Streets for Cycling 2020 public meeting on Wed. 6/6 (and webinars)

The City of Chicago launched the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 several months ago to create a more complete network of bicycling facilities to help all Chicagoans (from school kids to senior citizens) feel safe and comfortable riding their bikes on city streets.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has sought input on where you bike, where you want improvements and what would encourage you to ride for transportation.

Now you can see a draft of the plan at a public meeting or webinar and continue the dialogue. Learn about possible street treatments and bike facilities, remaining challenges and next steps.  This is your opportunity to help fine tune the draft plan.

If you missed the 5/31 public meeting, the next meeting will be held at Douglas Park Cultural and Community Center (Ballroom),  1401 S. Sacramento Dr. on Wed. 6/6 from 4–8 p.m.  There will presentations with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.

If you're unable to attend any of the public meetings, maybe one of the webinars will work for you.

Webinar 1  Mon. 6/11, noon–1 p.m.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/6JRQc

Webinar 2  Wed. 6/13, 6–7 p.m.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/CQSS9

19th ward town hall meeting on Thurs. 5/31

On Thursday 5/31, the 19th Ward, Civic Association of Morgan Park, and Old Morgan Park Civic Association will co-host a Town Hall Meeting at the 22nd District Chicago Police Station, 1900 W. Monterey at 7:00 p.m. 

Our new 22nd District Commander Jim Gibson, various city departments and Alderman Matt O'Shea will be there to respond to your neighborhood concerns.

Streets for Cycling 2020 public meeting on 5/31

The City of Chicago launched the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 several months ago to create a more complete network of bicycling facilities to help all Chicagoans (from school kids to senior citizens) feel safe and comfortable riding their bikes on city streets.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has sought input on where you bike, where you want improvements and what would encourage you to ride for transportation.

Now you can see a draft of the plan at Thursday's public meeting (or a later meeting or webinar) and continue the dialogue. Learn about possible street treatments and bike facilities, remaining challenges and next steps.  This is your opportunity to help fine tune the draft plan.

The next public meeting is this Thursday 5/31 at Gary Comer Youth Center (Exhibition Hall, 3rd floor), 7200 S. Ingleside Ave. from 4–8 p.m. There will be presentations with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.

Information on later meetings and webinars will follow.

city stickers on sale at 19th ward office on 6/6

City of Chicago vehicle stickers will be available for sale at the 19th Ward Office (10402 S Western) on Wed. 6/6 from noon to 6 p.m.

The City Clerk is offering a will call option to make things a little speedier on 6/6. To use the will call option, bring in the following information to the ward office in advance on or before Tues. 5/29 (TODAY): 

- Renewal form
- Check or money order made out to City Clerk
- Driver's License
- Current vehicle information (make, model, year, & license plate number)

After you've submitted that info, you can pick up your sticker with no waiting on Wed. 6/6.

non sequitur Friday

Wishing everyone a fun, safe holiday weekend.

non sequitur Friday

Going way back for a few classics...

old space, new name

I got a chance to try the food at Ellie's today (formerly Favia Cafe) and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I confess that one of my frustrations with the restaurant selection here in Beverly is the relatively small number of places offering healthy meal options.  The hummus plate gets a big thumbs up - portion size is just right, ingredients are fresh and tasty, and the hummus is really delicious.  My husband tried the grilled cheese and was equally pleased.  They now have table service instead of counter service.  Otherwise, the room hasn't changed much, and that's just fine.  If it ain't broken, why "fix" it?

It's also a pleasant location to visit by bike.  If you live more than a mile away, I think it's the nicest way to get there.  I'm looking forward to another visit soon.

a community thank you

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail would like to thank volunteers with the Kellogg School Environment Club for their recent clean-up day along the trail.  We appreciate the work they did in removing a large amount of invasive garlic mustard, picking up trash, and clearing overgrowth and debris from the trail surface between 91st and 95th Streets.  We hope that they will enjoy the trail this summer.

family bike ride Sat. 5/19

This Saturday 5/19, Alderman Matt O'Shea is hosting a family bike ride.  The theme is "Bike Across America Without Leaving the 19th Ward."  If you'd like to join the ride, please arrive at McKiernan Park, 10714 S. Sawyer Ave., at 9:30 a.m.  The route will include Mt. Greenwood streets named for some of the most famous cities and historic places in the United States.

The City's Bicycle Ambassadors and 22nd Police District officers will lead the 4-mile ride starting promptly at 10:00am. After the ride, the group will return to McKiernan Park for healthy snacks, goodies, and a free bicycle raffle.

Please contact Fran Hurley at 773-238-8766 or Sara Bush at 312-747-2883 if you have questions.

farmers market season

... has started.  Visit the Beverly farmers market on Sundays at 95th & Longwood from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Here's a listing by day of the week of all the farmers markets across the city, with location, time and date range. For those of you who are fans of the Federal Plaza market, it starts on 5/29.

According to an article in today's Tribune, this spring's weird weather patterns will affect the availability of many locally grown tree fruits.  I hope that the yield of other crops will help to make up for this loss, at least somewhat, so that our farmers don't have a totally dismal season.