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Sunday, January 25, 2015

Take the CTA Red Line from 95th to Howard street on YouTube

[VIDEO] Recently I discovered videos provided by CTA which provided real-time documentary footage of all routes of the L system. It's very interesting to see the trains on the various routes and the neighborhoods they roll through everyday during their daily services.

Also since we're in the middle of winter, it's nice to see Chicago during much warmer and sunnier weather as you will see here.

Anyway, since this is the "Shedd School" blog it was important to me to share this footage of the Red Line from 95th Street to Howard. During my time in elementary school often my weekends would consist of me following my mother downtown as she mostly went to the office to do some work. Even better these were the days when I could sit at the front of the train to watch the city roll by.

Of course as an aside the Red Line as we know it today didn't exist then as the train went up instead of into the subway near Cermak-Chinatown. You will see that when the train gets to that point where the train used to go upwards and at times they still do with reroutes.

This is a one-hour video as the train will move from the far south side to the far north side and will roll through the subway under State Street. And again it's really cool to see where the Red Line heads north from 95th Street. 

Even better when you get downtown, Fullerton, Belmont, and Howard you will have the opportunity to change/transfer trains and see where those other rail lines go after you reach those change/transfer points. So this is really cool and an adventure that worth taking, especially if you don't really leave the neighborhood.

BTW, for greater enjoyment you should put the video into theater mode or if you're on a PC full screen - those are the buttons you see in the play/time area. Also in that area is what looks like a gear set it to HD either 720 HD or 1080 HD. If you use a smartphone you can probably just turn your phone from vertical to horizontal and it will be on full screen.
Enjoy! And click here for a Red Line map to see which stops the train makes during this hour video.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Wards 9, 17, & 21 candidates forum Trinity Church


We may have known about this for a while now but tomorrow at Trinity United Church of Christ a candidates forum for wards 9, 17, and 21. This information was emailed to us today.
  • 9th, 17th and 21st Ward Candidates Forum
    Trinity United Church of Christ
    400 W. 95th Street - Sanctuary
    Chicago, IL 60628

    Sunday, January 25, 2015
    2:30pm to 4:45pm
If anyone has any candidate events we should know about feel free to e-mail us, tweet @thesixthward, or post to our Sixth Ward FB page.

    Friday, January 23, 2015

    VIDEO: Ted Williams for 9th ward Alderman

    [VIDEO] If you subscribed the daily e-mail newsletter from Aldertrack you saw this video by candidate for Alderman Ted Williams. He discusses his background - especially as a professor in the City Colleges of Chicago - in addition to his future goals if elected Alderman of the 9th ward.

    BTW, Aldertrack kind of opined on the video as apparently it was shot horizontally vertically. They even shared this hilarious video regarding "vertical video syndrome". You'll laugh, but if you - the reader - ever ran for Alderman in the future I do hope that you would produce a more professionally done video. Professor Williams seemed to barely have a enough space for himself in the frame.

    ALSO, Gaper's Block years ago did a post about videos related to races for Alderman. I'm looking for it and when it's found will be posted here as an illustration.

    Is anything that Williams said that would sway your vote for him in the 9th ward?

    EDIT: I forgot to note that next Friday Williams will host a meet & greet also posted in this morning's Aldertrack daily e-mail
    • Ted Williams, III (9) will hold a meet and greet Friday, January 30 at 6:30p at his campaign office, 11625 S. Michigan Ave. 

    Tuesday, January 20, 2015

    Russ Stewart on the race for 9th Ward Alderman


    Russ Stewart analyzes the races for Alderman in the south side wards and says the Mayor is going to send resources to his favored candidates. So this is what he says for the races in the 9th ward.
    9th Ward (Far South Side): After losing a 2013 bid for Jesse Jackson’s congressional seat, incumbent Anthony Beale’s stature nosedived. He faces seven opponents, the most credible being Michael LaFargue. It will be Rahm to the rescue in a Beale-LaFargue runoff.
    I will refer you to The Sixth Ward blog for a list of candidates for the 9th Ward.

    ALSO, I have read Stewart over the years for his perspective on local politics. Only real political junkies would know of him since he doesn't write for a major paper. He's primarily a columnist for a community paper on the northwest side of Chicago.

    Friday, January 16, 2015

    VIDEO: Aldertrack interview of candidate for 9th ward Alderman

    [VIDEO] Today Aldertrack's Mike Fourcher conducts an interview with candidate Michael LaFargue. LaFargue is running for Alderman who hopes to replace the current Alderman Anthony Beale.

    LaFargue notes that he's very active in the community having memberships in different organizations throughout the community. He's especially a member and President of the West Chesterfield Community Association. He also noted that he's involved with a Developing Communities Project committee for the CTA Red Line extension.

    In addition to discussing his background he also discusses his plans as Alderman of the 9th Ward in addition to his plans for the rest of the city. The duration of this video is about 10 minutes.

    BTW, I do hope to discuss a lot more of the red line extension as I have discussed this a lot in the past over at The Sixth Ward. I think the communities south of 95th could benefit when ever this rail line is finally built.

