Beer, Blood and Bluegrass

By Haley Lamb

“I gotta leave this country. I think I’m going crazy. The outlook’s gettin’ fuzzy. Thing’s are gettin’ hazy. I tried to cross the borders, tried to jump the fences. I never made it further than the smelly parts of Kansas.”

Ah, bluegrass. Even better, ah Big Smith. This is a snippet of lyrics from the song “Backwater” off the album Big Rock on Mayapple Records. And it is very important to this story. Why you ask? Because it’s what Big Smith opened with on February 9th, the night I got engaged. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Filed under: Joe's Jukebox, General | no comments

Join The Regular Joe Clean Team!

by Jay Kerner

Ok, so if you read my column on the inside cover you already know. But for the savvy reader, who thumbs past my face on the way to their favorite section, let me bring you up to speed. We’re starting an informal group, whose sole mission is cleaning up trash.

 

I’m sick of my town being so trashy. I’d love it if we could convince everyone out there, to stop making our roads and parks their personal waste baskets. Or worse yet, their toilets. But I realize I can’t control everyone else. (Hell, who am I trying to kid, I can barely control myself.)  What I can do is pick up trash. It’s not rocket science but at least the results are immediate. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Filed under: Joe Green, Jay Kerner, General | 2 comments

School District Plan “Razing” My Blood Pressure

by Vennis A. Vennable, Independent Writer

 

Dr. Melody Smith, Superintendent of the St. Joseph School District recently dropped a bomb on us with her “Vision of the Future” announcement. Since then, that has been quite the topic around town, as people question the merit, methodology and even the ethics of the plan, which would close some schools, re-purpose others and also build a couple new ones. Tentative deals have reportedly already been negotiated to purchase land for one of these new facilities in the 4200 block of Karnes Rd., pending School Board approval in May. (Full story)

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Filed under: General | no comments

Dear Joe

Dear Joe,

How come I can’t find your paper in the Southside? I have to drive way out to the Belt to find it? I love your paper, but why no love for the 238’ers.

There are a lot of stories down here as well. You could do a Clams piece on Dan’s New & Used. There are bands you could cover playing at Cagney’s now every week.

Come on you guys, St. Joe don’t stop at the viaduct you know.

Sam (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Filed under: Graffiti, General | no comments

The Finest Collection in Town, Bar-Nun!

By Eavin Moore

 

We’ve been busy with retail the last several issues and have drifted away from our true passion; examining unusual private collections. Frankly, the phone has quit ringing. Do you think your Uncle Ted’s fishing lures are not interesting enough? Are you afraid your grandma’s attic filled with cartoon jelly glasses wouldn’t make the cut? Well think again!

 

As an example of what we are looking for, I have decided to give you a little peek at one of my own private collections, my nun memorabilia. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Filed under: Come look at my stuff!, General | no comments

Noble Work for Noble Causes

Article by Vince Capell, City Manager

 

A lot will be said over the next several weeks about employee pay for city workers. Is it too high, too low, or just right? Some think it smart to take a walk while the pay issues cool down. But unlike steaming hot porridge, employee pay issues, if not adequately addressed, will, over time, only become hotter, more unpalatable and more unfair. The following story, sent to me by my daughter, a 1st grade teacher, prompted me to think about the non-cost side of the employee pay ledger. You know…that side of the ledger that lists the countless ways city employees make our community better, healthier and safer. This particular story is about teachers, but I could have just as easily made it about police, fire, health, streets and other city workers. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Filed under: General | no comments

Damn that Mark Sheehan!

by Jay Kerner

I’ve been a lifelong reader of the New Press. Somewhere in a drawer, my mom has my Orbit Club pin and the picture of a rocket ship I drew, that appeared in the Sunday funnies when I was 9. I’m a daily subscriber now, as I have been almost all of my adult life.

In the early 80’s I sold display advertising for the paper. They treated me pretty well, but I was a little freaked out by some of the other people in my department who had been there 25 years or more doing the job I was just starting. Same desk. Same neckties. Yikes. If I hadn’t left when I did, I’d probably still be there. I’d most likely be the assistant national advertising coordinator or something, who knows? Maybe I’d have a corner cubicle by now. (Full story)

Posted by: admin on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Filed under: This Joe Says, Jay Kerner, General | no comments

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