Sunday Poll: Do You Use Disposable Plastic Straws?

March 6, 2016 Environment, Featured, Popular Culture, Sunday Poll Comments Off

Today’s poll topic may seem strange, but this is my way of raising an issue I want discussed: straws.

The poll is open until 8pm. I’ll share my thoughts on straws this Wednesday.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Likelihood of a Cyber Attack on the U.S. Power Grid?

February 28, 2016 Featured, Sunday Poll 5 Comments

Former ABC News anchor has a new book out warning readers about the threat of a cyber attack on our power grid:

We are accustomed to cyber-attacks that result in grand larceny. We are accustomed to cyber-attacks that amount to huge vacuuming of intelligence information.

What we have never had is a cyber-attack that amounts to a weapon of mass destruction. And my point is that, if someone succeeds in taking down one of our power grids — and the Russians and the Chinese can do it and maybe the Iranians and the North Koreans — it would be devastating. (Ted Koppel via PBS News Hour)

This seemed like a good topic for a poll.

The poll will close at 8pm tonight, I’ll discuss my thoughts and the results on Wednesday.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Should The License Collector Get A Raise?

February 21, 2016 Featured, Politics/Policy, Sunday Poll 6 Comments

Missouri House Bill 2469, to increase the annual salary of the License Collector, was in the news earlier this month:

State Rep. Penny Hubbard has filed legislation that would nearly double St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson’s salary, taking it from $64,130 to $120,000. (Post-Dispatch)

Hubbard introduced the bill on February 2nd, but withdrew it just six days later on February 8th.

Some other citywide salaries I could find online:

Collector of Revenue $161,679
Circuit Attorney $152,672
Mayor $131,820
Comptroller $113,190
Recorder of Deeds $97,000

At the time this created lots of online discussion, likely causing Hubbard to withdraw the bill. The topic is the subject of today’s poll:

Answers are presented in random order — or you can supply your own answer if you don’t like those provided. The poll closes at 8pm.

— Steve Patterson

A Look At A TargetExpress In Chicago’s Streeterville Neighborhood

February 18, 2016 Featured, Retail, UrbanReview | CHICAGO Comments Off

The following post was originally published on UrbanReview | CHICAGO:

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As chain big box stores go, I’ve long-favored Target. But few Target stores stray from the typical suburban big box. Many years ago I visited the 2-story Target in NW Seattle, a decade ago a new Target replaced an older Target in the City of St. Louis with parking below the store. Better, but big with lots of free parking.

In July 2012 a CityTarget opened in the former Carson Pirie Scott department store building at State & Madison, designed by Louis Sullivan in 1899. It’s a terrific store — smaller than most Targets but it covers the basics well. Zero parking. Still, it’s 1.3 miles from the condo where we stay while in Chicago. Too far to stop by quickly for a few things.

In October 2015 the new Streeterville TargetExpress opened at 401 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL — just 4/10ths of a mile away — under a 10 minute walk.

The space had previously been occupied by organic grocer Fox & Obel, which closed in October 2013:

In court filings last month, Fox & Obel said that it planned to shut down permanently and sell all assets after its heavy debt made it impossible to maintain operations. The grocer said it received notice that its electricity would be shut off, forcing it to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Fox & Obel closed for a time earlier this year after at least a half-dozen failed health inspections.

Despite its trouble, the store still had a loyal following. (Chicago Tribune)

Fox & Obel closed before we began staying in Streeterville. Besides, for a nearby market we like Treasure Island Foods at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive. In July 2014 Whole Foods announced it would open a Streeterville location — it opened in late January 2015. The grocery market it good.