New Years Eve plans?

slow day today... open post for now. How about this. Please spread some good New Years cheer and let us know what everyone will be doing tomorrow for the eve of a new decade! Location, price, whats included, or even if you are just planning on having a quiet eve at home (or a rowdy eve at home with the likes of pain in the ass grand kid who uses this house like a god damn day care!--so you know what the Boss will be doing) lets GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Lauren McGovern Update

This should tug at your heart...From our friend Jim McMahon... read on!
In case you haven’t heard, Lauren McGovern came home from the hospital earlier this month and was able to be together with her family this Christmas.

Jewel Food Stores are hosting a Shop & Share for Lauren this December 29th, 30th and 31st. Go to http://www.lovinglauren.org/uploads/jewel_Dec28_29_30.pdf to download and print the forms to give to the cashier. This is NO COST to you, and a small percentage of any purchases you make at Jewel on any of these days gets credited to the McGovern family. You are prohibited from handing these forms out in front of any Jewel-Osco Stores, but you should print a few extra ones in case you run into any of your neighbors at the store that didn’t hear about this.

There will be a benefit for her at Bourbon Street on April 17, 2010 to help raise funds for her ongoing rehabilitation. Please visit http://www.lovinglauren.org for details.

Thanks for supporting this fine family and their beautiful little girl.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ARTICLE TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK, AS THEY ARE HONORED AT ANY JEWEL-OSCO STORE NATION WIDE.

SOUTHSIDE IRISH PARADE IS BACK!!!

well, not really... this is what our traditions have come to... this still makes me ill! But for those of you with youngsters, read on... anyone have any other ideas or places of worship for the big day for our mick bretheren please share here... They're not good for much, but they sure nailed it when it came to the parade!

Dear Friends and Family, As usual, we will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day 2010 on the South Side with food, drink and an Irish fiddle.

But you won't believe the lineup this year.

Instead of gathering at my house the Sunday before St. Patty's Day and gorging on the Bloody Mary bar and Kate's potato-chip cookies, we'll be celebrating the day before, on Saturday, March 13.

We'll begin with a best-dressed Irish dog contest, followed by a soda bread competition. Bring your kids because we'll have arts and crafts and children's films.

As usual, I had hoped to convince the husband to wear a kilt for your entertainment, but who needs another Irishman with pale, hairy pegs wandering the neighborhood?

We'll have live Irish music and dancing all day, capped with a nighttime performance by Hothouse Flowers, a critically acclaimed European-based Irish rock band.

Our address this year is 2407 W. 111th St. - the Beverly Arts Center. If you get lost, call us at (773) 445-3838.

I know we'll all miss the decadence of my garage and the portable toilet parked on the lawn. It's been a glamorous ride.

But it's time to class-up our celebration of Irish culture. There's more to it than dragging a cooler of Budweiser down Western Avenue wearing shamrock necklaces.

The parade began in 1979 as a small gathering of Morgan Park neighbors pushing baby buggies and carrying Irish flags around the 10900 blocks of Washtenaw and Talman avenues. They ended the march with Kool-Aid and Twinkies in George Hendry's basement.

By 2009, the parade swelled to a regional event of 300,000 revelers and more than 600 Chicago police officers on patrol. A warm day this past spring contributed to the pleasantry but added an element of overindulgence. A record 54 people were arrested, most of whom were intoxicated.

So it's fitting the "parade" of 2010 will wind back to its original intent: a family-friendly, community festival.

Certainly, we will miss the parade itself - the bagpipes, the embroidered dresses, the floats and even the stroll of elected officials.

But hopefully the families and parishioners who spun the South Side parade into existence and nurtured it for decades will continue the special traditions that day brings for them.

Bring on the bicycle parades, the hot toddies, the corned beef.

For us, parade day became an annual ritual of reconnecting with old friends and giving out-of-town family an excuse to visit Aunt Kristen. The party at the Beverly Arts Center is more reason to visit.

So friends - all 200 of you - please join us again this year for an Irish toast.

The Beverly Arts Center offers far better accommodations than our driveway.

Sincerely,

Kristen

Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!!!

I'M BACK!!!..........open post people.....Now, GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Decision coming soon

Hey folks... Boss here... As you can tell by the lack of posts I have been doing alot of thinking about this blog. I apologize to those who have been looking here for new neighborhood information. I have received an outpouring of support and kind words. For that I say Thank You from the bottom of this old heart! I will decide the fate of the blog in the next day or two. Whether it be to continue, fold, or pass it on to someone else. Maybe I overreacted, maybe I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, or perhaps I had just had a bit too much Scotch on the evening of the 13th but whatever it was, at the time shutting it down felt like the right thing to do. Since then, the daily views have exploded and the comments section has blown up and it has forced me to reconsider what I originally thought was the right thing to do. So keep checking back and Ill have a decision real soon! Thanks for all the 60655 support!!!

Fuck It!

Well no one here can say we didnt try! Nearly 4,000 views, yet barely 5 posts a day! We have asked for commentary, new ideas, reached out to locals and even wrote a few news papers for some material. I am sick and tired of writing up posts to see no additions, no original thoughts or ideas to add to the blog. We weeded out those who destroyed the other blog only to find out that perhaps they are the ones who keep a blog afloat in the first place! So we will have one more open post... Anyone who gives a shit and wants to save the 60655 blog speak now. I would love nothing more than to see this thing continue on. But without any interest we are not going to spin our wheels. So unload people, ALL POSTS GET POSTED (except the obvious obscene language, proper names, etc etc) If anyone else has an interest in taking this blog over in case of a minimal turnout on this our possible last posting, please email me at aroundandin60655@gmail.com all thoughts welcome!

Chicago's Only Hope!

I didnt realize Chicago had all of a sudden become such a hockey town! So in honor of the only REAL professional sports franchise with any hope of winning jack shit we have decided to dedicate an entire post to the Hawks!As far as the Bears are concerned... they are only gettin 3 today so if any one is lookin for some advice lay HEAVY on the Pack! Prediction: Pack 38 Bears 6

Sports Post

At the request of one of our readers, we are going to have an OPEN POST for our sports teams. I suppose here is where I will keep all my angry Bears rants which will soon turn to angry Sox rants. But hell, at least when the Sox blow the weather is nice! Anyways, OPEN POST for now!

Now HERE is a Petition Worth Signing!

COPY AND PASTE THE LINK BELOW TO SIGN THE PETITION!
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=34775

Petition: Free the Navy SEALs
By Michelle Malkin • December 11, 2009 10:06 AM

Human Events has posted a petition to free the Navy SEALs who’ve been hauled up for court martials after an infamous jihadi in Iraq (the same one who masterminded the ambush of Blackwater contractors whose bodies were burned and hung on a bridge in Fallujah) accused them of punching him in the stomach during a raid earlier this fall. You can sign here (petition text below). Members of Congress have called on Secretary Gates to intervene as well. Two of the SEALs were arraigned earlier this week and spoke out. Here’s an interview with Navy SEAL Matthew McCabe’s lawyer. Interviews and local coverage here. Excerpt:

Two Navy SEALs accused of mistreating an alleged terrorist denied the charges Monday — one during a formal arraignment and the other in more plain-spoken terms after the court proceeding.

