Today I covered the mock Presidential Election at East Alton-Wood River High School. It was good to see so many students doing their civic duty.

What I am most impressed with is the Madison County Clerk’s office and how they have really got out there not only to make sure young people registered, but are getting them involved in the process early enough by training them as election judges. You know that when you go to the polls the majority of judges are elderly, not that there is anything wrong with it, but it’s nice to see more young people get involved.

It doesn’t matter what election is going on, today’s youth need to know the importance of casting their vote. In some households there may never be a discussion about politics and learning how to vote is an important part in life. Everyone who is a citizen and 18 years old should be registered.

It bothers me when I meet people who are my age and are not registered to vote. I learned at a young age that if you are not registered and do not vote then you have no right to complain about the democratic process. There will always be people in politics you don’t like — that’s life, but your vote counts. Yes, I could go on about the electoral college, but I won’t.

It’s your voice and if you don’t use it well then you need to shut up. No one wants to listen to someone who doesn’t care enough about what so many fought for the right to do. Does the women’s suffrage and the civil rights matter at all? If they do then you know how important it is to go to the polls.

How important is a single vote? To make the math easy, let’s talk about 100 people being eligible to decide an issue.

1. 100 people are eligible to vote. If all register and vote, then 51 votes decide the election.

2. If only 60 people register to vote (even though 100 people are eligible to register) and all 60 vote, 31 votes win the election.

3. If 60 people register to vote, but only 30 of them (50%) vote then it takes only 16 votes to win the election

As you’ve already guessed, scenario number three is what happens in this country every year – only 16 people out of a possible 100 decide the winner of our elections.

The deadline to register and vote in the General Election is Oct. 7. Visit the Madison County Clerk’s Office to find out more about registering to vote, changing your address, absentee ballot and more.

So did everyone have a nice weekend? I did. The weather was wonderful and it was the perfect day to spend outdoors.

It was another band competition closer to the finish of marching band season. The Marching 100 placed third in their class and walked away with best percussion at the Contest of Champions at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo. on Saturday. There is also only one more competition before the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival on Oct. 25 at the Edward Jones Dome. There will be 48 bands competing in four classes.

This weekend I also went to Alton’s downtown Block Party. I had a lot of fun. Jill and I shot another episode of Fab Femmes, which will air this week. Look for “Miss Party Pants” starting sometime Tuesday.

I shopped at the new Kohls store Sunday and although I didn’t get anything for myself I did buy my son a new shirt to wear to the homecoming dance this Saturday, which also happens to be his 15th birthday. (I guess I will not be taking him out to dinner that night.)

Today is turning out to be a great day. Not only is it birthday, but I got to interview someone that I’ve been a fan of for 27 years. Wow, does that date me?

In my family birthdays are special. It’s always been a day all about us and spending time with one another. Since I can remember my parents have made sure that we had dinner together as a family to celebrate the occasion. Tonight will be no different. My parents, my son and I are going out.

The best part so far of the day was my interview with Rick Springfield. If you don’t know who he is then either you’re too young or not into music. At 59-years-old, the man still has it going on and his new album “Venus in Overdrive” is rockin’.

Both photos are courtesy of Rick’s Web site.

I’m excited because I’m going to see the show Oct. 3 and will get to go back stage for a “meet and greet.” I plan on bringing a 45 rpm I’ve had since I was a teen and get him to autograph it. I also plan on taking the biggest fan I know – Amy Wells – to meet him too.

I’ve known Amy for a few years and since the beginning I’ve known she was a fan. She’s seen him in concert numerous times and even has a scrapbook from her youth, but has never met him.

Although I believe it would have been a nice birthday anyway, Rick Springfield definitely rocked it.

I want to say congratulations to Alton Marching 100 for winning second place in the 4A class at Edwardsville High School’s inaugural band competition on Saturday. However, I really want to give a big kudos to the drill team for taking first in the overall competition. Yeah. I know what it takes to do what you do, because I was in drill team when I was in school. ( I still have my uniform too.)

All the students put a lot of work into their performance and it paid off. I know the kids were elated, but as a parent it feels great to see your child do well and then be rewarded.

Here is a creative photo I took of the band’s “Deja Vu” routine.

Floating flag

I’ve read the comments on Otto Rice this morning and you can tell he was a man who was loved. Whenever a loved one dies it’s hard, but when the person is taken from us unexpectedly we are left with questions?

I said before I am honored to have known Otto, but to his family and friends I know there is a whole in your heart right now and a feeling of disbelief that you will never be seeing him again. I plan to pay my respect this week to Otto’s family. I hope that many of you will share your stories of Otto with me so that others can read.

I’ve been working on a special tab about Wood River’s 100 anniversary and reading so many things about the city’s history. Otto is now a part of that history and one day his memories will be looked back on. I think it would be nice if people would send me stories about Otto, or write about him in The Telegraph’s forum. I don’t think there will ever be enough words to describe who this man was and what he meant to people.

It’s not often that I’m at a loss for words, but when I received the call this morning about the death of Wood River’s Parks and Recreation superintendent ,Otto Rice, I didn’t know what to say.

Otto was a great man. I’ve known him for the past seven years (since I started working at The Telegraph) and always found him to be a remarkable person. I normally do not work on Friday, but I wanted to be the one who wrote Otto’s life story. I liked him. If you knew him then you know Otto was a kind, devoted and sincere person.

I know the community is feeling a loss right now. He touched the lives of so many during his life. He lived and breathed parks and recreation. His gift to the city and its residents was his upbeat personality and how he worked hard in everything he did and never complained.

I last saw Otto on Monday night at the City Council meeting. He arrived a few minutes late, but he made sure to say “hi” to me like he always does.
He’s been busy putting together the finishing touches on the Wood River’s Centennial celebration on Saturday at Belk Park. Otto was the person in charge of the details.

