Ridge99: July 2016

Friday, July 29, 2016

Saturday, July 23, 2016

I think this is a great idea. It should also happen on a weekend morning. Just my $0.02...

BAPA WEEDING WEDNESDAYS. Public spaces throughout the neighborhood have been targeted for some attention this summer on BAPA Weeding Wednesdays. Teams start at 8:30 a.m. and work for about 2 hours. Bring gloves and water. Tools are supplied.

For upcoming locations and to volunteer, email Mary Jo Viero.

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail meeting on Wed. 7/27

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail will meet on Wed. 7/27 at Ridge Park fieldhouse (1817 W 96th St.), 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

** Note: We are meeting on the 4th Wednesday instead of our usual night due to a Shakespeare in the Park performance on 7/20. **

For those who aren't familiar with our group and what we do, we are a non-profit advocacy group working to improve and maintain the Major Taylor Trail and promote its use. We have an active working relationship with the Chicago Park District, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Openlands and other non-profits and government agencies. We organize volunteer workdays, bike rides and other events.

We'd love to have your ideas and help with future events and projects. Please join us! Everyone is welcome.

Friday, July 22, 2016

non sequitur Friday

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Shakespeare in the Park on TONIGHT and TOMORROW - Tues. 7/19 and Wed. 7/20

Sunday, July 17, 2016

traffic calming and signage - which version works better?

In recent years, traffic circles have been plunked into existing intersections in many locations in the 19th ward and across the city and suburbs. They do slow down traffic. However, if signage is confusing or missing, it limits the effectiveness of these installations and can cause crashes.

I'd like to test your visual memory. Which version of signage do we have on circles here in the city, version 1 or version 2?

Version 1

Version 2

Similarly, which version of pre-intersection signage do we have here in the city to indicate how traffic should navigate the circle, 1 or 2?

Version 1

Version 2

If you said version 1, you'd be correct for both sets of pictures.

This afternoon I was nearly hit head on by a driver as I was passing straight through a Beverly intersection on my bike and she turned left, passing to the left of the island instead of going around it. She slowed down approaching the intersection. Sight lines were clear, yet she barely missed me as she went the wrong way around the island. I was saved by my brakes. A driver entering the intersection after her also went the wrong way around.

In the years since these circles were first introduced in Chicago, I've seen way too many close calls at these intersections. I've always been further from the intersection so those close calls didn't directly involve me. In some of these locations, the pre-intersection signage is missing, which doesn't help.

Confusing signage does NOT improve traffic safety. If we want the neighborhood greenway concept to succeed here in Chicago and improve pedestrian and bike safey, we need signage that eliminates confusion.

If you would be willing to take a 2-question anonymous survey to indicate which signage you feel is more effective, please click here.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

old fashioned service

I was working in my yard today and heard a bell coming down the street, ringing with a regular rhythm. I'd heard about an old fashioned mobile service but hadn't experienced it until today.

An older gentleman pushing a hand cart with big red wagon wheels offers knife sharpening. He'll also sharpen other types of blades. I've heard that this includes lawn mower blades.

He parks the cart, folds down the seat, and pumps a pedal powered grinding wheel to sharpen your blade while you wait. He did my big kitchen knife for $2, then went on down the street looking for the next customer. That's a great service to have in the neighborhood.