600,000 Pounds.... of... Potatoes.

Merci, Tinyfarmblog.com

So I heard the story initially on NPR last evening on my way home. Then I saw another story about it today in the NYTimes: Some good-hearted farmers in Colorado opened their farm to visitors last Saturday with an offer to essentially 'take what you can carry' in an effort to provide nutritional food to people who might need it. "Okay," so I thought, "what a nice idea. Now a few families from around the county will have some free potatoes and green beans for Thanksgiving!"

NOPE.

FORTY THOUSAND PEOPLE SHOWED UP!

What?! I mean... what?! First off, how did 40,000 people even hear about this little event? Second, they all managed to pick their way off the main highways, descend into Platteville County and find the place? (On further reflexion, I guess one just followed the line of cars that eventually wound up closing the highway). See the local news story here. If this is even close to representational of the need in this country, then we've got some serious reconsidering of our priorities to do.

A tremendously generous gesture and a wonderfully refreshing story in the ever-present doom and gloom lately, but I have one question: If this was after the harvest, and they've never done this before, does this mean that more farms could conceivably be wasting 600,000 pounds of food every autumn, or are the Millers just forgetful about where they plant things?

The Trouble in Tremont

A welcome new addition to the Tremont neighborhood is said to be opening its doors within the next week, according to Scene. Bistro on Lincoln Park will take up shop where Sage Bistro stood on the corner of Kenilworth and West 11th. The question is, how long will the shutters stay open?

With the recent closure of the ramps leading to the innerbelt and downtown, Tremont is taking a hit. The economic consequences of no major transportation access to the neighborhood could be devastating for the small businesses that have been growing steadily in the eclectic enclave for the past decade (or more). This video from the PD shows the frustration well, with even Mike Symon taking time from his busy schedule to show support:


Will this force ODOT to get their shite together and do something about it? Hopefully, but not bloody likely, at least in the short term. But, it does provide some good publicity and will bring out the 'Believelanders' who otherwise might feast in Ohio City, Beachwood, Coventry, or Rocky River... If you haven't been, it's worth the trip.

My Twin, Karl Rove...(shudder)

The one and only time I will say and mean: "Go Blue!"

I was surprised and mildly nauseated when I referenced the latest update on CNN's Political Ticker. Karl Rove, the literal dark underbelly of the Bush political machine, posted his prediction of the state by state results on his site, which in fact is an exact mirror image of my own prediction, filled out on October 10th. I have a few concerns, notably Florida, Ohio, and Indiana having seen polling numbers of the past three weeks. But I thought, ah, screw it, it would make for an early and satisfying evening should these predictions hold true. If I wind up jinxing this thing feel free to tar and feather at your discretion.

For those keeping score at home: Obama, 338, McCain, 200 (knock on wood...)

In Bizarro World

Not a bad likeness for either candidate, I must say. Thanks to Guanabee for the chuckle (and the utterly serious underlying message of course).

Did you vote yet, by the way? Despite reports in Virginia (thanks to Quinn for that tidbit), voting day for Democratic supporters is not November 5th. If you haven't, take a sandwich, a good Tolstoy novel and a toothbrush, because you're going to be in line a while. But, as this site so aptly puts it, "Voting is the perfect way not to feel like an asshole when somebody asks if you voted". (It makes for a nice election day e-card, also.) Let the fun begin...