103rd & Vincennes #tbt

 What you see here is the intersection of 103rd & Vincennes. It looks so different today does it. Well this shot was taken back in 1949 according to the Chicago History Today blog. Streetcars such as the one you see on the right haven't run on city streets since 1958. 

The train you see on your left is on the right of way for the Pennsylvania Railroad and that line has long since been abandoned. This right of way ran along Beverly Avenue - if you go further south on Ashland past 95th that's the street you'd be on. What you see where the line once was are houses that were built back in the 1990s.

If you go the Chicago History blog the scene in 2020 looks vastly different. You will hardly know that the city once had streetcars near this area and that there was once another railroad crossing here

Another young life cut short by violence

 

[VIDEO] This really isn't something you want to hear about. A young man cut short before he makes an impact on the world

From the WGN story above to a Tribune write-up:

Isaiah Wade, 15, was shot in the head just before 2:30 p.m. Monday in the 10000 block of South Perry Avenue where he lived in the Fernwood neighborhood, police said.

Responding officers found him lying in an alley near his home. Five shell casings were found in a backyard nearby and there were bullet holes in several garages, police said.

The boy’s mother told police she believed her son was chatting with someone on social media and might have been lured outside. Police said they recovered the boy’s cellphone.

“Another family left to mourn, forever altered,” Cardinal Blase Cupich said in a statement. “Mt. Carmel High School is a close community and we keep Isaiah, his family, friends and school staff in our prayers during this unimaginably heartbreaking time.”

I hope Wade's family finds out who did this and he receives justice for a life that was taken. It was reported no one was in custody and police are looking for tips via cpdtip.com

Secretary of State Driver Services facilities closed until Jan. 4, 2021

 This was shown on the Capitol Fax blog on Friday, however, this is news you can use. Driver services facilities for the Secretary of State will be closed for the rest of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic. This includes the facility on 99th & King Dr or 9901 S. King Drive.

SoS announces Driver Services facilities will remain closed for in-person service until January 4 https://t.co/BEKNDzAgyn

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) December 4, 2020

Here's hoping they try to take care of those long lines that seem to form when people go to a Secretary of State facility when they opened up during the course of the summer.

Can't wait to see this new train on the red line extension

 

[VIDEO] This video was shot in October on the north side showing a test run of the future 7000-series cars that will soon be running on the Chicago L. And in spite of the title, perhaps we'll see this train running on the CTA long before construction begins on the red line extension that is still being discussed.

The horn is different as it sounds like a real horn, younger generations of Chicagoans have heard horns from trains that sound more electronic. And the design is certainly much different almost reminiscent of the old 2000-series, 2200-series or even the 2400-series (especially the colored front ends).

Another quick note according to the 7000-series page at Chicago-L.org these cars are being manufactured at a plant on 111th & Cottage Grove right in Pullman. The 2000-series cars were also constructed there in 1964, the last L cars to be constructed in Chicago.

Supt. David Brown shared this tweet Friday about Officer Titus Moore

Titus Moore died at his West Chesterfield home Nov. 24, 2020 and Supt. Brown share this tweet Friday night noting that there will be an honors funeral for this 14-year CPD veteran.

The death of #ChicagoPolice Officer Titus Moore is a loss for this Department and the entire city. In memory of the 14-year CPD veteran, we're coordinating an honors funeral for him next week.

He left an irreplaceable void and a legacy of service we will carry on in his memory. pic.twitter.com/1qABTRpDoJ

— Chicago Police Superintendent David O. Brown (@ChiefDavidBrown) December 5, 2020

Winter overnight parking ban begins tonight!

 Technically it begins at 3 AM so great apologies if you see this just now and realize you need to get your car off the streets. I'm sharing this tweet from the Chicago Police which appears to have been shared as I write this post 3 hours ago.

Chicago: don’t forget to move your cars tonight if you’re parked along any of the tow away zone streets marked in red. https://t.co/HMpX59NyYv pic.twitter.com/UbhrJZNDAl

— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) December 1, 2020

WGN News: Chicago police officer who died while battling COVID-19 lived life to the fullest

 

[VIDEO] WGN has more about Titus Moore, the police officer who was found dead at his home in West Chesterfield earlier this week. Reportedly he was battling the coronavirus.

Glad to see this report that shows the human side of the officer. Condolences to his friends and family.

Food insecurity

 

[VIDEO] The video above from ABC 7 should cause us to be thankful to be able to put foot on the table during this pandemic. According to this report food insecurity has risen exponentially. Food distribution via the Greater Chicago Food Depository is up 50% since January. From November 2019 compared to November 2020 the need has become 125% higher.

According to Jim Conwell of the Greater Chicago Food Depository many are turning to food pantries for the first time in their lives. The current situation is unlike anything he's ever seen in his organizations 41 year history.

I also wanted to share with you a story regarding My Block My Hood My City's Jahmal Cole who stated that it matters to him if someone is hungry in other parts of the city. It should matter to all of us if someone is hungry.

Uprecented times. Here's hoping you and yours are managing.

Happy Thanksgiving

I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving which we're in a different sort of holiday season due to this pandemic. Hopefully you all are finding a way to stay connected with loved ones during this festive time.

I used to look forward to any specials featuring the Peanuts gang. They used to be ubiquitous around this time. And the image of Snoopy always raises my spirits. I hope it does for you as well.