Rockford's Sock Monkey Makes Time's Top 100 Toys!

The Nelson Knitting Co. of Rockford, Ill., may not have invented the sock monkey, but it standardized its manufacturing process somewhat. In 1932, the company added a line of socks whose red heels assured their customers that they were indeed purchasing original "Rockfords." When worn out, the socks were then deployed as playthings by American mothers who made stuffed monkeys out of them, using the red heel as a mouth. Hearing about these enterprising homemakers and seeing great promotional opportunity, the Nelson Knitting Co. began including a sock-monkey pattern with every pair of socks.

Time Magazine All Time 100 Top Toys

More Manufacturing Jobs Being Imported From China -- I Blame Bush!

A Washington-based brake drum manufacturer is relocating some of its machining work from China to Rockford, echoing a trend that’s becoming more common in North American factories.

The KIC Group is contracting with a new local company, Rockford Automated Machining, to make raw brake drum casings once manufactured in China. Rockford Automated Machining, created by the owners of FAC Consolidated Industries, will employ about 40 people at its 840 Airport Drive location.

John Schneider, vice president of sales for KIC, said multiple factors have eroded the Asian competitive advantage — increased ocean freight charges, the rising price of raw iron ore and the strengthening of the Chinese currency against the U.S. dollar.

DKK
Business Rockford

Chinese Corporation Solar Cell Assembly Plant In The Works For Rockford

Wanxiang Group, the second-largest privately held Chinese corporation, wants to build a photovoltaic solar panel assembly plant at or near Chicago Rockford International Airport. The proposed 40,000-square-foot facility could be operational next year and employ 60 to start. President and CEO Lu Weiding signed an agreement with Rockford, Winnebago County and airport officials today to work out a development deal for the project. Wanxiang officials said they want to move fast, starting construction as soon as possible.
(...)
Wanxiang Group conducted a nationwide search for the site of its assembly plant, said Janyce Fadden, president of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. 

DKK
RRStar

Rock River To Crest Tuesday?

River levels rose again Sunday and will continue to do so today before cresting Tuesday, forecasters anticipate.

The advancing water has caused dozens to evacuate their homes, closed roads and washed out weekend fun.

There were 23 people housed at the Red Cross disaster shelter at Harlem High School by about 1 p.m. Sunday, and more were anticipated to arrive.

DKK
RRStar -- River expected to keep rising

Rockford Red Cross 'Rock'n for the Red' Celebration Quickly Aproaching

Rock’n for the Red will be held on the North lawn of Davis Park Saturday, June 21, 2008
and runs noon until 11 pm. You can buy buttons, just $5 at the following locations:

• Kelley Williamson Mobil Gas Stations
• Rockford, IL Area Culver’s
• Logli Supermarkets Rockford
  
• Area Arts Council
• Kryptonite
• CJ’s Lounge
• Vinny’s on Block 5
• American Red Cross - Rock River Chapter

100% of the money made will go back to support your neighbors in the Rock River Valley. Click here to find out what bands are playing and when.

If you would like a yard sign to publicize the event you can get one by going to The American Red Cross -- Rock River Chapter Blog.

DKK

Rockford Bloggers Update June 5, 2008

Here is an update on the Rockford Area Bloggers. If you are a Rockford area blogger or know of one let me know so I can add them to these updates. I would encourage you to visit them all!

The List:

• Drunken Wisdon -- A blogger from Stillman Valley (my old stompin grounds).
• Back to The Batcave
• Veritas Vos Liberat A Catholic blog blogging from and about the Rockford Diocese.
• One For The Road appears to be a lady from nearby in Wisconsin.
  
• Bad Example
• The Splatter Zone aka, Raging Mom.
• Smiling Dynamite, last updated December 29, 2007.
• Phil Pash still blogging.
• Notes In The Key Of Life is the blog of Cindy Swanson. She updates most days.
• Miasmatic Review
• X-Ray Spex is a cartoonist, I think (Catwoman).
• SisterTalk liberal lesbian from S. Wisconsin.
• Power and Control is strongly supporting Democracy in Iraq and has a banner you can add to your blog here.
• The Rock River Chapter of the American Red Cross has a blog.
• Lutheranlady has some inspiring sermons.
• The Bob Files Belvidere, loves dem Bucs!
• Angry Republican Mom
• Snug Harbor
• Purple Medical Blog - Medical Info, some good stuff.
• T1Rex - Telecom Tech - some really great tech stuff.

I dropped the following due to inactivity: Rockford Area Affordable Housing Coalition, Mrs. Blue, Ryan Packer, Phil's Observations, The Speed Shop - The Bodyshop Blog, Tammi's World, Thermidor Rising, In The Mind of Malar , Brainspinning, and The Rockford Rascal .

The list is mainly from searches but it is really hard to find them so if you are a Rockford area blogger or know of one let me know so I can add them to these updates. There have to be more of us out there!
DKK

Red Light Cameras Remain Shuttered -- For Now

Lawmakers on Tuesday rejected Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey’s plan for red-light cameras at intersections after several senators from both parties and from around Illinois derided what they called a government money grab and “Big Brother” intrusion.

DKK
RRStar

Jobless Claims Decline -- Rockford Unemployment Rises To 7.2%

Fewer Americans than forecast applied for unemployment benefits last week, indicating companies are reluctant to fire more workers even as the economy slows.

First-time jobless claims fell 9,000 to 365,000, from a revised 374,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said today in Washington. The total number of people collecting benefits was unchanged at a four-year high of 3.073 million for the week ended May 10.

Rockford declined by 1400 mostly manufacturing jobs.

DKK

Bloomberg News

Red Light Cameras -- 80% Drive Revenue For Less Severe Violation

In Los Angeles, officials estimate that 80% of red light camera tickets go not to those running through intersections but to drivers making rolling right turns, a Times review has found. As London realized that day in court, her turn was illegal because she did not completely stop before turning.

One of the most powerful selling points for photo enforcement systems, which now monitor 175 intersections in Los Angeles County and hundreds more across the United States, has been the promise of reducing collisions caused by drivers barreling through red lights.

But it is the right-turn infraction -- a frequently misunderstood and less pressing safety concern -- that drives tickets and revenue in the nation's second-biggest city and at least half a dozen others across the county.

Now, why is Rockford pushing for these cameras, that don't actually improve safety, rather then the proven safety measure of extending the yellow by one second?
DKK
LA Times -- Red light cameras clicking for safety or revenue?

Rockford Bucking Trend On Red Light Cameras?

States giving yellow light to revenue-light cameras

Missouri House votes against intersection red light cameras

Texas Red light camera revenue sits unspent

Dallas City Hall has idled more than one-fourth of the 62 cameras

North Carolina Appeals Court Rules Against Red Light Cameras

Washington State initiative could stop red-light cameras

New Mexico Governor Signs Law Limiting Ticket Camera Profit

So why is Rockford pushing for them when studies show that extending the yellow by 1 second would better improve safety?

Some think it is the money.

The RRStar (Register Star Online) blogs addressed this:
In Chambers -- Senators Put Red Light on Red Light Plan
Sweeny Report -- What’s your problem with nabbing red-light runners, Senator?
DKK
Knoxville News