Printed FMarch 4 2010

A special week for basketball teams

March Madness is here and the Central Catholic High School Saints  have taken the spotlight. They have won the first girls state title for the Twin Cities with their victory over Quincy Notre Dame Saturday night at Redbird Arena. This has been a long time coming. This group of Central Catholic athletes have enjoyed a lot of success over the years, including a couple of state elementary school titles, but something always seemed to happen along the way to a high school state title.

Last year for example they were undefeated going into the Supersectional but the flu bug hit the team and weakened three starters and they were upset. Everyone crossed their fingers and they came through unscathed this year.

Boxer Muhammed Ali had a saying that fits this group--”Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” If you watch them play they seem to float around the court firing passes to one another as if they know where they are going to be. The last pass usually ends up underneath the basket for a layup.

Lady Redbirds roll on

With a thrilling 69-66 victory over Northern Iowa on Senior Night the ISU Lady Redbirds won their 14th straight game. Early in the season they lost by about 25 points to Creighton at Redbird Arena. Some fans and yours truly had some doubts if the team could recover. Coach Robin Pingeton did not lose faith. She said she knew how hard the team had worked over the summer and was confident they could come back. They have and this week they will travel to Creighton for a rematch.

ISU Men play Friday night

Catch the ISU Mens Basketball Team when they play at 8:30 p.m.  Friday night in St. Louis in the State Farm MVC Tournament at the Scottrade Center. They will meet Indiana State so I’ll bet you ISU wins!

Wesleyan Ladies No. 1

Another team in town that is having another great year is the Illinois Wesleyan Lady Titans. They are 26-1 and will host the NCAA Division III tournament this weekend.

They play Friday, March 5 against Franklin, 21-6, at 8 p.m. at the Shirk Center. Thisfourth straight NCAA Div. III appearance for IWU.

The Wesleyan men will be playing in St. Louis on Friday night prior to ISU game. You could catch both games if you are a true basketball fan.

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 Printed February 18 2010

Amazing is one way to describe multi-modal center project

Uptown Normal received a giant boost with the news the federal government will give $22 million dollars of the stimulus money towards the Multimodal Transportation Center.  Mayor Chris Koos, Illinois Representatives Debbie Halvorson and Tim Johnson, and State Rep. Dan Brady were among speakers who announced the project that will feature a four-story building between the Children’s Museum and the new Marriott Hotel.

The total cost is a whopping $49.1 million dollars. It will create 300 design and construction jobs and the building will be a LEED certified building at the Silver level.

Construction bids are ready to be advertised and construction is anticipated to begin in June 2010. Project timeline anticipates completion in 18-22 months.

The center will house the passenger rail service via Amtrak, interstate  bus service, regional shuttle buses, airport shuttle services and tax and limousine services.

Town offices will occupy floors two and three and the fourth floor will serve as the Council Chambers and multi-purpose meeting rooms for the public.

It is an amazing project.

From the ChimpersCage
by Web Editor, Alan Look

Landscapes and Places - Images by Alan Look