Zinn`s dream: No more veterans
Transcription
Zinn`s dream: No more veterans
December 5, 2007 BIWEEKLY FREE The final edition Alternative evolves to new media In this issue: by Steven Higgs E Santa’s holiday A&E picks Santa has more on his mind than just toys for tots this Christmas season. In an exclusive interview from his Bryan Park home-awayfrom-the-pole, the man in red shares his thoughts on what to do this month. Page 5 ______________________________________________________ What child is this? Editorial cartoon by Brian Garvey Page 2 Citizens seek Edwardsport review Citizen groups are seeking an additional IURC review of Duke Energy’s plans to build a coal gasification plant southwest of Bloomington in Edwardsport.. Page 2 Media blind spots and blackouts Kevin Howley says the media’s failure to cover FCC proceedings on media ownership is either an inexcusable blind spot or a deliberate attempt to keep the public uninformed. Page 3 Civitas The world without humans A new book has Travis thinking about a postenvironmental-apocolyptic world and how long the human footprint will actually last. Page 4 Poll Numbers Editorial cartoon by Tom Tomorrow Page 4 Around town The Alternative’s biweekly calendar of events Pages 6-7 ASTROLOGICK Astrologer Gary Paul Glynn’s biweekly forecasts Page 9 Organic Matter by Kristin Rust Mother Nature can compensate Kristin is back, and she takes a look back at what Mother Nature threw at area gardeners this past year and how Her creations adapted to Her mercurial moods. Page 10 On the Web: ven though I know this piece is a farewell to some, it’s really an announcement of a new phase in the ongoing experiment in new-media journalism called The Bloomington Alternative. Yes, this is the last issue of the Alternative print edition. And I’ve heard from enough loyal readers who crave that newsprint in their hands to know that we’re going to lose them if we don’t keep a print publication on the street (an eventuality that has not been ruled out). But while the thought of losing readers is an anathema to any writer – it sets pinched nerve endings ablaze, actually – the truth is, for a multitude of reasons, it’s time to let go of the old media and more fully embrace the new. The only aspects of the future that are certain today are that we will continue building our Web presence, and all of the Alternative’s regular contributors – Travis, Garvey, Canada, Thom, Hamm, Harrell and Fischer, Rust – will be there, with extensive archives of their work. Given that the creative potential on the Internet is limitless, we’ll be offering some new media experiences for those who make us part of their virtual habits. But it bears repeating: We are evolving, not going away, by any means. And a print publication of some sort may indeed be part of the mix. A common response from readers and supporters these past 5 1/2 years has been that they appreciate our honesty, H New York City A Photo Album by Steven Higgs ___________________________ Investigative reports Stories & columns Editorial cartoons Arts & Culture Photo albums Blogs www.BloomingtonAlternative.com See Page 8 for the latest “We will spend our ‘time off’ this month building upon the online upgrade we did last summer.” whether they agree with us or not. We tell it the way we see it. Take us or leave us. It’s the readers’ choice. In that spirit, I’m going to be honest and say the decision to end the print version isn’t just about money. The paper and Web site pay for them- selves through the generous support of individuals and advertisers who share our vision and value our audience. We’ve always paid our bills, and our contributors, on time. None of us would quit over cash. It’s about money in the sense that future FDVKÀRZ SURVSHFWV GRQ¶W ERGH DOO WKDW well for anything other than treading water. And those who have watched the Alternative grow since July 2002 know that standing still is not what we’re about. Continued on Page 11 Zinn’s dream: No more veterans by James Alexander Thom NEW PROJECT Photograph by Steven Higgs Almost three years to the day since planning for The Bloomington Alternative print edition began, the biweekly counter to market-driven journalism in Bloomington is ending its run. The mission will continue online and, perhaps, in other, yet-to-be-determined forms as well. oward Zinn, eminent peacemonger and sage, can really set you to thinking. He wrote to me last week that he’d given a Veterans Day speech in Worcester, Mass., telling the audience what Veterans Day should be: a day we pledge “No more veterans!” Wow! Is that a loaded idea! Stop making veterans. Pledge to stop making wars for so long that peace outlives even the oldest veterans. Think of it. Zinn, author of the classic A People’s History of the United States, was an Air Corps bombardier in World War II, an old warrior long since turned against war, one of the leading American dissenters against the Bush administration’s warmongering. The postscript to his letter said, “Mail- [email protected] er is now dead. And Kurt [our mutual friend Vonnegut]. And Joseph Heller – all honest witnesses to the ‘good war.’” E verybody mentioned here so far (except Bush) is or was a war veteran. So when Howard says, “No more veterans,” he’s implying a time when we and many of our most esteemed friends will be gone. That would include another of our peace correspondents, Korean War Marine Andy Jacobs, longtime Indiana congressman who wrote a book about presidents who send Americans off to become veterans of foreign wars. At 80, Andy now writes anti-Bush barbs from Indianapolis. We all hope our pens are mightier than the sword. I feel as much esprit de corps in this squad of old pen warriors as I did in the Marines. Think far ahead to a time when there will remain no living Vietnam or Desert Storm veterans, or even those still being forged in Operation F.U.B.A.R. in Iraq. That will be a long time from now, because soldiers who survive the wars WKH\¶UHVHQWWR¿JKWWHQGWROLYHORQJEHyond them. I can remember as a child in the 1930s attending the funerals of my ancestors who were Civil War veterans. Most if not all World War I veterans are gone, including my father, who was also a World War II veteran. World War II is more than 60 years in the past, but old farts from that www.BloomingtonAlternative.com Continued on Page 2 2 The Bloomington Alternative December 5, 2007 The Bloomington Alternative The Bloomington Alternative is a biweekly journal of news and commentary published in Bloomington, Ind. Both the print and online versions are free. The Alternative is a mission-driven publication whose goal is to promote and celebrate progressive social change and independent media in Bloomington. Specifically, we promote social, environmental, and economic justice; local arts; local business; and independent writers. Alternative staff: Editor: Steven Higgs Columnists: Gregory Travis, Steve Chaplin, Tom Szymanski, Kristin Rust, Caitlin Brase, Helen Harrell & Carol Fischer Editorial cartoonists: Brian Garvey, Tom Tomorrow Calendar: Ashlee Deon