Probable. Possible. But NO confirmation yet.

Illinois Swine Flu Count Up to 17

Last Edited: Thursday, 30 Apr 2009, 12:18 PM CDT
Created On: Thursday, 30 Apr 2009, 6:22 AM CDT

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/LocalFlu

Type A H1N1 Virus, courtesy: Science Photo Library

Chicago, IL – Health officials say the number of probable swine flu cases in Illinois has risen to 17. Officials say the new total includes three new cases in Cook County, four new cases in Kane County and one case in McHenry County.

That’s eight more than what the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday.

Department spokeswoman Kelly Jakubek says the state hasn’t yet received confirmation from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about any of the test results. The cases won’t be considered “confirmed” until the CDC does its own testing.

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Enhanced microscope photos make things look almost appealing, until you find out what they really represent.

And I don’t understand what’s taking soooo long with the testing. After all, Ald. Joe (“Gimme Face-time”) Moore (Dumb-49th) confirmed Chicago’s first case here in Rogers Park very early Wednesday morning!

Meanwhile, just keep on keepin’ on, folks.

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Rogers Park reaction to swine flu: face masks to unfazed

by Kimberly Doerner
April 29, 2009

Walking down Greenview Avenue in Rogers Park, Lynette Graham, 38, grasped her grocery bags while wearing latex gloves and a tattered yellow surgical mask. She lives just behind Kilmer Elementary, the school that officials shut down Wednesday after one child contracted a probable case of swine flu.

“I just want to keep myself safe,” she said. “My kids had their friends who go to Kilmer in my home. Now I’m really worried.”

Graham has severe asthma and an autoimmune disorder. She doesn’t want to risk contracting the swine flu and is taking extreme precautions to keep her healthy. “I would still walk around like this even if it didn’t break out at Kilmer.”

Graham is the mother of two, a senior and a sophomore at nearby Sullivan High School. She was concerned after hearing on the news that Kilmer Elementary was closed and went into her teenager’s school to find out what was going on.

“The school just gave me a handout and said it was up to me whether or not I want to keep my kids in school.”

Read more…

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As of 7:00 AM today, it has still not been announced whether the 12-year-old student from Kilmer had actually contracted the flu known as “swine” or some other type of influenza.

Ms. Graham’s precautions are wise, considering her own health problems. I fail to understand, however, just how the loose-fitting surgical mask is protecting her. But that’s a topic for another time.

Meanwhile, we urge people to continue following the precautions as set forth by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).

Make personal hygiene a habit. Get plenty of rest. Eat healthy food, including fruits and vegetables.

Lastly, keeping your mind focused on health, rather than succumbing to all the media hype and fear-mongering, is the best way to be well and stay well.

Swine Flu Press Conference at Kilmer School-UPDATE

First and foremost, to prevent the transmission of ANY type of flu or colds, you and your children MUST follow these guidelines:

Both Dr. Terry Mason and Ron Huberman stressed the fact that this is a “probable” case of swine flu at Kilmer Elementary School in Rogers Park. This cannot be confirmed until the test results are received from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), which will take 24-36 hours.

However, Fox News included an interview with Ald. Joe Moore (49th Ward). The headline reads: “Ald. Moore confirms Swine flu”. How does he do that?

Moore’s actual words in this interview: “…a case…a confirmed case…a highly-suspected case…”. Which is it, Joe? Did you personally perform the test, or are you just wanting face-time in front of the cameras? If you had the least, leetle beetsy bit of honesty, you would have stated that you, as are Dr. Mason and Mr. Huberman, are ‘awaiting the results of testing by the CDC’.

The Kilmer Elementary School, 6700 N. Greenview Avenue in Rogers Park, will be closed until further notice from CPS.

Everyone must make certain to follow the guidelines pictured at the beginning of this post. Once again, they are:

– Cover your cough.

– Cover your sneeze.

– Use facial tissues and discard them promptly.

– Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water.

– Teach those good habits to children.

– If you are sick, stay home and get better. Do not spread a cold or flu at work, school, store, church or other house of worship or anywhere.

– Boost your immune system by eating fresh vegetables and fruit, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep at night.

More (and hopefully, NOT MOORE) to come later in the day.

UPDATE: 3:00 pm

Nine cases of suspected swine flu in Chicago

Read more…

Also in the news…

Navy Pier Cinco de Mayo fest canceled over swine flu

April 29, 2009
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1550011,chicago-cinco-de-mayo-fest-canceled-042909.article

A Mexican organization in Chicago has canceled a Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend over concerns about the swine flu.

