Rest in Peace, Ava.

My five year old yellow lab, Ava, was hit and killed by a bus today. Although I'm sad, I want to remember the good things about her and all of the things she taught me that I would never have learned had she not been in my life.

1. Life is too short to skimp on an extra treat, even if you are a little pudgy.

2. That even if your tail wags a little differently (say, in circles), you'll still have a family that loves you for it.

3. That even if your body hurts when you wake up because you have premature arthirits, it's nothing a game of frisbee won't fix.

4. That you should never let someone else's (especially the cat's) food go to waste.

5. That your parents bed is always more comfy than your own.

6. That you must never stick your head in someone else's business, or you might get bitten.

7. That things, like chew toys, are always more fun when you look at them from another angle (upside down, for example).

8. That you'll never look bad if you're wearing purple.

9. That you should bask in short naps and strech your legs before getting up (see: number 5).

10. That you should love all your neighbor dogs, and you'll never be lonely.

Rest in peace, Ava.

Daley combats Chicago homelessness

Daley outlined the actions Chicago is taking to reduce the threat of increased homelessness due to the recession at a press conference at the Westin Hotel on Wednesday.

“Chicago and America, in this great recession, have to do a much better job in regards to helping the less fortunate,” said Mayor Richard Daley. “The less fortunate are growing because of the economic crisis.”

Approximately 5,000 Chicago residents are homeless, or about .17 percent of all Chicago residents. In 2009, 884 people were living on the street, about 35 percent fewer than in 2003.

“Everyone needs to realize that this is a serious, serious recession and it’s not going to get better,” Daley said. “Everyone has to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.”

To combat homelessness, Daley plans on using $1.4 million from the parking meter reserve, which he referred to as “a rainy day fund.” About $700,000 will be used to increase the capacity at homelessness shelters, and an additional $700,000 will be used to support Chicago’s 2003 Plan to End Homelessness, a system designed to get and keep people off the streets.

According to Daley, the core principles of the Plan to End Homelessness are prevention, establishing housing, providing services to keep people from losing their homes, and putting the homeless on a path to a better life.

“It’s time to support those that need our help,” Daley said.

Despite the economic condition, the city is making progress in its mission to reduce the number of homeless residents, according to Nancy Radner, CEO of Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness.

With a program called Street to Home, the city moves homeless people living on the streets to housing provided by the government. Since the program began in 2003, the count of homeless residents is down.

“What that says is that our plan has been working,” said Radner. “However, we see a crisis looming, and we don’t want to pat ourselves on the back yet because we just don’t know what the next year will bring. Homelessness is a delayed response to the bad economy.”

Dorothy Yancy, a formerly homeless resident of Chicago, said she believes the program is a positive response to the problem of homelessness.

“Today, I have my own apartment,” Yancy said. “I’m proud to be a part of the Chicago Alliance. If it hadn’t been for people like Nancy Radner helping me out and having faith in me, I don’t know what I would have done.”

T-Mobile Data Out(r)age

The head honchos at T-Mobile have really dug themselves into a hole this time.

In early October, thousands of T-Mobile sidekick users were thrown off kilter when the data stored in their beloved smart phones disappeared literally overnight. Thanks to Microsoft's decision to outsource from Sidekick SAN to Hitachi, untold Sidekick users woke up one morning scratching their heads. For reasons unknown, Microsoft failed to make a backup before starting.

After a slew of angry phone calls from rightfully pissed-off Sidekick users, T-Mobile offered up it's first seemingly apologetic release, straight from the hands of their CEO. Or at least his interns.

The release contained information that a $20 data credit for the month would be automatically added to everyone's bill, courtesy of the company. Customer responses were overwhelming, and none of them were good.

"The $20 data credit is a joke," one T-Mobile customer posted on the website's support forum. "I don't even have any data to use the credit for."

But there were still the hopeful, willing to accept the $20 while waiting for their data to return. On the morning of Oct. 10, all hopes were shattered when the company issued the following release:

"Regrettably, based on Microsoft/Danger's latest recovery assessment of their systems, we must now inform you that personal information stored on your device - such as contacts, calendar entries, to-do lists or photos - that is no longer on your Sidekick almost certainly has been lost as a result of a server failure at Microsoft/Danger. That said, our teams continue to work around-the-clock in hopes of discovering some way to recover this information. However, the likelihood of a successful outcome is extremely low."

To make a long story short-- sorry, but your shit is gone.

Inevitably, there are lawsuits. Lots and lots of lawsuits. T-Mobile even suffered a slight scare after one customer threatened to blow up T-Mobile's customer service headquarters after she was refused a free contract cancellation.

On Oct. 19, T-Mobile issued the first of several restoration programs. By backing up now available data to your computer, you may access some of your lost contacts. T-Mobile is offering Sidekick users a $100 gift card to be used on one of their products in addition.

There they go adding salt to the wound again. Even if we are getting a $100 gift card, who says we want to spend it on them?

Can this gift card be used for the contract cancellation fee?

Until Sidekick data services are completely back to normal, Microsoft/T-Mobile have postponed the sale of Sidekick contracts.

