non sequitur Friday

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme.

non sequitur Friday

Yep, Carole King wrote this with her husband.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme...





The original.

non sequitur Friday

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non sequitur special edition

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

non sequitur special edition

Variations on a timely theme...







The original:

non sequitur Friday - Halloween

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non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

non sequitur special edition

non sequitur Friday

Today's theme is songs with "moon" in the title.

non sequitur Friday

Today's theme is "London." It's quite a contrast in musical styles.

non sequitur Friday

This time I'm doing a theme - songs with "walking" or "walk" in the title.

non sequitur Friday

1970s and 80s flashback - Oakland vibe

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme



I love one of the Youtube comments on this one - "When you gotta fit 2 hours worth of jazz in 9 minutes."


Classic vocal interpretation

a small Metra change

 You may notice a small change at neighborhood Metra stations soon. They are adding platform number signage and coordinating with boarding announcements. 

 

This should be helpful for new or occasional riders and when track construction or other issues cause trains to be shifted to a track that's not the norm.

non sequitur Friday

1980s flashback part 4

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1980s flashback - part 3

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1980s flashback - part 2

non sequitur Friday

1980s flashback



If only we could take real vacations this year.... *sigh*

non sequitur Friday

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

non sequitur Friday

According to a recent Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT, Mick Jagger suggested to Linda Ronstadt that she do more rock songs, so she did this one.


Here's the original...

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme...

red white and blues - non sequitur holiday special edition

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme








And the Blind Faith original...

non sequitur Friday

Boston memories

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Variations on a theme

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Another bit of 1980s time travel - version of the same popular song in two languages by the same group.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

The best known version:


A tribute:


The songwriter's version:

non sequitur special edition

For the holiday, just because I felt like it - variations on a theme: Little Wing.



An excellent but less known version.



And the original...

non sequitur Friday

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme, inspired by an episode of Blues Before Sunrise.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme...





The original

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April in Paris - part 2 - more takes on this classic tune

non sequitur Friday

Remembering a musical talent who we lost recently.

non sequitur Friday

I recently heard a few tunes that made me think of the 1980s and the mood prior to Glasnost and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Here's a bit of musical time travel.



English version


German version - yeah, the video is kinda cheesy, but I found it interesting then and now that two different groups did the songs in different languages around the same time, and both were popular.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme - April in Paris. There are so many great covers of this classic tune that it's tough to choose.

non sequitur Friday

our parks and forest preserves during coronavirus lockdown

There seems to be some confusion about what is open and closed right now.

This is from Chicago Park District:

    Park BUILDINGS are closed, and they are no longer hosting programs for displaced CPS students.
    Park PLAYGROUNDS are off-limits,
    Open spaces are exactly that--OPEN!

From the Forest Preserve District of Cook County:

   All all public events, volunteer activities and permitted events are cancelled through May 11.

   Some locations are closed (including all public restrooms, nature centers, campgrounds, nature play areas, permit offices and the Swallow Cliff Stairs)

   Trails are open.

It's okay to take some outdoor breaks for fresh air and exercise, but please maintain a safe distance from other people to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Take care and stay safe.

non sequitur Friday

50+ bicycling survey

If you are over 50 and you ride a bike, please take a few minutes to complete this survey. This is being distributed through the League of American Bicyclists' annual National Bike Summit.

Here's the link:
https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5386047/50-Cycling-Survey-2020

This survey is open until 10/31/20.  Please share with friends.

If you're curious to see the results, survey results will be posted and updated periodically on ActiveSeniorsConnection.com.

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail meeting Mon. 3/16

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail will meet tomorrow Monday 3/16. Topics will include upcoming events, trail improvements, proposal for new bike parking and Divvy expansion.

Anyone is welcome. Bring your ideas. We'd love to see more people get involved.

Due to coronavirus concerns, we will be having a phone conference instead of an in-person meeting.  

If you would like to participate and you are not on our email list, please email maj.taylor.trail@gmail.com or call 312-520-1641 prior to 7 pm on Monday to get call-in info. Thank you for your understanding.

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A selection of Irish music for your festivities.

Dan Ryan Woods habitat restoration workday on Saturday 3/14

It's great to get outside. Come out and volunteer at Dan Ryan Woods this Saturday 3/14 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm for Friends of the Forest Preserves' monthly habitat restoration workday.

Tools, gloves, and training provided. If you have work gloves you like, bring those. Wearing hiking boots or work boots is recommended.

Meet at the 91st St. parking lot (just north of the 91st St. Metra station) - accessible from Ashland via 91st st.  Please contact Larry Unruh at  708-752-2623 for more information.

Metra customer satisfaction survey

If you ride Metra, this customer satisfaction survey is for you.

Unlike their typical surveys, they actually asked better questions and included a comment box at the end.

Here's the survey link: https://rsgsurvey.com/metra?password=kwqbxkdn

111th St. fun

Coming soon to 111th St. - a Chicago Department of Water Management to replace 1,934 feet of 100 year old water main from Western Avenue to Longwood Drive starting in mid-March.