    ALSO, you should check out Aldertrack and sign up for their e-mail list to get regular updates on news in the 2015 city elections. In addition to purchasing the racing form to keep track of who's running where in Chicago.

    Would anything Mr. LaFargue has stated in this video persuade you to cast a ballot for him next month?

    Tuesday, January 13, 2015

    Rate the video: Harold "Noonie" Ward for Alderman 9th Ward


    [VIDEO] I'm sure we'll be posting a number of videos between now and election day next month from the many Aldermanic candidates in wards 6, 9, and 21. Last month we posted 9th Ward Ald. Beale's appearance on CAN-TV's Political Forum where he answers various questions affecting the 9th ward and the city.

    Today we post about one of his challengers Harold "Noonie" Ward. This is essentially a campaign ad showing various shots around the 9th Ward. We see Altgeld Gardens, DuBois School, and even drive into Pullman with this video. This video is mainly taking shots at Ald. Beale.

    Also, Mr. Ward notes that the 9th Ward is the only city ward without a major grocery store. So I suppose he doesn't count the Walmart in Pullman?

    BTW, this video was noted by Chicagoist on Wednesday:
     This one is worth a look: it has high-production values, a moody tone and a damning indictment of an incumbent alderman that makes this a must-watch. That the rest of the city has a window into this race, via this video, makes it all that more interesting.

    All the same what do you think of this video? Would you vote for Mr. Ward? Do you agree with some of the points of this video?

    This video is via Aldertrack who in addition to a "racing form" which you can purchase from them you can also subscribe to daily email giving you various updates for election day 2015.

    Crossposted from The Sixth Ward.

    Monday, January 12, 2015

    Follow-up to Dec. 15, 2014 Shedd School meeting

    Closed Shedd School @ 200 E. 99th St.
    Sharon Banks-Pincham is not only a resident of West Chesterfield, she is also an local school council member at Harlan Community Academy who I've had the chance to meet when I attended LSC meetings there. She sent me an e-mail regarding what happened at the Shedd School meeting with 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale on December 15, 2015. For additional context here is a link to the notice that I had recieved via e-mail not long before that meeting.

    DNA Info did their own follow-up from that meeting we shared that here.
    • Every e-mail I received indicated it was open to the public. As you know, I am LSC Community Rep for Harlan and Gillespie. I do have contact with Roseland Heights as it relates to Harlan. In addition, I am a member of the Far South Community Action Council, the Education Committee for the 34th Legislative District and a member of the Education Village Keepers (EdVK). I responded by going to the meeting, arrived at the appointed time and even had a first year college student with me who is interested in going into politics. (Home from college on Christmas break).

      After we were all seated in the basement of the office, I was beckoned by Mr. Tucker to the stairs. He stated that Mr. Beale had an issue with my being there because I do not reside in Roseland Heights.

      I did not understand, so I did go upstairs to speak to the alderman's staff. Ms. Vanessa Brown, very gruffly stated that the meeting was for Roseland Heights residents only and I would have to leave. I explained to Ms. Brown my affiliations and my concern regarding the plans for Shedd.

      (Now, I want you to remember that on your notification, it stated that a presenter at this meeting would be Education Village Keepers/EdVK)

      At this point, the President of EdVK, Dr. Carmen Palmer, came into the office and was also told that she was not allowed in the meeting by Ms. Brown because she did not live in Roseland Heights. Dr. Palmer pointed out that she had been invited as a presenter, did have family property in Roseland Heights which she pays taxes on every year. Ms. Brown became more hostile and then closed a gate to the basement to further avoid our entry.

      I did not want to cause the meeting to be canceled due to the alderman's ridiculous request because I believe Roseland Heights did need to know the rationale for Alderman Beale to renege on his word regarding having community input for the use of Shedd. (He did share that promise at a Far South CAC meeting in October).

      The following day was the Far South CAC's regular December meeting. During that meeting, a representative of the alderman's office shared with other CAC members that two of the CAC members attempted to disrupt a meeting at his office and police had to be called.

      This is a disgrace and a shame. When the alderman has a meeting where all notices state that the meeting is open to the community and then restricts members of the community from attending.

      And, Levois, to let you know we were specifically targeted, Darnell Macklin, republican committeeman for the 6th ward, remained in the meeting after Dr. Palmer and I were ejected. Also, the student who came with me was ejected.

      I do like Darnell so my reference to him is not implying anything except that this was a targeted strike by the alderman. Petty and divisive.

    Wednesday, January 7, 2015

    CPS schools are also closed Thur. January 8, 2015


    In addition to the info above you may also find this information embedded below via CPS' twitter page. Feel free to retweet if you have a twitter account. The information is primarily regarding city warming centers during the current cold snap. Of course as always there's 311 for any info. on city warming centers.

    Tuesday, January 6, 2015

    CPS schools closed due to weather and other information

    Graphic above is shared via CPS' FB page.

    Also in light of the recent cold snap we're experiencing right now 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale also sent this information to his constituents today. Ald. Beale's information informs us of a wind chill warning and also city services or warming centers for those city residents who are seeking warm shelter during this winter weather.

    Of course you can also call 311 for the location of any city warming center.