Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Ridge Park tree care workday on 9/28
There is a TreeKeepers workday this Saturday 9/28 from 9 a.m. to noon. We will be pruning and mulching trees in Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. If you are a trained TreeKeeper or arborist, we welcome your help with pruning. All volunteers are welcome for mulching and other assistance.
Work gloves and tools will be provided. Hiking boots or work boots are recommended, otherwise closed-toe supportive shoes are best.
We will meet by the drinking fountain at the corner of the parking lot near the fieldhouse. For more information, contact Dave Westerberg 512-590-9906 or dwesterberg@gmail.com.
Work gloves and tools will be provided. Hiking boots or work boots are recommended, otherwise closed-toe supportive shoes are best.
We will meet by the drinking fountain at the corner of the parking lot near the fieldhouse. For more information, contact Dave Westerberg 512-590-9906 or dwesterberg@gmail.com.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Vincennes bike train - commute or just ride a while
Have you been wanting to try the new Vincennes bike lane but thought
it would be better with a ride buddy or two? My ride 2 weeks ago went fine. Drivers respected the lane and gave me room. The most challenging section was near Simeon High School, where lots of parents were dropping their kids off for school. Most of the pavement is in good to excellent condition now, making the ride much easier.
I'd like to have a morning group ride at least once a week for as long as the weather allows. I'll be riding from Beverly to the Loop (approx. 12-14 mph riding pace). If you want to ride north (commute or recreation) for part or all the ride, you're welcome to join the train. If you know anyone who would be interested, please share this info with them.
Stops will be brief to keep the train moving. If I've gotten no confirmations for a specific stop and I don't see anyone waiting, we'll keep moving past that stop.
If you're joining in, please leave a comment below saying where you're going to join, along with any questions or suggestions, or text me at 312-520-1641. Here's an estimated schedule.
99th and Wood - LEAVING at 7:30 a.m.
95th and Vincennes - 7:36
91st and Vincennes - 7:39
There will be a few more stops along Vincennes, depending on how many folks are joining in.
From 71st and Vincennes, we'll cross the Dan Ryan, then continue north. I'll be going to the Loop. Take as short or long a ride as you wish. On the way, we can talk about possible future rides, including weekend rides.
Get on the bike train! Let's create a positive bike presence in the Vincennes bike lane. Come out on Friday morning and bring a friend.
I'd like to have a morning group ride at least once a week for as long as the weather allows. I'll be riding from Beverly to the Loop (approx. 12-14 mph riding pace). If you want to ride north (commute or recreation) for part or all the ride, you're welcome to join the train. If you know anyone who would be interested, please share this info with them.
Stops will be brief to keep the train moving. If I've gotten no confirmations for a specific stop and I don't see anyone waiting, we'll keep moving past that stop.
If you're joining in, please leave a comment below saying where you're going to join, along with any questions or suggestions, or text me at 312-520-1641. Here's an estimated schedule.
99th and Wood - LEAVING at 7:30 a.m.
95th and Vincennes - 7:36
91st and Vincennes - 7:39
There will be a few more stops along Vincennes, depending on how many folks are joining in.
From 71st and Vincennes, we'll cross the Dan Ryan, then continue north. I'll be going to the Loop. Take as short or long a ride as you wish. On the way, we can talk about possible future rides, including weekend rides.
Get on the bike train! Let's create a positive bike presence in the Vincennes bike lane. Come out on Friday morning and bring a friend.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Metra construction alert - Sun. 9/22
News from Metra:
In order to remove two bridges, the Rock Island Line will be closed north of the Gresham Station on two Sundays, Sept. 22 and Oct. 6, and there will be no service to and from the LaSalle Street and 35th Street stations during the shutdowns. Access to and from downtown will be provided via a transfer to extra Metra Electric Line service at Blue Island-Vermont Street.
Passengers south of Blue Island who are traveling downtown can take inbound Rock Island trains to Blue Island and transfer to the Metra Electric Line's Blue Island branch, where special trains will take them inbound to the 18th St., Museum Campus, Van Buren and Millennium stations. The special Metra Electric trains also will make the reverse trip to Blue Island from Millennium Station.
