Sunday, August 31, 2008

My pro-Wrigley night game letter in Chicago Tribune sports

The Chicago Tribune printed this letter in the sports section of its Aug. 9 edition.

Dear Editor:

The night-game limit at Wrigley Field is a throwback to a previous era and should be lifted immediately ("Bats wilt in sun; club seeks weekend games at night," Sports, Aug. 3). The Cubs obviously suffer as a result of playing too many afternoon games in the summer heat. The popular term "June swoon" refers to the Cubs' fortunes as Chicago's weather turns hot; strong starts in April usually lead to mediocre finishes once heat and humidity set in. The Cubs are the only team to play home games on Friday afternoons throughout the summer. They must compensate for a competitive disadvantage as their rivals play 83 percent more home games at night. (Most teams schedule about 55 evening starts.) The Cubs were foolish to agree to these restrictions in 2003. As they shed their "lovable loser" label to become a perennial National League power, their hometown must allow them to compete with their rivals, including evening starts.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Watch someone's red light violation

At Western and North Avenues. Right on red without stopping.

www.cityofchicago.org/revenue
Then enter:
Citation Number:
7001222018
License Plate Number:
9574240

Monday, August 4, 2008

Couple headed for Europe leaves tyke at TLV

From my profile today.
News

Today's top travel story

An Israeli couple going on a European vacation remembered to take their duty-free shopping and their 18 suitcases, but forgot their 3-year-old daughter at the airport, police said today.
Couple's 18 suitcases make plane, but child doesn't
via www.chron.com
JERUSALEM — An Israeli couple going on a European vacation remembered to take their duty-free shopping and their 18 suitcases, but forgot their 3-year-old daughter at the airport, police said today.

The couple and their five children were late for a charter flight to Paris Sunday and made a mad dash to the gate. In the confusion, their daughter got lost.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a policeman found her wandering in the duty-free area at Ben-Gurion airport, Israel's bustling main international air portal. He said the officer alerted airline staff, but the flight had already taken off.

Israeli media said the parents were an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple but did not give their names.

Rosenfeld said the parents were unaware they had boarded the aircraft with only four children instead of five until they were informed by cabin staff after 40 minutes in the air.

The child, accompanied by an airline staffer, took the next flight to Paris where she was safely reunited with her parents.

Rosenfeld said police would question the couple when they return from vacation, on suspicion of parental negligence.