Siftings
Nov
13
Coulda
Coulda walks in, early. Peoria has come to Davenport. They’d like to tour downtown and learn some secrets of our success. I’m setting up the powerpoint for the pre-tour presentation as the first of the group walks into the Council Chambers. The laptop is balking a bit, and I’m worried I’ll have...
Nov
12
Shoulda
The Husqvarna Group’s 2013 Global Green Space Report shows up in e-mail, courtesy of Kirt Reider from Hargreaves. It’s an interesting read if you’re fond of quality of life, tax base growth or … you know … oxygen. They survey some 4,676 people across the globe and come up with all manner of...
Nov
11
Those who serve
I almost lost it. The WWII vet, frail but resolute, put his lips to the bugle and played Taps. Two other grey haired vets folded the American flag which draped my father’s coffin and handed it to me. Cold and drizzling, these three men who had never known my father paid their respect. To thank...
Nov
07
Craig’s Friday Countdown: how to get hired (1 – 13), or not (14 – 25)
How To Get Hired, Or Not
25. Don’t Apply
24. Don’t Respond To Questionnaire
23. Continually Mention You’re Best Friends With An Elected Official – Try Chicago, instead
22. Show Up Late For Interview – Unless you stopped to save someone’s life on the way in
21. Have A Ten...
Nov
06
Centerfield
Given a choice, centerfielders always sit in the back of the room. We’re more comfortable there, where we can see the whole playing field. So, while other local government folks are sitting up front, where they’ll be seen, I take a seat at the back of the Figge lobby for the Americans for the...
Nov
05
Not a complaint, just an observation #1,537
The workday starts at 7:30 with a breakfast, so I’d be up a little early anyway. This is one of those mornings where the newspaper really pulls its weight. I’m sure some folks stay up late and watch election returns, but I’ve never seen the point of that. The newspaper will have it all neatly...
Nov
02
Thank you, Alma
I’m pleasantly surprised. Times reporter Alma Gaul has two excellent stories about the “Food Forest” project in the Garden Addition. The story about the recent planting of nut bearing trees is interesting and has heartwarming photography, but her side story about former City Designer Darrin...
Nov
01
Harbingers
Two sure harbingers of winter are swapping the Jeep’s soft top for the hard top and making a pass through Snowstar’s pre-season equipment swap. Colin scores the coolest skis at the swap, that somehow also have the lowest price - $20. They’re vintage Super G skis. Long metallic gold beauties,...
Oct
31
Introductions, Part II
Bob Babcock stops by City Hall, unannounced, to discuss yesterday’s meeting. We’ve never met, and exchange brief “how we got here” bios. He scans my bookshelf and makes some assumptions.
I tell him I try not to use the “P word”. The Council was courageous to put an initiative on a ballot in...
Oct
31
Craig’s Friday Countdown: Gas station candy bars
Gas Station Candy Bars
20. Zagnut – never had one, not buying anything called Zagnut
19. Whatchamacallit – never had one, opposed to buying something the company which sells it is too lazy to give a name to (also applies to most luxury car brands)
18. Payday – a bag of nuts is better
17. ...