Contributing writers: Thomas P. Healy, Steve Chaplin, Lori Canada, Alison Hamm, John Blair, Kevin Howley, James Alexander Thom, Josephine McRobbie, Jessica Hullinger, Caitlin Brase, Ashlee Deon, Charli Wyatt, Jesse Darland Ad design: Talia Halliday Copy editing: Karen Garinger Send submissions or comments to: [email protected] The Bloomington Alternative P.O. Box 3523 Bloomington, IN 47402 To advertise with the Alternative: 812-339-6588 [email protected] To support the Alternative by check or money order: Bloomington Alternative P.O. Box 3523 Bloomington, IN 47402 To support the Alternative by credit card: • Go online to www.paypal.com, • Click “Send money,” • Create a personal account, and • E-mail your subscription to [email protected]. Contributions of any kind, large or small, are not tax deductible but are greatly appreciated. Copyright 2007 © by Higgs Communications Subscribe to The Bloomington Alternative Save the hassle, have the Alternative mailed to your home. Monthly $8 (2 issues @ $4.00 per issue) Quarterly $18 (6 issues @ $3.00 per issue) Semi-annually $32.50 (13 issues @ $2.50 per issue) Annually $58.50 (26 issues @ $2.25 per issue) Mail to: The Bloomington Alternative P.O. Box 3523 Bloomington, IN 47402 Issues mailed on the Tuesday before public distribution on Wednesday. Citizens seek Edwardsport review Alternative Report crease, driving up the cost of the plant and making alternatives such as wind onsumer and environmental advo- DQG HQHUJ\ HI¿FLHQF\ HYHQ PRUH HFRcacy groups have asked the Indiana nomical alternatives. Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) • Congress and the EPA are considering to reopen its investigation of a proposed even more stringent limits on carbon diQHZFRDOJDVL¿FDWLRQSRZHUSODQWLQ(G- oxide, a greenhouse gas emitted by coal wardsport. plants. Tougher regulations on carbon The groups want the IURC to consider emission could make the plant uneco“new and material evidence” discovered nomic and a waste of ratepayer dollars. that would have an outcome on the deci• Duke has also proposed a tenfold sion. increase in its programs to help reduce 6SHFL¿FDOO\WKHJURXSVZDQWWKH,85& electricity demand, which would reduce to consider: the need for the new plant. • Duke has issued a call for bids on as “It is simply incredible that Duke conmuch as 1,000 megawatts of new genera- tinues to seek approval of a 600 MW plant tion by 2012, nearly twice the capacity of when they only claimed to need 500 MW the proposed Edwardsport Project. to begin with and are now taking bids • Originally Duke had partnered with for over 1,000 MW of generation,” CitiVectren Energy Delivery to share the zens Action Coalition Executive Director risk and costs. Vectren has asked to Grant Smith said in a news release. completely withdraw from the project, By acknowledging it can expand inleaving 100 percent of the risk on Duke YHVWPHQWV LQ HI¿FLHQF\ PRUH WKDQ ratepayers. times, Duke has indicated demand for • Construction costs continue to in- HOHFWULFLW\ FDQ EH UHGXFHG VLJQL¿FDQWO\ C and achieved at less than the cost of new generation. Duke’s continued push for a new coal plant and higher carbon emissions “is unacceptable and highly risky to Hoosiers,” Smith said. ³2WKHUFRDOJDVL¿FDWLRQSODQWVDURXQG the country are being rejected by state regulatory commissions because of the high costs and the growing uncertainty of the costs of future carbon regulation,” he added. While Gov. Mitch Daniels may want the plant, homeowners throughout Duke’s service territory will pay dearly for it, Smith continued. “The fact is that Wall Street will not invest in such a risky plant unless Duke has government subsidies and a blank check from ratepayers to cover any and all costs,” he said. “A 20 percent jump in electric rates will not help the state’s economy and will hurt consumers, small business and industrial customers already struggling with rising energy costs.” • Zinn’s dream: No more veterans If they can’t restrain themselves (or be United States president. That is, if conrestrained), they’ll start a series of con- gressmen keep balking on impeachment, FRQÀLFW OLNH $QG\ 5RRQH\ DQG =LQQ ÀLFWVWKDWZLOOSUREDEO\RXWODVW$PHULFD the people must drive them to it. Conhimself), are still visible among us. gress should not allow indictable war criminals to rule America, and if you f the Iraq War were to end somedon’t think those guys are indictable, time in the next 10 years (don’t wake up and read the mountains of count on it), some of its veterans evidence. Then write, call or e-mail by Jim Thom might still be living in 2067 or 2077 your congressman. or even 2087, so Howard Zinn’s www.BloomingtonAlternative.com dream of “No more veterans” is a ack to the poignant aspect of long way off. But it could happen. Howard Zinn’s idea: what about You have to dream far. and there never will be a time of no more an America without war veterans? Here’s the thing: George Bush and veterans. Give a fool an army and he’ll What would we do for parades? Dick Cheney could help make Howard use it. Bush and Cheney still have time Could we tough-ass Americans, who Zinn’s dream come true (in the distant to cross the Rubicon again, and they will whipped the Indians, King George III of future) by not attacking Iran. They’re if they can. England, Gen. Santa Anna of Mexico, itching to do it, but if they could reOne last hope to prevent that is another Aguinaldo of the Philippines, Germany’s strain their pugnacious little selves from of Howard Zinn’s noble ideas, advanced Kaiser and Hitler, Japan’s Tojo, Panama’s that, Iraq War veterans might be the last in a magazine column a few months ago: A “People’s Impeachment” of the American war veterans ever! Continued on Page 3 Continued from Page 1 I [email protected] “Glowball warning” B www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 3 The Bloomington Alternative December 5, 2007 Media blind spots and blackouts by Kevin Howley T he screenwriters’ strike continues to grab headlines, right alongside big news stories like the military crackdown in Pakistan, the diplomatic letdown in Annapolis and the economic meltdown on Wall Street. As the strike enters its fourth week, popular television programs like The Daily Show, Desperate Housewives and 24, among others, have closed shop. Press coverage of the strike invariably frames the labor dispute in rather dire WHUPVDSDUWIURPWKH¿QDQFLDOLPSOLFDtions a prolonged strike will have for ZULWHUVDQGWKH¿OPDQG79VWXGLRVDOLNH the American public will suffer the consequences of a television season littered with reruns and “reality” programming should the strike drag on for months. These news stories reveal a great deal about the blind spots and blackouts that are common in U.S. press coverage of media and culture. Indeed, the sheer amount of coverage the writers’ strike receives stands in stark contrast to another media-related news story – a blockbuster, in fact – that barely receives mention, let alone headlines. I’m speaking of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) proposed rule change to