A blog about Sunglasses

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By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com

ROCK ISLAND — What are the Blues Brothers without sunglasses?

Until a few days ago, they were the life-size statues at 18th Street and 2nd Avenue, in the heart of The District of Rock Island.

The 2-year-old seated statues of Jake and Elwood Blues were moved to their current location Aug. 6, and within one week, their black sunglasses — welded to their heads — were broken off. Ironically, the characters were moved from a previous spot in Arts Alley (next to Quad City Arts) because of problems with vandalism.

“People had defaced them, written on their face,” as well as stolen earlier sunglasses, said Marsha Walker, business development director for Renaissance Rock Island.

In October 2005, the statues were presented to Dan Carmody, former president of Renaissance Rock Island, in honor of his contributions to Rock Island. In the 1980 “Blues Brothers” movie, the boys are introduced as being from Rock Island, Ill.

The statues were put in storage from last October until this month, Ms. Walker said. The new location would allow potential vandals to be spotted on the police department’s security cameras.

“Maybe it will cause people to think about it,” community marketing director Jennifer Fowler said of the shade-stealing. The District no longer will pay to weld new glasses on, but just replace them with a cheap pair as needed, she said. That was done recently.

“It’s a nuisance to have to keep sunglasses on them,” Ms. Walker said. “It would be nice if people would respect other people’s property. It costs us money each time to have them welded on, and we don’t have that kind of budget. We did this as a benefit to the community.

“I know people think it’s a harmless prank, but the bottom line is it costs the community money and hurts everybody in the community when somebody does that,” she said.

The Blues Brothers are a Rock Island claim to fame and the city is proud to feature their likeness, Ms. Walker said. Many visitors have their picture taken with the statues, she said.

“There was a group of eight ladies on a bus trip from Wisconsin, and they come every year to Jumer’s to gamble. A lady stopped me and asked me to take their picture with these guys,” Ms. Walker said. “The number of out-of-towners that have their pictures taken with them is phenomenal.

“Ultimately, tourists are spending dollars down here,” she said. “If things aren’t up to the level they should be, it gives us a black eye. It sends the message, `Don’t they care?’

“This takes away money we could be spending on serving businesses,” Ms. Walker said.

Soon, a new plaque will be placed next to the statues that says, “Smile. You’re on camera” to deter potential vandals.

Ever with a marketing mind, Ms. Walker said, “We have toyed with idea of getting a gross of (sunglasses) and having them imprinted, `Stolen from The District of Rock Island.’”

Source: QC Online

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