Evelia Rodriguez is a spokeswoman for the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois. She says hundreds of performers and vendors from Mexico were set to travel to Chicago’s Navy Pier for the event on Saturday and Sunday.

But she says some had trouble getting flights out of Mexico. And she says the cancellation is for healthy safety reasons.

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So, there you are–all caught up!

Now go wash your hands!

Swine flu case closes Rogers Park school

Wednesday–April 29, 2009 5:48 AM

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/04/could-swine-flu-cause-a-n-side-school-to-close.html

A probable case of swine flu has prompted the closure of a North Side elementary school.

In an e-mail message this morning, CPS spokeswoman Monique Bond said the closure of Kilmer Elementary School, 6700 N. Greenview Ave., was “a result of the swine influenza.” But she would not say whether the closure was precautionary or if there were one or more reported swine flu cases.

Contacted by the Tribune this morning, Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman declined to comment.

A source confirmed the probable case to the Tribune. It was not known if it was a student, a teacher or some other staff member.

City public school and health officials will hold a 7 a.m. news conference to discuss Kilmer’s closing. The school is in a heavily Hispanic populated area of the Rogers Park neighborhood.

Huberman and Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Terry Mason are attending the news conference, officials said.

Kilmer’s student population of 850 is 60 percent Hispanic, according to latest figures available on the CPS Web site. It has a teaching staff of 46.

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There will be more news, as the day progresses.

Meet With The Triangle Park Advisory Council

Neighbors:

Please mark your calendars: Tuesday, May 5, 7-8pm.

Triangle Park is at the intersection of Juneway and Hermitage.

Courtesy: Toni Duncan www.howardwatchers.blogspot.com

Currently I serve as President of the Triangle Park Advisory Council. Ralph Johnson is Vice-President. We have two other members.

There is also a Triangle Park Garden Group to care for the “Rock Garden” or any additional gardens that may occur.

This is a call for neighbors to learn more about Triangle Park, and to consider becoming a member of the Council so that it will be a top-notch exciting leisure park for all our neighbors.

I will be hosting an information meeting about TRIANGLE PARK, e.g. What is its purpose? What is the vision for it?

It will be held Tuesday evening, May 5th, 7pm – 8 pm. It will be held in the picnic area of the Park. Bring a lawn chair if you have one.

We will also be recruiting new members to serve on the council, and sharing what that might mean in terms of your time and talent.

Thank you. See you there.

Sister Cecilia Fandel
773-973-4812
crf1229@sbcglobal.net

I DID NOT HEAR HIS VOTE, NOR IS THERE ANY WORD OF HIM…

Did you watch yesterday’s City Council proceedings LIVE? I did, all four and a half hours, via the Chicago City Clerk’s website. Find it for yourselves.

On Tuesday, I received Ald. Joe Moore’s ‘poof’ re: what had happened at the previous City Council meeting, back on March 18th.

Joe–why does it take almost an entire MONTH for you to inform us of your activities for which you are OVERLY-paid? ‘Adjusting’ those files, as you did the ‘Zoning’ files?

As usual, yesterday’s ‘poof” said “I, me, me mine” more than most–Joe was going to INTRODUCE resolutions, this time!

I watched. I listened. When roll was called for votes, and his name/ward was announced, there was nothing. no aye and no nay audible. I don’t think he attended.

WE, the taxpayers of the 49th Ward, City of Chicago, Mayor Dick’em Daley, PAY YOU, Joe Moore, to be our servant, our representative, at these City Council meetings. The resultings votes were 48 ayes and 0 nays, which meant that 2 aldermen were NOT present. Who were they?

I have to wait for the official proceedings to be published, but I offer the following:

Moore-Lie No. 1

“That’s why I (and others!–GG) recently authored an ordinance to expand the powers and adequately fund the work of the City’s independent Inspector General. Among other things, the ordinance gives to the Inspector General the power to investigate aldermen. At the last City Council meeting on March 18th, I (and others!–GG) introduced the ordinance with thirteen of my colleagues. I’ve attached a copy of my (wouldn’t that be ‘our ordinance’, Joe?–GG) proposed ordinance below”:

Inspector_General_Ordinance.pdf (114 KB)

Moore Lie No 2

“In the same spirit of promoting more effective accountability, I (and others!-GG) plan to introduce at tomorrow’s City Council meeting a resolution calling for additional hearings into the city’s parking meter lease deal. As you may know, the Daley Administration entered into an agreement with Morgan Stanley to lease the city’s parking meters for the next 75 years.

