I just love the shirts, Candace - I will post lots of info re Bike the Ridge tonight after the pension meeting and Econ Development. Bill Geiger from the Y is very excited and is offering all sorts of help - more later.

What a great adventure: Bike the Ridge.

The Cafepress shop is open at http://www.cafepress.com/BiketheRidge

I can't quite change some sample text on the front page, but the shirts and sweats look great. I've also designed some buttons and stickers. The mini buttons are really cute. You can purchase these in 10 packs, and the stickers is a 48 pack in case we want some to slap on the volunteers. There are priced at the Cafepress base price, no profits for me. Cafepress does offer, however, bulk pricing, so if anyone orders 10 or more clothing items (any combination) there is a discount.

You will see I went with a black and orange combo. There's an organic cotton T, several choices of short and long sleeve shirts, and sweatshirts for kids and adults. There is a more formal golf shirt with the logo on the side for those who want to wear their bike love in a more official capacity. If there's a shirt you want, but don't see in this shop, just ask. It is really easy to add a product. I think there might be little doggy shirts if you want one for Fido in your bike basket.

Hey, do we know anyone who has a bike taxi? It would be kind of fun to invite a pedicab or two to ride our Alderlady and Mayor up and down the Ridge.

Volunteer ideas: Perhaps boy scouts or girl scouts could earn part of a transportation or bike badge?

Kudos to you Ann! I don't care if you don't want kudos. You deserve support from the Great 8th ward. You are always on top of things and you really must love it because I know that you put in a lot of time and you don't do it for the money.

Home from Farmers Best meeting - looks like a Christmas opening. Ugh - we were hoping for Thanksgiving.

They have promised to clean up the landscaping asap.

For those interested - the aldi's broker/develper is going to be at Site Plan today at 3:30

Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee, Agenda

September 24, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m.
Civic Center, Room 2404
           


3:30 p.m. 2201 Oakton, Lot 3 Preliminary
Development of a food store adjacent to the existing PetSmart building in the Home Depot shopping center on Oakton, Applicant is James E. Conroy.
       

All are welcome!

Edited by author 09-24-2008 01:03 PM
For being so mean, Vito, you are sometimes very kind to me.

Look everyone, I did not post that message for sympathy or kudos. I just think people should know the reality of what is involved in this office. Unlike Vito, I can see the work all the aldermen do and there isn't one current alderman who doesn't deserve the stipend and then some.

Rachel - I have a request to the chief about Dobson and Custer but I am sure Michele is correct.

Rachel, we asked the neighbors who'd gathered - it was some kind of cooking-related fire which was contained without incident.

Ann,

No one who is serious and informed about Evanston could doubt that Council members who take their jobs seriously are underpaid. That does not apply to all members of the Council, but it certainly applies to Ann. 8th ward residents are indeed fortunate to have someone such as Ann represent them. But it is not only the time and effort, but the fact that she has a web site where 8th warders and others can express themselves. No other Council member can match that.

Ann and I do not always agree, but I have never doubted her ability and willingness to serve her residents. Nor the amount of time and effort she puts in. That kind of effort in private industry would be rewarded many times the pittance she gets now.

A real bargain!

Ann, I think you work very hard for your measly pay and (partially, but by no means completely offset by your not-measly benefits) and the raise and benefits are justified.

And to add to your to-do list, can you also find out what happened near Dobson and Custer around 6:00 last night? There were a whole bunch of fire trucks, but no visible smoke or fire.

Edited by author 09-24-2008 10:34 AM
As you may know, I was a leading proponent of aldermanic salaries being increased from $10,000 a year to $12,000. This has generated a few hateful letters to which I have replied. To give you some idea of my defense of my position - I believe I owe you this as your alderman - here is an example of my replies. I know aldermen should be more communicative about our work and so the 2 men who have written probably think we just show up on Monday nights and vote for things. Oh, so not true. I love every minute of the work, and believe all those who serve should be compensated.



Dear Mr X:

Let me give you some idea of my Monday and Tuesday of this week:

Monday 18 phone calls, 10 or 12 emails, left home at 5 PM got to city hall with many lbs of work documents which I spent all day Sunday reading. Left city hall after 3 meetings at 12:15 AM Came home and responded to a few emails. Dragged my butt to bed at about 2 AM. Up early on Tuesday, readying for a 2PM meeting at city hall.
 
Before the meeting I sent 18 emails re a variety of issues including a construction site on Oakton, a grocery store on Asbury and Oakton, a complaint from a resident objecting to a park being mowed at 7:15, reassured a woman in the Mulford neighborhood east of Asbury that 1. some found spent condoms in the gutter do not necessarily mean that prostitution is in the neighborhood,2 that color of paint cannot be controlled in in the Oakton Historic District, 3 information re the Salvation Army project just west of Home depot and 4. the condition of a few properties on Oakton east of asbury. Included in the 18 email messages I sent was also a letter that required I search my address book for about 70 affected residents so that I could get their feed back re a park mural. Finally got to city hall and continued the l\planning of a Bike the Ridge event with city staff, Police Chief, head of traffic, Director of the Ridgeville park district, members of the Evanston Cycle club, St Francis Hospital and Ridgeville Park district. We did a really g ood job pulling together some of the loose ends, with a clear understanding of responsibilities going forward.

