Where's W?
See if you can find the president here. Found via After Downing Street.
Bring Them Home Now Bus Tour
The bus tour from Camp Casey of Gold Star families is going to be here in Minneapolis on Saturday. The local community is scrambling to organize a large public event and to provide homes for the travelers. More info can be found at Bring Them Home Now Tour. There will probably be a public event a the Capitol Building in St. Paul on Saturday. Call Women Against Military Madness for details and to volunteer: 612-827-5364.
Hurricane Katrina
The devastation in New Orleans and the rest of the southern U.S. is astonishing. Last night, one of the networks showed ten straight minutes of video shot from a helicopter which gave me a small idea of how extensive the damage is. For the first time, I am hearing reporters in the U.S. talk about a huge refugee crisis within our own borders. There are 20,000 people trapped in the Superdome in New Orleans. The plan is to bus them all the way up to Dallas where they will be allowed to stay in the Astrodome. How they can get the people from the Superdome, which is completely surrounded by water, to buses, when all roads from the city are out, is still to be determined.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Cats in Sinks
Cats in Sinks.
Because.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
That was fun!
We all got older and fatter and lost our hair and our eyesight. It was just so much fun to see how many people are alive and doing well. They have children and grandchildren and jobs and lives all over the country.
It is so funny how our perceptions of school are so different. One woman came up to me and told me she had been the young girl who had "the great honor" of turning the pages on the music book that I used to play the piano accompaniment to our school's production of "Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!". To think that anyone would consider sitting next to me to be some kind of honor is unbelievable. But there you go.
Honestly, I believe the most amazing thing about the night was the great delight in knowing that all of these different people have survived all these years. The event was held in the same hall that was used to hold my class's graduation, all 37 of us. It kind of renewed my faith in life itself.
Friday, August 26, 2005
High School Reunion
I went to a relatively tiny high school. There were 37 people in my class.
Tomorrow night I will attend the 30th anniversary of the closing of my high school. Because the school was so small, we celebrate all-school reunions rather than individual class reunions. I haven't attended any reunions since the 5th reunion.
Funny thing. After 30 plus years, the reunion has almost nothing to do with "me" and has everything to do with curiousity about everyone else. I've heard stories about people going on diets and engaging in major makeovers before attending high school reunions, if only to prove something long after the pain of high school shunning is over.
At some point, though, it all falls by the wayside. At least I think it does. I'll check back in after tomorrow night to see whether the ghosts of high school past infected my enjoyment of events!
The good thing about being a small school is that these all-school reunions invite students, teachers and parents. So my date tomorrow night will be my Mom. She spent many hours at sporting events, parent events and school activities. In most situations, none of that gets acknowledged all these years later. But my school invites the parents and my attendance is something I do for my Mom as much as I do for myself.
But before I do the whole nostalgia thing, I'm going to stop at the Solidarity Committee meeting for the workers on strike against Northwest Airlines. The strike has lasted a week and the bullshit is flowing freely on the local media. In spite of all the crap about "business as usual", there is a growing movement supporting the machinists who have a great big target sign on their backs by the capitalist system. Sure, they may be screwed and they may know it, but nobody is going to go down quietly in this rush towards bancruptcy and default on the part of a huge corporation that has been the beneficiary of huge tax incentives from the people of Minnesota.
The corporate executives of Northwest Airline are publicly dumping their stocks like lemmings. Something they can no longer do in secrecy. Well, you know, fuck them!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Really long art galleries
Subways need not be boring or dreary! Many operators of metros, subways or underground railways want to attract more passengers with good station design. This often means extra effort and higher costs for the metro operators but it seems to pay when a metro is more than only a means of traffic but something the population can be proud of.
Check out the Metro Bits website!
Here's a spectacular night shop from a website that focusses on the subways of North Korea:
I found this via Presurfer.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Just admit it!
The debate about Cindy Sheehan and her grief over the death of her son, Casey, in the war against Iraq has brought about a a new level of political discussion in our country. Even so, one core element of her protest is being ignored. One simple fact has not been addressed:
Bush believes that Cindy Sheehan's grief is acceptable.
Bush's belief in the war in Iraq is strong enough to allow him to accept the grief of Cindy Sheehan and every other family member who has lost a loved one in the war against Iraq. What is surprising in all of this discussion, is that Bush and his PR machine seem incapable of saying out loud what the rest of us recognize every day.