The agreement resulted in a large infusion of money-$1.2 billion-to the depleted city coffers, and may ultimately prove to be a good deal for the city. But the rush to approve the agreement, and the resulting chaos in implementing the transfer of the parking meters to Morgan Stanley and its newly created subsidiary, LAZ Parking, has raised serious questions about the process leading to the lease agreement and the inexcusable deficiencies in its implementation. The resolution asks that Paul Volpe, Mayor Daley’s chief of staff and former chief financial officer and officials from Morgan Stanley and LAZ Parking appear before the council to answer questions about the bidding process and the financial analysis that went into the deal.

I’ve attached a copy of my (and others, I hope?-GG) resolution below:

Parking_Meter_Lease_Resolution.doc (35 KB)

I will let you know when the hearings are scheduled.” (When–next month? Hopefully before the next City Council meeting, which is scheduled for May 13th?–GG)

The main point here is: Joe Moore has been ’schmoozing’ you residents of the 49th Ward for the past 18 years! He is truly ‘the Alder-Joker’!

All he does is sign his name to a resolution others have worked hard to word properly. He has not been a ’servant of the people’, merely a servant of himself, all along–and now he is considering retiring. Isn’t that special?

If you have ANY guts, ANY gumption, you will not vote for him–OR ANYONE LIKE HIM–in the next election.

Look at it this way, folks: he has been ’stealing’ from you–your tax dollars, part of your rent, part of your license fees–to feather his own filthy nest!

BTW, Joe, at $110,556 per year, why haven’t you gotten those goofy front teeth fixed?

And remember, folks, ‘Life’s more painless, for the brainless’, so take your brain for a walk, every day!

18 MORE REASONS…TO VOTE "NO MOORE 2011"

It was a nice walk on a Saturday evening through a tiny part of the city. But this post is not about how Eva McCann and Toni Duncan organized the second Community Walk in nine days through Beat 2422.

This post is about the future–of the 49th Ward, City of Chicago, Richard M. (Dick’em) Daley, Mayor.

For 18 years now, the 49th has been run (down?) by this alderclown, Joe (“Pay-to-Play”) Moore, a self-proclaimed ‘progressive’ Democrat. I call BS re: his ‘progress’!

The 49th is a small ward, maybe 2.5 square miles. The North of Howard area (Beat 2422) is even smaller, and our walk took us through only half the beat.

That’s where these photos were taken: from Howard Street north to Juneway Terrace, and from Hermitage and Triangle Park east to Greenview Avenue–roughly ten square blocks within the City of Chicago.

And in 18 years, Joe Moore has not done a damned thing, in my and others’ estimation, to deserve his alder-MANIC salary of $110,556, due to the 6.2% ‘cost of living’ (does he EVEN live here? At 1431 W. Fargo Avenue?) increase this year.

I’m not labelling these photos. Come to this area, take a walk, and find these places for yourself.

And before you, the residents of the 49th Ward, vote in 2011, remember these photos and just how Joe Moore has ruined this area by serving only HIMSELF, and not caring a rat’s bum about YOU!

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, AND? THEN?

An older gentleman died yesterday in an accident at Sherwin Avenue and Sheridan Road. Although I shot many photos of this, I will not, and cannot, show them, out of respect to the man and his family.

No Chicago newspapers have covered this so far–not unusual, as they are deteriorating. They will probably never make mention of this horrific accident–they have not, up to this posting.

But I have photos–especially, a close-up of his head, bleeding profusely.

I refuse to publish this, because his family, if any exist, have the God-given right to mourn and honor him.

To you, the gentleman, who died, in such a tragic, convoluted manner: I am so sorry. You apparently made the wrong move at the wrong time.

Rogers Park

Rogers Park

rogersparkchicago.wordpress.com

Rogers Park

THURSDAY MORNING–NOT A WALK IN THE PARK!

The Harold Washington Memorial Playground might be better-described as a nice, little ‘pocket park’, created especially for the children of the North of Howard area of Rogers Park. It’s very appealing, don’t you think? Climby things, slidey things, and even a picnic table! A perfect place for children to play, and adults to recall memories of play.

Courtesy: Google Maps

At just before 7 AM today, however, Washington Playground was less than perfect…much less!

The following photographs (and others) were taken and posted at 7:17 by Michael Luckenbach at nhna.blogspot.com, the North Howard Neighbors Association blog here in Rogers Park.

Yes, it’s blood, real blood, and lots of it!

Visit the blog and you’ll find Michael’s timely update regarding the Chicago Firefighters, who are now pressed into service as “quicker-mopper-uppers”! He also posts in the update that a ‘bloody’ individual was found at the Loyola Red Line Station, then transported to Evanston’s St. Francis Hospital.