“No — the answer’s no, point blank,” said Special Operator 2nd Class Matthew McCabe, as he met well-wishers outside Naval Station Norfolk.

McCabe is one of three Navy SEALs charged with mistreating Ahmed Hashim Abed, the suspected mastermind of the March 2004 attack that killed four Blackwater employees. The SEALs have also been credited with his capture.

The grisly ambush created worldwide headlines as the bodies of the burned and mutilated victims were displayed for the press to photograph.

…Capt. Moira Modzelewski, who presided over the arraignment, set a Jan. 11 trial date for Huertas and Jan. 19 for McCabe.

The case has attracted widespread public attention. About 20 members of Congress have signed a letter circulated by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., calling on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to intervene.

It has also attracted grass-roots support from people like Richard Berndt, of Virginia Beach, who arrived at the naval base at 6 a.m. with a sign that read, “You Fought For Us — Now We Fight For You.”

“I just feel I owe these guys everything I can give them,” said the 24-year Navy veteran. “They just need our support.”

Donna Zovko, the mother of one of the four slain Blackwater employees, drove from Cleveland, Ohio, to stand with the supporters. In one emotional moment, she found herself next to Marty McCabe, the father of the accused Navy SEAL.

The two shared a few words before embracing.

Until the charges became public, Zovko had never known the names of the SEALs credited with Abed’s capture.

“It took me a few minutes to talk to her,” McCabe said later. “I kind of got choked up. This is closure for her.”
IBD also has an editorial today calling for the SEALS to be freed. Amen to their conclusion: “McCabe is…officially charged with punching Abed ‘in the midsection with his fist’ while in custody. It is the American people who are being sucker-punched in the gut.”

WHEN WILL IT EVER END???

From our good friend Det Shaved Long Cock... This bullshit has got to stop sometime, right? Isnt the President a brother? ANyways, use caution and only read if you want to get fired up!

BLACKS RECEIVED LESS THAN WHITES WHO SUED

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago alleging that church officials discriminated against African-American victims of sexual abuse by trying to silence their claims and proposing smaller settlements than those offered to white victims.

The suit, filed today in the Northern District of Illinois by Seattle attorney Phillip Aaron on behalf of 41 men and 8 women, seeks $98 million, accusing the archdiocese, Cardinal Francis George and retired Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Goedert of racial discrimination, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, fraud, conspiracy and racketeering.

"The defendants have acted intentionally to silence the voices of African American and minority victims while defendants distributed false and deceptive information to the public in an attempt to prevent the victims of clergy sexual abuse, their families and the African American and minority community from expressing and exposing racism and discrimination," the suit says.

As evidence that the church acted in bad faith, the suit points to a deposition by Goedert released by the archdiocese in July. In the deposition, the archdiocese's second-highest-ranking bishop testified that he believed church law required him to keep clergy sex abuse confidential, even when most of the priests he confronted admitted to abusing minors.

In addition to accusations that the archdiocese conspired with the mediator during settlement proceedings, the suit also alleges that the archdiocese plotted with Chicago law firm of Pugh, Jones, Johnson & Quandt, which found in an audit last month that the average settlement for African-American victims is more than 28 percent higher than settlements with white victims and 19 percent higher than the average of all settlements.

"The report commissioned by the defendants ... is a sham and intended to deceive the public and to discredit, humiliate, retaliate and otherwise punish African American and minority victims for exposing the racially motivated and disparate treatment that defendant subjected the African American and other minority victims to," the suit says.

Colleen Dolan, communications director for the archdiocese, said the church stands by the audit's findings.

"The results we`ve made public and proved quite the opposite of what Mr. Aaron has stated in his suit," she said. "It's factually not correct."

_______________________________

Detective Shavedlongcock:

Unreal... Maybe it had NOTHING to do with RACE. Maybe it had everything to do with HOW GOOD EACH PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY WAS! Next time get a good white Jew attorney instead of Ruffus T. Washington.

$$$$$$$$$$

Now I got your attention!

There is a Real Estate Tax rebate available to all homeowners that live within the City limits. It’s not being advertised, but you are definitely entitled to this money if your name appears on your tax bill.

It literally only takes a few minutes to fill out this simple form and mail it in. Go to the below link to download your application.

http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/PropertyTaxReliefWeb/org/cityofchicago/taxgrant/web/HowToApply.jsp;jsessionid=0CrhLfyTYB2ycvLwrRXNBLqRBp4Z6TczCQG1gD2H4gG4B8G7H0KQ!560346721

A Date That Will Live in Infamy

Sorry folks I was a bit late on this. Had some issues to deal with that took up most of my day. Anyways, PLEASE do not forget what happened 68 years ago today. Never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this great country! Thank you all!!!
For a brief history lesson as told by the Southtown Observer... I usually dont like any of these damn local rags, but this was a nice article.
Today marks the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that left 2,403 American military personnel and civilians dead.

Army veteran Arturo Del Monaco vividly remembers the effects of the Dec. 7 assault. He was a high school student, and two older friends went down with the USS Arizona.

THE ATTACK
At 7:02 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, radar at the Opana Radar Station on Oahu picked up a large number of planes in the sky. Alarms weren't raised as officers on duty expected a squadron of American planes from California about this same time.

At 7:55 a.m., the first wave of 183 Japanese planes attacked the American ships in Pearl Harbor and the planes at three nearby airfields. A second wave of 167 planes followed about an hour later.

In the harbor, 21 of the 96 ships at anchor were sunk, and many others were severely damaged.

Of the 394 planes at Hickam, Wheeler and Bellows airfields, 188 were destroyed and 159 were damaged.

The death total was 2,403 (including 68 civilians). The wounded numbered 1,178.


"They are still there," Monaco, 86, said, sadly.

Monaco was one of two World War II veterans on hand Sunday for a memorial to remember Pearl Harbor Day at the Woodridge Public Library.

Organized by Woodridge VFW Post 1578, the event featured speakers, a replaying of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress in which he called Dec. 7 "a day which will live in infamy" and a reading of a proclamation by President Obama urging "all Americans to observe this somber day of remembrance."

Lining the wall of the meeting room was a photo montage depicting the fiery effects of the Japanese attack on the Navy fleet.

"It brings back a lot of memories," said Burt Names, 87, who served in the South Pacific on the USS White Plains, a Navy carrier.

Many in attendance listened in rapt attention as the two veterans casually talked to each other about their years of service.

