by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – Max Weaver is no longer a City Councilman, so he is finding new ways to fill his days.
One of his favorite things to do, when he is not chatting up anyone and everyone in town, is to work on his “Rancho Deluxe Z Garden.”
“It took ’em twelve years to throw my ass out, I’m OK with that,” Max Weaver informed NorthIowaToday.com on an unseasonably warm January day. “I didn’t campaign.”
Weaver was at his garden, located just east of Good Shepherd Nursing Home on 2nd Street NE, all weekend, toiling away, moving 4000 pound blocks of concrete. He had the help of a forklift and four young men, including his son Ruben and former Mohawk track star Coty Thompson.
“We put in a few hours each day over here,” Thompson said. Weaver treated the guys to a lunch at the Suzie Q for their help.
(PHOTO: Weaver inspects a forklift as Coty Thompson, Troy Levenhagen, Ruben Weaver and Tony Boster look on.)
At Rancho Deluxe, Weaver created a stage, surrounded by “artwork” of all kinds. Old bicycles of every shape, size and age are hoisted onto the tops of walls, made up of the concrete blocks, two high. You will find signs that he has acquired throughout the garden. There is a bathtub full of bowling balls on top of another wall.
On Friday, Weaver and his crew were busy creating a “room” by re-arranging the blocks. Their progress was stalled by a blown-out tire on their forklift, which they had fixed later that evening. The room is next to the stage, where people can congregate and talk, Weaver said.
“Anyone can talk on my stage, say anything they want, there is no time-limit,” he said. “Once you are off the stage, that’s it, the debate is over, you get it all of your chest there.”
Weaver routinely has pedestrians and bicyclists pass through his garden. “They’re all welcome here,” Weaver said. A young lady and a small child strolled through the garden and took their own tour of the place. An older lady on a bike also stopped and chatted. “In warm weather, they are here all the time.”
As for his future plans, Weaver said he just wants to work on his garden. “I have water, and electric service ready to go,” he said. “Maybe I will serve hotdogs here in the summer, invite bands to play. Hold debates. Anything’s a possibility.”
Watch video:
How about we meet for a cup of coffee at jitters instead?
So Max is the Jackal huh? Too funny.
Well said Pea-tor, As far as your kid statement goes you should stick to what you know. I saw your vehicle on many occasions. Purely because I drive past your house on the way to work everyday. I too was at the Ron Paul rally, and I support him fully. But lets try to stay on topic regarding the garden. I’m also well aware I was one of the reasons we were off topic.
Frankly I’m sick of the anonymity. How much bravery does it take to write under a pseudonym and criticize someone on the internet? It sounds more like harassment. If you know so much about me, and live near me…why not use your real name when you speak to me? Hell, why don’t you stop by, ring the door bell and tell me what an a-hole you think I am. I just don’t buy into the anonymous thing any longer. It has zero credibility and zero respect.
Not a big fan of Max on most subjects, but if he wants to put his energy into “art” that is accessible to those throughout the community then more power to him. I will applaud on this one.
What? I can’t get through that. Seriously work it out and take comfort that no one really cares. This was about a garden. Don’t talk to us about who get’s talking Bookmeyer and the crazy bastards runnin the show. Garden Peter a garden.
Beverly…it’s over. I rested. I was just angry about a comment Max made to someone sitting next to me at the Ron Paul appearance several weeks back. I interpreted the comment to be derogatory towards the man and his income status that it was said to. The man himself told me he felt it was uttered by Max in a slighting manner. Given Max’s own income status as being dependent upon his wife’s income at Mercy Hospital, I thought perhaps that Max probably shouldn’t have spoken and just kept his views to himself. We were all there to listen to a Presidential hopeful, and everyone is welcome to be part of the political process. Max’s comment was disparaging, and it angered me. I’m over it. It’s done.
However, I will apologize for calling Max a “Schizo”. That comment was overstepped, but made after I was attacked by “sewer comments”. I still wonder about his ego sometimes, but we’re all entitled to take stock in ourselves…because if we don’t…who will?
Anyway, i’d like to see Max come on here and utter an apology or an explanation about what he said, but I’m prepared to drop it as well.
