Glenn McDavid

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Downtown Chicago as I remember it, from this post by jeff_duntemann.

In 2000, a Streetwise Veteran Schooled a Bold Young Obama. Interesting account of politics on the south side of Chicago. It mentions several names I remember from my Chicago days. In particular, I am pleased to see that Abner Mikva is still with us. He was our State Rep when I first came to Chicago, in 1957.

My mother continues to get better, but this is a long, slow road. I am going home to Minnesota tomorrow, so I won't see the next steps.

My brother Raven, his wife Anne, and their sons Patrick and Ian took me to dinner tonight at a local Mexican restaurant. Anne works for a local restaurant chain and I asked her if this was one of hers. She answered: "Don't I wish!" It is a neighborhood family place. It reminded me of the kind of Mexican restaurant we used to visit in Chicago. We have not found the equivalent in the Twin Cities. I am sure it exists, but it is a long way from Roseville, which is close to being a culinary dead zone.

This was a good visit. I feel I have made a difference in my mother's life, and in the lives of my brother and his family, who would otherwise have been alone on the front line in this crisis.

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Chicago Reader, RIP. See also Chicago Reader sold to Florida publisher. Via Planet Carleton and Elizabeth Tamny.

( Friday Evening )

( Saturday )

( Friday night )

( Saturday )

( Scottish/Irish/Church/Clann stuff )

.... a major street in a big city, downtown!
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mia_mcdavid was shopping on Cedar Avenue, just south of downtown, and I met her for lunch. Took the light rail train from Government Center to the Cedar-Riverside stop, got off, and walked a few blocks. Very much the sort of thing I would have done in Chicago. The Minneapolis light rail cars are a lot like the CTA 'L cars, except cleaner and with a few more electronic conveniences. We had a nice lunch, although I don't think I would choose that particular restaurant again.

Got back to Government Center about 1 PM. The elevators were running slow and there was a huge backlog of people, which again made me think of some days on the CTA. I was amused to notice that among those stuck waiting with me was Sandy Vargas, the County Administrator. Good. All ranks should suffer together.

At colgaffneyis Dance Guild last night one of musicians commented on a local bribery scandal. What surprised her was that the politicians sold themselves so cheaply. Like us, she moved here from Chicago!

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mia_mcdavid is going to the Chicago suburbs for Windycon. Back when we lived in Chicagoland we went to every Windycon from 1978 (Mia's first con!) through 1997, but we have not been back since we moved to Minnesota. And this time it is just Mia. The logistics for both of us going are far more complicated and less secure than for just one. Also, there are thing I want to do here, such as resting.

The weather is really nice today, which is another reason to stay behind. I got in a bike ride this afternoon, but the real payoff is for Tom. This is a respite weekend for us--he will be away. We had two options for this, and he going to the one that has more outdoors activities, and that he likes better. However, this was only possible because I will be able to take him there and pick him up on Sunday.