Halloween Concert

Rather impressed with how quickly the Carbondale Halloween committee responded to the inclement weather last Saturday, moving the day's concerts to Hangar 9. Not particular good for the food trucks and other vendors who expected to sell stuff to concert attendees but certainly a boon in sales for the Hangar and hopefully the city allowed the food trucks to relocate to the street in front of the Hangar with minimal paperwork.

Downtown stores

Following up from an earlier post, it looks as iff all 4 storefronts in the elevated strip behind Trax have or will soon be filled. There are currently 2 stores selling clothing, the aforementioned barbershop and sheets of plastic covering the windows of the final one.  I would imagine they are getting a pretty good deal on the rent, given that it is necessary to clime steps to access any of them. No impediment to most people but anyone in a wheelchair cannot get to them. Though I am nowise an expert, I would bet the angle and location of the steps precludes the option of ramps.

New Barber Shop

Did not catch the name of it as I drove by but there is a new barber shop open  just behind Trax and north of Evolve. By my count that makes at least 3 barber shops and 3 hair salons in the downtown area  between Walnut and Grand.

Hundley House

Hundley House, Carbondale's most famous haunted location, is still up for sale. The house went on the market in 2016 but no takers over the past 3 years have caused the price to drop to under $190,000

Pine Manor

In case you missed it, Pine Manor burnt last night. Bed and Breakfast and conference center just west of Carbondale and South of Highway 13. At least 6 Carbondale fire trucks headed out that way  to help put out the blaze.

I got to walk through the building several years ago. Never realized that such a large and upscale facility existed in Carbondale.

Beer Ordinance

You will be able to take alcoholic beverages in plastic cups throughout the downtown area this Saturday, starting at 11 a..m. and ending at 2 a.m. Sunday. No coolers or stuff in other containers.

Cellar Outdoors Open

The Cellar has completed construction on its outdoor seating and serving area and has a soft open this week. A number of people were sitting on the new patio and wandering inside the new inside seating area. No idea if there will be a formal grand open for the space but sure seems as if people are already aware of it.

We're #629

Heard a story on WSIU indicating that Carbondale was one of the top 50 cities in the US for migration out of the community so, while poking around on the interwebs to verify it, I found this ranking of universities by Forbes, listing SIUC at 629 on the top colleges' list . The university ranks  #239 in public colleges, #249 in research universities and #158 in the Midwest. Given that there are about 4300 degree granting institutions in the US, that would put SIUC in the top 25%. Not bad.

City Clerk Office Closed

Hope you don't need the city clerk office for anything this week, except for FOIA requests, as the office is closed all this week for training.

Regions Bank

It would appear that SIH Memorial Hospital has purchased the soon to close Regions Bank building on West Main, as well as the building housing Dietrich Insurance next door. I would imagine, based on past activities by the hospital, that both will be razed to make room for new infrastructure or more parking.

Marijuana Sales Legalized

Next year, that is.  City council voted last night to allow recreational sales of marijuana in the city limits whenever the state legalization of sales starts, next September I believe. A additional 2% sales tax will be imposed on sales, pushing the sales tax on it to around 11.75%. mayor says he would like to see the additional tax revenue funneled into some form of social programs.

Marijuana

City council supposed to discuss recreational marijuana sales in the city tonight. Mayor is already talking about taxing it and almost all comments at the last council meeting supported it so would bet that, unlike Marion and Murphysboro, Carbondale goes ahead and legalizes retail sales. Does this mean we are not a family friendly city, as that is one of the reasons other communities have given for not legalizing recreational pot? Of course, I bet that those family friendly cities will now start closing up liquor stores and restricting cigarette sales and shuttering video gaming parlours.

Staying In Illinois

Caught on the news this morning that a new survey says 61% of of Illinois residents would like to move somewhere else. primary reasons given were high state taxes, state government and better weather. However when asked if they had taken any specific steps to do so, only 25% of those said they has done something such as looking for a job in a different state or listing their house for sale. Sounds like more of a case of wishful thinking.

Schnuck's To Stop Selling Cigarettes

Schnuck's announced today that the chain, including the store here in Carbondale, will stop selling all tobacco products next year. The company says it will take a hit in profits but sees the move as complementary to its growing focus on wellness. 

Employment Fair

The city still has openings for employers at at next week's employment fair. Given the number of "help wanted" signs in town, one would think it would have filled up already. I can easily think of at least 6 places with signs out.

Salukicon

This past weekend's Salukicon pulled in right around 2000 people. The university has decided, since it appeals to a younger crowd, to use it as a method of pull that group to campus. High school and community college students could get free passes, which normally cost $10 per day, and a lot of the events drew upon university facilities and departments, especially science and art, for programming. The university also spent quite a bit on the event so hope it proves fruitful. I know at least three of the guests were impressed enough with the convention and the Univeristy's support that they have offered to come back and work with various departments and their students.