New email address

elginjessica ( at ) gmail.com

In the past I had gmail, but I got rid of it a couple years ago because I was concerned about privacy issues. It’s not that I’ve grown to trust gmail more with my information, I’ve just grown to distrust all email providers equally. Oh and I like how gmail saves a string of back-and-forth messages as one message so the inbox looks less overwhelming. Also it’s free. And I already sign into google to check blogs so this saves me a second sign-in. I will have my work email redirected to gmail too, which will save me a third sign-in each day. (I couldn’t do that with my @mac.com address because it would not let me send email with my work address as a reply.)

Does everybody get this excited about email?

Tags: email, gmail, google, internet, mac, privacy
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TONIGHT!!

On Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00pm, SWAN’s Dog Park committee will be presenting a proposal to Elgin’s Parks and Recreation Board for the first dog park within Elgin’s city limits.

Please join us to show your support for this much needed park. The meeting will be take place at The Centre of Elgin’s west conference room, room 100.
You are encourage to pass along this e-mail inviting your friends and neighbors to attend with you

Tags: dog park, dogs, Elgin, meeting, Parks and Recreation Board, SWAN
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Life in Elgin Photos of the Week, August 3 - 9

Here are the Life in Elgin flickr pool photos of the week, taken August 3 - 9 by members of the flickr group. Click each photo to go to its flickr page.

Photo by James Jordan

Photo by talekinker

Photo by James Jordan

Photo by GtrGeorge

Photo by XPHALCON

Tags: alley, bicycles, bicycling, bikes, blueberries, Elgin, flickr, IL, Illinois, Judson University, photography, photos, stairs, storm, tower
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Nominate your favorite Elgin business!

If you know of an awesome Elgin business that consistently provides good service, nominate them for the Better Business Bureau Torch Award! The publicity would be good for the business and Elgin in general. This is open to all for-profit businesses in Northern Illinois.

To nominate a company, go to www.chicago.bbb.org or e-mail sbernas@chicago.bbb.org or write to BBB Torch Award, 330 N. Wabash Ave., #2006, Chicago, IL, 60611. Deadline for completed entries is Sept. 5.

Tags: BBB, Better Business Bureau, Chicago, Courier News, Elgin, IL, Illinois, Torch Award
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Education lawsuit against the state

Assuming I understand correctly, this lawsuit could lead to statewide (if not nationwide) education reform. Click here for the full article, or just look below for quotes I pulled.

The Chicago Urban League has filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois and the Illinois State Board of Education calling for the state’s current school funding scheme to be declared unconstitutional and in violation of the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003. The lawsuit asserts that the State of Illinois has, for decades, discriminated against families based on race and has deprived African American, Latino and other minority children of a high quality education.

The lawsuit challenges the State’s method for raising and distributing education funds to local school districts and the Illinois State Board of Education’s implementation of the system.

The Chicago Urban League wants the court to agree that the public education financing mechanism in Illinois violates the Illinois Civil Rights Act and Illinois Constitution and order the State to take the necessary steps to eliminate the constitutional violation and remedy the statutory violation.

“Illinois ranks 49th in the nation for the funding gap between rich and poor students, and white and minority students,” said Mary Ellen Guest, campaign manager of A+ Illinois, the state’s leading advocate for improved school quality and funding. “It should come as no surprise that Illinois also ranks near-last for the achievement gap between these groups of students.”

Tags: Chicago Urban League, education, Illinois, lawsuit
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I hope I don’t get a ticket!

I’ve heard roadies (nickname for serious road bicyclists) brag about times they’ve ridden so fast they’ve actually been breaking the law by going over the speed limit. I could never relate until now! And I present to you, Symphony Way:

Tags: bicycles, bicycling, bikes, Elgin, IL, Illinois, photo, photography, speed limit
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