The article in the Evanston Reveiw was interesting not so much about the animal shelter issue but how did the city have "undisclosed surplus funds " in the capital budget? What it tells me they did not complete work they funded last year. I am not suprise. Given the limit capital budget the council should be asking more questions.

I rather have squirrels in my garbage than council members not watching my tax dollars. Our squirrel population is hardly a problem compare to our criminal population.

Junad, in defense of the animal shelter, I hardly think they take care of squirrels. I believe they are a traditional animal shelter in that they take in stray or abandoned *domestic* animals such as cats and dogs.

Yes, it is outrageous that there are 2 million dollars floating around unaccounted for; but I am glad that some of it went to animals in need.

This is a good time to repeat my favorite mantra: PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!!!! Pet overpopulation leads to abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Please help end the need for animal shelters in the first place by being responsible and loving stewards for the animals in your care!

Hi Ann and Great 8th. Does any one know what will happen to the Osco on the corner of Oakon and Asbury come July 17th? I understand CVS has bought-out all Osco's and that this one will be closing. For that matter, is there any way to keep that one open? I know a lot of neighbors who are quite upset that this very convenient and well-supplied store will be closing. We also feel bad about the employees there whom we've come to know. They are a really nice bunch of people who will be out of work in the near future.

Bob and Vickie,
Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

Tina,

How do you know that the Osco is closing? I have spoken with the employees and the pharmacists and none of them have told me that this was the case. In fact, they are cleaning up the store and changing out some of the merchandise. I'm not happy that this Osco is becoming a CVS, but I think that there is certainly enough business in the area for both stores.

Candace

As of the last day or so, the employees have been telling people that they will close on July 17 and prescriptions will transfer to Howard and Western.

The building, which was built by a REIT was sold according to the Tribune real estate transactions, early this year for over 3 million dollars.

I would suspect that there are plans, perhaps Walgreens.

Osco/vs my dear friend Michelle Dodd is the CVS RE person - We will have the details on Monday.

Vito - I was ar\t a wedding tonight. I met a wonderful woman - she said se waas your daughter!

sorry about those typos, I was not able to correct.

Edited by author 06-25-2006 02:49 AM
All the stand-alone Osco Drug Store Locations were sold to CVS in a large transaction a few months back by Albertson's Parent Company.

Albertson's Parent Company and their Sister Companies (Jewel, etc) soldout to the Parent Company of Cub Foods. Cub Foods Parent Company then sold-off their Chicago Area Cub Foods Locations to an investment group to satisfy the Feds and to retain Jewel Foods Locations.

All Osco Drug Locations inside all Albertson Locations and their Sister Company Locations were retained as Osco Drugs.

I'm sure CVS had the right, as part of the purchase agreement to cherry pick which stand-alone Osco Locations to retain and/or close. Certain stand-alone Osco Drugs were either too small for CVS and/or too close to another CVS Location.

Either way the Asbury & Oakton location will close per Management and/or Employees I've spoken with at CVS

Yesterday I was washing my trunk in front of my house as usual when it needs to be cleaned. I had a bucket of water that I poured down the nearest street catch basin that is used for normal rainwater runoff.

I was shocked to see at least 100 plus mesquites come out of the top of the basin and swarm all around me.

Does the City have a plan for mosquito abatment that includes killing the larva in the catch basins prior to maturity?

My impression is that we may be to late.

The real concern has to do with West Nile Virus, and not having an enjoyable summer outside.

Is Evanston behind the curve already in not addressing catch basins that have standing water all the time?

Keep us informed.

Steve and Ellen Collins
227 Richmond
Evanston

I am dissapointed to hear about the closing of the Osco.
When I moved here, I had 3 grocery stores I could walk to
with butcher shops, fresh baked goods and produce. Since
then, the Dominicks at South Blvd has been replaced by a
monstrosity. Asbury St. Market has closed. The Jewel at
Howard and Western has also closed. It was nice to be able
to walk to the local Osco for it's small selection of goods.
Ann, please help to ensure that property does not go the
way of the Dominicks and turn residential. My neighborhood
needs a useful business in that location. Thank you.

Ann,

We were at a wedding last night also and saw a mutual friend of Wally's. Paul Paterno and his wife.

Edited by author 06-25-2006 11:23 AM
In regard to our Evanston Animal Shelter, I'm very happy to hear that they now have additional funds. Animal Control operates from the shelter too, in fact, several years ago we found a baby squirrel that had fallen from the maple in front of our home. It surely would not have made it if left as it was. We scooped it up and put it in a box and took it to the shelter, after a phone call to them, of course. When we got there a smiling woman in cargo shorts took him(?) from the box and popped him into her pocket. I'm still impressed. Yes, they do look after squirrels too.

Hopefully this was not the squirrel that begat all of the pesky squirrels that are making everyone crazy this year. The squirrels are kind enough to share their trees with us, trees that make Evanston so beautiful. I know that this kind of talk may make me real unpopular around here but oh well. They are our neighbors too.

I decided not to feed the birds this spring in the hopes of saving my tulips. I think that it worked. Squirrels wiil hang around bird feeders!! I'll feed birds again in the fall and winter.

Wonderful article about animal friends in theTribune today. "All Heroes Great and Small"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationw...hi-homepagenews-utl

Received a message from the CVS real estate manager. Osco at Asbury and Oakton is absolutely closing. I have asked for a meeting to discuss CVS' marketing plan for the site.