Dunes Blog

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Valparaiso has a problem and that problem is trains.

Now, let me preface this by saying that I love trains. I think they provide excellent economic value and are generally better for the environment. I also support the South Shore Expansion to Valparaiso and Lowell. I grew up being inconvenienced by trains my whole life so normally they don’t bother me.

But I’ve just about had enough.

Valparaiso is unfortunate in that it has a major freight railway running right smack through the middle of town. This usually isn’t a big deal, the chances of being stopped by a train throughout the day are pretty low. However, freight train traffic is increasing and it’s starting to affect my daily commute. I have to cross the tracks to get to an from work; as do a lot of people who live in Valpo.

Is it just me or lately has there pretty much been a train during rush hour every day now? Valparaiso screeches to a grinding halt during rush hour when one of these trains goes through. It’s a mess. There are only two ways to get over the tracks and each are on opposite sides of the city. Not only that, the trains usually move at a snail’s pace and are incredibly long.

I sat for 15 minutes the other day. That’s how long my commute should take in total!

It’s evident that the problem is only going to get worse. Would it be so hard for the train companies to not run traffic through there, say, between 4:30pm and 6:30pm? That probably won’t happen. The train companies have made it abundantly clear that they don’t really care for the communities their tracks go through.

What we really need is another north/south bridge over the tracks in the middle of Valpo. It would greatly reduce congestion during rush hour and improve traffic flow throughout the whole city.

What do you guys think?

My employer, Livemercial, had infomercial legend Billy Mays come to town a few weeks ago to make this hilarious ‘Office’ Parody for the ERA Convention in Las Vegas.

The video is great and Jim Barnthouse and the team did a great job putting it together. It was a big hit at the convention.

The visit from Billy Mays was great. He spent the day in the office and signed autographs. Then he made an appearance at the first Livemercial Digital Cocktail Hour. It was fantastic.

Check out the Livemercial Billy Mays ‘The Office’ Parody video below:

Pete Visclosky wrote me back today in response to the letter I wrote him yesterday. I was very pleased to get his response so quickly. Not only that, but it was personalized and he is on the same page as me and a lot of people I know.

I’m glad to be able to post Pete Visclosky’s views on the Wall Street Bailout. I haven’t seen anything in the paper about it and his websites are absent any opinions on the matter. So, consider this directly from the horses mouth and spread the word.

Check out my letter from Pete Visclosky about the Wall Street Bailout below.

—

Dear Jonathan:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding government assistance to distressed financial institutions. I share your concerns, and I am outraged that American taxpayers are being asked to bail out those whose avarice created the crisis that we now face.

In 1991, Representative John Dingell stated that repealing the Glass-Steagall Act regulations would usher in a “golden age of thievery.” Mr. Dingell has been proven correct.

In response to the growing number of firms experiencing loss because of a lack of regulation, a lack of oversight, the greed of financial executives who often make sums in excess of 250 times the income of the average American worker, and bad judgment, President Bush is asking Congress to consider a hastily crafted $700 billion legislative package that would establish a system to bail out certain financial institutions using taxpayer money.

This Administration, which will soon leave office and never have to deal with the catastrophic financial dislocation they have caused and the long-term consequences of its request, is asking Congress to make a decision within seven days on whether to levy a $700 billion liability on you and every other taxpayer for at least a generation. I have the gravest reservations over the President’s bail out proposal and the arrogance of his suggesting that Congress act within a week to undo a disaster that has crescendoed over the last decade and enriched countless Wall Street executives and speculators while impoverishing multitudes.

The problems in our current financial system are not temporary aberrations in an otherwise healthy system, and may not be so easily addressed. Given the gravity and systematic nature of these problems, I believe that Congress should be deliberate and conduct a comprehensive examination of alternative solutions.

Be assured that I will consider any proposal with the greatest of caution, and I will assess its impact on you and every citizen that I represent.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Visclosky
Member of Congress

I know I’ve made it very clear in the past that I want to keep politics off of this blog, but with the recent upheaval in the financial markets and political wrangling that has followed, I thought I’d share the letter I wrote to Pete Visclosky today.

I’ve written him in the past and I still believe that he actually reads our letters and takes what we have to say to heart. Call me a sentimentalist if you want but I still believe my voice matters.

So, feel free to use this letter to come with ideas for your own. We need to do everything we can to stop this bailout.

End political message.

—-

Dear Mr. Visclosky:

I’m writing you with great concern about the Bush Administration’s latest grab for power in a supposed ‘emergency.’ My wife and I have watched in horror for the last week and half as the economy looked to be on the verge of collapse.

While we recognize that something needs to be done to contain the problem, we don’t think that bailing out Wall Street with $700 billion is the answer. These big investment banks have made their own bed and they must now lay in it.

I would not trust a man who was the former CEO of Goldman Sachs with unlimited fiscal power to fix the problem. While Mr. Paulson’s knowledge and experience may be admirable, he is tainted by his connections to Wall Street. He is not the man to lead us out of this. Wall Street executives don’t deserve to have their banks bailed out, then go on to receive multi-million dollar bonuses while we, the American Taxpayer foot the bill.

