November 3, 2009

Two Rogers Park Neighbors Come to the Rescue

By now we've all heard the horror story from the Morse Avenue EL last night. A mother in a hurry who puts her child in danger. Now we're hearing about the silver lining.

" You can’t sit by when a child and her mother are in anguish....”
Rebecca Weinberg
Full story here.
On behalf of all my readers, including myself - Thank you, Joel and Rebecca Weinberg.

October 30, 2009

TIF Money Squandered by Loyola University

Talk about being bamboozled by poor oversight.

Purchased in part with TIF grants from Rogers Park taxpayers, both the Crown Center gallery and the new Mundelein building are meant to be used, in part, as a community resource — community members attend plays and exhibits, and both buildings serve as a source of art appreciation for Rogers Park. With no Crown Center Gallery and Mundelein’s renovation hanging precariously in limbo, there are virtually no community resources to speak of. Rogers Park residents have paid for a student cafĂ© in a tax-exempt building on Loyola’s private property. Source/read more.
Gee, wasted TIF money. Anyone shocked?

RELATED:
$2 Million TIF Hand-out Meeting Tonight (Updated)
It Was the Loyola TIF All Along
Fran Tobin Battles Loyola TIF

October 29, 2009

Person Shot on Winchester (Update)

About 7PM tonight, a male black teen was shot in the back at 7367 North Winchester. A male black in a tan jacket was seen running from the scene and may be the alleged shooter. He was seen heading towards Pottawatomie Park. A crime scene is set up at Fargo and Winchester where a crowd is gathering. An officer radioed in that a taser had been discharged, too. EMS was called to the scene.

7:10PM: With such a vague description two different units have possible suspects.

7:33PM: A large group of people are now showing up at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. They're saying the victim was 15 years old.

7:43PM: The teen is in critical condition with two gun shot wounds. One in the back and one in the butt.

October 27, 2009

Police: Northwestern Student's Rape Story is Bogus

Student said she was assaulted in an apartment near the Red Line's Jarvis station. Source/read more.

Brawl At Sullivan Today

Apparently, a brawl broke out wtihin the walls of Sullivan today. At about 12:55pm this afternoon to be exact, during the 6th/7th period change. I didn't see the actual fight, but what I witnessed when I was coming from the 3rd floor was a kid running out of the disciplinarian office with two cops in pursuit (well, sort of, because they weren't running) of him. I then saw a few teachers heading towards the main office in a hurry. Right after that, I then witness droves of kids running up to the 2nd floor where the fight occurred. I guess they wanted to take a look. I finished up what I was doing at my locker and hurried into the classroom in case all hell broke loose.

During the period, I heard lots of hollering down the hall for the first 15 minutes, then it got quite as usual. When I came back out into the hallway, when 8th period was starting, I saw the two police officers I had seen earlier in pursuit questioning another kid.

This is a little surprising, considering that this would be one of the first brawls this year. I have not heard of any arrests or injures, but considering all of the kids involved, I'm sure they were arrests made. Anyway, I'm just hoping that all parties involved got arrested or suspended, and that school is peaceful tomorrow.

Update, 10/29/09: Today was the All School Seminar as well as "Principal For A Day". I was involved with the latter, being assigned to interview/escort one of the guest principals by the Journalism teacher (I'm sure all of you at Sullivan know who I'm talking about) for the school newspaper. Escorting and interviewing the guest (there was three) was pretty fun. I got alot of weird looks by friends who I normally don't have classes with (the scheduling had us assigned to teachers which I never had before). I was missed in the Autism department (not sure if I was missed in my two other regular classes). While I was up on the 2nd floor almost all day, the kids in the Autism room were outside of the school, gardening for Spring. So all in all, today was a pretty good day. But now I'm tired and ready to rest. Tomorrow, we in the Autism class are having a party for Halloween (I'm not dressing up in a costume or anything since I don't celebrate Halloween for alot of reasons, some of which are personal) in the afternoon.

Update, 10/30/09: I witnessed yet another mini riot today. When I was sitting in 6th period class, before the bell rung, a large group of kids were running down the hallway, yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs. I guess a fight broke out because then I saw several staff members running behind them. I also saw staff members trying to hold a couple of kids back from the fight. Others were running past the staff members. Anyway, we had the party today. It was very nice. We made pumpkins, danced and whole tons of other stuff.

