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/ National Business News,
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Features
|
The
Tropics reopens with
a new look and new menu
[APRIL
20, 2001] The
Tropics Steak & Pasta House at 1007 Hickory Drive, on historic
Route 66, has been open under the management of Tim Dalipi for two
weeks, serving a mixed menu of Italian and American dishes.
|
Five
members of the Dalipi family are involved in the operation of the
restaurant. Sam Dalipi ran former restaurants in Chicago, Peoria,
Champaign and Sullivan, but says he now just works for his son Tim.
Sam’s brother Jim is chef, Tim’s sister Rita is hostess and his
brother Tefik works in back. In addition, the restaurant employs
about 20 waitresses and three bartenders.
![](../images/042001pics/tropics_1.jpg)
[Nancy Treatch and Gretchen Neville savor a bite to
eat.]
Sam
Dalipi was born in Albania, and the special Wednesday night was
chicken Albanese, made with broccoli, red pepper, artichokes and
herbs and sautéed in white wine. Italian dishes such as the house
special pasta combination of manicotti, meat lasagna and cannelloni
are featured on the menu. There is even a dessert called chocolate
lasagna, consisting of layered chocolate cake, cream and chocolate
morsels. When asked to differentiate between Italian and Albanian
cuisine, both Tim and Sam Dalipi said the two are virtually
identical.
The
Tropics’ menu offers variety in every category. A few examples are
calamari and stuffed mushrooms for appetizers; spinach, princess and
julienne salads; French dip and Italian beef sandwiches; chicken
Piccante, Sorentino, Francaise and Scarpariella; several cuts of
steak and seafood choices; and cheesecake and tiramisu for dessert.
![](../images/042001pics/tropics_3.jpg)
[The main dining rooms have been newly refurnished
with some of the more significant Tropics features, like the
tropical island mural kept intact. The old Coffee Shop has been made
into a smoking area.]
A
separate lunch menu will be available starting Monday, April 23. Tim
Dalipi said it will offer a wide variety, from sandwiches to steak,
and will include specials, as does the evening menu. The restaurant
is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11
p.m. Friday and Saturday. Entrees on the regular menu range in price
from about $6 to $15.
The
kitchen of the restaurant follows the same design as formerly but
has been furnished with totally new equipment. Broilers, grills,
stoves, fryers, coolers, steam tables, pots and pans — "from
dishes to floor mats, everything is new," Sam Dalipi said.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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The
former coffee shop is now the dining room for smokers, and the two
dining rooms are newly furnished. Carpeting is green, and chairs
sport a green and red paisley print on blue with red trim. New wall
art features florals and Italian scenes. However, in addition to
updating the look of the restaurant, the Dalipis have retained a bit
of The Tropics of the past. The tropical island mural long
associated with the restaurant still graces one wall, and Tim Dalipi
said Lew Johnson is bringing back some of the paintings that were
previously displayed. Two Route 66 signs remind diners of the
location on that historic highway.
One
change to the bar area is that windows have been cut in the wall so
the interior can be seen from the hall and from the dining room for
smokers. The L-shaped bar is still there, but wood trim has been
added. Tim Dalipi expresses pride in how the bar turned out.
![](../images/ads/MErealty/MERealty0101.gif)
A
full wall now separates the banquet area from the regular dining
room. Entrance to the banquet rooms is from the west, near the
tropical island mural. The banquet area can be made into one or two
rooms and can seat 25 to 150. Refurbishment so far includes
repainting and replacement of ceiling tile. The area will open in
approximately a month, after new carpet and furniture are in place.
Tim
Dalipi said the entire restaurant can accommodate 220 people. The
changes have somewhat reduced capacity.
![](../images/042001pics/tropics_2.jpg)
[Looking into the bar]
"Business
is doing real well, and people have been great," he said. He
describes The Tropics as a family restaurant and offers a children’s
menu of several items.
The
family began working on the restaurant last summer, but the lease
officially began in December 2000, according to Tim Dalipi. He said
one plan for the future is to redesign outside signs to update the
exterior look of the restaurant.
[Lynn
Spellman]
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|
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President
of the Illinois
State Chamber
of Commerce speaks in Lincoln
[APRIL
19, 2001] The
president of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce updated local
Chamber members Wednesday on issues before the state legislature
that may impact local businesses.
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Unemployment
insurance tax relief, the state Chamber’s first priority for new
legislation, has passed the Senate but faces difficulty in the
House, according to Illinois Chamber President Todd Maisch. The
two-bill package cuts the minimum tax rate in half and eliminates
the fund-building surcharge passed in the early 1980s, when the
unemployment insurance fund was in debt. Now the fund for future
unemployment benefits has grown to $2.1 billion. "Sending money
to a bloated trust fund is not a good idea," said Maisch, who
hopes to convince the pro-organized-labor majority in the House that
reinvesting in business creates jobs.