Daley proposes 2010 budget that dips into reserves

Daley proposed a 2010 budget address on Wednesday that promised to hold off on tax increases and instead, take from the reserve fund created by the parking meter program.

“More than ever, Chicago working and middle-class families need our support,” said Daley. “To that, I want to say, ‘I hear you. I know you’re struggling. I’m fighting for you.’”

Daley’s 2010 budget proposal totals $6.14 billion, up from $5.97 billion in 2009.

To help avoid service cuts, Daley plans on using $370 million from the Parking Meter Human Infrastructure Fund, which has generated about $19 million per year since its introduction in 2008.

“The trouble is that as our revenues are falling, people are demanding more services from the city, not fewer, to help them through difficult, tough times,” Daley said.

He also promised to leave the $500 million Chicago Skyway reserve fund untouched, which will leave a total reserve fund balance of $730 million for future use.

“I know if we act responsibly, Chicago will get through these challenging times and emerge stronger for it,” said Daley.

Daley said the budget will invest in economic stimulus funds in areas such as job training, street resurfacing, and energy efficiency. It will also maintain the number of officers in the city’s police and fire departments.

$35 million will be used to provide property tax grants to homeowners in need, who may receive as much as $200 each, according to Daley.

“The challenges we face today are tougher than ever, but we can’t allow the challenges to stand in our way,” said Daley.

Flu shots free to Englewood residents with Medicare

According to pharmacist Michael Oliveri, getting an annual flu shot is a no-brainer.

“The shot is for anyone who wants to stay healthy,” Oliveri said. “It’s definitely the most effective way to prevent getting the flu, and it’s the most effective way to prevent passing on the flu.”

AARP and Jewel Osco sponsored flu vaccines for Englewood residents over 50 at the Englewood Salvation Army on Wednesday. Those who were covered by Medicare received the shot for free, while those that did not have coverage paid $24.99.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, five percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu each year. On average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications, and about 36,000 die from flu-related causes.

“Even young people are at risk,” said Amir Masood, a Jewel Osco pharmacist.

Englewood Ruth Jackson, 77, and husband Earl, 78, were among the approximate 10 people to receive a vaccine on Wednesday.

“We receive our flu shots every year,” Ruth Jackson said.

In addition to Englewood, AARP and Jewel Osco are hosting free flu vaccines in Chicago’s Brunswick and Austin communities.

“It is important to give people an opportunity to be healthy in these tough economic times,” said Carmenza Millan, an AARP spokeswoman. “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.”

Chicago City Colleges chancellor search

The top spot at city colleges of Chicago is an insider job.

The board of trustees held public forum was held Wednesday to address concerns and comments on the search for chancellor for the City Colleges of Chicago. Each of the participants agreed that the elected chancellor should have experience within Chicago’s community colleges.

“There are many good quality people who would be able to run the city colleges because of the experience they have,” Perry Buckley, President of Local 1600, said. “In fact, I think it would be a disaster if we looked outside the system.”

The new chancellor will take over the position held by former chancellor Wayne Watson, who retired earlier this year. The position, which takes charge of the largest college district in Illinois, is responsible for directing seven campuses that educate more than 120,000 students.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, workers with a high school degree earned about 26 thousand dollars less per year than a worker with a bachelor’s degree.

“It’s about access to education and a better life,” Jerry Roper, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said.

According to Matthew Kavorzos, a part-time student at Harold Washington, whether the new chancellor is an insider is not as important as the changes he or she will make to the financial aid system.

“Financial aid is never enough for people that work hard,” Kavorzos said. “A lot of kids getting financial aid don’t even bring backpacks to class.”

Kavorzos also hopes to see changes in curriculum and updated computer software for student use.

Nothing worse than Saturdays alone.

What a week.

My dad had a serious operation done on Monday and I've been in and out of the hospital helping out. Let me just say that I hate hospitals, but I hate hospital food even more.

He didn't have much of a view from his room. It was the rooftop of another building so we didn't spend much time gazing out the window. We watched lots of Jerry Springer because channel 7 was the only one that worked.

It was also the first week of class after spring break, which is never good. It rained plenty in the city and I sacrificed style for a dry body more than once. I can't imagine what I looked like on Tuesday, running down Congress Parkway in a sweater and leggings, my hair flapping wildly behind me as the rain came down.

Last night I spent time with some friends. As usual, I spent my night sober while most... er, all... did not. One guy told me he thinks he saw me in PlayBoy. Another one asked me where I worked five times in an hour and didn't show any sign of remembering he'd already asked when I answered.

A lot of people came up to me and said, "you look so pissed."

Why, people? Because I'm sitting on the couch drinking water and petting the dog and you're all laughing and knocking things over?

I'm not pissed, but I'm not amused.

So needless to say, it was a kind of stupid night aside from being with some friends.

I'm absolutely worn out. Got an hour of sleep last night and a headache to prove it.

However, I did finish 2 Warhol-inspired paintings this week which I will post soon!
I really need a good night tonight.