For the Benefit of Ms. Kite

Tonight there were two more benefit events for worthy causes. At Chicago Underground a benefit for Maggie "Margaret" Flanagan, and later in the evening, at Hangar 9, a benefit for Makanda Fest. Music by The Dorians, St. Stephen's Blues and American Music.

After being benefited herself earlier in the evening, Maggie attended the Makanda Fest benefit at the Hangar (the best bar for hearing and dancing to bands in Carbondale). Maggie brought along Jennifer, the newest member of her team, a savvy veteran a recent congressional campaign and a hard-fought Homecoming Queen contest in college.

Sitting at the bar, as The Dorians set up, Maggie gave me an emory board and a ballpoint pen with her website address on the cylinder, which is difficult to read, because the pen is translucent and ink shaft obscures the small green lettering. The emory board works great, but during the band's break I went over to Maggie's table sat in the empty seat next to her and asked "Why emory boards? Are you targeting women voters?" The good-natured candidate laughed "No, my campaign is just keeping sharp."

She also said she turned down Brad Cole's request for 6 (!) debates in a letter she quoted to me from memory, but I won't try to, since I was on my second Bass Ale at the time. Maggie DID say she'd debate him in The League of Women Voters forum in March. Perhaps she or Brad will share their exchange in the pages of the Shawnee Network newsletter.

The Makanda Fest benefit really started to rock when St. Stephen's Blues took the stage. Robbie, Jimmy, Julie up front. The best rock and roll band in Carbondale didn't disappoint. Anita Hayden wasn't disappointed either. A few Makanda Fest tee-shirts and CDs got sold and enough money was raised to pay for flyers to promote the Festival.

In other news...