Traffic Guy

The Traffic Guy Hears...

... that sewer work continues, this time on Sherman from Washington to Main and on Main from Sherman to Elmwood. Between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, there will be some temporary no-parking areas on Sherman and perhaps in other places, to allow one lane of traffic in each direction around the work area. Also, some residents may be asked to limit their water use for a 24-hour period. Watch for notification on your front door.

... that sewer work continues on Elmwood by the police station and fire headquarters. You can't go south on Elmwood from Lake.

... that - good news for anyone who has been awakened by the yellow eyes and whisk, whisk, whisk of street-sweepers: The City Council wants to eliminate the night-time sweeping of streets in most residential areas, staring next April, doing it during the day instead. Here's what's up: The four night-sweeping districts will be changed to day-sweeping. The sweeping will be done twice a month in the spring and fall and once a month in the summer. Downtown and busines districts will be swept early in the morning. Now, here's the kicker: Fines will be increased from $25 to $30 on the streets with parking on both sides. Fines on streets with parking on one-side only will be increased from $25 to $50, but the towing will be eliminated.

... that the repairs on Dempster are coming along. Crews had spread asphalt on both outer lanes by Friday. The right-turn lane at southbound Asbury was closed, as the new curbs were being installed. Meanwhile, Wesley between Dempster and Wilder has been reopened.

... that the weather was so warm last week that folks were out picnicking for lunch.

... that the City has approved the purchase of 331 trees from the Suburban Tree Consortium and contracted for the planting of 100 more. This new allocation for trees (TG knows we're in a perpetual budget crunch) might help us catch up to being only four years behind in replacing parkway trees.

... speaking of trees, TG has noticed that a lot of folks still sweep their leaves into the street, even though we're asked not to do this. One resident told TG, "These are the City's leaves. I'm just putting theirs into the street."

... that yard waste collections will continue on regular trash collection days until Nov. 30. Remember, keep your yard waste separate from your trash; otherwise it cannot be recycled. You can also drop off your leaves, grass and small brush (only) at the Recycling Center, 2222 Oakton St., thus: Fridays, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Streets and San. for more information, 847-866-2940. The City cautions us, in addition, "Backpack-mounted or hand-held gasoline-powered leaf blower types of machines are permitted for use through Dec. 14"; and "Remember, it is illegal to rake or blow your leaves in the street." (TG thinks they mean "into.")

... that Evanston businessman Tom Fischl is back and plans to open a T-shirt store downtown quite soon.

... that two NU students, Neal Sales-Griffin and Mario Montes Sujo, spent five days and nights living in a Chevy Aveo, participating in a contest to win a new 2007 Aveo for themselves and for their school. Two students each from seven universities took the Chevy Aveo Livin' Large Challenge, spending five days and nights in the car, leaving only for bio breaks and class. The teams, selected based on creativity and how large a lifestyle they could lead inside the car, took part in daily challenges, documented the experience via blogs and appeared in daily videos and live webcams. The winners were selected based on the greatest amount of online and text-message votes. NU's team was cheered on by a capella singers Purple Haze and the Undertones, dance teams Fusion and Neyo and mascot Willie the Wildcat. Seven college teams participated, and NU was bested by USC. The winners, instead of taking the car, donated the prize value, about $30,000, to charities in Armenia and Ghana, where the students had conducted internships.

... that this week, Nov. 13-19, is Sportsmen Against Hunger Week, sponsored by Safari Club International Foundation, which "is challenging North American hunters to give part of their harvests from this hunting season to the hungry in their communities. Their data show that hunters participating in Sportsmen Against Hunger Week provided the hungry across the United States with an astounding 93,735 lbs. of processed game meat, enough to serve 374,940 meals - and they are hoping to top that amount this year.

... that the City has contracted for salt for the winter, up to about 3,700 tons. TG hopes we don't have a lot of snow, because those snowplow shovels that are on display in front of the Civic Center (yes, the Ridge Avenue entrance is the front) are spectacular.

... that the City has also purchased three new surveillance cameras, two for the police department and one for the high school.

... that the City is selling some surplus vehicles at the municipal equipment auction, to be held in Grayslake next month: a cargo van, an SUV, 6 automobiles, two backhoes, a front-end loader, three pick-up trucks, a salt-spreader and a Boston Whaler inflatable boat and its trailer. The boat, according to the City, is "completely deflated, patched everywhere, extremely holey and cannot be repaired."

... that a few weeks ago a new, cleaner diesel fuel, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) became available at gas stations under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Highway Diesel Rule. The rule is supposed to "reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter from heavy-duty highway engines and vehicles that use diesel fuel."

From our readers: (This letter was forwarded to TG from someone other than the writer. The name of the writer has been omitted but verified.)

On Oct. 28 our dogs were playing in our backyard [in northeast Evanston]. When I walked out onto our deck to check on the dogs, I noticed that Archie was eating something. When I looked closer I could see that it was "food" of some sort. Because of my background in pest control, I immediately realized that it was rat poison. I grabbed the puppy and took out of his mouth what I could and picked up several other "balls" that were on the deck. I then called our vet to let them know I was on the way and rushed over to his office.

Blood tests by the vet confirmed that it was rodent poison. There is no question that it was placed in our yard intentionally. The puppy had eaten much more than I recovered from him. His stomach was loaded with the poison but he had not digested a lethal dose.

The material used is normally in a dry pellet form. Someone had moistened the pellets and formed them into little round balls and put them in our yard. This could not have happened by accident. This could not have been carried in by squirrels or any other animal. Most rodent poison that is sold in stores comes in a pellet form and will be light green in color with white specks throughout the product. The poison is mixed with grains and nuts to make it attractive to eat. When it is moistened it can be shaped into balls, but the color will still be the light green with white specks.

The poison prevents blood from clotting, so if it is eaten and digested the animal eating it will bleed to death within 24-48 hours.

If anyone suspects that their pet has eaten a poison like this they should immediately feed their pet additional food and then get to a vet or one of the animal emergency clinics.

We were very lucky that I caught our dog in time. We have been in contact with the Evanston Police. If anyone is using rodent poison in or around their home, please be aware of how dangerous it can be. The incident we are dealing with was not an accident, but we don't want any pets being harmed by accident either. Also be advised that it is both dangerous and illegal to place any type of poison outside of your own property.

From TG: What a heinous act. That is really dreadful. TG is glad to hear the puppy recovered, though.

The Traffic Guy thinks ...

... that the folks at Kingsley School took their pumpkins global for the fall festival.

... that, escalating the presidential metaphor of pardoning a live turkey for Thanksgiving, TG would like to know which turkey our readers would pardon.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.