Northwestern Student Raped Near Jarvis EL

A Northwestern University student says she was grabbed from a CTA train in Chicago early today and assaulted in a nearby apartment, according to school officials. The woman boarded a northbound CTA train to return to Evanston, and the man entered the train and asked her to go to his home, according to an alert posted on the Northwestern University Web site. The woman refused, and the man forced her off the train at the Jarvis Street CTA station. She tried to escape but the man led her to an apartment building about a half block from the station. He took her up an elevator to an apartment and sexually assaulted her, Cubbage said. Source/read more.

October 26, 2009

Caption Contest


Why not? Let's have a caption contest with this photo.

October 24, 2009

Feel Good News from Rogers Park


Hillari, AKA Boxing Tomboy, sent me a photo of the latest crop of young boxers from the Loyola Park (1230 West Greenleaf) Boxing program. Hillari has been part of the program and is an avid supporter of controlled and supervised athletic aggression. As Hillari puts it, "there are always reports of kids acting out, but these boys who spend their time doing something positive -- boxing."

She also sent along a photo of her first boxing trophy. While she tells me she lost her fight, she still earned this award for her participation. Hillari is one of the members in our community who cares about the youth and wants to help lead them in the positive direction. She's someone you should know. And yes, she too has a blog.

October 20, 2009

Sullivan Update

Good afternoon, everyone. It's me, Timmy. I'm just here to give a quick update on things. It's been calm over the last two weeks at Sullivan. Like I've said before, it is way calmer than last year. The only things I've seen were some goofiness and a fight or two but that's about it.

In other news, my class and I (my first time this year) went on a field trip to the Northeastern Illinois University site at Bryn Mawr and St. Louis. We had a tour of the campus, we had a seminar about financial aide, and yours truly made a speech today (as part of a program held at the university today), about my future plans after high school (I want to work at the OEMC aka the 911 center as a police dispatcher) and about my crime blog. I told the audience I do the blog out of love and care for my community. I also do it because the elected officials within my neighborhood fail to do their job and inform residents of things (many adults in the room started cracking up at that). Needless to say, I was nervous. But my teachers tell me I did great. Heck, I think I did too, because I received a standing ovation from the audience :).

I'm finished with this update. Have a good one, everybody.

Update, 10/21/09: This morning, an assembly was held. A woman from a country in Africa (I know the country, but however, I am not sure how to spell it) came to talk to us about her life. It was bad. She told us she'd never return to her village in Africa after she came here. She also talked to us about some disrespect she saw in another school. A girl hollered at a music teacher. The woman told her that was wrong, and that in Africa, you would have severe consequences for it. The woman told us that we at Sullivan were good kids. She sung for us as well. She has a nice voice and I enjoyed her lecture. Also, three kids from my program sung with the school choir in the two selections that was done. My three classmates were awesome and needless to say, I cheered for them loudly.

Update, 10/22/09: Today was the wildest day so far this school year. Bunch of arguments and fights broke out. I had front row seating to a fight in lunch. I was two tables away when two girls starting having a heated dispute and then a couple of fists started flying. Another girl came up and took away one girl. Security took all parties involved to the disciplinarian room, I guess, because they all left. I even heard about a group going up to Pratt and Bosworth after school for a fight. I heard that from sources while waiting for my school bus to show up (3 out of 4 buses were late today).

October 19, 2009

Wagons Down in 24

6:28 PM: It's tough when one district has to borrow a wagon from one district to cover another. But that's exactly what went down in the 24th district tonight. The 20th had to send over a wagon to cover 24's lack-there-of. So, not only do we have a manpower shortage - we're wagonless.

More Miles of Murals in Rogers Park



"Murals Forever!" "Just keep on doing it!"
Al Goldberg
July, 2007
Well, Al, they are. Whomever they may be. Here's two of three murals spray painted on the Rogers Park Vintage Management building in the 7000 block of North Glenwood. Clearly the artist has visions of $$$ signs. That must represent the tax-payer money that's going to be spent removing this mural?

