Friday, January 25, 2008

Candles in the 'Dale

There's still some negativity in the Bytelife blog about Carbondale that I don't understand. Like calling Carbondale "Colehell" in the comments, which is neither amusing, nor accurate: Mayor Cole is not responsible for the awful intersection at Mill and Illinois. That problem was caused by City Manager Jeff Doherty. But Cole created Friendship Park, where pedestrians can sit, and red-lighted motorists have a pleasant view of sculpture by Alden Addington. . . . So what is wrong with the City that a little positive thinking can't help? "Better light a candle than curse the darkness," right?

Greg Cook the Portable Warehouse king, and his wife Nancy, just lit a huge candle under the Saluki Way project-- donating one million dollars, announced yesterday. Must be a lot of money in the warehouse biz. Greg is also one of the investors in the newly formed 1187 Creative agency, with offices in Carbondale and St. Louis. He'll probably be at the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner tonight at the Civic Center, which should be a cool event -- with dinner, awards, and music by the Ivas John Band to get everyone up and dancing.

Another candle lighter, Chamber director Meredith Rhoads is not just full of helium when she says (in high-pitched voice): "I wanted to give something back to the members, so we can celebrate the success of the past year." (Where's my digital recorder when I need it?)

Other candle lighters will be at the Chamber dinner, too. "Business of the Year" will go to Dan Terry, for the Newell House restaurant restoration .

African-American Museum directors Corene and Milton McDaniel are Citizens of the Year.
The Leader of the year: Greg Sprehe, Compac International
Bus. Pres. Service Award: Jeff Doherty.
The Regional Business of the Year: Short Enterprises.

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