non sequitur Friday

sale at Cardinalis Cardinalis

25% off everything in the store through the weekend - good excuse to do some holiday shopping early.

 

Yoga at Two Mile on 11/13

 

non sequitur Friday

Different tunes with the same title

concert at the Castle on Sat. 11/16

Sons of the Never Wrong will be giving a concert at Beverly Unitarian Church (the Castle) on Sat. 11/16 starting at 7 pm. Their music combines folk, jazz, pop, and rock influences and they're great fun. 

Click here for tickets. 

If you'd like to learn more about the band, here's their web site. 

South Side Jazz Club at Two Mile

Check out the monthly (first Wednesday) jazz night at Two Mile Coffee.

 Come on down. It's 6-8 pm on Wed. 11/6 at  9907 S. Walden.

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This concert is outstanding.

Dia de los Muertos celebration in Blue Island on Sat. 11/2

 

last 95th St. farmers market of the season

 

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Variations on a theme...

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Variations on a theme...

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Variations on a theme...

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Variations on a theme... revisiting an old fave.

Friday night jazz at BAC on 10/4

Click here to order tickets.
 

 

 

 

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Before and after ... Mark Sandman with Treat Her Right and then with Morphine (2 Boston bands from back in the day)

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Thinking about rain and wishing we could get some soon - more than a trace.

Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail celebration on Sunday 9/22

It's been great seeing the Cal-Sag Trail grow over the years, though it's taken a lot of patience. Come out and celebrate on Sunday afternoon. Here's a map link to the start location, in case it's not familiar to you.

 

 

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Remembering Frankie Beverly...

music on the roof at Open Outcry 9/13

Open Outcry will have music on their rooftop deck tomorrow night from 6-9 pm.  Hand Me Downs will be playing. Stop by 10934 S. Western for beer, food and tunes.

Chicago Mobility Collaborative meeting on 9/19

This public meeting is a quarterly event organized by Chicago Dept. of Transportation to get public input on current projects and ideas for future projects. This time it's happening on Thurs. 9/19 from 6-7:30 pm at Olive Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn.

BAPA porch concert on Fri. 9/13

Rocks Off (Rolling Stones tribute band) will be playing the final porch concert of the season this Friday 9/13 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at St. Barnabas School, 10121 S Longwood. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy.

For more info, click here.

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Variations on a theme...







The original

Major Taylor Trail celebration ride on Sat. 9/7

Our annual Major Taylor celebration ride is happening on Sat. 9/7 at Dan Ryan Woods Grove 16 (north side of 83rd St., just east of Western). Ride distances are 16 miles and 30 miles.

If money is tight, you can use discount code MTTKC to ride for free. If you can afford to donate, all donations to our 501(C)(3) help us with putting on events and working for trail improvements. 

For information and event registration, click here.

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Bringing the funk...

Music Monday on 8/26

 Bring your chairs and enjoy some tunes by Shannon Baker and the Burners (Americana), Monday 8/26 from 7 to 9 pm in the courtyard.

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Major Taylor Trail cleanup workday on Sat. 8/24

We're having a trail cleanup workday on Sat. 8/24 from 9 am to noon. If you have work gloves you like, please bring them. A limited number of gloves will be available for use. 

Our main work location will be near the south end of the trail between 127th and the river bridge. If you're driving, park somewhere around 12900 S Eggleston. Here's a map link.

Please dress for yard work, including closed toe shoes or boots, and bring water to drink. 

Click here to sign up. See you on Saturday.

grade crossing construction on 95th St.

FYI -The railroad grade crossing on 95th ~2600 west is under construction from today until about 9/2.

You'll need to detour to 91st, 99th, or further to get around. Folks were reporting long delays on 99th today.

 If you're over 50 and would like a refresher on bike riding skills, check this out. Use the QR code to request a spot in the class.

4-5 pm - get there, pump up tires and get ready
5-7 pm - class

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Early 80s San Francisco flashback

Music Mondays at BAC on 8/19

 Bring your chairs and enjoy some tunes by Steve Haberichter and Friends (bluegrass), Monday 8/19 from 7 to 9 pm in the courtyard.

good stuff in Beverly & Morgan Park this week

Fri. 8/16, 6 pm - Phish livestream from Mondegreen Festival - at Horse Thief Hollow, 10426 S. Western.

