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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:
posted by David at 6:31 AM

 

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.
posted by David at 4:42 AM

 

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.
posted by David at 4:57 AM

 

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.

posted by David at 9:20 AM

 

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.
posted by David at 5:19 AM

 

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).
posted by David at 8:15 AM

 

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.