Bush has decided that the 10 or 20 Americans who will die today and tomorrow and the 50 or 100 Iraqis who will die today and tomorrow are acceptable losses in order to achieve his particular political goals.
In a way, this debate reminds me of the debate we have been having in this country about abortion. Personally, I am willing to accept that a woman's right to choose an abortion has, as a direct consequence, the grief that some people will experience over the death of a fetus. A certain percentage of my fellow citizens believe that a fetus has been murdered when a woman chooses to have an abortion. I am willing to accept their grief. My belief in a woman's right to control her own body is more important to me than the grief that a substantial number of anti-choice citizens might experience at the death of her fetus.
If the death of a fetus can become a topic of public discussion, how can we avoid talking about all the lives that have been snuffed out in the war against Iraq? How in the world can seeing the crosses lining a ditch in Crawford, Texas, and listening to the pain of family members be seen as inappropriate for a man who has deliberately chosen to risk the lives of so many people?
What Sheehan is doing, to the dismay of many, is showing that there are consequences to war.
The war in Iraq may not inconvenience the majority of American citizens. We are not living under rationing. We are not facing blackouts and air raids. We are not buying gas on alternate days based on a sticker attached to our personal vehicles.
But we are, every single day, spending the lives of our fellow citizens and the citizens of Iraq.
Cindy Sheehan's great sin is in making visible what has been hidden all these months and years. The deaths of over 1,800 U.S. soldiers has been invisible. The deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been invisible. The responsiblity for those deaths, which lays squarely in the hands of Bush and his administration, have been invisible.
Not any more. Cindy Sheehan and the other families of those who have died or been permanently disabled in the war against Iraq, are refusing to let us hide from the consequences of our decisions. We cannot cover up their pain with cinematic fictions about the glory of war. We cannot pretend that war is a struggle of the brave and pure against the evil and small-minded. We must accept that the reality of war is pain for so many people and so many families on all sides of the conflict.
For that honesty, Cindy Sheehan and the families who have come together in Texas deserve our support and respect.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Tonight I attended an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UFCW P9 strike against Hormel at the speakers club of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. Over 100 people turned out. We welcomed representatives of the AMFA strike against Northwest Airlines.
All of which confirms that notion that the more things change, the more things are the same.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
05 09-24-05 latest
That about rounds up my Sunday flyer making for now!
Another weekend, another poster
Friday, August 19, 2005
New Photos of Bridge Protest
CircleVision has posted some wonderful photos of the Bridge vigil for Cindy Sheehan here. He also got a great picture of my "We Support Cindy sign here:
Unity Achieved!
Statement about a joint rally and joint march for September 24.
The two major antiwar coalitions that have initiated and organized for a massive anti-war March on Washington for September 24 have agreed to organize a joint rally followed by a joint march. Both coalitions will organize under their own banners, slogans and with their own literature for the September 24 demonstration. The joint rally will begin at 11:30 am at the Ellipse in the front of the White House. We urge everyone around the country to unite and come out for the largest possible anti-war demonstration on September 24.
Signed by:
United for Peace and Justice
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
(on behalf of the September 24 National Coalition)
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Graphics in action!
There were 1200 people at the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge over the Missisippi River last night. I posted over at After Downing Street on a thread that has reports from vigils around the country. Two other people posted saying there were 300 people in Edina (Republican stronghold!) and 100 people in St. Paul. I saw coverage on the news last night that showed a hundred or more in Loring Park.
We did good! I'm hoping Cindy can feel our strength!
From the AP here is more info:
Last update: August 18, 2005 at 2:52 AM
Minnesotans join candlelight vigils to protest Iraq war
State Wire
BURNSVILLE, Minn. (AP) - Hundreds of Minnesotans rallied on Wednesday behind one mother's anti-war demonstration near President Bush's Texas ranch.
Candlelight vigils were held in several Minnesota communities and nationwide at the urging of Cindy Sheehan, who started a protest Aug. 6 in memory of her son Casey, who died in Iraq last year.
More than 1,000 protesters stood on the Marshall Avenue-Lake Street Bridge, which links Minneapolis and St. Paul.
"This war has been disgraceful, with trumped-up reasons,'' said Sue Ann Martinson, of Minneapolis. "There were no weapons of mass destruction and the Iraqis didn't have anything to do with 9-11.''
