Member of the Banks Clan Passes

Samuel V.P. Banks, brother of former 36th Ward Alderman Willam, died last week. The linked Suntimes obit has interesting anecdotes about Samuel's prosecution of Lenny Bruce and defense of so-called "made-man" alderman Fred Roti. Hmm.

Dunning-Read Convservation Area Profile

A nice article about the Dunning-Read Conservation Area on examiner.com.

Failing to hold accountable those who hold the police accountable

This amazing little story appeared at the bottom of page 11 in the first section of today's Tribune. It's entitled "Reprieve for cop board absentees". Here are the first couple of paragraphs:

An attempt to penalize members of the Chicago police disciplinary board for failing to attend meetings where the fates of officers facing misconduct charges are decided stalled Tuesday at a City Council hearing.

Ald. Isaac Carothers, 29th, balked at the idea of holding Chicago Police Board members to attendance standards.

So let's get this straight. The city council Police and Fire Committee, overseen by Carothers, blocks an effort to improve the abysmal attendance at disciplinary hearings of the Chicago Police Board. Try not to be cynical about this one.

Dunning Profile in Tribune

The Tribune's series of community profiles in its Friday real estate section covers Dunning this week. Read it at http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/Chicago_IL/chi-dunning_profile_chomes_1113nov13,0,604747.story.

How to Fix the 36th

(Another video of a bald, middle-aged, pontificating, white guy? What can I say? They're both good!)

Forest Preserve Drive and Rogers St. are the Indian Boundary Line

Very interesting story on the Forgotten Chicago website about how both Forest Preserve Drive and Rogers St. (in Rogers Park, Sauganash, and Forest Glen) line up on the North Indian Boundary Line (the South Indian Boundary line is 20 miles south).

http://forgottenchicago.com/features/chicago-areas/the-northern-indian-boundary-line/

Mike Royko Holding Court in 1982

Mike Royko dishes on 16-inch softball at the Billy Goat Tavern in downtown Chicago.

Mike Royko is interred in Acacia Park Cemetery on west Irving Park Road.

Replacement for Alderman Banks to be Appointed

I went to the CAPS meeting last night and a representative from the Aldermanic Office was there. He said that a replacement for retired Alderman Banks will be appointed by the end of October. On Halloween perhaps?

Questions I should have asked but didn't (hopefully, the papers will answer these):

• Who is doing the appointing?
• Who is on the list of appointees?
• When will we have the next aldermanic election for the 36th Ward?

Banks Joins Law Firm

Our former Alderman William J.P. Banks has become a partner at the Chicago law firm Schain Burney Ross & Citron Ltd. He will stick around as a committeeman for the ward and also remains as treasurer of the Cook County Democratic Party.

Dunning Ranks 39th in Walkability of Chicago Neighborhoods

The greening of America continues as the desire grows to live in a neighborhood where shops and amenities are within walking distance. Walkscore.com ranks the "walkability" of neighborhoods based on the number of basic activities that can be done without a car. According to their measure, Dunning ranks 39th out of 77 Chicago neighborhoods in walkability. The Loop, Near North Side, and Lincoln Park are the top three respectively. Of course, the walkability of a neighborhood elevates its sense of community and improves its appeal. It's increasingly important because of high gas prices, the obesity epidemic, and an aging populace that needs convenient shopping within walking distance. BTW, that's safe walking distance. Try crossing the street at Irving and Forest Preserve Drive. You're literally risking your life as right-turning vehicles ignore the signs and barrel down upon you.

Dunning Read Conservation Area Opening Saturday, Sept. 19

The Dunning Read Conservation Area will have its Opening Celebration and Dedication Ceremony this Saturday between 3 and 6pm. This is a great enhancement to our community. And it's non-commercial! It's located on the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center grounds at Irving Park Rd. and Oak Park Ave. The parking lot entrance is on the west side of Oak Park Ave. north of Irving.

Read the Trib story by clicking on this link.

Maureen Dowd Right On The Money

NY Times columnist Maureen Dowd is right on about the (barely) sublimated racism in the current right wing uprising against President Obama. These articles are essential reading: "Rapping Joe’s Knuckles" and "Boy, Oh, Boy".