A
bill requiring employers of more than 50 workers to provide
insurance for mental health on the same terms as other illnesses
will probably be enacted, Maisch said at the legislative breakfast
sponsored by the Government/Education Committee of the Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce. Because the bill increases employers’
health insurance expenditures, the Illinois Chamber opposes it, but
he said the bill as passed by the Senate has been revised to
something that "the business community can live with."
The
Illinois Chamber supports increased Medicaid payments to hospitals,
nursing homes and other health-care providers, seeing a cost shift
to private-pay customers if the government does not pay its share.
Speaking at The Restaurant at the Depot Wednesday morning, Maisch
said he hopes some of the many issues concerning health-care
providers can be addressed outside the legislative process.
How
state legislative districts are redrawn to comply with the 2000
census will influence the lawmaking process for a decade. Maisch
said his description of the Illinois process for redistricting
elicits disbelief from colleagues in other states. He described the
process as potentially having three stages: First, lawmakers try to
reach agreement. If there is a stalemate in the General Assembly, a
commission evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats is
appointed. If that commission also fails to reach consensus, two
names are put in a hat and the party of the person whose name is
pulled out gets to draw the redistricting map.
Whichever
party draws the map, downstate districts will become larger and
fewer because of the greater growth in Chicago and the suburbs.
Maisch said that because of the population increase in McLean
County, the representative and senatorial districts including
Lincoln might expand in that direction.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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A
law restricting telemarketing is likely to be enacted, Maisch said.
The bill sets up a do-not-call list which telemarketers must consult
and use to cull their lists four times per year, with a $2,500
penalty for each failure to comply.
Many
of the issues addressed by the Illinois State Chamber this session
were determined at an October 2000 meeting attended by more than 40
representatives of local chambers of commerce. Bobbi Abbott,
executive director of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce,
attended the meeting, along with Marty Ahrends of the Agriculture
Committee and Wanda Lee Rohlfs of the Government/Education
Committee.
Maisch
distributed an update detailing progress on the nine issues defined
by the group. They include initiatives in favor of workers’
compensation reform, revision of the program for testing Illinois
students and incentives for cleanup of environmentally contaminated
sites. Only the environmental clean-up bill has passed in one body,
the Senate.
The
state Chamber opposes extending the federal Family and Medical Leave
Act to smaller businesses, increasing the minimum wage, allowing
doctors to form price-fixing cartels and reinstating the Structural
Work Act, which allowed injured workers to go outside the workers’
compensation system to sue third parties. All three bills are either
dead or of uncertain passage. The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce
also wants to repeal the Illinois Responsible Property Transfer Act
for potentially contaminated land, saying the bill is obsolete.
![](../images/041401pics/Precision%20yard%20sale%20flat%20ad.jpg)
Maisch
praised the pro-business majority in the Illinois Senate, including
Bob Madigan (R-Lincoln). Madigan spoke briefly, also citing
redistricting and Medicaid reimbursement to hospitals and long-term
care facilities as important issues. He said he has been involved in
reviewing the retired teachers health insurance plan. Madigan
disagreed with the perception that the General Assembly is halfway
through the legislative session. Instead he likened it to being one
period into a three-period hockey game. Reconciliation of House and
Senate bills and redistricting still must be addressed.
[Lynn
Spellman]
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Countdown
for new radio
station nears liftoff
[MARCH
27, 2001] "It
could be as soon as next week." The statement made by station
manager Jim Ash was in regard to the area’s new radio station,
WMNW, going on the air. The local station, situated on a parcel of
land on Lazy Row, rural Atlanta, is just about ready to begin a
courtship of central Illinois listeners. Owned by K and M
Communications out of Skokie, the new station will bring local radio
back to Logan County as well as supplement existing stations in the
30-mile radius surrounding the transmitter.
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Ash,
a 19-year mainstay at the defunct WPRC and for the last two years at
WUIS in Springfield, says that both the tower and transmitter are
ready to span the airwaves on 96.3 FM. "We still need carpeting
and some furniture and other items," Ash said, "but as
soon as we get our hookup with our network affiliate, ABC, we will
go on the air."
Ash
reiterated that the station will primarily be music. "The
format will be classic rock from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s,"
Ash noted. "We will have news briefs from ABC and some local
news as well. Primarily we are interested in delivering music and
are not interested in becoming another news station." Ash was
quick to point out that with a 24-hour format geared to the Logan
County area, any important breaking news will receive priority.
"In the event of special alerts, inclement weather bulletins or
area schools or businesses closing, WMNW will drop its music to give
residents the latest information as soon as possible."
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Ash
stated that as the station delves into the airwaves it will
determine if any fine tuning will be done to the principal format.
He also stated that any businesses interested in becoming an
advertiser on the station can contact him at his home at 735-4930.
