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Diana-

Do you live in Madison?

Is that skanky-looking McDonald's still in downtown - right across from the Capitol. I was afraid to go in there and eat - not because of possible bodily harm - but due to health reasons.

I saw some shady-looking people hanging around there - but that was a few years back. I was on my way to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and I thought "I could see how this might scare some people away".

I live 10 miles south of Madistan...and it's no longer far enough, LOL!

I don't know if that McDonald's is still there but yes, the downtown area is really hitting the skids this summer.

That's an awesome museum, though. Did you look through the sub periscope? That's always fun. One of the soldier statues there is actually my friend Norm. I mean, Norm isn't IN there, but they cast his body to make the statue, LOL!

The funny thing is that - back in my day as an undergrad there (1975-79) there were street people who were fixtures, providing entertainment and not at all threatening. We had an incredibly old wino named "Snowflake" with white hair and a Santa-like beard - matted with soot and grime. This fellow was often seen in July wearing a filthy air force parka while stumbling up and down State Street pandering. I recall seeing him at the bar in the Kollege Klub frequently [while I ate lunch there, he apparently drank lunch there].

The other was the infamous "Art the Window Washer" - who resembled a polar bear in terms of physique. A bulging gut hanging out from under his t-shirt (even in December) - he would pose leaning against a mailbox and bellow out random unintelligible sounds at passers by. If you knew who he was, this was part of the perverse charm of State Street. To the uninitiated - it was frightening. At some point there was a bit of sympathy for Art - and students designed a t-shirt (front side "What is Art?", backside photo of Art and the text "Art is a Window Washer!") and proceeds from its sale were to help the poor fellow. I think he had the massive heart attack on the street not long afterward.