by Eavin Moore

 Sometimes you don’t know what you know. You know?  For instance, I’ve known my friend Dooley Lawrence for over 30 years. I had seen his beautiful pottery creations displayed in Trails West booths and various retail settings, but it wasn’t until I visited his nearby farm/studio that I was able to add some scope to his art.
     
      It’s easy to miss the turn to Dooley’s place. You have to count the hills just a few miles northeast on 169 highway, on the way to Avenue City. It comes quick after the crest of one hill and the beginning of another. The neat white farmhouse, mown lawn and flower gardens are an oasis of sorts, surrounded by the plowed fields of agriculture.

(Full story)

by Danny R. Phillips

What is straight-edge? Besides of course a tool used in geometry or the sharp, thin line of a shiny razor blade? Webster’s Dictionary defines a straight edge as “a bar or piece of material with a straight edge for testing lines and surfaces or cutting along or drawing straight lines.” Yes, this is a straight edge, but Straight-edge is also a way of life. It is a violent, extremist gang to some, salvation to others.

Depending on whom you ask and what source you reference, the term “straight-edge” as it relates to the lifestyle either comes from a song by the late 1970’s protopunk band The Modern Lovers entitled “I’m Straight.” In it, lead singer Jonathan Richman spoke of his staunch disapproval of the drug lifestyle that was prevalent in the rock music circles of the time. But it was most likely borrowed from the song “Straight Edge” by Washington, D.C., hardcore punk groundbreakers Minor Threat. (Full story)

by B.L. Garver

One part man. One part god. All muscle…and a little sass, too.
 In the archives of my cinematic memory, I haven’t compiled a wide range of genres. Action, SciFi, Fantasy…and way in the back of the room, the sentimental shelf of Disney flicks and 80s cartoons, all of which contain some element of Action, SciFi, and Fantasy. As I brought out the old skeleton key to this room and began browsing the shelves, several movies presented themselves to me, each for its own reason:  “Terminator 2”, for its groundbreaking action scenes and special effects (also, my all-time favorite movie); “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, for its classic tale of teenage mischief; “Terminal Velocity”, a murder mystery centered around skydiving…  After considering these and other great films worthy of pages upon pages of positive review, something coerced me to take another direction.
 So here, in these thousand or so words, I submit to you a few reasons you should see the first American film starring Arnold Schwartzenegger; the first footprint in the path that would lead Arnie to a god-like status among Hollywood action icons. (Full story)

by Johnny Piranha

If I had to choose five CD’s to take to the wilderness in a hurry, “Sunrise on the Sufferbus” would be one of them. “Who?”, you ask. That’s right, it’s a somewhat obscure band of musicians from somewhere in Syracuse, N.Y. A group of not so well known players except for one always incredible drummer named Ginger Baker; mostly known for his contributions to Cream, that lil’ ol’ psychedelic blues rock band from the 60’s. If I have to tell you who the other members were, then this won’t mean much to you, and you should just move on the next article.

Masters of Reality really had some genius moments on this particular collection of songs; each a little story with an abstract sense of humor added in for spice. The guitar work is unique but still basic rock and roll. Nothing pretentious. (Full story)

By J Kerner

The simple answer is: we all are. Whether you prefer the original St. Joseph as laid out by trapper/trader Joseph Robidoux, the shortened St. Joe, the shorter still St. Jo, or even the much maligned Joetown…, well, I guess you could say that collectively, Joe is us.

So here we are kicking off a new bi-weekly publication dedicated to all things Joe. As it says in the masthead: the people, places and events that make St. Joe cool. And damn it, it is cool!

Joe loves to have a good time. We come out in droves for any kind of festival or parade. Provide a little music and fry up some funnel cakes and we’ll be there. But before you try to define us too narrowly, it’s important to note that we also support the arts. Our symphony and community theater productions are well attended and vitally important to who we are.

Joe loves to eat. Sure we get excited when Olive Garden comes to town, but when company shows up we still take them to the Hoof and Horn. Or Jerre Anne’s. Or the D & G. Or Barbosa’s. Or…well, you get the idea. (Full story)

 By Dan Danford
Family Investment Center

“We live here by accident, not on purpose,” is how I often explain that we came to spend our lives in St. Joseph. True, we both grew up here and – more astonishingly – remained here as adults. We’ve raised three outstanding daughters here, and we’ve both enjoyed rewarding careers. But, the truth is, we never intended to stay.

I share this point only because it helps explain why St. Joseph is special and unique. Our life experience highlights some of the interesting qualities that render this town a worthy site for living. And investing.

There’s an old John Fogerty song where he sings (screams, really), “…put me in, Coach, I’m ready to play…”  If you follow sports at all, you hear this theme repeatedly. “I just want a chance to play,” prays every athlete who ever graced a proverbial bench. It’s the universal song of aspiring athletes.

But I think it applies to most of us. A fulfilling life requires opportunity. I think that’s what most of us want more than anything. It applies in our families, in our work, in our play. We just want a chance – a genuine opportunity – to do better tomorrow than we do today.

St. Joseph sports some frustrating quirks. The place is stodgy, and cliquey, and maddeningly slow to adopt anything resembling change. Stay here long enough and you’ll likely develop one of those love-hate things for this aging river town. There is stuff you’ll surely love, but – just as surely – other things you’ll come to loathe. It’s a complex relationship for most of us that live and work here.

