Arbor Day

 From the city.  I do wish the city would get around to replacing the trees removed on West Main and West Walnut several years age

The City of Carbondale proudly celebrates its 45th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community. In recognition of this milestone, the Forestry Division will plant a Swamp White oak in honor of our current standing Mayor, Mayor Harvey.  

The Celebration will take place on Arbor Day, Friday April 24 at 3pm at Founders Park, located behind the City of Carbondale Police Department. As part of the observance, the Daniel H. Brush Chapter National Society Daughter’s of The American Revolution will plant a Jefferson elm in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. 

“Carbondale’s continued recognition as a Tree City USA community reflects our long-standing commitment to sustainability and quality of life” says City Manager, Stan Reno. “Planting trees in honor of Mayor Harvey and America’s 250th anniversary is a meaningful way to celebrate and honor both her great leadership and our nation’s enduring legacy.”   

We ask the community to join us in this celebration and encourage citizens to conduct their own personal Arbor Day celebration by planting a tree of their own.  

Questions about planting your own tree or other city forestry services? Contact the City Arborist by email at mmcdaniel@carbondaleil.gov or call 618-457-3275. 

Learn more about our status as Tree City USA, as well as SIU’s standing as a Tree Campus USA here: https://www.explorecarbondale.com/170/Forestry-Services 

Tedrick Welcome Center

 Happened to drive onto SIUC's campus today and passed the Tedrick Welcome Center and the first thought I had was "This thing is big". I had visualized a small one story building like the welcome center at the north end of Woody Hall.  Nope, the Tedrick Center is a good three stories tall and certainly has plenty of space to welcome students. I do wonder what those upper floors are used for, as I would think most welcoming of students would take place on the ground floor

Victims Rights Presentation

 Short notice but the city will host an event at the Town Square Pavillion promoting National Crime Victims Rights week this Sunday from 1 p.m to 3 p.m.

The City of Carbondale has received funding from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the U.S. Department of Justice, to support a regional awareness campaign during the 2026 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19–25, 2026.   

In partnership with the Carbondale Public Library and the Survivor Empowerment Center, the City will promote the 2026 NCVRW theme, Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect Victims, Serve Communities, by celebrating victim advocates, service providers and the everyday individuals who listen and act to support victims of crime across Southern Illinois.

On Sunday, April 19, the City will host a NCVRW Kick-Off Celebration at the Carbondale downtown pavilion from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring information on local services, light refreshments, and entertainment. On Thursday, April 23, the Carbondale Public Library will host a Know Your Rights presentation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., highlighting victims’ rights and available resources. These event are free and open to the public.

SIUC Infrastructure

 The SIUC Welcome Center will cost an estimated $6 million.  Yeah, I know.  No taxpayer dollars or student fees are going to pay for the building and the university estimates it will open next month. 

However and meanwhile, McCleod Theater, the main stage at the SIUC School of Theater and Dance, has been closed for rennovations since December. No contractior has been hired yet, ergo no work has been done.

The University has an estmated $1 billion of defered maintenance that needs done. Quigly Hall has had leaks in the ceiling for a decade.  Most of the HVAC units on campus are obsolete.  No equiptment supply house still stocks replacement parts for them so maintenance has to source them from eBay.

Outdoor staircases have been roped off for months waiting on maintenance. Classroom floor tiles have buckled from the cold, exposing asbestos underneath. The tiles were replaced and sealed, leaving the asbestos in place.

The universtiy did not need a welcome center. It needs money spent making classroom and student facilities suitable for student.s

Chilly Jilly's

 Chilly Jilly's, the new ice cream shop in downtown Carbondale, had a soft opening this past Tuesday. Current hours are 8 a.m. to 1p.m. and from 4 to 8 p.m.  We will see how long the 8 a.m opening time lasts as I do not think many people are looking for ice cream at 8 in the morning but they cold have offerings that would appeal to customers at that hour.  I saw they offered a special Yummy Donuts ice cream sandwich, a split doughnut with a scoop of ice cream between the halves.

Slabz

 It looks as if Slabz has closed its S. Illinois location permamently. the sign has been removed from the building. I have heard the business was looking at relocating to a new location in Carbondale but no updated information on theirsocial media platforms.

Hemp n' Stuff

According to their social media pages, both Hemp n' Stuff and Magickal Hippie, which were under the same ownership, have closed down, Magickal Hippie's FB page does make a reference to following them it you want to see "what's happening next". A lot of  dispensaries have opened in the past couple of years in Carbondale to compete with Hemp n' Stuff, which, as far as I could determine, did not sell marijuana, just the supplies fo r smoking or consuming it. 

Carbondale, despite being a college town, has never had the customer base to support a new age show for more than a few years. Country Goddess lasted the longest and it closed after about 4 years.