Passengers north of Blue Island - those who normally board at Gresham or at stations along the Rock Island's Beverly branch - can travel downtown by riding outbound Rock Island trains south to Blue Island and transferring to the special inbound Metra Electric trains north to Millennium. They will have to make the reverse trip on the special outbound Metra Electric trains to Blue Island and then on regular inbound Rock Island Beverly branch trains north to their destination. Riders will be charged the normal fare for their zone to downtown and back.
For a full schedule for these two Sundays, click here.
Regular Sunday service on the Rock Island Line will resume with the 6:25 p.m. departure from Joliet, arriving at LaSalle Street at 7:49 p.m., and the 6:30 p.m. departure from LaSalle Street, arriving in Joliet at 7:55 p.m.
About 1,800 inbound passengers and about 1,000 outbound passengers normally ride on the affected Sunday trains on the Rock Island Line. Metra apologizes for the inconvenience but it was determined the temporary closures were the best option for carrying out the work.
The two bridges at 60th and 66th streets are being removed and the viaducts filled in as part of the Englewood flyover bridge project. The flyover is a new bridge that will carry the Metra Rock Island tracks over a set of tracks used by Amtrak and freight trains at 63rd and State, eliminating conflicts between trains and cutting pollution and noise from idling trains. Closing the streets and filling the viaducts provided design flexibility and cost savings compared to replacing the viaduct structures on the new track work alignments.
In order to remove two bridges, the Rock Island Line will be closed north of the Gresham Station on two Sundays, Sept. 22 and Oct. 6, and there will be no service to and from the LaSalle Street and 35th Street stations during the shutdowns. Access to and from downtown will be provided via a transfer to extra Metra Electric Line service at Blue Island-Vermont Street.
Passengers south of Blue Island who are traveling downtown can take inbound Rock Island trains to Blue Island and transfer to the Metra Electric Line's Blue Island branch, where special trains will take them inbound to the 18th St., Museum Campus, Van Buren and Millennium stations. The special Metra Electric trains also will make the reverse trip to Blue Island from Millennium Station.
Passengers north of Blue Island - those who normally board at Gresham or at stations along the Rock Island's Beverly branch - can travel downtown by riding outbound Rock Island trains south to Blue Island and transferring to the special inbound Metra Electric trains north to Millennium. They will have to make the reverse trip on the special outbound Metra Electric trains to Blue Island and then on regular inbound Rock Island Beverly branch trains north to their destination. Riders will be charged the normal fare for their zone to downtown and back.
For a full schedule for these two Sundays, click here.
Regular Sunday service on the Rock Island Line will resume with the 6:25 p.m. departure from Joliet, arriving at LaSalle Street at 7:49 p.m., and the 6:30 p.m. departure from LaSalle Street, arriving in Joliet at 7:55 p.m.
About 1,800 inbound passengers and about 1,000 outbound passengers normally ride on the affected Sunday trains on the Rock Island Line. Metra apologizes for the inconvenience but it was determined the temporary closures were the best option for carrying out the work.
The two bridges at 60th and 66th streets are being removed and the viaducts filled in as part of the Englewood flyover bridge project. The flyover is a new bridge that will carry the Metra Rock Island tracks over a set of tracks used by Amtrak and freight trains at 63rd and State, eliminating conflicts between trains and cutting pollution and noise from idling trains. Closing the streets and filling the viaducts provided design flexibility and cost savings compared to replacing the viaduct structures on the new track work alignments.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Dan Ryan Woods workday tomorrow 9/14
There will be a workday tomorrow at Dan Ryan Woods from 9 am to noon. We will be cutting invasive species as well as collecting and dispersing ripe native grass seeds.
We will meet at the "Dan Ryan Woods East" parking lot (2 blocks west of Damen Ave. on the north side of 87th Street). Please contact Benjamin Cox via email or 773-398-1178 for more information.
Tools and gloves are provided. It's a beautiful time of year to get out and see the forest preserves. We need your help to maintain healthy habitat for the plants and animals that live at these sites.
We will meet at the "Dan Ryan Woods East" parking lot (2 blocks west of Damen Ave. on the north side of 87th Street). Please contact Benjamin Cox via email or 773-398-1178 for more information.