Sat. 8/17, 3-7 pm - kid-friendly parking lot party for Project Fire Buddies, featuring a fire truck, face painting, balloon artist, games and more. Click here for tickets/info. - at Horse Thief Hollow, 10426 S. Western.

Sat. 8/17 (2 pm) and Sun. 8/18 (3 pm) - Project 1619 play at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.. Click here for tickets/info. 

Vanderpoel Art Association gallery reopening on Thurs. 8/15

 After being closed for more than a year due to Ridge Park fieldhouse renovations (including installation of a new elevator), the grand reopening of the gallery happens this Thursday 8/15 at noon. The gallery will be open until 4 pm that day.

Regular hours will be Tuesdays and Thursday from 1-4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to noon, or by appointment.  

Art classes for kids will return in the fall.

The gallery will be open for Beverly Art Walk and Open House Chicago.

For more info, click here.

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Dan Ryan Woods habitat restoration workday on Sat. 8/10

There's a habitat restoration workday this Saturday 8/10 from 10 am to 1 pm at Dan Ryan Woods. No experience is required.

If you'd like to help out, bring your own work gloves if you have them. If not, gloves will be available for use during the workday. 

Meet up at the 91st St. parking lot (map link). For more info/to register, click here.

good stuff in Beverly & Morgan Park this week

 There's a LOT of good stuff happening this week.

Sat. 8/10, 10-11 am - Ms. Mimi reading, doing crafts and play with the kids at Afro Joe's Coffee, 1818 W. 99th St.

Fri 8/9, 6:30 pm - Brian LaMarca is playing at Open Outcry, 10934 S. Western.

Sat. 8/10, 6:30 pm - Mark Taylor is playing at Open Outcry, 10934 S. Western.

Sun. 8/10, 11 am to ?? - Sunday Funday with live music by B Mack and Danny Glikis Trio, with smoked meats from John Laz BBQ. Beer and drink specials all day - at Open Outcry, 10934 S. Western.

BAPA porch concert on Fri. 8/9

This Friday's porch concert will feature Tongues Unknown. It's happening on 8/9 from 6:30-8:30 pm at 99th & Oakley. Bring your lawn chairs and have fun!

For more info, click here.

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Variations on a theme...

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Let's dance!

music Mondays at BAC on 7/22

Bring your chairs and enjoy some tunes by Son Monarcas. Beverly Arts Center courtyard from 7-9 pm.

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Variations on a theme...

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Garden walk on Sun. 7/21

Tickets are now on sale for the BAPA garden walk. It's happening on Sunday 7/21 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Click here for more info and to buy tickets.

BAPA porch concert on Friday 7/12

The next BAPA porch concert features the Back Country Boys on the porch at Ridge Historical Society. It's happening Friday 7/12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Bring your lawn chairs to the lawn below the porch - Longwood Dr. a bit north of 107th St. Barraco's food truck will be there.

For more info, click here.

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Summer fun - a few old faves...

Music Mondays on 7/1

 Bring your chairs and enjoy some tunes.

Dave Herrero, originally from Clearwater, Florida got his first taste of the power of blues music by watching Buddy Guy on Austin City Limits as a kid. He started learning how to play guitar due to coming from generations of family musicians (his grandfather Luis was one of the first to move to New York from the Dominican Republic in the 1930’s and recorded many records for Victor / RCA with his group “The Dominican Serenaders."

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Summer fun...

railroad crossing construction/closures

 

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Variations on a theme...

Ridge Park art fair on Sat. 6/22

The art fair is happening this Saturday at Ridge Park () from 11 am to 5 pm. More info at the link below.

More info here.

 

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Variations on a theme...

Sanders BBQ Supply is open on 99th St.

The long -awaited Sanders BBQ Supply on 99th St. is finally open. 

I'm hearing good things about their food and service and I need to check them out soon.

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Variations on a theme...

news from Metra

Celebrate Chicago Bike Month! Metra will be hosting a free special event at LaSalle Street Station on Track 8 on Tuesday, June 4, from 4:30-6:30pm.

The new bike rack will be available for guests to test out.

@activetrans will also be providing free giveaways.

non sequitur Friday

Variations on a theme...I *REALLY* love this new Beyonce cover.





