Weekend open thread
Happy Halloween! Enjoy the holiday.
Happy Halloween! Enjoy the holiday.
This entry was posted on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 4:07 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Black Hills Business Blog is proudly powered by
WordPress
Entries (RSS)
and Comments (RSS).
October 30th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
This isn’t so much business-related, but I was wondering what sentence was handed down to Kevin Peniska earlier this week. He was supposed to be sentenced Tuesday the 27th on child rape charges.
October 31st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Barbara, do you know what has moved or is moving into the Regional Health heart office next door to the Dakota Bank building on 5th street. Regional turned the sign insideout sometime ago, and had a for sale out but now there seems to be a lot of activity at the vacant building.
November 1st, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I thought that I heard that it was to be Regional’s medical supply business that was moving out of the hospital. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Susan, my colleague Emilie who covers city hall says you are correct. The city had to change its ordinances to allow sales of medical supplies and equipment as a conditional use in an area zoned office commercial.
http://archive.rcgov.org/ca20090803/09oa006/CC09oa006memo.htm
Interestingly, even though city staff recommended against the change of ordinance out of concern it would set a precedent for retail shops in office commercial zones, the city council unanimously approved the use:
Ordinance 5530 (No. 09OA006) An Ordinance Amending Section 17.40.030 of the Rapid City Municipal Code by Adding a New Subsection, 17.40.030 L, to Allow Sales of Medical Supplies and Medical Equipment Rental as a Conditional use in the Office Commercial Zoning District having passed its first reading on August 3, 2009; motion was made by Olson, second by Weifenbach, that the title be read the second time. Upon vote being taken, the following voted AYE: Waugh, Martinson, Kooiker, Costello, LaCroix, Chapman, Olson, Weifenbach, Kroeger and Hadcock; NO: None; whereupon the Mayor declared the motion passed and Ordinance 5530 was declared duly passed upon its second reading.
November 1st, 2009 at 5:24 pm
is it me, or has the new website taken a lot out of this blog?
I hope not… how so? Anything you’d like me to do differently?
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 am
Took my dog to the dog wash/car wash on W Chicago St on 10/16/09 at about 6pm and was disappointed. The place was a mess from the previous washer (shame on whoever you are!) but what really disappointed me was the cold water and cold air dryer. My poor dog who is a 75lb mixed lab breed was shivering and cried when I had to rinse him. Had I known the water was going to be cold we would never had gone. Needless to say, we won’t be back. Has anyone else tried this place?
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am
It’s no longer the weekend, but I feel I need to vent. I am a plus-sized woman. I work full time but am on a limited budget. Once in a while, I like to buy myself something nice to wear . . . something new. So off to Mona Lisa’s on Main I went! I was absolutely amazed by the beautiful plus-size clothes that were there. I went from one rack to another oohing and aahing at their beauty. Then, I looked at a price tag. Suddenly, I felt way out of my league. I quickly looked for a clearance or sales rack in the store . . . none. What a dissappointment. I own some very nice designer clothes, including a Dennis Basso faux fur coat, which I purchased online (new with tags) on clearance for $40. I was so happy that we finally had someplace to buy nice clothing. Ever since The Better Half closed, there really asn’t been anyplace nice. Guess there is someplace with nice clothing; but alas, I’ll have to stick to buying Sears and Penneys and off the Internet. When the article appeared in the paper a while back, it was very misleading . . . Sorry, but even thought I like nice clothing, I like to eat and have a place to live as well.
I went in there with my aunt, who wears plus sizes, and I agree: beautiful clothing, but on the expensive side. I have found that I’d rather have one expensive pair of well-fitting pants than three pairs of ill-fitting, cheap pants, but still, if you are on a budget I can’t see getting my whole wardrobe there. Maybe for you it’s a place for a splurge item every now and then that you will wear a lot, or something for a formal occassion where you want to look nice.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:12 am
I think the blog suffers because the new design/setup of the site makes it so much harder to access the blog. Even knowing where it’s located, you need to click 2-3 times to access the blog area. I like the new setup that allows you to scroll to see more than one “article” but I think for most people, it’s the new journal design that is not user friendly at all. Most of the navigational buttons are hard to find, and most still don’t link to anywhere. From the homepage, the top navigational buttons that you hover over are harder to access especially if you’re using a laptop instead of a regular mouse. I think Barbara is doing an absolutely FABULOUS job of finding stories and raising very good business questions for the area but the new design is horrible. Too much white space that doesn’t contribute but instead makes it harder for the user. I have stopped trying to read articles except for this blog as it’s time consuming to navigate.
