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Features

[DEC. 31, 2001]  At close of day today a Lincoln business will end its 2½-year venture. Surprisingly, this is not a bad news. How can we say this? Because as of tomorrow Linc-On TV will hereafter be known as Log-On Productions, Inc., a not-for-profit agency. The new entity’s primary functions parallel the current purposes: to create and produce community-interest television programming. The company will continue broadcasting locally over cable Channel 15, which is owned by Insight Communications.

"We’re one of very few communities of our size that has a local daily print paper, a local daily Internet paper, a local radio station and local community TV," according to Mike Fak, company spokesperson for Log-On. The new status "should allow us the time to produce documentaries with a local interest for our viewers," explains Fak. "In the last two years we have learned a great deal about what this community enjoys and what it has an interest in. We just hope to get enough funding to cover the events and activities."

Funding

As a not-for-profit corporation, Log-On Productions will be able to receive tax-deductible donations and apply for grants that will help them expand some of the valuable community services they already perform. They intend to seek state and federal funding in the way of grants, but don’t feel they can depend on these sources. The company estimates that their income will break at about 35 percent from area businesses; 20 percent from individuals; 15 percent from sales, videos, DVDs, etc.; and 30 percent corporate support.

The three principal employees of the production corporation, Tim Rogers, Jim Ash and Mike Fak, have over 50 years of audiovisual, news reporting and communications experience. Jim and Tim began Linc-On when the local radio station, WPRC, closed. At that time we had no more local news being broadcast. Local noted newspaper columnist Mike joined the pair later. With his usual positive candor he says, "I’m looking forward to doing both voice and visual. I think that’s the cat’s keister."

While each of the men brings his own talents and expertise, they’ll all tell you every bit of it is a collaborative effort. Somehow they all just do what they do and every job gets done well. In their most distinguishing roles Ash is writer, on-camera narrator, producer and handles new development. Technology supervisor Tim Rogers spends his time behind the scenes and camera and brainstorming. He’s known as "the savant idea man," with ideas popping out of him at just the right time. He conducts filming, editing and production. Fak lends face, voice and character in addition to production and promotion for the company.

Community TV

There is very little original programming being done at the local level in our nation. Only 15 percent of the country has community TV; of that, 7 percent is in California, with Ohio and New York providing most of the rest. "Mostly it is news and not so much the local news at that," states Fak. The whole field of community TV is only 20 years old. "We’re going to try to take a leap in community communications. We will see how far we will go," he says.

Linc-On recently received a county award from the Logan County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency/911/Local Emergency Planning Committee. The award was in recognition for excellent coverage and the quality of their productions of the "Patriotic Expression" gatherings at the Logan County Courthouse.

The new company is looking forward to doing much more of just that sort of community documentation and involvement. Ash explained, "We’re hoping to be able to produce a lot of local programs like documentaries and biographies. We’d like to be able to help the schools out as well. We’re thinking of ourselves like a learning tool. We can teach the kids how to do it and let them do their own shows. We’ll let them handle it, and we’ll just give them some guidance."

The company will also be producing some commercials and video presentations. They are particularly interested in working for other not-for-profits to help out them by offering lower cost. The local blood bank is on their production docket.

Word has gotten out about a high-profile project. A one-hour documentary on both Central and Lincoln Junior High School is in the planning. It will celebrate the history of the buildings and the people who have passed through their hallways. It is expected to take a couple of months in production. Both of the school principals, District 27 Superintendent Robert Kidd and teachers are said to be excited and pleased to see this done. The extent to which it will be produced is based on some funding. "It has $2,500 starting base," Fak stated. "It will be done no matter what, but more funding will increase the quality."

With lots of experience on their side, the new company is hoping to upgrade their equipment soon. It will enable them to produce higher-quality productions. At the top of their list, Fak says, "We would like to have a more sophisticated camera than the one that we have. There is equipment out there that will enable us to do a much better job. The camera we are looking at has audiovisual dubbing with more diversification capabilities. Added equipment that will enhance quality of what we’re going to air."

