79th Street from the bus

 

[VIDEO] I'm sharing this with you as hopefully some of you ride route 79 through the Chatham neighborhood. And perhaps some of you may travel further east towards Jeffrey Blvd as YouTuber DrilTrill does on July 16th. We hear a lot of loud noises because sometimes people talk loudly on public transportation.

And to those people who talk on their phones we don't need to hear your address and we don't need to hear your social security number. If you're handling personal business like that please exercise some discretion as you don't know who's quietly listening.

Aside from that tangent we don't know if someone is talking on their phone or not I do know at the beginning we hear someone loudly letting the bus driver know that they're getting off the bus. Either way anyone reading this blog ride the 79 bus. Have any interesting experiences to share?

Sinkhole in South Shore

[VIDEO] Happy New Year everyone!

We had a storm over the weekend. It wreaked havoc on our lakefront especially as the park district put up barriers on areas they control to ensure public safety. I also saw some footage on ig that showed the water from Lake Michigan beating up the shore especially in South Shore.

Here's a story from over the weekend from WGN about a sinkhole in South Shore on 73rd.

Further inland I'm sure most of us fared better. Beyond this we've had a relatively mild winter so far. And we're approaching two months before the start of spring.

My archive footage of Englewood ca. 2008 or 2009

[VIDEO] Not exactly the most exciting footage ever shown, however, I shot this on the CTA Green Line through Englewood probably during the summer of 2008 or 2009. I was on a train headed towards downtown after having taken an #9 Ashland bus to the Ashland/63 Green Line terminal.

Those of you who reside in Englewood probably know best about the changes from Ashland to Halsted. The Whole Foods Market and the shopping mall around it and the loss of another old building due to fire on 63rd/Halsted. I wish I could've gotten a shot of the masonic temple that would be right behind me as I pull into the Halsted stop. The masonic temple is in such disrepair now that it's all a matter of not if, but when it gets demolished - if it hasn't already. And we see a police station under constrution on this stretch as well.

As the snow fell on Christmas Eve and the weather has finally gotten much colder enjoy this image of warmer weather which will return very soon. April will be here before we know it and we can watch some archive footage of a neighborhood at the start of change little did I know at the time!

October 2015 photos along 103rd Street

I realized that I failed to what I set out to do a few months ago. I wanted to do a photo essay and basically I started with taking some photos along 103rd Street. This was back in October and although I shared a few pics back then there were than that in my photo library.

For example, I have some pics taken east of King Drive on 103rd Street.

103rd & Rhodes

The pic above I knew at one time as the offices of Congressman Mel Reynolds. In 1995 he was caught up in a sex scandal with an underaged girl and was forced to resign. Unfortunately this property is now vacant and looking for a use since the time of Reynold's having his congressional offices here.

Across the street is a former dry cleaners. It's unclear when this particular building became vacant. Across the street from here is this.

103rd Street between Rhodes and St. Lawrence

In a different time this property had once been home to a McDonald's. That store eventually closed down and was ultimately demolished a with a church built instead.

Beyond this church and the former dry cleaners is this vacant lot.

103rd Street between Rhodes & St. Lawrence

I see this as potention for this part of 103rd and one of many undeveloped lots ready for the right development. To be sure 103rd is largely a commercial corridor and is quite walkable. With the right development it could be a very vibrant corridor.

Of course this is only an example of some of the pics I took in October 2016. I hope to share more of them in the future. And apologies for not sharing these much sooner. My goal is hopefully to come up with some ideas perhaps this part of town could use some bold vision and why not.

Could we do this with some of our potholes?

I saw this piece of art near the intersection of Michigan/Ohio in downtown Chicago. It was formerly a pothole and then recently saw that a piece of mosaic artwork has been embedded in this pothole. My comments on ig was basically in support of such activity by an artists. Surely there are other parts of the city that may not get the services it should get where someone who cares about the community can do something such as this.

