Nature Almanac

Jim Jung's Waterman and Hill-travelers Companion has a new look and home on the web of life. Jim's essays are going to be published later this year by the Shawnee Network Press.

The Cherry Zone

It's a question of rezoning. The city wants more families living on this street. The landlords want to rent to students. You can read more about this issue on the Shawnee Network website in January, when the students get back.

Due to circumstances within my control, no Dispatch dispatches will be few and far between until the students return to SIU.

Then we'll bring you up to date on the faculty negotiations, the upcoming City Council elections, the POOL petitition, the WDBX radio talk show, the Southern Angels Business Plan and other ongoing stories. See you next year, god willing and the geeks don't rise.

A Christmas Greeting from Enemen

The world's oldest white rapper says:
Comfort and Joy, God send us here,
And a happy, blessed new year.
Yo, people fighting everywhere,
In countries, towns and hemispheres
Today's a time for Christmas cheer,
Kick back with friends, give gifts, be near:
No need to fear, hear old Shakespeare.

Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.

Flakey Post

Did you see the snow flakes last night?
You've heard of acid rain? Of hail the size of golf balls?


At 5 p.m. last night snowflakes like communion wafers, pancakes, melty manna (choose one) fell from the sky in front of Booby's and all over Carbondale. I never saw flakes that size before. It might be case for Art Bell. Anyone for White Christmas?

'Twas the day before the day before Christmas

Yo, people bound today for friends
or stores for gifts to send,
To a small king. No smoking
guns were found in news. So now Iraq
Invites the CIA to join the pack
To search for weapons of mass attack
Which once deployed cannot be taken back
Like gifts, to customer service.
Rumors of war are making people nervous.

The shoe must go on

Meanwhile in downtown Carbondale the scene
Is brightened by an enterprise that fits right in
Next door to old Rosetta News
A Gallery, where you can choose
From many kinds of women's shoes.



The clerk resembles Santa Claus's daughter.
Store owner, Jeff Young taught her
How to operate the register for cash 'n'
checks to pay for new foot fashions.

Red Carpet Rap (More of a throw rug really)

Courtesy of Southern Sisters,
Keeping it fresh since late September,
Enemen, the world's oldest white rapper
Really hates to see "The Strip" go down the crapper,
So cool to see "Red Carpet" Furniture move in.

But then there's this news item just in:

Closing the Varsity?

Dispatchin' it, Dave has it on good authority that when the Mall theater complex opens, another of Carbondale's landmark buildings falls into disuse. Here's a suggestion: Lease the theater to local indie film people, knock out the extra screen, put shops back where there used to be. There's parking across the street at the Amtrak station. This sounds like job for Carbondale Main Street, if someone is listening from the right committee. Where are those Urban Development Action Grants when you need one?

Carbondale Downtowners Unite! You have nothing to lose but your parking meters.

Carbondale-on-the-air

It's all coming together: Egyptian Key Radio on Carbondale Community Radio Station WDBX, 91.1.


Ben Gelman and Tom Egert (see below) together at last for the first time in this photo. Ben's article in the Southern Illinoisan (see below) suggested the name EKR for a local radio talk show.

What day? What time? What host(s)? Your bumble narrator would be willing to co-host, with a few others...(Egert and Mark Robinson, former Bike Surgeon, current Busdog? hmmm)...what guests? who would be on first? The Chancellor or President of SIUC? A union representative? A local holy man? The first show will set the tone. The concept could work. Two of the funniest guys in town, and a man who hasn't laughed since 1989.

Two other comedians come to mind...Officer Brunner, are you listening? The other person doesn't go online much, so she won't see this, but if you see the Sufi lady known as "Knower," you could mention it to her. Hugh Muldoon or Will Major of the Interfaith Center would probably co-host once in a while. Sam Goldman of Temple Beth Jacob might be good as guest host now and then. How about you? If you're interested in this concept, write to Tom Egert and we'll make it happen, insh'allah, god-willing, and the geeks don't rise.

Bikes for tots

Not actually tots, the recipients range in age up to 14 years old, and they lack training wheels, but this Saturday, the Carbondale Police Department will give away several bicycles to kids at the Eurma Hayes center, courtesy of the new improved Bike Surgeon (Bill "Bwilly" Watts...Will he? What?), who generously donated his time and talent to fix the bikes and pose for this picture.



