Comings and goings

Since "Tooth in Advertising" was posted, people see me at the market or restaurant and ask me how it's going -- has any money been raised to get it fixed? And what happened to the tooth in the first place? Long story short: broken crown (just like Jack).

Well, you may as well know this, too: my bicycle got stolen while I was at the art gallery on Sunday afternoon with the birthday boys, Victor and Dylan, working on the sand painting documentary. Long story short: running late; unlocking door; not locking bike. Gone.

Moving on. The birthday boys are 14 and 84 years old. The elder, Victor, lives in Cobden, where he practices the time honored art of sand painting; the younger, Dylan, is from Carbondale, a student at CCHS, and a very competent video editor. Coincidentally they have the same birthday in late June, so we hope to have a the premiere on that day at the Unitarian Fellowship.

What going on today?

At 11 a.m. the regional awards for the Innovate Illinois contest will be presented at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center. According to the press release, SIU President Glenn Poshard will speak at the event, which showcases innovations and novel products and processes and services by Illinois businesses. The statewide competition is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center and the SIU Edwardsville Entrepreneurship Center are partnering to offer $40,000 in prize money for this regional competition. First place winners in each of the five categories receive $5,000.

After that, a meeting with an outspoken, outgoing Open Sourcer to discuss the blogification of Carbondale; then meet the Iowans for lunch-- and give them an unofficial tour of the best of Carbondale -- especially the Public Library, which owns several copies of the couple's books. . . .

The Iowans will be here today and tomorrow -- with a lunch scheduled with SIU emeritus professor and baseball chronicler Richard "Pete" Peterson on Tuesday.

Maybe that's what I should do . . . instead of writing about Carbondale all the time . . . chronicle basketball -- like Pete does baseball (his new book about the St. Louis Cardinals will be available in October). I could begin right now by writing about the TWO Seventh and Deciding Game NBA semi-final contests on TV (TNT) tonight. Who will win? the old guard Suns and Spurs, or upstart Clippers and Mavericks? Expect great games. Gotta go with the home team.

Which brings me back to Carbondale. Luckily, Blue Star Lines needs a driver this afternoon, so my transportation problem is solved for today at least. . . . Plans to get a vehicle from ValuCar (next door to El Bajio) have crashed because it's out of business. Too bad. Monty Smith is one of the nicest, smartest guys I know, and ValuCar was (is) going to get a chapter in my blook. Thanks to him, the guitar wizardry of Zack Catlin can be heard on Volume 2 of Guitars Between the Rivers.

Speaking of guitar wizardry the crowd to hear Ivas John Band is growing every week at Key West in Carbondale. Last night he had a five piece group with piano and sax in addition to the stalwart bass and drums. There should be an American Idol category for cats like Ivas..... guys who write their own songs, play an instrument and sing soulfully.

And speaking of singing soulfully, I'm sorry I missed the benefit for Big Larry at Hangar 9 on Saturday night.... I heard it was fantastic..... Robbie Stokes, who organized the show, also recorded it, so maybe a CD will be available someday.

Gotta go, the Innovate Illinois press conference starts in 30 minutes.