media ownership regulations. F CC Chairman Kevin Martin has made quite clear his intention to gut the few remaining regulations that prevent media corporations from further consolidating their holdings across the country. He has also set his sights on the longstanding prohibition against broadcast/ newspaper cross-ownership in the same market. Martin’s fellow Republicans, Commissioners Deborah Tate and Robert McDowell, are in favor of “relaxing” ownership restrictions. Democratic commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adlestein are vehemently opposed. interest, enhance media diversity and preserve localism – Martin has put his plan to gut ownership restrictions on the “fast track.” M artin’s intransigence in the face of growing popular opposition to media consolidation has set the stage for a showdown in the U.S. Congress over communication policy that may well shape the American media landscape for generations to come. And yet, despite the high stakes political maneuvering between federal regulators, industry lobbyists and citizen groups over the FCC’s proposed rule LJQL¿FDQWO\ WKH SDUWLVDQVKLS WKDW change to media ownership regulations, characterizes the media ownership the U.S. news media refuses to cover debate at the FCC is nowhere to be this issue in any depth. found, either in the halls of Congress or among the American people. “Bipartisan support is Bipartisan support is growing for legislation – the Media Ownership Act growing for legislation of 2007 – that would put the brakes on – the Media Ownership Martin’s plan to allow further media Act of 2007 – that would consolidation. What’s more, a broad coput the brakes on Martin’s alition of concerned citizens, from across the political spectrum, have voiced their plan to allow further media opposition to Martin’s plan. consolidation.” To his credit, Martin did seek some, albeit limited, public comment on the FCC’s ownership deliberations. But Surely bipartisan support in Congress like his predecessor, former FCC chair- on any issue is newsworthy. Instead, it’s man Michael Powell, Martin displayed business as usual in the nation’s newsa rather transparent contempt for public rooms. What little press coverage there opinion. is of this debate is found in the business Despite an overwhelming majority of sections of the New York Times and the Americans who spoke out against media Washington Post. consolidation – and instead demanded Failure to cover this issue, at length the FCC do more to promote the public and in-depth, is, at best, a blind spot for S the U.S. press. At worst, it is a deliberate media blackout designed to keep the American people in the dark, and out of the loop, when it comes to crucial public policy decisions. N o doubt the stakes are high for writers, producers and the studios. Without minimizing the importance of this dispute, the simple truth is that, at the end of the day, the various parties will eventually settle their differences. $IWHUDOOVRDSRSHUDVIHDWXUH¿OPV79 talk shows and night-time dramas all share one thing in common: they all start with words on a page. But in the scheme of things, the writers’ strike is small potatoes compared with the consequences that further media consolidation will have on American media, society and culture. Today, a handful of conglomerates control most of the news, information and cultural programming that Americans read, see and hear. Big media is on the march, while local, independent media is on the run. In a rapidly changing media environment, vigorous reporting of communication policy debates, such as media ownHUVKLS LV WKH ¿UVW VWHS WRZDUG HQVXULQJ a more diverse, accountable and responsible media system for us all. Kevin Howley is an associate professor of media studies at DePauw University. He can be reached at khowley@ depauw.edu. • Zinn’s dream: No more veterans Continued from Page 2 membership! Think of old coots wearing John Deere caps instead of VIETNAM Noriega, Iraq’s Saddam, etc., could we VET caps. If guys couldn’t reminisce stand having no veterans? Would it di- about war, what would we have to talk lute our testosterone too much to march about besides sports and erectile dysin parades celebrating peace? function? Instead of “Semper Fi” and Imagine all the VFW posts shut down “Hoo-ah!” we’d have to hoot “23 skiEHFDXVH QRERG\ TXDOL¿HV DQ\PRUH IRU doo!” [email protected] I must ask, Howard Zinn, would peace be too boring? Abraham Lincoln called military glory “that attractive rainbow that rises in showers of blood.” Could America be a real country without it? Well, it would be strange, that’s for sure. But we could try it. If for no other reason, it’s what Jesus (A.K.A. “The Prince of Peace”) told us to do. James Alexander Thom can be reached at [email protected]. www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 4 The Bloomington Alternative December 5, 2007 Civitas The world without humans by Gregory Travis I has hosted all manner of species save one: humans. Protected southward by a double fence Many things take a remarkably short of razor wire, the DMZ holds against time to become undone. The book’s author, Alan Wiesman, takes pains to Seoul’s expanding suburban shock wave. point out what I, and many others, have It’s protected to the north, against hordes long sought to make of starving North Koreans, by a similar clear. Namely, the barrier. And between the fences lies a litmore modern, the HUDOPLQH¿HOGWXUERFKDUJHGE\WKHRFFDmore new, the shit- VLRQDOVRXQGRIDXWRPDWLFULÀH¿UHHPDtier. Houses built in nating from a pillbox belonging to one, the post WW II boom or the other, side. DUHWKH¿UVWWRJRWKH Perhaps his target is a family trying to more recently con- dash to sanctuary. More likely a bored structed, the more soldier is just blowing off a little steam. quickly reclaimed by nature. Everything about the zone says “Hu“One thing [that disasters] have in mans stay out.” Everything about the zone common is that nearly all the buildings says “For the rest of you, here is found that crumbled or will crumble were built sanctuary.” And so became, in one of the after World War II,” the author writes. most inhospitable places, a riot of life. Within as little as half a decade, and without any human maintenance, any “With humans gone, how human tilting against nature’s windmill, do ecosystems continue? today’s chipboard-and-vinyl McMansion sprouts a roof leak in a couple of years, What happens to our a rotten roof truss a year after that, and cultural artifacts, once we’re inward collapsing mold-covered walls no longer around to tend to only one-sixth of the way through a conthem?” ventional 30-year mortgage. But the book’s most fascinating passages concern not what will happen in a world without us but what has happened Frontier, redux in those parts of the world that we, for Hard in southeastern Indiana’s uplands whatever reason, have already abanlies another sanctuary. A post-WW II doned. My wife, half-Korean, half-Finnish, relic that, unlike almost everything else introduced me to the book because of built