Peter L offering an apology and accepting responsibility for his own actions? Not blaming everybody in this world and his family for his misfortune? WOW!! There is a GOD!! Good job Peter, there may be hope for you yet!!
PETER, PETER, PETER – get a life or do some volunteer work to take up your idle time. Go out and walk around Big Blue or the Work Force Develpoment Office, search Cheslea Creek, the dumpsters near W.F.D., {any dumpsters for that matter } and find that abandoned innocent baby! Do something other than sit at your entertainment center all day and write crap! Good God, Peter – take a break PLEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!
Walk around big blu? Hell, walk accross it, you know, test the ice!!
What I don’t get is why peter went way off subject and started attacking Max. This article was about his art and what he has done with z gardens, and not about his political views. Another thing peter its not your business, he wasn’t talking to you. So why you bashing him, why don’t you just lay off, because you have gotten way of subject, this article is about z gardens not political views.
It was brought to my attention by the person it was said to…therefore it became my business.
Bookmeyer and suporters this is how you sound…LIKE PETER. So take notice. Fact is EVERYONE knows in this town knows this Peter what he is and how he got ’em and the various problems that go with this guy. Sometimes he’s with it and sometimes he’s a loop, everybody knows it. Bookmeyers band is a constant loop no matter what topic. With that Peter has the edge. Simply stay on topic and Leave peoples “art” alone…you beg for reasoning here all the time…give a little respect maybe you’d get some back and not so at your private war all the time. pleeeze.
Beverly, I dig Max’s garden. Whatever floats his boat. I’ve never dissed his idea of art. I deal with a wide variety of issues across the spectrum. You say that I’m off the loop sometimes. Perhaps that’s just because you don’t understand that particular issue. I actually find it quite neurotic that you and Peter Children continually rant on and on about Bookmeyer and the city council. To me that’s its own form of mental illness…but alas’ I don’t say ill about the ongoing tirade. I personally disagree with the approach. If Mr. Children was serious about doing anything other than throwing an adult tantrum…I may be interested in what he says. But in the end, Mr. Children will never grab the shovel and the hoe needed to build the better world…where as I will.
With that said, I return the forum to the interesting art gardens at hand. I made my point to Max, and I believe he internalizes the message I gave him.
I just want a fair world for everyone, and comments slurring people’s income status at political rallies, will not be tolerated by me.
Peace Out
Head back to the physic ward, Pete.
Physic ward? Ha. Head back to elementary school and learn how to spell “Don”. You were trying to spell psyche.
Physic ward? Ha. Head back to elementary school and learn how to spell “Don”. You were trying to spell psyche.
Haha, No one likes you Peter. leave
I’m Grant, and I only care if people like me. If they don’t I feel bad about myself.
So anyway. I made it clear to Max the Schizo how I feel about him and his “style”. He’s a bunch of fast talking words that center around himself and his giant ego. Over and Out.
Peter, Why do you dog on this form of art when you tore apart your Honda and labeled it as art and “expressing yourself” as what? a unintelligent individual who has no sense of art or the principals of safety in which automobile companies work hard to establish. Oh look at me! I’m Pete watch me hang my taillights with wire from my trunk support. Personally i think your jealous that half your life is over and you’ve done nothing great with your life. learn to accept more forms of art and entertainment.
No where did I write that I didn’t like Weaver’s Chaos Gardens. I called Max on what he said at the Ron Paul rally. You just jumped aboard the bandwagon without knowing what you were talking about. As far as half my life being over. Hmmm. Your life could end tomorrow. So I’m not sure Time Has Anything To Do With It. I don’t know who I’m talking to Jackass, so this is about as much as I’m gonna give you.
…and p.s. I’ll keep my eye out in the media for someone named The Jackal from North Iowa, as I’m sure they’re going to make news with all the great things they’ve accomplished…whatever in the hell that means.
