Tamale Gate or Ethanol Heating Up Controversy

Tamale prices in El Paso, TX increased a Dollar from $11.00 to $12.00 per dozen. This price hike is due to Ethanol Production causing the increase in corn prices and higher transportation costs.

Meanwhile the Ethanol plants are struggling. The Canton IL Ethanol plant filling for Bankruptcy and some of the others scheduled to start to build have been put on hold. Is Ethanol the fuel of choice for the future.

We have seen the the first plants that got online before the run up of corn prices make a large return on their initial investments. Many have sold out from their original Farmer owner base as investors saw this as an opportunity to cash in on this market. As the price of Corn has risen we are seeing a change in the scenery. We are seeing the plants looking at sales of the other product of production as a source of revenue. That component is Dried Distillers Grain if the plant has a drier complex. If not we are seeing the wet mash sold as cattle feed domestically. The Dried Distillers grain with a 24% protein level is an attractive feed source in many foreign countries. This product is one of the major new exports lowering our balance of trade deficit. We are bringing in Electronics and sending out Dried Distillers grain and other ag commodities.

We have seen the oil independence of Brazil with the use of Ethanol for fuel for their autos. What is the difference here in the U.S.? Brazil has an Ethanol Advantage. The fuel source for Ethanol is Sugar Cane. To make ethanol Sugar Cane is a fantastic crop. The Sugars are easily broken down into making Ethanol. It is a very efficient crop for this process.

In the Corn based Ethanol process the margins are thin due to the high cost of inputs. The energy to process the grain is large and the cost of grain is increasing at an ever expanding rate. The Canton Plant was going to use a coal mixture for energy to process the Ethanol. Most all the others use Natural gas and Oil for processing.

One Ethanol plant coming on line in the near future is a BioMass plant in Soperton GA. This will not use Corn but will use alternative sources for the simple sugars required to make the Alcohol. This will be an interesting plant to see how economically it can produce Ethanol. And the associated new crop structure to support this plant.

It will be an interesting year to see what breaks out in this market. The Bush Energy bill calls for an increase use in BioFuels. It will be interesting to see if the cost factors will allow this industry to prosper.

Tracks- the fresh snow

The best thing about snow is the tracks>>>>> Look around the snow and see what visitors you had in your yard.

A first set of tracks noticed was from a one legged pidgeon. I spotted the tracks early in the morning near the garage. And saw the little guy by the feeder later in the day. He was eating bird seed off the ground. (Bird Seed funny use of terms. If you plant it will birds grow?)

I also saw tracks from the mouse that lives under the stairs. He is so cute. I am sure he will be burrowing through the snow since I saw two sets of Cat tracks.

There were several bunnies. The dogs get excited when they smell the bunnies. (No not the "Girls next door" kind of bunnies) There was also the rabbit poo all over the yard that was shoveled where you can see the grass.

The Birds are all by the double feeders and Bird Bath. They really enjoy the feed and the Suet. The different bird tracks are of all sizes. From the CatBirds down to the little chickadees. It is great seeing the Cardinals and the occasional woodpecker stop by the feeder.

The freshness is slowly diminishing in the snow. The scholl kids and neighbor dogs are gradually making the front yard resemble Grand Central Station as the tracks accumulate.

We will have to wait for a fresh canvas of newly fallen snow to start the tracks again. It is truly amazing the things you can find in the tracks.

Sleep tight, stay warm, and have a happy holiday.

Toys for Tot's shortfall needing your help

In the news tonight one of the lead stories was the shortfall of toys for the Toys for Tot's program. In the story they said there was a shortfall last year as well. If you have some toys you would like to donate the drop off locations can be found at http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/tft

This is a great charity to light up a small child's Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Critter Meals on Wheels- Neighborhood House, Peoria

In Monday's Journal Star column PET WORLD- "Gifts for pet-lover's keep on giving" it talks about charitable donations to pet organizations.

A local connection (Not mentioned in the paper) is with the Neighborhood House in Peoria. Many of the regular Meals on Wheels recipients have pets to keep them company. These furry companions are very important to the well being of the elderly individuals that are getting Meals on Wheels. It was discovered that many can not afford a lot of pet food and share the meals on wheels items with their pets. So a Critter Meals on Wheels program was started. We have been supporting this for many years. This type of program does not get the exposure that many other service programs receive.

