“On NASCAR: Bobby Labonte: A Class Act to Follow - HuntingtonNews.Net” plus 4 more

On NASCAR: Bobby Labonte: A Class Act to Follow - HuntingtonNews.Net
Event lets kids glimpse future career possibilities - Lansing State Journal
Anarchy on Commonwealth Avenue - Manila Times
Area union membership falls on auto side, but area unions say they ... - Grand Rapids Press
Text size - Chicago Tribune

On NASCAR: Bobby Labonte: A Class Act to Follow - HuntingtonNews.Net

Posted: 06 Sep 2009 07:47 AM PDT

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Event lets kids glimpse future career possibilities - Lansing State Journal

Posted: 06 Sep 2009 06:43 AM PDT

Some hands-on experience with a local electrician sheds some light on a possible career for 10-year-old Alexis Lilly.

"It was cool; I think I might want to be an electrician," she said after learning how to wire a light bulb.

The Lansing resident got the chance to learn about several different jobs and trades at Lansing's LaborFest on Saturday.

The daylong event was in honor of Labor Day and the city's ongoing 150th anniversary celebration. It featured hands-on exhibits and displays from local labor unions, live music, children's activities and food at Adado Riverfront Park.

Lansing resident Bassimah Qatum brought her six children, ranging in age from 7 to 16.

"It's great," she said. "It gives these kids an opportunity to look at all different types of things that they're not usually aware of that they can do and be."

Plumbers and pipefitters from United Association Local 333 showed festivalgoers how to use a blow torch to cut through a pipe, while members of the Capital Professional Chefs' and Cooks' Association of Greater Lansing held cooking demonstrations.

East Lansing resident Adnan Shinnaq, who cooks for Michigan State University housing, prepared some tacos Saturday afternoon.

"It's an opportunity to show what we have, an opportunity to celebrate the (city's) 150th anniversary, and it's good to be in this nice weather," he said.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 let children sit in the cab of a crane truck.

"It's something they need to have every year now," said Coloma resident Dave Simmons, a business representative with Local 324. "It gets all the trades people together, brings people out and gives them a chance to meet us."

Deedre Williams was at the festival representing United Auto Workers Local 602 and showing off vehicles made at General Motor Co.'s Lansing Delta Township plant, including the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.

Williams, of Lansing, works with suppliers in the quality department at the plant.

"To buy locally made products, goods and services ... it keeps your neighbors working, it keeps the house next door from being foreclosed, it keeps the kids in school, it keeps you in health care," she said.

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Anarchy on Commonwealth Avenue - Manila Times

Posted: 06 Sep 2009 07:33 AM PDT

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Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City starts at the Quezon Memorial Circle and stretches all of 12.4 kilometers to Mindanao Avenue in Fairview. Numerous businesses, schools, government offices and other establishments line this key route, which is ...

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Area union membership falls on auto side, but area unions say they ... - Grand Rapids Press

Posted: 06 Sep 2009 05:46 AM PDT

by Melissa Burden | The Flint Journal

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- LaDelvin Walker grew up in a union family, but for years her profession left her out of a union job.

"A lot of people don't know what a union can do for you," said Walker, a relative child care provider who lives in Flint. "The union fed me for years."

After a large card signing campaign in Michigan, Walker, 34, and hundreds of child care providers in Genesee County and tens of thousands across the state are part of the Child Care Providers Together Michigan union and have a contract through 2010 with the Michigan Home Based Child Care Council.

Flint Journal extras Some Labor Day events

• Tribute to Women and sculpture unveiling: 9 a.m. at UAW Region 1-C headquarters, 1940 W. Atherton Road, Flint. The event is free and open to the public. The tribute to women in labor and the social movement will include unveilings of life-size bronze monuments in the Sitdowners' Park behind the building. Monuments include a woman in Flint's Sit-Down Strike of 1936-37 being led away by a police officer, a toddler, a women reaching to break a window, placed in front of a wall constructed that was constructed with bricks from the old Fisher 1 plant and bricks from a Lansing plant and a member of the UAW's Women's Auxiliary carrying basket of food. The exhibit also will honor notable women who have contributed to social progress over time.