But ultimately there’s no sense in me explaining myself to a bunch of kids…which is what you and Grant really are. In fact come to think of it. There’s really no reason for me to be on this website at all. I’ve gone past the point of amusing myself. Anyway, you kids keep amusing yourself with your cliquish minds, and popularity contests. Say hi to your Granddaddy Max for me as well. And I’ll finish with my main point I was making…Max, a man who lives off his wife’s income, has no rights to be speaking down on people getting disability checks to help them survive. Whether you sign up with a woman, or with the United States Government…either way someone else is paying your way. Hopefully that will set in on old Mad Max. Ciao’.
Jackass wrote: Peter, Why do you dog on this form of art when you tore apart your Honda and labeled it as art and “expressing yourself” as what? a unintelligent individual who has no sense of art or the principals of safety in which automobile companies work hard to establish. Oh look at me! I’m Pete watch me hang my taillights with wire from my trunk support. Personally i think your jealous that half your life is over and you’ve done nothing great with your life. learn to accept more forms of art and entertainment.
I can’t resist answering your comments about my Honda. First of all I never labeled my Honda as “art”. I did that because I wanted to have an open air vehicle for the summer…like a jeep, and I was customizing it to serve as a camper when i traveled out west. If safety standards can apply to motorcycles then they can apply to my no-door Honda. Secondly, when you pair two vowels together like a & u, on separate words that follow each other, the “a” becomes “AN”…so it would read “AN unintelligent individual…etc. Third, the fact that you knew the intimate details of my taillights being supported by wire tells me you got close to my vehicle at some point, possibly indicating you as one of many “frienemies”. And the half your life is over deal…well we all age and have done various things in the eyes of ourselves our families and the universe that someone, somewhere deems important…so if you’re looking for my name in lights or on the tabloids, and that’s how you measure a persons’ success, I guess you can keep on keeping track of Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie in the Supermarket tabloids. So now that I picked apart your statments. Your Jackal ways don’t seem all that threatening. Good night.
I’ve been to Max’s “Rancho Deluxe Z Garden” many times and love it! Wish it could be even bigger. Each time I visit I see something new and something to reminise over. Keep up the good work Mr. Weaver, as you truely care about Mason City, unlike the “beerguy”.
What a great project that is taking place, no tax dollars utilized and family/friends work on this project together! Now this is community my friends!!
Gotta love it!! I sure do
spoken like a true ‘dumb’acrat!
Max Is the man. Look at who’s on there now counsel all about the rich they want thinks down for there self’s what about side walk from be je clark in winter time they have to walk in the road ive almost ran them over BUT THE CITY DONT CARE ABOUT THERE SAFeTY>>
The city don’t care about ‘friction in your diction’ either. If they did you’d be scratched !!
(whose yer english teacher)?
They do need a sidewalk or move their facility so that the sex offenders can’t be by the damn Y & schools!!!!!
Stopped @ Z Garden today, I must say it’s a very creative piece of art. Nothing in the surrounding areas comes close to this place. I hope he continues and finishes the stage. After all it could be the next big thing and the bridge between the older generation and the youth.
aka “The bridge to nowhere”
I think max i a great guy
Guess again pete.Game on.
Game nothing. Until I address you or talk to you, don’t talk to me.
Anonymous coward. You’re nothing but a creepy stalker, unless you print your real name. Btw…if you get too threatening, I can always have Matt trace your IP address. And anything personally threatening to me, and I’ll lay you down in Elmwood.
And here’s the deal. Any harassment by mystery men in the cyber universe, and I’ll promptly go to police. So sorry to disappoint you, but there won’t be any games being played. Basically, I deliberately speak the truth and tell it exactly how it is in order to get you people to stay away from me. I don’t want anything to do with any of you, and I’ve been trying to make that clear for some time now. The best thing any of you can do is to stay away from me, and don’t call and bother me any longer. My power lies in my ability to write. You mess with me, and I’m going to write about you. It’s just that simple. But of course if you mess with me personally, or my home…and like I said…you’ll be dirt napping. So tread carefully when you try to threaten or play games with me. I’m not a man that plays around.
You’re either one of two people…a drunken violent coke head who works on the railroad, or a gimped out violent pot smoker who can’t ride straight on his bike…either way you’re both persona non grata to me. And if you don’t want trouble and undue scrutiny on your life…you’d best stay away from me and stop bothering me. Because I’ll rain it down hard on you if you mess with me.