Two members of Carbondale's finest load up the last of six bicycles repaired by Watts, who may have injured his thumb while doing so.

If you think that all there is to this photo...

Look Again

That's PK's at left, and a City Parking Lot, where there used to be businesses before the City acquired the property to build a "Convention Center" which turned out to be a new City Hall. The fire hydrant you see was just repainted by the Carbondale Lions, and on the right is Animal Crackers, the new dog-training center--in the old Merlin''s building--which sat vacant for years. From Blight Spot to Bright Spot, which reminds me, it's about time for a Blight Spot update.

Key to the Kingdom

The Kingdom is Southern Illinois, and The Key Ben Gelman writes about in yesterday's Southern Illinoisan newspaper, is a reliquary magazine that flourished in Carbondale and vicinity in the 1940's.

Gelman, who is himself something of a Carbondale relic himself, continues to write interesting pieces for The Southern, even after stepping down as Sunday news editor for that publication. He should have his own web page, if he doesn't.

In his piece, Gelman gives a fascinating account of the first issue of Egyptian Key, an unabashedly pro-Southern Illinois publication overseen by Will Griffith, published in an office on Monroe St. The first issue has articles on the Trail of Tears (which Griffith renamed "The Tragic Trek" because "Indians would never shed tears," and how Southern Illinois got the name "Egypt" (Never "Little Egypt," Griffith said, that name belonged to a 19th century stripper). You can read more about Egyptian Key, in Gelman's own words. Judging by his account, Will Griffith magazine also deserves a website of his own. I feel a grant application coming on.

Eye on Carbondale

Tom Egert stopped by to visit yesterday,

Mr. WDBX, Mr. Community Thriftstore, and now, Mr. EyeOnCarbondale. Check out his Community Message Board. Tom wants to expand the concept to the radio station. A live radio talk show hosted on a rotating basis by Tom and others, including yours truly, maybe--stay tuned. We'll be back right after these political messages:

Maggie delivers

Mayoral candidate Maggie "Margaret" Flanagan replied to my email requesting specifics of her campaign very positively, if somewhat hurriedly, noting that her website has added a page featuring her voting record, which is called "Strong,' though strong in what sense is not clear. Maggie promises to have her own campaign platform packet ready in January. In the meantime she has a busy work and family schedule to work out in order to prepare for the job of being mayor, which she intends to do.

Meanwhile, Maggie's homepage has a bit of confusion, which I've pointed out to the webmaster. Her name is signed with both a shamrock and a heart dotting the "i"--are these two symbols synonymous? or perhaps this was intentional, to show how much the candidate offers.
Something like this:

Brad's a Good Lad

His campaign packet ain't bad either.

Introducing Tim "Grin It &" Barrett

Tim's a Journalism major at SIU. I'm scheduled to meet him this week, so I can snap a photo and he can tell me more about his candidacy.

The Amazing C'wissman

Carbondale Nightlife politics and culture maven and current Council candidate, Chris Wissman has been an excellent email correspondent, as well as Brad Cole, both of whom have been informative and knowledgable. I'll try to get photo of Chris, along with the other council candidates, as well as a statement of why he wants to be on the City Council.

The Mouth of Eye of Carbondale

Introducing WDBX's Special Eye on Carbondale a radio talk show, with its finger on the pulse of the Community. With so many anatomical metaphors, how can Eye fail to attract a sizable body of listeners. Ya gotta hand it to Tom Egert, a lot of guys would not be willing to stick their necks out for something like this, but he has some opinions he wants to get off his chest. Moreover, since seeing the orthopedic doctor yesterday, I should be able to shoulder some of the load myself.

Shopping around

Only 7 shopping days until Christmas. (Palm Pilot, hint hint)
And ten weeks until the run-off election in February. (Brad Cole, Maggie Flanagan, Sheila Simon, Chris Wissman, Dan David, Priscilla Pimentel, James Rooney, hint hint).

Less traffic today, so it's off to the races

With the SIU students out of town...

there's less traffic today on the streets of Carbondale than on the Shawnee Network website at 2 a.m., which means faster navigation and less chance of an accident. About the only traffic in Carbondale were the 21 people who drove to City Hall to file petitions to be put on the ballot for the upcoming City Council elections...and there's a surprise entry for the Mayoral contest.