Forthcoming projects

A documentary currently being worked on using financial support from their present advertising base is "1000 Miles From Home." It explores the personal and financial repercussions to our Midwestern culture from the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Exploring personal feelings, the effect on local factory orders, a renewal of patriotism and concern for personal safety are just a few of the topics that will be touched on in this one-hour story.

[to top of second column in this article]

Another planned documentary is "Inside The Dome, The Story Of Logan County’s Courthouse." It explores the building of the structure and tells its history to present day. It will also explore the basement and take the viewers up inside the huge dome amidst the staging and gangplanks where technicians work to keep the four, 10-foot tall clocks in working order.

Another special program is "Forty Acres and A Mule." This one-hour report will explore the small family farm in Logan County. It will discuss commodity prices, grain production and the struggles smaller farm owners are facing in this day and age of mega-farms.

There are also hopes to embark on an ambitious four-hour mini series: "The History Of Logan County." Using archival photographs, local personalities for voices, it will bring a greater understanding of the heritage of our area.

Shows that found a success and will be carried over:

• Local news — A 15-minute nightly feature.

• "The Fak’s Machine" — A one and a half-hour live call-in show to discuss community issues.

• LCHS sports — Lincoln High School football games, Lincoln High School boys and girls basketball games.

• "Around The Town" — A show that highlights events and milestones in the viewing area.

• "Coaches Corner" — Interviews and discussion with area coaches with different sports backgrounds.

• "The Chamber Report" — Show hosted by the Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce to promote business and tourism events.

• Special events — Includes such programs as live election night coverage, Meet the Candidates, Logan County Fair, Art and Balloon Fest, tribute to the victims of the WTC disaster, the Christmas parade, and many more special events endemic to the viewing area.

• "Home and Garden Show" — An hourly, once-a-month show hosted by a local greenhouse operator with tips as well as advice available for call-ins.

• Religious services — The company currently has three local churches televising services on weekends and has invited all denominations to become involved in this program

• "Community Message Board" — A rotating message system that promotes all charitable and special events in the viewing area.

Programs intended to be developed and air with available funding include:

• "Under 21" — A show completely developed and controlled by the youth of this community under the guidance of school faculty. Promotes an audiovisual curriculum as well as a journalism class to help the community’s youth produce other programs, including coverage of minor sports and academics that currently receive little notoriety.

• Special classes in augmentation with the area colleges, televising classroom courses that are taken at home for residents of any age.

• "Issues in Our Town" — A show that will give a half hour to each side of a key issue facing the community. It was experimented with in a program dealing with a school referendum and allowing all five mayoral candidates in the past election to have an opportunity to convey their message.

• "The Oasis Report" — A monthly program developed by the Lincoln Senior Citizen Center to keep local seniors abreast of news that is important to them.

• "Looking At The News" — A program allowing local newspaper personnel to discuss community stories and how they were covered. The critique will include both newspapers, the general media, as well as the programs on our own Channel 15.

• "The Sports Reporters" — A half-hour, once-a-week show featuring area sports personalities discussing area athletics.

• "The Farm Report" — A half-hour-per-week program hosted by the local Extension service to discuss issues and news important to area farmers.

• "Milestones" — A half-hour, every-other-week show that focuses on major milestones in the lives of viewers and their organizations.

• "The People Speak" — A taped half-hour show for which all viewers are invited to create a five-minute segment on issues they wish to discuss on access television.

There are many more plans on the back burner for other series. The goal of Log-On Productions is to create a morning-to-late-evening television station that will produce and broadcast programs that are of local interest to the Lincoln and Logan County viewing audience.

Log-On is in need of researchers. Volunteers can work from home if they have a computer and Internet connection. Log-On will soon open an office at 5 Arcade, across from Guzzardo’s. They continue to receive mail at:

Log-On Productions Inc.

1102 Keokuk St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

[Jan Youngquist]

Project in Mount Pulaski
ahead of schedule

[DEC. 13, 2001]  Nov. 15 the city of Mount Pulaski celebrated the groundbreaking for a new business. Scott and Bill McKinney will be opening a new Subway sandwich shop at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Highway 121. Construction began on Nov. 1 in Mount Pulaski.