since that war, was built to last. The Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG), that subject; namely, the subject of the two-mile wide, 100-mile long, Korean 55,000 acres of pristine Hoosier homedemilitarized zone (DMZ). An area stead carved out of national necessity that, since Eisenhower was president, (and 2,500 displaced families) to prove The center cannot hold ’m reading a book, The World Without Us. The premise is simple: what if, suddenly, humans were to disappear from the face of the earth? The mechanism for that disappearance, whether it’s sickness, suicide or mass exodus (voluntary or involuntary) is immaterial. What matters is what happens afterward. What happens here on Earth, that is. With humans gone, how do ecosystems continue? What happens to our cultural artifacts, once we’re no longer around to tend to them? What things last, and what things rot? 7KHDQVZHUWRWKH¿UVWLVWKH\GR(FRsystems continue as they always have, governed by evolution and species specialization. Without human husbandry, of course, those specializations change. Cockroaches and domestic dogs get the short end of the stick, the former denied the heated buildings that a tropical species requires in northern climes. The latter, which domesticated us into giving it table scraps hundreds of thousands of years ago, simply can’t compete against real game hunters: bears, wolves, coyotes. With us goes our best friend, too. Domestic cats, on the other hand, turn out to be some of the winners in a world without us. Cunning and self-reliant, they easily evade the predators that come back to once again occupy the land where our cities stood. Likewise does water win, invading every opportunity, every crack, every cranny. And where water wins, so too does a riot of molds, mildews and fungi. the weapons that would make us victoriRXV ¿UVW DJDLQVW WKH *HUPDQV DQG -DSDnese, and then later against the Koreans, DJDLQVW WKH 9LHWQDPHVH DQG ¿QDOO\ against the Arabs. Then, in the early 1990s, JPG offered its last salvo. Helping prove our nation’s weapons here in the Heartland before they went overseas to defend the Homeland. Not long after its last hurrah, the decision was made to close JPG. Computers had become far more adept, and much more economical, as a way to model ordinance. No longer did we need a vast ZLOGHUQHVVLQZKLFKWR¿UHRXUJXQVMXVW to prove to ourselves that they would work. That job was outsourced from real space into cyberspace. Which left those 55,000 acres, nearly four times the size of Brown County 6WDWH 3DUN LQ OLPER 'HFDGHV RI ¿ULQJ lead and depleted uranium (DU) shells into the hinterland had left that hinterland too dirty for even the most ambitious developer’s suburban daydreams. So a decision was made: fence it off. And so JPG is today. Twenty-milesE\¿YH RI SULVWLQH ZRRGODQGV (QRXJK buried DU to keep the humans out, not enough to actually affect the wildlife that has come crashing back to the sanctuary: a warren of birds, coyotes, foxes and even rumored cougars thriving in a world without us. And so it will be, so long as we keep our goddamned hands off. Gregory Travis can be reached at [email protected]. Editorial Cartoons Online at www.BloomingtonAlternative.com Brian Garvey Tom Tomorrow Paul Kane Keith Knight [email protected] www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 5 The Bloomington Alternative December 5, 2007 the Alternative Arts & Culture TboubÖt!ipmjebz!B'F!qjdlt by Lori Canada and those organic mung bean sprout gingerbread men cookhile most know that Monroe ies from Bloomingfoods you County is home to modern folk offered me were too much to hero John Mellencamp, many aren’t resist. aware of the fact that the universal symBA: Great! Those tasty ginbol of benevolence and charity himself, gerbread men are free range, Santa Claus, is also an area homeowner. too, but let’s get right into it. The remote regions of the North TerAny local holiday happenings restrial Pole is where the globe’s most you wanna tell us about that recognizable jet-setting do-gooder really put the crimson in your spends most of his time, but the merry bowl of jelly? man in red escapes to his Bryan Park SC: There’s always a lot goneighborhood getaway bungalow a few ing on in Bloomington, and this times a year. time of the year is no exception. Fresh on the heels of unseating Bill Right now I’m especially exGates as the world’s top philanthro- cited about the Monroe County pist as named by Business Week, and Civic Theater’s theatrical proin town for a jug band extravaganza at duction of Dickens’ A ChristMax’s Place, Father Christmas recently mas Carol. It’ll be performed in sat down for an exclusive interview with a number of off-the-wall venues The Bloomington Alternative. at various times throughout DeSurprisingly accessible and seemingly cember, and folks should check unaware of his own mythical stature, RXWZZZPFFWRUJIRUVSHFL¿FV Claus offered up his area arts and enterBA: Wow, Santa, I had no Photograph by Brian Richwine tainment holiday picks, while carefully idea you were Web savvy! The jolly one himself knows more about avoiding hot button issues, such as the SC: Most people don’t. LisBloomington than who’s been naughty. He effects of unfettered globalization on the ten, I’m as old as the limestone also knows what there is to do around here toy industry, ongoing debates over the hills, but in my business, staying secular marketing of Christmas and re- in touch with youth culture is a over the Christmas break. cent polls showing that most Americans must, and the Internet is where workers will be in town for a live reinwould select his furry, pagan compadre, the kids are. deer presentation at the WonderLab on the Easter Bunny, Speaking of kids, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. over all other can- Santa says, “Don’t the forget while it’s not exactly BA: Sounds like there’s a lot going on didates if he were holiday-themed, that for young people. Anything for old timthe Gallery Walk.” to enter the 2008 wacky Cardinal Stage ers you can tell us about? Dec. 7 • 4:30-7:30 p.m. presidential race camp will be putting SC: Oh sure. First off, there will be a Participating galleries tomorrow. on Oliver!, based on special holiday offering of WFHB’s Sat• Wandering Turtle • Textillery Gallery Oliver Twist, another urday’s Child on Dec. 8 at the Waldron • Gallery North • John Waldron Arts Center BA: This is • Prima Gallery Dickens novel, Dec. Fire Bay starting at 11 a.m. The ever-jol• Bellevue Gallery • By Hand Gallery obviously a busy • tutto bene wine cafe ly Arbutus Cunningham and Art Heck21 to 31. time of the year Check out www. man will both be on hand for that event, for you. Thanks cardinalstage.org for and later that same night, there will be so much for chatting with us! a candlelit evening of music, readings more details. SC: It’s my pleasure. I try to support And Donner wanted me to mention that and other 19th-century holiday treats at independent journalism whenever I can, he and some of my other four-legged co- the old Wylie House from 5 to 8 p.m. W