It's VA Day for Columbus

I realize there might be some new people looking at the blog today. Bear with us and just follow along on this continuing adventure. If something does not make sense . . . it's not you, it's a story in progress.
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This is the #1 Website on the internet when it comes to The Columbus Auditorium. That's right, this bulbous headed ego wort is claiming to be #1 and I stand by my claim.

However - let's get serious for a few seconds before I dive into the murky waters of yesterday.

Today is a huge day for the Columbus Auditorium. Exit polls are telling me that there is some opposition on the City Council when it comes to obtaining $300,000 to fix the roof.

Here is the thing.

No roof, no auditorium, no auditorium and the current roof will deteriorate until they are forced to move City Hall. If City Hall stands empty you might as well tear it down. Tear it down and you will lose the center of the city to be replaced with strip malls.

City Hall is the heart of this town. It is the beacon that draws people to look at the rest of the buildings. The auditorium is on the 2nd floor.

If you really care about this building and Columbus and you have never gone to a City Council meeting (6:30pm Tuesday in the City Hall) THIS is the one you need to attend. You don't have to say anything but the ol' girl could REALLY use your help. She has never asked for anything in the past but now she needs you now. Please.

If you can not attend the meeting could you PLEASE send Kris an email in support (kalang1@sbcglobal.net ). She will print off the emails and hand them to the Council.

Another thing you can do is make a small donation using the paypal button (you can use a CC). I sent a check yesterday to the CAC for $258.22 from sixteen donors from across the nation and the Council will hear of that also.

In all honesty your donation will only make a tiny dent in the total but it is the show of support that is needed. Look at what the city has done for you in the ways of entertainment in the last month. Help us out.

I will be there handing out cigarettes and chocolate to all attending . . NO NO NO I won't do that. I will buy a round of beer at the victory celebration at the Kurth Friday night - I hope.

Here is a little history about the Auditorium.

The last high school class to graduate was in the early 1930's. It was used for plays, solo & ensemble competitions, church, graduations, high school plays, movies, etc. It was a central point for entertainment/events in the community. She was boarded up in the 1930's after rumors were circulated that it had been condemned (started by people wanting a new auditorium for the high school).

There have been several attempts to restore it, the most significant being in the 1970's when the lower portion of City Hall was restored.

Members of that 1970's group were the ones that started the current Columbus Auditorium Corporation and made it independent of the City, hoping that City politics wouldn't hold things up.

They've made significant progress and really have a shot at getting this thing restored. We really feel that we need to move quickly on the restoration. The money is out there, but people want to see work being done first. If the work is done quickly, people will have to respond quickly with donations - I think a 18 - 24 month rally of "SAVE THE AUDITORIUM" is better than a 5-6 year "save the auditorium."

For some photos of the Auditorium - go here!

On a side note - in 1933

Average Cost of new house $5,750.00
Average wages per year $1,550.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 10 cents
Average Cost for house rent $18.00 per month
A loaf of Bread 7 cents
A pound of Hamburger 11 cents
Plymouth 6 Car $445.00
Campbells Vegetable Soup 10 cents

Adolf Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany
Repeal of prohibition in United States allowing 3.2% beer and wine sales
Strong winds strip the topsoil from the drought affected farms in midwest creating Dust Bowls
The original 1933 King Kong Movie is shown
The Loch Ness Monster is sighted for the first time in modern times
The First ever drive in Theatre is established in New Jersey
The Chocolate chip cookie is invented
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I have a new article in The Isthmus! Check it out and and click the little red Recommend This Article, an angel will get it's wings with every click. (that phrase was actually coined by Frances Goodrich in the movie It's a Wonderful Life - can't take credit for it).

T-shirt was thought of by Lynn. It would cost about $18 with $5 going to the CAC fund. Let me know if there is any interest.
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OK - Public Enemies - where does one begin.

At this moment shooting schedules are behind closed doors. The rumor is/was postponing Columbus until next week but I'm having a hard time with that. Next week was suppose to be Madison in the Capital and I doubt they can rearrange having that meeting room on a whim.

So. I'm just waiting to hear any news.

Yesterday.

Yesterdays blog was brought to you by the city on Minocqua (voted #5 Best Place for Anglers to Live by Field & Stream).

Here is where the wheels fell off the the tracks on that one.

Sometimes you can put a few clues together from people you trust and when it all adds up - you are wrong. One person that had been disguised as a Douglas Fir tree for a week had photos of base camp being torn down. Then another person that has had good info gave some wrong info and BAM. FUBR. Hey- that's why this is a blog and not a news organization. I can afford to be wrong.

Which brings me to another topic. The Public Enemies Columbus Cult. OOPS - it has finally come out. Here my pretties I have some kool-aid for you to drink!!

It seems someone thinks my tone has changed of late and perhaps I am thinking a little to much of myself. hmmmmm. Well, I have always thought to much of myself, I like me, I think more people should think more of themselves. It's how things get done. It's how decisions get made. Right or wrong things happen.

She is correct though when she states "this is a small town guy writing a blog". Although that seems a little insulting to small town people but perhaps that is just a slip. "BUT, he is not your leader" (I'd like to be but I need an island first, if any of you have a spare island email me).

"The ideas and stories... a lot of them come from people that have posted on here or talked to him without recognition." With that I am guilty. However(1) - if every idea I have ever heard had to be given credit this entire blog would be nothing but credits (and most of my life).

HOWEVER(2) - if I did miss giving credit to an ORIGINAL idea I am truly sorry. I have way to many irons in the fire the last month and things do slip. I apologize.

"he isn't all powerful and all knowing people" (I'd like to think so but she has a point). He is just a guy who started a blog and now thinks that the PE world owes him because he writes about it.

Naa - I'll have to disagree. I am owed nothing and expect nothing. I'll ASK though, never hurts to ask.

Now comes something I thought was funny.

She says:

I am leaving. Thank you all for what started out as an enjoyable experience with great conversation and ended almost like every other board out there.... making me question people.

After that very serious multi paragraph comment is a post from Rachel K

"I like your grassy picture."

THAT makes me smile - thank you Rachel K - perfect timing.

SO - now that we have seen what a blog/forum/bulletin board CAN be let's keep things on a cheery side.

I had skin cancer twenty years ago on my shoulder (have you ever had a sunburn Rod? - NOW THAT was a stupid question) and it was at that point in my life when I realized that life is way way to short to get angry and worked up over little things, and ESPECIALLY if it is related to a blog.

And with that - so long for today
Rod