Take THAT, sign thief

Cole supporter Rachel Robinson was so miffed when a third sign was stolen from her property (the old Coca Cola warehouse on Oakland and Sycamore St.) that she decided to hang the biggest sign she could get from the rooftop. With only one day to go before the election, Rachel is making more of a symbolic statement than anything else, although the location sees a lot of traffic, and could swing between 1 and 100 undecided voters.

Vox populi, vox pizza

A voice could be heard booming from a bullhorn or amplified speaker on Illinois Ave. yesterday proclaiming "Vote for Maggie Flanagan the People's Candidate." I'm just wondering, do you need a permit to do that? Can people drive through town proclaiming whatever they want for as long and frequently as they want? Anywhere they want? Under what conditions and limits? There's probably a code or ordinance pertaining to this.

In the Quatro's mayoral preference poll, Brad Cole held steady at 56% to Maggie Flanagan's 43% of voters at Quatro's website.

Much at steak in tomorrow's election

Will vegetarian voters support Cole because Flanagan is one of the chief boosters of the Pig Out? Not this, but many other issues concerning the importance and significance of the election are reported in this morning's Daily Egyptian article.

Slice of life

I couldn't sleep wondering about the latest numbers in the Quatro's Mayoral Preference Poll.


Cole holds the lead by a slice, 56%-44%. Click here to see for yourself, or vote.

The Button Test

Judging from the buttons, Cole's message is bold and clear. Maggie's is faint and jumbled. I don't know what of make of the third button, a common object fraught with symbolism.

What are the odds?

CarbOndaLE
which leaves A-R-B and N-D-A, which anagrams to "and bar" or "a brand" or "ban rad" or (ominously) "ran bad."

More from Marberry

I don't know what these are either.

Nice to meat you

The owner got very nervous when I snapped these photos on the gas station on the NW corner of Wall and Main St. He wanted to know if he could help me. I should have asked him if he had a website. Even though it's not located on Illinois Ave., it's down the street from a mosque, and gives Carbondalliers an opportunity to sample Middle Eastern food, while filling up their tanks with fine gasoline.

Don't worry, eat curry

Would you like to see the menu online? One of us should phone them.

Restaurant Row update

With the addition of the Saroor (Indian) and Kaya (Korean/Japanese), that leaves only Cajun and Thai and perhaps Ethiopian/Middle Eastern still needed to complete official certification designating Carbondale "International Foods Capitol of Southern Illinois," to go along with other official designations, "Intellectual Capitol of Southern Illinois," "Music Capitol of Southern Illinois," and "Nicest downtown in eastern Jackson County."

Now Showing at Marberry

Late March at the Carbondale Park District's best-kept secret, the Marberry Arboretum. Not many wild flowers are in bloom, but Spring is in the air and on the ground. I wonder if the folks at Waterman and Hill-Traveller's Companion (a Southern Illinois nature almanac) can identify these leaves and blossoms photographed yesterday. In layman's terms, they are some white and pink blossoms on trees and little purple/blue flowers on the ground.

Brad buy a bagel

Someone just showed me a full-page Nightlife ad where Winston the Bagel Man endorses Brad Cole as "the right choice for the strip," and Brad, wearing a necktie, is rubbing his hands together in glee. The promises a a free "Winston's" bagel to voters with receipt (Cole's campaign covering the tab, presumably). If Brad is elected mayor, maybe Winston will add Cole slaw as a bagel topping.

Meanwhile, Maggie's campaign can still retaliate in the ad war. There's another bagel guy up the street who could endorse her--he even has a website. A Renaissance bagel?

Brad by a slice

If Carbondale were a pizza...what topping would you prefer?


61% to 39% in the Quatro's Mayoral Preference Poll would choose Cole (without the slaw).

A good day for a Party

The birds are chirping and awhistling,
bedded lovers, they are nestling--
A dandy day for planting seeds or weeding,
going to the store for something that you're needing,
or going door-to-door for candidates, campaigning,
or reading in the park--even hiking--it's not raining.
But if the Times are making it a "blues" day,
And you don't even want to vote on Tuesday,
And you want the candidates to "can it"
Then join the International Blue Party of the Planet..

Brad by a sliver

Ahead 52% - 48% over Maggie in Quatro's Pizza online Mayoral Poll. Join and vote. Uncle Q will give you a Q-pon for a pizza or something. Click here.

DE Endorses Cole

In a well-reasoned editorial, here.