I haven’t slid down the Wylie House FKLPQH\ VLQFH +DOIVWLÀHG VRE Damn, that was a good year. I’ll never forget that hand-crafted briar pipe the Mrs. bought me on our trip to France … BA: I’m sorry, Santa. You must have a lot of fond memories tucked under your plush, red velvet hat. SC: Ho! Ho! Ho! Yes, you could say that again! Anyway, back to it. On Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. the more cultivated among us can check out the Bloomington Chamber Singers’ Messiah Sing-Along at St. John the Apostle Church. And the Fifth Annual Winter Solstice Group Exhibit at Wandering Turtle Art Gallery runs through Dec. 31. Check out www.wanderingturtle.com for more details. BA: That all sounds swell, Santa, but what about all the popular music lovers out there, anything for them? SC:Well, despite some reports to the contrary, Bloomington always has great shows going on, but a few things jump out at me. ,¶OO GH¿QLWHO\ EH DW WKH %OXHELUG RQ Dec. 13 for the annual Toys for Tots fundraiser, this year featuring VHS or Beta, Autovaughn and American Bang. And if I’m not too wiped out from traveling, I’ll hit the Bluebird again on New Year’s Eve for Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise. Action starts at 9 p.m. for both of those shows. Go to www.theplayerspub.com to learn more about the Kookamongas and Hambone party at the Players Pub on New Year’s Eve. I am really liking that place. A right jolly old elf can really cut a rug there, and that’s saying a lot! Ho! Ho! Ho! Lori Canada can be reached at [email protected]. 7:C?II?ED?I7BM7OI<H;; 0MKLX8SXIQ %XL%RRMZIVWEV]'IPIFVEXMSRMR0MKLX %'&'#&$%&%!% '&( $'(%#!&'# )%,)""#' &!&'%'%"%#"'#'%' (&(!#"'!&&' "#,# ,&#$$"'" & -'#$*'#. &" '!#,#(%#(%"'!#"'#!% %*"$%"& *,&) ''$%" %#"#%")"( 7TIGMEP)\LMFMXMSRW+EPPIV]XLVSYKL(IGIQFIV +$%"%'%#! " & [email protected] www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 6 The Bloomington Alternative December 5, 2007 Around town Wed - Dec 5 Civic Monroe County Courthouse: Bloomington Peace Action Coalition anti-war Peace Vigil, 5-6 p.m., free Dance Music Max’s Place: David Miller’s Art Deco Quartet, 8 p.m. Runcible Spoon: Irish music session with Music Bluebird: Andy Hollinden & Glenn Gass, Theater Grey Larson, 7 p.m. The Cinemat: “A Christmas Carol”, 7 p.m., Theater free 9 p.m. Kilroy’s Sports: Dueling Pianos & DJ Unique, 10 p.m., $3 Players Pub: Open mic, 7:30 p.m. Rhino’s: Austin Lucas & the Pressmen, 7 Wells-Metz Theatre: “Jimmy Cory”, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sex/Death V, 10 p.m., $5 Sun - Dec 9 p.m., $6 Trojan Horse: Acoustic guitar, 6-8 p.m. Bloomington Playwrights Project: Wed - Dec 12 Civic Civic Harmony School: Wednesday Night Contra Dance, 8 p.m., $3-5 Theater Boxcar Books: The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project, 2 p.m. John Waldron Arts Center: “Juliet: A p.m. Grey Larsen, Traditional Irish Music sessions, Runcible Spoon, Dec. 11 & 18 . Misc Kirkwood Observatory: Night viewing Bloomington Playwright’s Project: Bellevue Gallery presents “Joyuex”, 5-7:30 p.m., free Harmony School: Wednesday Night Bluebird: Clayton Anderson Band, 10 p.m. Max’s Place: Open mic, 7:30 p.m. Tutto Bene: Sarah’s Swing Set, 8-11 p.m., $3 Mon - Dec 10 Boxcar Books: The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project, 7 p.m. Comedy p.m. Dance Indiana Memorial Union: IU Swing Theater Monroe County Courthouse Rotunda: “A Christmas Carol”, 12 p.m., free Bloomington Playwrights Project: Sex/Death V, 10 p.m., $5 Thur - Dec 6 Civic Dance Club six-week session, 8 p.m., $40-50 The Cinemat: “A Christmas Carol”, 7 p.m., Music free John Waldron Arts Center: “Juliet: A Dialogue About Love”, 8 p.m., $8 general/ $6 students Bluebird: Karaoke, 9 p.m., $1 Player’s Pub: Songwriter’s Showcase, 8 Wells-Metz Theatre: “Jimmy Cory”, 7:30 p.m., free Thur - Dec 13 Civic Boxcar Books: The Midwest Pages to Silence Comedy, 9 p.m., free Dance Harmony School: Wednesday Night Dance Windfall Dancers Studio: Latin Dance Paintings by Herbert J. Reith III, Sweet Hickory, Dec. 14, 8-11 p.m. Contra Dance, 8 p.m., $3-5 Music p.m., free Party, 9 p.m., $5 Music Theater Bloomington Playwrights Project: Bluebird: Dave Mathews cover band, 10 p.m. Four Winds Resort & Marina: all-request DJ dance party, 9 p.m., free Jake’s: DJ Action Jackson, 9 p.m. Kilroy’s Sports: Kenny Kixx & DJ Unique, 11 p.m.-3 a.m., $3 Alternative Arts & Culture City Hall Atrium: “A Christmas Carol”, 12 dians Kevin Burke & Drew Donisi dance party, 7:30 p.m., $7 the Sex/Death V, 10 p.m., $5 Bear’s Place/Comedy Caravan Come- Arthur Murray Dance Studio: Ballroom a Return Sample From Mars?”, 7-8:30 p.m., free Bloomington Playwrights Project: Indiana Memorial Union: Awkward Silence Comedy, 9 p.m., free Borders: Science Café: “Are We Ready For Theater Comedy Indiana Memorial Union: Awkward . Runcible Spoon: Open mic night, 7 p.m. Prisoners Project, 7 p.m. Comedy Misc 7:30 p.m., $15 Sat - Dec 8 Prisoners Project, 7 p.m. Dance Bluebird: 16 Candles, 10 p.m. Max’s Place: Open mic night, 7:30 p.m. Rhino’s: Mae, Husband & Wife, Concordia, p.m. Boxcar Books: The Midwest Pages to Comedy Music dians Jesse Joyce & Ray Devito Session, 5:30- 8:30 p.m. p.m. of sky & Saturn, 9-11 p.m., free Bear’s Place/Comedy Caravan Come- Runcible Spoon: Traditional Irish Music Wells-Metz Theatre: “Jimmy Cory”, 7:30 Kirkwood Observatory: Night viewing Civic Lost, Genghis Tron, 7:30 p.m., $8 Theater . Misc free Bluebird: The Buzzkills & True Story, 10 Kilroy’s Sports: Josh Holmes, 10 p.m. Regazzi Art Café: Live jazz, 7-9 p.m. Rhino’s: Dillinger Escape Plan, A Life Once Contra Dance, 8 p.m., $3-5 The Cinemat: “A Christmas Carol”, 7 p.m., phy art opening, 7 p.m., free Music Music Theater Boxcar Books: Steve Fender’s photogra- of sky & Saturn, 9-11 p.m., free Dance Snuffy’s Place: Jam session, 7:30 p.m. Fri - Dec 7 Art ington Peace Action Coalition anti-war Peace Vigil, 5-6 p.m., free Music Dialogue About Love”, 8 p.m., $8 general/ $6 students Wells-Metz Theatre: “Jimmy Cory”, 7:30 Monroe County Courthouse: Bloom- Regazzi Arte Café: Southern Italian accordion music, 6-9 p.m. Rhino’s: Tim Williams, The Black Atlantic, Alexander the Great, 8 p.m., $5 [email protected] Sex/Death V, 10 p.m., $5 Rhino’s: “A Christmas Carol”, 7 p.m., free Tue - Dec 11 Civic Bluebird: WTTS Toys for Tots Christmas Party with VHS, 9 p.m. Kilroy’s Sports: Dueling Pianos & DJ Unique, 10 p.m., $3 Rhino’s: Summer Davis, Hanna Francis, Rosalyn Sternberg, 7:30 p.m., $3 Trojan Horse: Acoustic guitar, 6-8 p.m. the Alternative Arts & Culture Monroe County Public Library: Team Hilary Meeting, 5:30 p.m. www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 7 The Bloomington Alternative Fri - Dec 14 Music Comedy Bear’s Place/Comedy Caravan : Comedian Kieth McGill Bluebird: Hairbangers Ball, 10 p.m. Four Winds Resort & Marina: all-request DJ dance party, 9 p.m., free Regazzi Art Café: Live jazz, 7-9 p.m. Rhino’s: Youth in Action B.O.B. 2007, 8 p.m., $4 Dance December 5, 2007 Sat - Dec 22 Fri - Dec 28 Music Four Winds Resort & Marina: all-request DJ dance party, 9 p.m., free Music Four Winds Resort & Marina: all-request DJ dance party, 9 p.m., free Indiana Memorial Union: IU Swing Theater Dance Club six-week session, 8 p.m., $40-50 Buskirk-Chumley: “Oliver!”, 7 p.m. Music Theater Bloomington Playwrights Project: “A Christmas Carol”, 7 p.m., free Sat - Dec 15 dian Wix Wichman Music p.m., free Tue - Dec 18 Comedy Bear’s Place/Comedy Caravan Come- Sat - Dec 29 Bluebird: Karaoke, 9 p.m., $1 Players Pub: Songwriters Showcase. 