www.JohnAry.com

As a young professional living in Topeka, I see the vital role downtown plays in retaining young people and creating public pride. I believe that downtown is a clear reflection of what a community thinks about itself. Our streets and infrastructure in the Capital District have been left unattended and now cause distress for business owners (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=601066132079) and apathy among life-long Topekans. We’ve witnessed an emerging renaissance in the last 2-3 years as community members continue to invest their time and money into downtown, because they see the vital role it will play in the future of Topeka. Mars North America sited downtown revitalization in their press conference as one of the reasons they’re building a new plant here (http://youtu.be/YIQ2xbMn-LU?hd=1). When Topekans were polled in February, they overwhelming supported redeveloping the Capital District (http://youtu.be/xWTL5A4AhFA?hd=1). We want a vibrant downtown.

Please support efforts to evolve our downtown. Please approve funding to conduct the first phase of revitalization in downtown Topeka. Thank you for your time and service to Topeka.

Sincerely,

John Ary

Recently, I have been on a luchador movie kick. If you have never seen El Santo or one of his masked wrestling buddies star in one of these unbelievably cheesy, cheap and awesome action flicks from Mexico, then I pity you. These movies must be seen to be believed.

Anyway, awhile back I checked with the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library to see if they had any available for checkout. I was sad to learn the library did not own any of El Santos’ masterworks on DVD. Via TSCPL.org, I suggested that the library should add some luchador action to their movie selection.  Today I received this email:

The Library has purchased the following titles and your name has been placed on reserve:

Santo en el musel de cera/Santo y blue demon

Santo vs. las lobos/Santo vs. el espectro del estrangulador

Carol A. Mongold
Collection Development
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

Talk about service!!! Thanks TSCPL!

This is one of the better Twitter bots that’s contacted me recently. After posting this:

I received the following reply from Initech_Bill:

Just thought it was funny.