The original...

Music Mondays at Beverly Arts Center

 Music Mondays start at Beverly Arts Center on 6/3. Bring your $5 donation, lawn chair and appreciation for good tunes.

 

99th St. update

I previously wrote about traffic safety issues on 99th St. and the rollout of a speed camera there.

Since then, the camera and some signage have been moved from their original positions. The camera was originally installed at Vanderpoel, one block further east. Now it's closer to the tracks, but is still ineffective for its intended purpose of creating safer conditions for crossing 99th St. Drivers pass the camera, then speed up, often going 30 mph or faster at the Walden crosswalks where they should be following the 20 mph school speed limit.

Notice new position of camera beyond white pickup truck -
moved from 99th/Vanderpoel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placement of speed limit signs is even more ridiculous now
that they're so close together.

Note the spacing of signs relative to
length of adjacent car.

 

 

 

The park speed limit should start at Walden, not so close to Longwood as to invalidate the school speed limit. The placement of the 2 signs relative to each other was ridiculous before this move and is now farcical.

I was just talking to one of the preschool parents who volunteer at 99th and Walden. They told me that a CPS crossing guard who has been working at 99th and Longwood was hit by a car a few weeks ago. That's why we've been seeing substitutes at that corner in recent weeks.

After all the reckless and sometimes malicious driver behavior I've seen at 99th and Walden over the years, I can't blame the preschool parents for being concerned about safety at the intersection. The streetscape project that was done several years ago does make the area look better, but not adding curb bumpouts and a raised crosswalk was a real missed opportunity. 

Not long after the eastbound speed limit sign spacing was changed, the 30 mph park speed limit sign was removed. Now it's just the 20 mph school speed limit sign - without any warning of the camera.

What's next?

Eastbound signage as of 5/24/24

  

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Variations on a theme

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Variations on a theme...

BAPA home tour on 5/19

 BAPA's home tour is always an interesting way to see a slice of the neighborhood. It's happening this Sunday 5/19 from noon to 5.  This year's starting location is Smith Village.

Tickets and more info here.

Major Taylor documentary at IIT on 5/19

The recently released documentary is showing at IIT on 5/19. Info and ticket link are below. If the schedule works, Metra could be an option to get to/from the event. The station at 35th is steps away from the venue.

Click here for tickets.

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trail clean-up workday in Dan Ryan Woods on 5/11

Friends of the Forest Preserves is having its monthly workday in Dan Ryan Woods on Sat. 5/11 from 10 am to 1 pm. Dress for yard work and wear boots or shoes that can handle some mud. If you have work gloves you like, bringing those is a good thing. 

Here's more info from Friends of the Forest Preserves:

Our trails need a your help, so please join us this Saturday at 10 a.m. for our annual trail cleanup day. We'll meet in the parking lot at 91st and Hermitage.

Please bring a rake, a bow rake is best (I had to look that one up earlier this week), to help clear wet leaves and other debris off the trail. Taking the organic material off the trail helps it be less muddy by allowing the bare earth to dry out faster.

If you have any questions, please call Benjamin at 773-398-1178.

BIA bird walk in Dan Ryan Woods on Sat. 5/11

 BIA is offering its excellent bird watching walk this Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m. at the 89th St. parking lot in Dan Ryan Woods.

It's a good idea to wear boots or shoes that can handle moist conditions just in case things are soggy due to this week's rain.  If you have binoculars, please bring them. 

The walk will be led by conservationist and ornithologist Walter Marcisz and Friends of the Forest Preserves and Arborist Benjamin Cox.  

If you need more info, you can send email here. 

Here's a map link for the start location. 

95th St. farmers market starts Sun. 5/5

 It's back! The 95th St. farmers market starts this Sunday.

So looking forward to it - 8 am to 1 pm at the 95th St. park and ride lot at 95th and Longwood.

See you there!

BAPA home tour on 5/19

BAPA's home tour is always an interesting way to see a slice of the neighborhood. It's happening on Sunday 5/19 from noon to 5.  This year's starting location is Smith Village.

Tickets and more info here.

the dangers of 99th St.

On a recent morning, I saw yet another example of why speed cameras are needed on 99th St. and why the current location at Vanderpoel is ridiculously ineffective for the stated goal of safer crossings at 99th and Walden.