8 Four Winds Resort & Marina: all-request DJ dance party, 9 p.m., free Theater Music Buskirk-Chumley: “Oliver!”, 2 & 7 p.m. Runcible Spoon: Irish music session with Grey Larson, 7 p.m. Music Bluebird: Guns & Roses and Bon Jovi Wed - Dec 19 Sun - Dec 30 Theater Jesse Joyce, Bear’s Place/Comedy Caravan, Dec. 10. Tribute Bands, 10 p.m. Four Winds Resort & Marina: all-re- Civic quest DJ dance party, 9 p.m., free Monroe County Courthouse: Bloomington Peace Action Coalition anti-war Peace Vigil, 5-6 p.m., free Theater Buskirk-Chumley: “Oliver!”, 2 & 7 p.m. Buskirk-Chumley: “Oliver!”, 2 & 7 p.m. Mon - Dec 31 Sun - Dec 23 Theater Dance Theater Buskirk-Chumley: “Oliver!”, 3 p.m. Harmony School: Wednesday Night Contra Dance, 8 p.m., $3-5 Buskirk-Chumley: “Oliver!”, 2 & 7 p.m. the Jimmy Cory,Wells-Metz Theatre, Dec. 5-8 Jake’s: DJ Action Jackson, 9 p.m. Kilroy’s Sports: Kenny Kixx & DJ Unique, 11 p.m.-3 a.m., $3 Regazzi Arte Café: Southern Italian accordion music, 6-9 p.m. . Alternative Arts & Culture Misc Kirkwood Observatory: Night viewing of sky & Saturn, 9-11 p.m., free Thurs - Dec 20 Rhino’s: Jenn Cristy & Margaret Gray, 8 Art p.m., $5 Runcible Spoon: Traditional Irish Music Session, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Buskirk-Chumley Theater: 85th An- Theater Bloomington Playwrights Project: “A Christmas Carol”, 7 p.m., free Sun - Dec 16 niversary Celebration, new art exhibit opening, 6:30 p.m., free Civic Boxcar Books: The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project, 7 p.m. Comedy Civic Indiana Memorial Union: Awkward Boxcar Books: The Midwest Pages to Silence Comedy, 9 p.m., free Prisoners Project, 2 p.m. Music Dance Arthur Murray Dance Studio: Ballroom Snuffy’s Place: Bob Jones Band, 7-11 p.m. Theater Monroe County Public Library: “A Christmas Carol”, 3 p.m., free Mon - Dec 17 Civic Boxcar Books: The Midwest Pages to dance party, 7:30 p.m., $7 Fri - Dec 21 Music Four Winds Resort & Marina: all-request DJ dance party, 9 p.m., free Theater Buskirk-Chumley: “Oliver!”, 7 p.m. Prisoners Project, 7 p.m. [email protected] www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 8 The Bloomington Alternative December 5, 2007 8LI%PXIVREXMZI3RPMRI[[[&PSSQMRKXSR%PXIVREXMZIGSQ Investigative reporting Who Owns Downtown? Who owns Kirkwood? • The story • The list Who owns the Square? • The story • The list curity (DHS) guidance letters with Social Security Administration (SSA) no-match letters. This past August, the administration issued a new DHS rule apparently intended to flush out undocumented immigrants. The rule directed SSA to add a letter from DHS to the envelopes containing the nomatch letters SSA sends employers informing them about alleged discrepancies between their employee records and SSA’s database. POLITICS | LABOR | ECONOMIC JUSTICE STATE OF THE UNION: Who cares? *** How public is our library? by Tom Szymanski “The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.” - Che Guevara *** Question: When is it going to stop? Answer: When you want it to stop. I hate to be so negative during the holiday season, but when are people going to get angry enough to put an end to the ridiculous state of affairs we live in today? The stories • Clashing philosophies • How public is our library? • Questions for the board • The board responds • Standoff on Kirkwood • Records request -- firearms policy • A library gun deal • Gray’s resignation letter • MCPL gun policies • Leadership on the brink • MCPL board anti-union? Photo albums • New York City – 11.22.07 - by Steven Higgs • La Boheme – 11.02.07 - by Steven Higgs • Take Back the Night – 10.09.07 - by Kathleen Huff • Bob Woodward – 09.17.07 by Kathleen Huff • I-69 protest – 08.21.07 by Steven Higgs • I-69 protest – 07.09.07 by Steven Higgs • Climate Change Day of Action – 07.01.07 – by Jessica Hullinger Click Sections » Online Features » Photo Albums Blogs POLITICS | ENVIRONMENT epppie’s blog Citizens seek Edwardsport review Consumer and environmental advocates have asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to reopen its investigation of a proposed new coal gasification plant in Edwardsport. The groups want the IURC to consider “new and material evidence” discovered that would have an outcome on the decision. Specifically, the groups want the IURC to consider: Front page, third column Stories & columns POLITICS | ENVIRONMENT Glowball warning Not necessarily fishing for a Nobel Prize nomination here, but just as Al Gore alerted us to global warming, I must warn of another looming danger: The Glowball Economy. A Glowball is what Earth will look like from space by the time all the Fools-in-Chief and the militaryindustrial complex and the Extreme MBAs (Masters of Bigness Administration) get finished with it: POLITICS | LGBT | HUMAN RIGHTS Bush attempts hijack of SSA to catch illegals Disco never died; it just turned into either House music, or Garage music (depending on whether you are a bigger fan of Frankie Knuckles or Larry Levan), and then further mutated into a thousand forms of electronica, with a big push from Detroit’s Juan Atkins. Sophia Travis’s blog Click Sections » News » Stories by James Alexander Thom Death of a disco Catch-up, Ketchup, or Catsup? Editorial cartoons The author of “Civitas” and I have returned home from our 10-day train trip (celebrating our 10th Anniversary...) and I’ve had food + politics on my mind. Today’s online publication of The Bloomington Alternative is right in keeping with many of the reasons for the thoughts pervasively nagging at me...peak oil, peak water, land use issues, etc. That last one there, land use, being what all issues, particularly politicaland policy-related, boil down to. This Modern World Poll Numbers by Tom Tomorrow (th)ink Writers’ Strike by Keith Knight Click Sections » News >> Blogs WeThePeople Van Winkle by John Clower by Paul Kane “Hasta la vista, baby!” The Bush administration has announced it will return in March with a revised plan to pair Department of Homeland Se- www.BloomingtonAlternative.com Click Sections » News » Editorial Cartoons Archives Columnists Civitas by Gregory Travis Organic matter by Kristin Rust OUT in Bloomington by Helen Harrell with Carol Fischer State of the Union by Tom Szymanski Community links The Alternative archives hold thousands of stories and columns on the following subjects: The Alternative Online links to hundreds of community businesses and organizations: Activism Arts Books Commentary Community Culture Economic Justice Education Environment Global Locale Human Rights In Memoriam Interstate 69 Labor Arts & Culture