About 175 people gathered at Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville for a peaceful protest. They remained silent for several minutes while remembering those who have died in the Iraq war.
About 200 people attended another vigil near Loring Park in Minneapolis.
In the northeastern Minnesota town of Chisholm, more than 100 people gathered near the Iron Man statue, cupping their candles against the wind and a cool summer's night.
The event was put on by Iron Range United for Peace & Awareness and MoveOn.org.
"We want to support and honor all military families,'' organizer Loren Olsen said. "We feel the best way to do that is to support Cindy Sheehan.''
Twenty-five crosses were set up near the statue, each bearing the name of a Minnesota soldier who died in connection with the war.
"Why are we in this war? When are the troops going to be coming home? What is the exit strategy?'' said Alissa Miller, who organized the Burnsville event.
Miller has a 20-year-old brother in Iraq and says she fears the worst every day.
"There is definitely the very grave concern that my brother could be coming home in a body bag,'' Miller said. "I think it is the start of a movement and I think eventually the questions will be answered.''
Sheehan says she will camp outside Bush's ranch until his monthlong vacation ends or he meets with her and other grieving families.
"I think he ought to at least have the courage to look in her eye and tell her why her son died,'' said Doug Claycomb, who attended the Burnsville event with his family. "I hope it finally gets George Bush's attention, gets him to meet with Cindy and gets him to reconsider whether this war was a good idea or not.''
Bush has said he sympathizes with Sheehan but has made no indication he will meet with her. Two top Bush administration officials talked to Sheehan the day she started her camp, and she and other families met with Bush shortly after her son's death.
Not everyone is on Sheehan's side.
Sharon Dorff, whose son Patrick died in Iraq on Jan. 25, 2004, said she paid no attention to the demonstrations.
"I kind of ignored it because I thought it was kind of ridiculous,'' Dorff said. "I think it's kind of a waste of time because it's not going to bring our sons back.''
------
The StarTribune article:
Last update: August 18, 2005 at 8:14 AM
Anti-war protest draws more than 1,000
Joy Powell, Star Tribune
August 18, 2005 VIGILS0818
Tears streaming, Catherine Statz, a nurse from St. Paul, stood on the Lake Street-Marshall Avenue Bridge on Wednesday evening with more than 1,000 other war protesters.
Her sister, Patricia Statz, 41, was killed Sept. 11, 2001, while working at the Pentagon as a civilian employee with the U.S. Army.
Since then, her family has come to believe that her death and the deaths of thousands of others have been exploited.
"It's horrible that President Bush uses Sept. 11 as his reason to be in the war," Catherine Statz said as passing cars tooted support for the protesters.
Organizers said there were nearly 1,200 of them. They held candles and placards on the bridge to show their support for the mother of a slain soldier who is holding a vigil near President Bush's ranch in Texas.
Local peace vigil
The vigil was one of dozens in the metro area arranged by MoveOn.org, a website that organized similar protests across the nation.
From Stillwater to Eden Prairie to Minneapolis, thousands of people turned out to show they stand behind the cause of Cindy Sheehan, whose controversial stakeout at "Camp Casey" is drawing national attention.
For Statz, it's a personal cause as well.
"I think we're there because they've used Sept. 11 to move into Afghanistan and Iraq," she said. "It's not about the price of oil, it's about the control. It's about getting a foothold in the Mideast."
Unable to stop crying, Statz, 50, hid her face behind her sign, which said, "U.S. Troops Out Now."
"It's so sad," she said, "for our family to know that so many other families are going to be going through what we did -- losing a loved one."
At the bridge, a couple of war supporters showed up briefly, toting a sign that said, "Kill Iraq." Many of the protesters said that they support U.S. troops in Iraq but that they want to bring them home.
John and Char Sokatch of St. Paul, who were at the bridge vigil with their 9-year-old daughter Zya and two neighbor children, said they came because they couldn't afford to travel to Crawford, Texas, to rally with Sheehan.
Sydney Rose, 14, proudly toted a placard that read,"No more grieving mothers."
The St. Paul girl had come with her father, brother and a friend. While they were there, Sydney's uncle, Darrel Pinkston of Savage, called her father, Dana Rose. The men have opposite stances on the war, yet are best of friends.
