Union Members Picket Siena Center Construction Project

While the first phase of a senior living center complex has kicked off, several members of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters union are taking issue with one of the builders working on the project.

The first phase of a senior living center complex has begun at the Siena Center located at 5635 Erie Street, but not without controversy as union picketers are taking issue with Bob Anderson Builders, a contractor on the site. A handful of picketers representing the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Local 161 have been picketing in front of the entrance at least since Friday, but it is not clear what specific things have the union upset. The union represents 47,000 people in the construction and maintenance industry from northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and parts of Iowa. The project is a joint venture between the Racine Dominican Sisters and Lincoln Lutheran of Racine. Daniel Risch, CEO of Lincoln Lutheran of Racine, said he met…

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Ed Willing

10:31 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I did ask two nuns and they wouldn't speak about it. Now you're just making stuff up. ;)   more ›

At A Global Crossroads: Turn Against War A 200 Mile March

At A Global Crossroads: Turn Against War, a 200 mile walk to educate the public on the need to demand a peace agenda for the NATO summit--- to end drone strikes and remove occupying troops from Afghanistan--- will be in Racine on May 11-12.

Village Board OKs Siena Center Demo, But Key Approvals Still Needed

Siena Partners, a partnership between the Racine Dominicans and Lincoln Lutheran, presented three building phases with a total construction cost of $35 million, but none of them got approved last night by the Village Board.

The Village Board approved the demolition of six buildings connected to the current Siena Center at their meeting last night. Officials with Siena Partners, a partnership between the Racine Dominicans and Lincoln Lutheran, presented three phases to the Plan Commission meeting Wednesday, but only the first phase was approved for recommendation. But Board members said they didn’t feel comfortable with moving forward with the project until they got the reports. During the meeting, Elaine Ekes, the village attorney, said she had a memorandum of understanding between Siena Partners and the Village, which requested an early start so that they can begin demolishing several wings of the main building. The agreement says Siena would pay to extend 4…

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Letters to the editor

Racine Domincan Sisters Recognized For Role In Community Improvement

These women take the "betterment of life in Racine County" to heart and Racine County is honoring them for Women's History Month.

Once again Racine County has formally supported Women’s’ History Month with a proclamation calling March Women’s’ History Month in Racine County. The proclamation this year recognized the Racine Dominican Sisters for their 150 years of dedicated work to improve our community through their ongoing commitment and contributions to the “betterment of life in Racine County.” Congratulations to the Dominican Sisters for what they have accomplished leading to their Sesquicentennial. They truly have been “central to our spiritual, cultural, and social life,” as the proclamation points out. They have” founded and nurtured numerous educational, charitable and philanthropic organizations; and have been at the forefront of movements for peace and …

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Journalist, John Nichols, Tells How Egypt Fueled Labor Movement Here

One year ago today, Hosni Mubarak, the president of Egypt, stepped down after massive crowds protested his policies. Seeing this unfold for 18 days, many Wisconsinites followed their lead as they began protesting Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill.

Presenting to a room full of Racine Dominican nuns and Democrats, John Nichols explained how he believes the political protests in Egypt influenced Wisconsin's labor struggle and how the state got its political "coolness" back. A nationally known political journalist, Nichols made the presentation during the "Situation of Substance" series held on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 at the Siena Center. Nichols explained how people in Wisconsin—at least those who believed collective bargaining should remain in the state—drew their political voice directly from the protests in Egypt, and how an inaccurate New York Times article served as kindling to what Nichols calls the "labor struggle" and the current recall movement.

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WEEK IN REVIEW: Our Top Five Stories This Week In Caledonia

You were busy this week, but here's what you missed on Caledonia Patch.

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Eco Justice Center offers inexpensive new getaway

Relax in nature for $30/night

Put down your cell phone, turn off your laptop, and escape the busyness of modern life with a night, several days or longer at an inexpensive new getaway right in Racine County. The Dominican Sisters at the Eco-Justice Center have built a new “hermitage” -- a cabin where you can sit and sleep quietly in the woods, for just $30 a night. “Our dream is to be a place where the Racine community can gather and care for the Earth,” said Sister Janet on a warm fall day, as sunlight filtered by the trees shone brightly on the one-room cabin. The cabin is on the sisters’ 15-acre property, just a short walk down a path from the main house and education center. Volunteers and contractors, using mostly recycled materials, built it. The Eco-Justice …

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