• Sit-Downer reunion brunch: 10:30 a.m. at UAW Local 659, 4549 Van Slyke Road, Flint. Tickets are available at the door for $12 per person.

• Annual Labor Day picnic and parade: Begins at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Village in Genesee Township and runs through 4 p.m., with a 1 p.m. parade. Entry into the picnic is free for union members, retirees and their families. The event includes children's activities and games.

Source: UAW Region 1-C

The workers provide relative care, family child care or are day care aides and receive payments through the state, aimed to help provide child care to low-income parents.

With membership of some 40,000 strong and representation from the UAW and AFSCME, providers such as Walker and Lu Hilden, an Owosso grandmother who provides relative care to her grandsons and works for the UAW, say they have a voice and are fighting for better wages, retaining billable hours and offering low cost or free training in areas such as first aid and CPR.

"It's very important to us. It's our lifeline," said Walker, who has one son and makes less than $2.50 an hour to watch her great-niece, 4. "If we didn't have a union, as far as relative (child care) providers, we would be out of a job."

The birthplace of unions has seen its automotive related membership, shrink considerably over the past few years, but there are some pockets of workers organizing and joining unions, union organizers say.

Labor unions have a deep history in Genesee County, with many workers, retirees and families feeling a sense of pride with unionization efforts. Thousands of GM workers took part in 44-days Sit-Down Strike in 1936-37 that forced GM to recognize the UAW as the bargaining unit for workers.

Organizing is taking place in small hospitals across the state, in group homes in Genesee County and other areas and in other health care jobs, said Judy Shultz, president of the Greater Flint AFL-CIO and Lawrence A. Roehrig, international vice president and secretary treasurer of the Michigan AFSCME Council 25.

More than 150 sanitation workers who work for companies that provide service at General Motors plants in Genesee County are new members of four unions, Local 659, 599, 1292 and 598, said Norwood Jewell, assistant director of UAW Region 1-C. Another group is being organized.

One of those workers is Christina Dupuis, 34, of Flint Township. Dupuis does janitorial work for Premier at the GM Flint Metal Center.

She's a member of UAW Local 659 and will celebrate her first Labor Day as a union member on Monday. She said she plans to take her three children to the UAW Region 1-C's traditional picnic at Crossroads Village.

Dupuis, who previously stayed at home with her kids, also has family that worked for GM and are union members.

"I just understand the benefits more," she said, citing things such as security and protection, higher wages and medical benefits as reasons she's happy being a union member.

Generally, union membership has been on a downward slide since the 1950s.

But nationally the number of workers belonging to a union rose in 2008 from 2007 by 428,000 people, with 16.1 million workers or 12.4 percent of workers belonging to unions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But Michigan's union membership fell from 2007 to 2008 by 48,000. In 2008, Michigan had 771,000 union members or 18.8 percent of employed workers, down from 819,000 members or 19.5 percent of those employed.

Duane Zuckschwerdt, director of UAW Region 1-C that covers Genesee and 10 other counties, said the UAW now represents about 6,400 auto workers in Genesee County, after recently losing about 500 people who worked on the medium-duty line at the GM Flint Truck Assembly Plant.

Zuckschwerdt said GM has added some members with work transferred into
Flint. But its auto membership has fallen from about 7,000 members a year ago.

"We're optimistic that our membership is where it's going to be for awhile, based on our current sales forecasts and volume," he said.

Region 1-C as a whole has lost 10,000 members in the past year and a half,
a result of automaker bankruptcies, supplier plants closing and companies moving work outside of the U.S., Zuckschwerdt said.

Overall, UAW Region 1-C represents 28,000 automotive, auto supplier, office and professional workers and 70,000 retirees.

"We've faced a lot of challenges this year and I'm going to remain optimistic that the economy will come back and that this union will be as strong and viable as it's ever been," he said.

Coupled with the economy and soaring health care costs, Shultz of the Greater Flint AFL-CIO that is celebrating its 50th anniversary in October, said she's seeing the toughest union negotiations in 32 years.

"They're basically having to negotiate cuts, generally it's the health care, in order to save jobs," she said, adding sometimes that adds $300 to $400 a month in cost onto the worker.