Tools and gloves are provided. It's a beautiful time of year to get out and see the forest preserves. We need your help to maintain healthy habitat for the plants and animals that live at these sites.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
bike commuting from Beverly
Have you been wanting to try the new Vincennes bike lane but thought it would be better with a ride buddy or two? Come out on Friday morning and bring a friend.
I'd like to have a morning group ride at least once a week for as long as the weather allows. I'll be riding from Beverly to the Loop. If you want to ride north (commute or recreation) for part or all the ride, you're welcome to join the train. If you know anyone who would be interested, please share this info with them.
Stops will be brief to keep the train moving. If I've gotten no confirmations for a specific stop and I don't see anyone waiting, we'll keep moving past that stop.
If you're joining in, please RSVP and leave a comment saying where you're going to join, along with any questions or suggestions. Here's an estimated schedule.
99th and Wood - LEAVING at 7:30 a.m.
95th and Vincennes - 7:36
91st and Vincennes - 7:39
There will be a few more stops along Vincennes, depending on how many folks are joining in.
From 71st and Vincennes, we'll cross the Dan Ryan, then continue north. I'll be going to the Loop. Take as short or long a ride as you wish. On the way, we can talk about possible future rides, including weekend rides.
Get on the bike train! Let's create a positive bike presence in the Vincennes bike lane.
I'd like to have a morning group ride at least once a week for as long as the weather allows. I'll be riding from Beverly to the Loop. If you want to ride north (commute or recreation) for part or all the ride, you're welcome to join the train. If you know anyone who would be interested, please share this info with them.
Stops will be brief to keep the train moving. If I've gotten no confirmations for a specific stop and I don't see anyone waiting, we'll keep moving past that stop.
If you're joining in, please RSVP and leave a comment saying where you're going to join, along with any questions or suggestions. Here's an estimated schedule.
99th and Wood - LEAVING at 7:30 a.m.
95th and Vincennes - 7:36
91st and Vincennes - 7:39
There will be a few more stops along Vincennes, depending on how many folks are joining in.
From 71st and Vincennes, we'll cross the Dan Ryan, then continue north. I'll be going to the Loop. Take as short or long a ride as you wish. On the way, we can talk about possible future rides, including weekend rides.
Get on the bike train! Let's create a positive bike presence in the Vincennes bike lane.
new use for old 95th St. fire station
From the alderman's newsletter:
Yesterday, the City of Chicago's Community Development Commission (CDC) approved Optimo Fine Hat Company's plans to renovate the old Chicago Fire Station, Engine Company 121, at 1700 W. 95th St. For the past several months, Optimo owner Graham Thompson has been working to acquire and revitalize this historic Chicago building. Moving forward, Optimo's production workshop will move into the fire station with retail functions remaining at the 10215 S. Western location.
This project will not only breathe new life into a once great building, but also eliminate a vacancy on 95th Street and generate new property tax revenue for the City. After winning CDC approval yesterday, the property transfer will be brought to the full City Council in October. This is a very exciting development, and I am grateful to Optimo Hats for there continued investment in our community. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Tristan Angus at Tristan@the19thward.com or (773) 238-8766.
Yesterday, the City of Chicago's Community Development Commission (CDC) approved Optimo Fine Hat Company's plans to renovate the old Chicago Fire Station, Engine Company 121, at 1700 W. 95th St. For the past several months, Optimo owner Graham Thompson has been working to acquire and revitalize this historic Chicago building. Moving forward, Optimo's production workshop will move into the fire station with retail functions remaining at the 10215 S. Western location.
This project will not only breathe new life into a once great building, but also eliminate a vacancy on 95th Street and generate new property tax revenue for the City. After winning CDC approval yesterday, the property transfer will be brought to the full City Council in October. This is a very exciting development, and I am grateful to Optimo Hats for there continued investment in our community. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Tristan Angus at Tristan@the19thward.com or (773) 238-8766.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
why should our park be a dumping ground?
In recent weeks, a Peoples Gas crew has been doing work on Longwood Drive just south of Ridge Park (approx. 9725S). Last week I noticed a small pile of asphalt dumped at the southwest corner of the park. This morning on my way to the train, I saw a bigger pile, dumped on top of the smaller pile.
I sent Peoples Gas a message, asking them to clean up their mess. Our park is NOT a dump. If you'd like to send them an email too, please do.
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