Karen,
We had friends over last night, specifically so that we could cook out and watch fireworks from the parking deck. We, like you, trekked up there and were able to watch Lincolnwood and some of Chicago's fireworks before Evanston's started. Just as the Evanston fireworks started, they chased us out! Really crappy.

Signs would have helped, totally agree with you there.

Ride the Ridge sounds really awesome!

On another subject, I have a disturbing report of an event in our neighborhood on the 4th. My neighbor was hosting a large party of family and friends, and the desserts were placed on a table next to her front window. She was welcoming guests when she heard behind her a strange noice. A thief was breaking in her window screen in order to get at the cookies. Despite her best efforts that wicked thief was able to scramble up a tree and get away. Those squirrels have no shame, they will go right through a window screen to get to the treats!

he he, Candace. You had me going!

/m13630
re Custer parkway mess
Alderman Rainey - I spoke with Lara Biggs, Asst. Superintendent of the Water & Sewer Division today, who supervised this watermain/paving project last year from the City side. We agreed that if DiPaolo does not restore the sod this week, we will pursue retainage and get it done ourself.

re Ridge - Howard to Main
Alderman Rainey - I met with the Resident Engineer, John Harchut from CivilTech onsite today. As you know, this is the last full week of construction between Howard and Main. This section of roadway will be completed within the next 10 calendar days. The landscapers are onsite beginning tomorrow and as the backfilling and sodding occurs, any litter found in the trenches is removed. We have two full-time inspectors on the job observing the restoration and Mr. Harchut assures me that they will be meticulous at removing any debris.

Sat Nagar, will also be out during these last critical days at specific times observing as we rebuild the two manholes at Mulford, cut in the traffic signal loop detectors, complete final concrete work and surface pavement and install the thermoplastic pavement markings and reflective lane markers.

Thanks, Ann, for the updates on both the Custer "lack of sod" project and the Ridge trash issue. And for forwarding my dissatisfaction with St. Francis Hospital to those in positions of authority there.

Candace / Ann: I would be happy to contribute $$ to Ride The Ridge T-shirt fund or any related expenses. And I am looking forward to the ride.

Everyone - when BIKE THE RIDGE goes to the events committee - we might have to show up - get the cycle clubs involved.

16 year old boy was shot late last night, early morning. There was a big party near Dempster on Florence with around 50 or so kids who dispersed to the Dempster Dodge area and at some point the kid got shot.

Now, I could be wrong, but I thought the police were giving extra attention to that area of Florence in an effort to reassure the neighbors in that area of Florence given the rape, home invasion and robbery. Now the neihbors can add a shooting to their troubles.

Minors at the party, violations of curfew? If the 16 yo had been picked up for violating curfew, he wouldn't have been shot, at least not out in public.

Just goes to show you, when there is no enforcement....

Thanks Mike,

Best part of Cafepress is no money up front! We just design a shirt, and then people go online and purchase any size or style they want. That way we can offer any size from toddler to XXXL. Muscle shirts, too. We can price them at cost, or name a charity or school. It might be fun to raise a few $$ for the Chute PE classes fitness room, etc. Those PE teachers raise money constantly to create a terrific climbing wall and fitness center for our pre-teens.

Is Richard on vacation? I was thinking of asking him about the leafy graphic used for the trash cans. It's so pretty, it might make a nice background for the shirts and match out neighborhood "theme." You know what, we can even make yard signs on cafepress that would announce the date of Ride the Ridge. It's a little more alliterative than Bike the Ridge, but Ann gets final approval. Can we put in tiny print, sponsored by Ald. Ann Rainey ala Chicago?

Do not do anything until the events committee agrees/approves.

I want any money raised to go for bike racks - or something having to do with cycling. I think District 65 needs to fix up the gym with all the tax $$$$ we are sending them.

Hello Everyone!

Join Ann Rainey and Anjana Hansen and meet Nick and Chris Merikas, owner and manager of the new Farmers Best Market. Please bring a chair if you wish to sit as the meeting is being held in the long vacant store. See you there.