Teri, thanks for the feedback. I’ll share it with my editors. (Especially the fabulous part… :))
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:34 am
I have to agree with Teri. This blog used to be my PASSION, but I find myself not checking it out as frequently now (maybe twice a day rather than twice an HOUR). I still check the obits every morning (need to see what kind if day I’m going to have, if I’m not listed, it’s a good day) and that’s it. I skip the rest of the journal now.
Gourmet, thanks for the feedback. I’m sorry to hear you skip the rest of the Journal. I often have business stories in the paper and on the main Web site that are business-related but not really blog items, such as stories yesterday and today about the BID district. So if you are interested in business I hope you’ll visit the journal site as well, when you get a chance. Thanks!
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 am
PS… and I agree with Teri about you doing a FABULOUS job… I forgot to mention that as well.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
no, it is nothing that you are doing wrong Barbara. Teri nailed it right on the head. Also, many times the links on the home page don’t even work…the HOMEPAGE. It’s almost laughable how terrible the new design is…but mostly just frustrating. I find myself visiting the journal’s page less and less now days.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
For those who hate all the clicking to reach the RCJ blog page, simply bookmark the blog page as your starting point in the Journal website. That’s it. Easy. Then you can backtrack from the blogs to the Journal homepage for the regular news.
I get the regular newspaper. I check out the blogs on the net. I rarely go to the RCJ newspages online unless there is breaking news or something I want to look up special.
Here is the link you need:
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/app/blogs/
Hi Steve! Thanks for the tip.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I mostly dislike how long it takes to “login” to leave a comment. Sometimes it just sits thinking if it even wants to allow my comments. I find that I read the top part real quick, find Business Blog, read, and get out. I have a hard time finding Up To Speed, the only other blog i read here. It’s frustrating that still it is hard to navigate.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Barbara, you are still doing a fantastic job, but i have changed my homepage to the argus since the new website design, without being on the RCJ as much, i also do much less commenting than before, this is in fact the first comment i have made since the new design. Please tell your editors to bring back the functional RCJ website and i will make it my homepage again.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
The Business Blog is an easy menu item in the Business Section on the homepage of the new RCJ website. Like any business, the RCJ is doing the right thing in updating a VERY old website to something more modern and well-formatted. It may take time to get used to, but I think they’ve done a fine job of making the pages available through home-page links. Just scroll down on the homepage to the Business section and click on Black Hills Business Blog. It’s that easy!
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I don’t think that the old site will ever be back as I think that this is a “Lee thing” I only comment on here as this is the only thing I read now. The fake, lame names on the other articles turn me off. It really hasn’t changed except to get rid of some of the hate which the RCJ should have edited out anyway. You’re doing a good job for a newbie, Barbara!
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:48 am
I am not sure I like the new web page either but what I really want to know is there anyplace in Rapid City that has good Thai food? Thanks.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 am
Yep, I like the old webpage myself as well, and those big black rotary phones too! Whatever happen to those? Man, if only the world would stop turning, I could keep up.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I want to know what the story is with the party bus at shotgun willies. Is it really legal for them to drive around town with booze and strippers?
Booze and strippers? Why didn’t Rapid Ride think of that? I’d not heard that they were driving around with booze and strippers. Booze and strippers are legal and buses are legal but are they legal together? I have no idea. Anyone else heard of this?
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
no different than a limousine. Who says there are booze/strippers on there? Have you been on it g-woman, or just making an assumption? Did you ask the same question of the Jone-Z buses?
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Barbara, could you separate more your comments on this blog from other peoples comments? Maybe by using a line, bold, italics, or something else, because it is confusing to me sometimes when you reply to others comments, thanks.
Sure, Karen. I thought I always put them in italics. This one should be in italics. Is it?
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
It would be interesting to see what the cities AOB laws are on this. As it is labeled as a party bus, I relly don’t think they are having religious revivals on there.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I have checked into the legal side of this party bus, and we are no different then anyone else that offers this service in the Black Hills region, from the the Jone Z party bus to the service that comes out during the Sturgis rally. Not to mention the 2 or 3 limo services in this town.