But those exact frustrations create some terrific opportunities. And that’s what keeps us in St. Joseph. (Full story)

By Erin Eddins,
Source Publications

As we march forward into what our fine city is becoming, we speak of change and development, marketing and positioning. The north end is ever expanding and the downtown is revitalizing. The city is growing without doubt and is changing without looking back. Or are we? It is often said that you cannot look forward without looking back and that you cannot know where you are going without knowing who you were.

“Where the Pony Express began and Jesse James ended …” Is that it? Those are two great claims to fame with incredible stories to be told again and again but certainly cannot encompass all that St. Joe was. What about the things that are just a part of our local memory? Not all great stories have to be of epic proportion. Some, but not all, of the tales that Old Joe would tell are of such notoriety.

These are the tidbits that Grandpa would repeat to you and the other grandkids while sipping lemonade on the old rickety front porch as his chair rocked to and fro. Okay, maybe that went a little far. But what this really means is a peek at the great events and small moments that create our local history. What unknown tale is out there? Not all unknown tales are completely unheard of. Our inaugural edition is focused on the unknown role of St. Joseph during an infamous time period.

Get your lemonade and your Grandpa….its time for Old Joe.  

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By Haley Lamb
An Artful Life

We all live. We all work. We stand in line behind or in front of people at the bank or our favorite local lunch spot to pay our checks. We see the same people walking down the street in our daily workplace bumble and jumble. But do we ever stop to say or do anything other than a nod of the head and a weak, mindless “hello”?

      Let’s change that shall we? Let’s give The Regular Joe the opportunity to meet other Regular Joes. Welcome to Meet the Neighbors.
      This is a very simple concept. Walk outside of your office. Look to the left, then to the right, and now repeat. Who do you not know yet? Walk across the street and ask for ten minutes with the entrepreneur behind the desk. Find out who they are and what they do. Then write it down and send it to Joe. We all want to know who’s in our community and the best place to start is right next door.
      Now, before we break out singing Kumbiya let’s get down to brass tacks. This is a business venture. You are building your network and getting a free plug in print for you and your fellow Joe. Sounds simple enough, now go Meet the Neighbors.
      Downtown St. Joseph has been my office home for just over 6 months. My name is Haley Lamb and I work at The Artful Life. Many of you are repeat customers but I am sure some of you are saying, “The What?” We sell a little bit of everything that is out of the norm, at least for St. Joe. Our main focus is modern art, furniture and accessories. But we also have amazing gifts, gadgets and gourmet foods. Stop in and meet us.

      Now, that you have met me, let’s head out and meet one of my neighbors. (Full story)

by Eavin Moore

Former Cop Shop, A Potential Museum for Milwaukee Music Man

I first heard about Greg Filardo’s place from a mutual friend.  “You won’t believe it,” he told me, “You’ve never seen any thing like it.” 

Of course I’ve heard that kind of talk a hundred times before.  But usually, when I get there all excited, camera and notebook in hand, I most often find somebody’s old maid aunt with a drawer full of souvenir shot glasses.  So it was with my usual skeptical attitude that I climbed out of the C.L.A.M.S. van in front of the old Police Station at 710 S. 9th in St. Joseph on a recent September morning.

The old building still looked pretty good for her age.  The classic art deco brick structure looks like it could still function as its original purpose.  I half expect Dick Tracy or Joe Friday to come busting through the doors as I come up the walk.

I’m a few minutes early for my appointment, and the place is locked up tight, so after I knock, I cup my hands to the glass, and peer down a short entry hall stacked high on both sides with boxes.  My heart starts beating a little faster, as the treasure hunter radar in my head begins to hum.

After a few minutes I hear movement inside and the owner unbolts the door to let me in.  Greg Filardo, 58 has a silver beard, wire frame glasses, and a twinkle in his eye.  Greg tells me that he was born and raised in Milwaukee, where he parlayed his early piano training into a career as a music educator. 

He bought his first antique piano at 14, and continued his collecting and restoration until he eventually owned what looks from the pictures to be one of the most beautifully restored mansions in the upper Midwest.  A love of history and architecture as well as a need for more space for his ever expanding collection led him to sell the mansion and come check out a real estate listing in St. Joseph for the 18,000 square ft. former Police Station.  He made the purchase and completed the move with 40 semi loads of cargo, which completely filled the two lower floors and the basement with his collections.

(Full story)

By Jimmy “Hambone” Hamilton

“Stop, hey, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s goin’ down!” 
Crosby Stills Nash and Young blasted out those immortal words almost 40 years ago during a time of intense musical revolution.

The doo-wop 50’s had given way to the sugary pop of the early to mid 60’s. Finally, just when the youth of America could stomach no more “Yummy yummy yummy, I’ve got love in my tummy,” popular music started growing a social conscience.

All of the sudden, giving a damn was cool. Music that stood for something escaped the coffee houses and took to the streets. Hair started growing and minds started expanding. Even the Beatles quit wanting to hold your hand, and asked us to Come Together. And did we ever!

We came together in clubs and theatres. We came together in giant sports arenas. We camped out in fields by the thousands as the beautiful sound washed over our dirty smiling faces. You truly had to be there.

So what’s that got to do with today? Just some more flashback hooey from another burned out old geezer? Maybe so. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the tiny little spark that kindles the flame of a brand new music revolution; one that’s fueled by a new generation of young people with fresh ideas and passions. (Full story)