Candidates met, few show

Of the candidates, only co-host "Creole" Chris Wissmann and his wife, Jess, who has the patience of a plant fertilizer spike and the cheesecake of the gods; and Maggie Flanagan, who brought some lasagna from Cristaudo's, a bottle of wine, husband Ray, and a small entourage of two green-shirted staffers; and "Da Energy Mon" Aur Beck, sporting an Advanced Energy Solutions shirt; and Ann, the woman who rides her hand-pushed wheelchair in the street, and Timeloyd, the dude who wears the floppy hat and rides his bike around town with stuff stuffed into the rear basket; he wasn't there, but his website was. (It's definitely trippy. Click here if you dare.), and a few others, mostly students, including representatives of the Student Environmental Council and someone from WIDB. Co-host Lance Jack, off on the time, didn't arrive until 8:15 p.m. I saw him in the parking lot as I left, heading into the Interfaith Center with load of food in his arms--but by then Maggie and the Maggettes had left, as had yours truly.

Who am I voting for?

Dan David (good netiquette, plus he can keep the city's vehicles running), Lance Jack (even though he still isn't 'wired', he can cater City Council meetings), Steven Haynes (good netiquette, plus can get the City discounts at Krogers), and either Chris Wissmann or Joel Fritzler for the two-year term.

Why Fritzler?

These are Joel's own words..."...
1. I have more experience working with diverse groups of people (ethnic, racial, socio-economic).
2. I have actual hands-on experience working with government bodies (overseas and here in Illinois).
3. Chris supports expanding IL-127 to a continuous four-lane highway to I-64 which would be a waste of tax dollars and would just add fuel to the fire for the negative attitude that people living in other Southern Illinois communities have towards C’dale. As one of the centrally located and largest towns in Southern Illinois, we need to be building positive relations between our neighbors.
4. As a centrist moderate, I will be able to bridge the gap between the liberals and conservatives on the council and present common interests that both sides can focus on.
5. Because the Daily Egyptian endorsed meeeeee."

End of Joel's words. Chris has written that he would go along with Joel's thinking on point 3. As to the other points, you are invited to weigh them on your own.

Why Wissmann?

Chris wrote:
I'm not comparing myself to Joel. Anything I say about myself in the context of that question is like bashing him for not being/having what I do. He is, in all seriousness, a good candidate and a great guy. I'll answer this question: what will make me a good councilman? I've been in town a long time (fifteen years), and have seen it as an SIU student and a small business person/permanent resident, as a renter and as a homeowner. I've professionally followed the council for thirteen years, and have not missed a council meeting in two years. I know the issues extremely well, plus I know the procedures and inner workings of the council. And I think I
have logical, practical solutions for many of Carbondale's problems, many of which we've discussed."

Remember the Cherry Zone?

Where do the council candidates stand on this important issue?

Flipside

I just discovered an excellent web version of the Southern Illinoisan's entertainment mag, Flipside , here.

Pulse

Another excellent local entertainment website, the DE's Pulse, here.

Nightlife News & Commentary

Click here.

Meet the candidates

Thanks to City Council candidates Lance Jack and Chris Wissmann, you'll have a final opportunity to meet and mix with them and other candidates at a potluck supper tonight at the Interfaith Center starting at 7:00 pm. The food will be provided by the candidates, and undecided voters can make their decision based on the quality of the food the Council-hopefuls provide. One candidate is making a serious bid for my vote with "shrimp Creole-- from scratch. No mixes, no premade crap, no frozen anything, all fresh ingredients," and his wife is "making a cheesecake. No mixes, no premade crap, no frozen anything, all fresh ingredients."

Will other candidates be bringing premade crap with stale ingredients? Come to the IFC tonight and find out.

POOL Resources

I hope Madeline Stalls shows up at the Candidate Mixer. I want to ask her about having 3 swimming pools in Carbondale at the following locations: 1) on the soccer field property on Sunset Drive; 2) on the Attucks Park property; and 3) on the old high school football field or tennis courts. Why not? A pool would enhance the value of the property in all these locations, plus make Carbondale a more attractive place to live. Two too many? Then one on the old high school fields, since it's the most central. Supposedly the School Board will be selling the property to the highest bidder in May. Is it out of the question to donate a portion of it to POOL (People Organized against Only Lakes) or the Carbondale Park District for use as a public outdoor swimming pool?

POOL circulated a petition late last year that hundreds of people signed. Enough to warrant a serious feasibility study into an alternative (or supplement) to the planned Water Park on the Superblock, which is a good idea, but for an entirely different target market. POOL is seeking to create neighborhood recreational facilities, not a tourist attraction. Will it succeed? We'll know in a few weeks. Maybe it's not too late to save some land for the children, the poor little children who have no place to swim except warm lakes miles out of town. Let's hope the School Board takes the plunge and votes for the diving board. Why not?

Candidates even in Quatro's pizza poll

If Carbondale were a pizza which topping would you want? Maggie Flanagan or Brad Cole? As of tonight, it's exactly 50% each.



Be sure to register at Quatro's website and vote. There's a free pizza in it for you.

The blogs below are inspired by an informative and inquiring email message from a reader.

Curry in a hurry?

Did you see that they are opening an Indian restaurant inside the Horizon Inn? Although this has not been confirmed, it is assumed that take-out service will be available.

Dome home under wraps

What about the Bucky dome project? Does it dovetail with the idea of Carbondale being "the City of the Dome"? How about Dometown? Domedale? Perhaps the group calling itself RBF Dome NFP will be making an announcement soon.

Keeping the InterFaith

The InterFaith Center is a great visiting place. So much happens there, like the recent Meat Out day veggie dinner that fed 142 after the Federal Bldg protest last Thursday, brought to you by the Student Environmental Center.

Ever been to the Marberry Arboretum?

On Pleasant Hill Road, adjacent to Carbondale New School. It's like being deep in the woods. One of Carbondale Park District's best kept secrets.



Tell the woodpeckers that Park District Vice-President, Navreet Kang sent you.

Tree saw?

According to Rosetta News new WWW director, Justin "Treesong" O'Neill, the local branch of Independent Media Center is starting a newspaper. What kind of paper will it be printed on? Maybe it should be strictly electronic.

Meanwhile, back on the farm

Wayne Weiseman is director of The Permaculture Project.

Don't forget the Purple Martins

In their gourds in Jim Jung's Nature Almanac.

Brad & Maggie Debate Deflated, Neither Defeated

It was supposed to be a debate, but one of the candidates refused to show if she was to be subject to follow up questions by her opponent (her opponent informed me). Despite this leveling, some people think Cole was a more convincing candidate, but that's just their opinion (if not their just opinion). I think Her Magness did magnificently, magnifying her magnanimity as she devoted herself to revitalizing downtown Carbondale, with such projects as Carbondale Main Street and the Tourism Bureau. I'd rate her performance an A- (marks off for rambling, was the word on the street, or rather in the parking lot, and by the coffee pot).

Cole, on the other side of the table, answered the questions directly and with good humor, getting the only laughs of the evening for remarking that he didn't think South Illinois Ave. had a magnetic pull on students that forced them to congregate in the middle of the street, and when he said "if feeding people will get them to vote, I don't mind buying some pizzas." Actually there was something else that got a good laugh, but it's escaped me at the moment. If you remember, write me. Cole's grade, A.

Maggie by a sliver

Don't forget to vote in the Quatro's poll. Flanagan is currently ahead 51% to 49%.

Speaking of pizza...

Pizzagate?

Several months ago, Brad Cole's campaign sponsored a student voter registration drive, offering a Pizza Party to the dorm floor that registered the most students.

One of the participants, Jen (pictured above), told Cole that as far as she can tell, no floor received the prize. She's asked around the dorms, but no one claimed victory. Brad didn't know either, "No one has sent me a bill."

I hate to be an anchovie on Brad's slice, but someone in his campaign should find out which floor registered the most voters and throw a pizza party for them.

Beague 'League' forum

From left to right, tiny blurred images of Wissman, Fritzler, Haynes, Simon, David, Jack (off the record, the best restauranteur and promoter of the bunch), Stalls, and Neill, all of whom acquitted themselves well. They did good, as Paula Abdul might say, and I hate to be a Simon Scowl about it, so go 'dogs'. Maybe I should have called this blog "Carbondale Idle." Let's hope they all get record deals in the music business of Carbondale politics. And, if elected...



As Dan Ackroyd said to Jane Curtin? There wasn't much personal exchange between Brad and Maggie in the debate last night, but each of them performed well for the audience in the council chambers and for the live broadcast on the City's cable channel. The forum will also be rebroadcast on CityVision 16 at 7pm on Friday, March 28, and at 1pm on Saturday, March 29.

Madeline S.

Who is M. Stalls? I don't really know, but she'd be a good member of City Council. So would any of the group in the running. Perhaps the council should be expanded to Athenian proportions. You want to talk about a Renaissance vision? This blog isn't really about Stalls, it's about the future of Carbondale's political machinery, about maintaining the talent and vision brought to the table of question and answer. How will Brad Cole include Maggie Flanagan in advancing his goals for the city if he is elected mayor? and vice versa. Clearly, Brad is a young man of integrity, initiative and ideas. (You could say he has three 'i's'.) Maggie on the other hand has more "personality. More magnetism and grand ideas. She's a natural born networker. Brad on the other hand, is a throwback to the 50's. He's like the father on Father Knows Best, with a fair and consistent, 'fiscally responsible' approach to solving problems, and a track record of coming up with innovative ideas and seeing them through. Both would make excellent salespersons for the city. How about co-mayors? Why not? Combine BRad with mAGgie and Carbondale would have something to BRAG about. The city could experience a Renaissance of the expansion and growth of the 50's and the days of Delyte Morris, except the money won't be coming from the state, but from the private sector. You won't find this in any academic book on "Downtown Revitalization." It's Public Relations, and Carbondale needs a ton of it. Not "decorative parking meter shafts" (C.Wissmann's phrase) and banners, but substantive improvements, of the kind envisioned in the pages of this blog.

What about the rest of the candidates? How can THEY be retained as active members of the process. Perhaps they already are, and will be. I still don't know much about Madeline, but she has good ideas for the Northeast part of town.

Doherty not 'against' the idea

My meeting went very well with City Manager, Jeff "No Pictures Please" Doherty (pictured here in "artists" rendering with a calculator in his hand:)



I came away better educated about the dollars and sense of downtown redevelopment. Jeff and I share the same vision of a number of areas, including the value of having a swimming pool in town. And I can see the appeal of a water park on the Superblock. The two have different target markets. In fact, we probably need 3 pools! One in Attucks Park, one near the Life Center on Sunset Dr. and one in the old high school football field and tennis court property. Small pools. The city where I used to reside, Greeley, Colorado has three pools, and many Southern Illinois towns have at least one.

Jeff also agreed with the feasibility of ONB making some of it's parking lot property fronting Illinois Ave. available for commercial lease. I didn't mention the idea of holding an upscale flea market there on Saturdays. And supports a "Restaurant Row" concept. I discussed with him the possiblity of having an outdoor restaurant soiree behind the old train station, and he was cool with that, too. What next? (I'll try to obtain a better drawing of Jeff, since the one above was drawn in 20 seconds during the interview. ;))

Mag pie

As of early today, Maggie Flanagan has pulled ahead in the great Quatro's online poll of preference for mayor 53%-47%. A dramatic change in topping choices. Here's a graphic to prove it:




Click here to cast your vote. There's a free pizza in it for you.

Turning Point

Tom Leverett's poignant screenplay about moral choices during an age of conflict was performed yesterday for the local Society of Friends (Quakers) at the Interfaith Center. The story recounts the 1971 bombing on the campus of University of Wisconsin, by four students, including Leo Burt.




Burt (pictured above in Wanted Poster, and as he may look today) has never been caught despite excellent police work. Speaking of excellent police work, the show was stolen by a cop. A videotape will be available for future viewing courtesy of Prof. Mark Amos, Chaucer scholar with an ear for dialogue that rings true. Read more about Leo Burt.

More additional value

Steven Haynes profiled in today's DE. click here.

The Future of the Coop

At the annual membership meeting yesterday at Gallery HQ, there was a big pot-luck supper, featuring organic beer from Copper Dragon, and Board members were voted in. General Manager Francis Murphy then explained why the Coop should consider moving from its present location in the Historic District, and restructuring the organization by charging $100 for a membership share, instead of $5 for simple membership--ideas were generated by a "Co-op at 2010" in-house study. Now, the Board intends to hire an outside consultant with an excellent track record in this field to study the market and make recommendations. Maybe the Coop webmaster will add this material to the FAQ section of the Coop website.


After people finished asking questions, the tribal funk band Lyric took the stage, and people rocked to Tiger Scott and her band that's hot.

Schnucks report, 2

Two boxes of Entemann's doughnuts, one chocolate and one glazed buttermilk, and a bottle of Maalox Max.

Code Pink irks man from Effingham

For a moment, the guy in the cap yelling at the people holding anti-war signs, sounded like some kind of peace-loving motivational coach: ("Hold those signs up higher, maggots." "Sir, yes sir!") But the torrent of abusive language he was dishing out made it clear that he was no friend of "Code Pink"--or peace in Iraq. However, after having his photo snapped a few times, he snapped out of it, and became more civil. We walked down the street and exchanged opinions, and he departed peacefully. He is studying to be a Science teacher in Effingham, a tool of the state, an effing hammer.

The Schnucks report

I ran into council candidate Dan David at the supermarket last night. He said there were not many people at the candidates' forum at Grace Methodist Church, but good questions were asked. Since I was ahead of him in line, and had to deal with the checker, I didn't notice what the 4-year-term candidate was purchasing. Such information might help you, the voter, decide if you want to vote for him. I was buying PapaNicholas Italian Espresso roast coffee (can you tell?) What was Dan David buying last night after the forum? It's time we knew.

Signs, more or less

I wasn't surprised to see Dan David at Schnuck's Friday night, because I saw a car parked in the lot with a magnetic
"Dan David for City Council" sign on the driver's and passenger's side doors. I see Dan's signs in many yards. His and Lance Jack's, and Sheila Simon's homemade ones, and Steve Haynes and "M." Stalls, and Wissman's and Fritzler's.

It may be that Brad Cole and Joel Fritzler are not the only two candidates to have their signs stolen. For some reason, there are no Mike Neill signs anywhere. Either the incumbent so confident that he doesn't need any, or every single one of his signs been stolen as well. Why would anyone steal a campaign sign from someone's yard? After the election it will be worthless, but the sign on Dan David's car will make an awesome refrigerator magnet.

Neill down in print

There's a profile of Mike Neillin today's Daily Egyptian.

It doesn't say Haynes...

Until the profile of Steve on Monday in the Daily Egyptian.

Going to the candidates debate?

Laugh about it, shout about it, anyway you can--any way you look at it you win. Tonight at Grace Methodist Church, on Tower Road: City Council candidates at 6:30, Mayor candidates at 7:30. Or, go to the Church of the Good Shepherd, because...

Friday night's alright for drinking...

Not only with thine eyes, the music of Laurie McClain at Cousin Andy's, or hear Two American Brothers at the Yellow Moon Cafe.

It's Brad by a slice

If Carbondale was a pizza, the topping most Carbondalliers would prefer is Brad Cole, according to Quatro's online poll for favorite Mayoral candidate. It's Cole (without the slaw) 56% to 44%. Is this an accurate reflection of the vote? Or just a good way for Uncle Q to build web traffic and customers at his restaurant.

Signs up and gone

Joel Fritzler's 14th campaign sign disappeared last night. It was on the corner of Chautauqua and Glenview and was last seen by Joel at noon yesterday. Not as bad a loss as Brad Cole, who has seen 27 signs vanish in the past week, and between 60-70 disappear since the beginning of the campaign! A sure sign of the cops' eclipse.

Rainy Day Protest #17

You could hear the rhythmic drumbeat as about 100 protesters marched to the Federal Building with umbrellas and signs to protest U.S. military action in Iraq by surrounding it (the Fed. Bldg.) with continuous strip of yellow crime scene tape.

Salukis Bow Out

Kent Williams missed a last-second 3-point jumper for the last shot of the season, and the last of his storybook collegiate career. The Dawgs fell short 72-71.

Dead in Baghdad

According to Russian ORT state television, reporting from Baghdad, the Iraqi Information Ministry has claimed ten people dead in the first wave of U.S. airstrikes on Baghdad. There was no other confirmation, as reported in The Drudge Report. Is it too much to hope that Saddam Hussein was one of the ten?

Alive in Indy

Many Carbondalliers are in Indianapolis to attend an NCAA tournament basketball game today at 1:50 p.m. between the SIU "Salukis" and the University of Missouri "Tigers". But this year's SIU team is more experienced and hungry than last year's Sweet Sixteen edition--all this team needs is some cool basketball player nicknames. So, if "Kandy" Kent Williams and Jermaine "Buggy" Dearman play their games, along with Sylvester "Cat Man" Willis and Stetson "Hats' Off" Hairston, "Daring" Darren Brooks, as well as Brad "Big Stalk" Korn and the rest of the Salukis ... the DAWGS will nip the Tigers in the romp.

U.S. Department of Laughs

Very important safety information. Click here.

Brad Cole's Signs Keep Disappearing

Like the one on the corner of Sycamore and Oakland, at the old Coca Cola warehouse. The other candidates' signs stay, but two of Brad's have been removed. Rachel Robinson, the co-owner of the building is madder than a wet hen, and plans to suspend the sign from the roof instead.

On to Indy

Men's basketball team to play Missouri in NCAA Tournament tomorrow night. Read the article in the Southern Illinoisan.

On to Baghdad

Invasion could take place after 9 p.m. CST tonight; Saddam underground, it says.

Peace Resolution defeated at Council

Led by Hugh Muldoon, a 30 year veteran of the war for peace, a battalion of more than 100 protesters from the Carbondale Peace Coalition invaded City Council chambers last night to press the Council to vote on a resolution against war in Iraq.
After emotional debate whether the Council should vote on the resolution at all, and refusing to hear statements from those in attendance, the Mayor acceded to the crowd's demands. Councilman Corene Daniel put the motion up for a vote, and the Council voted 3-2 against the anti-war resolution, with Maggie Flanagan and McDaniel voting in favor, and Mayor Dillard, Brad Cole and Mike Neill voting against. As a result, discussion of the Human Relations Commission was postponed until the next meeting. Read Kristina Herrndobler's account in the Daily Egyptian.

News Quiz
What phrase did protesters shout at last night's City Council meeting?

a) "Death to Tyrants!"
b) "Maggie Flanagan for Mayor"

If you chose 'a', click here.

Worley song not anti-warly

Thanks to a certain country music fan at City Hall for pointing out that Darryl Worley's new song, "Have You Forgotten," is definitely not anti-war. Read about it. Hear it.

The Brad and Maggie Show

Both Brad Cole and Maggie Flanagan were more focused than this photo snapped last night at an NAACP sponsored Eurma Hayes Center forum for the Carbondale mayoral candidates. Both acquitted themselves with aplomb suitable to the importance of the event. Brad repeated his "fair and consistent" theme and his decision-making ability as a City Councilman. Maggie emphasized her 10 years experience on City Council and her ability to be a "team-player."

At one point, Brad did a double-take worthy of Dan Ackroyd and seemed to be about to say "Maggie, you ignorant 'so-and-so'," when she implied that she had a better humor than him. Brad got the biggest laugh with the line "If Marion and Carbondale are sister-cities, they must be a dysfunctional family." But Maggie stuck to her guns (butter, plowshare) and insist(er)ed that Marion and Carbondale were geographical siblings. Brad added that he'd have a foot-race with 70-something Marion mayor, Robert Butler, if it would help bring business to Carbondale. Not surprisingly, Maggie did not offer to engage in shot-put competition against the elderly Butler.

There were many good questions submitted on 3x5 index cards by the mostly white audience. So many, that my own offering was left unread on the podium of dreams.

Next forum: Next Monday night, March 24, at Carbondale Civic Center (council candidates 7 p.m.; mayor candidates 8:15 p.m.) This will be televised on Carbondale Cable Channel 16.

Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m. at the Law School.

The word on the road

Your narrator is supposed to hit the road tomorrow to Colorado for a "Hemp Sense" conference in Boulder to discuss changing U.S. laws against growing industrial hemp, and a possible TOUR from Boulder to DC in a specially outfitted mobile exhibit, then possibly a visit to Carbondale's sister city, Carbondale, Colorado.

Will marijuana be legal in Illinois?

The medical kind. Toke a look at this.

The word on the street

"Uncle Q" from Quatros describes these pages as "a local street news site," which is fairly accurate. The local street is Illinois Ave. and the news is ...

Cat's out of the bag, 2

That's not Carbondale's beloved sheikh, Dean, known as Murshid, pictured above...it's Jusaf Islam. The singer-songwriter formerly known as Cat Stevens has re-recorded two of his hits from the 70s, Peace Train and Lady D'Arbanville (retitled Angel of War), for download on the websites catstevens.com and yusafislam.org.uk. Read more.

Joining Islam with hard-hitting songs of war and peace are, the Beastie Boys, John Mellencamp, Darryl Worley, Toby Keith, Bruce Springsteen, Alan Jackson, and Steve Earle. So far.

In a related story, Murshid and his talented group of Sufi musicians, Majnun will be releasing its long-awaited first CD in the next few weeks. Nothing explicitly anti-war in it. Just great music, from what I hear.

Candidates have equal share of pie in poll

If the city of Carbondale were a pizza, what topping would you want on it? That's essentially the question being asked in Quatro's Pizza online poll. As of 4:00 a.m. this morning it was 50% each. Of course, results will fluctuate, since voting is continuous, and you can vote more than once. Why don't you cast your own vote at Quatros.com? You'll even get a pizza Q-pon from Uncle Q when you sign up.

Good's Value Store

Across the street from Amtrak and next door to Greyhound, GVS will offer convenient hot and cold drinks, snack foods, and other items for travelers and local residents, possibly a postal annex. Open 9-6.

You know you're going to find good stuff there. GRAND OPENING JUNE 1, 2003 or later, or not at all, depending on the owner of the building leasing it on "favorable terms," and shelves appearing and inventory materializing. Plus, a sign.

A POOLitical issue, 2

Does CCHS Superintendent Sabens support building a swimming pool on the old high school football field? Or is he (along with City Manager Jeff Doherty) in favor of a water park near the Superblock? Do his desires in the matter matter? When will the School Board announce its plans? Would it consider donating the land to the Carbondale Park District or to POOL (People Organized against Only Lakes) for the purpose of building a public outdoor swimming pool with a diving board and waterslide? (Almost) everyone agrees it would be an excellent location, and some Council candidates have made it one of their campaign issues. As far as I know EVERY city council candidate supports the idea, as does Brad Cole (and Maggie doesn't appear to be married to the Superblock location, but I could be wrong). What else would they do with that property (not the buildings, the football field)? I'll try to find out.

Speaking of finding out...

The cat's out of the bag

A sign for a new Japanese/Korean restaurant can be seen at the old McDonalds building. Oh, the sign does not say "Cat's Out of the Bag" which would be a poor name for a restaurant (as bad as "Doggy Bags").


It's called "Kaya," which is in better taste.

Paradising a parking lot, 2

Instead of (or prefatory to) permanent boutique shops in the currently underused ONB parking lot on Illinois Ave, a weekly flea market with tents (maybe the Pig Out has some it's not using), street musicians and call it something more upscale like "The Carbondale Fair Exchange" or the "Carbondale Free Market." I wonder how much ONB would want to lease the space from 8 - 5 on Saturdays. April - Oct.

Maggie may-or may not

It has come to my attention that one of the Mayoral candidates (whose name rhymes with shenanigan), is offended by what I've written about her in this blog. Supposedly, she's been advised not to read my dispatches, which is too bad, because it means that the candidate who "Listens," only listens to a hand-picked circle of friends. I've sent her an email message with the link to this blog, suggesting that she read for herself. She may or may not. I hope she does.

Either way, I hope her Renaissance vision will encompass the following concept:

A dome idea?

The tents of the Free Market could be portable geodesic domes similar to the ones at Campus Lake. That'd be appropriate, since the great 20th century philsopher-scientist, R. Buckminster Fuller invented the geodesic dome right here in Carbondale while having a club sandwich at Mary Lou's restaurant in the 70's. Well he DID invent the geodesic dome. Didn't he? No, apparently not. He DID live in one though.

One guy even calls Carbondale "The City of the Dome." Indeed the City SHOULD capitalize on the dome identity. When you think of St. Louis, you think of the Arch, right? And people travel to St. Louis to see it. The Arch cost millions. The Domes are already here, and they're cheap to construct.

On the Fritzler

Is that a toothpick from Booby's in Joel Fritzler's left hand? Or is he just glad to see you, so he's giving away toothpicks with the phrase "Vote for Joel Fritzler for 2-year term on City Council" printed on it. I don't mean to toothpick on Joel. He's a nice guy--one of two nice guys vying for the two-year seat on City Council. He says the biggest difference between him and his opponent, Chris Wissmann is that he opposes granting subpoena power to the proposed new Human Relations Commission, while Wissmann favors such a measure.




After an earful of Mark "Busdog" Robinson's "lemon harrangue pie" on the subject, how could Joel feel otherwise?

Check out City Council candidate Dan David's new improved website

That's Doherty, not Duherty

I haven't met the City Manager, and from all accounts he does a commendable job, but the following in Carbondale Nightlife makes me wonder. "[Jeff] Doherty confirmed [what Council candidate and Nightlife editor, Chris Wissmann, pointed out to him] that the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is for officers to appeal disciplinary action, but mentioned that the council could could change or alter the board. While Doherty said expanding the board was suggested, the ordnance, as of right now, does not allow for citizens to file a complaint with the board. However, at Tuesday's meeting, Doherty told Muldoon that citizens could take complaints to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners." If you want to read the full Nightlife account, click here and scroll down.

Dogs of war at bay

Maybe you heard this already. France and Russia threaten to lift the leg of their veto power on Bush, war strategists go back to the pawing board.

Real Salukis show up in second half

Yesterday, I posted this photo along with a boosterish comment about the men's basketball team's chances in last night's game, but I think it may have jinxed the team, because the Salukis played like their furry namesakes above in the first half, being dominated by the 19th ranked Creighton Bluejays 42-16 twenty minutes into the game. Coach of the Year Bruce Weber used up his entire allotment of timeouts in the first half, and at one point told the team that if they didn't play better, there'd be practice the next day--whether the season was over or not.

