It was a great race last week. 24,000 runners, perfect weather, and the first beer was free! Good times.
The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Interesting: Biking in Paris in the Springtime
Also helfpul: a citywide bike rental program where the first half-hour is free...
Paris Embraces Plan to Become City of Bikes - washingtonpost.com
Paris Embraces Plan to Become City of Bikes - washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
I+H: Illinois HB1615
My State Representative, Greg Harris, is making good progress on House Bill 1615, which allows same-sex couples to form civil unions that have the same legal rights as marriage. At the same time, the bill guarantees that religious institutions would be free not to recognize the unions as marriages and would not be forced to perform wedding ceremonies of same-sex couples.
To find your State Rep. and Senator, click Legislator Lookup here.
To find your State Rep. and Senator, click Legislator Lookup here.
Helpful: Spring Break Check-in
It was a great first day of Spring Break yesterday. The weather was beautiful, and I got to take a nice long bike ride in my old neighborhood.
This week, I'm using the time off to catch up in my school work. I'm taking five classes this semester, and with only five weeks to go, here's what I have left:
517 Regional Planning: Group presentation on water quality. The assignment is to propose a programs or campaign that a regional planning organization might undertake, given that most RPOs are advisory (meaning they don't have any legislative authority.)
530 Economic Development: Final paper and presentation analyzing a particular economic development initiative. I haven't chosen a target yet - will probably choose an Illinois state program, so I can interview officials here in Chicago.
536 Urban Employment: Final paper and presentation on a welfare to work program. Haven't chosen one yet.
537 Environmental Economics: Final exam, plus term paper and presentation on permeable pavement, a market-based solution to the problem of stormwater runoff and groundwater depletion.
594 Disaster Mitigation and Hazard Planning: Report on a disaster that received presidential declaration of emergency. Group presentation on 1996 flood of Aurora, IL. What mitigation plan would we propose after the disaster?
This week, I'm using the time off to catch up in my school work. I'm taking five classes this semester, and with only five weeks to go, here's what I have left:
517 Regional Planning: Group presentation on water quality. The assignment is to propose a programs or campaign that a regional planning organization might undertake, given that most RPOs are advisory (meaning they don't have any legislative authority.)
530 Economic Development: Final paper and presentation analyzing a particular economic development initiative. I haven't chosen a target yet - will probably choose an Illinois state program, so I can interview officials here in Chicago.
536 Urban Employment: Final paper and presentation on a welfare to work program. Haven't chosen one yet.
537 Environmental Economics: Final exam, plus term paper and presentation on permeable pavement, a market-based solution to the problem of stormwater runoff and groundwater depletion.
594 Disaster Mitigation and Hazard Planning: Report on a disaster that received presidential declaration of emergency. Group presentation on 1996 flood of Aurora, IL. What mitigation plan would we propose after the disaster?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Interesting: This American Life TV
The TV version of This American Life launched this week, and you can watch clips from the first two episodes at Showtime.
Interesting: GERRYMANDER!
Go see this show!
I'll be working the door tonight, then getting a group together for next Friday's show.
GERRYMANDER!
National Pastime Theater
4139 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60613
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 7pm
Runs until April 1
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Helpful: Back up this blog
Via Lifehacker, here's a link to some simple instructions for backing up your blog if it's hosted on the new Blogger/Blogspot. Can't be too careful these days.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Interesting: Peace Dividend
An idea that was spurred from my urban employment class today: Imagine President Obama, in 2009, pulling all forces from Iraq, then submitting an "emergency appropriations bill" for American cities for the same amount that we spend on war.
$90 billion in one year to build schools and transportation networks in the entire US? If all school districts in the US spent $22 billion on school construction in 2005, then you could double nationwide school construction, with $68 billion left over for spending on roads, transit, port security, and ponies.
Call it a dividend for peace. This kind of investment by a new president would do for the America of the 21st century what Eisenhower did for the US of the 1950s.
$90 billion in one year to build schools and transportation networks in the entire US? If all school districts in the US spent $22 billion on school construction in 2005, then you could double nationwide school construction, with $68 billion left over for spending on roads, transit, port security, and ponies.
Call it a dividend for peace. This kind of investment by a new president would do for the America of the 21st century what Eisenhower did for the US of the 1950s.
Helpful: 739 Free MP3s
Once again, the South by Southwest festival is releasing free mp3 files from bands that are performing at the conference next week. The first release is 739 tracks, enough to give a nice boost to your iTunes library. Granted, some of these bands are crummy, but some are golden. Sadly, while I be in Texas this weekend, I will miss the shows and interactive publishing guru Cody Simms due to a wedding in San Antonio. Wish me luck as I drink Shiner beer, eat Taco Cabana, and look for Pee Wee's bike. Good times!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Helpful: URL change
Hi there everyone. After three years, I've decided to rebrand the site so that it actually has interesting and helpful in the url. Here we go!
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