"I support freeing the Iraqi people from the tyrant Saddam," Pinkston said after Dana Rose handed his cell phone to a reporter. "I think it was a good and moral thing to do."
Retired Minneapolis pediatrician Dr. Sigrid Bachmann and her daughter, nurse Tanya Bachmann, were at the bridge vigil as well. They and others called Sheehan courageous. It's a new anti-war movement fanned by the Internet, and one organized far more quickly than decades ago, when Bachmann first began protesting wars.
As a girl who lived in Berlin during World War II, she saw the hatred and prejudice foisted on the Jewish people, and then saw the smashed stores, the burned buildings and other horrors of war.
"War is extremely destructive of the souls of the people, or the buildings, or the land, of the Earth," she said. "One of the saddest things is the fate of the children in this time we're living."
Vietnam veteran Steve Weeks of Minneapolis rode his bike to the vigil.
"This isn't a war, this is a police action," said Weeks, who said he served in the Navy from 1964-67. "There's no country we're at war with. We don't even know who we're fighting."
Sue Ann Martinson of Minneapolis, shared that view. "There were no weapons of mass destruction, and the Iraqis didn't have anything to do with 9-11," she said.
"This war has been disgraceful, with trumped up reasons."
Joy Powell is at jpowell@startribune.com.
-------
This article is from KARE 11, the local NBC affiliate:
Peace vigils held in support of Cindy Sheehan
At the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge, cars honked continuously Wednesday night, as they drove past hundreds of people who came to stand symbolically by Cindy Sheehan.
“You look around, and there’s probably 500 or 700 people,” said Kathy Stone, the vigil organizer.
Online, more than 730 people signed up for the bridge vigil, which was one of more than 20 vigils held around the Twin Cities area to show support for the woman whose son was killed in Iraq.
Sheehan has been camping outside President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, for 11 days, saying she wants to ask the President: Why did my son die in Iraq?
"Cindy Sheehan, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, has the moral authority to question our government," Stone said.
President Bush met with Sheehan in June 2004, but Sheehan has since said Bush was disrespectful during the meeting. This year, Bush has refused to meet with her, saying he sympathizes with her but doesn’t agree with her views on the war.
Earlier this week, Sheehan’s group, called "Gold Star Families for Peace," purchased an ad on Texas cable TV, in an effort to reach the President.
Sheehan says Bush was, "wrong about weapons of mass destruction," and "You were wrong about the link between Iraq and Al Qaeda. You lied to us. And because of your lies, my son is dead."
Her son, Casey, was an Army specialist and was 24 years old when he died.
Sheehan’s story has made war opponents more vocal, including Minnesota State Senator Becky Lourey (DFL-Kerrick), who is traveling to Texas this week.
“I am going to support another mother who lost her son in Iraq,” Lourey said.
Lourey’s son, Matt, died in Iraq this May.
Lourey said, in Crawford, she plans to, "put my arms around her and offer the sympathy that she understands, because we share the same grief."
As Sheehan’s sympathizers, like Lourey, speak up at vigils across the country, the President’s supporters are getting louder, too. Some, like author Ann Coulter, accuses Sheehan of being a puppet for anti-war politicians.
"She is not grieving anymore," Coulter said. "She now wants to determine America’s foreign policy."
But Coleen Rowley, the FBI whistleblower and Democratic candidate for Congress – who is traveling to Texas with Lourey – says Sheehan has the right to ask questions about the war a number of Americans now question themselves.
"I think everyone does deserve an explanation at this point," Rowley said.
KARE-11 is traveling with Lourey and Rowley on their trip to Crawford on Thursday. Look for reports on KARE-11 News at 6 and 10.
By, Scott Goldberg , KARE 11 News
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Another sign for tonight
Again, please feel free to "steal" these images and use them however you choose!
08-21-05 Meal & Movie
Cindy? Yes! War? No!
Why are you reading this? You should be going to your local vigil!
Vigil tonight
On the Meet with Cindy website, there is a sign you can download that says "American Stands With Cindy." I altered that sign somewhat here. I took out the small flag so all the anarchists won't compromise their principles by supporting a state apparatus. I took out "America", since we don't claim to speak for everyone -- that's what "the Bushies" are always claiming to do.
So if this particular sign fits your way of looking at the world, help yourself and pass it on.
