By Mike Moore
Journal Times | Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008 12:00 am
The stairs on the south side of the YMCA, 725 Lake Ave., are closed until spring because they were too much trouble for city workers to shovel, City of Racine assistant parks director Jack Schumann said.
The city-owned stairs were also blocked for part of last winter, he said. They're mainly used by YMCA customers who park in the lot at 8th Street and Lake Avenue and want to climb down to the entrance that's closest to the fitness center. One problem is privately hired plows typically push snow onto the sidewalk at the bottom, Schumann said.
"So, basically," he said, "the stairs went to nowhere."
So far the YMCA hasn't shown an interest in taking over the chore, which could carry financial liability if somebody slips. The building's south entrance is open during certain hours.
If enough customers complain, CEO Jeff Collen said the YMCA is willing to adjust its policy.
Will post offices sell their leftover Christmas stamps at a discount now that the holiday is over?
Unlike those lighted outdoor reindeer that bob their heads, you can't get postage for 80 percent off these days. The U.S. Postal Service doesn't join in the mega-sales.
The stamps aren't considered obsolete this quickly. Designs like the Nutcracker Suite and snowflakes have a longer lifespan than just the holidays, Postal Service spokeswoman Marge Oehlke said.
"Some people are happy to send their holiday stamps well into January yet," she said.
The other part of the question asked if holiday-themed stamps are good year-round, which, of course, they are. Just keep in mind that, by next Christmas, the price of a stamp will have gone up. The size of the increase will be announced in February, with the change to take effect in May.
I read that retired Racine police officers can legally carry guns. Is the city of Racine liable if one of them makes a mistake?
No. The certification for the federally authorized program includes a waiver each officer has to sign, city attorney Rob Weber said.
The first group of retired city officers completed their certification earlier this month. One interesting detail Weber noted is that the certification allows those 27 cops to carry anywhere in the country.
Where can I purchase LeRoy Butler's book, "From Wheelchair to the Lambeau Leap"?
Time to swap my jaded journalistic hat for my bright-orange Packers hat so I can gush about my favorite all-time football player. I've even seen him a few times around town, first speaking at Racine Lutheran High School and then just shopping at Walgreens.
The former Packers safety who started the Lambeau Leap tradition has actually written two books. Autographed copies of this one can be ordered from Kym Lindau, the former Packers safety's public relations agent. The books sell for $25, with the proceeds going to the LeRoy Butler Foundation, which helps breast cancer survivors pay bills.
Lindau, a breast cancer survivor herself, can be reached at (920) 296-9157. Depending on a buyer's location, she said the book can either be mailed for an extra $5 or home-delivered. It's unclear whether the delivery person leaps into your living room.
The book is also available on Amazon.com, minus the autograph.
Mike Moore compiles the Glad You Asked column, which seeks answers to questions of local interest. Want something answered? Call us at (262) 631-1758 or e-mail: