A hunch about Munchy

Ran into Ed Ford today, the student trustee on the SIU Board, walking down Illinois Ave. Ed's up on just about everything pertaining to student life at SIU. I bumped into him yesterday, too, at the demonstration of support for Munchy Man. Between the running and the bumping into, I should ride my bicycle more carefully, I guess, but Ed filled me on the Torney case (completely exonerated) and the Munchy Man's plight. Apparently, Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs Larry Dietz and Director of Housing, Ed Jones, think health and safety are endangered by the MM's truck, which sells more cigarettes, than munchies. I've never seen it, nor met Messrs. Dietz or Jones. Maybe we could all get together for a snack at the Munchy truck before it drives off into the sunset.

b2w2

Oil your chains and pump up your tars, the second biannual Bike 2 Work Day is set for May 21. More details in the Bike 2 Work blog. Eventually, a press release.

Lunch talk, Munchies walk

Yesterday was officially "Munchy Man Day" in the City of Carbondale, according to Mayor Brad Cole, but lunch conversation with Tom "Cap" Miller gave me even more to chew on. The best radio news talk host in the area is such an apt conversationalist that his companions were rapt by his anecdotes and info -- which is really saying something since his listeners were SIUC Chancellor Walter Wendler and Cole. But Cap arrived late, and we started eating before he did, so he did what came naturally: inform and entertain. (His hero? Don Imus.)

So what were these guys doing at Harbaugh's? Months ago when this blog noted that WJPF was using the personna of "the Chancellor" in their radio ads -- and he didn't even know it -- suggesting to the owners that they give him a free lunch as a professional courtesy, and they agreed -- and Walter agreed to give the nearby restaurant a try. I invited Miller to come (as a representative of WJPF) since he and Wendler hit-it-off so well on Cap's radio show -- and the Mayor joined us because he knew the conversation would be lively, and the grilled cheese sandwich tomatoey. And it was. Unfortunately, I can't reveal the juicier tidbits, except for my salad, which had succulent chunks of avacado, crunchy walnuts, chewy raisins, citrus dressing, greens and onions -- especially when my mouth is full (so to speak).

Meanwhile, as the plates were being cleared from the table, the fate of "the Munchy Man" was being protested in front of Faner Hall. Media people were there, and the demonstrators held signs with clear messages in attractive, bold typeface.

The original "Mr. Sandwich" was there, too, along with past employees and friends of his son, James Rochman, the "Munchy Man" of today. Unfortunately, the protest probably won't do mu(n)ch good. When I had the Chancellor's ear briefly, I suggested that the university could make the privilege of selling stuff on campus from a truck be open to competitive bidding -- which could happen, I guess; he didn't laugh in my face. But in the meantime, by next month, the historic "Mr. Sandwich" truck on campus appears to be going the way of the old brown barracks between Faner and Morris Library. Thus spake blogathustra (more in the DE)

Speaking of protests, SIUC student Marc Torney will have his hearing this morning at the SIU Arena according to a university news release.

Save the Munchy Man! . . . Eat at Harbaugh's! . . . Free the Speech!

I just saw an amazing display of fireworks on television: Thunder Over Louisville, part of Kentucky Derby Festival. Nearly half an hour of peak pyrotechnics There's a video.

Apparently, this blog has inspired at least one more blog from Carbondale. Welcome aboard, Tom. (Not the same Tom as below)

Looking forward to lunch this afternoon with my favorite local radio news guy, Tom Miller, and couple of his friends, at one of Tom's station's (WJPF) advertisers.

If he doesn't already have one, Tom needs a nickname. Since he wears a baseball cap all the time, maybe "Cap"? (If nothing else, it leads nicely into yesterday's big news.)

Tom is a throwback . . . to guys like Dizzy Dean and . . . I don't know . . . I'll ask him at lunch who his heroes are. Maybe we'll come up with a good nickname for him, too -- or a sandwich. Which reminds me . . . I should ask the proprietor of the place to think about adding the "Philly-Deli" Cheese Steak (tm) to the menu, since Booby's doesn't make it anymore.

