A zoning permit for a 400,00-square-foot outlet mall on the city's northeast side is on its way to the City Council for approval. The Code and Regulation Committee unanimously endorsed Monday the special-use permit for The Preferred Outlets of Rockford, to be located at East Riverside Boulevard and Interstate 90. City planner Todd Cagnoni said many concepts of the new zoning and ordinances are being incorporated into the plan, including bicycle racks and lower signs along Bell School Road. The committee added a condition in the plan that a connection to Springwheat Street be one-way so traffic can't leave the mall and into residential streets. Palm tree debate Ald. Frank Beach, R-10, is trying to find a compromise on a request for lighted palm trees in the parking lot at San Jose Taqueria, 3725 E.

Man cycles backwards for HIV awareness

Curan Wright, 36, said his voyage, which began in California, is aimed at raising awareness for homelessness, HIV/AIDS and what he described as the need for a federal medical marijuana law, The Miami Herald reported Monday.

Wright, who has ridden bicycles backwards since he was a teenager, uses his peripheral vision and experience to navigate his modified single-gear Redline bicycle without the use of mirrors.

Wright said during a recent stop in Key West, Fla., that he was disappointed when he passed through Washington and could not get an audience with Capitol Hill lawmakers.

"They act like they don't have to hear me," he said. "I don't have money. I'm a nobody to them. I'm just a homeless man with HIV, who got it on my own because I didn't practice safe sex and used needles."

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Antlers away

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People on the Move

Kevin Donohue of Ellicott City , president of KFD Media, has been re-elected to another term with the Public Radio Association of Development Officers. PRADO is a membership organization providing a supportive environment for public radio development professionals.

The driver’s ed everybody needs

Why am I doing this? Two reasons, actually.

Reason No. 1 A public relations flak e-mailed me out of the blue and asked if I would like to come be a guinea pig at the Aspen Motorsports Parks new winter driving school before it opened to the public. Full disclosure: She promised free breakfast and lunch.

Reason No. 2 The e-mail made it sound as if there might be a chance to do doughnuts on a huge patch of ice in a front-wheel-drive Ford Escort going about 40 miles an hour. The idea of this alone was enough to make me skip a morning of powder turns. While driving around the new winter track set up at the privately-owned Woody Creek club, however, it becomes readily apparent to me that theres another reason Im here.

Reason No. 3 I need this course like Britney needs round-the-clock counseling.

Cyclo-cross news & racing roundup for November 8

After Paolo Guerciotti announced that he does not have the necessary budget for the world cup round in Milan that was scheduled to be held on December 8, the event has been cancelled, but only for the elite men.

Vandenbroucke did show up to the Koppenbergcross but at the last minute decided that the race was too dangerous and therefore didn't start, while in Hamme-Zogge he simply didn't show up.

Jupiter Island 'reviewing its options' to regulate the number of ...

State Road 707 winding north and south through the lush Town of Jupiter Island has long been a paradise for residents and area bicyclists, but that popularity is now causing concern for both.