So I ask you this g-woman, if “you want to know the story” call me (AJ) 341-7253, and ask me! I promise I don’t bite, have an inverted cross, or have “666″ tattooed on my forehead. I am just an average business person that is thinking outside the box in these times of DUI’s and not to mention the tough economy!
Sounds like it’s time for a business story on party buses! Do they really have strippers? How does it work? Do you pay by the mile?
November 4th, 2009 at 1:32 am
“Barbara, could you separate more your comments on this blog from other peoples comments? Maybe by using a line, bold, italics, or something else, because it is confusing to me sometimes when you reply to others comments, thanks.
Sure, Karen. I thought I always put them in italics. This one should be in italics. Is it?”
No italics, I am using Mozilla Firefox, and haven’t seen your comments in italics. I’ll check with IE to see if it shows up there.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:38 am
The IE doesn’t show your comments in italics either.
Karen, thanks for letting me know. It does show up in itals on my admin site. I’ll check into it and see if I can get it fixed. == Barbara
November 4th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Barbara, maybe not just party buses, but what some establishments are doing to assist their customers in the way of getting home after having a few adult beverages. I know there are several businesses, including Mr. Willie’s , that give customers a ride home at no cost, even been known to make sure someone’s car gets home too. While this discussion may have started as a “party bus” topic, the bus is, or can be used for much more. Including preventing customers from being arrested for DUIs and on the flip side of that, protecting the public from intoxicated drivers. Yes, I have been on the party bus, sorry no strippers while I was there, my wife was with me though, but as usual if it involves Shotgun Willie’s, people have to assume there is something immoral going on. By their standards anyway.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Karen…I see every comment Barbara makes in italics on my home and work computer. I think you just need to fix your computer.
Barbara…I would love for you to do a story on the party buses! Maybe even interview some people who have ridden on them. I think it sounds fun, but know nothing about it. How much is it? Where do you sign up? What are the rules? Where do they go? Is there music?
Consumer, I don’t think it’s just Karen. I was on my computer at home last night and I checked there and I didn’t see my comments in italics. I’m not sure what is making the difference. I have a note in to our IT guys to try to help me out. — Barbara
Following up: Our IT guy says everything is fine from our end:
“It is with individual computers themselves, the publishing through the blogs is working fine from the code end of things. I’m really not sure what settings could cause such an issue. It could be the browser people are using, fonts people are using or settings within certain browsers, and every situation could be different for each person that is unable to see them italicized.”
Not sure how to fix this on my computer or Karen’s or anyone else’s. Let me know if someone knows! — Barbara
November 4th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Try Coco Palace for Thai food. Their sushi is also wonderful!
Tried Hana (Korean food) a few weeks ago - wow - great food and service!
Sad to hear Roma’s is moving to a new site. Lots of character in that old building. Imagine there are issues that come with old buildings though.
Ann, I have a lunch meeting at Hana on Friday — looking forward to trying it for the first time. — Barbara
November 4th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hate to harp on the new RCj website but it seems like stories and headlines appear multiple times. Why is that. Do we just not have enough news?? I will take the old website back anytime.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
come on lady. its not like you are being forced to ride on the bus. nor is anyone else. it is all at your own discression. maybe you didnt notice that the windows are darkend so even if there are dancers on the bus its not like the averge person driving around would have to see them. and did you ever think that a dancer is just like you? and average woman trying to make her way in the world. some have families of there own. i bet you have run into one before on your day to day tasks. almost all of them work and live in our community and you would never be able to tell the differance. whats with talking down on them as if they are not humans? so think about that the next time you go to the grocery store or the dry cleaners, the woman you are giving your money to could be a dancer at a strip club. who cares. once again, you arent forced to go the club they work in. dont be so judgemental. to each is there own and if thats what they want to do for a living then let them be if it is not harming you at ALL! and if someone wants to PAY to ride on that bus then they should be allowed to without people judging the act before they even know what it is all about!!!!!!!!!.. Thanks, ms. opinionated
It didn’t sound to me like G-woman was judging dancers, she was just wondering if they are on the buses. Sounds like you are sensitive about this issue? –Barbara