If you have a business located on the historic Town Square section of Carbondale, you may wonder why your establishment is not featured in the photograph in the banner above. The answer: eventually it will be.

Meanwhile, a printed newsletter is in the works, along with website links to every single one of the businesses within the area targeted by this newsletter. Two more menus (Thai Taste & Newell House) were added to the links list on this page.

If you are a local reader, or an out-of-towner wondering what this place called "Carbondale" is like, you'll get a snapshot of one part of town in this newsletter/blog.

Where, oh where, is the Ubiquitous One? Check this blog next week to find out.

DE reports Carbondale getting unwired?

" The city is considering hot spots at places like the Carbondale Town Square rather than a completely wireless city like Rockford, partly because of funding. . . . [T]he city hasn't even estimated funding costs yet.

. . . Some businesses don't want wireless Internet access. Elaine Ramseyer, general manager of Longbranch Coffee House, said she doesn't want wireless Internet available at the coffee house located near the Town Square. . . . However, she said she thinks wireless Internet access could help build up business on the Strip and bring more students out into the community, encouraging growth.

It looks like Greyhound Bus travelers will go back to boarding the bus in front of the Amtrak station on Illinois Ave. across the street from the Bike Surgeon, while tickets will continue to be sold at New Chillan's Coffee House.

The purpose of On The Square online is to spread the word about Carbondale's Historic Town Square district. People familiar with the area are encouraged and invited to post their news and observations in this blog.

On The Square Online will have a website link to every business in the historic town square district beginning with those in the column to the right of this post.

Elaine writes: "It's already the third Friday of the month -- hard to believe. Please come to our monthly meeting and be sure to stop at the counter on your way by and grab a cup of coffee and a treat on the house. This is going to be a great meeting."

Beth Ponce, Development Services Director for the City of Carbondale, and Roxanne Conley, Executive Director of Carbondale Main Street organization, will provide information and applications for City loans and grants for facade improvement.

The City's long-term vision for a "Trainscape" -- including architectural standards for the Town Square area -- will be discussed.

More garbage bins will be discussed also.

Benches crafted by SIUC blacksmithing department.

Brenda Henderson's drawings for the new banner will be presented.

An update on what's happening with preserving Hickory Lodge.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m.

Congratulations to two businesses On The Square that have earned best new investment and exterior improvement to downtwon at the Carbondale Main Street Awards Banquet on February 3.

Best New Investment Downtown: Thai Taste of Carbondale
Best Exterior Improvement to Downtown: Tres Hombres Patio

Carbondale Greyhound is moving to Town Square, in New Cilans Coffee House. This will bring more traffic to the area.