October 18, 2009

Miles of Murals in Rogers Park


It's been a lifelong dream for Al Goldberg. As he see's it, Rogers Park doesn't have enough murals. Well, here's a new one that's popped up on the Glenwood side of the Reside on Morse building recently. You can't miss it. It's really, really big. You can see it from the Morse Avenue EL platform. What do you guys think? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

RELATED:
Miles of Murals Comes to a Stall in 2008
Rogers Park - The Real Miles of Murals

October 17, 2009

Nothing Happens Without Signatures

Many of us lament the lack of choices when election time rolls around. Now is the time we can do something to change that. There are numerous candidates running and every one of them would appreciate an hour or two of our time to collect signatures. Winning a spot on the primary ballot spot is the first contest and doesn't happen without signatures.

State Reps need a minimum of 500 signatures; Senators need a minimum of 1,000. I've checked with our locals and their challengers and everyone has their signatures. But county and statewide candidates need thousands and thousands more. That's why, at this point in the schedule, I encourage people to pick up a clipboard for a county or statewide candidate. Especially for the challengers. Without them, the machine moves on unchecked.

There are two particularly deserving challengers this cycle. Clint Krislov and Andrea Raila. Clint is running for State Comptroller and Andrea is running for Cook County Assessor, challenging Joe Berrios who is chairman of the county's Democratic Party and commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review.

Consider this: If Andrea doesn't get on the ballot, the seat will be handed to Berrios. That alone is a compelling reason to help gather signatures. Because even if you're a fan of Joe Berrios, you have to know that the lack of competition doesn't help him be any better in his job. Competition keeps our elected officials sharp and responsive.

People who want to pass for these candidates should contact me at elder.inbox@gmail.com or call 773-718-2822. I have a budget ($$) and room on the team for paid passers.

Thanks,
Suzanne Elder

October 12, 2009

3 Caught After a Couple of Rogers Park Armed Robberies

Too many robberies at one time will get you caught.


Bond was set at $250,000 for two men charged in two back-to-back armed robberies and one armed robbery attempt Friday night in Rogers Park, authorities said.

Michael Turner, 19, of the 7700 block of South Lowe Avenue, Calvin Bayliss, 22, of the 6300 block of North Lakewood Avenue, and a 15-year-old boy were each charged with two counts of armed robbery with a firearm and one count of attempted armed robbery with a firearm at 8 a.m. Saturday, according to a press release from Chicago Police News Affairs.
Source/Read More.

October 7, 2009

Sullivan Update

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm here for a Sullivan update. Today was "Backwards day", which meant boys dressed like girls and girls dressed like guys. Some of the outfits were real funny while others looked cool.

In other news, there's just been some ordinary goofiness. A couple of fights have broken out, though, mainly who's dating who at Friday's Homecoming Dance (this is Spirit Week, show your Sullivan pride!) in the gym from 7-10pm. (If you're a Sullivan student reading this, if you'd like to go, you've got to purchase the tickets in advance and they are $7.00). No tickets at the door. The dance should be fun. I won't be there for personal reasons, however.

Also, today, I helped one of my teachers promote our Autism program by asking regular kids to sign up for the Friendly Friends (formerly known as Best Buddies) program. There were 5 pages of signatures filled up, but personally (when I was at the table), hardly anybody seemed interested. Oh well. 5 pages worth of signatures is more than enough, anyway. A vote of some sort will be held next Thursday in our room after school to decide who's in the program.

The main point of this update, though, is to talk about a rumor I heard about school uniforms being implemented. It wasn't a staff member or a teacher who related this to me, though. Let's just say a little birde told me. Anyway, personally, I am strongly against school uniforms. As you may know, I just got out of a school a year ago that had a uniform and it sucked (wearing it 4 years and all). And so did most other freshmen and sophomores. Another reason why I'm against the uniform is because, well, people get to wear different clothes and colors, which to me expresses an individual. It's nice to look different every day. A third reason why I'm against school uniforms is because the troublemakers are NOT going to stop being troublemakers, regardless. I could tell who's a troublemaker and who's not regardless of colors. A fourth reason why I'm against it is because many people can't afford all of this stuff. Some people can barely get food on their tables.