Click Sections » News » Columns [email protected] Lake Monroe Media Music Peace Politics Review Social Activism Social Justice Society Transportation War Browse by Topic Comedy Dance Film Music Spoken Word Theater Visual Arts Business Cuisine Environment Health Human Rights Libraries Media Front page >> Left-hand column www.BloomingtonAlternative.com www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 9 The Bloomington Alternative ASTROLOGICK Biweekly forecast for all signs by Gary Paul Glynn his two-week forecast period is un- Tder the influence of the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in late Sagittarius, becoming exact on December 11. The symbolic fusion of these two planets often symbolizes major changes in the world of economics, politics, religion, science and global affairs. Most of the action is likely to be taking place out of the glare of the media, although it’s difficult to contain this combination. Jupiter-Pluto could very well be the tipping-point for the plutocrats. Wednesday, December 5 Passionate intensity and the desire to more deeply connect with others are emphasized over the next three weeks with Venus entering Scorpio this morning. It would be best to avoid decisions and agreements between 9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with the Libra Moon void-ofcourse (VOC) until it enters Scorpio at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, December 6 The morning gets off to an energetic start that can be sustained through the afternoon although it’s likely that data and movement could feel restricted in some way. Transportation delays and/ or breakdowns, computer glitches, bad connections and difficulty in getting words and ideas across to other people are possible (Mercury square Saturn). Watch for higher levels of unpredictability and instability messing with the status quo tonight and tomorrow (Sun square Uranus). Friday, December 7 With the Moon in its closing Balsamic Phase in addition to being VOC the en- tire day, stick to routine while avoiding new business. The overall energy pattern suggests a vague sense of apprehension and uncertainty. Saturday, December 8 The generally upbeat sign of Sagittarius hosts the Moon today through Monday morning, perhaps helping lift us out of any weird funk we fell into in recent days. Actions and motivations may be guided in a more grounded way through teachers, mentors or older persons (Mars sextile Saturn). Sunday, December 9 The New Moon takes place at 12:40 p.m. in mid-Sagittarius (17Sag15), marking the start of a new solar-lunar cycle which carries a more philosophical approach to life experiences. Religious beliefs, legislation, foreign affairs and higher education are emphasized now and for the next two weeks. Personal ethics and sense of personal authenticity are strong as well. Monday, December 10 This morning, the Sagittarius Moon crosses the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, perhaps acting as a trigger for major events before the Moon enters cautious Capricorn at 1:50 p.m. unexpected twists, turns and revelations may explode on the scene today (Mercury square Uranus). Nervous irritability, quirky reactions, incendiary speech and surprising news might hit close to home. Tuesday, December 11 For the first time in thirteen years, Jupiter forms an exact conjunction with Pluto in late Sagittarius (28Sag20) – a location associated with developments that impact humanity as a whole. Major news December 5, 2007 focus on plutocratic movements as well as widespread corruption is indicated. As this isn’t anything new, there is also a chance that these topics will reach a critical mass where something has got to give – particularly where the economy is concerned. This alignment might be the first shot fired ahead of Pluto’s entrance into Capricorn in late January. On a more personal note, tonight could see passionate exchanges and really great sex (Venus trine Mars) if the opportunity presents – otherwise, use your imagination (Sun sextile Neptune). Wednesday, December 12 With the Capricorn Moon VOC the entire day, it would be best to avoid making major decisions or agreements. Love and romance take on a more serious and mature tone, with duties, responsibilities and expectations overshadowing the more playful aspects we might have seen last night. Thursday, December 13 There may be a greater sense of mental objectivity and emotional detachment with the Moon now moving through Aquarius. This could help diffuse personal differences in the early evening while encouraging original, thinking and writing later tonight. Friday, December 14 Despite the potential for cloudy, idealistic thinking in the early afternoon, this is a good day for Christmas shopping for people on your list with a creative streak. pected change that mobilizes us before noon. The potential for major news developments is present tonight and tomorrow. Monday, December 17 The Pisces Moon reaches its First Quarter Phase, suggesting a time for making adjustments to projects already underway. News stories involving politics, religion, legislation and the economy surfaces, although the quality of the information is suspect (Mercury conjunct Sun). An energy shift in the early afternoon could have some people up-in-arms over something. Irritability is one possibility tonight although the energy could be translated into a walk on the wild side. Tuesday, December 18 Jupiter enters Capricorn where it will remain for about a year, potentially serving as a boost to the bottom line of some businesses. This will largely depend on what transpired last week during the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction and the general state of the economy. At its worst, Jupiter symbolizes exaggeration, waste and hubris; at its best, optimism, generosity and prosperity. The Moon’s North Node enters Aquarius, placing a karmic focus on the basic principles of democracy and the work that needs to be done to insure its survival over the course of the next 18 months. Times are EDT/-0500 UTC Saturday, December 15 The Pisces Moon lends a dreamy, emotional tone to the weekend; ideal for movies, concerts and parties with an open bar. Even so, a late night contact may coincide with something or someone telling you the party’s over. Sunday, December 16 The early morning comfort-zone shifts into a state of restlessness with an unex- Gary Paul Glynn Professional astrologer 25 years of experience Personal birthchart interpretation 812-333-1346 [email protected] Bloomington’s ONLY Guitar Specialty Shop * Buy, Sell, Trade * New, used & vintage guitars, amps and accessories * Satisfaction Guaranteed * Authorized Dealer for Martin Guitars LO W E S T S T R I N G P R I C E S I N TO W N ! Open 11a-7p Mon-Fri 10a-6p Sat 115 S. Walnut 332.2145 w w w . R o a d w o r t h y G u i t a r s . c o m [email protected] www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 10 The Bloomington Alternative December 5, 2007 Organic matter by Kristin Rust Mother Nature can compensate A fter an amazingly