It was oral history in action. As the number of living World War II veterans dwindles, keeping the history of the conflict alive is something both veterans think about.

Del Monaco, who served in north Africa, China and India, said, "I'm afraid it's all going to get lost in history."

Del Monaco's 14-year-old grandson, Alex, was in the audience. Asked if he was there voluntarily, he smiled and said, "I was kind of dragged here." But he was glad he came:

"I do think it's important, but schools don't teach the history of the war in detail. It's important to hear these personal details from people who were actually there."

The soft-spoken Names said his grandchildren keep asking him about his experiences.

"I've written a synopsis of my experience for them," Names said. "As veterans, we have seen firsthand the tremendous cost of freedom."

The Woodridge VFW Post plans to keep doing its part to keep the memories alive. This was its 11th annual memorial.

"If we don't do it, I don't know of anyone else who will," said post member Bob Reichert. "It's a day that changed the lives of every generation that followed."
Related Blog Posts

Toys for Tots
Motorcycle Parade


Sunday -- December 6 th, 2009
Dan Ryan Woods opens at dawn
83rd & Western
Line-up starts 6:00am
Parade begins at 9:30am
Ends at Lane Tech High School

parking lot on Western.


The 20-mile parade, which runs north along Western Avenue, often lasts up to five hours. It's billed as the largest motorcycle parade in the world.

Riders are required to bring a new toy and spectators are encouraged to do so. (Please, no stuffed animals.) The Marine Corps Reserve will distribute them to those in need.
Toys for Tots Parade - More Information:
If you'd like more information about the Toys for Tots parade, you can call 773-866-8697 or visit them online at the official Toys for Tots Parade website.

Years ago when I saw hundreds of bikers riding down Western I thought my neighborhood was being invaded by some motorcycle gang. Then I thought to myself, DAMN, who did young Tommy piss off now??? But when I saw all these bikers riding with toys on their bikes I looked into it and found what a great cause it is. I'm sure my friend Jim McMahon will be out riding so all you people with 2 wheels out there...Now, GET TO RIDIN, THEN GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

THIS TIME IT'S FOR GOOD

Well, sir, your comments have reached a boiling point and we here at Aroundandin have decided to ban you for life! We will not reply to any of your childish comments, but in the interest of letting you know how serious we are here, we will let yo know this. Your IP address is 99.141.98# You are running on a Macintosh Mac OSX operating system and utilizing a Safari 1.3 browser with a Javascript version 1.5. Hell, We even know that your monitor is of 1920 x 1200 resolution and has a color depth of 24 bits! We know that you were on this morning at 8:40 am for 16 minutes and visited 7 of our pages. We have alot more descriptive information than this, but at this time, we feel this is enough to get our point accross...i.e., WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!
And although you speak of diminishing interest, we have observed you have visited us NUMEROUS times since this blogs inception (one time in which you assaulted us, remember?--We do) You are by FAR our most common visitor, and your visits are frequently followed by some childish comment certainly indicative of your third grade IQ. Your writing style is flawed, your grammar bad, your thoughts weak and we have no more time to entertain you. So best of luck, son, in whatever trail you choose to follow in life. We have a strange feeling our paths will cross again some day next time we order up a side of fries at McDonalds!

Elves Wanted!!

This info came to us from one of our readers, Shay. Let's all do what we can to make these kids' Christmas a little brighter!

LETTERS TO SANTA PROGRAM 2009!

Please consider having your business, school or organization join us for our 8th year running! It's a program that once started, is surely to become a tradition for many years to come!

How does the program work?

We collect Letters to Santa written by the neediest children in our schools. The schools in our program are at 95% poverty or higher. We encourage children to ask for items they need and often times they will request winter coats or school supplies.

We then distribute their letters to donors throughout the country and ask that a gift in the $25 range be purchased, wrapped and delivered to the child's school. We are also asking that you send us an additional $5 per letter to help defray our program costs, for a total limit of $30 per letter. Because we are a "hands on" charity, we do not actively fund raise. Due of this, we are a low to no budget charity and this is our only fundraiser of the year.

Please send your $5 per letter donations to;

Direct Effect Charities

4064 N. Lincoln Ave
#400
Chicago, Il 60618


Please know this donation is optional and we are happy to send you a letter(s) even if are unable to send us $5. We are of course grateful for any support at all but our main goal is to make kids smile, and that's what we do!


What age range are the children?

We serve students from Pre-K to 4th grade in most schools. In smaller schools, we accept letters from children through the 8th grade.

Can I request a girl or boy?

You can request a boy or girl as well as age range. We encourage you to request letters from children the same age as yours! It's a wonderful project that will teach them the wonders of giving.

Can I spend more than $25 on my gift?

We ask that you try and stick to that limit. It is not fair to students when one child receives 5 presents while others may receive one. If you wish to spend more, we ask that you send an extra wrapped gift and mark it girl or boy with an age range. There is often a small percentage of gifts that do not make their way to the child for various reasons and it helps the schools to have extras on hand.


Are my donations tax deductible?

Yes, Direct Effect will be happy to send you a tax exempt receipt for your donation.


When does the program begin?

We are well under way! PLEASE ORDER YOUR LETTERS TODAY and we'll get them out as soon as they are in our hands! There is NO LIMIT to the number of letters you can order. Whether you want 1 or 1000, we will be happy to provide you with them!

TO OBTAIN A LETTER/LETTERS - EMAIL: directeffect@ameritech.net


Please feel free to call 312.296.5311 with any questions you may have!
http://directeffectcharities.org/

Monetary donations can also be made via credit card on our web site.

Lets try and help out but if any of you get a letter from little Tommy, save the $25 and just send a bar of Zest so I can wash that kid's mouth out!!! Now, LET'S GET TO GIVIN!!!

Does Anyone Really Care?

If I were a bettin man (and Im not---figure booze and cigars are enough vice for one man!) I'd bet the house the Bears dont come close to covering the 10 1/2 they are getting today! In fact, Id say they lose by 3 touchdowns! Bad weekend for football around here Id say.

Marist 17 Maine South 41

We can only hope the Redhawks learn from this. Remember, whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger! Stand proud, boys! You played some damn good football this year! Keep your heads up and go get em next year!

Akui too much for Simeon to handle in 34-20 St. Rita win

CONGRATS, BOYS!!! WAY TO MAKE US PROUD!!! When ya turn 21 come on by and have a scotch on me!!

Friday's 76th Prep Bowl may have turned on a controversial fourth-quarter pass-interference call, but in the end it came down to one thing -- too much Jahwon Akui.

The St. Rita junior rushed for 148 yards -- including 98 in the second half -- and scored four touchdowns as St. Rita claimed the Catholic League's fourth consecutive Prep Bowl title with a 34-20 win over Simeon at Soldier Field.