I really hope that if or when there's a vote, the school votes against it. This is supposedly going to be brought up at the next LSC meeting next week at the school.

I was told this was proposed in Beat 2432's CAPS meeting last night. The residents want this to tell us apart from other kids. Now, if they feel so strongly about it, the administration could propose something like a mandatory thing where you have to wear your ID on you as you go home and come to school. And have severe consequences if you didn't. But this probably won't work. And If this uniform thing comes into effect, I will be leaving Sullivan faster than you can count quarters and will go to a magnet school or something like that. Elementary school was, and is, the last time I wear a uniform until I get a job, at least.

That's all. I'm out for now.

Update, 10/8/09: Today has been kind of crazy. There's been arguing and fighting going on. I saw a few girls getting arrested around 10 this morning. One girl was real mad, yelling at the arresting officers. Also, a kid threw stuff (I don't know accidently or on purpose) at the kids in my Autism room at lunch. Teachers saw this and told the kid off. They made that kid collect everybody's lunches (when they were done) as a punishment. Lastly, the homecoming football game is occurring right at this minute as I type. Sullivan VS Well @ Winnemac Park. I really hope the team wins. Let's go Sullivan Tigers!

Update: It's 7:15pm. The reports are starting to come in. I got an email from a friend who could only tell me it was a good game. Also, there's some miscommunication between me and the school. The school website says we played Clark-Rowe but I was told that they were playing Wells today. Does anybody know who Sullivan is playing today?

Sullivan High School Homecoming Game:
Rowe-Clark - 12
Sullivan - 30

Update, 10/9/09: I attended the Homecoming Dance tonight after all. It was a total blast. I enjoyed just about every minute of it. One teacher said I danced so hard until he thought my legs were going to fall off, LOL ;). I also danced with some girls. Some people got pretty wild with their dancing, but it was fun. From what I saw, there were no arguments or fights in the gym whatsoever. Everyone had fun. However, there was reports of a fight brewing outside of the school. It was supposed to happen right after the dance let out. The person who took me home, a close friend of my mom's, who happens to work security at another Chicago high school, noticed there was a group arguing. Allegedly, there were also 12 cops in front of the school. As I was leaving (about 15 minutes before the dance let out), I did notice a few kids kind of arguing in a stairwell. I wasn't the only one who left early, though. There were a couple of other kids behind me. So I wasn't the only one who left. But other than that, the dance was great. I will most likely go to next year's as well.

Loyola Braces for the Gravel Pit

At least it won't be another hole in the ground.

In owning the buildings located at the southwest corner of Albion Avenue and Sheridan Road, Loyola had incurred a development dilemma: renovate and bring the buildings up to code (a $500,000 option) or demolish the structures altogether (a $100,000 option)? The university chose the latter (See: “LU building demolished” pg. 1), and we at the Phoenix believe this decision to be a rational one. Source/read more.
But wait, there's more.
Bruno Roti, who owns the nearby Bruno’s Lounge and has lived in Rogers Park since 1943, believes that the lot will be an eyesore and is worried about the effect the demolition might have on business. “If they asked me for my opinion, I would say leave the buildings up. But — of course — no one asked me,” Roti said.

This sentiment was echoed by Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward). “Loyola has emphasized that they do not need any approval from the city,” Moore said.
Source/Read more.
Looks like Joe got a taste of his own medicine. I can't tell you how many meetings Joe has gone to bat for a developer by saying "it's a matter of right...."

RELATED:
Morse Gravel Pit.
Howard Hole.
North Shore Weed Center.

October 6, 2009

Large Group Fight on Howard

2:46 PM: Police ask dispatch for back up at Howard and Paulina, as a large group of kids were fighting in the street. As more police arrived on scene the fighters scattered in multiple directions. Some street brawlers headed east on Howard. Some street brawlers headed west towards the Howard EL. Dispatch is informed by police the kids come from the Howard Alternative School, not Sullivan.

5:52 PM: Large group fight at Pratt and Ashland. Callers say the fighters have knives.

October 2, 2009

Three Men Beat up One Man in Rogers Park

Basic goon tactics were employed in the most recent violence in Rogers Park.