Although the event will go on the city needs to find someone to run the Wii games event. This summer, with the help of local sponsors, the city purchased a gaming system and televisions so it could provide youth with an activity other than outdoor sports. The city had planned on hosting Wii tournaments for its youth and Otto and I had discussed doing a story once the program got up and running. Otto put a lot of hard work into making the celebration fun for families, and since kids are into gaming these days, especially Wii, it would be a shame not to have someone run it.

I cannot say enough about Otto. Everyone I’ve spoken to about him is saddened by his death. I know his family and friends are missing him right now and they are in shock. I am too. I offer my condolences to the Rice family and I want you to know that your son, brother, uncle and cousin was a wonderful man. As a reporter we get to meet so many wonderful people and I feel lucky to have known Otto and I will miss him.

Are you a fan of Project Runway? Well I am and let me tell you this season I have so many favorites, however I can already see at least three of the women making it to Bryant Park. They already know their voice and whether or not they win they will likely be designers that go far in the fashion world.

Last night I was a little disappointed with a comment I heard from one of them though. A group of older women walked onto the runway and she said she hoped it wasn’t them she had to create a look for, because she didn’t know if she could design an outfit for an old person. Then there daughters walked out. The challenge — head to toe makeover for the recent college graduate entering the workforce.

OK, I don’t know who some of contestants think they are, but the real world is all about being able to sell your product and let’s see us “old women” (I don’t think 45 is old, but hey I what do I know because to her I might be considered old too) who are the buying power. It takes a lot to get to Hollywood and for A-listers to buy your clothes, but the real marketing power is selling to people all across the United States, I mean look at Vera Wang, she’s now got a line in Kohls and Dana Buchman will have one in the spring.

Those two women are high end designers, but they know how to sustain business in this market and nowadays to do that you need to reach the masses. Neither of these women design dumpy clothes for the old, but tasteful outfits that can be worn by all. Vera’s look is more youthful, while Dana’s look is more sophisticated.

Most women want to be able to say they own something by at least one high-end designer and to them it doesn’t matter where it comes from as long as it looks and feels good when they wear it. Both Kohls and Target offer designer labels and quality clothing and since I don’t live in New York or the West coast I’m happy with where I can get it — clothes anyway.

Today Jill Moon and I went to the For Women By Women event hosted by the Riverbend Growth Association and SCORE. We were there to shoot the next episode of Fab Femmes and we came across this great little product (well several actually) that will be in our newest episode next week. I don’t want to spoil what it was, but most of the women who saw it liked it. It was one of those products that makes you say “Why didn’t I think of that?”

OK, I will give a hint. Most all women carry one and the thing we hate most is changing out stuff from one into another. Check out the Miche, but make sure to come back to The Telegraph next week and watch Fab Femmes.

There are so many products out there for women, but finding the right one, marketing it and actually selling it is something all together.

Here are a few newer one created by women for women, Laren Handel created these cool shoes that transform from day to night. Visit CAMiLEON Heels and check them out.

Elaine Cato created something for women who want to wear something low cut or backless, but need the support in front. The Maidenform backless bra is sure to please women who want a convertible look.

Women ahve created so many wonderful products. I think it’s because we really know what will enhance our look or simply make life easier.

Here are a few women and the products they created:
Helen Blanchard — the zig zag sewing machine
Marion Donavon — the disposable diaper
Mary Phelps Jacobs — brassiere
Stephanie Kwolek — synthetic material that lead to Kevlar, the stuff worn in bullet proof vests and military personnel

Where do you think breasts, fashion designers, busy moms and public safety would be without the creativity of these women? I know that all four inventions have enhanced my life, because I couldn’t go without a bra even if I wanted to, I love fashion, need I say more about being a mom and using disposable and of course I was a soldier?

So tell me what invention’s by women do you like best?

I want to say how proud I am of the Alton Marching 100 for all their hard work on Saturday. The band and color guard performed in two competitions — Belleville and O’Fallon — which made for an extremely long day.

It was the first competition’s of the season and let’s say there are some good high school marching bands out there. Although Alton didn’t place the kids still did a great job and they shouldn’t be discouraged.

Marching is tough work. It’s not easy getting out there on a field, remembering a routine and playing at the same time. Not everyone is that coordinated.

One of the best parts is seeing how many parents and grandparents turn out for the event. Alton showed its spirit too, so much so that we even got in trouble in O’Fallon for holding a banner up and shouting before the band took to the field. It probably was because we we sitting right in front of the judges booth.

This Saturday the students will perform in Edwardsville High School ‘s first marching band competition. I look forward to spending another day with a group of proud parents who are in tune with supporting their children’s activities. I also look forward to watching the Marching 100 perform again as well as the other bands out there too.

Tonight I watched my son and his friend play Rock Band. The only time I’ve ever seen it played was on Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which I think is a cool show because Nick Simmons reminds me of Cole (tall and long curly hair) and Gene wasn’t so good at it.

Anyway it was fun watching the boys play. It’s amazing what video games do now compared to when I was a kid. My brother and I had an Atari. My favorite games were Ms. Pac Man, Frogger and Pitfall. Occasionally I get out Cole’s Nintendo DS and play Mario — I don’t know which one — as a way to relieve stress. I could never play the video games like many of these kids do today.

Tonight was the first time I’ve seen Cole play a video game in a long time too. Ever since he started playing guitar he stopped playing video games. So it would figure the one he starts to play has to do with music. It was fun watching them play, because they were having a good time.

I think the game is a good tool to test karaoke skills. I think it would be a great way for adults to practice before they go out. They don’t have to use “liquid courage” because no one will see them and there will be no embarrassing moment when someone yells “You suck!” across the room.