extended warm SHULRGZH¿QDOO\JRWWKHFROGWHPperatures that are expected during the holidays. By now, I hope all gardens have been put to bed, and gardeners WDNHDPSOHWLPHWRUHÀHFWXSRQWKHSDVW year. As an organic gardener, I have many memories of the year’s growing season: the extremes of temperature, the ice storm, the drought, the survival (or demise) of plants, shrubs and trees. All brought lessons with them. It may seem a distant memory, but spring 2007 was challenging. March suffered a deep freeze on the 4th and then a devastating ice storm on the 13th. Surviving that challenge, plants faced an early warming trend – unseasonably warm. Then, in early April, we had a deep, extended freeze. Mother Nature can throw curve balls like nobody else I know. What did I learn from that? Plenty! woods lost their showy color, and most fruit trees were minus their blooms. Sounds awful, doesn’t it?Well, not quite. What was amazing was witnessing the resilience of our gardens despite that early adversity. I wager that not many had heard about the secondary leaf growth on trees until this past spring. Healthy trees can store three years’ worth of energy. If a tree was vigorous and healthy in previous years, it will respond to a freeze by putting out a new set of leaves from what are called adventitious buds. Thank goodness nature can compensate for such harsh conditions! M any other plants fought back, as well. Even though many perennials were disappointing in the early part hile the simple axioms still hold of the season, some plants seemed more true (e.g., “don’t plant annuals glorious than ever! until Mother’s Day,” as tempting as it Iris blooms come to mind. They might seem to get started earlier), there didn’t seem to care about the foul are even larger lessons for trees, shrubs weather. Most rhododendrons still put and perennials. RQPDJQL¿FHQWVKRZV%OXHEHUULHVDQG )RU H[DPSOH ZH GH¿QLWHO\ GLG QRW peaches came on strong, freezes nothave a very colorful spring blooming withstanding. season as a result of the extreme weather. You can always count on Mother NaThe lilacs were almost absent, the dog- ture to give us some memorable mo- W [email protected] ments in the garden, no matter how unexpected the climate. N ext came June, and it seems as if we never had a spring transition. Conditions went from freeze to summer. While we all worried about our trees, things seemed to be returning to some semblance of normalcy. Novice and experienced gardeners alike slowly came back to the garden and planted with guarded optimism. While we had several weeks of good weather, rain seemed inconsistent, and this proved to be a harbinger of the drought to come. “You can always count on Mother Nature to give us some memorable moments in the garden, no matter how unexpected the climate.” It turned out to be a summer with very little rain. Actual drought status was declared in late summer and lasted into early fall. It had devastating effects on all types of plants in the garden. Here again, there were lessons to be learned. As one who works out in the garden on a daily basis, I can report that native perennials, shrubs and trees, as a general rule, survive better and longer than most anything else in the garden. I won’t say that natives thrived, but they were able to handle more stress without dying. T his was also a good time to learn about watering. Where trees were concerned, overwatering in a heavy clay soil (which most of us have in abundance) will lead to oxygen starvation in the root system. The best rule of thumb for tree watering is: “deeply, less often.” Most woody plants go by this same rule. Shallow-rooted perennials and annuals needed more constant attention. It seemed as if I saw people watering every day, and this became the major task for gardeners in 2007. What is the biggest lesson I learned in my garden in 2007? We can’t do much to undo Mother Nature’s blow. Better to observe, react and work with Her and appreciate the blessings She does offer. And, as the ever-optimistic gardener, I start dreaming of next year’s garden. Happy holidays and to all a very healthy new year! Kristin Rust can be reached at kristin@ newleafconsult.com. www.BloomingtonAlternative.com 11 The Bloomington Alternative • The final edition As I said, all of our regulars, plus a batch of new contributors, will be there. Continued from Page 1 It’s about time and opportunity, for the Alternative and for me, honestly. There simply aren’t enough hours for the personal and professional obligations I have now. And I have some new opportunities that I can’t pursue while publishing a biweekly newspaper. (See my new photo album online.) Absent the resources to move the print edition toward its potential, I just can’t continue. To be completely honest, I’m tired of saying I’m sorry. A s far as the new-media experiment goes, we will spend our “time off” this month building upon the online upgrade we did last summer. “We are evolving, not going away, by any means. And a print publication may very well be part of the mix.“ And they will be as compelling as they’ve always been, perhaps more so, given the freedom that comes with the Web. And there’s all that creative potential. W e can already prove that we’re the No. 1 alternative media Web site in Bloomington. And our No. 1 goal is to expand our December 5, 2007 audience at all levels – local, state, national and global. After all, we never have been an alternative to just the market-driven pap that passes for media in our community these days. I was recently interviewed by a young Middle Eastern journalist who “collects” the print editions. Hell, ask me about my John Negroponte story sometime. Trust me, that Internet is one hell of an exciting place. (Those newspapers are made from trees, anyway.) Thanks, and good luck to those readers we lose. To those who come to the Web with us, hang on. We’ve just started. Steven Higgs can be reached at editor@ BloomingtonAlternative.com. ! "#$ $ %&$' (! (! )( *+,-.//0'1233 4 4 • Site analysis • Collaborative design • Maintenance services • Personalized plans L A N D S C A P E C O N S U LT I N G Kristin Rust Master Gardener 812.322.3091 [email protected] www.newleafconsult.com GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY GIVING Get a plan before you plant for a beautiful, sustainable landscape Munchie Madness 10” one-topping pizza, cheese bread or bread stix, two home-made brownies, & a 2-liter bottle of Coke, Sprite, or Diet Coke for only $10.95 1428 E. Third St Bloomington, IN 812.332.4495 motherbearspizza.com [email protected] www.BloomingtonAlternative.com The Bloomington Alternative 12 December 5, 2007 Roy Graham Lawyer “Prompt and Personal Service” 812.336.5957 Serving Monroe and Surrounding Counties Since 1992 Bloomington Resident Former Owner Since 1974 Busy Bee Bakery 1981-1983 IU School Of Music 16 Years Experience 1974-1976 In Monroe County Courts mention The Bloomington Alternative for a special rate 3370 North Russell Road Bloomington, IN 47408 [email protected] [email protected] www.BloomingtonAlternative.com