Open Streets is happening tomorrow!

If you'd like to experience a portion of Chicago's boulevard system as an extended festival, tomorrow is your golden opportunity. From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., from Marshall Square to Logan Square, you can ride your bike, walk, skate, dance, play with your kids, or otherwise enjoy car-free streets with music, games, children's activities, art activities, workout classes and more. Open Streets is free and open to anyone who wants to come. Check it out!

If you enjoy this festival and would like to help support the work of the Active Transportation Alliance, please become a member. The organization has presented Bike the Drive and other cool events, developed a regional bike route map, provided consultants to many local municipalities to develop bike plans and bike route networks, developed extensive educational programs and materials and more. Use the code STSAVE5 to get $5 off your membership.

funky Friday

possible good news for Chicago employment picture

The southeast side Ford assembly plant may get a lot more jobs next year.

have you considered a car share?

I've been enjoying the new I-Go car at Ridge Park. If you have one car and only occasional use for a second, you may want to give I-Go a try instead of buying another car. This new location was added in May. The car is in the parking lot at Ridge Park, near the south end of the fieldhouse.

This flexible car share system is great for grocery shopping or other errands, especially if you plan efficiently. If you can plan ahead even a little and combine multiple stops in one trip, this offers a much cheaper option than owning and maintaining an additional car.

Now thru 7/31/09, I-GO is offering new membership applicants a special discount: $50 off the normal sign-up cost of $75. Neighborhood residents who want to take advantage of this offer should enter the promotion code RIDGE25 in the “Promotions” section of the online application form.

funky Friday

funky Friday

a bit of good news

Among all the dismal news of this year, here's a bit of good news. The cool wet weather has worked in our favor in terms of disrupting the breeding activities of the Northern House Mosquito. The Dept. of Public Health reports that they have trapped just over 10,000 Northern House Mosquitoes citywide so far this season and that none has showed WNV infection. That may change as the summer goes on, but it's nice to be this far into summer with no evidence of West Nile virus in the city.

hope on the water

This story offers hope that paraplegics may find more ways to exercise, retain strength and aerobic capacity, and reduce or reverse bone loss. Very cool.

movies in the parks

There are movie nights coming up soon in neighborhood parks. All movies start at dusk and are open to the public. Don't forget your Off!

July 15 “Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa” at McKiernan Park
July 19 “Snoopy Come Home” at Beverly Park
July 22 “Hotel for Dogs” at the Kellogg School Playlot
July 30 “Matilda” at Munroe Park

bike race tonight

The Superweek bike racing series starts this week. They'll be racing tonight in Beverly and Morgan Park, and all day Saturday in Blue Island. The pro racing starts at 6 p.m. tonight from 107th/Longwood to 108th Place to Hoyne and Seeley to 105th Place back to Longwood.

funky Friday

congrats to Caroline at Blue Moon!

It's been a year since Caroline opened Blue Moon. Stop by and wish her a happy anniversary, and make her kid-friendly business a regular habit. Her homemade cookies and pastries, salads, soups and sandwiches are outstanding.

Space Shuttle in view until 7/16

The Space Shuttle will pass within 200 miles of earth between now and 7/16. It will be visible briefly at dawn and dusk. Here are general instructions for using NASA's skywatch web page and data for Illinois on when the Shuttle will be in view, how long, and where in the sky. Now we just need some clear mornings and evenings....

have you visited the new library?

Our new Beverly branch of the Chicago Public Library is just finishing its first month in its beautiful new location at 95th and Damen. Stop by and check it out.

bike drive for Working Bikes Cooperative

Neighborhood high school students Madeleine Senko and Madeline Lindsey are collecting used bikes and bike parts that can be repaired and used to help others in need of transportation on Sat., 7/11, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Beverly Bank, 1908 W.
103rd St. Bikes will be donated to Working Bikes Cooperative, a volunteer, non-profit organization that repairs donated bicycles and ships them to communities in need around the world. Many of these bikes will end up providing affordable transportation to people in developing countries. Any bike is a welcome donation. Bikes and bike parts, even if they are broken, rusted or old will be gratefully accepted. Last year almost 100 bikes were donated at the Beverly Bike Drive. If you need pick-up or more information call 773-238-4044 or 773-233-5143.