In the 2nd half the regular team showed up and outscored their Nebraska rivals 42-40. No punitive extra practice, but no automatic NCAA bid, either. At the end, the score was 80-56.

No joy in Big Muddyville. You want more details?

I see his point

Everyone will love UPI's propagandistic use of this SAGGY-winning actor's impression of that old Uncle Sam recruiting poster. Hooray?

Will Salukis eat Bluejays?

It's the championship men's basketball game in the Missouri Valley Conference tonight in St. Louis. Read more about tonight's game.

Brad attitude

The youngest person ever elected to Carbondale City Council now wants to be the youngest Mayor, almost bad enough to write a bradass rap on the subject:

"It is generally [known and] understood,
my poetry has never been [no] good."

Despite the modest beginning, Cole's "Platform Packet Rapsody" features the breakout hit "Parking Meter Blues," about the new pole sleeves the city recently installed.




Yo yo, what's up with that?
Are parking meter poles really where it's at?
Instead the town budget should trim such fat.
Make Maggie Flanagan a roving diplomat.

Maggie's 'Renaissance Vision'

get a download of it.

Many Maggie signs seen around town

In yards on nearly every street, sprouting up like spring clover, unlike the sign pictured above, seen on Sycamore Street -- or rather in Sycamore Street--while walking to work the other day. (I thought I saw vehicle operated by Brad Cole driving back and forth over the sign before speeding off, but surely i jest.)

My favorite bit of Maggie advertising is still the "Maggie Flanagan for Mayor" emory board. Brad Cole may regret not investing in his own emory boards to hand out before the election, which is only...3 weeks away! Make no mistake, Maggie beat Brad to the dead-skin-filing women's vote, hands down. With a single stroke may have nailed the election.




It reads, "Maggie Flanagan for Mayor" www.MaggieListens.com

Cole hears

It says so here.

March is "National Walk-to-Work Week"

Seeing if you are listening. Actually, April is National March to Work Day. One guy who may not be marching to work as Mayor in May...

Early "war" casualty: Cole shoots self in foot

with opposition to peace resolution. This will solidify peaceloving, flag-wav(er)ing Flanaganians in their support of Her Magness, Lady Margaret, the one with heart.



It's in her signature.

Early Bird's Convenient Store of the Future

Drinks, snacks, newspapers, sundries, notions, gizmos and gadgets. Across the street from Amtrak and next door to Greyhound, the space would easily generate the $20 per day it would need to cover the rent, and then some.

Maybe "Early Bird's" is not the best name, especially if it doesn't open until 9 or 10. A better name would be Good's Value Store. You know you're going to find good stuff there.

GRAND OPENING APRIL 1, 2003 or later, or not at all, depending on the owner of the building leasing it on "favorable terms," and shelves materializing and inventory. Plus, the sign.

Paradising a parking lot?

I spoke to Old National Bank Carbondale branch manager, Jeff Speith, about the Bank leasing a portion of its parking lot for commercial use, specifically some "boutique" shops not found at the Mall. He said that since he was trying to lease the upstairs of the bank building, he might need the parking spaces. I asked rhetorically, "what if it paid more to lease the land?" He saw my point, but wouldn't/couldn't say how much he was asking for the space, because it was under negotiation. What makes the idea far-fetched is no business has expressed interest in building in that location, between Dairy Queen and Old Town Liquors, across the street from Hangar 9.

What would be a good business in that spot? It was a park before it was parking lot. How about a geodesic dome-shaped restaurant, where sandwiches are shaped like tetrahedrons. Call it Ishmael's or StarBucky's , which reminds me--don't forget the Fuller vision.

NEWS TO US

Did you ever want to read the news in verse? Two or more Carbondale poets are taking a stanza against the tyranny of tedium. Uh, let's see, where's that link? Oh here it is.

March is Women's History Month

If you want, you can learn more about it. Or read about a modern-day pioneering woman who's gone back to her roots . . . in Makanda.

Roots Too pulls up roots

Southern Sister Anita Hayden has moved her lock, stock and loom from downtown Carbondale back to her original shop in Makanda, leaving another failed business on Illinois Avenue behind. Another building full of opportunity. Across the street from Amtrak, and next door to Greyhound--a great location for a mom and pop quick shop, photocopy, postal annex and shoe emporium called "Stuff & Shoes."

Books, not bombs

Along with thousands worldwide, sixty CCHS students took that message to the street yesterday says the DE.

Book, not bombs

This guy will not be autographing copies of his new biography at Rosetta News any time soon.