is called Furious Love, and it will premier in venues around the world on Valentines Day. The closest venue to Elgin will be at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. If you are interested in what Elgin’s film company is putting out, check out furiouslovethemovie.com. If you are interested in purchasing tickets to the Arcada showing for yourself and/or a date, you may can purchase them through the internet using paypal at: http://www.gotlifechurch.com/furiouslove/index.html
With a wedding fast approaching for my daughter and one and a half years left at ECC for my son and then two years of room and board and tuition at probably Illinois State University for my son I need to be frugal so my valentine present for the love of my life is going to be a love story of our life that I revised after submitting a shortened version for Christian radio station KLOVE’s valentine love story contest and a Valentine dinner at a benefit for scholarships for Highland Christian Academy in Elgin on Feb. 13. Only 25.00 a couple and there will be some entertainment by Pastor Jeorge Holmes singing a few songs, as well as some other funny movie clips, trivia, etc. Call Highland Fellowship Church in Elgin for details. I hope some readers like my love story.
Brenda, you are still my one and only Lady in my life. I love you Babe.
Shy and never having had a girl friend, 18 year old Clarence gazed longingly at the gorgeous, 15 year old, brown eyed virgin with long brown tresses that glistened in the sunlight as she walked her Husky dog Frisky every morning on his way to St. Edward High School.
Clarence longed to meet her but never having had a girlfriend he was just too shy. Then the Holy Spirit prompted him to put a leash on Freddy the family Chihuahua. Soon one sunny afternoon Freddy met Frisky and Clarence met Brenda.
They dated for two and a half years and married soon after Brenda graduated from Larkin High School in 1974.
For their honeymoon they became one in an oceanfront room at the Desert Inn on the shores of Daytona Beach in Florida. With the sound of the surf in their honeymoon suite coming to a crescendo at high tide they united as husband and wife with the soft summer breeze caressing their newlywed bodies.
Then it was on to Disney World and the Polynesian Resort for some more honeymoon memories.
Nine years later daughter Jennifer was born while Sloop the John B by the Beach Boys was playing in the background of their birthing video. Seven years after that son Jason made his dramatic birth entrance to Amy Grant’s song, Sing Your Praise to the Lord.
Months ago Brenda and Clarence celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with their two young adult children, Jennifer and Jason. Clarence thanked and praised the Lord for Brenda, his one and only love, and Jennifer and Jason, that all started because Freddy the Chihuahua met Frisky the Husky.
Common Sense Clarence Hayward
CORRECTION:
The Scholarship Valentine Spaghetti Dinner Benefit that I mentioned above for Highland Christian Academy is on Valentine’s Day, Sunday Feb. 14 at 6pm. I hope a lot of people signed up. I believe it is too late to sign up now.
So sorry I had the wrong date etched in my mind in the above post. I guess I am just having a case of Valentine love sickness.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all.
Common Sense, Independent Clarence Hayward
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints on their first ever Super Bowl win. It is heart warming for me to see a new team win the prize. What a precious picture of MVP winning quarterback Drew Brees holding his son after the victory. It reminds me of I believe the year 1998 and the wonderful memories created with my own daughter in New Orleans.
Children’s Theater of Elgin was asked to bring the Wizard of Oz, 26 principal actors and actresses to Louisiana where in Pineville they would partner with another local children’s theater group who would provide the munchkins and flying monkeys for two shows after a week of sight seeing in Louisiana.
I was one of the adult chaperon’s who went along on the train to New Orleans where we stayed overnight in New Orleans and toured the French Quarter as well as the Superdome where we walked to the very top and checked out the sky boxes.
Then it was on to Pineville where we toured a couple historical houses, had a swamp tour, and a craw fish boil on Saturday afternoon between Friday and Saturday night shows.
Joe Lytle, playing the Wizard almost lost his voice for Saturday night’s show from eating too many craw fish from the bottom of the craw fish pot.
It was in Pineville where they put me on a follow spot light and I was in seventh heaven putting my daughter Jennifer in the spotlight as Dorothy. From age 8-14 she had a series of ensemble chorus roles so this was an over the rainbow dream come true for the Hayward family.
I like it when the underdog can win in sports, theater, or in the coming local political elections.
Common Sense, Independent, Clarence Hayward
Time to check that homeowner’s insurance for earthquake coverage.
What has happened to Dave and Paul?
My boyfriend’s job is transferred to LongBeach, CA and I am searching good job in Long Beach. Can anyone help where can i look for jobs only in Long Beach?