Start .
Start here.
Look, I don’t take advice or links from shadowy internet people. You want to reach me? You want to reach the light of day? Then print your real name. You can start with your real first name, like I do. But I’m sick and tired of all you anonymous cowards out there who write on NIT but don’t reveal your identity. At least Peter Children, Matt Marquardt, myself and many others use their real names. So go away fool. Go away…or get real. It’s your only options with me.
This Peter guy must be off his meds, ehhh..
Isn’t this the guy that’s been banned form everywhere?
Real bad dude, he say’s.
Sounds ‘greek’ to me. Maybe a one-way trip accross the pond on a leaky raft !!!!!
Baaaaaaaaaaad dude!
Banned from everywhere? Many of the features on NIT you niimrods enjoy were suggested by me to Matt Marquardt. I am a meaningful contributor to this website. I am “bad” only in that I won’t be intimidated by Mason City roughians. I grew up in Mason City unfortunately. I know the type of dirt bags that reside there. When people threaten me, I go on autopilot and see red. It’s not wise to do that…so keep it in the written word and you’ll be fine. Mess with me in real life and you’ll be sorry.
Ha, Ha. Just laughing. Wow.
The rats amongst my feet…I let them bother me for a moment. I forgot they are just sewer rats.
Looks good Max,.. needs a couple chickens, ha.
This place is bomb.
I love it. Never thought a cool place like this would be in Mason City, IA.
This is the stuff I see in California/Oregon. There’s so many conservative/senior citizens here in Mason. This just might keep the youth in town.
We can only hope.
Wow, it’s been a few years since I’ve actually checked out Max’s park. It’s really coming around. Nice to see somebody making the city a better place on their own instead of spending other people’s money to do so. PS>I’m a Ron Paul supporter, nothing wrong with Max questioning why people would vote for any candidate-this is still the United States isn’t it? Anyway, this article is about his park not politics.
Good Job Max!
Hey, Weav still has that Buick! He let us hunt his land this fall.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the cars he’s got. He should call American pickers and let them go through his buildings.
Funny, he told me he sold the buick years ago.
You people are a bunch of idiots. Who gives a F ! When you all gonna learn this Weaver guy is got more money then all of you. The perfect candidate to pull off anything he wants. He has had his fortune waaay back so welfare my poor ass. I see jealousy is STILL seeping through your veins about him. Ha…yes the most popular guy in town..in IOWA! Irk ’em Max…it works!
Wow! 44 responses and counting. Who is the most popular person in town?
nonono, are you close by?
Still stealing internet from your neighbors? Loser.
Max is wearing his city council garb out doing the dirty work.
I don’t like cleaning up either when I go into my daily job. But you have to do what you have to do.
Just think, if you still had that 56 buick you could put it in there also !!!!
I enjoy this park, if you don’t, don’t go there, it’s that simple. Good job Max, my family loves to go there. 🙂
Patriot said: this lot could be nothing more then abandoned property, tall weeds and full of trash.
Well, no tall weeds anyhow !!!!
This reminds me of the old “Sanford and Son” junkyard on TV. Only in Mason City would an obvious junkyard be considered “art”! This is NOTHING less than an eyesore!
Again, others see it differently. You are of course entitled to your opinion as are others.
If you don’t enjoy the park, please don’t go, leaves room for others who do enjoy it. No different then going to any other park in town, if you don’t enjoy the outdoors, don’t partake.
If the park wasn’t there, this lot could be nothing more then abandoned property, tall weeds and full of trash. Instead, someone takes the time to utilize it. Different strokes for different folks.
Friend of mine called me tonight and told me about this site, Nit. Outstanding. I’ve never been on or posted on this site but im familiar with all the players. Im familiar with the garden to, you know what they say peter the hardest money you make is the money you marry. peter for someone who gets a monthly check. And your family has given you a nice place to stay. You’ve been sucking on the tit for a long enough.
Nailed it right on the head.