A line of cars had stopped for a young family in the crosswalk at Walden. Suddenly there was a screech of brakes from a car that raced downhill past Longwood, not anticipating that anyone might need to cross the street. The driver nearly rear ended the line of stopped cars, then she crossed center line and blasted past the young family and other people trying to cross from the other side of 99th. She zoomed across the tracks, nearly hitting another car head on before veering back across the center line. It happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to get a video.

Westbound view of camera from 99th & Vanderpoel

Westbound view from 99th & Prospect

Westbound view from 99th & Wood. Next crosswalk is Walden.

Eastbound view from 99th & Longwood

The camera location is almost 2 blocks east of Walden and is totally ineffective for slowing traffic at Walden. Now there are new crossing guards at Walden - often the only way to give anyone a fighting chance of getting across safely at morning and afternoon rush hour with this ridiculous camera placement.

Eastbound signage placement is equally idiotic, with the 20 mph school speed limit less than 20 feet before the 30 mph park speed limit sign, which makes the 20 mph  sign completely useless for school crossings.

It would make SO much more sense to have the camera a lot closer to Walden so that it actually helps to slow down drivers there. This is just one more example of how lack of enforcement (since 2020, especially) has encouraged drivers who don't care about anyone else to do whatever they want. The rest of us should NOT have to keep dealing with the consequences.Will it take someone being killed or seriously injured by a reckless drivers to get a GOOD solution here. Enough already!

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Major Taylor documentary at IIT on 5/19

 The recently released documentary is showing at IIT on 5/19. Info and ticket link are below. If the schedule works, Metra could be an option to get to/from the event. The station at 35th is steps away from the venue.

Click here for tickets.

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Metra 100th St. grade crossing work

 FYI - Here's some info from Metra about 100th St. grade crossing work next week.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A crossing replacement project on the Rock Island Line’s Beverly Branch will impact midday outbound service on Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30.

Outbound Beverly Branch Line Trains #605 through #615 (departures from LaSalle Street between 8:25 a.m. and 1:25 p.m.) will operate on the Rock Island mainline, making stops at 95th Street/Longwood, 103rd Street/Washington Heights and Blue Island/Vermont Street, where they will turn around for an inbound trip on the Beverly Branch. Passengers on these outbound trains who need to access Beverly Branch stations will be allowed to stay onboard the train for the inbound trip, which will make all scheduled stops on the Beverly Branch.

During the replacement of the 100th Street crossing on the Beverly Branch Line, operations will be restricted to a single track. Because this greatly restricts the flow of traffic on the line, the schedule was modified to minimize delays for both Beverly Branch and mainline trains. A copy of the Rock Island Line schedule highlighting the affected trains can be found here.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This morning I found detour signs for car traffic, so the work is already affecting folks who need to drive on 100th between Walden and Wood.

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Major Taylor Trail clean up this Saturday 4/20

 Our Earth Day trail cleanup is happening on Sat. 4/20 from 9 am to noon. 

If you have work gloves you like, please bring them. Dress for yard work. A limited number of work gloves will be available for use during the workday. 

Depending on how many volunteers we have, we may spread out to more locations along the trail.

Sign-up link is below. If you plan to come, it's helpful if you sign up so we have an idea of how many people to expect. We hope to see you there.

Sign up here.

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solar eclipse on 4/8

 On Monday 4/8, we'll be able to see a solar eclipse. While the path of totality will be a few hundred miles south of Chicago, it will be nearly total around 2:05 pm.

More info here - NASA web site.

electronics recycling

 It's a good idea to carefully read the list of what they accept. 

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Variations on a theme...

Major Taylor trail cleanup on Sat. 4/20

 Our Earth Day trail cleanup is happening on Sat. 4/20 from 9 am to noon. 

If you have work gloves you like, please bring them. Dress for yard work. A limited number of work gloves will be available for use during the workday. 

Depending on how many volunteers we have, we may spread out to more locations along the trail.

Sign-up link is below. If you plan to come, it's helpful if you sign up so we have an idea of how many people to expect. We hope to see you there.

Sign up here.

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Variations on a theme...

99th St. dry cleaner closing 3/28

 If you have clothing or other items at the dry cleaning shop on 99th between Longwood and Walden, you need to pick that stuff up ASAP.

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