After that meeting I spoke with Com Dev staff re issues concerning project funding (low and mod income restricted) and presentation scheduling for a specific applicant. then stopped at Legal to let them know I was still waiting for an email update re 2 court cases my constituents and I are going to be attending on Friday afternoon in Skokie. Was assured it was on the way. Was chased down the hall and stopped and spoke with the pub info staff re letters for people with driveways on Ridge and the official notice for the Bike the Ridge Event.

Now I am on a roll - Wednesday you ask - what the heck am I doing on Wednesday? 11 AM meeting with staff, Ald Hanson and the Farmers Best grocer. 3PM meeting at Site Plan and Appearance review re Aldi's design on Oakton, 6 PM Blue Ribbon Committee (which I proposed be created) then 7:30 PM Economic Develpmento meeting.

I think I am going to have to miss the Wednesday Chicago Biz/Arts event at the Howard St Apple the Second that runs from 5:30 to 8PM. Wait, why don't I send my assistant from my office? Oops, I don't have an assistant or an office.

So, xxxx, what do you think? It is only Tuesday and I have given Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all for this great city that I love. If you don't think this service is worth 12,000 a year - then move to the 8th ward, take out a petition and challenge me and my record. Don't sit home writing hateful, insulting mail - get out there and make a difference. Run for office & get elected. That is what I did.

Edited by author 09-24-2008 09:17 AM
I will get info about Dobson and Ridge - in the meantime the chief has just sent info about another incident, as follows:



SUMMARY OF AGGRAVATED BATTERY BY FIREARM 09/23/08- CASE #: 08-30451
LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 1929 JACKSON AVE. (ON THE STREET)
DATE & TIME OF OCCRRENCE: 09/23/08 2301 HOURS
WEAPON USED: .45 CALIBER HANDGUN
VICTIM: FORD, ANTONIO D. M/B/17
                       1913 FOSTER AVE. EVANSTON, IL
 
POLICE RESPONDED TO MULTIPLE CALLS OF SHOTS FIRED IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF JACKSON AND LEARN THAT A VICTIM FROM THE SHOTS FIRED IS AT 1913 FOSTER AVE. THA BOVE VICTIM RELATED TWO UNKNOWN OFFENDERS SHOT AT HIM WHILE HE WSA IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF JACKSON....

VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED TO EVANSTON HOSPITAL

OFFENDERS WANTED:

 

#1) MALE/BLACK, THIN, TALL, WEARING BLACK HOODIE AND SKI MASK

 

#2) MALE/BLACK, THIN, TALL, WEARING A GREY/ORANGE HOODIE AND A

                                                  SKI-MASK.

Jeanne, I just saw this on "The Broken Heart of Rogers Park" blog. Maybe this is what you saw/heard:
Last night gunfire erupted in the 7500 block of North Ridge. Six to eight shots were heard echoing throughout the neighborhood. Bullets were flying everywhere. Including through the front window of a house in the 7500 block of North Bell. A witness said two people were shooting at each other as they were running down the alley. One fled north on Ridge and was apprehended just over the border in Evanston after a short foot chase.

Police stalked out St. Francis Hospital in Evanston for the other possible victim/shooter. The crime scene is extensive. The cause of the shoot-out is currently unknown.

What was going on last night about 10:15 at Ridge, just south of Dobson (in front of 960 Dobson)? There was lots of hubbub and 3 or more squad cars, including Chicago?

Email me if you can volunteer to help - annrainey8 at aol.com

BIKE THE RIDGE IS A GO FOR OCT 26 FROM 8 AM TO 10 AM FROM HOWARD TO CHURCH.

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES ENCOURAGED, ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS. BIKE CLUB WILL BEGIN THEIR COSTUME RIDE AT BIKE THE RIDGE.

Imagine this event had its inception here. I know that most of you want to cycle and zoom up and down Ridge. BUT we have a need for 60 volunteers to help ataff the unsignalized intersections from Howard to Church. Sign up now to help. 2.5 hours on 10-26. What fun. Not everyone has a bike. I need to have the names of some volunteer before next Monday. Evanston

Bike Club is helping and I hope you can help, too.

Candace - tee shirts are a go

Edited by author 09-23-2008 03:23 PM
Please see the 8th Ward "Neighborhood Events and Community Happenings" board for information about this Thursday's Early Child Care and Education Legislative Forum at District 65 Headquarters, 6-8 PM.

Prohibiting relocation of the skunks is the interesting part. Perhaps our skunk problem should be handled and payed for by the CDC.