Who are you fooling? A friend of yours just called you to tell you about this site NIT? You’ve “never been on or posted on this site”, yet you “are familiar with all the players”? Then you go on to say that I get a monthly check…from Ebay? Where from Mr. Mysterious? You seem to know me so well. And then you talk about a nice place to stay? How would you know where I reside? Are you a stalker? Sucking on what tit? Whose tits am I sucking on?
I think I know who you are, and I can say this to you. Leave me alone, stop stalking me. You’re not someone I’m interested in. You’re a violent psychopath. And stop trying to fool people here on NIT. Use your real name…you coward.
And if you’re the same person I’m thinking you are. Maybe the Department of Justice needs to be notified about those armed robberies of convenience stores you took part in back in California? You want to continue this game with me you violent psycho? Cuz I’ve got all day.
The secret lives of Peter L.
Not hardly Observer. I’m completely against violence in any form. I was unfortunately privy to learn that a local man currently posing as a “Christian” was involved in armed robberies while he was living on the West Coast. I was mortified when I heard this, and felt very uncomfortable and wanted to leave his apartment where I was at immediately. Unfortunately the city of Mason City contains some very unsavory characters in it. You never know who is who in this town. At least with me you’ll know exactly what you get. I’m honest about everything.
peter sounds like a real bright guy. pick on a persons project that is a result of passion and clean, honest work. everything in the park was gotten from friends and relatives or people who just want to give. where are your passions from peter? have any? I really like the sign collection. looks like he could use some more.
I’m not picking on his project at all. I think it’s interesting. I’m just not sure why Max felt the need to bring up a Ron Paul supporter’s disability status at the event…insinuating that because a person is on disability, they are not entitled to support Ron Paul. I’ve never heard Ron Paul once say he would eliminate Social Security or disability benefits. It came across as arrogant, and I wanted to merely remind Mr. Weaver, that he is on his own form of welfare…His Wife.
Peter is now in charge of how married couples should behave, and manage their finances?
I can find Peter, a lot of couples in our community where only one works. If they can survive, God bless them, it makes the community stronger. But I ain’t gonna sit on my haunches and judge them on account who works, and who does not. It personally sounds like jealousy.
Society has correctly made a choice that disabled people would be better served by paying out a monthly amount rather than stuffing them into sanitariums, which is what they did in yesteryear. Mr. Weaver’s derogatory slight against someone on disability as being a recipient of welfare, as opposed to someone who is rightfully entitled under the American with Disabilities Act to receive their benefits, I found to be contemptible…especially given Mr. Weaver’s own personal situation…which I view as a form of welfare. Just because you marry someone who provides the money to live, doesn’t change your own personal status as a welfare recipient. I don’t distinguish between the institution of marriage…which I really don’t recognize. 2 people or 5 people shacking up…whoever is bringing in the bacon…wears the pants. Mr. Weaver brings in no bacon, and so therefore he should worry about his own situation, and not whether a disabled man wants to support Ron Paul.
Peter, I don’t think that Max was trying to make the point that if you are disabled you don’t have the right to support Ron Paul. I think the point Max was trying to make, and one I agree with, was that Ron Paul wants to end Social Security Disability and it doesn’t make sense that someone who depends on SSDI would support someone who wants to strip them of those benefits. I wonder the same thing. God help me I’m agreeing with Max!
Max’s park is a positive contribution to the city…I am glad max is putting his energy into it. Mason City needs more diversity and this art display is a good start.
It just doesn’t get any more unique than the
Rancho Deluxe
Summer months the Rancho looks even more deluxe with all the flower beds.
wow hate goes deep in mason city, didnt know max owned the park but what a nice display of art, now if mason city could only keep the bike trails & the city as clean as max’s park think how nice that would be sounds like everyone should grow up!!!!!!!!!!!
How fantastic! Freedom in many many ways. Who can dispute the things this guy says? And the “ART” ? If you have a clue you get it. And Matt You said it best…. NO LIES! Perfect. You and Weaver great nice and FUN guys!
What’s that have to do with the topic? Haters. Grow and be cool can’t you? No. Stuffy geeks. Bet if you saw it in a movie or some place it would like wow man awesome. F’in simpletons
Stupid is, as stupid does Max.