It's a bit more complicated than that, as Southern Illinoisan reporter Linda Rush explains: Sixteen are seeking four-year terms and 12 have filed for two-year terms, and 7 filed for both a four-year and a two-year terms. City Clerk Janet Vaught has given the seven bethedgers until Monday, Dec. 23, to decide whether they are 2-year or 4 year candidates.

There are 4 council seats up for grabs--but only one mayor's job. And suddenly there are 3 candidates! Indeed the next mayor may be Tim Barrett of 203 E. College St., Apt. 1. Who is this dark-horse? A student? His address suggests yes.

So two months from now there will be a prelimary vote on Feb. 25. And the 18 council candidates will be winnowed down, and current council members Maggie "Margaret" Flanagan of 1111 W. Hill Ave. and Brad "Brad" Cole of 205 S. Hewitt St. will go up against Tim "Nickname Pending" Barrett to be on the real election in April.

You want more details? Filing for both council terms are Michael G. Neill of 512 Deer Lake Drive East, Chris Wissmann of 1111 W. Walkup, Lance D. Jack of 1026 N. Bridge St., Andy White of 910 S. Taylor Drive, Joel Fritzler of 305 S. Dixon, Priscilla R. Pimentel, 600 W. Pecan St. and Sigrid Putnam, 500 W. Walnut.

Other candidates for the four-year term include:

Sheila Simon of 404 N. Springer, Dan David of 305 Orchard Drive, Matt Woods of 217 S. Hunt Road, Earl Czajkowski of 516 S. Rawlings, Apt. 204A, Patrick Richey of 606 W. Mill St., Steven N. Haynes of 605 E. Burke St., M Stalls of 407 N. Robert A. Stalls Ave., Robert T. Gallegly of 807 N. Almond and James Rooney of 209 W. Walnut.

Other candidates for the two-year term are

Pat Kelly of 500 W. Oak St., David G. McAuley of 917 W. Sycamore St., Jim Syler of 2461 S. Illinois Ave. #92, John Alan Taylor of 606 E. Park St., Apt. T, and Jeff Bissing of 1103 N. Carico St.

Maggie May or May Not Be Mayor in May

I sent an email message to Maggie Flanagan over the weekend directing her to the links to the coverage I'd given to her and her opponent in the election for Mayor. Maggie drew the top spot on the ballot in a lottery so she still has the luck of the Irish going for her. But even though though my mother's name was Margaret, I must ask...

Would Brad be bad?

The other candidate for Mayor of Carbondale, Brad Cole, has a promising platform packet, which open-minded voters should read. Or see the ad for Brad. I've asked Maggie for more information about her accomplishments and campaign.

Council Candidates Debate Update

When this idea was conceived, only five or six candidates were in the running, but 18 would pose sizable logistical and format difficulties.

Perhaps three "Round Robin" debates of 6 per panel, answering questions from a panel of three citizens: 1 student, 1 businessman, 1 government employee. The citizens panel could also rotate or remain the same. The debates would be videotaped and made available at City Hall and at the Public Library for viewing--or the debates could be available as a digital movie file.

The venue will also have to change, or that too could rotate. The few candidates to whom I've spoken so far are up for it, before so many others made their intentions known.

As to the dates it will be held, I'll try to keep you posted,
Also who'll participate, and where it will be hosted.

Gentlemen and ladies . . . start your engines.

30 Years of Mercy

Every Sunday night at Pinch Penny Pub

Joe Liberto (on the left, keyboards), Jim Wall (next to Joe, bass) Buddy Rogers (sax, at right), Scott Ollar (next to Buddy, drums) and Zacc Harris (seated) comprising the band known as Mercy, performing at Pinch Penny Pub since 1972. More about this legendary Carbondale jazz combo can be found on their soon-to-be released website. Buddy Rogers: saxes and flute

Carbondale's Best Restaurant?

El Bajio is best Mexican hands down, and for a hint of Greek there's Chicago Undergound, Italian? gotta go to Italian Village, Chinese? Hunan, of course. Middle Eastern? Dar Salaam, where else?

Praise Allah for its excellence-- the comfortable seating, warm service, tasteful decor, delicious appetizers, filling entrees, music, dancing and reasonable prices. It gets my vote for Best Restaurant in Carbondale, bar none (oh yeah, it serves no beer or wine). I think it's the plush booths that does it for me--that and the nice crowd.

