Goose Island brewery announced its acquisition by Anheuser-Busch this week.

A stalwart sponsor of local sailing regattas, and the favored choice of local beer drinking afficionados, Goose island was once a proud symbol of business success and skillful brew mastery, throughout the “Windy City” and the entire region.

The news was heralded by the company as a necessary step toward expanding production capacity to meet the ever-growing demand, which surpassed the output of the local brewery facilities.

In answer to beer enthusiasts’ concerns about quality, a spokesperson explained, “a highly scientific analysis of the local beer will allow Anheuser-Busch to manufacture mass quantities of Goose Island beer, much like it currently produces Budweiser today. By carefully studying the flavors of local Goose Island beer, and learning how to duplicate it exactly in large-scale factory production facilities, Goose Island beer made by Anheuser-Busch will actually taste more identical and authentic than beer made by Goose Island ourselves!”

Other concerns, however, were left unanswered. Why couldn’t Goose Island expand its business and its facilities locally? The loss of another successful business in Illinois to acquisition by an offshore foreign interest reflects the unintended consequences of government which over-taxes, over-spends, over-regulates, and over-burdens individuals and businesses of all sizes.

The problem at the national level is demonstrated by the previous loss of Budweiser to an overseas company.

Similarly, the local obstacles to Goose Island’s accelerated growth are largely due to a system of corrupt government and its intrusion into private business enterprise in Chicago, Cook and Illinois over the last 80 years or more.

However, on an upbeat note, Goose Island announced that it will respond to the business changes with a new direction in marketing.

The 312 beer, named after the Chicago telephone area code, was created to identify Goose Island as a Chicago landmark, and differentiated itself by appealing to an initial audience of trendy city dwellers, who were early to discover and enjoy Goose Island beer, even if only by chance, being more conveniently available in the local environs of the city.

“Goose Island beer is no longer a Chicago beer,” remarked the spokesperson. “In fact, we are no longer an American beer. So it no longer makes sense to name our product based on silly rivalries between faux urban hipsters and suburban poser wannabe’s.”

“Chicago itself is a provincial backwater of political crime and corruption, which we no longer can afford to be closely associated with. Look at Illinois- it’s considered a joke by the rest of our own country. Clearly, that is not in our best interest to promote.”

“We must disavow our past local connections. We are now part of the global economy, forced out of both our hometown and our home country by bad policies which thwart true business growth and economic freedom.”

“We have chosen a new product identity, which preserves the original concept. Our new product identity also strengthens and acknowledges our ownership by an offshore foreign company.”

“Today we can announce that 312 Beer will be renamed after the international telephone dialing prefix, and be known as ‘011′.”

When asked if Goose Island had plans to craft a special forty ounce malt to be distributed by the Jesse Jackson family relatives’ Budweiser distributorship in Chicago, the spokesperson said, “no comment.”

Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation invites you to two seminars this Saturday March 21, 2009 at Crowley’s Yachtapalooza – Free! Forward this announcement around to your friends.

New Racers and What Crews Should Know 9:00-10:00AM
Learn how to get involved with sailboat racing and what it really takes to get a boat to the starting line.
by Glenn McCarthy

2009-2013 Racing Rule Changes 12:00-2:00PM
Learn about changes to the racing rules for 2009-2012.
by Dr. Warwick Coppleson & Glenn McCarthy

For directions and other seminars go to http://www.crowleys.com

TMZ reports on lavish parties, gifts and entertainment by Northern Trust, after receiving $1.6 billion US government bailout funds and laying off 450 employees.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/24/northern-trust-bank-bailout/

Sounds like an ideal sponsor!

In all seriousness, we disagree with the tone of the TMZ article.

Note that in a capitalist society with economic freedom, private enterprise shall be rewarded for its success. Rather than condemn Northern Trust for its business decisions, responsible news media should be well-advised to identify Northern Trust as a leader in its industry, avoiding the many banking pitfalls that beleaguer our economy today.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090222/bs_nm/us_northerntrust_1

It is a failure of the government to disburse $1.6 billion in US taxpayer funds to a banking institution which does not require it.

We support all efforts by individuals and private enterprise to generate their own financial success and wealth, and remain highly skeptical of government interference with market economics.

Kudos to TMZ for questioning the role of Congress and our federal government in failing their responsibilities to taxpayers.

Update- some additional thoughts:

1. Sailboat racing requires a certain level of economic prosperity. Thus, it benefits racing to support policies which promote prosperity, rather than denigrate capitalism and successful private enterprise.