"We figured we could dominate up front and our lineman did a great job," said Akui, the game's MVP. "There were lots of holes and lots of space to run. I just feel blessed."

With the score tied 20-20 early in the fourth quarter, Simeon appeared to have halted a St. Rita drive at the Wolverines' 28. But after an incomplete pass on fourth-and-17, Simeon was called for interference.

Someone on the Wolverines' sideline disagreed with the call, and Simeon was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, putting St. Rita at the 11.

Two plays later, Akui bowled in from the 3 to give the Mustangs a 27-20 lead with 8 minutes, 3 seconds remaining. Akui added a 16-yard scoring run with 1:49 left.

Following the game, two Simeon coaches attempted to run after officials but were quickly restrained by Soldier Field security.

"I just saw two players go up for the ball and unfortunately they called it on us, but I didn't see any pass interference," Simeon defensive back Demarius Reed said. "The ref made the call."

Things couldn't have started worse for Simeon (10-4) as Akui took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a score. The Mustangs upped the lead minutes later when Travis Starks busted off right tackle for a 33-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Simeon sophomore quarterback Robert Gregory (12-for-26, 141 yards; 13 carries, 166 yards) sparked the Wolverines the rest of the half, rushing for 41 yards in a 15-play, 80-yard drive that was capped with his 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal to cut the lead to 14-6.

On Simeon's next drive, Gregory ran for 75 yards and a score, and Horatio Banks' two-point conversion knotted the score 14-14 with 10:47 left in the half.


Star of the game: Jahwon Akui, St. Rita, 29 carries, 148 yards, 2 TDs; 2 receptions, 24 yards, TD; 85-yard kickoff return for TD.

Key performers: St. Rita -- Robert Gallik, 10-for-14, 119 yards, TD. Simeon -- Robert Gregory, 13 carries, 161 yards, 2 TDs; 12-for-26, 141 yards; Demarius Reed, 6 receptions, 68 yards.

Adopt a Pet

If they would take Tommy off my hands Id gladly take all 900 of them!!! But they wont, so we need your help! If you know ANYONE looking for a great companion, please get in touch with these people.

The Dairyland Greyhound Racetrack in Kenosha, Wisconsin will be closing on 12/31/09.

900 Greyhounds need to be adopted or they will be euthanized, making this a great time to consider adopting a Greyhound.

They are laid back, great with kids, very loving dogs and they don’t need half the space people think they do. This would be a perfect addition to any family.

Only 5 weeks left to get this task done. Joanne Kehoe @ 312-559-0887 or Dairyland Race Track Adoption Center @ 262-612-8256.

Think Global Shop Local!!!

If they would only add a humidor and a scotch tasting room we would be all set! But in the mean time, we will be stopping by and looking for holiday purchases... we suggest you do the same! Thanks for the info, Jim!

There is a new gift shop that opened up at 3524 W. 111th Street (111th & Drake). It’s a nice little store with a neighborhood look, feel and ties. The owners have a few unique ideas for this holiday season that you may be interested in hearing about.

Mount Greenwood Gifts presents "Kidshop" Give your child the opportunity to learn the joy of picking out, paying for, wrapping and giving Mom, Grandma or Aunt the gift that they have chosen for them with their own little hands. Here’s how it works:


Ø Call MGG at (773) 233-4902 to make an appointment for your child or grandchild to shop. The appointment should only take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Ø Decide how much your child will be spending.
Ø Bring your child for their shopping trip.
Ø Your child will be asked to write down the answers to 5 questions they will be asked about the person they are buying for. You will get to keep this answer sheet…..it’s ALWAYS hilarious! (My husband was 8’-10” when our son was in kindergarten!)
Ø After your child has finished choosing a gift, they’ll pay for it, get their receipt and change, and then assist in boxing and wrapping it. Then they’ll do the finishing touches with bows and a personalized tag that they will sign.


Unless your child prefers to have someone familiar at arms reach, you will be asked to wait outside the store while your child shops. Some children like the independence of shopping by themselves, while others prefer a familiar face around. If your child would rather have you wait outside because he/she is a BIG boy or girl, you will be notified the moment they have completed their shopping and are ready to go!

All that’s left to do after this is stop somewhere else or a nice cup of hot chocolate!!!


**********We’d be happy to take pictures or video if you provide the camera**********

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

R.I.P. Waylon

Damn kids these days dont know a DAMN THING about good music... Maybe I'll let Tommy pick the next song!!!

Rugai has some explaining to do

Now I know this is not 60655, but since it is Rugai, and Im sure there are more than a few streets around these parts that look closer to the left than right, I feel this pertains to us as well!

Residents Want Same Street Fix Their Alderman Got
Neighbors Want Their Street Resurfaced, Just Like Rugai's Block Was Last Year

The 8800 block of South Leavitt in Chicago's 19th Ward is full of potholes and cracks and has no curbs. One block away, the 8900 block of South Bell -- where the local alderman, Virginia Rugai, lives -- was resurfaced in 2008 and still looks brand new.

You could call it a tale of two streets. One of them is perfect; freshly resurfaced with nice sidewalks and curbs. The other is a mess.

They're just a block apart in the same ward in the Beverly neighborhood. As 2 Investigator Pam Zekman reports, residents in the 19th Ward were pretty angry over how their alderman has been spending a special fund intended for ward improvements.

They wanted to know why does one street get help and not the other?

"This road is just horrible", said resident Angelo Parente.

"The whole street has never been fixed", added Reginald Heath.

"It's awful and it's been this way for the past 15-years," said Matthew White.

The three men are neighbors and they said they are fed up with the state of their street.

The 8800 block of South Leavitt Avenue is uneven, it's badly cracked and it's filled with potholes. Just a block away, the 8900 block of South Bell Avenue has been resurfaced and is almost as smooth as glass.

So what's the difference between Bell Avenue and Leavitt Avenue? The local alderman, Virginia Rugai, lives on Bell.

CBS 2 reviewed the Aldermanic Menu Fund and found that Rugai spent $63,688 to resurface her block in 2008. And she spent another $16,185 to build a traffic circle at the end of her block in 2007.

"I think she's just taking care of herself and her neighbors," White said.

But Rugai said that's not the case.

"I make sure that others are served before I am," Rugai said.

She said she's aware of the bad street just one block from her house and she said "to really do it properly, you have to dig up that whole street and go down vary far, not just paving of the asphalt."

Rugai said the job would cost $600,000 to add the needed sewer lines and curbs.

But on Leavitt, residents wanted what Rugai got on her street: some simple resurfacing.

"It really makes us angry," White said. "We've been calling up there to her office and nothing has happened and this has been for the last five years."

Rugai absolutely denied that she selected Bell for resurfacing to benefit herself.

"Absolutely no! Absolutely not. It was for my neighbors. I was doing fine driving on the previous street," Rugai said.

Some aldermen said they think the process needs reform, including Ald. Joe Moore (49th).