Tonight's vigil information copied from the WAMM (Women Against Military Madness) website:
Candlelight Vigil
7:30 pm
Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge over the Mississippi River
Please bring a candle or lantern. Keep in mind that it may be windy.
Cindy Sheehan, mother of Army Specialist Casey Sheehan who was killed in Iraq, continues her vigil outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. She was recently joined by more moms who lost a child in Iraq and other military families. Meanwhile President Bush continues his five-week vacation and pledged Thursday to keep U.S. troops in Iraq meaning more moms will lose a child.
Cindy has asked supporters to start candlelight vigils in their communities to support her and call for an end to the war. So, MoveOn and True Majority, together with WAMM and Veterans for Peace in the Twin Cities, are teaming up to host Vigils for Cindy Sheehan on Wednesday, August 17th, to show our solidarity with Cindy.
Our vigils will be simple and dignified. Together, we'll acknowledge the sacrifices made by Cindy Sheehan, her son, Casey and the more than 1,800 brave American men and women who have given their lives in Iraq and their moms and families.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Busy weekend
This weekend I attended a workshop to learn how to make artists's books. We made three books and started on a fourth. Two of the books are "tunnel" books that are sort of like shadow boxes with imagery appearing through cutouts. One book was made from combining "paste paper" and layering. Another book was an "accordian" style book made out of fancy papers. I learned quite a lot and my mind is filled with ideas for future activities. Just exactly what I needed from the experience!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Pretty kitty
A slide show of photos on flicker tagged with cat.
Awwwwwww!
And then there's airborne cats!
Smart Bear
Found here:
Door knocking bear
Animal experts in Croatia say a bear has learned how to trick people to let him in by knocking at the door.
They believe the 35-stone brown bear probably learned the trick while nudging a door to get it to open.
Experts speculate the nudging was mistaken by the owners for knocking and that the bear, pleased by the outcome, repeated the tactic.
The Loknar family from Gerovo in western Croatia said the bear had knocked at their door three times and they were now refusing to answer the door.
Mum Nevenka Loknar said: "We jumped out the window as he came in through the door and raided the kitchen the first time.
"I opened the door and saw him standing there and I didn't believe my eyes at first, then I ran for it as he walked in as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Bears are a common thing in the woods around here, but no one has ever heard of a bear that knocks at the door.
"The bear is so intelligent it's incredible. We've tried to put up lots of obstacles to stop him coming in, like a wire fence but he still gets through. I wouldn't be surprised if he knew how to use wire cutters."
Saturday, August 06, 2005
The Dove ad discussion
Dove has sparked some controversy by running an ad campaign with larger women in underwear and calling them "real women" of something like that. Amanda has a post up about how media standards of beauty are harmful to men as well as women.
Luckily, my own standards for beauty were challenged several times early in life and basically ruined the painted-on heroin-addict look for me. I can think of three experiences that made the break:
First, working in a corn-canning factory 12 hours a day for four weeks straight. Back in the 70s, you could make enough money with the overtime to pay for a year of college. In that world, strength and stamina equalled desirability. We worked on quotas and good working partners could help each other increase our own quotas. The best partners to have: large, sturdy farm women in their 50s or young, plump women like myself.
Second, living and working in rural Mexico in 1974. Again, strength was valued, but also cleanliness and hair everywhere. I haven't touched a razor since. I learned to appreciate sturdy hand-made clothes and beautiful embroidery. No skinny white chicks there.
Third, attending a women-only music festival in the summer. Clothes were optional. The huge variety of women's bodies, once the clothes are off, is such an amazing thing to see and completely destroys the cookie-cutter images we are served up all the time.
Today, I work at the headquarters of a major corporation. I see hundreds of women a day. Yet, on any given day I can count on one hand the number of women my age who, like myself, are not wearing makeup. I think of us as a small secret society who know there is a much bigger world out there.
I think the commenters over at Amanda's don't understand how easy it is to break away from the images. Or maybe I was lucky that it happened to me when I was young.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Do I have a dry wit, or am I just a smartass?
Years ago, Ravenhub came up with that line to cover those times when the mind works fast, the mouth responds even quicker, and one of us voices a smart-ass comment that is hilarious but wildly inappropriate. Fortunately for both of us, respect for a well-turned and humorous phrase invariably trumps any anger or insult that might normally be caused by such remarks. If the comment involves a pun, so much the better.
