If you haven't noticed, I'm trying to change the direction of this blog just slightly. I'm still going to keep track of the public issues I feel aren't being covered or done properly - but I'm going to start to feature things that make our neighborhood so special. Like the Bach House on North Sheridan Road.
Ever since the new owner Jane Feerer took over this historic property, she's turned the prairie style house into her own personal home. That's right, Jane lives in this architectural Frank Lloyd Wright gem by the lake.
And Jane knows how to display the house and the wonderful open space yard for the public to enjoy. For the second year in a row, you not only can see the beauty of springtime in Rogers Park, you can smell it too.
This year I've gotten permission (well sort-of) to photograph the tulip bed from both the northeast and southwest corners of the garden.
Thanks Jane, for one of the true treasures of Rogers Park. Long live the Bach House.
Updated: I just noticed a flyer asking for volunteers to help with a public space corner the neighbors want to transform into a community garden of sorts.
It's located in CAPS Beat 2431 and 2423 sectors - the corners of Lunt Avenue (7000N) and Greenview (1500 W).
They're asking if anyone who wants to help can to bring a shovel and other digging tools along. They also need a wheelbarrow and tarp too. Any ideas for planting are also welcome.
They'll (whoever they are) meet today at 3PM - at the above mentioned corners.
Tip to gardners. Please stay away from the old bathtub with weeds growing look. Michael James already has that 'trailer trash' style covered. One per neighborhood is fine, but we don't need another corner that looks like that.
21 comments:
I was feeling the same way and planning to post things like this too.
My sister and nephew are in town this weekend and we'll definitely take a walk over there tomorrow to see the tulips.
Showed the same scene to my parents who were in for my graduation yesterday. I will be leaving Rogers Park after two years and have enjoyed my time here. I start my day off by reading The Broken Heart, so thanks Craig.
My almost daily run gives me a good sampling of what's happening in the community. Until recently I haven't had any incidents to speak of. Three weeks ago I was bitten by a dog in Loyola Park.(you know the woman with the four little critters that drag thier leashes behind them.) It didn't break skin, but she continues to walk her dogs in the same manner. She is a little unstable and told me to "go to the gay bar," after our last encounter. A fenced in dog area is a must for Loyola Park.
The second incident was a little more disturbing. I was running on Pratt a block west of Clark when a 13 year-old girl decided to try and impede my progress. She had a group of thugs cheering her on and as I got past her, she decided to grab my ass. I would normally be flattered by this, but it left me feeling like a cheap whore. I no longer run on Pratt, it's getting dangerous. Pratt and Bosworth has some sort of racket going on.
That is my two cents on what's happening. I'll miss almost everything else about this neighborhood.
Thanks for posting these beautiful photos, and compliments to Jane for the house and grounds.
You can't change the direction of this blog because you can't change the fact that you are ignorant.
My friends in Leelanau county Michigan live in a trailer park in a trailer. They successfully raised two sons and I have really enjoyed our friendship over the years, being from the city I found many differences and many similarites in our different lifes. I have some other friends who live in a trailer park on the kentucky tennessee border. Two trailer parks in two different states, come to think of it over my whole life I've had lots of friends who live in trailer parks. Laid back people, feisty some, but not ignorant, arrogant or predjudice.
You know, this is not me searching for a fight to pick, I'm reading along thinking hmm he's in a learning process and the blog is going to get friendlier and boom, I read something that makes me wince. I don't like hearing any people refered to as trash. I think it pretty clear that you are a predjudiced jerk.
Using an old bathtub for planting is thrifty and it doesn't go to waste. People living in trailers are living lightly on the land too. I don't give a hoot what you think this neighborhood needs.
I also cringed when I read the comment about the fenced in dog park. Probably that has all been discussed already, but if she goes to the park daily she's seen lots and lots of people letting the dogs run around and never bother anybody. So why does one unstable person mean everybody else should be locked in. There's no tolerance and live and let live and learn to handle the things you don't like better.
Hey Vanessa, Go f%#k yourself...
I for one do not want to see bath tubs on my corner. As for the dogs, I am not a dog owner but owners need to responsible for their own pets. I believe there IS a leash law. However some owners beleive it's cute not to adhere to it. I have no problem kicking and defending myself against a dog that is attacking me. This has happened once in my life and it was not a pleasent experience. Luckily I was not a 2 year old little kid who would essentially be helpless.
thought you and your readers might like to know about the amazing spring flower display at the Emil Bach house at 7415 N. Sheridan. For those who don't know, this is a Frank Lloyd Wright designed landmark home and it's located right here in Rogers Park. Even Evanston, with all of it's large vintage homes, cannot claim to have a one designed by Wright.
yes their is a flw house in evanston slighly south of central near the northwestern stadium, the only one he ever designed with push up windows
Thanks, Jane, for this spring gift to our community.
Vanessa, you better believe it has all been discussed before. What part of "I was bitten by a dog in Loyola Park" did you miss? Given your unbelievable sense of entitlement, I guess you've also missed the many neighbors from other part of the world, or who are very elderly or young, or who are just plain afraid of dogs who "cringe" when unsupervised dogs come near them. I guess you also miss conversations with neighbors who don't enter the park anymore because of irresponsible dog owners who refuse to find a middle ground between their personal needs and the needs of others.