Moore said that in 2010, he will let his constituents vote on how to spend his aldermanic menu money.

"It removes any taint that an alderman is making decisions to benefit a particular voting block or to benefit a contributor", said Moore.

Rugai said she has put Leavitt on the list for resurfacing next year. Neighbors said they will believe it when they see it.


(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Unverified black Friday sale verified as BS

UPDATE: After about 3 minutes of looking into this "Black Friday Sale" it was just another hoax by one of the moronic retards who likes to sit in his mom's basement and weakly attempt to get back at those bigger, tougher kids who picked on him all throughout high school! Apologies to our readers for having to put up with this moron. We all know the type... So just ignore the little bitch and he will ultimately go away... They ALWAYS do! And if you see him, feel free to administer a noogie/wedgey/swirley just to bring him back to the good old days!

LETS GO REDHAWKS!!!

Marist v Maine South IHSA 8A State Championship S... Marist v Maine South
IHSA 8A State Championship
Saturday, November 28th 7L00 PM
Memorial Stadium, Champaign
Live broadcast on WPRR-TV (Comcast 8, DIrecTV & Dish 50)
Streamed live online at http://ihsa.tv/

LETS GO MUSTANGS!!!

Got this from a follower... Felt it deserved some air time! Feel it is important to support all of our southside kids! We here at 60655 are always lookin to recognize our kids/teams so if anyone knows of a program/kid that needs some coverage please feel free to email or just lay it out in a post. I dont follow sports as much as I once did, but always want to support our kids.

Watch a Chicago team win a football game in Soldier Field this week:

Prep Bowl
St Rita v Simeon
Friday, November 27th 11:00 AM
Soldier Field
Live broadcast on WMME-TV (Comcast 223 DIRECTV & Uverse 23)

For MTG Businesses

Got this from the good state rep himself. We are seeing this economy heading in the right direction, but we need businesses to get going to start bringing jobs back! Hope this helps!

State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-35th) will sponsor a business needs workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 19 at Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will provide a presentation regarding various resources available to local businesses to help them stay afloat during the current economic downturn.

Joyce’s workshop is open to all businesses free of charge. It will provide information on multiple topics, including veteran programs and the discounts available for hiring veterans; the work opportunity tax credit which can amount to a savings of $9,000 for hiring one individual; bonding acquisition for individual new hires; matching qualified candidates to employer job postings; finding out about summer and part-time employment opportunities for youth who are in school; information on how IDES offices can be utilized for new hire interviews, copying, faxing, computer access, telephone access and more; how to acquire secure and efficient methods for paying unemployment insurance and state withholding taxes; local wages, industry projections or current conditions of the labor force; and how to obtain free legal services at IDES and other useful information.

What a sorry excuse for an NFL team! Whatever dumb shit was chirping about the Bears being a dynasty should be banned from this blog for being a complete f'ing moron! A hot headed asshole overrated quarterback who couldnt hit the broadside of a barn, an old, overhyped offensive line captain who anchors possibly the worst o-line in the NFL (yes, worse than the Packers--give Rodgers 3 years experience and he learns to get rid of the ball)ZERO wide receivers, a hack flash in the pan running back, no D line, NO dbacks and only Lance Briggs to be excited about! The official stance on this blog is BEARS SUCK!!! Hey, Life, HOW DAMN LONG TIL OPENING DAY??!!??!! Now cue up Waylon!!! And I dont give a damn what you all say!!!

Come Join us at Daley Plaza - Saturday, Nov. 28th at 9:00 AM

Dear Friends of the Holy Family:

Given intense media publicity, you may be aware the City of Chicago, because of falling tax revenue this year, discontinued their longtime practice of building an enormous “Holiday Tree” in Daley Plaza composed of dozens of smaller trees. Reports indicate the annual cost, including labor, to have been about $300,000. Instead, the city has erected a tree donated by a suburban family which is much smaller. Public reaction has been dismal. Police have already dubbed it “The Charlie Brown Tree.”

We are pleased to announce we are not reducing our commitment to honor the Christ Child. Please join us Saturday, November 28th, in Chicago’s Daley Center Plaza at Dearborn and Washington Streets, when we will again erect our life-size Nativity Scene. Construction will begin at 9 a.m. and the “God Squad” in action is a sight to behold.

There will be a brief rededication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Among the participants will be a bell choir from Santa Maria del Popolo Parish, Mundelein, IL. If you are unable to come down at that time, please try to visit our nativity scene before December 26th, when we must take it down. If possible, please take your children or grandchildren to visit this magnificent display.

As always, there are considerable yearly expenses involved in erecting and maintaining our Nativity Scene. Any donation you would care to make to help offset these expenses would be deeply appreciated. They may be sent to the Nativity Scene Committee at the address below. Your past generosity has been of great help and most heartening. Your support of this display will help remind our fellow citizens that it is Christmas, not just the “holidays.”

May the Christ Child bless you and your loved ones this Christmas and always.

Jim Finnegan & Terry Hodges
Co-Chairmen
terrance.hodges@gmail.com

HELP KEEP CHRISTMAS ALIVE IN CHICAGO!!

HISTORY OF NATIVITY SCENE AT CHICAGO’S DALEY PLAZA

In 1985, for as long as anyone could remember, the City of Chicago had always erected a nativity scene in the lobby of City Hall each year during the Christmas season. The display was there every year in times of war and peace, through good times and bad. It was a warm and welcome sign to anyone entering City Hall from the cold of Chicago's Decembers that the Christmas season had arrived and was duly recognized out of respect for the Christian heritage of the United States of America and the people of Chicago.

However, by 1985, a sea change had occurred in Chicago politics and the moral climate as well. After the death in 1976 of long time mayor Richard J. Daley, a devout Roman Catholic, the office of mayor was held in succession by two of his protégés, Michael Bilandic and Jayne Byrne. In 1983, Harold Washington, became Chicago's first black mayor. Mayor Washington kept his campaign pledge to make significant changes in city government, including the selection of a new cabinet. One of his appointments was a rather arrogant attorney named Judson Miner to the position of Corporation Counsel, the head of the city's legal department.

In a letter dated October 22, 1985, Sylvia Neil, Midwest Legal Director for the American Jewish Congress requested the City of Chicago not allow the erection of the nativity scene in the lobby of City Hall. The American Jewish Congress eventually sued the City over the issue and lost. However, upon appeal, the 7th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the lower court's decision in a 2-1 opinion written by Judge Flaum on August 18, 1987. Judson Miner said the City of Chicago would not appeal.

