I'm sure Tracy won't let them do that. From what I hear she runs a pretty tight ship.

BTW 50Cent Tony has now claimed a curb just south of Santa Fe's entrance. Probably figures I'm an easier target after a couple of margaritas.

The lady who takes over Einsteins was taking a sponge bath at the drinking fountain at Main and Crescent.

The Jesus guy was sitting in the bench watching her and the Big Fellow was across the street talking to someone I couldn't see.

All is well in the CBD!

Bells & Whistles is coming along with great intention and attention to details. Our coffee will be worth enjoying slowly, we have old fashioned, affordable ice cream and baked goods from Grandma's kitchen. There will be tables at the windows where all customers will be welcome to relax with their treat of choice to chat with friends or family or just watch the world go by. It'll all happen before the first flakes fly.

On a serious note, in 1982 I was homeless, living in my Chevette with my cat in the health club parking lot. An angel, Melody, gave me a place to sleep in a model apt and a weekend job to get back on my feet. I have never forgotten those times and know at any time I might be at the mercy of others again.

Consequently my outlook on PADS and those who take advantage of the services, have a place in my heart. I volunteer at the shelter, donate to a multitude of organizations who support the needs of the needy and will welcome all guests to Bells & Whistles with respect and gratitude. I feel tremendously blessed to live in beautiful Glen Ellyn, I subscribe to the belief "to those much is given, much is expected". I invite you all to stand with me and look into the eyes of those you pass on the streets and offer them a warm hello, ask if there is anything you might do to make their day easier and if you ever suspect someone you meet needs a warm meal or place to rest for a bit, send them to the Snackery. I assure you, our community is capable of coexisting safely with those less fortunate. It is a great way to teach our children to be concerned for others and mindful of their own choices. I am confident, comfortable, and capable of handling any problems which might arise with any visitors to the Snackery, young, old, rich or poor. I have incorporated aggressive, state of the art security measures, will thoroughly train team members and am pleased to see the Glen Ellyn police passing our corner regularly.

Thanks everyone for continuing to be interested in the progress of the Snackery. Running parallel to my work on the shop is my work on the DGEA (retail organization in GE). Our team creates/runs events to drive customers into the GE shops and restaurants. We want your business, ideas and input. Feel free to forward it my way. During the Festival of the Arts, we will have additional parking throughout town, a new event on South Main Street and a free Trolley between both venues. Artists and Volunteers are needed for the Madonnari on Main, forms are available at the library or shops in town. Look for a fun childrens menu insert at local restaurants with details. Thanks for participating in Finding the Flags, watch for details on the Halloween Walk and 2008 Holiday Season events.

While I appreciate all you've done and all you've been through, I would suggest you clarify your mission as it pertains to your guests, paying and non-paying. If you were just saying that you will not discriminate based upon one's living situtation, I can support that. However, if Bells and Whistles Snackery is going to become some type of homeless refugee camp, I cannot support that and I will unfortunately predict that you'll have some problems.

While most all in Glen Ellyn can sympathize with the struggles of others. And some, as you posted above, can even empathize, I don't think that many will be to keen on sending their kids into a store/shop filled with PADS guests....security cameras or not.

It may not be the vision of Glen Ellyn that you have or you want...and it may not be the vision of the World that you have or you want....but it is the reality. We live in a world of sickos - homeless or not - and I, and most other involved parents, will take all steps necessary to protect my kids by making selective decisions for them on appropriate locales to hang out based upon my own assessments of risk factors. If a certain place has a disproportionate amount of homeless, transients, etc.....they aren't going in there.....period. Just look at the public library...ask around, who is sending their kids in there alone? Not many given the conversations I've had. And who can blame them.

I hope Bells and Whistles Snackery is a huge success...further, I've seen all you've done in the Village in your short time and I'm impressed by it and inspired by it. However, if my interpretation of your post is accurate, you'll be disappointed and saddened with the response of the community to your venture and your open door policy, including my family.

Bell,

Not to pile on, but I'm with Fan on this one. I applaud how you turned you're life around and how you seem to want to "pay it forward". I want B&W to suceed because this town needs successfull businesses. However, my support is not unconditional-I don't frequent Einstein’s nearly as much as I used to, because of the propensity of the chronically homeless to just hang out there. I think a big part of what makes an eatery successful is the atmoshpere, if families have to worry about someone sitting there talking to themselves or drunk, they won't stop in.

I think if you want to compromise, then offer the homeless hand outs at specific times, but also be clear that peak hours for business need to have a certain decorum for you to be successful. I would say that 90% of PADS users are just folks down on their luck for the time being, people who the leave the facility and try to get their life back on track. Unfortunately, there seems to be a core group who embrace the lifestyle of hanging out.

Please remove all references to "homeless" in my above post and insert "vagrants".

Thank you.

I have always felt that those who are in business need to leave their beliefs at home. I believe that people want your services and products, not to know your politics and religious thoughts. I've discussed this with many people that I know who own small businesses because, for one reason or another, the subject has come up. They rarely disagree with this philosophy. More power to you if you think that is only so much malarky, but I think it is a good rule to follow.

90% Yoss...when did you cross over to the blue side?

I would have bet $10,000 that you were going to post that - well, because I've heard you say it to others. I think you are largely correct. And by largely...I mean fat.

The structure of your previous post...and the fact that you have once again called me fat...leads me to believe that you have been drinking......again.

I wish.....again.

I'm working.

Then you need an editor.

Thanks you in advance for finding one.

F^*ks you!

What a horrible man you've become. No wonder Crain's passed you up.

Bell, if my calculations are correct, that would put you at just out (or just about out of) high school.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
And by largely...I mean fat.

Fan, does this look like Clam on his computer?

Bell, I applaud the changes you have made in your life, however, I have been in Starbucks with my boys trying to enjoy a snack and unable to eat because of the smell -it is wonderful that you want to welcome everyone but bottom line is I do not feel like going somewhere to enjoy a food or beverage while filthy people are sitting next to me. I am sorry for sounding mean, but I guarantee anyone being honest would admit the same. Some of these people swear at the air, some smell foul, some ask for money and so on. True, we need to be kind and teach our children to be kind but my children see more homeless in this town than I have in my life (and I did not grow up in the best of areas)

I appreciate your thoughts and concerns. I will do everything I can to provide a safe, clean, non threatening, friendly environment for your family and mine.

The homeless situation seems to be a large sore point, I will speak directly to the Village and PADS personnel to see if there is a way to find a compromise.

Age calc's correct...

Commentary by your Administrator on the important distinctions between homelessness and vagrency is posted here, in the G.E. Safety thread.

Excellent commentary Ted. I believe you hit the nail on the head. Now we just have to come up with a word/phrase for the all to often post from Clam on expressing political, moral and any other opinions on a public (but privately owned) bb. I believe it would save on allot of redundant posting and save tons of bandwidth!

If you spelled "allot" properly it would save a key stroke worth of bandwidth. Although it would have been eaten up with the proper usage of the word "too." So...net gain....nothing.