Best of luck to you – have you chosen a specialty yet?

http://www.topix.net/forum/source/chicago-tribune/T3HFHOKKT4I91J170

“We have just been informed that the Museum has contacted attorneys from the Park District and the Police Dept. demanding access for their supporters to the meeting and they are getting it!! THIS IS NO LONGER A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING BUT A COMMUNITY MEETING.

“The Museum IS PAYING COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS TO COME AND BUS PEOPLE IN TO THIS MEETING. THEIR STRATEGY IS TO ARRIVE EARLY AND TAKE ALL THE SEATS.”

So,
New-Eastside.com readers who have an opinion about this issue are advised to arrive early!

Eric

My personal passion (against) the Children’s Museum coming to Daley is the “Clear and Open” use that Montgomery Ward fought for way back when. My biggest concern is that if we keep complaining about the traffic issue ( which IS a big negative) – the powers that be may feel we are being unreasonable because in their eyes this issue has been solved with the three levels of Randolph.

The big question – What’s next? What will be the next thing built in Grant Park??? Where? Will Peanut Park land be the next lot for a building? What I will stand up and argue against – forever – will be the building of any permanent structure in Grant Park. The Art Institute was the first oops. (But I am glad it is there) – Then came the Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion along with the Harris Theater. The Pritzker Pavilion is ok because it is a “free” area open to all. The Harris Theater is for ticket holders. Then they also had to put in food – so we have the Park Grill.

Well with all that – who could say no to the three story addition to the Art Institute???? Now we are talking about a facility that is not “free and clear to all” – but a fee based attraction. AND – it is EAST of Columbus! I am very concerned that we are in jeopardy of legally being able to turn down more “growth” to our Grant Park.

My complaint is nothing personal against the Children’s Museum! I have three boys: 1 yr, 8 yrs and 11 yrs. If anyone you would think would want a Children’s Museum so close – you would think someone like me. Many parents in the neighborhood want a new Park District facility – but not to the extent of cheapening or cluttering our precious Grant Park!

I will attend the meeting. IF – IF the new plan calls for any structure ABOVE the now rooftop of the parking entrance – I will stand up strong and hope anyone who feels strongly does too.

First plan is to stop this unwanted growth – second it to demand that the Park District rebuild our Daley – Bi. For over 25 years, the Park District has taken most of the profit from our facility. The profit from tennis, skating, child classes and yoga – and moved the funds to much better facilities that have such huge bills to pay for their huge facilities. Our facility is ranked “D”. And we pay for several “A” and “B” ranked facilities. This should be our second standing.

Sincerely – Shelley Stunard http://www.neweastside.com

To sign up for his e-mails go to
http://neweastside.org/MailLists.html

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It appears the city meant well when they placed these planters along East Randolph Street – for the purpose of planting flowers and small trees to help beautify your neighborhood – but they did so without notifying my office to solicit my opinion before these were moved into your neighborhood.

This morning, I visited your neighborhood with my staff and it became quite clear that these oversized planters pose a threat to public safety. The planters are too large for the sidewalk along Randolph Street and are certainly too close to the sidewalk railings.

After taking careful notes, I instructed my staff to immediately contact the Department of Transportation to request the immediate removal of these planters between Harbor Point and North Field. South of North Field, we have asked that the planters placed next to the Cancer Memorial sign be moved back from the railing – to ensure children will not be placed at risk.

It is my understanding that CDOT will work to remove these planters in the next 7 to 10 days. I have urged this agency to resolve this issue as soon as humanly possible – preferably within a week – and my office will continue to press CDOT to ensure these are removed in a timely fashion.

I am currently working to determine how this happened and am disappointed that the city failed to communicate with my office before these planters were placed on East Randolph Street. I appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this!

Brendan Reilly
Alderman – 42nd Ward

“Alderman Reilly, a number of New Eastside residents are concerned that the sidewalk that we worked for so many years to have built, now has been partially blocked by planters. We know the intentions of the City of Chicago were to help beautify the area, but the location across from the 400 E. Randolph building appears to create problems that may not have been anticipated.

For example, during winter the snow plows partially block the sidewalk adjacent to the street, and if the piled snow is not removed, it turns to ice and only the south half is safe to walk on. Now that south half will be permanently blocked with the planters.

Also, two mothers pushing strollers will not be able to walk together.

And everyone, including families with small children, will be forced to walk directly next to moving traffic.

Probably the most dangerous observation is that any child that may climb on the planters, could fall 18 feet into the through traffic of Middle Randolph.

We appreciate the attempt to beautify our community. However please reconsider the safety of this location, and possibly move them to the median of Upper Randolph, between Columbus and Field Drive, where they were planned several years ago.

Thank you for considering this problem.

Sincerely, Richard”

http://forums.new-eastside.com/index.php/topic,107.0.html

Eric

Registration for the hearing will begin at 5:45 pm, and the presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

http://www.neweastside.org/ChicagoSpire.html

http://www.suntimes.com:80/news/commentary/263599,CST-EDT-edits20.article

“…he has earned his keep by promoting renewal, going to bat for schools and helping push through ordinances prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and landlords from disallowing the placement of mezuzas on doorposts.”

According to “The Free Dictionary”, a mezuza is “A small piece of parchment inscribed with the biblical passages Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 and marked with the word Shaddai, a name of the Almighty, that is rolled up in a container and affixed by many Jewish households to their door frames in conformity with Jewish law and as a sign of their faith.”

(turned out the message was about Natarus’ source of more donations from developers, I should have guessed).

In any case, to here more of Reilly’s stuff see his web site at http://www.ReillyforChicago.com

I don’t know if “The Redhead” is a project or code name or if perhaps it was confused with the Aqua development? In any case, the Wikipedia entry is wrong – definitely not the first time

He was also quoted in a recent Tribune article –
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0610260319oct26,1,4294269.story

Eric

Listening and talking to children about their concerns can reassure them that they will be safe. Start by encouraging them to discuss how they have been affected by what is happening around them. Even young children may have specific questions about tragedies. Children react to stress at their own developmental level.

The Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign offers these pointers for parents and other caregivers:

* Encourage children to ask questions. Listen to what they say. Provide comfort and assurance that address their specific fears. It’s okay to admit you can’t answer all of their questions.
* Talk on their level. Communicate with your children in a way they can understand. Don’t get too technical or complicated.
* Find out what frightens them. Encourage your children to talk about fears they may have. They may worry that someone will harm them at school or that someone will try to hurt you.
* Focus on the positive. Reinforce the fact that most people are kind and caring. Remind your child of the heroic actions taken by ordinary people to help victims of tragedy.
* Pay attention. Your children’s play and drawings may give you a glimpse into their questions or concerns. Ask them to tell you what is going on in the game or the picture. It’s an opportunity to clarify any misconceptions, answer questions, and give reassurance.
* Develop a plan. Establish a family emergency plan for the future, such as a meeting place where everyone should gather if something unexpected happens in your family or neighborhood. It can help you and your children feel safer.

If you are concerned about your child’s reaction to stress or trauma, call your physician or a community mental health center.

http://forums.new-eastside.com/index.php/topic,85.msg136.html#msg136

If you have any comments or remember important things I left off please post.

http://forums.new-eastside.com/index.php/topic,83.0.html

JJ