Last night our table was visited by Mr. Dar Salaam himself, the man they call Murshid, the Sufi sheikh whose presence in the greater Carbondale community caused this house of peace and hummus to exist. He wanted to compliment me on the Shawnee Network website, which was appreciated. Given Murshid's track record, if he likes it, it must be good. About five years ago, the youthful holy man and a handful of followers (Allah has large hands) packed their bags and moved from New York City to the the little apple here in the land of Karmadale and set up spiritual shop. Since then, besides attracting "converts" to the Sufi way of life here in Carbonale, commercial ventures into the food service business: The Longbranch Coffee House and Dar Salaam--as well as an organic farm in Cobden--have been blessed with great success.

One can only hope that Murshid likes Thai food, because Carbondalliers would do well to Thai One On(tm) at the best Thai restaurant in Southern Illinois, licensed to sell beer and wine, of course. I feel another business plan coming on.
*****

Southern Angel Business Plan Contest

It's Official: O'Status Started

If Hindu-chanting ain't your thing,
And you want to hear somebody sing,
And you want to keep it real
And feel that sexularity has more appeal
Then get a load of TJ Silas show tonight,
He'll make you glad you came, and feel alright.
The former CCHS hoopster's able
To launch a new recording label.
(With the name Official Status,
O'Status for short it is)

He told me as we stopped our cars
while heading north on 51, not far
From where it starts at 8 o'clock, he said
Right before the light turned green from red.
It's going on at Eurma Hayes's Center
Pay 3 bucks and you can enter.

Most of the following was written well before the snow came down.

's ain't no regular post

Friday the 13th, supposed to be unlucky, because on such a day in 1298 a great hero of the Knights Templar, Jacques DeMolay and his followers were captured by Pope Clement the Merciless. DeMolay then endured seven years of torture to get him to betray his fellow Templars, which he refused to do. Jacques is a true "saint" of the anti-religion tradition. It's also the feast day of St. Lucy in the Catholic tradition. Not much is known about Lucy, so her biographers have some 'splainin' to do. Speaking of Saints, tonight a "saint" of Hari Krishna,



Swami Bhakti, will lead followers and first-time callers in chanting the name of this Hindu divinity at the Hari Krishna temple in the woods near Stonefort. I heard the Swami speak last night at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Articulate and professorial, the Princeton-educated holy man is--but the awe-inspiring presence of Krishna showed up only briefly. Event organizers assure us that the ancient Hindu deity will make his presence felt today, and hang out a while longer. Directions?

Yo
if Krishna or Christ-thinking is your thing,
Get yourself a bell to ring,
Praise creation, chant or sing
A hymn to Him tonight, the King --or Her
(If you think the male side errs)
This weekend at a Temple or a Church.
***
Now may inspired spirits of ALL GREAT women
Men and children, past and present
Inspire us to great things in the name of You-know-WHO.
May ALL who read this have GREAT LUCK
Today and every day. (Your life don't have to suck.)
If you want it, then you gotta let IT know,
if you want it, then ya gotta let it go.
gotta go.

Yo, the herald angels sing, 'Have a hari hari Krishna'

With final examinations nearly over, folks around here are thinking about tonight's Unity Point School Holiday Concert featuring Satch-no Leverett on trumpet, and the appearance of a famous Swami at the Church of the Good Shepherd. If you'd like to chant "hari krishna" with one of the holiest men alive you can CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE. Or better yet, just show up at the church tonight.

Luncheon for Dollars

Lunch at Quatros Deep Pan Pizza with a wealthy investor to discuss the swimming pool for Carbondale and other entrepreneurial ideas, since the wealthy investor (aka "Moneybags") had just put up a chunk of dough for a Business Plan Contest.

Sausage and mushrooms were the toppings--and Pepsi the drink--as we spoke of invigorating the sagging economy in downtown Carbondale. The suggestion of paving over the Labyrinth and putting up a parking lot to create more parking spaces for businesses at that end of town was rejected like a bad belch. As we sliced up "The Strip" into units of economic productivity, and counted the number of empty buildings downtown, we got bogged down in mozzarella cheese at what-used-to-be LaRoma's. When our lunchin' ended, I brought some slices of our conversation home to chew on further in these Dispatches.

