Carbondale Times

 Paddock Publications has been sold to the Chicago Tribune, which is owned by venture capital firm Alden Media Group. The new owner has decided to shut down the Harrisburg Register, Gallatin Democrat, Marion Republican, Vienna Times, Monday’s Pub, and the McLeansboro Gazette, leaving only the Carbondale Times,  Franklin Co Gazette, and the Anna Gazette Democrat publishing. The Carbondale Times will also move back to a Wednesday release date from its current Friday.

July 4th fireworks

Carbondale will host its annual Independence Day fireworks display at the SIUC baseball fields with parking in the Bantera Cener parking lot. There will be a concert starting at 7:45 with the fireworks beginning at 9:15.

Of course, you could just wait around the town square as Carbondalians will shoot off fireworks in the neighborhoods to the northeast and northwest of the Pavillion

Flag Day

 Drove though the northwest side yesterday and, aside from the Lions Club display on Illinois Avenue,  I did not see a single American flag on display at any home. Certainly a decline from my youth when nearly every house would have a flag out.

Pride on the Strip

In case you are interested, here is the schedule for Pride on the Strip today. have not seen any actual schedules  printed up anywhere.

Robbie Stokes Stage

The Way Down Wanderers will perform the inagural conccert at the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage on June 25 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will be nice to see how well the new space functions as a perfromance venue. It would also be nice, though I doubt if they did, if the city had installed audience accessable bathrooms in the facility rather than bringing in portable toilets.

University Baptist Church

 According to the signs outside the building, the University Baptist Church building is now occupied by "Exodus Church" which looks like another version of Central Community Church, targeting young people and families.  At least someone sees Carbondale as an area of growth.

Citywide yard Sale

 I only heard about it a couple of days ago but there is a citywide yard sale taking place this Saturday.  Here is a link to the list of locations participating