[Mike
Fak]
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Affordable,
high-speed Internet
access finally comes to Lincoln
[MARCH
5, 2001] More
than a year and a half after the first plans were laid, Lincoln’s
major Internet provider, CCAonline, has broken ground for a new
tower that will provide Lincoln with broadband-wireless Internet
access. "Lincoln can now compete with surrounding larger cities
such as Springfield and Peoria that have DSL and cable modems,"
says Curt Schleich, webmaster and co-owner of CCA Wireless.
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This
new wireless service will offer high-speed Internet service at
reasonable prices that businesses and individuals can afford. While
the service is new to the public, the technology has been around
since the ’60s. It was previously used only by the military.
Wireless solves the "last mile" communications problems
that occur between house and main source, as in between house and
local Internet server.
Why
wireless?
The
consideration to add wireless began more than two years ago when
Computer Consulting Associates owners Jim Youngquist and Curt
Schleich began researching for an improved means to provide better
quality high-speed Internet access. Without the use of big company
equipment, our area telephone lines cannot support DSL or cable
modems that are used by other larger communities.
Where
do you go to buy a tower and what tower do you choose?
CCA
investigated "getting an antenna into the air using downtown
buildings or current towers," informs Schleich, but those
choices proved to be either quality or cost-prohibitive, or lacked a
place for nearby equipment storage. It was soon recognized that a
tower was the only option.
The
quest for a tower source was the first step. After some searching a
company was located that had been building towers since 1949. Plans
were drawn up and engineer approved. All was falling in line with
the timing of the city building code and special use applications.
Then a sad thing happened. One of the partners in the tower company
died suddenly. The company was shutting down. After a new search was
begun, it took many months to find another provider at a much higher
cost. Then there would be the special application for engineering
approval, more time and fees again. Just as another company that
could do the job was found, CCA received word that the original
tower company was resuming business with a new assistant. The
original plans, already drawn up with engineering approval, could be
used.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Dotting
their i’s and crossing their t’s
In
the meantime, there was also some time involved in getting approval
from the city to erect the tower. Soon, CCA was approved as one of
several tower sites under the city’s new Telecommunications Tower
Ordinance. CCA is open to adding other antennas for other
businesses. At this time the tower will sport two antennas. One will
be for CCA Wireless and they have one renter, Illinois Paging,
scheduled to go up later. Currently, there is room for one more
antenna on this facility.
New
technology
Schleich
is excited about bringing this new technology to Lincoln. Because it
is new technology he could not say just how many users the wireless
will be able to support on the first antenna. As with their online
business, he plans to "closely monitor equipment for bandwidth
and how much the service is used."
When
asked about what this project has cost besides a lot of patience and
planning, Schleich responds, "By the time we’re all done it
will have cost between $20,000 and $25, 000."
You
can log on to www.ccaonline.com
for more information about wireless technology. Schleich says you
can also find cost and sign-up information. There are already about
70 sign-ups on the waiting list. The sign-ups will be notified via
e-mail when the tower is up and service has been initialized. Then
"sign-ups will be contacted in turn for site evaluation and
equipment setup," he says.
Welcome
to the 21st century, Lincoln!
[Jan
Youngquist]
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Announcements
|
Illinois
Employment and Training Center
New name,
new address
[APRIL
20, 2001] Congress
repealed the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) June 30, 2000. A
new Workforce Investment Act (WIA) has replaced it. The Logan County
Illinois Employment and Training Center (IETC) now houses two
offices: Illinois Department of Employment and Security Office
(IDES), "the unemployment office," and Logan County
Workforce Office (WIA)
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Effective
April 30, 2001, the offices will be at the following address:
120
S. McLean St., Suite B
Farm
Bureau Building
Lincoln,
IL 62656
The
new e-mail address is ietc@abelink.com.
Phone
and fax numbers remain the same: phone (217) 735-5441 and fax (217)
732-2658.
Staff
members are Fred Wiemer, Rod Lewis and Jan Gleason.
Please
feel free to contact any of the staff for employment and training
services. The staff looks forward to serving you.
|
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|
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LINCOLN
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the corner of Woodlawn and Business 55 No
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|
|
The
Chamber Report
|
[APRIL
23, 2001] For
the week of April 23-29:
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•
Chamber Ag Committee
Tuesday,
April 24
7:30
a.m., Al’s Main Event
•
Tourism board meeting
Tuesday,
April 24
5
p.m., Chamber office conference room
•
Economic Development Council
Wednesday,
April 25
7:30
a.m., Chamber office conference room
•
Franchise workshop
Wednesday,
April 25
6:30-8:30
p.m., Chamber office conference room
•
Office professionals luncheon
Thursday,
April 26
11:30
a.m. – 1 p.m., Knights of Columbus
•
Chamber Executive Board meeting
Friday,
April 27
Noon,
Blue Dog Inn
[to top of second column in
this section]
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Upcoming
events
May
16 — Business Roundtable on Workforce Issues, 7:30 a.m., Lincoln
College Cafeteria
May
17 — Chamber mixer, Gossett’s/7th Heaven, 311
Broadway St.