Tuesday. A day for two. Typing with two hands again. Dancing at the Peace Party seems to have helped. All I am saying, is give dance a chance.

Why the U.S. Must Invade Iraq Right Now

and

Why Maggie or Brad May or May Not be Mayor in May

Enemen, the world's oldest white rapper sez:

This war shit is fucked up, by cracky--
According to a Bush league book, the U.S. tack
Is have a "war" to change the ruler of Iraq.
The plan was made two years ago, in fact;
It says so in a newspaper in white and black:
A couple years ago, advisors laid the track.
So those desiring peace may never get it back
Until a change of rule occurs within our precincts,
States and federal seats of power, methinks.

*** Special bonus animation by Mark Fiore***
Takes a while to load up, but worth it

* * * * * C A R B O N D A L L I A N C E * * * * *

photo courtesy Chris Wissman, Carbondale Nightlife

Councilwoman Margaret "Maggie" Flanagan officially announced her candidacy for mayor today, flanked by her husband Ray "Of Light" Lenzi, Executive Director of Economic Development Center, at Carbondale City Hall, at about the spot where Sohn's Men Store stood, twenty or more years ago.

Maggie's mayoral concerns are summed by her as "A Renaissance Vision" --a 9 point list headed by "A Better Future for Carbondale." But since Brad Cole seems to be promising "A Superior Future for Carbondale," the choice will be difficult. Furthermore, while Maggie Listens, the youthful steward Brad Cole Listens Too, so what's a concerned voter to do? Read Linda Rush's coverage of Maggie's announcement in the Southern Illinoisan.

Then there's 24 year old James Mooney, ex-Marine who served at the White House, who's petitioning for a spot on the Council. That makes 4 or 5 petitions I've signed. In addition, Carbondale Nightlife's ace politics and culture reporter Chris Wissman has also thrown his party hat into the ring by submitting his own petition to City Hall yesterday.

There is talk of a debate among the council candidates in January, WEBCAST LIVE from Carbondale City Hall or Pinch Penny Pub, sponsored by Shawnee Network, Carbondale Times, Nightlife and the Carbondale Kiwanis organization.

piece out.

Saturday Night's Alright for Peacing

Last night, hundreds of people came out for the Lights Fantastic parade featuring lots of lighted floats and afterwards many went to the Preemptive Peace Strike benefit for the Carbondale Peace Coalition at Gallery HQ on Main St. In the crowd were most of the luminaries of the Carbondale peace movement, including Hugh Muldoon, who delivered a stirring speech for peace, and Poola Bradshaw, who stirred the punch, and Enemen, who slurred his speech. The band formerly known as "Sufis from Hell" led by (the brightest light in the room they say), Dean Murshid, played a couple sets and Mike Covell showed his documentary of a peace march held here in Carbondale. I snapped a few photos due to poor lighting, some young dude with a flash on his sister's camera said he'd send me some pix to post, a friend of Adam Paull's who will probably read this and pass them on. I suggested to Mike Covell that he make a shortened version of the film using the Buffalo Springfield song For What It's Worth, which he said he'd do. Dancers got their groove on to Knockin on Heaven's Door and Going Back to Egypt by TBFKA'SFH'. (I'll get the correct name and change it, although I rather like "TBFKA'SFH'.)

Discovered that my camera and the photos in it were left behind at Gallery HQ for reasons I won't go into here, and when I checked back this morning the cleanup crew hadn't seen it, although they said they raised a lot of money for the cause of peace. Maybe the camera will be returned and the U.S. will stay the hell out of Iraq. We can hope.

Eye on Carbondale

These dispatches attract more readers everyday, including former Carbondale Businessman of the Year (by my vote) Tom Egert,



the man who started the Longbranch Coffee House, Community radio station WDBX, and the Community Thrift Store.

Tom has launched a website for interactive commentaries involving activities of the city, university, housing, and business communities called Eye on Carbondale. Why don't you check it out, post a comment, and tell 'im Dispatchionate Dave sent you.

Before you do, though, take note that another Council Candidate has thrown his website into the ring: Dan David for City Council.

If you're from another planet (or another part of world), the Daily Egyptian can enlighten you on tonight's 12th Annual Lights Fantastic parade , which will begin at 6:30 p.m. and proceed down "The Strip," aka Illinois Ave. This will be the first parade with snow on the ground, adding the the fantastic(k)ness of the event.