 Sooner or later unfortunately the city will probably destroy this piece, the artist Jim Bachor is not sanctioned by the city to do this. It's probably a wonder that Bachor hasn't been arrested by authorities for his activities and doing such a bold thing but going to such an active part of town to fill in a pothole with his materials.

I know there are more creative people in our communities who could do this with our potholes. Knowing this can only cost money if the businesses and residents of our community was able to do this with our potholes. Our IG post on this is below

I would like to see the creative people in our community do things like this for our potholes. Very creative indeed. This former pothole is located at Michigan/Ohio near the Guess store. #art #creative #publicart #streets #chicagogram #michiganavenue

A photo posted by The Sixth Ward (@thesixthward) on Nov 13, 2015 at 2:48pm PST

We've been getting tweets regarding 69th Street...

Via Mark A. Clements twitter @prisonspeaks

Starting earlier this month we had been mentioned in a series of tweets by Mark A. Clements. Clements notes in his twitter profile that he had been sentenced to prison die in prison after being tortured and then admitting to a crime he didn't commit. Now he has a current mission, which is to look at the condition of the area near 69th & State Street.

The pic above was originally shared on Clements twitter page and we also shared it onto our ig page. This is a pothole on 69th Street and deep enough for a discarded tire.

So the series of tweets shared a number of videos shot along 69th Street just east of State Street showing us the conditions there. Potholes such as the one above, drains that need clearing, vacant lot, and trash dotted along the street. While he's yet to share this on his twitter page, these are two of his most recent videos - forgot to add that he also has a YouTube page.

[VIDEO 1 : VIDEO 2]

Finally here's one of the examples of the tweets Mr. Clements has sent to this blog on Twitter

https://t.co/70zYaxK0Vx Conditions remaining correction. @TheSixthWard @WGNNews @susannasongcbs2 @scottyrebel @chicagotribune @RandPaul

— Mark A. Clements (@Prisonspeaks) June 9, 2015

Is there anywhere else that you believe deserves attention as to the conditions of the streets, infrastructure or otherwise needs a cleanup.

DNA Info: Chicago Department of Transportation Draws Up Plans to Improve State Street

The area of State Street between 69th and 79th Streets:

The Chicago Department of Transportation is researching possible improvements for State Street between 69th and 79th streets, motivated in part by a request from Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), who has vowed to improve the stretch.

Sawyer has said he wants to bring more businesses to the corridor, to find ways to improve pedestrian safety and expand street parking. Funding would come from the Arterial Street Resurfacing Program.

CDOT’s recommendations include:

• resurfacing the street
• removing excess capacity
• adding additional parking
• improving crossings at major transit points

Another proposed improvement would shorten pedestrian crossing distances. Other improvements that would benefit pedestrians would be high-visibility continental crosswalks and ADA ramps at each intersection.

You may have seen some information regarding this via Concerned Citizens of Chatham or The Sixth Ward fb pages

Reminder: Street Sweeping app can help you avoid tickets!

This is NO April Fool's joke...The following is a re-post of our blog post from April 10, regarding The Sweeparound.us app. This app will help you schedule your parking, so you can avoid street sweeping tickets. Enforcement for Streetsweeping starts tomorrow, April 1.

Chicago Public Radio recently mentioned this a web/mobile service that can help remind you of street cleanings.  Click this link then scroll down to find the story on SweepAround. (Sidenote: Dennis Haynes of Chesterfield Community Council was also featured in another segment of that day's Afternoon Shift).

SweepAround.us is a website that can provide dates as well as free text reminders to move your car.

As an example, check out

http://sweeparound.us/ward-6/area-6/

The next ones are April 15 and 16 for the shown area.

As a suggestion, no matter where you live, be a good neighbor and help add some spaces. Pull all the way up to/back to (but not crossing) signs such as handicapped parking.

When you ignore using these signs and leave several feet in front or behind you, you essentially destroy a parking space for your neighbor. That is especially difficult on families with young kids or elderly parents.

