has hell frozen over?

And I mean that in a good way.  I just got back from a walk to the health food store and a few other places on 95th St.

This is my 6th winter in the neighborhood, and today is the first time EVER that I've seen the sidewalk cleared around the parking lot at the SW corner of 95th & Damen. They must be using someone new to plow the lot.  There was clear access to the crosswalk in front of the library - without me having to make a phone call.  These changes get a BIG thumbs up!

Unfortunately, many crosswalks and bus stops are still blocked by snow.  That neglect gets a big THUMBS DOWN. Another thumbs down to Trinity UCC Community Center for their sidewalk - untouched, still full of snow. :(   The sidewalks were cleared in front of most properties, but there was enough snow left to melt and refreeze that much of it is icy this afternoon.

If we want a healthier ward and healthier business districts, people need to be able to walk and get to and from the bus safely.  It's a lot tougher to do that if snow at the curbs isn't cleared at crosswalk locations and sidewalks are left icy.  It also doesn't help when people who cleared their sidewalks beautifully don't finish the job by clearing a path through the wall left by the snow plows. 

Clearing our sidewalks is part of promoting community.  It's an opportunity to see our neighbors when we're spending a lot less time outdoors.  I'm a believer in having a real community, where people walk and ride bikes and talk on the street.  How about you?