Joel
@jtmac1709930.bsky.social
Car-free on Chicago’s Northwest side. Biking, botanizing, birding, and transit.
From back when Iowa’s most famous political figure was an antifascist:
An American fascist, according to Wallace, is a man “whose lust for money or power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends.”
'The American people must have more than a choice between evils': Iowan Henry A. Wallace, FDR's vice president, was an ag innovator and fierce antifascist - Little Village
“The Cornfield Prophet” Henry A . Wallace, known for his pioneering work in agriculture, was a progressive statesman who championed the “Century of the Common Man.” A heartbeat away from […]
littlevillagemag.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:37 AM
From back when Iowa’s most famous political figure was an antifascist:
Klobucharmy assemble! 🫡
Very excited about this news. Klobuchar knows how to win elections
Very excited about this news. Klobuchar knows how to win elections
NEW: Klobuchar is weighing a run for Minnesota governor, sources tell Axios.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar seriously considers run for Minnesota governor
The seat is open following Gov. Tim Walz's decision to scrap a bid.
www.axios.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Klobucharmy assemble! 🫡
Very excited about this news. Klobuchar knows how to win elections
Very excited about this news. Klobuchar knows how to win elections
First bike commute of 2026
January 6, 2026 at 1:14 AM
First bike commute of 2026
I got connected to the LaBagh Woods community shortly after I moved to Chicago in 2017 and I’ve been a regular volunteer ever since. I love the work and the people—they are what’s keeping me sane these days.
Here’s what we were up to over the past year:
Here’s what we were up to over the past year:
2025 LaBagh Year in Review
As 2025 draws to a close, the LaBagh Stewardship team is looking back with full hearts at the incredible transformation we’ve achieved together. We are so profoundly grateful to every volunteer who ha
sway.cloud.microsoft
January 5, 2026 at 4:17 AM
I got connected to the LaBagh Woods community shortly after I moved to Chicago in 2017 and I’ve been a regular volunteer ever since. I love the work and the people—they are what’s keeping me sane these days.
Here’s what we were up to over the past year:
Here’s what we were up to over the past year:
Reposted by Joel
The Wisconsin cities of Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine have revived an effort to initiate passenger rail service among the three cities. This is an opportunity to create a high-quality regional rail line between Chicago and Milwaukee #RegionalRail
www.hsrail.org/blog/milwauk...
www.hsrail.org/blog/milwauk...
Milwaukee-Racine-Kenosha Route to Chicago Now Back on Drawing Board | High Speed Rail Alliance
A new train would serve Lake Michigan shoreline communities between Chicago and Milwaukee with frequent service
www.hsrail.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The Wisconsin cities of Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine have revived an effort to initiate passenger rail service among the three cities. This is an opportunity to create a high-quality regional rail line between Chicago and Milwaukee #RegionalRail
www.hsrail.org/blog/milwauk...
www.hsrail.org/blog/milwauk...
Favorite places to hit on a Kenosha UPN day trip: East View Coffee and Blue House Books. It’s kind of remarkable how many small towns have excellent indie bookstores these days
January 4, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Favorite places to hit on a Kenosha UPN day trip: East View Coffee and Blue House Books. It’s kind of remarkable how many small towns have excellent indie bookstores these days
Very excited about progress on the new branch of the South Shore Line
“Additional test runs — this time in daylight — are planned for January. Schedules and a revenue service debut date will follow once everyone involved signs off on the route’s readiness.”
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
South Shore stages dynamic tests on new Monon Corridor - Trains
HAMMOND, Ind. — Sometime in early 2026, passengers will be able to ride the Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District’s West Lake Extension, now designated by NICTD as the South Shore Line’s Monon Co...
www.trains.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Very excited about progress on the new branch of the South Shore Line
Reposted by Joel
Semaphore Cafe brings coffee and brunch to East Garfield Park. "I've never felt more welcome anywhere in the city," says the owner, a new resident.
https://to.wttw.com/494aAjj
https://to.wttw.com/494aAjj
A Cafe and Brunch Spot Opens in East Garfield Park Next to the Expansive Park
Semaphore Cafe aims to be a community gathering space in East Garfield Park. "I've never felt more welcome anywhere in the city," says the owner, a new resident.
to.wttw.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Semaphore Cafe brings coffee and brunch to East Garfield Park. "I've never felt more welcome anywhere in the city," says the owner, a new resident.
