Beware of Galesburg

One of many reasons to visit Galesburg, Ill.
One of many reasons to visit Galesburg, Ill.

Galesburg, you’ve disappointed me. You always had several things going for you: Amtrak service, a cute downtown with restaurants that put Peoria to shame, and that tiny liberal hangout Knox College. Sure, you had some things that weren’t so great (ahem, 120 freight trains a day crisscrossing the city) but I still thought that you’d be a decent place to raise a family.

Then I found out that quite a few of you hate sidewalks.

Steele said even if there were sidewalks in her neighborhood, she still wouldn’t let her daughter walk to school. “It’s not traffic I’m worried about, it’s predators,” she said.

If the money available for the project is not used by Galesburg it would be moved to another project outside Galesburg, she said. Her statement was greeted with shouts of “let them have it,” as residents voiced their opposition to the plan.

Holt asked those present at the meeting to think about the wider community, and not just their own subdivision, when considering the sidewalk proposal. “You are one piece of a bigger puzzle,” she said. “But it’s our piece of the puzzle,” countered resident Ron Noble.

And now, it seems, bibliophiles will need to look elsewhere. Waldenbooks, the omnipitent mall bookstore, is shuttering after 30 years, leaving Galesburg with no place to purchase books. I realize that this particular chain isn’t exactly ideal, but it certainly beats having to drive 40 miles to Peoria for their book needs.

Hong said she was “devastated” when she heard the news. Her husband called it “a setback for Galesburg.”

Quackenbush said it was different when Starbucks, which was not even here for a year when it was announced it would close, left town.

“That doesn’t stir me, as much as I like a good cup of coffee,” he said.

Go ahead, you have permission to snicker a bit at the surnames mentioned. But in all seriousness, I worry the current economic recession might convince a lot of idiots that things like the arts and literature are luxuries we can do without.

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First week in the big house

Perhaps I’m stuck in some sort of media bubble, but I find it difficult to believe that many good friends of mine needed to be reminded that Tuesday was Inauguration Day. These aren’t dumb people, either. Regardless of whether or not you voted for Obama, shouldn’t you feel downright irresponsible for not paying even the slightest attention to this event? Sadly, I’m sure that many more people paid attention to the Super Bowl than a peaceful transfer of power.

Here’s where one of you should lambaste me for being a damn hypocrite. Can you remember ever watching an inauguration ceremony before? Maybe I did accidentally, but I have no proof.

So now that we’re in our first new week of an administration, I worry about the mountain of expectation heaped upon the man and his administration. It’s the first day of school, where gaffes rule and even the oath of office is corrected. I’m optimistic, as long as people give the guy a chance. We’re an impatient bunch, we Americans.

So on a rather historic Tuesday of 2009, I produced a piece on a small barbershop in South Peoria. Customers and barbers alike watched a small television tuned to CNN, leaving the typical sports talk to another day. Some teared up, while others smiled or just stared. I’m sure there were a lot of memories and feelings sitting heavy in the room that day.

Mr. President, may I play you a song?

You’ve been so patient, dear readers. I know how, excited you are about Inaugural Day 2009. So are these band geeks from Morton, Ill. In all honesty, I had fun covering them and it was nice having an assignment away from Peoria (I never, ever thought I’d be excited about going to Bloomington/Normal, sheesh.) But what can I say, I’m a lame dude.

Here’s the follow-up video I shot yesterday… notice how absolutely emotional some got as the buses pulled away.

Static electricity: why I hate my sofa

Has anyone else had this problem? I bought a micro-fiber couch many months ago, a chocolate-colored ditty that looks good in my apartment. I spent a fair amount of money for it, at least for someone buying his first big piece of furniture besides a bed, so I’m rather perturbed about this. Whenever I sit on the thing, the ape-like hair on my arms immediately rises and reaches out for the soft fabric. I suppose it’s the sign of a dry winter environment, but it still seems odd that these things are sold without some sort of warning. I’m trying the dryer sheet treatment, but what if that doesn’t quell the demons within?

Let’s not even talk about the back cushions becoming shaped like those dinosaur chicken nuggets you ate in the gradeschool cafeteria. Those may be remarkably nutritious, but not comfortable.

Prize? 10 days in office

Although I’ve said very little about my new job, it involves a lot more video and a lot less still photographs. I’m still coming to terms with this (and I promise to speak more about it) but I figure I might as well show you what I really do at work. With 27-year-old Aaron Schock’s win to become a United States Representative, his former Illinois House seat was left vacant. A dark horse Democratic candidate named Jehan Gordon clenched the spot, but Republican Joan Krupa was sworn in to temporarily serve in 92nd District Illinois House. For 10 whole days, she’ll get to decide the fate of our infamous governor, Rod Blagojevich. (I bet you can’t spell his last name as quickly as I do.) Gordon will then take-over the seat for the full upcoming term. Odd stuff, politics.

2009 is a little late.

Damn you, New Year’s resolution. 2009 will be no different than any other year, and we know this by taking a little journey back through time here at ofadam.com. The archives reak of bile and regret and forgetfulness above all else. Yes, I did celebrate the aught eight to aught nein conversion with friends, but those photos will have to wait. I mean, you came here for the boys and girls frolicking in their skivvies, right? GET TO IT.