This is the brothers’ first business together. They have formed a new corporation called McKinney, Inc. Scott McKinney currently owns a body shop in Mount Pulaski. Bill McKinney owns and operates a Subway sandwich shop and a gas station in Moweaqua.

The new Subway shop will employ 10 people.

A grand opening is anticipated for early 2002.

The Subway sandwich shop is located in the Mount Pulaski TIF District.

[Mike Patridge]

[Photo provided by Mike Patridge]

Unique views
from Main Street’s Tour of the Tops

[DEC. 11, 2001]  The word "unique" kept coming up during "Tour of the Tops," Main Street Lincoln’s walk through downtown residences, most of them on the second story. "Unique" was the comment several visitors made, and it was also the way some of the lucky folks who live in the lovingly restored old buildings described their homes.

"It’s a unique opportunity to see what’s going on above these buildings," said one of the approximately 250 people who took the tour. "Otherwise we’d never know what was up there."

"I love the uniqueness of it," Paulie Elder said of her home in the Lauer building, with its exposed brick walls and angled kitchen nook.

"That’s unique," said one of the men on the tour when looking at a wall in the den of Larry and Bette Steffens’ luxurious home above their Sangamon Street businesses.

"It was too unique to pass up," Judi Orr said of the former Second Baptist Church that is now her Lincoln home.

Many visitors started the Saturday afternoon tour at an "apartment in progress" at 113½ S. Sangamon, where Steve and Susi Fuhrer are in the middle of creating a two-bedroom unit. The rooms are already framed in, and visitors could see the floor plan on a sketch posted by Steve, who is doing most of the work himself.

Along with the two bedrooms, the apartment will have a U-shaped kitchen, a 20-by-25-foot living room, a big walk-in closet and laundry facilities.

"We’ve been wanting to do this for three years," said Steve, who is a member of the Lincoln City Council. "I hope to have it finished in a couple of months."

Steve likes the view from the front window both day and night. In the daytime, he can see the mural on the back wall of Neal Tire, which shows storefronts on Sangamon Street the way they looked many years ago. At night, he likes seeing the lighted dome of the Logan County Courthouse.

Work in progress and work already done were both on view at the Lauer Building, being renovated by Dale Bassi and Larry Crisafulli. At 201 S. Sangamon, three apartments and commercial space are already finished, while at 205 three efficiency units, more commercial space and a laundry room for all the tenants are under construction.

The efficiency unit on display Saturday will have a kitchen area, small bedroom, bath and living space below and a sleeping loft, bath and closet space above. Exposed brick walls, an open stairway and distressed hardwood floors give it a contemporary feeling.

[Photo by Joan Crabb]

Hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, interesting built-in features and lots of light were also features of the two completed units in the Lauer building.

"We moved from a house to this apartment, but it still feels like a house. So much light comes in," said Jodi Elder, who lives in the front apartment with her husband, Dave, and three children. The apartment has a sizable kitchen-family room, a living room and three bedrooms.

"I don’t use the car much now," she added. She can walk to work and to nearby businesses. The children can ride their bicycles to the library, a favorite stop for the family.

Daughter Abbey, acting as tour guide, always knows what time it is because she can see the courthouse clock. She also likes listening to the nearby church bells.

"I love the uniqueness of it," said Paulie Elder, Jodie’s mother-in-law, who lives in the back apartment. The kitchen area is separated from the living room by an angled wall that doesn’t quite reach the ceiling. Today the top of this wall is decorated with greens and Christmas lights.

"The construction is sound and it’s quiet here," Paulie said. "We’re close to what we need, the library and so many businesses. And there are nice parks in the city we can walk to." It’s convenient for Paulie’s husband, Alan, too, who operates Elder Cycle on the first floor of the building.

In contrast to the contemporary feel of these apartments, the luxurious home of Bette and Larry Steffens at 123½ S. Sangamon is filled with antiques and art objects that reflect their interest in many faraway places, especially Italy. Once a warehouse, the Steffens’ new home gives them 4,500 square feet of living space on the second floor, a 500-square-foot library on the first floor and another 4,500 square feet in the basement (not on the tour), which holds Larry’s workshop and a workout room.