Check this link for the official City of Chicago street cleaning schedules and maps.

The 6th Ward's schedule is here.

Tribune: Chicago ratchets up resurfacing work

If you have potholes on your streets, there's work the city needs to do:

Road resurfacing this year along Chicago's busiest streets will jump by more than one-third beyond the city's previous plans, to 85 miles total, in response to the rash of potholes forming faster than patching crews can repair them, officials will announce Thursday.

The Chicago Department of Transportation's response to the punishing winter is part of its yearlong plan to resurface 333 miles of city streets and alleys, which city officials estimate will cost $184 million to $240 million.

The total repaving package for the year marks a 15 percent increase over the 290 miles resurfaced last year, according to CDOT. Some 269 miles were resurfaced in 2012, the agency said.

The work, set to begin in spring and wrap up by late November, will be divided among CDOT, the city Department of Water Management, private contractors and utility companies, officials said.

The city has received about triple the number of pothole complaints— more than 47,000 since December — compared with the past two winters. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced five strategies over the past two months to fill the potholes until more permanent repairs can be made.

Sun-Times: Red-light cameras coming down at 18 Chicago intersections

Sun-Times photo

Recently I took a shot of a speed camera being erected at Abbott Park near 95th & Michigan. And that figures in this latest piece:

City Hall is removing 36 red-light cameras at 18 intersections where cameras have succeeded in reducing right-angle crashes caused by running red lights.

That will leave Chicago with 348 red-light cameras at 172 intersections.

“Automated traffic enforcement, whether through red-light or speed cameras, is about changing drivers’ behavior,” Emanuel was quoted as saying in a press release.

“Cameras at these intersections are now showing a low level of crashes and dangerous angle crashes, which means an enhanced level of safety.”

The 18 intersections where cameras are being removed either experienced no “right-angle crashes” or only one in 2012. They also have a “total crash rate” — calculated by dividing annual crashes by average daily traffic counts — of less than one percent, according to Illinois Department of Transportation statistics provided to the city last week.

The 18 intersections where red-light cameras will be removed are: Osceola and Touhy; Kedzie and Devon; Harlem and Higgins; Sheridanand Hollywood; ustin and Belmont; Cicero and Belmont; Halsted and Belmont; California and North; Wells and North; Kostner and Division; Clark and Cermak; California and 35th; California and 47th Street; Pulaski and 71st; Wentworth and 65th; Racine and 79th; 79th Street and Cottage Grove and Stony Island and 89th.

Cameras at all 18 designated intersections should be removed by Jan. 31, according to City Hall.

I hope you all are continuing to be safe drivers whether or not there are cameras around or not!

Speed cameras coming to Abbott Park near end of September

According to the Chicago Tribune with an explanation of this program:

Just as most Chicagoans were heading into the holiday weekend and tuning out the news, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the full list of 50 locations where the city will put up ticket-issuing speed cameras near parks and schools by the end of the year.

The Emanuel administration previously had announced 12 of the locations where one or more of the cops in a box will be keeping an eye on motorists during school and park hours. A news release issued Friday afternoon includes the other 38 sites. Each camera, like those already up, will trigger warning tickets during the first 30 days. After that, drivers exceeding the speed limit by between 6 and 10 mph will get $35 tickets in the mail. Those exceeding the limit by more than 10 mph will get $100 tickets.

Near parks, the cameras will be active when the parks are open, generally from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. The speed limits near parks is 30 mph.

Near schools, the cameras will be active from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on school days. From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the speed limit in those areas is 20 mph when children are present and 30 mph when they are not. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the limit is 30 mph.

Under state law, the city can install the cameras at up to 300 schools and parks in designated safety zones. A Tribune analysis showed they could cover nearly half the city.

The article contains the full listing of all locations where these cameras are expected to be installed.

Hat-tip Uptown Update.

