Monday, September 1, 2008

* I'm # 29


A month ago when the Chicago Sun Times called to inform me I'd been chosen as one of the 100 people who make Chicago a better place. I was very flattered - to say the least. It was also something that was hard to keep quiet about. After all, there's got to be a couple million people who reside in the big city. How could it be possible I'd be included? How was I going to keep it a secret?

Then, when I saw the series began and the list was trimmed to 50 - I figured I'd been cut or had the number of people featured in the story wrong? I had even joked with a few people in my office saying, "by the time the series rolled around - someone will find a cure for something and I'll be bumped to #101."

Well, all kidding aside. I'd like to thank the staff at the Chicago Sun Times in recognizing my small effort in trying to rid the 49th ward of Joe Moore and make my little part of Chicago a better place to live. It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. That's why I have to play in a "mean-spirited" way at times.

Blognotes: Minor article corrections. My dad passed away in 2006, not 2007. Also, I live off Morse Avenue, not on.

Chicago Police reported 149 crimes in the last 90 days in Rogers Park in the article. EveryBlock crime stats say there were 480 crimes reported since August 1, 2008. That's only a 30 day period. Someone's not telling the truth.

Update: Wow... I made this months cover of Trials Competition Magazine too. Life is good.

21 comments:

Hugh said...

Congratulations, Craig!

Fargo Woman said...

It's great to see greater Chicago recognize what we've known here in Rogers Park for quite some time already . . . CRAIG ROCKS!

Congratulations, Craig. Keep up the good work. Never for a moment believe it is not appreciated. Regardless of the naysayers out there, what you do is important for the community. You ARE a good neighbor.

Now, if we could just get the mainstream media to pick up on more of the stories you cover in this blog . . . ah, but I digress.

- PEACE -

Hillari said...

Congrats, Craig!

pinkgirl said...

Hey Craig,
Congrats on good work being named and for cleaning up your neighborhood. I like to check up on my old friends once in awhile, hope it's okay. How are things? I am up in MN taking care of my mom, she has stage 4 cancer and I do not want her to go into a hospital or nursing home so I am her main caregiver, it's really hard and I miss Chicago. If you ever want to talk I have a MySpace Princess Diamond user name and aleonard1@hotmail.com e mail. Okedoke and if you do not know who this is, it's mikey friend, Alissa lol
Take care.

Uptown Updater said...

Congrats Craig!

floss said...

Congratulations Craig...

You truly are making a difference for RP.

mcl said...

Well deserved, Craig! Keep up the great work. The residents of Rogers Park are very fortunate to have you on their 'case'!

Jocelyn said...

Way to go Craig!

CNB said...

Nii-iice. Keep it up, sir!

CNB said...

I'm curious. Was Joe Moore on the list???

Levois said...

Congrats!

Unknown said...

Nice job, Craig. Well deserved!

Catherine on Eastlake said...

Congratulations!

Thanks for watching out for us, and keeping us aware.

Woohoo! for your picture on the magazine cover.

Sassy said...

Congratulations, Craig! I don't know how you bloggers with active pages manage to do it but many of us are glad that you do!

In honor of your being honored, how about you do a little retrospective about blogging in Rogers Park (Chicago's most bloggiest neighborhood!) I would be interested to know the chronology of the different blogs and how you would recount Rogers Park blog history and other assorted facts related to blogging on the northside.

Craig Gernhardt said...

Toni (24/7 Howardwatcher) and I started in 2004. SInce then these blogs below have popped up. Many have past away quickly. Most are by cowardly anonymous neighbors who sheepishly follow Joe Moore's lame agenda. A few are mock blogs about the 'Broken Heart'. And a few blogs tell stories about the authors daily life activities.

Boxing Diva
Brownstone Therapeutics
David Fagus' Blog
Dev Corp North's blog
Estes Dude
Fargo Observer
House of the Rising Moonglum
Howard Hellhole Blog
Josh in Rogers Park
Life in 60626
Life in Rogers Park, Chicago
Lions and Tigers and Thugs Oh My
Michael on Fargo
Morse Ave is Great!
I Love Morse Ave.
North Howard Neighbors Association
Rogers Park 49
Rogers Park Bench
Rogers Park Cheetos
Rogers Park Dog
Rogers Park Forever
Rogers Park in 1000 Words
Rogers Park Ninja
Rogers Park Inconsistent
Rogers Park Rake
Rogers Park Neighbors
Rogers Park Talks
The Alderman's Intern
49th Ward Truth
The Broken Liver of Rogers Park
Rogers Park Stench
The Crows Nest.........at the top of Chicago
The Living Room in Rogers Park
The North Coast
the world I live in
Where's Wrigley
When Morse Hellhole Says

Chip Bagg said...

Craig, you are a treasure! Keep it up, if not for me, then for the children (gag)!

IrishPirate said...

Craig,

I guess the Sun Times "honoring" you is like putting lipstick on a pig..

I wonder where I got that line. Couldn't have come from anyone or anywhere worthy of attention.

Belch,

I heart the R.P. said...

Thank you and many congratulations! You definately make a difference.

Dennis said...

Congrats - we left R.P a few years ago for me to go to grad school, which has taken us to AZ and now WA, but we are coming back soon.

To be honest the only reason I think that we are looking at returning to Rogers Park when we get back (besides the beach and park at the end of Jarvis) is because you are around giving Joe Moore hell and you keep his lying ass accountable.

Congratulations. You make a difference.

Unknown said...

Congrats! Stay strong, keep your cool, and you'll continue to deliver a great service to us.

Razldazlrr said...

Way to go - I love the information and the "truth telling" - keep it up!!

'Broken Heart' Past Blogs