So this blog is almost 10 years old

Or at least it will be as of November as this blog started in November 2007. Perhaps as we go through the course of the year we can note some of the stories we have tracked over the years here. We got some heavily trafficked post here. But I can't believe that this blog has been in publication for 10 years.

We're almost as old as Uptown Update for example, a great Chicago neighborhood blog from that north side community.

So congrats to myself (Levois), JP Paulus, Worlee, and even Mr. Zack Isaacs who joined us very briefly. Can we make it another 10 years is an obvious question?

BTW, here is our first post from November '07

We're number 9,027,196!

No, seriously, we are 9,027,196

The Illinois Observer web site posted this list of top Illinois politcal websites

Acording to that list, we are # 46 on the list of Illinois Political blogs. That list is based on rankings by Alexa, and then factoring out all non-political blogs, or those sponsored by a company.

And according to the Alexa service , this blog is # 9,027,196

We actually beat out long time political columnist Russ Stewart.

Curiously, the Uptown Update is not on that list.

Think we can do better? Help search for this blog, comment on it, and tell others to do the same, post a link to us anywhere (such as Facebook)

Thanks!

Did you know you're keeping us from the Chicago Tribune?

Let me explain the subject of this blog entry:

Glenn Jeffers, a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune, wants to write a story on this very blog.

However, what's holding him back is, quite simply, you.

Or more specifically, he needs comments from neighbors like you.  He needs to show that this blog isn't simply one of a million blogs read by a handful of people.  Rather, by your comments, you can show Chicago & beyond the value of this blog to the South Side, especially Chatham, Park Manor, Englewood -- everywhere in the 6th & beyond.

If you are interested in sharing your experiences with this blog, then simply send us an e-mail with your contact information to thesixthward(at)1chicago.net

Or if you follow us on Twitter, communicate with us that way!

We'll pass it on to Glenn.  (We want to filter out the spammers...sorry guys!)

Thanks for your participation!

Tribune writer needs YOUR input.

Here's a request from a Tribune writer who will soon publish a story in the "City Living" section featuring this blog. He'd like to hear form you what you think of the blog, how youfound it, why you read it, etc. Now our neighbors to the North (such as the outspoken commenters of "Uptown Update" among others) are very much into their privacy, despite their many comments. If you have similar concerns, talk with Glenn. He'll respect your privacy but it will help him get a sense of the Sixth Ward readership.

Hi. My name is Glenn Jeffers.

I'm a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribuneand I'm working on a story on the Sixth Ward Blog.

I'm looking for comment contributors who'd like to be interviewed--by phone--for the story.

Those interested can email me at glenn.jeffers@gmail.com or call me at773-398-1004.

Thanks,

Glenn Jeffers

Chicago bloggers threatened

This is already news it has been for a while. Tom Mannis at The Bench sent some links to some blog posts and articles about this story. This morning I found that Instapundit, a top national blog, has gotten wind of this story.

You can read the gist of this story here:

Fix Wilson Yard, the grassroots community organization that claims to represent more than 2,000 Chicago residents, alleges numerous abuses on the city's part in the creation, planning, implementation and funding of the Wilson Yard TIF District and the corresponding Wilson Yard development.

Subpoenas were filed last month seeking information on Web sites hosted by Buena Park Neighbors and the Uptown Neighborhood Council. The revelation comes on the heels of subpoenas served at Google, asking for ownership information about two anonymous blogs, Uptown Update and What the Helen.

According to copies of the subpoenas obtained by News-Star, Google and its hosting service, Blogger, are being asked to produce information "related to the identity of the person or persons who created and/or control 'WhattheHelen.com' and 'Uptown Update' blogs and websites (sic)."

Uptown Update is an active blog that has gained popularity as a clearinghouse for information about the Uptown neighborhood. What the Helen was active during the 2007 aldermanic election and has not been updated in more than a year.

The neighborhood block club Buena Park Neighbors and the Uptown Neighborhood Council are also being subpoenaed for documents identifying contributors who have posted on both organizations' Web sites. The neighborhood organizations are being asked to produce all posts in "the form of a blog, chat room comment, website (sic) post or any other form that relates to the Wilson Yard development, Alderman [Helen] Shiller, or Uptown development."

In addition, the subpoenas ask for all documents pertaining to the six Uptown residents named as plaintiffs in the Fix Wilson Yard lawsuit.

You can go to Uptown Update and see the original story in addition to that you can see those other bloggers who took notice of this story.

Also you can check out this write up at the Chicago blog, Flying Debris. That write up was linked in the Instapundit post.

Chicago's top political bloggers at Loyola

This should be an interesting event. Look at who should be there:

Phil Ponce, host of WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight,” and a journalism professor at Loyola University Chicago, will examine the role of political bloggers at a forum starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, at the university’s Water Tower Campus.

Ponce will moderate a panel of bloggers featuring: Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune, Rich Miller of capitolfax, Georgia Logothetis of dailykos, Fran Eaton of illinoisreview, and Blake Dvorak of realclearpolitics.

Please join us for this event at Kasbeer Hall, 15th Floor at 25 E. Pearson Street, at the corner of Pearson Street and Wabash Avenue.

Hat-tip Illinois Review!

Does Rogers Park deserve its bloggers?

YoChicago blog takes another view of bloggers in Roger's Park...

When it comes to Rogers Park, however, I'm inclined to sympathize with the real estate professionals who contend that some of the neighborhood bloggers are an unwarranted drag on property values, sales and rentals. Rogers Park has undeniable issues but, if some its bloggers are to be believed, it has no redeeming qualities.

Should Rogers Park bloggers just put their cameras aside, turn off their police scanners, take a month off, enjoy the beaches and bike paths, and try to gain some perspective?

Hmmm, I'm not sure what to say about this. Perhaps there is some validity in this POV. On the other hand someone like a Craig Gernhardt has a role to play. So might a Tom Mannis. I could mention What the Helen as well. There are others out there whether or not they're in Roger's Park or any other neighborhood in the city.

Could a blog that reports some of the negatives of a neighborhood truly become a drag on property values, sales, and rentals in a neighborhood?