spcrnr Open Thread for the Week of July 26 pdf
by matthew on Sun Jul 26 00:00:00 CDT 2009
Some of our most productive and interesting conversations have come from open threads where almost anything goes. Speaker's Corner is a topic that is dedicated to open-conversation about almost anything that's on your mind.
The real Speaker's Corner is located in the north-east corner of London's Hyde Park where public speaking is allowed. There is no immunity from the law at speaker's corner, and while the police tend to be tolerant, they do not allow profanity or unlawful behavior. You may be jeered, ridiculed, enthusiastically supported, or completely ignored. Now, what's on your mind?
by matthew on Thu Jul 30 13:44:39 CDT 2009
Odds and ends: 
  Anyone have creative and interesting uses for the slew of empty lots scheduled to be auctioned off in September?  I'm thinking some folks could pick up the side-yard-of-their-dreams at rock-bottom prices!!!!

 The Preston Jackson statue is due to be unveiled this Saturday at 2pm. I’ll walk down if I’m in town, but I think we may be going up to Bloomington to look at apartments – one of the girls is starting ISU in the fall. Anyone going to be there for sure?
by haydiz on Thu Jul 30 15:57:17 CDT 2009
Uhm...don't have any use for empty lots unless I can sell them to Donald Trump for a hefty profit.  I'm planning to go to the Preston Jackson event Saturday if I'm in town.  I was going to take my video camera down there and record the dedication. 


by matthew on Thu Jul 30 23:22:03 CDT 2009

If I had an infinite amount of money I'd buy up the lots and turn them in to micro-parks or neighborhood micro-gardens or something like that.  Alas, that's not going to happen!


Also, I do hope the unveiling gets lots of media coverage.  It *is* a big deal, and it should have good attendance and lots of media coverage...No kidding - It's yet another thing we should take pride in having here in Decatur...

Once again we're ahead of the curve!

If you make it, Kris, I'd be interested in getting a copy of your video.
 

by haydiz on Fri Jul 31 06:55:11 CDT 2009
"If I had the money..."  I wonder how many times I've thought that in my head?  Infinite amount of times I bet.  I'll post the video on my site.  I should be going because I don't think we have anything else planned, plus I just want to go.  I think it's a big deal too.  The park looks great.  Greenspace has its value.
by matthew on Fri Jul 31 14:57:15 CDT 2009
Browsing the City Council Agenda for next Monday's meeting...What's up with this one? 

"Ordinance authorizing Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor on Public Right of Way for Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Diamonds Celebration"

Huh?!?!  Wow!

 
by haydiz on Sat Aug 01 07:16:28 CDT 2009
Matthew, I just read that about the Girl Scouts.  Seems kind of strange to me.  What kind of event is this?  The Girl Scouts are going to be watching their parents and leaders get drunk?  Are they going to take a field trip to a tobacco shop too?  Huh is right.

Another funny thing on the agenda is the ordinance to prohibit urination/defecation in public.  I guess the penalty is going to be discussed because it's left blank.  I wonder if we'll get any good laughs from that discussion but come to think of it, watching this city council is like watching a webcam of the county morgue.  They don't talk much.  I miss Caulkins, Edwards and Stockard.  That was entertainment. 

Kris
by matthew on Sat Aug 01 15:36:45 CDT 2009
Hey Kris!  It was nice to meet you at the unveiling - glad you're feeling better!
by haydiz on Sat Aug 01 18:10:01 CDT 2009
Matthew, it was nice to meet you are your wife after all this time.  After seeing how tall and big the mayor and city council members are in person, I think I'll retract my morgue statement.  :-)   I didn't realize who the bald man was in the front row of the council members and dignitaries, since I was standing behind them, until he stood up and walked towards the statue.  It was Dan Caulkins and I thought it was Brian Byers.  LOL!    It was a nice dedication and I'm glad I went.   Preston Jackson is cool and his sister can hit the high notes.  Wow!  A very talented family.

Kris
by matthew on Sat Aug 01 22:22:07 CDT 2009
I discovered at the Preston Jackson Civil War Memorial unveiling today that the Girl Scout event is not for kids! The beneficiaries of the events are Girl Scouts, but the actual active (that is - underage) members will not be in attendance! :-)

Also - videos uploading now....(zzzzz)
by matthew on Sat Aug 01 23:18:52 CDT 2009
First 10 min of Civil War unveiling ceremony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Av82fZmxE
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