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Thursday, March 6, 2025

The RoseBowl in Roseland #tbt

11517 S. Michigan Ave

Years and years ago on Michigan Avenue, Roseland had a bowling alley. You could take the bus there directly on Michigan. If I could single-handedly redevelop the Michigan Avenue drag it would be somewhere that is walkable.

Go to the movies, restaurants, retail, professional services, etc right on Michigan Avenue and some other streets such as 111th or 115th. If this business still existed could it benefit from the Red Line extension?

The RoseBowl itself I had to Google where it was located and the address is posted below the photograph. Unfortunately today it's just another vacant lot right across the street from yet another vacant lot. Though since I mentioned the Red Line extension, one day this might be part of transit-oriented development.

Photo found via VanishedChicagoland on FB.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Stormy Kara: Metra's Massive Makeover

 

[VIDEO] While we wait to begin construction of the CTA Red Line extension to 130th Street, at least Metra our suburban commuter rail service is making some improvements to Metra Electric stations on the south side.

I witnessed construction on the 103rd Station in Rosemoor over the past summer. My curiosity was peaked what did they have in mind. I like the idea of a more inviting station and without having to go under the railroad viaduct to board a train.

It appears that's what they have in store for other south side stations such as 79th and 87th. And I can't wait for you to see what's planned at 95th. That's another station that was due for a makeover and it appears there will be an entrance off the street and perhaps they'll use that long - seemingly abdoned building adjacent to the streets. Thankfully will utilize it's position right next to Chicago State University.

My question is how many of you use the Metra Electric line to get to where you need to go? Do you like these improvements?

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Sun-Times: CTA launching 'Frequent Network' bus service on some routes that will arrive every 10 minutes or sooner

CTA
 Old news but the longtime President of the Chicago Transit Authority - Dorval Carter - had retired in January. Many viewed him as the main problem as far as improving service on the rails and the buses. 

Then this recent article from the Sun-Times which affects many south side bus routes:
The Chicago Transit Authority said it will launch “Frequent Network” bus service that will arrive every 10 minutes or sooner beginning later this month.

Buses on eight routes will arrive every 10 minutes or sooner between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends beginning March 23, the CTA said in a news release.

The first routes to be part of the network are the J14 Jeffery Jump; No. 34 South Michigan; No. 47 47th Street; No. 54 Cicero; No. 60 Blue Island/26th; No. 63 63rd Street; No. 79 79th Street; and No. 95 95th Street.

The program is expected to increase service by at least 25% on the J14,  No. 34, No. 47, No. 60, and No. 95 routes, the transit agency said.
...
The service will be added to another 12 routes by the end of the year, the CTA said.

The riders who thought this was good news had often complained about waits for buses. It seems to be an ongoing complaint over the years about service, the wait times for a bus or train. Another issue was safety and I have my own story about that.

If you're a frequent CTA rider do you think this is a good development? Are you riding any of those routes above and have any experience with long waits for service? 

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Clean out your closets for Rosemoor Community Association, Inc

We're almost at the end of February and Saturday is the first day of March. Time to start thinking about Spring Cleaning. Here's a flyer below for more information on the Rosemoor Community Association fundraiser. 

Feel free to call them for more info at 773-264-0783

E-mail them at connect@rosemoorchicago.org

Visit their website at www.rosemoorchicago.org


 

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Do you support recalling a Chicago Mayor?

 This recent post by CapFax talks about the current movement to recall a Chicago Mayor and the history of such a movement.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Chiberia and warming centers

Current temp at time of publication 

Been cold out there for at least the last two days or so. Here's an obligatory notice about warming centers if you're having difficulty keeping your house warm.

You can check this page from the City of Chicago regarding the city's warming centers.

You can always call 3-1-1 for these reasons listed on that page:

  • If you are seeking a warm place to go after hours.
  • To request a shelter placement.
  • To request a well-being check for seniors and unhoused neighbors.
  • To report inadequate heat in a residential building.
Stay warm. And of course spring is just about two months away! 

Monday, January 13, 2025

Hotel Florence walkthrough

 

[VIDEO] I just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year and right now it's very cold outside. It snowed yesterday morning and current temp as I write this post is 13°F. I hope you're staying warm.

If you're on your computer or even if you're able to see this on your "iPhone" - well any phone where you could surf the internet will do - you can warm up with this video.

I've always been fascinated by the Hotel Florence which I would frequently drive by when shopping at the Pullman Walmart. It would be cool if it was a functional hotel again, however, these days it's more or less a tourist attraction.

This YouTube channel known as Regal - South Side Metra Man goes on a tour of this historic building. Of course Pullman which is a nat'l monument is known for it's historic architecture and the history as a planned community and company town. And it's located right here in the 9th Ward on the far south side of Chicago.

Has anyone reading this toured this building and share their thoughts on it?

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel interviewed by Mary Ann Ahern

 

[VIDEO] Our former mayor and current Ambassador to Japan speaks on the recent Presidential race which resulted in a win for the 45th President Donald Trump who returns to the Presidency as the 47th President. What he says about the Democrats and perhaps what caused them to lose the election last month and he cited the feel good about themselves messaging of the Democrats and even looked at the measures enacted during the 2020 pandemic.

I do think we'd be in a different place in 2020 or so had he still been mayor.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

FOX News - Chicago city council meeting EXPLODES: 'We're turning red'

 

[VIDEO] I think turning Chicago "red" isn't realistic if we primarily judge by the last mayoral election.

I haven't read into too many of these clips I've seen on YouTube in recent months leading up to this month's presidential election. There are clips out there of Chicago residents going to City Hall declaring they're going to turn Chicago red and they often wear red baseball caps - though not necessarily MAGA hats.

Whether or not Chicago will turn red in the future remains to be seen. We know that the presidential race in this state was remarkably close. The margin of victory for Vice President Kamala Harris in this state was not millions of votes but at least 600K votes. An opportunity statewide for Republicans in the future but it remains to be seen if they could capitalize.

I'm sure many of you who are on X/Twitter have seen maps of which precincts in Chicago voted for President-elect Trump and some of those areas are no surprise. Especially if those areas primarily contain first responders (police & fire).

Of course one thing we can glean from comments of "turning Chicago red" is that people aren't very happy with what's going on with the city right now.