Notice how the neighborhoods are popping lately. So much fun stuff its nearly impossible to keep up.

So above is a flyer for Anomoly's three year birthday party. Holy cow. 3 years is a long time for an independent shop. I'm super pumped for them. Great mom and pop story. Its what built five points.

Its also what built Springfield. So let me tell you a little tale about the Buyers Market Lodge. The Buyers Market Lodge was a concept/brainchild/idea that triclops (owner of some bar on 6th) and I and our benevolent landlord came up with to do three things. Create a "place" on Main St, create a few no to low paying green collar jobs, and create a shopping experience of simple yet sometimes hard to find things the new urbanist (really any body, but it sounds sweeter) would want and need. Its so successful that it makes me want to cry. Its economic success is subtle and has more to do with the cost savings of the people who frequent it. The success lies in the re use and recycle products available, and the attention Main St, despites its dug-up-ness, is getting and deserves. For one you can buy a record. Its a round waxy thing that your granny used to play. You can listen to it before you buy it. You can get the royal treatment management to freestyle over it while you listen to it (depends on his mood).

Or you can buy a bag. Prank phone call! Just kidding. You can buy a BURRO BAG!! I was in MKE this weekend and someone who reads my blog asked me about these bags. They are really strong and very comfortable. Matt and Chris hand craft these custom bags to your specs (if you wish) and they use recycled materials. Right now they're kickin vinyl from billboards. Who said clear channel was rubbish? Now you can wear clear channel's rubbish! They also pad bags for electronics/computers etc. Drop in and check them out, but check their site first, they are about to take a vaca.

But the real soft spot in my heart is the zombie bikes. These guys are solid. My daughters bike was swiped and she is just learning to ride. I dropped in to the shop (its like the taxi teevee show only greasier) and walked out with a spider man special. Under $20 and built to spill. I ordered an adult and two more kids bikes for a friend and asked how long it will take. My zombie said it depends how many people throw away their bikes this week. How f-ing awesome is that. He also said people bring in bikes all the time.

So here is the message. If you have a bike that is doing nothing but collecting dust, take it down to the fine folks at zombie bikes. Give it to them, or have them put some gorilla handlebars on it like I'm doing for Clement. The fuji, she waits for you Clem. Support your independent retailers and the city will continue to blossom. I love this town!

Also, tonight across from the burrito, in front of the Haydon Burns, I will have info on Heartland Hospice. We've got job and volunteer opportunities if your feeling it. I'm also sharing some space with RADO who will have info on their new homes and projects. Come see a brother.

Need an update on why I am doing Hospice? Listen to the man that called me to it:


ps- Thats not Dr. Wilson in the video, just an ad.

Have a fun ART WALK!

Labels: anomaly, burro bags, hospice, zombie bikes