Police are looking for at least three men who beat up a man in a car at a Rogers Park McDonald’s early Friday on the North Side, police said. About 2:15 a.m., at least three men beat up a 29-year-old man at a McDonalds parking lot at North Clark and West Pratt Boulevard following a traffic altercation, police said. Source/Read more.
Multiple people jumping on one individual. Sounds like the same goonish attacks used my many school kids these days.

September 30, 2009

Quick Sullivan Update

Good morning, everyone. I'm just here for a quick update on the life at Sullivan. It's been really calm. This year is so much better than last. There's been the usual craziness, but no fights or anything big. Also, my class is going on a field trip to Graceland Cemetery this morning, but again, I'm not attending. So, here is your fix on Sullivan (LOL) and have a good day.

Update: I witnessed something rather disturbing today in the bathroom. I was coming from a class and I decided to make a pit stop. So then when I came in there, there was a boy in there who was smoking some sort of drugs or a cigarette. I couldn't tell what exactly it was. I would've told someone, but he was right in front of me in the hallway, so I decided not to say anything as I didn't feel like arguing or getting beaten (this probably would've happened to me).

September 28, 2009

Gang Fight on Morse

This video isn't the gang fight mentioned in the story. It's the one making national news. Timmy asked to view it. Not for the faint of heart.

6:25 PM: No scanner needed. I just witnessed a gang fight at Morse and Wayne. 911 was called. When the officers arrived, the suspect fled from the police. Officers giving chase didn't stand a chance as the fleet-footed offender escaped before even being put on the hood. I too tried chasing the offender, but my dog didn't want to run along. Instead she locked up. (In Cota's defense, she was tired, we just got off work) As I tried to relay information about the other combatants, the police completely ignored it. If that's how they want to play, screw them. That's why I gave up going to CAPS.

You've Been Tagged


A reader writes...

Hey Craig, I see the gangers have tagged the Wind sculpture on Pratt.
He wrote more, this was all that I'm printing.

American Motorcyclist Association congratulates Team USA on best-ever finish at Trial des Nations

With all the Olympic excitement in the air, I'd like to throw a shout-out to Patrick and the rest of the United States Trials team on it's best finish ever in international competition.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to congratulate Team USA on its performance at the Trial des Nations (TdN), held in Darfo Boario Terme, Italy, on Sept. 19-20. Competing in the premier classification, the men's squad of Patrick Smage, Cody Webb, Will Ibsen and Keith Wineland scored fifth place overall, America's best finish ever in the world championship event.

"The world stage for trials competition is enormously competitive, and this event often features the most difficult terrain our riders face all year," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "The AMA is proud of both the effort and result of Team USA this year."

The Spanish team of Toni Bou, Adam Raga, Jeroni Fajardo and Albert Cabestany won the TdN this year. Defeating the Great Britain team by an amazing 65 points, it was Spain's sixth TdN title in a row.

According to U.S. team manager Kip Webb, Team USA "pretty much gave a go at each section with some very good rides. We still have a way to go to catch the top teams, but our guys didn't back down from the challenge. We finished in fifth position, which is an all-time high for an American TdN effort."

Rain on Saturday night had already left the ground greasy in some places, but when the skies opened on the second lap, the steep rocky outcrops presented a new level of difficulty. Without exception, all five teams in the top class suffered heavier point losses on their second trip through the 18 sections around the small spa town. Despite the radical change in conditions, Spain's win was never in doubt.
This weekend we're off to Columbus, Ohio for round 4 of the AMA EnduroCross series.

September 25, 2009

"What’s up Charlie Brown?”

A man was charged with trying to rob a Loyola University student Tuesday afternoon in the North Side’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Derameo Johnson, 20, of the 6600 block of North Ashland Avenue, was charged with one count of attempted strong-armed robbery, a felony, according to Rogers Park District police Lt. John Franklin. Source/read more.

September 24, 2009

Taste of Edgewater


Want to enjoy of evening of food and fun. Head to Edgewater tonight.

September 22, 2009

Life @ Sullivan High

Hey everyone. You know who this is by now, LOL. Anyway, I'm just here to give a quick update on what's been going on over at Sullivan High School within the last week or so. Which isn't much, like last time (the rowdies appear to have calmed down in school this year).