If you have a heart for pets consider this program in your gift giving this year.

Customer Service or lack of training or do people lack tact and diplomacy

I travel quite often and had two instances of poor Customer Service in the last two days. In Hindsight it seems to be a trend.

First example came Thursday in Virginia. I had an hour wait for a meeting and decided to stop at a Cracker Barrel for a bowl of soup. I was propmptly seated and had a good bowl of Beef Noodle soup and a drink. I got the check and headed out to the cash register.

I gave the check to the cashier and she asked me what I had for lunch. She told me that this could not be my check and again asked me what I had. I told her the soup and she looked at me like I was trying to cheat the Cracker Barrel. She went around the counter and tracked down my server and got the correct check. I had not looked at the check since it was so small I did not know how it could have been messed up. When she came back to the register there was no attempt to apologize for the oversight in giving me the wrong check. I wish I had not left a good tip at this point.

How should this have been handled?? The cashier could have said that she needed to check with the server that there may be an error on my check or could have just taken what I ordered and enter it in the register and then talk with the server about the error. In a normal year I will eat at an out of town restaurant approximately 150 times.

Will this experience affect my choice of restaurants in the future. A similar poor service (waiting 15 minutes for a waitperson to come to acknowledge my presence in their section) has already had a negative impact on the IHOP chain. IHOP is at the bottom of my list of restaurants at the moment.

Then last night, I flew into Peoria and on my way home stopped at the Kroger's near the Airport in B'ville. I had quite a cart load. You know never go to the grocery when you are hungry! So I had a large amount of groceries. As I was checking out I realized I had missed one item. I asked the person bagging if I could put my cart near the lane and go back and get the item. So I placed the cart at the front of the store and found my one item. It was after 8:00 P.M. and there was only the one lane open. It now had quite a line so I went throught the U-Scan lane for my $1.49 item. I am leaving the store with my cumulative purchases when I get half way across the parking lot I her a female voice yelling "Sir, Sir." to which I ignore not thinking they are looking for me. Then I hear the Salvation Army guy yelling as well. So I turn around and the Kroger employee is looking for me. She then yells across the parking lot " Did you pay for your (item)?" I told her how I had paid for it.

This could have been a positive had the Kroger employee came to the car since I had a whole cart full and simple asked me if I had found the item in question and if I had any trouble in the Uscan lane since that was the only option other than the lane that she was working at.

I have seen many instances of great customer service and tend to give larger gratuities if applicable or write letters to the company. In the last 3 month's I have sent out 5 letters to companies where the employee had gone above the call of duty.

One instance was a flight out of Bloomington on Airtran. The airline was getting ready to close the door on the plane and a familly of four came in. One was a baby in arms. They were sitting a few rows in front of me. The stewardess helped the family get settled and she got a little snack., etc for the kids. This calmed the frantic parents and kids, who were surely worried that they would miss the plane. This little extra action by the Airtran employee made the whole plane trip more enjoyable for the whole cabin. Feeling that if she had not made this extra effort the kids would have been noisy and not content with the surroundings on the crowded plane. Airtran was in receipt of a letter for this employees efforts.

I do not think we reward good experiences as much as we should. We are always vocal to our friends about bad experiences.

Green for Christmas???

You get the envelope anticipating the gift card to the Electronic store for the latest gizmo of your choice. You eagerly open it to find. "In the True Christmas spirit we have made a donation to KIVA, Samaritan's Purse, etc."

What is the reaction. According to the USA Today, it will not be a warm welcome. If this is truly the case. The thought is nice, why would the receiver not welcome this with open arms. The opportunity to help someone across the world or in the USA should be a heart warming experience.

I can remember times in my past if I received that type of item. I would have had quite a rejection. As we grow and see the benefits to the world as a whole I would welcome this gift today. We need to experience the simple pleasures. Do that extra thing to make someone's day unique.