If you scroll down to the posts below, Beat 2422, just last Thursday evening, sponsored a ‘Walk and Talk’ with the 24th police district’s Commander David Sobczyk past this very park!

And if that wasn’t enough, Mike posted the following, even earlier, at 5:47 this morning at nhna.blogspot.com:

From Beat 2422

Greetings Neighbors and Friends,

Come out and join Beat 2422 as we walk this Saturday, April 18th at 7:00.

The weatherman says the temperatures are expected to be in the mid 60’s. Great weather for a spring walk through the North of Howard area. Engage in pleasant conversation, get to know your neighbors and enjoy the warmer weather. Bring pen and paper so that we can take note of troubled and abandoned buildings, street lights that are out, sewers that are backed up, trees that need trimming and other city services that need to be reported. We will try to cover the area from Triangle Park to the west down to the lakefront on Eastlake Terrace.

We will meet at the Willye White Community Recreation Center at 1610 W. Howard, head west to Paulina then north to Jonquil, west again to Hermitage, hang out a few minutes at Triangle Park to see what’s happening, then continue down Juneway back to Paulina, south on Paulina back to Jonquil, turn east on Jonquil to Bosworth, south on Bosworth back to Howard, do a bit of positive loitering at Howard and Bosworth and depending on the time either head back to where we started or we can continue east on Howard to Eastlake Terrace, north on Eastlake Terrace to the edge of the city at Sheridan Rd, take Sheridan Road to Juneway, Juneway west to Ashland, Ashland north through Willye White Park back to where we began at Howard and Ashland.

If that sounds like a confusing route, well, it is open to change as we go along if we don’t think we can cover the entire area. I’m trying to cover as much territory as possible while touching trouble spots as we go, which may not be possible in one walk.

Bring your four-legged friends, your buggies, babies and little ones. All ages are welcome. If you have someone in a wheelchair bring them too or a new friend. Everyone can use some fresh air and company besides the tv or computer.

Hope to see you out there.

EvaFacilitator, Beat 2422
h: 773-761-8206
c: 773-495-8725
elm@clstoons.com

Many good things are happening due to the CPD’s Howard Street Initiative and hard work being done by Eva McCann, Toni Duncan, Michael Luckenbach and others in the North of Howard area.

It’s time everyone took part in the community–that we unify…and rid Rogers Park of crime, illegal guns, gangs, and their drugs.

Obviously, the alderman hasn’t done anything to help reverse this situation in his eighteen (yes, 18) years here in the 49th Ward.

Now, it is up to us–you, me, and every resident of Rogers Park–to show all the thugs we mean business. Please join the walk on Saturday the 18th, and organize one in your own area.

UPDATE: From nhna.blogspot.com

FINAL UPDATE ON THIS MORNING’S BREAKING NEWS

I just received a call from Eva McCann, the CAPS Facilitator for Beat 2422 and she gave me the factual story of what occurred early this A.M. that resulted in the bloody scene at the HWM Playlot and the blood trail down Paulina to the Howard Street Red Line Station. Apparently, a ‘homeless’ person with an infected abscess wound, which ruptured and began to bleed profusely, sat down on the benches in the Playlot and attempted to stop the bleeding.

This person then made their way down Paulina to the El at Howard Street and traveled South to the Loyola Station stop where someone called 911 for assistance. As stated in the earlier post, they were taken to St. Francis Hospital for medical treatment. At least we now know that the grisly scene we confronted this morning was not the result of a violent act. And, let’s wish a full recovery to the person who suffered this terrible affliction.

Here is Eva’s follow-up e-mail:

Hi Mike,

I spoke to the police department today who clarified all the blood at Harold Washington Playlot and the injured person picked up at the Loyola Station. The two incidents are related.

Apparently a homeless person with some kind of an infected cyst or abscess was picked up at the Loyola Station this morning. His journey, however, began North of Howard when he stopped at the Harold Washington Playlot to try to stop the bleeding from the abscess that had burst and was bleeding profusely. He then made his way to Howard Street got on the el and got off at Loyola, where a station attendant saw him and called 911. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital. The police at this time have no further information about his condition after he was taken to the hospital.

Although the man needed serious medical attention at least no one was shot or stabbed.

Eva McCann
Facilitator, Beat 2422

Thanks for the followup, Eva.

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And thank you, Michael, for the update from Eva McCann.

Because this was not a shooting or stabbing, don’t let it deter you from attending Saturday’s Beat 2422 Walk. There are other homeless people in Rogers Park who need and deserve direction.