My observations:
* A rumor of an alleged fight I heard in one of my classes that was going to happen yesterday. This was because someone messed with someone's sister. I don't think this is gang related, so if they fight, hey, it's their business.
* Some goofing off. Most of it is just sheer nonsense, while a few "incidents" I don't care for because after all, I'm a teenager myself.
* A few more incidents within my Autism program. These are being handled, however.
* Some goofy/stupid rumor going about me that I'm retarded or something. This is third party info, though. I'll confirm this at school tomorrow (I'll try my very best not to argue or fight =]).

Also, my class is going on a field trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo tomorrow. I won't be attending, though, due to me having classes this year. Like I told my English teacher, I'll start attending them towards the end of the school year. I just need to be in class now. I hope my class has fun.

UPDATE, 9/24/09: I witnessed what I believe to be a fight today. Boy VS girl. On the 1st floor at about 8th period. My class and I were heading out for a walk when a boy and a girl were arguing. They were waiting for their teacher to open the door since they were late for class. I guess the argument turned physical. I personally didn't like seeing a male hitting a female, because I was raised not to hit women.

September 18, 2009

Fight on Ashland

2:35 PM: A brawl has broken out. Lot's of teens fighting at Ashland and North Shore. The wagon is asked to go to the scene.

2:37 PM: Strong Arm Robbery at 1439 West Lunt. Two male blacks in their 20's just robbed a man of $800 USC. The offenders may have blood on them, as the victim was bleeding pretty bad, according to the officer on scene.

2:48 PM: Officer calls for back-up for a large group fight at Clark and Pratt.

Willye B. White Dedication

September 17, 2009

Wick to the Rescue

Second City Cop reports.... MICHAEL A. WICK is hereby promoted to Commander, Bureau of Patrol, District Law Enforcement – 024th District.

It's Petition Time


I sure didn't do this last time around - but she won me over. She beat the horse I backed, fair and square. She had the mandate. Yet, after all I did to see her not get elected, she held out her hand and helped me with a few issues. And believe me, I how politics is played, she didn't have to. For that she proved she could look beyond the opponent. She turned the opposition into a supporter. With that I'm publishing a email poof I got from Heather Steans.

On Saturday, September 19th we are having another day of petitioning. We will be working from my house, 5348 N. Lakewood, from 9:30 am to 4 pm. You can stop by anytime for assignments and/or to drop of completed petition sheets (we will have a notary public on hand). Please RSVP to charlene@heathersteans.com.

If you have petitions out, please be sure to get them notarized and turned in as soon as possible. Stop by my campaign office at 5539 N. Broadway or call or email Charlene at charlene@heathersteans.com or 773-681-1814 with any questions. My campaign office hours are 10AM to 5PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 12PM to 7PM on Tuesday and Thursday. Volunteers are welcome in the office whenever it is open.

Thanks again for your support and help,
Heather
If you can take the time to sign Heather's petition, I urge you to. I am.

Oh, and I'll be supporting David Hoffman for US Senate, for those who may be wondering. And if I lived north of Touhy, my candidate of choice would be Jeff Smith. Personally I think he would've taken Joe Moore to the woodshed and back. That's why Moore is staying put.

September 15, 2009

Manhunt On For Rogers Park Would-Be Kidnapper


The sad part to the whole story besides a nut case trying to apprehend young girls is the fact our lame-ass Alderman hasn't sent out one alert yet. The poor citizens of Rogers Park have to find out from the media and blogs.

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Police have issued a community alert following the attempted abduction of a 10-year-old girl last week in the Rogers Park neighborhood. The incident happened on Wednesday, Sept. 9, about 4:30 p.m. in an alley in the 7400 block of North Greenview Avenue, according to the alert from Belmont Area detectives. Source/Read more.
Up until yesterday this week old case wasn't mentioned anywhere. So, where's this manhunt CBS is talking about? Where are the flyers of this asshole? That's what they do when they manhunt people in our neighborhoods. Where's CAPS? Who's heading this manhunt? Where's our new commander? Where's our Alderman?

We're also hearing in the comments section there was a shooting at Lunt and Sheridan around 5 PM, yesterday. If so, that makes two shooting near this corner in the last couple of months. No memo from Joe on that crime alert either.

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