Metra schedule changes starting 9/3

Metra schedule changes starting 9/3. The weekend schedule will change, but not for trains stopping in Beverly and Morgan Park. The extra weekend trains that allowed for separation of main line and sub line trains will be gone. This means that trains will be more crowded and more likely to be late.

The one good thing I saw was that they've added a 10 pm outbound train on Saturday nights, eliminating the previous 3+ hour gap between trains.

Click here for more info.

non sequitur Friday

Summer flashback

suggesting station locations for Divvy expansion

Are you interested in suggesting Divvy station locations for the system expansion? Do you know how to do it?

Click here to make your own suggestions. If you see existing suggestions that you like, click on each suggested location, then click Support in the top right corner, and add comments about why you think it would be useful.

non sequitur Friday

Interesting combination of voices.

non sequitur Friday

disturbing the peace

A couple of weeks ago, a big Dept. of Water Management excavation project started near my house. The intersection of 97th and Seeley is now a huge crater. In the big picture, modernization of  our water and sewer systems is a good thing, but it should not penalize the health of people who live near the project area.

Our noise ordinance exists for a reason. People need to get rest, and get relief from all the noise they face during the day. Some of us deal with a LOT of noise. That takes a toll on our health. Facing 1.5 hours more of stressful noise each day is NOT what most of us need.

One day last week the crew started the noisy work shortly after 6:30 a.m., well before the 8 a.m. allowed start under the noise ordinance. Today they fired up the engine on the big excavator at 6:15 a.m. The backup beeps, yelling conversations and clank of steel plates being moved started a few minutes later.

I called in a noise complaint to police. About 10 minutes later, there was a 5 minute pause when I didn't hear anything except engines idling, then they went back to their loud work. It's now 6:45 and they're getting louder. At 7:00 am they started with the concrete saw. I'll be calling the alderman's office again today, and again tomorrow and the next day and the next if they continue to start this early. Starting that kind of work so early in the day is disturbing the peace, plain and simple.

non sequitur Friday

fundraiser for Major Taylor Trail on 8/10

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail, with help from Community Neighborhood Improvement Project, will be having a fundraising event on Sat. 8/10. The date of the event marks the 120th anniversary of Marshall "Major "Taylor winning the world 1-mile championship in Montreal, defeating Boston rival Tom Butler.

Choose from ride options of 5, 26, 30, 44, 50, 64, or 89 miles -- mix and match your choice of five segments to customize your experience.  

If you enjoy the trail, please sign up to help support our efforts to improve it.

Registration link for the event:
https://www.active.com/chicago-il/cycling/major-taylor-trail-keepers-2019

Registration and check in is from 7-7:30. A tribute to Major Taylor and special presentation is from 7:30-7:55am. All rides start at 8:00 a.m. at 115th St. just west of Halsted. All riders follow the Major Taylor Trail south and cross the Little Calumet River Bridge -- featuring the largest Major Taylor mural ever created -- into Whistler Woods.

At the start/finish location, there will be a bike rodeo for the children, a health awareness expo with free screenings and information, and a back-to-school festival.

Starting at 10 am at 115th and Halsted, you can test ride one of the new style Divvy bikes, talk to Divvy reps about where you'd like to see stations, and talk to CDOT reps about where you'd like to see bike routes in your neighborhood.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme...