Blessing of the Bikes

 The Blessing of the Bikes takes place at Bald Knob Cross this Sunday. Apparently they expect a goodly number of bikers as IDOT has signs up on either side of the Alto Pass exit warning drivers to "Beware of Bikes".

Certificate of Appropriateness Committee Meeting

 The city's certificate of appropriateness committee meets next Monday. On the agenda, it is appropriate to demolish Gen Logan's one time residence at 400 West Oak and what sort of awnings (I guess) are appropriate to replace the ones removed from Priority Sports and The Door. If I recall correctly, SIH owns many of the properties along West Oak and would like to pull down the houses there and expand. Seems a shame, given how much the region venerates Gen. Logan, to raze his house, at least without putting up some acknowledgement that he lived there. Hospitals, universities and churches all have a habit of razing older buildings, even historically significant ones, when they need more space.

Here's the link if you want to watch the meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88142049006?pwd=RHk5VUxJUm1SYXhrSDBocG91bWJLdz09

 1. Roll Call and Determination of a Quorum

2. Communication and Reports:

a. Certificate of Appropriateness review for the demolition of General John A.

Logan’s residence at 400 West Oak Street.

b. Certificate of Appropriateness review for replacement awnings for properties

located at 106 and 112 South Illinois Avenue.

3. Comments by the Public, Committee Members, or Staff

Murals

 The City of Carbondale is looking for someone(s) to paint 5 murals in downtown Carbondale. Locations are the Wallace Building, SI Pawn, Varsity Center for the Arts, Julia Building and Horstman's Cleaners. You can see the spots here as well as the mural on the side of Arnette's Barber Shop which looks to be what the city is looking for.

The Chamber of Commerce is working on something similar but  prominently featuring SIUC's logo and images. 

Park District Newsletter

 Looks as if the Carbondale Park District wants to make sure its side of the story in the discussion between it and the city council over merging and responsibility for parks within the city. Although the park district has send out mailings over the years, those always focused on programs offered by the District. This is the first one, that I recall, focusing on the Park District and the challenges it faces. 

According to the newsletter, the Park District dates back to 1940 and first assumed responsibility for maintaining several city parks in the 1950s and signed formal leases in 1963, designating the CPKD as the organization responsible for maintaining the properties. As costs of maintenance have increased, the CPKD revenues generated by property taxes have not grown at the same rate, leading to the closure of the BMX park on the south side of Carbondale and deferred maintenance on a number of park properties. With the change in responsibilities, the CPKD plans to allocate more money toward addressing that deferred maintenance 

Crypto Exchange

 Looks as if downtown Carbondale was not the best location for a "crypto exchange" office or whatever the business was doing with cryptocurrency. It has opened up an office in the QQ Bubble Tea location several months ago but I now see a "For Rent" sign in the window. About a decade ago, the city was pushing "Cyberdale", now I guess "Cryptodale" did not work either.

Awnings

 As part of the downtown redevelopment, the city has removed the awning standing in front of The Door and Priority Sports has been removed. It has been there since before I came to town in 1990 so imagine it got grandfathered in when IDOT established more regulations for sidewalks bordering highways. Awnings are OK but putting supports as close to the street as the Priority Shoes awning are likely not approved.

TJ's Fine Jewelry

 TJ's Fine Jewelry on West Main  got hit by an SUV last night. Plowed through the front of the store. Major damage to the front of the store but no one was injured and no product lost. Apparently a case of someone driving under the influence.