There are responsible dog owners who want off-leash freedom for their dogs sometimes. There are people who don't want unaccompanied dogs interrupting their peace in the park who understand that dog owners have needs too. These people can find a way to work together as long as spoiled, judgemental silly little people like you stay out of our way.
Now, why don't you go back to the Heartland where you belong and hoist a few or six with Joe and leave the grown-ups to work this one out. Maybe there's another piece of abandoned plumbing you can help them plant up for "green day" while you're at it.
Rebecca, old buddy, don't waste your breath on Vanessa.
I mean, Vanessa likes LITTER. She said so. So never mind about old bathtubs.
Let's just start a collection to finance her bus fare out to the most remote trailer park in another state, preferably one many borders away.
I have read this blog for over a year now and feel like the tone of it has become " if you are not with me than go f**k yourself". Most of the people I run across in this neighborhood are open minded and respect peoples different cultures and political opinions. I don't believe this blog is a true representation of this neighborhood.
I see Dick Cheney is posting now.
Nice change in direction.
OK Craig, I went and did that and I'm feeling very fine. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, I was too nauseated by you to even think of pleasuring my self till I got out into the sun and got my mind blank and my body in the water. So, I insulted you and made you look foolish, which I still happen to think you deserve. However, I discovered that you have another blog and I like that one much better. People are talking about being more careful what you choose to say. That's right, please God, this blog is not a true representation of this neighborhood. People are telling you that you suffer from intolerance of other peoples cultures and that you are predjudiced. Since you are mad about it, do some soul searching. You can avoid stabs and criticism, you can't even change who you are I don't expect it or want you to. Some people are turned on by the sneering and anger and dismissiveness, but you aren't going to attract people who are offended to work with you on common or middle ground. Right now, you don't want it and I don't want it. I want my opinions to prevail. When I want to fight with someone I'll be dropping by here.
well put Rebecca..
people with dogs should have an enclosed area to exercise and socialize their dogs off leash.
in my neck of the woods... they use the tennis courts and there is a bucket with plastic grocery bags to use to pick up waste.
As for 'Bathtubs' as planters... please! They look 'trashy' and definitely are not a good reflection of our beautiful city.
Craig - Thanks for this posting. I'm so glad to see someone finally living in the Bach House and bringing it back to its potential. This house and the one just north of it are beautiful landmarks and part of what makes the neighborhood special.
BTW, I've seen one or two good bathtub planter attempts in my lifetime, but 99% of the time they do look trashy.
What the heck is going on with the house to the north of the Bach house? Do tell.
I'm told they are working on a very cool Bed and Breakfast.
As to dogs off leash in the park, here is the two cents of a dog owner and dog walker.
Regardless of how friendly and sociable your dog is, you do not have exclusive rights to the park. I have heard dog owners complain that folks, whose dogs are not as well socialized but on leash, insisted on walking their dogs in the park. Likewise, dog owners complain about people who are scared of dogs using the park.
Everyone has a right to enjoy a public park, but you should be respectful of those who may not want your dog running up to them or their dogs. It's just common sense.
I have no problem with off leash dog play, but strongly believe those areas should be enclosed.
As a dog owner, who has had a dog almost die from something she ate at Loyola Park, I think it makes sense both ways. I don't want my dog eating the spoils of your barbecue and you want to recreate without the fear of being hurt.
There will be many against the idea of fencing in an area of Loyola Park or any park, but I think it is the only solution to a huge problem.
I would like to see the large grassy area of Triangle Park become a dog park. It is far enough away from housing to avoid being a noise hindrance, it has adjacent parking (great for those not within walking distance or those that have assistance animals), and the increased traffic would be a hindrance on the drug traffic and crime.
blove, I know that dog lady. I was parked at the market on Morse and she opened her car door right into my car and took the paint off. She refused to show insurance and told me. "That's life in the city." The cops at 24 knew her too. They said she lives on east Lunt and is unstable. I filed a hit and run report, mainly because of her attitude. She had those dogs in the car too.
Hey Inkjar,
I am a FLW devotte as was not aware of the house you mentioned. Would love to see it. Can you give me an address or more specific location? Thanks!!!
It's not just about the "dog lady". The people who use Loyola Park all know her, but the issue is bigger than one owner. I own dogs too and we walk them in the park everyday but I think dog owners have to recognize that the park is for everyone who wants to use it, not just the dog people.
There are many possible solutions and Margo had some good suggestions. Letting your unsupervised dog run over the grass and paths while you gossip with your neighbors and look the other way while the dog poops isn't okay. This is just adolescent behavior totally unbecoming in adults. Asking you to cut it out has nothing to do with infringing on your personal freedom, us being tense little yuppies or having sticks up in the wrong place. Watching neighbors from Africa or Asia recoil in fear or disgust when large dogs come running up to them while their owner is jogging or blabbing a block away makes my stomach turn and frankly, I don't feel they are less "civilized" or "nice" because they don't want your dog's nose in their crotch.
So, build a dog park or run the dogs down by the water's edge or keep them on leashes but for heaven's sake stop inflicting them on people who do not want them in their personal space.
Post a Comment