Malgoverning insurance?

Even though doctors showed up in droves in Springfield today to protest malpractice insurance that has double and tripled in the past twelve months, Kevin McDermott reports in the Post-Dispatch that Governor Rod Blagojevich (an attorney) rejected "'so-called tort reform' and hinted that . . . the problem of costly malpractice insurance stems from greedy insurance companies rather than runaway lawsuits." McDermott calls it "the strongest sign yet that [the Democrat governor] is siding with the lawyers in their battle against the state's medical and insurance lobbies." G-Rod would rather see "stricter oversight of insurance companies, better regulation of doctors and even state subsidies to help pay doctors' skyrocketing malpractice insurance premiums."

But the top Democrat Executive promises "to do something to help our doctors . . . in this (legislative) session," adding "Many of the reforms that are being discussed . . . look at long-term ways to bring down insurance rates that are oppressing doctors."

Great. Long term ways. But in the meantime doctors will get sick of paying through the nose, and no transfusion of state subsidies will cure the problem. The law must be changed . . . the tort reformed.

Lawyers, heal thyselves. There may not be any doctors left in Illinois if you don't. And then you really will have to heal yourselves -- along with everybody else.

The white coats are going, the white coats are going

More than 200 Southern Illinois physicians will take to the stairs of the Capitol at 11:30 a.m. this morning, "rallying legislators to take action for medical malpractice reform," reports Caleb Hale in The Southern Illinoisan.

Makanda Festivities

This Saturday, 10am – 6pm in dowtown Makanda. Fine arts & crafts with 19th century craft demonstrations, musical entertainment, and food booths. Come early, stay late. Plenty of parking. Free admission.

Another Bike 2 Work Day rolls around

"Bike 2 Work Day" is just around the corner. Thanks to Don Lawrence (Carbondale Bicycle Club newsletter editor) for sending the link to Shimano's Commuter Challenge. Shimano calls it Bike to Work Week, and experienced bike-to-workers can bring a rookie along, and both can win cool new bicycles. In Carbondale, we'll have a gathering somewhere at lunchtime. Last Fall, it was in City Hall, but this May 21, some outdoor place will be better; like the park on the sw corner of Main and Washington. Or the old standby Town Square Pavillion. (Is that the official name? Maybe it should be given an honorary name instead. Speaking of which . . . )

Ironic honor?

It's almost official, reports the DE: Federal Building to be renamed 'Senator Paul Simon Federal Building', thanks mainly to Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Jerry Costello, who launched legislation for this well-deserved honor.

But Paul would probably be more interested in the recent op-ed piece in The Southern, written by his colleague Mike Lawrence, interim director of the Public Policy Institute which Simon founded at SIUC: Blagojevich continues legacy of political pandering. Strong words, which Mike backs up with arguments drawn from Paul's book, Our Culture of Pandering. (Note to the ironic: renaming the building is a bit of pandering, no?) The President still must sign the bill, but he's expected to. Shall we call it the Simon Building? Erect a statue of Paul? I hope so. Right where the ziggarat used to be. Why not?

Attention: glutins for punishment

Ken G. notes the passing of the Pillsbury Dough Boy, who always rose to the occasion.

Carbondale Conversations Action Forum: Carbondale residents are invited to come to the Action Forum for Carbondale Conversations for Community Action on Saturday, May 1 from 1:30-4pm in the cafeteria at Carbondale Community High School.

Tom Woolf reports: SIUC to honor retired Student Center director: On Wednesday, April 28, at 3 pm, the Student Center's Gallery Lounge (just outside the ballrooms) will become the John W. Corker Lounge. Corker spent 19 years as director, during which time revenues increased from $4.5 million to $13 million.

