Still Smokin'...In The Bars...'til 2007...

Well, as reported very quickly and gracefully in the News-Gazelle, Urbana voted 6 to 1 in favor of a smoking ban. However, the real news is that this will not effect bars until January 1st of next year. When Champaign held their vote, it had a clause that basically stated that any dates decided by Urbana would be ratified 30 days later by them. Urbana will begin a month of education as to what it means to be "smoke free" in the bars over the month of January, and begin a full enforcement of the law on February 1st, 2007. Champaign City Council members will have to agree on Urbana's schedule before they are confirmed for their city, but it's assumed there won't be much, if any, difference.

I just am not sure about this strictly from a civil liberties stand point, no matter how small of a stand point it may be. Health-wise, I understand it, and those reasons alone are enough to get it passed. However, there's just something about these votes and reforms that seems a little rushed for me. The way this is passing without a lot of research in regards to the economic patterns for businesses great and small before and after a law like this just seems wrong. The CU Non-Smokers Club or whatever they're called are more than entitled to their beliefs, but if you are so convinced of the need for non-smoking establishments, why don't you open them yourself? No one's stopping you. If they're wildly successful, you'll have proven your point, and made a mint in the process. It's the beauty of free-market enterprise. Although, I'm guessing you could care less about how the businesses who will lose money are going to have to deal with this, let alone stay in business. Guess it's good night to Nargile and the Green St. Cafe come 2007.

Again, it just seems like an plan without a lot of thought was put into place for the people who have to implement it; those people being the businesses.

Seth, I Love Ya...BUT...

You're just not making any damn sense to me. In this week's column, Seth Fein rails against the backwards decisions made by the local government in Urbana and praises Champaign for its forward thinking efforts toward business and community, but STILL likes Urbana better. COME ON! Sitting on fences can get awfully uncomfortable, and when something is wrong, sometimes you've gotta step away and call it for what it is; crap. Why be so steadfast and true to something that's consistently disappointing? Sounds like a bad relationship. You can always make up if they clean up their act, but until then, you're wasting your time. And, as you mentioned, Jarling's is in Champaign anyways; a trump card if there ever was one.

And what's happened to the Pygmalion Music Festival? The web site is down and there's been no word on an event for this year. It's still early, but I hope that this isn't a harbinger of bad news to come. And yes, I used the word "harbinger."

I may have complained about this before, but the Hub's website has GOT to lose that damn intro music. That crap is so LOUD!!!!!! I'll be listening to some music quietly on iTunes, and then...DUUUUHH DEEE DEEE DUUUUUH DEEE DEEEE DUUUH DEE DEE.... the house/club/techno/insert dance music style here theme CRANKS it up to 11. Come on, have a little courtesey for your viewers, and have the music OFF as the initial option or off all together. Also, why are the community articles available only in the archives? Put some advertising on those pages and put them up fresh weekly... the Buzz is killing you when it comes to online accessibility.

Speaking of the Hub, Don Gerard handed in the best column I've read this year. A piece that epitomizes the talent he has was written during a time of great duress; the death of his father. I highly reccomend picking up this issue before it leaves news stands this week. Also, Sarah Michelson gives us a piece about none other than a road trip to Allerton Park. Hmmm, I wonder if she garnered any inspiration from my recent journey, as chronicled by the post just a few clicks down on this very blog? Good work, nonetheless, and definitely bring the bug spray and some sunscreen when you go.

In the event that anyone is looking to seriously rock out and celebrate 6/06/06 with a beer or two, DJ Bambino is going to be playing a whole lotta Slayer tonight at Mike n' Molly's. I'm guessing there'll be more people there than at the awful remake of "The Omen." Julia Styles, what were you thinking? Money's money, I guess. Anything to fill time between bit parts in "The Jason Bourne" movies.

Little Blog On The Prairie is back to blogging a little more regularly, and name checks some of her favorites from Urbana's Market At The Square. This is probably my favorite thing in Urbana besides The Courier. For the record, the Russian lady who makes fruit-filled, rolled-up pancake things is my favorite vendor; raspberry all the way.

Finally, we're just a few weeks away from the Taste Of Champaign. The annual event will once again be gracing West Side Park, and starts Friday, June 23rd at 5PM. There's 31 food vendors (a record) and 11 of those are new, so spend those tickets wisely.