June
8 — Chamber roundup golf tournament, auction and dinner
Aug.
24-26 — Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival
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.
Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce
303
S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln
(217)
735-2385
Fax
(217) 735-9205
www.lincolnillinois.com
chamber@lincolnillinois.com
[Provided
by Bobbi Abbott, executive director of Lincoln/Logan County Chamber
of Commerce]
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Attention
entrepreneurs
[APRIL
20, 2001] With
a growing number of empty storefronts just waiting for development,
the Chamber of Commerce hopes to spark an interest in area
individuals who have considered purchasing a franchise business. A
Franchise Start-Up Workshop, sponsored by the Lincoln/Logan County
Chamber of Commerce, will be on Wednesday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m.
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Franchise
businesses allow owners to sell goods and services that have instant
name recognition and to obtain training and ongoing support to help
them succeed.
The
two-hour workshop will be in the conference room of the Chamber
office at 303 S. Kickapoo St. (second floor, Union Planters Bank).
Bill Wilkerson, with the Small Business Development Center, will
present the workshop.
For
more information or to register for the conference, call the Chamber
of Commerce, 735-2385.
![](../images/ads/maple/maple092500.jpg)
[to top of second column in
this section]
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Other
upcoming
events
April
26
—
Office professionals luncheon
Always
a sold-out event, this luncheon brings bosses and office
professionals together for lively entertainment, a generous buffet
lunch, free office product samples and door prizes!
June
8 —
Chamber roundup golf tournament, auction and dinner
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.
Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce
303
S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln
(217)
735-2385
Fax
(217) 735-9205
www.lincolnillinois.com
chamber@lincolnillinois.com
[Provided
by Bobbi Abbott, executive director of Lincoln/Logan County Chamber
of Commerce]
|
|
Honors
& Awards
|
ALMH
names April Employee of the Month
[APRIL
19, 2001] Congratulations
to James Rusk, who has been named Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital April Employee of the Month. He has worked in the dietary
department at ALMH since 1998.
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Rusk’s
nominators state that he "is very compassionate with the
patients and their needs. He’s willing to lend a hand without
even asking for his help—he just jumps right in. James does a
great job and you can always count on him to follow up on
things."
Rusk
was born and raised in Bloomington and currently resides in
Lincoln. He enjoys spending time with his family, and he also
enjoys cooking.
[ALMH
news release] |
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|
ILLINI
BANK
2201
Woodlawn Rd. in Lincoln
1-888-455-4641 or 735-5400
Ask for Terry Lock or Sharon Awe
Mortgage
Refinancing
Ag Lines of Credit
Low Auto Rates
Free Checking - Debit Card
Money Market Index Account |
Claire's
Needleworks
and Frame Shop
"We
Frame It All"
On the square
217-732-8811
M-F 10-5 Sat 10-4
cmstitches@aol.com |
Tell
a friend about
Lincoln Daily
News.com |
|
|
Main
Street Corner News
|
Main
Street schedule of meetings
[APRIL
21, 2001] Please
mark your calendar for the following meetings and activities that
pertain to you:
|
•
Monday, April 23, 5:30 p.m. — National Historic Preservation
Week Committee meets at Eckert's
•
Tuesday, April 24, 5:30 p.m. — Design Committee meets at
Main Street office (Note location change)
•
Tuesday, April 24, 7 p.m. — Looking for Lincoln Master Plan
Committee meets in Union Planters Bank Conference Room.
•
Wednesday, April 25, 5:30 p.m. — Economic Restructuring
Committee meets in Library Annex
•
Thursday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. — Festival of Trees Committee meets
in Farm Bureau Building
•
Thursday, April 26, 7 p.m. — Lincoln City Council meets
(agenda includes approval of new city budget) in council chambers
•
Monday, April 30, 5:30 p.m. — National Historic Preservation
Week Committee meets at Eckert's
[to top of second column in
this section]
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•
Tuesday, May 8, 8 a.m. — Mornings on Main at
Sorrento's
•
Wednesday, May 9, 5:30 p.m. — Main Street Lincoln board meets
at the office
•
Thursday, May 10, and Friday, May 11 — Illinois Main Street
Conference at the Hilton in Springfield. Conference cost is
$60. It's suggested that if you have not attended the Main Street
Basic Training class, you attend the one offered at 10:30 a.m. to
noon on Thursday. Awards banquet is Thursday
evening. Cost is $30 additional. Please have reservations to
Wendy by Friday, April 27.
mailto:manager@mainstreetlincoln.com
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