Why this particular person was not under medical supervision we may never know. The kind people at St. Francis will steer him to other help, as long as he is willing to accept it. Hopefully, his condition will improve–quickly.

We must still, however, unify and align ourselves against the criminals among us.

Maureen Flowers

Beat 2422 Walk and Talk

The walk started with Police Commander Sobczyk leading a Chicago Police Role Call at the corner of Bosworth and Howard Avenue.We then walked west on Howard to Paulina, north to Juneway, east to Ashland and south through Willye White Park. We then headed over to the monthly Beat 2422 CAPS meeting at the Gateway Senior Apartments, 7450 N. Rogers.

Michael Luckenbach photographing the event.

Joe Moore shows after the Police Roll Call is dismissed.

Walking with Toni Duncan, an active member of our community.

Our Police escort as we walk the often dangerous Howard Street.

Cameras on rooftops

American flag blowing in the wind.

looks like a prison art program.

Our Police escort on Paulina Street

Broken gateway along our walking route

chains, locks and prison bars

Ashland and Jonquil Terrace

Relevant Links:

North Howard Neighbors Association: WALK & TALK NoH

Scenes from Beat 2422 North of Howard Walk & Talk

Men in Blue, waiting for the Outdoor Roll Call

The troops of the 24th District

Commander David Sobczyk speaks to his men and women

The walk begins west on Howard Street. Eva McCann, Beat Facilitator, accompanies the Commander.

The crowd stops for a while in Willye White Park at Howard Street and Ashland Avenue.

Commander Sobczyk speaks one-on-one, hearing the concerns of many North of Howard residents.

The Beat 2422 meeting at the Gateway Senior Apartments, 7450 N. Rogers Avenue.

The Commander explains some of his crime-fighting strategies to a very diverse group attending the meeting.

The room filled quickly as attendees were informed of crime stats and crime prevention tactics.

Beat 4222 Facilitator Eva McCann lists two ‘trouble spots’ in the North of Howard area. Commander Sobczyk agreed these spots would be focused upon in the upcoming weeks.

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The walkers and other attendees were very serious about preventing crime in the North of Howard area of Chicago. They listened intently to the CPD’s speaker (whose photos I took came out badly), the Commander, and Ms. McCann.

And the Howard Initiative is slowly becoming a very effective method of deterring crime, and cutting out the drug dealers and gangs so prevalent in this small area of the city.

Now all that is needed is a suitable contract for the police that includes appropriate raises for those men and women who risk their lives daily to ‘Serve and Protect’!

Oh, almost forgot…Mayor Daley was invited to join the Walk and Talk, but he was a NO-SHOW. Guess he was working late, figuring out more ways to ‘prevent corruption’, huh?

NORTH OF HOWARD ‘WALK AND TALK’ TONIGHT

Join Police Commander Sobczyk (and special invitee Mayor Richard Daley) for a Walk and Talk through Beat 2422, Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Corner of Bosworth and Howard.

The walk will go west on Howard to Paulina, north to Juneway, east to Ashland and south through Willye White Park.

We will then head over to Beat 2422’s monthly Beat meeting at the Gateway Senior Apartments, 7450 N. Rogers at 7: p.m. and enjoy refreshments after the meeting.

EvaFacilitator, Beat 2422
h: 773-761-8206
c: 773-495-8725
elm@clstoons.com

AS SEEN ON THE BENCH

The newest resident of Loyola Park

Maureen Flowers

Cookies from Sheridan Chase Food Mart

Cookies purchased at Sheridan Chase Food Mart, 7301 N. Sheridan Road.

About these cookies: Lil’ Dutch Maid Almond Windmill, Iced Lemon, Coconut Bar and Butter cookies. Manufactured by Fehr Foods, Inc. 5425 N. 1st St.Abilene, TX 79603.

Price: $0.69 each + tax

About Fehr Foods: “Fehr Foods’ mascot is a Lil’ Dutch Maid. The company manufactures Lil’ Dutch Maid cookies and distributes them in 27 US states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. It also exports its products to Mexico and Panama. Fehr Foods’ cookie varieties include (grab a glass of milk) chocolate chip, oatmeal, ginger snap, windmill, and coconut macaroon. In addition, the company produces sandwich cookies, animal cookies, fig bars, and sugar wafers. Fehr Foods’ customers include food retailers, local and regional food distributors, and other food manufacturers. The company was founded in 1992 by president Steve Fehr”.
- http://www.answers.com/topic/fehr-foods-inc