Puns are wonderful because they require thought on the part of the listener and the pun-purveyor can almost see the wheels turning as the pun-receiver realizes that dual message of said pun. It is that joy of shared thought processes that touches something special for me. I was reminded of this while watching a recent tribute to Bob Newhart. One of his standard bits is the telephone conversation. He stands with a phone to his ear and we hear only one side of the conversation. Newhart's writing and timing were such that we, the audience, could fill in the other side of the conversation and we not only found it hilirious, we also enjoyed being a small part of the routine.
Lately I've had the great pleasure of entering into e-mail exchanges that involve the same sort of "filling in" with two other graphic artists. Imagine three women working away in separate cubes, firing these e-mails out every couple of minutes while deadlines loom and the weekend beckons:
_________________
To: K and Raven
From: J
Subject: Dukes of Hazard is roadkill
Review: 'Dukes of Hazzard' is roadkill
Cheesecake, car chases and idiocy
Friday, August 5, 2005; Posted: 10:31 a.m. EDT (14:31 GMT)
(CNN) -- "The Dukes of Hazzard" is a prime example of a sad Hollywood habit: taking a popular -- but rather dumb -- TV show and turning it into a totally stupid and meaningless film.
This flick is a car wreck with boobs.
Now, let me just say, if your idea of a good film is a nearly naked Jessica Simpson and completely over-the-top chase scenes, then this movie is for you.
What a waste of Jessica Simpson's talent...
Bah-hahaha!
---------
To: K and J
From: Raven
My idea of a good film is nearly naked roadkill.....
---------
To: Raven and J
From: K
I loved "Nearly Naked Roadkill 2," but I thought "Nearly Naked Roadkill 3" lacked strong performance and direction.
---------
To: Raven and K
From: J
I heard the mis en sen was completely wrong in NNR3.
---------
To: Raven and J
From: K
With the cast they had - Jeremy Irons, Vanessa Redgrave, Dame Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent - I guess I expected more!
---------
To: K and J
From: Raven
True, and Oliver Stone's ability to implicate the Vatican into the international roadkill conspiracy really got me thinking
---------
To: K and Raven
From: J
Despite ongoing controversy, the guy driving the Hummer WAS Michael Jackson.
---------
To: J and Raven
From: K
I don't care what anyone says, when he murmurs Rosebud at the end, it gave me the CHILLS!
---------
To: K and J
From: Raven
Yeah, but when those three graphic artists beat that dead horse I had to hide my eyes!
-------
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
highwaysign
My mother, a retired geographer and cartographer, would love this story. I heard about it on NPR's "Wait Wait -- Don't Tell Me!" show and then googled for more information. By the way, the radio show is almost always fun listening. I like to pull it onto my desktop at work and listen on my headphones. I usually wait until a particularly nasty day. Listening to the show tends to pick me up and put my lousy day in perspective. I highly recommend it.
Here's the story found via Google:
Alabama road signs in Massachusetts?
EASTHAMPTON, Mass.(AP)_ The highway signs at the intersection of Routes 10 and 141 might make you think you'd taken a wrong turn and wound up in the Deep South.
Amid the staid Yankee surroundings of this western Massachusetts town, the recently installed signs bear the outline of the state of Alabama, squashed to fit the square shape.
The incorrect signs had been up about a week when Joe Pipczynski, Easthampton's superintendent of public works, was alerted by a state Highway Department worker.
Pipczynski spoke to city officials and consulting engineers and came up with a theory. He believes the contractor opened the federal manual governing the appearance of highway signs.
The example there shows a sign for Route 21 in Alabama, including an outline of the state surrounding the numbers. In Massachusetts, the signs are supposed to be simple black numbers on a white background.
Pipczynski thinks the contractor's staffers sent the example to the sign maker and got exactly what they asked for. But the contractor, A. Pereira Construction Co. of Ludlow, doesn't know what happened.
"We didn't really question it, because the numbers were correct," company spokesman Roger Remy said. Mike Superson is co-owner of a Big E's Supermarket, which is right next to the signs.
"I looked at them 100 times since they put them up," he told The Boston Globe.
"This is the first I've heard of this." The signs will be replaced as soon as possible, Remy said.