On the second floor, about 2,000 square feet is an open living area, including a kitchen, room for both formal and informal dining, a fireplace, and comfortable places to sit and relax. Three bedrooms, a den with another fireplace and an Egyptian hot tub room are also on the first floor.

[to top of second column in this article]

[Photo by Joan Crabb]

The wall behind the stairway leading down to the library brought many comments from visitors attracted by its unique appearance. Because the wall itself was impossible to repair smoothly, Larry used scraps of tin to make it look like an ancient ruin, and Bette painted it white.

Their new home is "cozy, warm and close to our businesses," Bette said.

At 121½ S. Sangamon, up the same stairway, the Steffenses had their bed-and-breakfast suite on display as well. The bed is enclosed like an Arabian tent, using 150 yards of fabric. The tin ceiling dates back to 1858, five years after Abraham Lincoln christened the town.

Across the railroad tracks at 128 S. Chicago St., visitors could see two light, airy efficiency apartments owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Ray. Two more will be completed in a few months, Ray said, and a laundry facility is already available for the tenants.

Both apartments on the tour were already furnished, even decorated for Christmas, with futons in the living rooms and kitchens with tables set for dining. Mrs. Ray said the apartments could be rented furnished or unfurnished, whatever the tenants wish.

Ray has been working on the apartments for about a year and hopes to have the other two ready by spring. The tour gave him names of even more renters to put on his list, he said.

Not many people would drive by an empty church and visualize it as a comfortable living space, but when Judi Orr saw the former Second Baptist Church building at 829 Broadway, she did just that.

"I drove by it. I saw a big sturdy stone structure and liked the looks of it. I went inside and liked it even more. And I particularly liked the challenge of redoing it. It was too unique to pass up."

[Photo by Joan Crabb]

Judi and Bob moved in during February of this year and are very pleased with their new Lincoln home. The soaring ceiling and fine stained glass windows give it an open and also a serene feeling.

"Even though it is on a main street in Lincoln, it’s peaceful," Judi said. "Also, it’s close to downtown, the bank, the post office, the IGA and the Depot." The Orrs are owners of the Depot Restaurant.

"Morning is the loveliest time to see the windows," she added. "They reflect all colors, and they change with the light." She believes the windows are probably original, put in when the church was built in 1915.

Those who took the tour were pleased that Main Street Lincoln gave them the chance to see unique living spaces. "What a wonderful opportunity for the people in town to tour the living quarters at the top," said Shirley Dittus.

Lee Rust also thought it was a good idea. "Lincoln has so many possibilities, and it’s too bad people don’t come up with more ideas to promote it."

Dale Bassi, head of the Economic Restructuring Committee, who organized the tour, and Wendy Bell, director of Main Street Lincoln, were pleased with the turnout.

" ‘Living above the store’ is an idea that’s coming back," Bassi said. "It used to be typical of all small towns, when store owners lived in quarters upstairs." Bassi himself once lived above his dad’s grocery store in Winona.

"Part of our mission at Main Street Lincoln is to bring people downtown, to give them an idea what it’s like now and what it could be like.

"People live here because of lower rent and convenience. The more people who move here, the more likely new businesses will open, such as cafes, convenience stores and other service businesses. There’s a lot more living space downtown than people think."

[Joan Crabb]

[Click here for an article and related links posted before the tour.]

Announcements

[DEC. 29, 2001]  To celebrate their fifth year in the Internet business, the folks at CCAonline, the only remaining local Internet provider, will offer two new optional online services for their users to opt into.

“There are three major requests that we receive from users,” says Curt Schleich, Chief Technology Officer at CCAonline. “The first request is that we do something about all the unsolicited junk e-mail that people receive from sources, selling everything from financial services to pornography.” These unsolicited e-mail messages are commonly referred to as spam. The second request, according to Schleich, is to do something about all the viruses that are floating around the Internet that come down to innocent users as attachments to e-mail messages. And the third request is to provide filtered, family-friendly Internet browsing that will lessen the threat that children can browse the wrong Internet sites and see content not meant for their eyes.

