John R. Bennett
@johnreidbennett.bsky.social
Assistant professor of public administration, biking and walking advocate, community radio DJ, expired film photographer, and bird feeder attendant in Savannah, Georgia.
Today I was driving on Tennessee Street in Tallahassee, a city I lived in 1.5 million years ago. My radio was tuned to WVFS, of course, which was airing a performance by a folk singer. She introduced a song called “Tennessee,” emphasizing it was about the street, not the state. Perfect timing!
I’m not a big barbecue person, so I’m not an expert. But I’m glad I was able to enjoy the results of this competition tonight. There was a rain delay, but it was worth the wait.
After 45 minutes of searching, I located the 3/16 hex wrench I needed to remove the 2” hitch adapter from the bike rack. I did not go to the hardware store to buy a new one. I repeat, I did not buy a new one. I used the tool that I already own. This is a victory.
Not to brag, but I can wake up from a bad dream, go right back to sleep, and have an equally bad dream that’s related to the first one. Not a sequel exactly, more like “inspired by.” I’m really good at doing this. I wish there were some kind of contest I could enter.
"The 42-year-old submarine has reached the end of its long service and will be declared inactive starting today."
Submarine USS Georgia returns home for the final time
The Ohio-class submarine USS Georgia has returned to its home port, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, for the final time.
thebrunswicknews.com
I’ve just been joined in this small waiting room by a man who has brought along with him a party-sized bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and a full package of Oreos. Just as I got used to the crunching and bag crinkling, he’s started watching videos on his phone. No headphones, of course.
"Duffy’s choice to include this language could also simply be political messaging for a base that hates bike lanes" Except Trump voters support bike lanes - a 2025 YouGov survey found that 64% of Trump voters strongly or somewhat support bike lanes in their local area
Jon Orcutt@jonorcutt.bsky.social · 2w agoFor the millionth time, the idiocy is not a bug @usa.streetsblog.org usa.streetsblog.org/2026/07/23/t...
I’m used to seeing all sorts of air traffic over Savannah, but this is a first. Any idea what I’ve got here, @kf4lmt.bsky.social? Why are they flying so close together?
It’s 8:30 a.m. in Savannah, Georgia. My weather station tells me it’s 85° and the humidity is 91%. I assumed my station wasn't accurate, but then I walked outside and found I could grab handfuls of air and roll it into big, gloopy balls like wet dough. Looks like my station is reading correctly.
Played this beloved patriotic anthem on the radio tonight since it was my last show of July 2026.
Ween - Freedom of '76 (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Ween
youtu.be
Back in my Thursday evening habitat at @wruu.bsky.social. I’m on the air from 7-8 p.m., broadcasting terrestrially on 107.5 FM and streaming via wruu.org.
I could not be happier with my “dumb" robot vacuum. It doesn’t connect to the internet, map my home, or have an app. It just bumbles around harvesting cat hair before it can form into cat hair tumbleweeds. Would such a device be included in the ban?
The FCC bans all robot vacuums made outside the U.S.
That's pretty much all of them.
mashable.com
A summary of recent weather here in Savannah via @enkiresearch.bsky.social. It’s been mostly miserable.
Mostly just hot and humid and (ironically) dry
Stay informed about Tropical Storm Fauso, Typhoon Dolphin, and heat waves impacting the US Southeast this summer.
enkiops.org
I’ve been researching pet insurance for our cats. I'm sort of shocked that there isn't a question on the applications asking whether cats are indoor or outdoor. It seems like indoor-only cats should qualify for reduced premiums. 😾
A photo from this morning’s one-hour vacation.
I grew up in a football town, so I didn’t pay much attention to baseball until I started watching during COVID-19. One of my favorite things I have learned about MLB is that each dugout has a payphone in it. When it rings, someone always answers it, even at pivotal parts of the game. ⚾
I was way into cars as a young person, and for decades since, I’ve lived with the curse of knowing enough about them to detect when I was getting ripped off by mechanics, but not enough to be absolutely certain. Several years ago, I finally found a garage I trust. It really has been nice.
A scene from this morning’s 90-minute vacation. I love it when the sky and the sea blend together, causing the horizon to disappear.
Saw a guy driving a $100,000 pickup with a Gadsden flag sticker on it. My dude, if you can afford to own and operate that truck I have trouble believing that you are being tread upon.
Updating my list: Nickle & Oak Marble & Fin Coco & Moss Myrtle & Rose Colleagues & Lovers Cotton & Rye Asher + Rye Flora and Fauna Did I miss any? We need a moratorium on Savannah bars and restaurants with two nouns in their names. In fact, when I am king, I will ban ampersands altogether.
I did a little exotica detective work this morning. I’m rewatching The Prisoner on Criterion and heard a song I’ve played on Beyond the Reef on @wruu.bsky.social. It’s in the second episode scene in which No. 6 chops down a tree to make his abstract wood sculpture.
Alt Text: An underwater camera captures video of beautiful fish swimming near a coral reef. Then a Publix plastic grocery bag floats by.
Coral City Camera@coralcitycamera.bsky.social · 2w ago@publix so do you guys pick em up or do we?? 〰️🪼♻️🤿〰️🙄 #plasticbag #oceantrash #recycle #adbusters #sponsoredjk
I have once again ventured into the autocentric sprawlscape that is Southside Savannah and have returned safely to my home. I can report the sign in front of Maycrest Hardware reads: “Our worms catch fish! Or die trying.” Also, I heard this song on the radio, so I have that going for me.
Slim Gaillard - "Potato Chips"
YouTube video by Christopher Yurkanin
youtube.com
The examination room at my vet has changed very little in the 30+ years. This pleases me. What has changed is the cost of care. Anyone have experience with pet insurance? Recommendations?
Caught a flat on the way home from the radio station, so I had to walk the bike for about a mile. This is called a multimodal commute. 🚲 🚶♂️ 😐
It’s Thursday, so that means I’ll be on the air at @wruu.bsky.social from 7-8 p.m. This week I’m playing an hour of summertime-themed library music. Listen on 107.5 FM or wruu.org.
