The Worm Word

Super Days Ahead

I have been so excited by the SIU Men's Basketball team winning their past few games that I didn't even remember to write about them. On January 26th SIU beat Creighton 48 to 44. That was also the ESPN Gameday and I can't even begin to explain how intense the game was; everyone was yelling and cheering. I had so much fun at that game. On Tuesday the guys took on Evansville and won 59 to 39. This Saturday, Feb 2nd, the SIU Men's team will take on Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls at 7:05pm. We have won the past two games in a row and I think this will be a nice third to add to the list.

The SIU Women's Basketball team will head to Cedar Falls today to play at 7:05pm. In a few weeks, on February 8th, the ladies will hold the Second Annual "Pink Out" against Missouri State. The tickets are just $2 with $1 going to the SIH Women with Hope support group. The first 1,000 fans will receive a pink shirt from SIH. All breast cancer survivors are invited to attend a pre-game reception at the arena and will be given a "pink-out" shirt. This is a really great cause and I encourage everyone to attend.

This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, as if you didn't know. The Giants and the Patriots will compete in Arizona and I'm excited. I do have to admit that I really enjoy the commercials more than the game some years. I am also looking forward to the half-time show, I am a Tom Petty fan. Be sure to keep safe as you head to and from your Super Bowl Parties.

Tuesday, February 5th, is Super Tuesday. 24 states will have a primary or a caucus on the 5th and both Illinois and Missouri are included in that number. Be sure to get out and vote. The general election will be in November, and just a reminder, if you are running for office and need signs, banners, bumper stickers or anything else to get your name out, call Silkworm.

Sezmore

Looking Ahead

Have you been following all of the presidential hopefuls and all of the primaries going on? I keep trying, but it just all seems so confusing. I don't have a clue as to who I want for president yet. I guess I will just have to keep watching and listening. If you happen to be running for president, or any of the various local positions, you should know that Silkworm can supply you with yard signs, banners, buttons, balloons, t-shirts and any other kind of item you would want to give out to help people remember your name.

Can you believe that game on Saturday? It was so close!The Men's Basketball team has really shown improvement since the beginning of the season, but they still have a way to go. Keep your fingers crossed for our first away game win tonight against Evansville in Evansville at 7:00pm. The Ladies Basketball team just couldn't get a win this past Saturday either. They go up against Drake on Friday at 7:30pm in Carbondale. Also on Friday, the Track team gets started at 4pm in Carbondale. Good luck in everything this season Track team!

I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but I am very involved in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. I participate in the Jackson County - Murphysboro Relay every year. On Tuesday the 22nd, the Jackson County - Murphysboro Relay will have its Kick-Off meeting at 6pm at the 17th St Warehouse. The Kick-Off is open to anyone who wants to come; cancer survivors, previous team captains and team members and anyone interested in having a ton of fun. The theme this year is "One World, One Hope." I'm so excited, I can't wait until the event in June.

I'm looking forward to everything that will be going on this spring, and that time will be here before you know it. I hope you have a good week.

Sezmore

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Spring?

    This weather is really throwing me off. I was just enjoying that frigid crispness that should always accompany the Christmas season, then it goes and gets all warm outside. I just don't know what to do, though the rain does make it look colder out, even if it doesn't feel colder.

    It is starting to feel like things are returning to normal after everyone's holiday breaks. The grade schools are all back in session; not too much longer until graduation seniors. SIU students will be coming back this week since classes are starting on Monday the 14th for them. Be sure to watch out for people looking a little dazed and confused, they probably just need some directions.

    The SIU Men's Basketball Team goes up against Bradley tonight at 6:00pm. We really need to get some more wins under our belt before the MVC. I don't think I will make it to the game tonight, but I may go out to watch it with some friends; the game will be shown on ESPNU.

    Right now it seems like not too much is going on here in Southern Illinois. I am keeping an ear to the ground for any fun things happening in the region. If you hear of one, please let me know so I can share. It won't be long before all of the fun Spring festivals and events get going though.

Sezmore

Happy New Year Y'all

I hope everyone out there had a great holiday season. I'm looking forward to a great new year in 2008. My new year's resolutions are to drop a little weight (I know I look good, but who couldn't use a little less belly) and to keep you up to date with everything going on around Southern Illinois.

I would love to hear about any traveling anyone did for the holiday season or new year; I went to Texas. Don't ask why I went there, a coworker just took me along for the ride. I got a little into it; picked up a red hat and a bolo tie, I felt like a true Texan. I went to Austin and checked out the Arboretum (a neat shopping center) where I got to try some Amy's Ice Cream. They take the ice cream and smash the toppings into it, I got sweet cream with ginger snaps in it, talk about yummy. There were these big cow statues right by the Amy's and since there were lots of kids climbing on them, I decided I should too. A few days later I went out to Llano, Texas to eat at Cooper's BBQ. You walk up and there are rows of smokers, they lift up the lid on the one near the door and it has brisket, chicken, pork, sausage and other assorted goodies just sitting there, you tell the guy at the pit what you want and he puts it on a tray for you to take inside and it gets cut up for you. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the brisket.

I had a fun trip, but it does feel good to be back in Illinois. I can't believe how much happened while I was gone. Dale Lennon was named head coach of the Saluki Football Team. He comes to us from North Dakota and has quite the impressive resume. I would like to extend a hand of welcome to Coach Lennon and his family, I'm sure he will do us proud. Though Coach Kill has left for Northern Illinois I was very happy to hear that he was named the 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year. It has been up and down and up again for the Men's Basketball team; they beat Western Kentucky on the 22nd, 88 to 78, they weren't quite able to eek out that win against Butler on the 28th, but they pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and won against Missouri State on the 30th, 79 to 71. I will be cheering for the guys tonight as they play Drake in Des Moines, Iowa at 7:05 tonight.

I feel like so much happened while I was away down South in Texas. I did have a good time and am now ready for a year of keeping you up to date with everything happening in 2008. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Sezmore