what's wrong with these pictures?

I just took a walk to the Beverly library to return a book and pick up a couple of new ones. I was appalled by the conditions I found at 95th & Damen.

This is an intersection where there is normally a crossing guard because many children cross 95th St. here to go to and from school. There is currently no safe access between the north and south sides of 95th St. at this intersection, no way to go from North Beverly to South Beverly on Damen without walking in the street on both 95th and Damen. There is no access for CTA passengers to go from the street to the sidewalk, and no way for library patrons coming from the south to take a direct and safe path.

There is nothing acceptable about this. I've e-mailed and called the alderman's office to complain. If this isn't fixed by tomorrow, I will call again. I hope that others will, too.

snow ride

I went out for a short snow ride this morning. The mountain bike handled just fine on the snowy streets. Of course, I was using techniques I've used in previous winters of snow riding: going slow, taking turns wide, braking slowly, and doing more to be visible to drivers, who usually aren't looking out for bikes in this weather. It was a pleasant ride.

Between 95th & 99th, I didn't see much clean pavement except on Leavitt (haven't been down to Longwood yet). North of 95th, a bunch of streets were cleared, and the plows were still making the rounds. Of course Ginger Rugai can have clear streets up by her house, but the rest of us can just slide around. This may be a loooong winter.

snow days

a perspective on winter from central New Hampshire

snow is a 4-letter word

I'm definitely sick of winter. You probably are too. My friends in New Hampshire are REALLY sick of snow. Be grateful you're not in Concord. I was living there in the winter of 1995-96 and I remember the giant snow piles like this on the street corners and giant mountains of snow in parks and corners of parking lots that didn't finish melting until early summer. Be grateful that we're not having their winter.

untapped source of revenue

I noticed a recent comment on a local blog that reminded of something I've often said in passing. There are thousands of Chicago property owners who violate city ordinance by failing to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks. They endanger those of who need to walk on their sidewalks.

I've often joked that the city could have a revenue gold mine if they hired aides to go around and write tickets on all the property owners who neglect their sidewalks. At $25-50 a pop for a first offense, and more for subsequent offenses, the city could make some real money. The citizens would benefit by having sidewalks that are safe to walk on. It could also create jobs. Local youth job councils could be a source of snow shovelers for those folks who would rather pay someone else to clear their sidewalks. Could be a win-win. Your $0.02?

dig it!

It's time to break out the snow shovels. Even if you just go from your door to your car, you need to shovel the sidewalk across the front of your property. Many of your neighbors depend on having clear sidewalks to walk to and from the train or bus, school, etc. It's also required by Chicago law. Please be a good neighbor and keep your sidewalks clear and safe, especially if you live on Longwood.
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Chicago Municipal Code10-8-180 Snow and ice removal.

Every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground in the city abutting upon any public way or public place shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of such building or lot of ground.

If the sidewalk is of greater width than five feet, it shall not be necessary for such person to remove snow and ice from the same for a space wider than five feet.

In case the snow and ice on the sidewalk shall be frozen so hard that it cannot be removed without injury to the pavement, the person having charge of any building or lot of ground as aforesaid shall, within the time specified, cause the sidewalk abutting on the said premises to be strewn with ashes, sand, sawdust, or some similar suitable material, and shall, as soon thereafter as the weather shall permit, thoroughly clean said sidewalk.

The snow which falls or accumulates during the day (excepting Sundays) before 4 p.m. shall be removed within 3 hours after the same has fallen or accumulated. The snow which falls or accumulates on Sunday or after 4 p.m. and during the night on other days shall be removed before 10 a.m.
(Prior code § 36-19)

10-8-190 Liability for civil damages.

Any person who removes snow or ice from the public sidewalk or street, shall not, as a result of his acts or omissions in such removal, be liable for civil damages. This section does not apply to acts or omissions amounting to wilful or wanton misconduct in such snow or ice removal.
(Prior code § 36-20)

mother nature's sick joke

perspective

If these blasts of cold wind in between the warm days are getting you down, remember that it is still March. To put things into perspective, look at this picture.



Central New Hampshire (same latitude as us, more or less) just got 10 inches of snow. In the picture, the snow and ice are far from gone there. We don't have it so bad.

melting

By the end of today, it could all be gone. Yeah!!!!