When news broke that City Hall was ending the time-honored tradition of a having a nativity scene in the lobby at Christmas, a group of Chicagoans headed by William Grutzmacher and a black minister, the late Rev. Hiram C. Crawford, went to the office of Judson Miner requesting an explanation of his position in support of the order to remove the nativity scene. Miner refused to meet with the group until Mr. Grutzmacher informed a secretary that if Miner did not allow them into his office and meet with his group, they had better call the police because they would refuse to leave City Hall until Miner spoke with them. Finally, Miner admitted them to his office and told them besides violating the principle of separation of church and state, it was "time to get rid of that thing."

Mr. Grutzmacher's group decided if the City of Chicago government was going to evict the Christian holiday display from City Hall, they would erect their own across the street in the Daley Center Plaza, public property long used as a venue for expression of free speech, including political demonstrations. He applied for and received a permit from the Public Building Commission to place a nativity scene in Daley Plaza. Grutzmacher purchased a relatively small nativity scene set and a group of volunteers erected it in Daley Plaza and took turns standing guard. In a move that shocked the world, the Public Building Commission yielding to pressure from the American Jewish Congress, reversed itself, and ordered county employees to demolish the nativity scene late one afternoon--just in time for TV news crews to film the entire episode. Pictures of government employees demolishing the set and struggling with Grutzmacher and his volunteers over the little statues made prime time news around the world. Angry calls of protest came from as far away as Germany by people who could not believe this could happen in America.

In case number 87 C 10746, Grutzmacher vs. Public Building Commission, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Senior Federal District Judge James B. Parsons ruled on Dec. 4, 1989 that the Public Building Commission was enjoined from discriminating against all forms of religious expression and ordered the Public Building Commission to permit Grutzmacher to erect a nativity scene display during the Christmas season. This expensive lawsuit was won against opposition from the American Jewish Congress, ACLU, American Atheists, and the circulators of a petition opposing the nativity scene signed by the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Catholic Archbishop of Chicago.

In 1996, William Grutzmacher retired and moved from the Chicago area. Before leaving, he contacted two friends, Jim Finnegan and Terry Hodges, about continuation of what had become a Christmas tradition every year in Daley Plaza: display of one of the largest nativity scene sets in the world. They agreed this wonderful tradition of keeping Christ in Christmas should continue and made the moral and financial commitment it would.

The Nativity Scene Committee is pledged to continue to erect this display in Chicago's Daley Plaza every Christmas with the help of a group of volunteer tradesmen that has become known as the "God Squad." The Nativity Scene Committee depends upon the grace of God and the generosity of those who wish to keep Christ in Christmas for continued success. Donations are most welcome and may be sent to the Nativity Scene Committee, at 11811 Will-Cook Road, Palos Park, IL 60464.

Show some MTG support!

From our good friend Jim McMahon... You have all been so supportive of this blog, now time to be supportive of a real cause! Please read this tear jerking letter and give as much support as you can! Thank you all in advance! Boss

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

I am writing this to request your support in helping out a family in our neighborhood, the McGoverns. Many of you are familiar with this story, but for those that are not, here’s how one family’s life changed in an instant, on a warm summer day last July 28th.
Every parents worst nightmare became a reality for Jim and Jackie McGovern when their two and a half year old daughter Lauren, managed to climb the ladder on the family’s backyard swimming pool at 106th & Millard, and fell in. She was found in the water unresponsive shortly after this, and after calling 9-1-1, one of the neighbors immediately went to work trying to resuscitate her, while the Fire Department ambulance was responding. She was rushed to Christ Hospital, where she spent the next several months clinging to life. She was later transferred to, and is currently in the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), and with the help of God, will be coming back home to her family during the first week of December.

Her Aunt Christine, would like to thank our neighbors for the huge outpouring of past support from the community, and is asking for our future support by taking a few moments out of our busy schedules a couple times a week, to send an uplifting note to the McGovern family on Lauren's “carepages.” She realizes that life continues for everyone and we’ve all got families of our own, but there has been a considerable decrease in messages and this little girl and her family still need our support. Even if you don't know the McGovern family personally, it would mean a lot to them if you could please send them some words of encouragement.

Please register at https://www.carepages.com/carepages/laurenmariemcgovern/messages,
go through the pictures of Lauren and take note of her great progress. This beautiful little lady is a real fighter and she is working so very hard. Let’s all take a few minutes a week and show the McGovern family that we care. Hopefully, these messages make Jackie and Jimmy realize that they are not alone in this battle, and will help their family get through the tough days that still lie ahead.

I’m asking everyone to make this a community effort and have faith that God is listening to everyone’s prayers. Please continue to pray for God’s mercy, and that His healing hands will grace Lauren with a quick and complete recovery.

I would like to thank everyone for their future prayers and support for the McGoverns, and for taking the time to send a kind word with best wishes to Lauren.

Jim McMahon

1000 Visitors!!!

Thanks to all for stoppin by!!! 1,000 visitors already? WOW! We hope we have been atleast a bit entertaining and even more informative to our fellow MTGers! Keep spreading the word, and any suggestions, advice, info, links, etc etc are MORE than welcome! THANK YOU to all who have taken time out of your day to pop in for a visit! Our next goal is to hit 10,000 and who knows, maybe free rainbow cone on us! Now, I am gonna go light up a cigar and poor me a 85 year old Glenlivet... not to celebrate, but that's what I do every night at this time! Thanks again, MTGers! Oh, and to those haters, those seething with jealousy, those who want to ruin a good thing with their own insecurities, to those who have been banned and feel threatened by this blog, well, to you we say EAT A HUGE (bleepin) (bleep)!!! Now, GET TO BLOGGIN! Only 9,000 to go!!!

Coming Soon to Mt. Greenwood... Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Parlor

Hello my good citizens of Mt.Greenwood, Boss here. My good friend who is a retired Polce Officer informed me about our soon to come Ben & Jerry's off 111th street.

In 1981 a man named Wesley Clark shot and killed Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in the back, then several times in the face. He did this in front of several witnesses, including his own brother. He was arrested while still holding the murder weapon in his hand and taken to the hospital to have a bullet, fired from Officer Faulkner's weapon, removed from his body. Despite 20 years of appeals, Wesley Clark (a.k.a. Mumia Abu Jamal) still sits on death row in Pennsylvania because 16 different judges have come to the shocking conclusion that he was indeed guilty and received a fair trial.

Ben Cohen, the "Ben" of "Ben and Jerry's", thinks otherwise. He not only signed his name to a petition calling for the release of "Mumia", but he made sure the words, "Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream" were right next to his name. Hey, it's a free country, you can support cop killers if you want, but the rest of us are free to refuse to purchase products from someone who not only supports a convicted cop killer, but made sure his company was noted as supporting a convicted cop killer.

You may ask, will I, the Boss ever buy ice cream from there??? Only if they make a Johnny Walker & Cohiba cigar flavored ice cream!! Now, GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Dont Forget!

Even if you are an out of shape old timer with bad knees, a big gut, and a penchant for drinking scotch and smoking big cigars I strongly suggest you attend! Me, on the other hand, will just send a check! Now, GET TO WALKIN/RUNNIN!!!

Join the Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Family Walk Saturday, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. at 92nd and Hamilton.

The event benefits the Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation & the 19th Ward Youth Foundation.

Register today online at www.the19thward.com. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please e-mail matthewoshea@wowway.com.

H1N1 vaccines available

The St. Xavier University health center will administer vaccinations from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Shannon Center on the Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. The Shannon Center is on the west side of campus, best accessed from 103rd Street and Hamlin Avenue. Parking is available in Lot 1, west and south of the Center.

Vaccinations are free and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is necessary.

The following high priority groups have been determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Health care and emergency medical service personnel.

• Children and young adults ages six monthsto 24 years.

• Persons ages 25 to 64 who have medical conditions that put them at high risk for complications from influenza.

• Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than six months.

• Pregnant women.

The immunization clinic opens to the public at 2 p.m. No parking is available on campus prior to 2 p.m. without a valid university parking permit. University parking policy will be strictly enforced.

Another Idiot Banned

Dear "concerned MTG mom": Your comments were reviewed for accuracy and it turns out you are a liar. Seems you may be one of the idiots responsible for taking out the other blog. Too bad we are a bit more saavy than a complete moron who has nothing better to do than sit around his mom's basement and attempt to sabotage an otherwise productive blog. Sorry the tough kids beat you up every day and you find solace in trying to destroy what is productive. We are sure we will read about you some day donning your best trench coat, arming yourself to the T and full of Columbine like intentions, but will be stopped short when you get a wedgey and a swirley from the class bully! YOU ARE NOW BANNED! FOR GOOD! Oh, and if you dont like the music, feel free to click on that little X on the upper right hand corner of the screen... Now, GET TO DOING WHATEVER IT IS A WASTE OF SPACE SHIT STAIN DOES! You will notice as many of your comments that we can trace to your IP have been deleted; that is unless they have been forwarded on to the D unit along with your threat. Apologies to our followers, and rest assured there were no African American males in the park talking about "getting back at whitey" or "raping a white girl"... We sincerely apologize for allowing that crap to get through.

Michael Scott Suicide?

Ok so not this Michael Scott... Isnt this the same Michael Scott that was appointed to the head of CPS by King Richard of Bridgeport himself? And the same who was being investigated by the feds for suspect land deals near potential olympic sites? Hmmm... maybe the Feds were getting a little too close for comfort. While we mourn for his family (well, not really because I cant imagine the Scott family being too busted up over our loss!), we can only hope he left behind a very detailed note on the steps of the SunTimes (near where his body was found) that will be admitted as exhibit A in the corruption trial of one Chicago Monarch! Now, GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Unbelieveable!

My cop friend emailed me this story from the cop blog... keep reading if you want to be infuriated!

A BIG Part of the Problem
But the City Council just can't help themselves:

After an emotional appeal from a straight-A student facing deportation in 33 days, a City Council committee agreed Friday to champion the cause of Rigo Padilla and others caught in the switches while awaiting immigration reform.

On Jan. 18, Padilla was driving home from watching a football playoff game on TV after having a few beers with friends when he was arrested. He was charged with driving under the influence after being accused of rolling through a stop sign.

There was a designated driver that night, but Padilla said he had dropped the friend off before getting behind the wheel for the eight-block drive to his own home.

So again, how are this illegal alien's bad choices worthy of even a second of the City Council's time? Isn't the City almost bankrupt? Isn't the mayor laying off workers left and right? Isn't industry fleeing the City and conventioneers abandoning Chicago at record levels? Hasn't Chicago's unemployment rate topped 12 or 13%? Yet our City Council is going to "champion" this cause? And (wonder of wonders), this illegal wants to become a lawyer?

Open Post

Not much going on around and in 60655 excepthaving a drink, a fine R & J, some decent wings while watching a bunch of thugs running around, doing their jobs, and dancing like a bunch of mopes when they DO their job... But hey, we pay to watch it and we enjoy it! So carry on, my thug brothers! Open post today. Will get back on track tomorrow!

Ship has sunk

Guess we gave too much credit thinking the Bears would score 20 some odd points... Cutler, Orton, Grossman, Griese, Hutchinson, Mcnown, etc etc IT DOESNT MATTER! I have watched this same game over and over for 20+ damn years! Whatever... Hand me another scotch! Now, GET TO BLOGGIN!

Around and In 60655 Read All About It!!!

Spread the word folks! Although I love hearing from the likes of Lifes too Short, Jim McMahon, Mary Carol, J.O.B, and last but not least my personal favorite MtgCutie, we need to get the word out about this neighborhood blog! If any of our loyal followers has any pertinent information that you want posted on my blog just send me an email. Now, GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Here we go again... Our thought on the matter is really, who gives a s*%t? But just in case of a miracle, and we have to claim that we "never gave up and always believed" we will pretend to care. Smart money is on the Samurai opening up a can on the Bears... our prediction is Bears 4 Niners 86!

Community Alert

Police have issued a community alert about three men who attempted to abduct a 14-year-old boy Friday in Mount Greenwood.
The attempted kidnapping occurred about 3:15 p.m. in the 10700 block of South Hamlin Avenue when three men in a dark brown minivan drove alongside the boy and parked their car, according to the alert from Calumet Area detectives.
A passenger got out of the car and ordered the boy into the minivan, but the boy ran home, and the would-be kidnappers drove away.
All three suspects were 17 to 19 years old, according to the alert. The passenger who approached the boy was wearing a blue baseball cap and dark brown sweatshirt with white lettering.

Neighborhood creeps

Here is a list of 10 sex offenders in the 60655 zip code. Please use this for safety and informational purposes ONLY and not to do anything illegal.

Your use of this information constitutes agreement to the following terms
City-data.com makes no representation, implied or expressed, that all information placed on this web site is accurate or timely. City-data.com and its owners accept no responsibility or liability for damages of any kind resulting from reliance on this information or lack thereof. The information that is displayed on this site derives from official public records. It is possible that information displayed here does not reflect current residence or other information. Users are forewarned that it is incumbent upon them to verify information with the responsible state agency or the local law enforcement agency. Information displayed on this site provides no representation as to any offender's possibility of future crimes. Persons who use information contained on this website to threaten, intimidate, or harass any individual, including registrants or family members may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability under state of federal law. Each state has its own information collection policy. Review individual state conditions before use. Note that not all criminal offenses require registration with the state police, only those covered by the statutes. Note that other people that are not sex offenders can share the same name.
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS SITE IS PROVIDED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO THREATEN, INTIMIDATE, OR HARASS. MISUSE OF THIS INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
Back to: Zip Code 60655, Illinois, All US cities.


According to our research of the Illinois and other state lists there were 10 registered sex offenders living in zip code 60655 (Chicago, IL) in May 2009.

