During the holiday season, I, as well as many others, think of what I am grateful for in life. And this year is no exception; yet, my thoughts have recently turned to more basic necessities in light of the recent international and local storms.
Devastation does not have a real solution. We do what we can to be as prepared as we can, but when Mother Nature wants our attention, it is all hers.
I was reflecting on what we can do, and what property developers and owners can do to make our environment as safe as it can be the other night while out for dinner at The Wise Boxer Pour House, 16 W. Jefferson Avenue.
I could not help but notice some of the safety features at this building which was renovated in 2006—one elevator, two stair cases (front and back), and a wet fire suppression system, commonly called “fire sprinklers.”
When I spoke to the owner, Jim Bergeron, he noted that when the building was renovated, it was brought up to hurricane wind standards with steel cross beams running across each floor, including 3-inch “L” brackets tying the floors to the walls together, and with concrete precast floors and walls.
“It is nice to be able to provide a safe and beautiful dining and entertainment experience, but if you cannot give back you have not made the experience complete,” Jim said.
That is why The Wise Boxer now is collecting donations for those effected recently by the Illinois storms. The collection will continue through the end of the year.