The Greater Flint AFL-CIO has 11,300 affiliated members in Genesee County in jobs such as in hospitals and government units.

Union advocates are hoping for growth in organizing if the Employee Free Choice Act, now in Congress, becomes law. Union advocates say the act would make it easier for unions to form and could be done without employer scare tactics.

But some such as Chuck Hadden, president and chief executive officer of Michigan Manufacturers Association, is lobbying against the Employee Free Choice Act, which he said would do away with secret ballot votes and could allow unions to form without management even knowing about it.

Hadden said about 65 percent of the association's members are nonunion, 30 percent are completely organized and the rest are partially unionized. Hadden said the Employee Free Choice Act also would allow contracts to be set much more quickly and sometimes by an arbitrator.

In this economy and especially in Michigan, he said it's important to have flexibility to change products, move in a new direction or shift workers to part-time to save jobs.

"It can make us very uncompetitive and I think it makes us very inflexible," he said, adding he's afraid more companies and jobs would leave the state.

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Text size - Chicago Tribune

Posted: 06 Sep 2009 05:38 AM PDT

STEAM AND POWER SHOW The Hesston Steam Museum hosts its annual Steam and Power Show Sept. 4 through 7. The show, at the museum in LaPorte, Ind., features steam powered farm machinery and antique cars. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and younger. Train Fares are $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and younger. Seniors get half-price rides on Fridays. Visit hesston.org.

SKIP'S GRAFFITI GOLD The 25th annual Skip's Graffiti Gold Car Show is set for Sept. 6 at the new Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. The show, swap and corral will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $2 for kids 6-11. Vendor spaces are $35, show cars $10-$15 and corral spots $25. Visit www.skipsusa.com or call 630-340-4744.

ELKHART LAKE VINTAGE FESTIVAL Road America will host the 24th annual Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association's Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival Sept. 11-13. Some 300 vintage and historic racecars from around the country will be on hand. The main gate opens at 7 a.m. daily. Admission is $75 for a three-day ticket or $15 for Sept. 11 and $30 each for Sept. 12 and 13. Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Visit www.roadamerica.com or call 800-365-7223.

SCORE RALLYE The SCORE Rallye Team presents a gimmick car rallye Sept. 12. The event begins with registration at 6 p.m. at the Firestone Auto Center at Woodfield Mall, off Golf Road between Ill. 53 and Meacham Road. Fee is $15, with the first cars out at 7:15. Call 773-493-2517 or e-mail road-rallye@sbcglobal.net.

FALL CAR CORRAL Volo Auto Museum hosts its Fall Expo and Car Corral, open to 225 cars, Sept. 12. Registration is required for the free event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 815-385-3644 or visit www.volocars.com.

DEERFIELD CAR SHOW The Deerfield Area Historical Society holds its annual Fallfest and Car Show Sept. 13. All show-quality cars from the 1970s and earlier are welcome from noon to 4 p.m. at the Historical Village. No registration is required, and admission is free. Contact scramer724@yahoo.com or 847-948-0680.

BRITISH CAR FEST The British Car Union hosts its 23nd annual Chicagoland British Car Festival Sept. 13 at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. The festival, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is open to all British marques, from Austin to Zephyr. Registration is $20 through Aug. 21 and $25 at the gate. Spectator admission is free. British motorcycles also will be on display. Visit www.britishcarunion.com or e-mail qualitas.jack@gmail.com.

BOULEVARD LAKEFRONT TOUR Registration is open for the annual Boulevard Lakefront Tour Sept. 13. Bicyclists can experience Daniel Burnham's dream on four routes: the 62-mile Ultimate Neighborhood, 35-mile Boulevard Tour Ride, 27-mile Beverly Cruise and 15-mile South Side Ramble. All routes s begin and end at the Midway Plaisance. Registration is $30, $25 for Active Transportation Alliance members and $12 for kids 17 and younger. Visit www.boulevardtour.org or call 312-427-3325, ext. 251.

BOAT PILOTING CLASS The Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron is offering the U.S. Power Squadron Piloting class beginning Sept. 14 at Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World in Gurnee. The class meets from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. every Monday for 10 weeks. Fee is $60 for members and $140 for non-members (includes one-year membership). Contact the instructor Keith Baldwin at Baldwinkeith@sbcglobal.net.

