Chris Curle/Special to the Eagle

The new recycling center is open for business on Chalmer Drive, as its sign says. But as the street sign nearby shows, it's really "Chalmers Drive." Oops.

Chris Curle/Special to the Eagle

The new recycling center is open for business on Chalmer Drive, as its sign says. But as the street sign nearby shows, it's really "Chalmers Drive." Oops.

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What do retired people do?

Did you walk to work today? Or to golf or tennis or the fishing pier or to breakfast somewhere? This is, after all, National Walk to Work Day, sponsored the first Friday of April every year by Prevention Magazine.

The pro-walkers claim that walking for 30 to 60 minutes a day reduces one’s risk of dying from diabetes, stroke, cancer or heart disease.

Some good tips on how to walk, what to wear, are at www.walking.about.com. For example, the experts say good running shoes are better for walkers than specialty walking shoes. Go figure.

They also say we should replace our walking/running shoes every 500 miles. Maybe we’ll need a lube job too.

Marco gets another arts treat

Next Thursday, Orion Bank inaugurates another major step forward in Marco Island’s march to celebrate the arts and the artists who work here.

The “Artist Appreciation Series” will feature six artists and their works, so islanders can get a close look at these creative people and learn more about how they do what they do.

The artist for the first evening in this monthly series will be Stephen Muldoon, whose art career already is as extensive as is his potential for greatness.

As Orion Bank General Manager Keith Dameron puts it, “Many of Stephen’s original works will be displayed during the evening for all to enjoy. This relaxed and casual atmosphere will allow interaction with Stephen, which will give you an ‘up close and personal’ understanding from the artist himself of his style and technique.”

This first in the series of events will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Orion Bank. Refreshments will be served. The phone number to call for reservations for the April 10 event is 403-5169. Orion Bank is at 605 Bald Eagle Drive.

On the other hand, local artist Tara O’Neill is having a one-woman exhibition tomorrow through April 12 at the Little Bar in Goodland. It will include her oils and museum-quality prints. A two-day opening reception is set for this Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m., at the restaurant. You can get more information from Tara at 642-0528.

Fun and games

Marco Island was covered with political yard signs during the city council election campaigns, but none I saw were ugly in any way. There were so many, however, that I had an idea about turning that into a positive.

Why not make the political signs in the form of windmills? For several months we could have harnessed enough wind energy to power our new streetlights for a while.

I also wonder what happened to all those signs after Election Day? I hope the historical society grabbed a few, at least one for each candidate, because it probably was the most important election in Marco since the one for our first city council.

Speaking of political signs, the Internet is flooded with web sites selling signs, bumper stickers, buttons, bobble head dolls and other political stuff.

People who run for president always are open to sharp political satire, parody and personal political attacks and so it is this year.

My favorite vehicles for such stuff include political buttons and playing cards, on both sides of all the candidates. Buttons with the smiling candidates’ faces have been around since photography was invented. But in recent years, negative buttons and, now, playing cards are all the rage.

Pick your choice for president and I’ll show you an insulting campaign button or bumper sticker.

Let’s start with Sen. Hillary Clinton. The mildest anti-Hillary button I found in an online search was a simple red “H” with a big line through it and the words “No Hillary 2008.” Pretty tame stuff.

The most devilish one that is printable in a newspaper shows a terrible photo of Hillary with the printed message, “Hillary will EAT your kids.” It’s either funny or insulting, depending on one’s level of support for Sen. Clinton.

Sen. Obama is the subject of some pretty rough stuff, not suitable to show here. One of the better ones shows both Obama and Clinton with the words: “The choice is clear — Vote Republican.”

Creators of anti John McCain buttons are in a creative drought it seems. Aside from some dirty language, the toughest was an “Anyone But McCain” thing.

This game of who can come up with the nastiest anti-campaign slogans will get even more interesting as we get closer to the election.

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Don Farmer has been a full-time Marco Islander for ten years and a part-time resident for more than 30 years. He says full-time is better. Farmer welcomes your ideas for column items via e-mail at don@donfarmer.com.