Last Picture Show?

I stopped by Mayor Cole's office again today on my rounds about town. He had just spoken on the phone to the President of Kerasotes Theaters in Springfield, IL, letting the theater chain know that the City of Carbondale will do whatever it can to maintain the theater as a viable entity on Illinois Ave. At this point is uncertain if Kerasotes will put the building up for sale or lease. The idea for a "dollar theater" or "art film house" has been suggested, but the Springfield giant isn't likely to permit competition with it's new 8-plex in the Mall. Time will tell. According to an article in today's Southern Illinoisan, the "company [won't] decide what's going to happen to the theater after it closes. Company managers meet once a month, and no decision is likely to come before the June meeting."

No matter what the long-term future brings, the last movie to screen at the Varsity Theater for awhile will be Bend it Like Beckham" which starts at 9:30 and ends at 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13. It's a funny, heartwarming film about a young woman soccer player and the difficulties she has with her family.

Open door policy

I decided to test candidate Brad Cole's promise that after he was elected Mayor, his office door would always be open. So far, on two surprise visits, it was. I'll check with the clean up crew to see if it is left open over night as well.