The street will have lane reductions -  one lane in each direction until further notice.

The official word is that there will 24-hour notice to affected residents before any temporary interruptions to water service. In an emergency situation, there might be less notice.

For more info, call the Department of Water Management Office of Public Affairs at 773-744-7242, the 19th Ward Office at 773-238-8766 or 311.

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1980s flashback

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Variations on a theme

survey for Metra Rock Island riders - and those who don't ride often due to frustrations

I've had so many conversations with various people in recent years about Metra's shortcomings and ways that they fail to serve our communities well.  When Metra does customer surveys, they often fail to ask the right questions. I'm offering an unofficial survey. I'm going to share the results with Active Transportation Alliance.

Here's a link to the survey.   It's fairly brief.  If you could spend a few minutes sharing your thoughts, I'd be grateful for the information. Yes, I did include comment fields.

Thanks for your help.  Please share this with friends who ride the Rock Island.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

Metra community meeting tomorrow (2/13)

Active Transportation Alliance has organized a community meeting regarding the proposed Cook County pilot project to reduce Metra Electric and Rock Island fares and create a more functional and affordable network with CTA and Pace to improve transit access to jobs for the south side and south suburbs.

This meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the proposal and voice your support.

To give organizers an idea of how many people to expect, please register at this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transit-equity-for-the-south-side-and-south-suburbs-tickets-92368152631

Whistler Woods habitat restoration workday on 2/15

It's great to get outdoors. Volunteers are needed this Saturday 2/15 from 9 am to noon for a habitat restoration workday - brush cutting and bonfires.  Snacks and water will be available.

Hiking boots or other boots or shoes that offer good support and traction are a good idea. When you arrive, look for volunteers along the lefthand side of the main parking lot, near the end of the parking lot. If you have work gloves, bring them, otherwise gloves will be available.  

How to get there:   Whistler Woods is just east of 13400 S Halsted in Riverdale.

By bike: if you're coming from the north, ride the Major Taylor Trail south until it ends in Whistler Woods and continue to the parking lot to find the volunteers.

By car: take Halsted to Forestview (13400S) - parking lot is the first left turn after you turn east onto Forestview.

From I-57, exit at eastbound 127th, then turn right on Halsted, then continue to 13400S and follow the directions above.

From I-94, exit at westbound 130th.  Continue past the viaduct, right (northbound) on Indiana, then continue left on 127th. Follow the directions above.

By transit:  Pace 352 Halsted bus

coming soon to 99th St.

An exciting new garden center is coming to 99th St. this spring. City Grange will be opening in the former Thamms Auto space just east of Longwood Dr.

Their offerings will be a welcome change from the usual. Their first store opened on the north side.  It grew out of the Peterson Garden Project. 

I'm looking forward to this new addition to the neighborhood.

thoughts on dreams and loss

It seems like openings and closings of local businesses often come in waves. Over the last several weeks, a few places I've appreciated have closed.

First was Peace of Pizza on 95th St. They weren't with us long. I appreciated their goal in opening here and miss being able to stop by and pick up a slice on my way home from the train.

Next was Ellie's on 107th St. For years, they've been one of my favorite places for a tasty breakfast. I've introduced lots of friends to their delicious food and fun space. I've had so many good times there, including dinners with the Spanish language group that migrated from Blue Moon after they closed.

A sign recently appeared on the front door of Jimmy Jamm on 95th, saying that they were closing. They opened soon after we moved to the neighborhood. So many times I've stopped there on my way home from work to pick up a special treat, bought a pie for a holiday party or special occasion, or gone there at the end of the bike ride with friends. They opened my eyes to how many amazing things can be made with sweet potatoes. It was an after-ride destination for many bike outings over the years.

Jimmy Jamm - sweet potato pies and lots more

Now B-Sides has just closed.  I've visited there so many mornings on my way to the train, met up with friends, relaxed on weekend mornings, and enjoyed the music and relaxing space.

For many of us, these places have been homes away from home, social gathering places and introductions to wonderful flavors.  It's frustrating that some of had such extreme difficulties with burglaries, street construction and other problems.

To the owners and all the people who have worked hard there, thank you for sharing your dreams and your hard work with us. You've helped to make our community and our lives better. The neighborhood won't be the same without what you've brought to it.

To those who are coming soon, we welcome you, plan to buy from you and hope that you'll stick around a while.

Sign in the window of the former Peace of Pizza location on 95th.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme

habitat restoration workday at Dan Ryan Woods on 2/8

It's great to get outside. Come out and volunteer at Dan Ryan Woods this Saturday 2/8 from 9:00 am-noon for Friends of the Forest Preserves' monthly habitat restoration workday.

Tools, gloves, and training provided. If you have work gloves you like, bring those. Wearing hiking boots or work boots is recommended.

Meet at the 91st St. parking lot (just north of the 91st St. Metra station) - accessible from Ashland via 91st st.  Please contact Benjamin Cox at 773-398-1178 or benjamin@fotfp.org for more information and to let him know if you plan to attend.

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