South Side corridor a hot spot for pedestrian crashes - Chicago Sun-Times

South Side corridor a hot spot for pedestrian crashes - Chicago Sun-Times

Why is the area of 79th/Cottage Grove such a dangerous intersection? What do you think?

Antonio Barnes has a strategy whenever he’s near one of Chicago’s most-dangerous areas for pedestrians: a four-lane stretch of Cottage Grove Avenue between 79th and 80th streets on the South Side.

“I stand like two squares away from the curb,” said Barnes, 30. “It’s scary just standing on the corner, just waiting on the bus.”

That’s because drivers don’t seem to notice the people streaming in and out of clothing, grocery and liquor stores at both intersections — or other pedestrians who are waiting for buses.

“Drivers here, they’re talking on the phone. They’re not paying attention, and they’re running lights,” said Samella Parker, 61, a bus commuter. “Everybody’s in a hurry. You get the right of way but you gotta run across the street if you don’t want to get hit.”

Barnes and Parker are smart to be cautious around there.

Hat-tip Concerned Citizens of Chatham! Read the whole thing!

Lights out along 95th Street...

Perhaps this was the result of strong storms from Saturday afternoon. It was quite dark along this stretch this evening. Most of these shots were taken along 95th between Wabash and Michigan Avenue. The street lights were out between State and Indiana.

Looking East near 95th/Wabash

Looking south on 95th towards Abbott Park

Looking west to 95th/State near Michigan Ave

Looking towards Indiana Ave at 95th/Michigan

Street To Be Named In Honor Of Soft Sheen's Ed And Betty Gardner

FOR RELEASE Contact: Melody M. McDowell - 773-888-6881 melodypr@aol.com - email

STREET TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF SOFT SHEEN'S ED AND BETTY GARDNERBlack on Black Love and City of Chicago collaborating to salute legendary couple

Chicago, Illinois - May 25, 2012 - Black on Black Love and the City of Chicago will salute Ed and Betty Gardner's long legacy of excellence by naming a street in their honor during a ceremony to be held on July 12 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. The street bearing their names will be at the intersection of 87St. & Dobson St., near the site of where their business Soft Sheen Products was based and thrived. The theme of the tribute is “Celebrating the Gardner Legacy”.

The celebration is expected to attract a wide spectrum of dignitaries from the City, the beauty industry, the business sector and from the political and grassroots communities, which have all been touched by the Gardners' generous and loving spirit.

The public is invited to pay tribute to these icons by coming out to celebrate this couple, who will be joined by their family and friends.

In making the announcement, Frances Wright, Black on Black Love's president and CEO, said the Gardners have touched the city through their business genius, which propelled Soft Sheen from a garage-based business to a global empire that provided superior health and beauty products to consumers worldwide.

Wright said the Gardners' business savvy was matched only by their commitment to bettering the community through their activism and compassion. It was Mr. and Mrs. Gardner who spearheaded the crusade to get Harold Washington elected Chicago's first black mayor through an energetic and inspiring campaign titled, “Come Alive Oct. 5!” This campaign was a success and the Gardners were credited and hailed for the active role they played in this victory.

She added that the couple founded the Black on Black Love organization nearly 30 years ago as a way of grappling with the senseless black on black crime and violence that continues to plague the inner city. Black on Black Love creates and implements programs designed to break the cycle of crime in our communities through alternatives that nurture self-love, self-respect and self-discipline.

Among the programs under the Black on Black Love banner are:My Sister's Keeper's, one of the first complete aftercare programs in the state of Illinois to help women, who have been released from the correctional system, lead productive lives.

The Godfather Male Mentoring Program a program, which is designed to further the mission of Black on Black Love by providing a positive male presence for elementary and high school boys, through voluntary participation of male role models focusing on education, leadership and responsibility.Ex-Offenders Services, which provides a broad spectrum of services for male and female ex-offenders including recovery, counseling, literacy/education, life skills-community reintegration, anger management and job training/emloyment opportunities.The Cook County Jail Motivational program whose purpose is to expose detainees to the concept of BOBL and to encourage detainees to leave jail/prison feeling good about themselves and aspiring to a better way of life. Catapult is a program sponsored by an Illinois Violence Prevention Authority Grant and a Family-Based Mentoring Initiative whose purpose is to End Intergenerational Incarceration. The program offers 50 children, ages 9 to 18 and their mothers a comprehensive mentoring program.

