Traffic Guy

The Traffic Guy Hears ...

...that the City is going to purchase two multi-purpose tractors and attachments for Parks/Forestry and Recreation and Streets and Sanitation. Because they're multi-purpose, they are able to have different attachments, such as a rotary boom and a straight blade, depending on what needs to be removed from the streets or paths.

..that deer have returned (visibly at least) to the Arboretum.

...that NICOR wants to install "natural gas regulating and monitoring facilities" at Fireman's Park (Simpson at Maple). With possibly crossed timetables, NICOR said they'll be getting around to the project in September, just about the time the Firemen's Park Neighbors have their annual picnic. Maybe the Fireman's Park folks can invite the NICOR people to the get-together. Maybe the NICOR people can bring s'mores.

...Speaking of firefighters, TG hears that the new fire station on Central Street is coming along. The hope is that it will be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building.

...that the League of Women Voters of Evanston will continue to rent space at the Civic Center.

... that four-way stops are coming to the McDaniel/Simpson and Wesley/Noyes intersections.

... that this Union Pacific viaduct is getting some repairs (much-needed, it appears).

...that Secretary of State Jesse White has implemented a process for applicants for CDLs (commercial driver's licenses). Now they can schedule their pre-trip, skills and road exams online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com, giving 24/7 access to the applications and appointment procedures. Of course, CDL applicants may still schedule appointments by calling 630-293-1191 in the Chicago metro area or 217-785-3013 for Central and Downstate Illinois from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

...that the antenna at the police station has to be replaced, but the new one will be next to the station, not on the roof. And it's going to be taller - 140 feet tall, City officials say - but probably quite thin. The present antenna is 70 feet tall, mounted atop the 40-foot-high building.

...that Torgerson Park is on the list for renovations this summer.

...that the Parks/Forestry division is looking into how to get rid of the very ugly graffiti on a sidewalk in Twiggs Park.

...that Winestyles and Ruby of Siam each had a change of ownership, and each has a new liquor license. Taylor Street got its liquor license, as well. And Tacos del Lago has closed.

Annie Tsingis, right, and her friend Nora Mertz may have drawn Evanston's longest hop-scotch court. Annie is pictured with her brother, John.

...that first-graders (second-graders by the time you read this) Nora Mertz and Annie Tsingis constructed what TG believes is Evanston's, if not the world's, largest hop-scotch court. It stretched along Hawthorne Lane, across Simpson Street, down the sidewalk, back across the street and down to the end of the lane on the sidewalk. The grids were punctuated by reassurances such as "big scotch," "little scotch," "rest here," "cars, but not a lot," and "you're safe."

...that after the arbor vitae trees planted by the state two years ago along McCormick between Emerson and Green Bay died from exposure to the highway salt, the state replaced them, and the replacements died as well. No surprise there; the road is nicer, so there's more traffic; hence, more salt in winter. But now the state is just leaving them to die, and since the City has now taken ownership of that stretch of McCormick, it's up to us to do something. Paul D'Agostino, superintendent of Parks and Forestry for the City, says he doesn't think any trees or bushes can grow there. But, he says, the state has a grass seed mixture that's virtually salt-proof, and he may try to get us some.

...that Wisconsin passed the Great Lakes Compact in mid-May, making it the fifth of the eight Great Lake States to do so. Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and New York previously passed the compact. The compact all but bans the diversion of water to areas outside the Great Lakes watershed and sets standards for water use inside the Great Lakes basin. A spokesperson for the Alliance for the Great Lakes said in a prepared statement issued on Feb. 12, "This legislation is critical to protecting Great Lakes water from withdrawals," noting that there are currently few protections preventing water from being withdrawn to other states and regions. "The time to act is now, before entities outside the region look to the Great Lakes to solve their water shortages." The compact must pass each of the Great Lake states before being ratified by Congress. A companion agreement in the bordering Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec is being considered.

At the Evanston Art Center:
'The Neried Beckon'

... speaking of the lake, the newest art installation at the Evanston Art Center is there on the lawn: Matthew Dehaemers' "The Nereid Beckon" is composed of big, big bottles containing little bottles, each with a message about or meditation on the Lake from the people of Evanston. The bottle-sculptures, according to the EAC, are "directed toward the historic Grosse Point Lighthouse as if seeking safe haven."

...that the flap over NU's commencement continues. Now that folks appear to be calmed down about the University's rescinding the offer of an honorary degree to Dr. Jeremiah Wright, there is some ado over the fact that Chicago mayor Richard Daley will be the commencement speaker. Just a few days before the announcement TG heard that the name of the speaker was so secret it would not be announced until 24 hours before commencement. Here's part of a statement from NU's president Henry Bienen, who apparently got a little testy when questioned about it:

"Because Northwestern is celebrating its 150th Commencement and the University's long ties with Chicago, it is particularly appropriate to have Mayor Daley be our speaker. We are very pleased that he accepted our invitation to be the commencement speaker, particularly since it is not something he does often at universities. I am confident that our graduates and their families will benefit from the insights that I hope he will share with us at commencement. We very much look forward to welcoming him at that event."

From our readers: TG: This morning while working from home, I looked out my window and noticed the ticket in the window of my car. My fault, as every other week we should know that the street cleaner is coming. But it occurred to me as I went out to move my car with the rest of my neighbors (cursing), that a reminder would be a nice gesture. Just as the ice cream trucks constantly remind us that they are in the neighborhood with their little jingle, all I would need is a honk or two from Traffic Management cars to have us all run out and move it. It would seem like the Evanston Neighborly thing to do.
- Ken Fleming

From TG: It depends on perspective. One might think the purpose of street cleaning is to improve the community, and thus the street-cleaning signs would be indications to the citizenry about how they can help in this effort - i.e., get their cars off the street so the street-sweepers can do their work. In which case, a friendly horn or bell would be downright neighborly, as you suggest - or even a street-sweeping version of "Turkey in the Straw." For a while, folks in the RT neighborhood did get warnings with bullhorns.

TG thinks, though, that this might be a question for our readers: What sort of audio warning or notice would you like to have that the street-sweepers are coming?

TG: As a resident of Central Street, I am concerned about the potholes, raised sections, separations and disintegrating patches on the Central Street Fourth of July parade ro
ute. I hope someone from the City walks the route in time for repairs to be made so no one is hurt.
- Nancy Ames

From TG: TG shares your concern and hopes the folks at the City will as well. One thing is sure: Bands, dancers, bicycles, Shriners' "magic carpets," antique cars, fire trucks and emergency vehicles - even crammed into a two-plus-hour parade - will not do the damage of some of those mega delivery trucks. (Did everyone notice how TG is putting in a plug already for the 4th of July festivities? Like everyone else, TG loves a parade.)

The Traffic Guy thinks...
...that a dialogue that took place at a recent public meeting was sooooooooo Evanston: The consultants, who seemed kind of green, wanted to end the meeting, because most of the audience members had become participants instead of listeners. One consultant tried to close off the questions by saying, "There are a lot of cooks here," to which several audience members replied, "This is Evanston. Get used to it."

Speaking of Evanston, how's this for a sign typifying what's been called the People's Republic of Evanston?