Farmers Best Market Neighborhood Meeting 430 Asbury

Wednesday, July 9, at 7:30 PM

 http://evanstonnow.com/business/bill-smith...et-at-old-Osco-site

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/news/...y-070308-s1.article

Regarding Farmers Best Market Neighborhood Meeting 430 Asbury Wednesday, July 9, at 7:30 PM...Many neighbors are very concerned that a liquor license was granted. Concerns include bottles/cans being discarded on our properties and streets, a middle school close by (adults purchasing for minors), panhandling (compare scene at Howard/Western Walgreens before they removed liquor department), etc.
NONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WANTS TO SEE A LIQUOR DEPT. IN THIS STORE.
Please forward me any neighborhood email groups so I can contact them.
I'm forwarding this to alderwomen Ann Rainey and Anjana Hansen.
philip.schlak@walgreens.com 414 Wesley Ave. home 847.475.5957

I certainly understand your concerns, Phil, but if it's a liquor department like those at Whole Foods or Wild Oats, that's a far cry from the Walgreens situation. I think there's a difference between cases of Milwaukee's Best beer for $6 and a six-pack of Fat Tire for $10. Or a nice bottle of wine or something. As long as it's that kind of department, I personally have no issue with it. If it turns into a source of cheap booze, though, that's another story. That Walgreens was a mess, and we generally went farther to other Walgreens for stuff than have to run the gauntlet there. I assume from the type of other groceries that will be available at the store that we're probably not going to be looking at cases of Hamm's and half pints of Clan MacGregor.

Personally I'd be fine with no liquor department (I have no need of one), but if it was the deal breaker it sounds like it was, I'd rather have the liquor department and monitor it as a neighborhood than have no grocery there at all.

No disrespect for others views but I have no problem with a liquor department at a high quality grocer. I welcome the convenience.

If litter is a big part of the concern( I don't think it is)I see far more litter from cheap food than cheap booze. Lots of McDonalds wrappers and paper soda cups, juice bottles pamphlets and brochures as well as the occasional beer or booze bottle.

If the issue is really more about minors getting their hands on alcohol,than an experienced responsible grocer is the best way to handle that unless you pass laws making Evanston dry. Responsible liquor license holders don't want to sell to adults buying for minors and am sure they are more than willing to cooperate with police to stop those that do.

I do not want a nasty debate about this but a civil one- this is an important issue and both sides have points.

Edited by author 07-07-2008 12:48 PM
In reply to Mr Shlak's private email to me - this was my reply.
Dear Phil:
 
I would really appreciate hearing from those many neighbors who do not want beer and wine at this store. Please give them my email address annrainey8@aol.com and phone number.
 
By the way, I have only heard the opposite. We have issued numerous liquor licenses around town for packaged liquor or just beer and wine and we have had no real problems. Yes, of course, every now and then some kid from NU gets away with a fake ID.
 
When Jewel was starting up on Howard we heard the same thing. Kids would be lining up buying beer and drunks would be throwing their bottles on the parking lot. None of this happened.It has not happened at Dominicks and it has not happened at the venues in the downtown, an area where we have other serious problems with our youth.
 
  A liquor license is a privilege not a right and for your info and the license has not yet been issued. All the competitors in the area have a license - I for one want this store to be successful and fully support the issuance of a beer and wine license.
 
This family owned grocery is committing millions of dollars to our community and I want them to be successful. Yes, to compete they are going to apply for a beer and wine license. I can assure you the Merikas Family has a wonderful reputation and will be vigilant in respecting our community.
 
They will not be like the Walgreen Store at Howard and Western which could serve as the poster child for no community ever issuing a liquor license to anyone ever again. Walgreens disrespected the neighbors for many years and as far as I am concerned it is still a dump. Please do not ever compare that place with anything in our town. There is nothing more valuable to a neighborhood that a respectable family owned business - they know your name. They will not thumb their nose at our community the way Walgreens did. I should know, I raised my 2 children at 1316 Dobson; I could see the nasty place from my window.
 
I am sorry, I do not share private email lists with anyone.
 
Ann Rainey
847 475 2949

I really am not worried about a liqour license at this store. I'm assuming that it would be primarily beer & wine in keeping with the other upscale items.

As for wrappers, bottles & other litter, the middle school kids can get lots of non-alcoholic litter at this new store or at the gas station.

I had been thinking that this might be an opportunity to introduce the Chute kids to fresh fruit instead of candy bars & chips as afterschool purchases. I hope the new grocer plans for this crowd.