The two new optional services CCAonline will offer are designed to address all three of these issues. First, users can purchase an e-mail filtering service from CCAonline that is designed to filter out all the virus-laden messages, keeping them from even coming down to the user’s computer. The service, a spam filter, will catch the unsolicited messages before they come to the user’s computer and will quarantine them. The user can go to his own private quarantine web page, view the messages that have been held, delete or read them, select individual settings for automating the processes, and not be bothered with spam messages ever again.

The second new service that CCAonline offers is designed to filter out the selection of Web sites that might contain offensive or undesirable content. “Many parents of young children and teen-agers have asked us to help them supervise the content their children can get into on the Internet,” said Jim Youngquist, president of CCAonline. “This new service will help prevent them from purposefully or accidentally viewing harmful content.” The filtered service works by looking ahead for site content, and using reserved keywords, prevents the user from going to restricted sites.

[to top of second column in this article]

Both Schleich and Youngquist mention that these two services probably will not be perfect. Spammers and those who put up pornography websites are continually trying to “market” their products and will occasionally find ways to evade detection.

Both the e-mail filter and the Web site browsing filter are optional services. Users who desire these services may contact CCAonline and request them for an additional monthly fee.

[LDN]

[DEC. 20, 2001]  The Lincoln Historic Homes and Buildings Commission met in the office of Mayor Beth Davis on Dec. 17.  The commission finalized plans to host the "Follow the Information Trail" workshop in January 2002.

The workshop is designed to educate participants on information sources available for research of properties in Lincoln.  The workshop will be at the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 8 and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 15. It is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Richard Sumrall at (217) 732-8878.

[NOV. 29, 2001]  A supply of the city’s official Christmas ornament for 2001 is now available at several locations in downtown Lincoln.

 This year’s ornament depicts the Lincoln Public Library.  Made in the United States, the 24 karat gold-over-brass ornaments come in a blue velvet folder stamped with the city’s corporate seal and a numbered certificate of authenticity, including the city proclamation and history of the building.

They are available for $15 at Eckert’s, Inc., Merle Norman Cosmetics/That Place, Inc., and MKS Jewelers. Ornaments that have been pre-ordered need to be picked up at the Main Street Lincoln office, located on the second floor at 303 S. Kickapoo (Union Planters Bank). 

Logan County Courthouse pillows have also arrived. The 16-inch, full-color tapestry pillows are backed and corded in dark green.  They also are made in the United States.

Supplies are limited, and the cost is $29.95.  Currently, the pillows are available at Beans ’n Such, MKS Jewelers, Eckert’s and at the Main Street office.  Pre-orders must be picked up at the office.

[Main Street Lincoln news release]

The Chamber Report

Tuesday, Dec. 25 — Merry Christmas

Thursday, Dec. 27 — Chamber Executive Committee, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., location to be announced

The chamber of commerce is a catalyst for community progress, bringing business and professional people together to work for the common good of Lincoln and Logan County.

Bobbi Abbott, Executive Director

Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

303 S. Kickapoo St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

(217) 735-2385

chamber@lincolnillinois.com
www.lincolnillinois.com

Honors & Awards

Main Street Corner News

Main Street Lincoln

303 S. Kickapoo

Lincoln, IL 62656

Phone: (217) 732-2929

Fax: (217) 735-9205

E-mail: manager@mainstreetlincoln.com

Job Hunt

Lincolndailynews.com makes it easy to look for a job in the Logan County area.

Employers, you can list available jobs by e-mailing ldn@lincolndailynews.com. Each job listing costs $10 the first week, $20 for eight days to three months. There is a limit of 75 words per announcement.

How much do you want to earn? If you have a proven track record selling high-dollar proprietary equipment to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.; or, if you truly believe you have some innate sales ability; submit your resumé to see if your goal is possible with our company. Sales leads and factory support provided by Condensate Return Specialists, Inc. Fax (217) 735-3102. Visit our website www.steamloc.com.

OFFICE ASSISTANT: Area Manufacturer is growing! Need bright, self-motivated individual for Office Assistant position. Computer knowledge in Microsoft Word & Excel programs a must; attentive to detail mandatory. Competitive wage, based on experience, and benefits package offered. Send resume & information to: ATTN:  PERS1116, P.O. Box 457, Lincoln, IL  62656.

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