by Clyde Weeks, Independent Writer
Around the turn of the century, when someone in the
Note to Joe
Dear Joe, I wanted to drop you a line about my experience on a recent walk down town. Walking west on Felix and 8th street, from the Lovely Fosters Martini Bar, I encounter , a hip little joint on the corner of 10th and Felix called the Snake Bite Club. (Full story)
Most folks have at least heard of Frank Zappa, the crazy, rock icon. Younger generations may know the Zappa name from his progeny, Moon Unit, and Dweezil. (The latter was actually named for Frank’s nickname for his wife’s misshapen little toe. (Full story)
by Jimmy “Hambone” Hamilton, Independent Writer
I read the nice story in the last issue about Kathleen Holeman’s show at 36th Street. As I was trying to decide what to write about for this issue, I decided to go a different direction. In fact, the band I’m featuring here may be the exact polar opposite of the sweet, mellow jazz offered up by Ms. Holeman. (Full story)
Dear Joe,
What’s with your phone number? I’ve called 279-5JOE several times, and the same guy answers every time. He says he doesn’t know about the paper, and to please quit calling. I have hit re-dial hundreds of times, but with no different results. Then I thought maybe you guys just keep weird hours, so I set my alarm and tried calling in the middle of the night. Gosh, you’d think that guy could at least take a message.FRUSTRATED CALLER (Full story)
Dear Joe,
Enjoying your new publication so far, but I have some questions about your publisher. What is this guy’s deal? His first column made a lot of sense, as he defended local eateries from the onslaught of new out of town chain restaurants. I thought, ‘ok, finally a level headed voice for St. Joseph.’ But in your second issue he just comes off as another opinionated smart-ass. And could you please explain the goat.
Concerned reader (Full story)
by Jay Kerner
One of the things I promised myself when I started this column was that I wasn’t going to turn it into a giant bitch-fest. Making a list of all the things that tick you off is easy, and can occasionally be amusing, depending on the delivery. Stand up comics have been using this technique for a long time. Ex: “Don’t you just hate parking tickets?” Well of course you do. Who doesn’t? But I think that route’s a little too easy. So my self imposed rule is: no bitching without suggesting solutions. (Full story)
When we set up the Regular Joe offices at 117 South 7th in St. Joseph, I found we shared the front door with another business.
I recognized the name Caregivers, and remembered that this organization had provided services for my grandmother in the last years of her life. For the last month or so I have been smiling and saying hi to various medical looking people in hospital scrub clothes as I come and go, but I thought a “Meet the Neighbors” assignment might give me a better understanding of what they do. (Full story)
by Wayne Jensen, Source Publications
To a great degree we, or the culture we adopt, are the products of our past. In many cases not our past but the past of those that have gone before us either as parents or the forefathers of the community that we inhabit. As example look to your religious life, how many chose through careful examination and how many of you accepted the religion of your parents?
As for our State of Missouri it goes back to the pioneers that settled our territory and the confusion that was created during the Civil War or as many Missourians will still tell you, The War of Northern Aggression. It is from that period it is believed that the moniker of Missouri as the Show Me State was derived. Because most of the Missourians that fought against the Federal Troops were irregulars who wore civilian clothes as were those that spied for the Federal Troops and even those who were non-combatants there was a constant fear of the bona-fides of someone you did not know when meeting them on the trail or in the bush. So either the person you approached or you yourself would inquire to the others loyalties in the parlance of the day by asking the other to prove it or “Show Me”. (Full story)
by Erin Eddins, Source Publications
Summer afternoons with a blanket and a picnic basket. Winter drives to see Santa’s Workshop. Fall Sundays feeding geese and ducks. What a serene plan? But in our busy lives of running errands, shopping online and keeping up with the Jones’ such a place seems an impossible dream.
The reality is our very own Krug Park offers us all of that if we just take the time to enjoy it. There is no expensive airline ticket required or puffed up handling charge from TicketMaster. All it takes it the decision to carve out some time to just be there. The ducks don’t care if you dress up or not. The deer and long horns won’t mind if your car is a clunker. This is the one destination that you don’t need a reservation.