Anonymous Communist

While they say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, District 186 is doing what it can to help hungry kids eat this summer with free breakfast and lunch:

(Six) schools are offering the meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, which targets communities with high percentages of children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals throughout the school year.

It’s a wonderful idea for sure, but I don’t know if it’s been thought all the way through. While any child can eat for free, the program is ostensibly for lower-income kids. Why, then, are most of the schools offering the meals in more affluent parts of town?

Springfield High really is the only location that makes any sense, as it’s more or less centrally located. Things start getting trickier with Dubois, as it’s farther west on Washington Street.

But Lindsay? That school is the shining jewel of the evil far west side. Sandburg is located across Wabash Avenue from Sherwood, the sleepy subdivision in which I grew up. Wilcox, if I’m not mistaken, is in the Northgate subdivision, which is basically Sherwood on the North End. And Lee is near the Interstates 55-72 interchange, or quasi-lake area.

If the program is geared toward lower-income families, shouldn’t it be offered at schools in lower-income areas? If parents are having trouble feeding their children during the summer, it stands to reason that they’re also having trouble putting gas in the car.

Why, then, make them drive miles from home in order to take advantage of this helpful program?

One of the things Mrs. Communist and I have in common is our appreciation for cool shoes (ohmygodshoes!). Well, she much more than I, of course… but I am down with the sneakers.

I have a particular weakness for the “old school” styles of Puma, Vans, Adidas and Converse. So imagine my delight when Mrs. C informed me that Converse will let you design and purchase your very own customized Chuck Taylor All Stars.

You can choose from hi-top, lo-top, skidgrip and slip-ons. The kids can even get in on the action with sizes for wee feets. You’re not limited to canvas, either: Leather and suede uppers are available. You’re also not limited to All Stars: One Stars also are available for customizing.

Having two pairs of of All Stars already (charcoal canvas and olive green wool), I futzed with a pair of One Stars:

You can tweak a colors and patterns all the way down to the laces and racing stripe. The shoes don’t even have to be all one color. You also can choose a pair to benefit the (Product) Red program.

I’m in the market for some new sneakers but am undecided on the customized Converse. If you, dear readers, get a pair of these fancy kicks, send me a picture.

Want to help a good cause while also evoking unpleasant memories some people have of the Cold War?

Then join The Red Army! What the eff is The Red Army, you ask? Well…

The Red Army was established in January 2007 to accomplish two goals. The first is to unite the Cardinal Nation, and the second is to harness the collective power of the Cardinal Nation to help the community.

In order to accomplish both goals, The Red Army is selling T-Shirts and donating 50% of the net proceeds to The American Red Cross.

Sounds good to me. There are various price points for the shirts, each corresponding with a “rank.” Myself, I’m a 5-Star General, a limited-edition T-shirt available only during spring training. So suck on that, fools.

I’m partial to the Red Cross because of the help they gave Mrs. Communist when she lost everything she had in an apartment fire in college back in 1995, to say nothing of the invaluable assistance they provided after last year’s tornadoes and innumerable other disasters.

Plus, it’s fun to garner disapproving glares from people old enough to remember the Cold War when they see the words “Red Army” on your shirt.

(Hat tip: Scott)

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Switching gears now, I feel safe in mentioning that Friar Tuck is selling 22 oz. bottles of Liberty Ale for $1.59. Yeah, that’s what I said. Several weeks ago, I went in there to purchase a couple of bottles, and when they rang up at the aforementioned price, I ran into the cooler to grab a case of them.

I paid $20.11 (tax included) for those 12 bottles. Sold by the six-pack, Liberty goes for 9.99. So I got more than three sixers worth of tasty beer for roughly the same cost as two. Score! I kept the good news to myself, lest anyone else discover the excellent deal.

When I went back a few weeks later, there were still two full cases plus one partial left, so I grabbed another case. Tonight, I was in the mood only for a couple of drinks. Going into the cooler, I saw there was only the one case left. So get it while you can; it’s not likely to ever be this cheap again. You’re welcome.

The Red Army and Liberty Ale… you can’t beat that juxtaposition.