2. Interestingly, the Northern Trust statement responding to the TMZ article highlights the charitable contributions made to the community.

Apart from exercising social responsibility, it brings to mind the notion that event promotion supporting charitable efforts often yields greater rewards, both tangible and intangible, than sponsorship based on purely commercial interests.

Locally in Chicago, it would serve well to find an affluent sponsor to promote sailing to replace the loss of ABN AMRO’s highly visible participation in major local events.

The growing continued success of Windy City Match Race and the Leukemia Cup regatta demonstrate the value of charitable efforts combined with sailboat racing events.

Race To Mackinac Committee announces:

And, on the evening of the 31st, Chicago Yacht Club will host the annual Pink Pony Party at its Belmont Station. The party will begin at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome.

The Club will serve a casual dinner (entrees range from $12 to $15, inclusive of tax and gratuity), and will offer a live band and numerous giveaways. The Pink Pony itself reportedly will be making the trip down from Mackinac Island to join the fun. Please contact the Front Desk at the Monroe Station (312-861-7777) to make your dinner reservations.

This weekend marks another tradition as the Chicago sailing season approaches. Crowley’s Yacht-A-Palooza arrives this Saturday, March 29, 2008.

“This year we have decided to Lu’au for Yacht-a-palooza. The event, as usual, will feature big discounts on selected store items, the Nautical Donations Flea Market tent, guest speakers, workshops, featured vendors, food, a pig roast, entertainment and prizes…and admission is FREE!”

Here’s more information provided by Crowley’s:

Saturday, March 29, 2008
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Come join the crew of Crowley’s Yacht Yard for our annual event -
Yacht-a-palooza. This year we are having a lu’au – pig roast and all -
in addition to our usual schedule of seminars, vendors and sale in the
Ship’s Store.

This year’s seminars will focus on money-saving do-it-yourself
workshops, racing and cruising sail trim, boating safety, important
information for evey sailor to have and Lake Michigan stories.

Vendors include North, UK and Quantum Sails, ACR, Mustang Survival,
Ocean Kayaks, Columbia Yacht Club Sailing School and, of course, Lake
Michigan Sail Racing Federation.

Admission is free so grab your grass skirt and coconut bra and come
spend the day with us. We’re starting summer now!

links:

Yacht-a-palooza Seminar Schedule

Yacht-a-palooza Vendors List

2008 Yachta-a-palooza Brochure (PDF)

Crowley’s Yacht Yard

Just a few years ago, the Big Kahuna party was a fun event marking the middle of September, to be followed with a few more weeks of racing, including Area III followed by two weekends of MORF Open. A good number of boats would stay in the water until October or November, soaking up what was left of the full season before cold weather.

These days, Area III racing ends quickly- Saturday is the last Area III race- and MORF Open has been reduced to only one-and-a-half race days. The weather has been milder and warmer, but boats seem more eager to get put away before crew assistance vanishes.

Crowley’s move to the south makes the end-of-the-season boat delivery more exposed to the weather, and less interesting than the former traditional river trip to the old location.

Oh well, boats still have the option to stay in until October or later, the MORF Open is still a great way to extend your racing season, and the Big Kahuna is still a fun way to celebrate and socialize after the final Area III race this season!

News has reached us that the long-running and highly-popular Dead of Summer party will not be held by Columbia Yacht Club this year.

What are they thinking?

Did anyone really think that “Rock the Dock” in June was rocking?

I think not…

Bring back the tie-dye!

Raven suffered a tiller failure on Mackinac return delivery, which was fixed. The boat was in Chicago to race Sunday.

Jahazi was seen in Muskegon at Torreson’s last weekend, appearing to have keel damage which was repaired.

Karma ran aground during Chicago Mackinac race and withdrew.

Regardless is rumored to have run aground.

Barracuda and her keel were recovered and transported to Manistee, where her fate remains to be decided. Hopefully she will be repaired and racing again soon.

The Island House awards party for Chicago Mackinac race may be dead, also. By all accounts, the Grand Hotel party was superior in all respects.

“12345″ posts on Sailing Anarchy:

On a lighter note…

For those who may have been curious what happened to Jimmy the Columbia Bar Tender the wife and I ran into him on Sunday getting some sweets at Letizia’s Bakery on Division. He is next door at the Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar Enoteca Roma. He said to let people know, funny guy actually misses the sailors, most flee the likes of us… Consider the word spread!

www.enotecaroma.com

Jimmy was always a huge favorite among everyone at Columbia Yacht Club, and is the best bartender ever.