Who gives a rats ass about this, anyway?
I do as a matter of fact. And yes Wolfie, cannot wait for the flowers to come in Spring.
Mr. Weaver spoke a comment a few weeks back slighting a gentleman at the Ron Paul appearance at MCHS, because this gentleman received Social Security Disability. Mr. Weaver wondered how someone on disability could be voting for Ron Paul. My statement here however is not in regards to the particulars of Social Security benefits, but rather one of the pot calling a kettle black. Mr. Weaver of course being the pot. In my view, whether you’re living off of a government insured program such as Social Security Disability, subsidized farming, corporate welfare, or your wife’s income as a stay at home dad-as is the case for Mr. Weaver–you are in fact dependent on another entity for your existence. The entire world is connected in some way, and I found Mr. Weaver’s comment arrogant and misleading. I also want to point out that welfare exists in many forms. Too many office workers in a courthouse or insurance building is a form of welfare as well. Small shops downtown which draw no money but are subsidized by rich businessmen so their wives have something to do during the day…is also a form of welfare. It’s all over, and not just people receiving food coupons or disability pay.
In fact I’ll even as far to say it is also “welfare” in the case of dependent children who are born under rich families and receive start-up money from their parents or relatives for businesses or investment purposes. You could look at the Schoneman’s as a form of welfare since they were born into the business of real estate. You could look at George and Tommy Barlas as recipients of welfare, since it was their mother, father and aunt who put up the money to get their restaurants going. So Mr. Weaver, you better be careful about throwing the welfare accusation around, until you yourself are ready to go out into the woods, chop your own wood, grow your own food, and carry your own water. And NO it wasn’t me who Mr. Weaver stated that too…it was someone else who was sitting nearby me.
Peter, you are doing it again.
With pride Buddha.
Bookmeyer has been bragging around town that he shut Mr. Weaver down, I wonder how long it will be until he tries to shut down the art garden.
This park doesn’t cost the tax payer near as much as the park inn and will have a lot more visitors thanks Max for your time
Lotta memorabilia there dudes !!!
Organized junk pile.
One mans junk pile is another mans art center. Not everybody likes the same things, if you don’t like it you don’t have to visit it, but others do enjoy the park.
So only people who like it, can voice their opinions. I get it now.
Did I say you could not voice your opinion? I don’t beleive I did. You are entiteled to yours as am I to mine. You call it junk, others call it art.
I don’t go to the McNieder art museum because they have very little that interests me, yet I don’t call it “junk” because I don’t like it. So, you say junk, I say it’s not. Difference of opinion.
I cannot believe the Macnider is being subsidized to the tune of $265,000 like Peter Children says it is. That’s obscene if it’s true. I’d rather see a lottery for 265 random people to receive $1000 bucks then give that kind of money to them. In all these years if they haven’t figured out how to be a self-sustaining operation by now…then they need to seriously cut back on their funds, hire new directors, or shut down.
What is LSD, look smart and deliver ??
An ode to LSD
Whose forklift ?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If it makes him happy he should keep it up. It hurts no one and some people like it.
My four old loves the “art park” as she calls it. Every time we go, we always see something new. Keep up the beautiful work!
I stop by here every once and a while, usually during the summer. Might check it out again this week since the weather is so nice. Anyway, always love going there. One time in the summer some people from Nebraska stopped by and checked it out while they were in town!
And a neat part of his display, is most if not all of it is from Mason City’s past. Glassed sidewalks from downtown, signs, odds and ends thrown away or contributed. Well done Max!
Ok, so the park might not be for everybody, but then again, if you don’t like it you don’t have to go.
I think it is rather unique, lots of interesting things there to see and there’s nothing wrong with that! Another thing, I don’t beleive there are any tax dollars involved in this park are there? So, Mr. Weaver has given the people of Mason City another area to enjoy. All personal and political aspects aside, Thank you Mr. Weaver.
Looks like art to me.
This is a wonderful evolving found art installation that enhances the community. Too bad Jeff and Don spent so much in City resources to shut it down.