MARINE ELECTRICAL CLASS The Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron is offering the U.S. Power Squadron Marine Electrical Systems class beginning Sept. 16 at Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World in Gurnee. The class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday for six weeks. Fee is $55 members and $135 for non-members (includes one-year membership). Contact instructor Rex Miller at rexwmiller@gmail.com.

CRUISE THE BACKLOT Downtown Skokie's Cruise the Backlot events are set for Sept. 16. The free cruise runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Village Green (parking lot between Village Hall and library. Visit www.cruisethebacklot.com.

CAPTAIN'S LICENSE CLASSES Columbia Yacht Club is offering USCG captain's licensing classes beginning with a free orientation session at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the club, at 111 N. Lake Shore Drive. The classes will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 22 and running through Nov. 19. Tuition of $1,205 includes materials. Visit www.chicago captainsclasses.com or www.usmaritime.us or contact Capt. Fred Swastek at 773-296-6852 or capt.fred@usmaritime.us or Capt. Al Grigalunas at 312-259-5125 or capt.al@usmaritime.us.

AVANTI MEET The ChicagolandChapter of the Avanti Owners Association International is hosting the 2009 Meet Sept. 17-19 at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville. The three-day event will include a swap meet, seminars and a concours for Avantis, Studebakers, Packards and Pierce-Arrows. Contact Tom Corr at 630-267-5896 or tom@3penguinsltd.com.

CHICAGOLAND NATIONALS The third annual PEAK Chicagoland Nationals Car Show, a car show featuring hot rods, custom cars, classics, muscle cars and trucks through 1972 vintage, hits the Chicagoland Speedway Sept. 18 through 20. More than 2,000 cars are expected along with a Street Challenge Autocross, swap meet and drag racing. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 20. Admission is $17 for adults and $ for kids age 7-12. Call Goodguys 925-838-9876 or visit www.chicagolandnats.com.

FAMOUS PUZZLER RALLYE The 11th annual Famous Puzzler Rallye kicks off with registration at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at Woodfield Mall parking lot in Schaumburg near light pole B-2. A beginner's school starts at 6:45 and drivers meeting at 7 with the first car out at 7:15. Cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the gate with proceeds to benefit UPS for DownS, a non-profit that assists families dealing with Down Syndrome. Visit www.upsfordowns.org.

RAILROAD DAYS The Monticello Railway Museum hosts Railroad Days Sept. 19 and 20 in Monticello, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. Abraham Lincoln and the Leviathan, an operating 1869 steam locomotive replica, will be on hand for the festivities. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All day tickets, with unlimited train rides, are $12 for adults and $8 for children age 2-12. Visit www.mrym.org.

KJP CAR SHOWS In conjunction with the HeritageFest West Dundee, KJP Car, Truck and Motorcycle Shows will hold a show Sept. 19-20 at Main and 2nd Streets in the suburb. Registration opens at 10:30 with a fee of $15 per vehicle. Spectators are free, with awards by 4 p.m. Call John Pullaro at 847-608-0565 or Mike Konwinski 847-895-0032 or visit www.wdundee.org.

CORVETTE FUNFEST Mid America Motorworks holds its 16th annual Corvette Funfest Sept. 25-27 at its headquarters on U.S. 45, 2 miles north of Interstates 57 and 70, in Effingham, Ill. Some 15,000 of the sports cars are expected for show. Admission starts at $40. Call 800-500-1500 or visit www.corvettefunfest.com.

AMAZING RACE RALLYE Brand-X Rallye Team presents The Amazing Race gimmick ralley based on the TV show Sept. 26. The rallye begins at 6 p.m. with registration at Woodfield Mall, parking area B2, near the Firestone Tire Center. A free beginners' school starts at 6:30 p.m. with the first car off at 7:30. Call Kathy Thomas at 815-338-6319 or visit www.brandxrallyeteam.com.

PUMKIN DAYS The Illinois Railway Museum hosts it annual Pumpkin Days Oct. 3 and 4. Ride the trains and pick a free pumpkin. Hours at the museum in Union are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fares are $12 for adults, $8 for kids or $45 for families. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).