[image-1] I just experienced one of the saddest things: I walked into what is left of the best night spot downtown, Port O' Call. After being closed down by the federal government to make room for more courthouse, the Shubrick building, which housed Port O' Call and several other businesses, including City Weekly at one time as well as live-in tenants, will be demolished. What we eventually will have is that entire corner of Fourth South and West Temple as nothing but a pile of dirt.

We all owe Kent and Jeannette Knowley a debt of gratitude for battling the government as long as they did to stay open. They auctioned off everything inside last week, and all that is left is great old wood that is being stripped away.

Then, around the corner, west of the courthouse, is the Odd Fellows Hall -- in the process of being moved across Market Street. My bet is it will crumble, and we'll have another multimillion dollar pile of bricks.

What pisses me off the most is how the Knowley's got screwed on the value of the property by the Feds. If they were given truly fair market value, they could have relocated but 10 cents on the dollar won't do. Thanks for the memories. (photo by Bill Frost)