What is most frightening of all is how the Bush Administration already had this ‘emergency’ plan in the works for months. There is only 4 months left in Bush’s Presidency, don’t give them more unaccountable power in these last few months. They can still do a lot of damage and then leave an even larger mess for the next President to clear up.

We’re being pushed around by fear right now and these are the absolute worst conditions under which to commit to spending $700 Billion. I hope that you do not support the Wall Street Bailout and vote against it unless there are provisions within to protect our interests, punish those who let this happen and reign in the unmitigated greed in Wall Street.

I hope Congress gets paralyzed by indecision, as they usually do and don’t vote on anything before they recess to Election. That way, there will be time to weigh in all the options and come up with a viable solution that would not be influenced by Electoral Politics. This problem has been stewing for over a year, what’s a few more months? The banks can stop hyperventilating and just be patient.

I have no problem with Socialism and socially guided government programs. But this is just WRONG. I’m sure you’ve heard it repeated ad nauseam: “Socialized Losses, Privatized Gains” and that is exactly what this plan entails. I’d rather we spend the money on universal healthcare for all or better college tuition funding. I hope your other constituents in District One share a similar view and I hope that you are listening.

Warm Regards
Jonathan Thomas
http://dunesblog.jonathanwthomas.net
Valparaiso, IN

The fall is by far my favorite time of the year. I love the cool weather, the changing leaves and the general feeling of the season. I also happened to have gotten married in October so it has that bit of special meaning. As we prepare to bundle up for the winter, what are some fun things you can do one last time before it gets too cold to get out of bed?

Well, in the Indiana Dunes there is plenty to do in the fall. So, here’s my Guide to Indiana Dunes in the Fall.

Final Trip To Redamak’s

Redamak’s is a summer institution. They have the best Hamburger in the 4 state area. Believe me, I know, I live on hamburgers and I’ve had them all over the world. It’s great fun in the summer, but it’s also fun in the fall as the crowds have dissipated and there is a more intimate feel. The food is cheap and the atmosphere is nice. They close every October and re-open in March, so if you want that tasty burger one more time, now is the time to go, especially if you combine this with a leaf peeping journey down Route 12.

Redamak’s Official Website - They close on October 26th this year.

Bailly Chellberg Farm Harvest Fest

The Harvest Festival is always great fun. See how the first European settlers in the area lived. You get to see the animals and explore the grounds of the homestead. I did this many times as a kid and it’s a ton of fun. You can also tour the old homes which are in excellent condition considering their age. This year the festival is September 19th and 20th. It costs $5 to park. In March it’s also maple sugar time, you can see how the maple sryup is harvested and made.

Leaf Peeping

We are blessed with beautiful forests in Northwest Indiana. One of the best things (and cheapest) is to climb in the car and go for a drive up US Route 12 to see the changing leaves. I recommend going off 12 onto some of the side roads to see some incredible scenery. Leaves start to peak in mid-October. It’s been a relatively warm year, so that should mean the leaves will be particularly vibrant this year.

Michigan City Beachwalk

Do you remember the movie “The Truman Show?” It took place in an idyllic planned community by the seaside that was just beautiful. Well, the planners of that community also developed Beachwalk in Michigan City. Many of the houses look the same and it’s laid out in a similar fashion. The place is mostly second homes for rich people in Illinois and it’s swamped in the summer. Once the fall approaches though, the place becomes a ghost town so it’s a perfect to visit. My wife and I love driving through and looking at all the really nicely designed houses. You can also rent out the villas for a couple nights, they’re pretty affordable and you’re guaranteed to have the place to yourself.

Michigan City Beachwalk Website

World’s Fair Home Tour

I’ve written extensively about the Beverly Shores World’s Fair Homes before and I’m looking forward to taking the tour this year. It’s costs $10 and you can take a tour of all the houses, including the one that has been fully restored. You’ll get to peek around the house and see the progress of the restoration works and hear about the latest plans. Tickets go on sale September 22nd and they’ll probably go fast. Tours are October 11th and 12 this year.

To buy tickets, you’ll need to register here:

Beverly Shores World’s Fair Homes Tour Tickets

Apple Orchards

There is nothing like an Apple fresh off the tree. There are many orchards in the area that will let you pick the apples yourself. My wife and I have gone to the County Line Orchard in Hobart for the last few years, even though they’ve been bought out. You get a bit of sticker shock when you go to pay, but the deliciousness of the Apple is worth it. Don’t forget the classic Apple Donuts which are treated as crack in my house.

County Line Orchard Website (pretty nice website, by the way) - Be sure to check out the list of what apples are ripe and at what time.

I can’t wait to sink my teeth into a Red Delicious Apple.

Enjoying the Empty Beaches

The beaches are by far what makes Northwest Indiana a jewel on Lake Michigan’s shores. After Labor Day and when the weather cools, the beaches become empty. They’re a great place to go for a walk and take in a cool breeze. Great place to have a bonfire and snuggle close with someone special. I recommend the beaches around Ogden Dunes. They’re surrounded by National Parkland and the parking restrictions are lifted in the off season so you can park near the beach. Ogden Dunes has great beaches and it’s great to walk through the dunes nearby in the fall. Some of my happiest days were spent walking through the Dunes with my Irish Setter, Cutter (since passed away).

If you have anything that you do in the fall everywhere, please feel free to share in the comments. I’d love to hear suggestions!