Tonight I am taking customers to an event that is a fund raiser. Part of the fundraiser is a raffle where they give away big screen tv's, etc. That is the draw to the Christmas Party. It is not the opportunity to help out the kids from the Charity but what they are giving away.

Maybe, what is won will be regifted, maybe not. The Charity will raise a large sum of money. They do every year from the items that are donated. But the act of the raffle is a draw to the event. But it seems to supercede the event.

Green items for Christmas are not new. They are just in vogue. The thought of purchasing a goat for someone in a Village in Western Africa may not sound like a great gift. But it will make a difference to that person and community. The problem that most inject is the amount of overhead many of these charities have to provide the services. Do your homework before you try to Green the World. You want to see that you get the maximum benefit from your donation.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Christmas TV Commercials

Due to the weather most evryone will be hunkered down again today. Watching some of the Holiday Commercials one specifically caught my eye. It is the new ones from Kohl's. I must be upfront and say that I do a lot of shopping at Kohl's.

The ads are based on the most festive times around the family in what would appear to be a several million dollar home with long stairways, large cavernous highly decorated rooms. The commercials are quite artistic and in your mind want you to think of the Holidays as a Glamorous Time of the year. This is really playing on my mind. The question is who is the target market for Kohl's advertising?

In reviewing their supplement in today's paper it would lead you to believe there are two different Kohl's.

The Print Kohl's is for the Price oriented shopper and the TV is for the shopper that takes months and monthsof preparation for the Holiday. Thinking that 99.5% of the shoppers at Kohl's fall in the print group, it seemed odd that the money was spent on the Big TV production ad.

Maybe It is just age or the hustle and bustle of our daily lives that make this view of the Holiday a little off kilter. Maybe I should switch off the TV and turn on the radio for all the Christmas music, Especially Leon Redbone's rendition of Frosty the Snowman with Dr. John. A true Christmas Classic.

Have a great day, It is hoped you will not develop a case of Cabin Fever. If you must go out be safe.

John Morris- Will he come in and save the day for WTVP??

John Morris claim to the seat of Ray LaHood is based on his Peoria City Council experience and his Non Profit fund raising efforts.



In his election website he also promotes this experience. Looking at the John Morris for Congress website the following information about John's past accomplishments.


"John serves as vice president for development for WTVP. In this position, he has spent the last ten years promoting civic engagement, education for children and culture for our community through his work with the station. Nearly a million viewers in 20 counties have been enriched by numerous quality programs, made possible in part by John’s leadership in raising millions in private funds to support public television.
His leadership helped our local station to be the first to achieve federally required digital conversion in Illinois and to gain recognition as one of the finest broadcast stations of its kind in the nation. He presently serves as the Chairman of the national PBS Foundation Station Advisory Board. He previously served as the chief development officer for the non-profit Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences from 1992-1997. Today, he frequently speaks out on the importance of private philanthropy."
-Source: John Morris for Congress website




We have seen John for many years on the fundraisers for WTVP. Searching his website about the problems that WTVP currently faces and you can not find any reference to the plight of WTVP.



In the news articles and today's editorial in the Journal Star there are many dimensions to the problem facing WTVP in the next few months. Being a long term fan of WTVP and now their CREATE offering, it would be a shame for the community if the screen went black. Hope for the communities and its individuals to keep this most basic educational television delivering service to the local communities.


Will John come out and aid his former employer in their hours of need?? Will we see any mention from John about the WTVP situation??


Only time will tell.

The Race for Congress has one less Candidate

I will miss Former BU Coach Dick Versace in the race for Congress. Th three candidates on the Republican side lack that certain flair that Dick Versace brings to the run.

Will there be a breakout with Mayor Ardis's endorsement of Jim McConaughy for Congress. Jim definitely stands out against the field at the moment.

With all sorts of projects needing money will the candidates be looking at trying to convince voters they can bring home the Pork?

There has been a lot of talk about large capital expenditures in the region. We have the Museum Square, the Zoo, WTVP, Children's Hospital, the Catholic Dioceses have large amount of projects on the drawing board (New High School, Some improvements at the schools) Peoria Public schools looking at adding two new schools. Where is the money coming from??? Also look at this list, these are not projects that are going to increase the workforce. These are projects, although good for the community they are "feel good projects."