I wonder how much revenue the Student Center currently generates yearly. . . and how much stays in the region.

Two important community events early next month: Citizens Police Academy graduation ceremony, May 4, and Youth Appreciation Day, May 8. I'll remind you.

The Daily Egyptian reports: Cardboard Boat Regatta saved from sinking into history. "Anyone wanting to volunteer or receive more information about the future of the regatta should contact Joshua White.

First off, the event needs a website.

Winer

Ken Seeber reports on Sour Grapes in the "battle over how best to market Southern Illinois' growing wine industry. . . . The conflict is centered on creating a so-called American Viticultural Area, or AVA. "

The guy who owns Monte Alegre Vineyard wants to create the largest wine growing region in the world and call it "Greater Shawnee." But "Shawnee Hills" is obviously better. David Ponce should put a cork in it and shelve the idea.

Warning: explicit language

Rap star and radio personality Chuck D spoke on the SIU campus last night and -- though lacking the intellectual stature of right-wing speaker David Horowitz, (who appeared on campus last week) -- Chuck was able to see over the podium on the Shryock stage to effectively convey his messages to the young adult audience: Vote, Make up your own minds, Don't be robots.

Chuck's literate-bad-boy with a killer sense of humor brought the audience to cheers and laughter more than once, quoting from the Opinions Page of the Southern Illinoisan, on the question of whether you approved of the President's handling of war, impressed that seemingly conservative folks would disapprove. Like many black comedians Chuck mimics doofus white guys very well. He also skewered the posturing new hip-hoppers wearing his hat at a ridiculously tilted angle. (Sorry no photo).

Unfortunately, right in the middle of his talk, a lady in a red dress walked on stage to interrupt the speaker and interrupted the Chuckster in mid-anecdote to make an announcement that building manager Bob Chechio had an announcement -- this must be serious we thought: a terrorist attack -- and Bob, who's about 5'2" tall could barely be seen (even when the photo is enlarged) as he provided details about the tornado and the plan for everyone to go to the basement -- except there wasn't be enough room in Shyrock basement for everyone, so some people would have to go to the basement in the Allyn Bldg. instead. I decided to leave, but not before introducing myself to Mr. D as we left the building: "Graydoggydog, world's oldest white rapper," I said, but Chuck was escorted away before he could say "ain't that some mothereffin' shit," or something more Chuck D-ish.

Speaking of which, if you want the meat of the matter, here's some Choice Chuck:

* Voting is like cleaning your ass. You gotta do it or the government will stink.

* Hip-hop is an attitude not a color. (You bet your goddamn ass, Mr. D, sir)

* LA, NY, and the DC beltway view the Midwest as nothing more than consumers. (bullseye)

* Don't applaud, I ain't runnin' for nothin'. (translated: look for Chuck D to run for political office
before the end of the decade).

My biggest criticism of this event (besides the tornado) is the humongous podium. What's up that? A relic from the days of giant chancellors? Totally wrong venue for a hip hop performer. He shoulda been able to move around with a cordless microphone.

Another thing . . . the DE reports the show was limited to 2 hours, whereas Chuck's shows last as long as 7 hours! What was Abdul King thinking when he booked this show? If I was The Donald, I'd say "You're fired!"

Perfect weather, perfect headline: Rain turns Festival into the perfect Irish day.

okay, bloggy, here's the scoop . . . there's a new gift shop going in to the space where the ice cream shop was in the Murdale Shopping Center. There's a photo of the flyer posted here.

try this on for size -- Sell it All may not be in business after this month. Better shop there while you can. They have really good deals.

A day of Days

Yesterday, it positively rained serendipity -- in the form of favorable chance encounters with assorted people, picking up all kinds of juicy tidbits and interesting leads along the way. Needless to say, I can't write everything I hear, but the word on the street is that yesterday was "Earth Day" -- even though not many knew that Earth Day had a fixed date! -- April 22 -- and that