Slimb's Carbondale Photo Shoot (2010)
By Steve Landgraf
Before the WIDB Reunion this summer, I wanted to head down to
Carbondale and see how much the place had changed since the last time
I had visited. I live in St. Louis, so I have the opportunity to
visit Carbondale about twice a year. But maybe you haven't been down
to Carbondale since the last Reunion in 2005. I brought my camera
along, so I'll give you all a C-Dale sneak peak so you can see how much your favorite places have changed...or stayed the same. As Don Draper says, “Change is neither good or bad. It simply is.”
I didn't initially realize it, but I actually ended up visiting during
graduation weekend. So naturally I thought it would be appropriate to
start with a shot of me by the Delyte Morris statue, just like a lot
of the graduates do...just minus the pomp and circumstance.
Quatro's
I started my journey down amnesia lane with one of my favorite places
to eat when I'm in Carbondale: Quatro's. As you can see, not much has
changed here. And you can still call 5-4-9-5-3-2-6 for their delicious pizza. (They’ve really gotten their money’s worth on that jingle!)
710 Bookstore
710 Bookstore hasn't really changed either. I doubt they'll be moving
anytime soon. If they moved, they'd have to change their name!
Hangar 9
This is one of the saddest changes in Carbondale! A couple years ago,
the roof caved in at my favorite place to see a show in C-Dale: Hangar
9. I saw everyone from the Blue Meanies (fronted by former IDBer Billy Spunke) to the Tossers to Cleanray (fronted by former IDBer Arlin Peebles) and many more at the Hangar. Thankfully, they're FINALLY rebuilding Hangar 9, and it looks like it will be bigger and better than before! This place can't reopen soon enough.
Pag's
I spent a lot of C-Dale Tuesday afternoons at Pag's enjoying their Tues. spaghetti special. (According to their website, they still have the special too! – large meat spaghetti & garlic bread for $3.25.) Now Pagliai's has moved a block down the street to a bigger location. (When I started college this building was the Saluki Bookstore.)
Booby's
Along with Hangar 9, count this as 2 less places to see good, live music in Carbondale...and yet another vacant building on the Strip. Booby's is no longer offering up live music, drinks, or sub sandwiches to the C-Dale masses.
WIDB flyer seen on the Strip
I was pleased to see a WIDB flyer posted in a window as I walked down the Strip. Looks like they just hosted an anniversary show on the steps of Shryock. My last year at WIDB (2003), we threw an anniversary show (The Arrivals, American Chills, Cleanray) on the steps of Shryock too!
PK's
While I was a student, I don’t think I ever went to PK’s. At the time I thought it was just the townie/biker bar. Thanks to the state of Illinois’ smoking ban in public places and the fall of Hangar 9 and Booby’s, PK’s seems to be attracting a wider audience these days. For better or worse, PK’s is now one of the best places to see a band in Carbondale. I was just there not too long ago to see Young Loves, The Black Fortys, and Himalayas.
Mary Lou's
Are you going to breakfast at Mary Lou’s the Saturday of the Reunion? If you wake up in time for breakfast, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the place…they haven’t moved! Remember, free biscuits & gravy for all reunioners with an egg or omelet order!
Morris Library
If you don’t notice anything different about Morris Library, then that means you probably didn’t spend too much time studying while you were at SIU! A major $41 million renovation and expansion of Morris Library wrapped up in 2009.
Saluki Way: new football stadium/SIU Arena renovations
While I was at WIDB, we went from having no sports broadcasts to broadcasting football, basketball, and baseball. (I think they broadcast even more sports now.) As a result, I took a much bigger interest in Saluki athletics; I even got to do color commentary (badly) for one baseball game. Saluki football/basketball is on the verge of a major facelift. The Dawgs played their last game at the 73-year old McAndrew Stadium back in Dec. 2009. Construction on the new football stadium is well under way here, and they’ll start playing in the brand new 15,000-seat horseshoe style stadium this fall. The new stadium sits directly in front of the SIU Arena, which is undergoing a major overhaul of the current facility (inside and out) right now as well.
Wright I
You might remember Wright I as the home of WIDB. I remember Wright I as my first home away from home my freshman year of college. In fact, my second day living at Wright Hall, someone encouraged me to attend a WIDB meeting! That sign outside looks new, but I doubt much else has changed about Wright Hall since I was there.
Student Center
Apparently SIU totally shuts down the day after graduation. I really wanted to check out the WIDB studios and get some pictures there, but the Student Center was all locked up. Maybe it was just lunchtime. We’ll all just have to look forward to seeing WIDB for ourselves at the Reunion station open-house in a few weeks! (In the meantime, if you look really close, maybe you can see through those 4th floor windows?)
Italian Village
There were just a few more spots I had to check out on my way out of town. Italian Village looks pretty unchanged…(since 1970) check!
Mugsy's/new Walgreen's
Wait a minute…this is where Mugsy McGuire’s used to be! Mugsy’s had karaoke, live music, comedy shows, good food, lots of TVs, etc. I knew they had closed down, but I was sad to see the whole building got torn down. And what does Carbondale get to replace the club? Another Walgreens…they’re on EVERY corner!
Pinch Penny Pub
The last stop on my photo tour…is the FIRST spot for WIDB 40th Anniversary festivities. WIDBers of all ages will converge at Pinch’s beer garden very soon. I’ll see you all at Pinch Penny Pub in a few weeks!