https://to.wttw.com/494aAjj
https://to.wttw.com/494aAjj
Birding via regional rail, UPN Metra edition: harbor ducks of Kenosha
January 2, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Birding via regional rail, UPN Metra edition: harbor ducks of Kenosha
The Kenosha streetcar, running its little loop today
January 2, 2026 at 10:26 PM
The Kenosha streetcar, running its little loop today
Unusual station buildings on the UPN Metra line: very tall and very skinny
January 2, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Unusual station buildings on the UPN Metra line: very tall and very skinny
Lowkey CTA date night to kick off 2026: 78 bus to Lincoln Square for Dimo’s and a movie at Davis Theater
January 2, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Lowkey CTA date night to kick off 2026: 78 bus to Lincoln Square for Dimo’s and a movie at Davis Theater
TOD exhibit at the Chicago Architecture Center
January 1, 2026 at 8:07 PM
TOD exhibit at the Chicago Architecture Center
My year birding, botanizing, and mothing on iNat: 1,644 observations and 585 species across 7 states and 41 counties
December 31, 2025 at 10:49 PM
My year birding, botanizing, and mothing on iNat: 1,644 observations and 585 species across 7 states and 41 counties
Glad to see @robertloerzel.bsky.social’s book featured front and center when I walked into @chiarchitecture.bsky.social today
December 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Glad to see @robertloerzel.bsky.social’s book featured front and center when I walked into @chiarchitecture.bsky.social today
Reposted by Joel
Due to safety concerns, @localcelebrity.bsky.social suggests that residents avoid the 45th Ward City Council representative until noticeable improvements are made in the form of a new alder.
Here’s my alderman telling people not to take public transit on the drunkest night of the year.
December 31, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Due to safety concerns, @localcelebrity.bsky.social suggests that residents avoid the 45th Ward City Council representative until noticeable improvements are made in the form of a new alder.
Another KC Streetcar extension coming online soon!
The KC Streetcar extension is on track for a Spring opening. Around April.
It'll come nearly right up to the KC Current stadium. #KCBaby
www.kcur.org/housing-deve...
It'll come nearly right up to the KC Current stadium. #KCBaby
www.kcur.org/housing-deve...
Kansas City Streetcar's Riverfront extension is on track to open next spring
Testing is officially underway on the 0.7-mile extension, which will connect the streetcar to Berkley Riverfront and CPKC Stadium, home of the KC Current.
www.kcur.org
December 29, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Another KC Streetcar extension coming online soon!
More Dubuque after dark
December 29, 2025 at 8:17 PM
More Dubuque after dark
Reposted by Joel
I believe that for the first time since I’ve lived in Chicago, the Aldi store on Milwaukee at Leavitt has a proper bike rack within 50 feet
December 28, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I believe that for the first time since I’ve lived in Chicago, the Aldi store on Milwaukee at Leavitt has a proper bike rack within 50 feet
Today’s haul from River Lights Bookstore in Dubuque. This time of year I buy books much faster than I can read them
December 27, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Today’s haul from River Lights Bookstore in Dubuque. This time of year I buy books much faster than I can read them
Belllevue, IA on the banks of the Mississippi
December 27, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Belllevue, IA on the banks of the Mississippi
Dubuque after dark, including the funicular
December 27, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Dubuque after dark, including the funicular
Big flocks of trumpeter swans in the corn stubble near Cone Marsh. Over 100 in this field alone.
📍Louisa County, IA
📍Louisa County, IA
December 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Big flocks of trumpeter swans in the corn stubble near Cone Marsh. Over 100 in this field alone.
📍Louisa County, IA
📍Louisa County, IA
Many thanks to all who braved the cold to participate in the LaBagh Woods Christmas Bird Count! Highlights included a Common Goldeneye on the river and this little guy who was watching us from a cozy nook high in a tree.
@chicagobirder.bsky.social @windycitybirdlab.org @yorickgarcia.bsky.social
@chicagobirder.bsky.social @windycitybirdlab.org @yorickgarcia.bsky.social
December 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Many thanks to all who braved the cold to participate in the LaBagh Woods Christmas Bird Count! Highlights included a Common Goldeneye on the river and this little guy who was watching us from a cozy nook high in a tree.
@chicagobirder.bsky.social @windycitybirdlab.org @yorickgarcia.bsky.social
@chicagobirder.bsky.social @windycitybirdlab.org @yorickgarcia.bsky.social
Illumination at Morton Arboretum
December 21, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Illumination at Morton Arboretum