Everyblock abruptly shuts down

Without warning,  Everyblock announced that it will exist no more.  For those not familiar with Everyblock, it was a website devoted to neighborhood information.  Viewers could access all types of data ranging from neighborhood news, real estate listings, community meetings,  crime stats, and announcements.   It was really a great resource.

During the last aldermanic  election there were many heated discussions.  You had some characters posting on there. Sometimes it would get out of hand (veiled threats and downright insults) but it was entertaining as hell.  Various candidates also  posted regularly.  It was a great way to spread news and stay connected with your neighbors.  Too bad NBC decided to shut it down.  Man that sucks.

Oh well, as the saying goes, two tears in a bucket, mother fuck it.

Trashy neighbors acting like fools, cops show up, again

My neighbors were fighting again,  it spilled outside and created an all out street brawl.  They continued to fight even after a dozen squad cars showed up.  This is a regular occurrence

 What the hell is wrong with them??  I'm getting sick of this shit.

Trip to Disney World

My daughter, like most 5 year olds is really into princesses, so for her 5th birthday we decided to take her to Disney World in Florida.   I have to admit that I wasn't particularly looking forward to a 22 hour drive.   Since we made multiple stops  the drive wasn't bad at all, minus the  horrible food choices (Mcdonald's/Wendy's everywhere)

Our first stop was in Nashville TN, home of country music.   Music is everywhere in Nashville, practically every bar has live music at all times, we got to hear a guitar player from Chicago.  He was telling us he lived in Bucktown when it was full of  Latin Kings.   The main strip  kinda cheesy, lots of neon lights, locals call it Nash Vegas, but it's fun.  We were bummed to heard that the Johnny Cash museum wasn't opened yet. So we  went to The Tennessee State Museum and saw a photo exhibit of Elvis in his early years.   They also had a history of guitars.

The next day we set off to Orlando Florida.   As we drove through southern Georgia and northern Florida I noticed all these religious billboards.  They had images of Jesus with the military.  I also saw many anti-abortion billboards.  The strangest billboard I saw was one that  appeared to be the pleas of a neglected wife.

Next stop,  Kissimmee.  Kissimmee basically looks like huge suburb that wouldn't exist if not for  Disney World.  So the next day we finally arrive in Disney World.  The place is enormous.  My daughter fell in love with the place, she didn't want to leave.   One thing I noticed was that the adults in Disney World seem to be as into the whole Disney thing as much as the kids.  During the shows and parades the adults rushed and bulldozed  their way to the front.

After hanging out in Florida for a few days we set off to return home.  We made a pit stop in Savannah Georgia.   We've been to Savannah several years back and loved it.   I was disappointed to find that Savannah had been hit really hard by the recession.  Boarded up buildings dotting downtown Savannah reminded me that the recession is far from over.   I hope it rebounds.  

One last stop before home, Asheville NC.  We had lunch  at a local brewery, Lexington Avenue Brewery,  had a flight of their beers, not bad, but not great either.  We went to nearby town of Black Mountain for an outdoor  Christmas party.   The drive home through Tennessee and Kentucky is breath taking.

As I drove home I realized how much I love traveling, how I wish I lived closer to the mountains, and how important nature is for the soul.

Fall harvest!

Here are a few photos of our harvest.  This was the first year that we  really got into.  I build a few raised beds and  planted fruits, vegetables, and herbs, all organic of course. No pesticides, no GMO, and no cheetos!! All natural.

I was surprised at the yield from the cucumbers.   Not a bad harvest for novices.

Strawberries were on the small size, but it's trial and error.

Eldery tenant recently passed away

My elderly tenant, who was also my neighbor recently passed away after struggling with a debilitating illness.  I didn't know her very well but my condolences go out to her family.

RIP Mrs. J.

Voted early this year

I just cast my ballot for the upcoming Presidential election.   I was hoping that voting early would save me from the crowds.   I was surprised at how long the lines were.  I assumed that people aren't as interested this year as they were in the last election.  Lawndale in particular has a very low turnout rate.  25% voter participation is not unusual in some precincts.  You would have never known that from the looks of the polling place.  Maybe they are voting twice or three times, (JK, or maybe not) At any rate,  I can't wait till the election is over.   I'm sick of all the bickering,

One thing I noticed was that the majority of the voters were older people, and by older I mean senior citizens.  I guess that trend even occurs on the West Side.

East Garfield Art Walk 2012

Let me start off by saying that I was really looking forward to this event. Previous years were pretty fun.      I enjoy art fests quite a bet.   The most famous one in Chicago was probably "Around  The Coyote" in Wicker Park (now defunct thanks to gentrification).  Now I wasn't expecting this one to be in the same category as the Coyote, but  this years art walk was a pretty big disappointment.

We went to the  Albany Carroll Arts Building were we chatted with some of the artists and  bought some art.  However  I was disappointed that many of the studios were closed this year.  The place also didn't seem to have the excitement it had of previous years.  I don't know if it's because of the economy, but the mood was pretty dismal. I have my theories, perhaps the artists have a beef with the landlord and decided to boycott the event, perhaps the organizers didn't really care, perhaps the artists don't care, or maybe the artists in EGP are not really a part of the community.

I was also disappointed that the studios across the street were closed as was the building at 3200 W. Carroll.  We were however able to see The Egyptian Lacquer manufacturing Company Building.  and see one of the studios.  The next day we headed over to the studios at 3311 W. Carroll which supposedly has 25 studios.  I think we saw 2 open at the most.

Our last stop was at the Switching Station Artist Lofts.  This one was equally uneventful.   We met a few of the artists, one woman was working on a mural, which was pretty cool.  However, just like the other buildings, most of the studios were closed.  A couple of the artists who were open didn't even have their work displayed.  They seemed disinterested.   We asked one of the artists why so many of the studios were closed and he replied, "we weren't getting a lot of visitors"   Maybe they weren't getting visitors because they aren't open.  I'm not sure why there was such low participation and a general malaise.  

The following week I was in Pilsen when they were hosting their own art walk.   Completely different experience.  There was trolley's full of dozens of people walking around the neighborhood and there many different activities going on at multiple locations.  There was this festive atmosphere.   It's too bad  because I think this festival has a lot of potential.  I'll probably still go back next year, though I'll probably skip the Switching Station and 3311.  Who knows, maybe it will be better.