(FYI)nformation - Spring Trimming: a Massacre

Before the Chainsaw; 8th and West Hamilton

A walk around any of the 6 Wards in JC will sure to be filled with budding trees and blooming tulips. On a recent cycle through Liberty State Park I saw beds of various colored flowers in perfect rows and the fenced off area growing like an untouched wilderness. Spring has certainly taken a lot longer to arrive this year but after this past weekend I think it's safe to say it has sprung. Highs in mid 70s (23Cº) arrived just in time for the holiday. The return of spring means the return of many JC staples such as Groove on Grove, Dancing Tony's Sports Tournaments, Bike JC Group Rides and Earth Day in LSP. It's also a scary time to be a tree. Every spring, just when the local trees have begun to bud and add some much needed color, the JC Department of Public Works arrives with chainsaws and what one can only believe to be men with wonky eyes and a vengeance. (If on main page, click read more just below.)

(spot)light - Vinyl for the Taking

Soul Searching; 1st and Brunswick

Thanks to a late night tweet from Dancing Tony and an afternoon reminder from one of my fellow Velvet Undergrounders, I was able to peep the vinyl giveaways that Iris Records had for the taking. 13 postal boxes were filled with discarded titles, assuring gems within the rubbish. One problem... it was close to 1pm and the street cleaner was lurking around the hood. I quickly double-parked and made a dash as the distinct roar of the useless machine passed Newark Avenue. This countdown of sorts made for a game show enthused search that ended way too quickly. Within 8 minutes of rummaging I scored some disco, bluegrass, spanish dance, Madonna, and the stories of Edgar Allan Poe. Quite the eclectic mix of freebies. So cheers to free vinyl and the friends who remind you about it. Jeers to the street cleaner and its hidden purpose.

I'll give (the)Skinny on Iris Records in a future post, but be sure to peep the shop (it's an amazing space)  at 114 Brunswick Street. Recently re-opening their doors, it's still loaded with great finds and cheap prices; only now with more organization and less cat hair. They can also be found at Creative Grove every Friday.

Up for Adoption; 1st and Brunswick