Black on Black Love also serves the needs of the community on an ongoing basis through its Annual Prayer Breakfast, Annual Thanksgiving Food Give-A-Way and Christmas Toy Drive.

Declared Wright, “Inspired by the Gardners' example of passion and activism, the City and the world are better places. On July 12th, we will pay homage to these treasures by dedicating a street in their honored. We invite the community to come out in full force to show their love to this dedicated couple.”

For more information, contact Black on Black Love at 773-978-0868 or log on to www.bobl.org.

Honorary street sign dedicated to Joseph Caldwell

CAPCC blog:

On Friday, September 23, 2011 : Chatham Businessman Mr. Joseph Caldwell, owner of tailorite cleaners established in 1956 with 3 locations 8459 Cottage Grove, 6507 S. King Drive & 8335 S. Racine on the southside of Chicago & vice president of the Chatham Buiness Association will be honored on Friday, September 23, 2011. (84th to 85th) Cottage Grove an honary street sign will be dedicated Joseph Caldwell avenue. Congratulations and best wishes from the CAPCC board of directors! 

You can visit the TailoRite website here. It's great to see our neighborhood business-people honored in such a way.

311 Service request follow up

Here's  a sinkhole that has been getting worse each day.

This is particularly a problem for several reasons:

1. The sewer wall has collapsed
2. Parking here is like the nroth side, so bad feelings are being created as the elderly & those with small children are having a hard time finding parking. 
3. Potentially cars will be damaged if they park near the sinkholes.
4. The CTA #3 bus route which ends at 81st will drive down Calumet to turn around. The sinkholes & the many potholes we have can cause some unneeded chaos.

The request # is 11-02-706730 and was filed on June 9.


I called again July 8.

I also forwarded these to the Alderman's office as well.

The sinkholes seems like  systematic problem along Calumet.  At the NW corner of 83rd & Calumet, there is a sinkhole that had just been repaired months before it collapsed again.

And I have posted a photo on another hole at 7928 S. Calumet as well as one forming just 10 feet from the sewer.

In addition, a new hole seems to be forming

This is actually 7928 S. Calumet. It needs work as well.

How is 311 responding to YOUR requests?

Landscaping...

I took this pic near the corner of 99th & Michigan Monday afternoon. Someone had commenced landscaping this area near the bridge over the Bishop Ford (Calumet) Expressway. I wonder who's responsible and hope that they continue to keep it up for years to come.

Looks as if the Do Not Enter sign is in a box where some flowers are expected to grow. Then some landscaping stones on top of some woodchips mulch. It's very nice!

Look at these holes in the street

On a familiar intersection at 96th & Prairie...

This top hole you have seen before. At one time this hole contained the carcass of a dead cat at one point during the past summer. The hole is still there after all these months.

At the same intersection another much larger hole that needs to be filled in. Looks like there are markers that alert us to it's existence. At first there was a metal cover over this hole but it has been removed apparently. All the remnants of this blizzard has melted away and we see holes on this sidestreet.

CAPCC: New planter installations

The Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council blog shows us pictures of planters along Cottage Grove. It's the work of students from Harlan, Tanner, Park Manor schools in addition to Leiana J. Gary of the Cottage Grove Planters Society. As a matter of fact we posted a story about Ms. Gary during the summer.

PHOTO: That is quite a pothole @ 96th & Prairie

I posted this photo on the Facebook page on Monday. I walked by on Saturday on my way to work and noticed there was a cat lying in this deep hole. By Monday the cat was decomposing as you see here.

This hole has been there for months perhaps since either last summer or last fall.