Donald Leib
Address: 103xx S Albany Ave
City: Chicago
Crime: Child Abductn/Lure A Child <16 Yrs Into Vehicle ; indecent Solicitation Of A Child
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1970-06-02
Height: 5'10
Weight: 168
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


Eric Petrouskas
Address: 105xx S Pulaski Rd Apt. Hse
City: Chicago
Crime: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault/Victim <9 ; aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (2 Counts)
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1966-10-28
Height: 6'04
Weight: 250
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


Fred Morris
Address: 106xx S Central Park Av
City: Chicago
Crime: Failure To Report Change Of Address ; child Sex Offender Present In A School Zone ; sex Offender Present At A Public Park ; aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault ; aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault/Victim >60 ; aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault/Victim <13 ; aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault/Victim <9
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1960-08-18
Height: 6'01
Weight: 200
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


John M Riley
Address: 107xx S Maplewood Ave
City: Chicago
Crime: Violate Sex Offender Registration Act ; failure To Report Change Of Address ; aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault ; criminal Sexual Abuse/Force/2nd
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1957-01-22
Height: 6'02
Weight: 185
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


Michael D Connelly
Address: 26xx W 106th Place Apt. Hse
City: Chicago
Crime: Indecent Solicitation Of A Child
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1938-01-31
Height: 5'08
Weight: 180
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


Michael E Lee
Address: 109xx S Albany Ave Apt. Hse
City: Chicago
Crime: Aggravated Criminal Sex Abuse/Victim 13-16
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1964-03-14
Height: 5'11
Weight: 240
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


Oscar G Duran
Address: 38xx W 106th St Apt. Hse
City: Chicago
Crime: Criminal Sexual Abuse Force
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1985-03-08
Height: 5'06
Weight: 200
Race: Unknown
Based on this official offender page


Richard Barnes
Address: 108xx S Campbell Ave Apt. Hse
City: Chicago
Crime: Sexual Exploitation/Expose Organs
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1978-08-27
Height: 5'08
Weight: 170
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


Terrence A Thompson
Address: 110xx S Troy St
City: Chicago
Crime: Indecent Solicitation Of A Child
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1954-09-20
Height: 6'03
Weight: 220
Race: White
Based on this official offender page


Todd Charles Feitl
Address: 30xx W 111th St Apt. 4
City: Chicago
Crime: Child Pornography/Film/Photos
Sex: Male
Date of birth: 1982-10-16
Height: 5'11
Weight: 240
Race: White
Based on this official offender page

Happy Veterans Day

Thank You veterans!!! If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet today!

Open Post: Public Safety / Neighborhood News

Ladies and Gentlemen of Mt.Greenwood, I urge you to start getting back to the basics. I want to know what you think of our police servive here in 022, I want to know if there are any recent safety concerns, reported crimes, or if my little grandson Tommy got loose and has been terrorizing anyone but me!!! So all you Gladys Kravitz's out there...go GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Good Eats Around And In Mt.Greenwood

Here it is people. My very favorite past time besides throwing back my scotch and taking in a good cigar is some good eats. Breakfast-lunch-dinner let us know what your favorite food place is in the Mt.Greenwood area. Good food, bad food, good service, bad service, hair in your food (unless it's from MtgCutie :) and let us know about it! Now, go start eatin AND GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Speeding ticket?

No problem... hit the link here and read how you can beat it! Now if we could figure out how to deem red light cameras and breathalyzer machines unreliable my life would be a WHOLE lot easier!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-speeding-tickets-09-nov09,0,7869040.story

Open Post

Open post for now... Bears are at home underdogs in a must win game... Writing may be on the wall for Lovie if they keep playing like group of Brother Rice rejects! Hey, Life is Good, how many days til opening day? Now, GET TO BLOGGIN!!!

Volunteers Needed

Courtesy of our friend Jim McMahon... Thanks Jim

The "Patriot Guard" is looking for volunteers tomorrow to ride their motorcycles as an escort in the funeral procession for this soldier from Queen of Martyrs Church at 103rd & Drake, to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. If you can make it, get to the church by 10:30 because the mass starts at 10:00 AM.

It would be even better if you can go from Blake Lamb at 103rd, just east of Cicero at 9:00 AM to escort him to the church too, but you'll have to spend an hour waiting for the mass to end. Anything you can do would be appreciated.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ANYONE YOU KNOW THAT RIDES A MOTORCYCLE TO HELP HONOR THIS YOUNG MAN.

CPD pension news

I know there alot of CPD in 60655 so I thought you might like this... I know just how important a pension is. Here is a youtube link to a Fox news piece and a copy of an email Trustee Shields sent out. From what my guy on the department tells me, this Shields guy is really shaking things up over at the pension board...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNo0L6TK2eA

Last week, a Detective on the Police Department brought to my attention that Mike Masters was participating in our Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago. As an appointed member of the exempt ranks, Masters has a salary of $155,000+. I then decided to investigate further with other exempt member. Weis, Brust, Daly and Klimas were all former FBI agents appointed to exempt ranks. They too are participating.

This is not simply a matter of sworn vs non-sworn members of the exempt rank. The fact that these member never participated to our fund prior to their exempt appointment eliminates them.

Here is the law: The Illinois Pension Code that governs our fund includes persons of exempt rank in our fund only if they meet the following criteria under Sec 5-109.

"Policeman" : (b) An employee as defined in sub-paragraph (a) immediately above who is serving in the regularly constituted police department of a city in a rank or position which is exempt from civil service and who, immediately prior to the time he began such service, was a participant in the Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund Act

The five exempt members have a salary ranging from $140,000 to $310,000. This is a lot of money to expose our pension fund to the risk of these members obtaining a pension. If these members were to be participants in our fund for 3 Years, they can take advantage of our loopholes in the pension code. If they get another "safety or investigative" job after the 3 years on our department, in either the County, the State, the City, the Federal Government, or become a police Chief outside of the city, they can continue to participate in our fund.

Here is the law: Sec 5-414 Credit For Service

Any participant in this fund (other than a member of the fire department of the city) who has rendered service as a member of the police department of the city for a period of 3 years or more is entitled to credit for the various purposes of this article for service rendered prior to becoming a member or subsequent thereto for the following periods:

(c) While performing safety or investigative work for the county in which such city is principally located or for the State of Illinois or for the federal government, on leave of absence from the department of police, or while performing investigative work for the department as a civilian employee of the department.
(d) While on leave of absence from the police department of the city and serving as the chief of police of a police department outside the city.

Not only does our Board need to remove them from this fund, we also need to explore how it is that these members were invited in to our fund in the first place. Who let them in? As we all take a closer look at this pension system, we realize that it is far too often that the chosen ones benefit from this fund, not the hard working men and women of this department. It takes a village to raise a child. In our case, it takes an entire police department to police our pension fund.

Michael K. Shields