cat alarm clock

Those of you who have lived with cats know the reality of this one.

wild turkey

Here's one variety of wildlife I haven't seen around here - yet.

a temporary park

I recently posted an item about National Park(ing) Action Day, and a related local demonstration in Pilsen. A smaller demonstration in River North was not as successful. A friend posted pictures from the Pilsen demonstration, along with an item on his blog, which includes links to photos from other temporary parks set up that day. Thanks, Payton!

for a few good laughs

sorry about the interruption

I messed up my knee a few weeks ago and just had knee surgery. It may be another week or two before I'm up to speed again, at least online.

paradise paved

Since I moved back to Chicago from New Hampshire over 10 years ago, I’ve had a change of heart on the subject of parking and its costs to society and the environment. Increasing reliance on private vehicles doesn't just create traffic congestion, road rage, obesity and air pollution. Increasing the availability of parking to accommodate all these vehicles creates more impermeable surfaces, which reduces the earth's ability to absorb rainwater, increasing flooding and sending more pollution (oil from roadways and other pollution) directly into our lakes and rivers instead of letting nature filter much of it out in soil. This Slate article makes a lot of other related points. Your $0.02?