The emphasis needs to be on job creation and providing for the local charities like Southside Mission, Neighborhood House, Peria Rescue Mission, etc. These can make a difference in the community.

Lunch meeting gone bad or was it- Midway Duck Inn

I guess I need a calendar. Drove out to Lacon for a meeting and low and behold the meeting is Thursday. I got over the embarassment and on my way back to town stopped in at the Midway Duck Inn on Route 26 between Lacon and Spring Bay.

The long drive was quite memorable due to this stop. The place is quite cosy and filled with all kinds of Hunting memorabila. I walked in the restaurant bar in a tie and dress shirt and felt out of place. Next time I will need a camo outfit. The place was full of Duck Hunters all decked out in Camo.

Worrying that they thought I was a life insurance salesman, we got a table by the window. We had the nicest wait person come and take our order. Looking around the dining room it seemed that the Chicken was the hot item on the menu. I settled on a Tenderloin. No Frisbee style one here it was nice and thick and juicy. We were treated to plenty of refills on our drinks and it was quite the pleasurable experience.

Well back to Lacon tomorrow for the meeting. I just may get diverted again and stop in the Midway Duck Inn for some of that chicken.

If not tomorrow, it will happen again soon.

Just make sure you leave your dog and gun outside.

Bradley Braves Basketball- Electric

The crowd was huge, the atmosphere was electric. It had the feel of Big Time Basketball. The game was a true Barn Burner. The outcome was not what the crowd wanted, but the game was a true treat.

The stadium was a "White Out" filled with White T-Shirts over those designer outfits in the lower bowl. The normal crowd that sits on their hands did not show up for this game. Maybe they were at a Christmas Party and gave up there seat to a true fan. I do think they were there. It was the Hottest ticket in town in the past few years.

Another highlight was seeing the BU Soccer team come on the court at halftime to a rousing ovation as they head into Ohio State for a NCAA Soccer Elite 8 match. Going for a "W".

The Cheerleaders, The Band and Bravettes (Dance Team) put on a great show as well. It was a great evening.

Lets make this electricity continue into the next game.

Glad to Live in Central Illinois- driving in Chicago

Glad I am out of Chicago. Do not know how the legions of people do that drive in the city on a daily basis.

The traffic on I55 from 355 to Downtown was like a parking lot. Everyone jockeying for position hoping there is an opening.

Give me a break. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Give me the traffic report on our local radio that reports a few cars backed up.

Glad to be back home.

Christmas Spirit- the joys of shopping

Fa LaLa La La- Christmas shopping has started. I have several to send out and needed to get it underway. I keenly peered through the 40 pounds of ads in todays paper and selected my list.



Headed out to the Bermuda Triangle of Shopping. Northwoods, Glen Hollow and Willow Knolls. The traffic was not so bad but the potential to lose cash, and lines of credit in the triangle is mind boggling.



When you start looking around the prices of items have seemed to gone through the roof. Even on sale. One item in point a month ago is was $24.95 today when I saw it it was $30.45. How does an item go up $5.50 in a month. It was c0logne. Is there a shortage of good smelling chemicals that is raising the prices.



Where are all the old standby items that you could get for $10.00 or under. I can not give everyone Chutes and Ladders.



Coming out of the stores with a large amount of items and as I wrap them I did notice that only one was made in the US. Like that is a big surprise.

Well, I have to get it all boxed up and off in the post before the recipients leave for the Holidays.

Merry Christams to all and happy shopping ahead.

The power of the predictors- Meteorology at its finest

This morning was predicted a winter storm watch. They predicted the precipitation would start at 0900 at 0848 the sleet pellets started to fall. It is amazing how accurate they were. For you reading this outside of Central Illinois, Christmas Shopping will take a back seat today as we have been greated with sleet/freezing rain.

This happening on a weekend is probably the best alternative since many will be able to stay home and not go out in this weather.

If you are like me, Cabin fever may have already set in or maybe it is just to much Caffeine. Its that same feeling of waiting for your car to get fixed. When will it be over so we can get back to Normal.

Lets see if the prediction for tomorrow of 51 is correct as well.

Stay safe!