For your ears: Smart City, new Wasted Words

For your ears: Smart City, new Wasted Words

Two audio items for you this week- :: Editor RJ White has a piece from The City Desk on this week’s “Christmas in the City” edition of public radio’s Smart City. It’s an amalgamation of some briefer holiday pieces over the years and he reads it slowly and with a pronounced Midwestern accent. Also...

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New Mayor to Toss Quarters

New Mayor to Toss Quarters

One of outgoing Mayor Joseph Wilders’ best-received programs was his initiative to remove outdated ordinances from the city’s legal code (first item). However, the gratitude of the populace at no longer being required to maintain the lower edge of their moustaches above the upper lip (1871) eventually proved to have a negligible effect on...

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In Case You Missed It: Thanksgiving Stories

In Case You Missed It: Thanksgiving Stories

As you’re getting ready to eat a largish meal this week, we present to you some of our more favored Thanksgiving-related pieces from the past. :: The End of the Thanksgiving Baby :: What A Character! – Fatty Turkey :: Thanksgiving and the night before :: Why it is called “Black Friday” Have a...

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The City Desk on public radio’s “Smart City”

The City Desk on public radio’s “Smart City”

The new episode of Smart City™, a wonderful public radio program covering urbanism and city life, features a reading by Leonard Pierce of one of his pieces from The City Desk. It is even referred to as a “special treat.” But of course it is. We all knew this. So- listen on your local...

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City Residents Going Out of Town For Guns

City Residents Going Out of Town For Guns

This recession has meant hard times and few customers for most local businesses, but 23 miles south of the city, in nearby Lakeview Falls, at least one retailer is doing well. Slaven’s Outdoor World has been filled to capacity with city residents looking to purchase firearms. In fact, according to owner Lou Slaven, sales...

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For Your Ears: Wasted Words

For Your Ears: Wasted Words

A new episode of the Wasted Words podcast is now available. It is hosted by your editor, RJ White, and the panel includes The City Desk contributors Shek Baker and Stephen Levinson. Thank you.

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Older Stamp-Vending Machines Removed from City’s Post Offices

Older Stamp-Vending Machines Removed from City’s Post Offices

The last of the older coin-operated postage stamp vending machines have, as of today, been removed from every one of the city’s post-office lobbies. “The old machines were nearing the end of their lifetimes,” said postmaster Ike Howell. “They were prone to clog, break down, fail to dispense stamps.” The city is in the...

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Concession Speech of Mayoral Candidate Leonard Pierce

Concession Speech of Mayoral Candidate Leonard Pierce

9:42PM, November 4, 2008 Ladies and gentlemen, members of the press, Bill – hey, Bill. I’ve been asked, in light of the fact that I appear to have lost the race to become mayor of our fair city, to make a concession speech. This I am all to happy to do, as I have...

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The Concession Speech of Mayor Joseph Wilders

The Concession Speech of Mayor Joseph Wilders

10:57PM, November 4, 2008 Ladies and gentlemen, fellow citizens, Democrats of our fair city, and all of you who have worked so hard with me these last four years: it is time to move on. We extend our congratulations to Councilwoman Cosgrove, who fought a hard campaign and achieved victory after initially being considered...

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Mayoral Race – Some Numbers

Mayoral Race – Some Numbers

Well, that was certainly something, wasn’t it? With 99% of precincts reporting this morning, here’s how it all shook out: 61.1% (419,339) – City Councilwoman Maribeth Cosgrove (R) 36.6% (250,805) – Mayor Joseph Wilders (D) 1.5% (10,211) – Lewis Armstrong (Lib) .4% (3,025)- Leonard Pierce (Ind) .38% (2,610) – Louis M. Armstrong (Green) The...

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Your Next Mayor, Councilwoman Cosgrove

Your Next Mayor, Councilwoman Cosgrove

Local television, radio and newspapers are calling the mayoral race for Republican Maribeth Cosgrove over incumbent Mayor Joseph Wilders. With 40 percent of precincts reporting as of 9:30pm, she has 53 percent of the vote. More details to come later tonight/tomorrow morning. All ordinances on the ballot except for the restaurant felony deal seem...

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What You’re Voting For Tomorrow, Locally

What You’re Voting For Tomorrow, Locally

That’s right, tomorrow’s election day and, in addition to the presidential race, there are also many local races and issues to be decided, in what is expected to be a day of record turnout. A few items which will appear on (most of) your local ballots follow: Mayoral Largely between incumbent Mayor Joseph Wilders...

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