Plug time

I am a big fan of free radio, and frequently stream Last FM, various Live365 stations, public radio like KDHX-St Louis, and various shows from BBC6.

At the top of this list is the Springfield-based wqnawacko, public radio broadcaster and close personal friend of Al Bedsitter. 

Problem.  His show is on Sunday night.

What do you do when you are on the road, at a cookout, or have that really engaging 60 Minutes story you want to see.

He now has his shows on his LJ site via UStream.

Okay, maybe there are only five people who read this journal, but I can safely say all would like this stuff.  One of you especially (I will say two words "Warren Zevon").

There's a lot of covers, some new music, and much left-of-the-dial stuff. 

Your homework is to check out WQNA on Sunday, and if you can't always do that, then go here.

My second plug is the Banana Dethmuffins.

I know all about new music, and it doesn't get any newer or any musicker than the BDs.

They've got a pan-Eastern meets pan-Western, lo-fi meets Jim Steinman, hilariously funny meets dire serious vibe to them, like if the Butthole Surfers hitched a ride with Franz Ferdinand who were listening to the Talking Heads on their way to a Pavement concert, but going there because they are on the guest list, not because they bought tickets.

They're the best band I have heard in years.

Granted, I haven't actually listened to them.

But I plan to, and besides, nowadays, reviewers don't actually have to listen to a record to review it. 

Oh, and Dethmuffins is a close personal friend of Al, as well.

You got some listening to do.

Things to to do in Des Moines When You're Dead: Events

This week is the Drake relays.

Unfortunately, I have not went, but I probably ought to put it on the local Bucket List.

I have heard generally good things, though this was from someone who got kicked out because he had a newborn, and apparently, the Drake guys were afraid of the kid's safety; which is kind of uncool.

The Drake Relays are one of the Top 10 big track and field events in the country.

Granted, that's not much of a big deal, though I think Olympic athletes are making a comeback. I grew up on Mark Spitz, Bruce Jenner, and Nadia Comaneci, through Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses, and Mary Lou Retton. It seems like those stars of individual sports faded, but (okay thanks to Subway ads and Dancing with the Stars) these days, there are some household names once again.

The Drake Relays have seen Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Al Oerter, Jim Ryun, Michael Johnson, and many others through the years.

Still, the reason people love the relays is that it is a big community party.

There is was (it's cancelled) a parade. There's the Blue Mile- a combination of a competitive race and a charity walk which draws over three thousand competitors between the two.

There's the midnight Pancake breakfast.

I am likely leaving stuff out, but here's the three things you need to know.

The track (at Drake University) is a blue oval.




The Drake University mascot is a Bulldog, and each year (for the last 33 years) the most Beautiful Bulldog is crowned.




Then, if all of that isn't enough, the most talked about event (added in the last couple of years) is the Pole Vault competition.

Why the Pole Vault?

Because it's held in the local shopping mall.

Not only at the mall, but in the mall.