Maybe you'll see me there, left coatsleeve dangling, camera in hand, looking something like this.



After the Lights Fantastic, many will be joining fellow "peace fanatics" at the Peace Coalition benefit at Gallery HQ.

piece out.

True story: yesterday I stopped by to see Glenna at G&S Furniture about the photo of their new store posted on this website, and told her about the possible assistance offered by the Carbondale Main Street organization to put up a new sign. As I'm leaving, who should be walking up the street on his way to G&S but Larry Weatherford, the dean of Southern Illinois signsmiths. His timing couldn't have been better: If Glenna saw us shaking hands she might have thought we were "in cahoots." Anyway, it's good to see that empty, unused building in business again. Inside it looks like it was made to be a furniture store. Now, if they'll only consider a new name to put on the new sign. "Red Carpet" perhaps, since their previous location was in the old Red Carpet Car Wash, which itself is now an empty, unused building.

Speaking of empty, unused buildings (see yesterday's Dispatch below)...the city of Carbondale is purchasing half of the old Lincoln Junior High School property (approximately 4 acres) on Washington St (across from the Glove Factory) to build a new Police Station. The $200,000 purchase includes the old school building, which will presumably be torn down to make room for the cop shop. The School Board also hopes to sell the eastern portion of the tract to be developed as apartments, office space or other uses, according to Linda Rush's article in the Southern Illinoisan

Now that Ramadan and Hannukah are all but over, you might be looking for an unusual or unique Christmas gift. If so, today and tomorrow there's a big Craft Sale at the SIU Student Center.


Maybe Anita Hayden, the Southern Sisters weaver will be there--if she can get her truck out of her parking lot.

See you in th' e-hood.

It's Show and Tell day today. More Blight Spot photos posted, with the following introduction:

Since 1989, Keep Carbondale Beautiful has been giving monthly "Bright Spot Awards" to homes and businesses that are "looking good." No doubt these awards were well-deserved, and property improvements are made by residents of Carbondale every day. Yet, the "other side of the fence" shows many businesses failing in the city, leaving behind only EMPTY, UNUSED BUILDINGS--and the OPPORTUNITY for some NEW entrepreneurs to start-up their own businesses. These BLIGHT SPOT AWARDS are NOT intended as a put-down, but as a PUT-UP! As in, the City of Carbondale --and Carbondale Main Street--should put up some cash incentives, tax breaks, whatever is needed to get new businesses downtown. Some of these buildings have been unproductive for a very long time. Let's get them occupied and productive again.... EACH PHOTO INCLUDES A TITLE AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION..... At present the images are random, not organized according to location. In the future, this page will add a page for each section of the city to make browsing more convenient. But not today.

Click here to see the dozen photos, about another dozen to go.

Pretty heavy snow this morning. I'll try to get a picture posted on the Shawnee Network home page. Right now, it's just too comfortable at the computer, drinking cappacino, the powdered sugar falling off my donut like flakes from a dense cloud. A good day to write about the Bright Spot Awards, and my meeting with the person in charge of administering the program.



Kris Schachel, executive director of Keep Carbondale Beautiful, the organization that sponsors and administers the monthly Bright Spot award. Kris provided me with the history of the award, along with some interesting information about other projects KCB is into. Kris is not only only ex.dir. of KCB, but she's also a research assistant for the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future, while completing Ph.D. coursework.

Also yesterday, retired Bike Surgeon, Mark Robinson fixed a tricycle yesterday





which caused the remarkable one to relive his glory days as the outspoken "spokes" person of outrageous opinions. Read 'im and weep--with laughter, that is. But before you do, take a look at this:




Glenna and Steve have filled the former Saluki Bookstore with furniture! They used to operate out of the old Red Carpet Car Wash on Walnut St. If you've ever taken 13 East to the Mall, you've passed it. Maybe Carbondale Main Street can help them get a new sign (see bottom of page on their link). More on that later, as well.

It's still snowing, hard and heavy, flakes as big as toss pillows.
I think I'll venture out and snap a photo.

piece out, y'all.

Poolitical issues

What's the latest on POOL, the Bright/Blight Spots? Carbondale's all-time greatest athlete? the City Council race? the old CCHS property? The Southern Angel business plan contest? Is there a common link? Yes, there is, i think.