Blog Post–from Chicago!

Hello Blog Readers!  I’m back from my trip to the mid-west and I have some interesting things to report:

First off, Chicago is a lot of fun!  The nightlife is exciting and vibrant.  While hanging out at a local VFW hall, I was introduced to a super cool guy who had worked as Robert Deniro’s double on some films, and featured prominently in some awesome indie rock music videos from Chicago band Univore.  One particular video, seen at the end of this sentence, is a tribute to one of my favorite things:  Electric cars!

(From left to right: My buddy Nate, Univore, Marco Casale, and me, Mark)

Also, and unfortunately, I have discovered Chicago’s reputation as a green city may be a bit exaggerated—though it is making strides to live up to its billing.

Chicago has been a leader in implementing green energy since about 2006, plus they have a plethora of green rooftops.  At the same time, however, there is some major nastiness they are trying desperately to correct.  For starters, the Chicago River absorbs the untreated waste of millions of people every day (I told you it was nasty!).  Chicago, as of right now is the only city in the country that doesn’t treat their waste.  In 1900, the flow of the Chicago River was actually reversed so that the waste wouldn’t accumulate in Lake Michigan and turn it into a cesspool; they would just let all the folks downstream deal with the nasty water flow–the Chicago is a tributary of the Mississippi River!

Chicago River

Since his election, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has put in place a $250M plan to revitalize the riverfront area  and clean that beast by treating the raw sewage before it enters the river, with hopes to eventually make it swimmable.

Another thing I noticed is Chicago is not very recycling friendly.  I couldn’t believe some of the things I saw going into the garbage.  For many residents of Chicago, recycling is an extraordinarily expensive chore, and in many places it is not even an option.  Chicago has had some seriously futile recycling ideas for the past decade.  But like the river, there is good news!  Basing a new plan on what other cities have done, Chicago is privatizing parts of the recycling program to make the cost more competitive, and to allow it to cover the entire city with costs comparable with what folks pay around the rest of the country.  It turns out that recycling can be good business in addition to being good for the environment.

Next week’s blog will be the second leg of my trip to rural NW Ohio, so stay tuned for that!  Have a safe and happy New Year and I’ll catch up with you in 2012!

-Mark

PS- Here’s another funny video from Univore to get you in the New Year’s type of mood, it’s called Champagne Taste:

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

63 Responses

  1. I’m not sure exactly why but this blog is loading very slow for me.
    Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my
    end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still
    exists.

  2. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site,
    how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
    I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

    Check out my blog … Slim X Keto Review

  7. Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?

    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having
    a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style
    seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    My web site … Green Flame CBD Gummies

  9. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone
    and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just
    so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
    I know this is totally off topic but I had to
    share it with someone!

    my webpage :: Amellia Cream

  10. This is the right website for anybody who really wants to understand
    this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard
    to argue with you (not that I actually will need to?HaHa).
    You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which
    has been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent!

    Stop by my web page Syner Sooth CBD Review

  11. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a
    friend who has been doing a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch
    simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this
    issue here on your blog.

    Also visit my website :: Testo Bull Review

  14. Excellent blog here! Also your web site rather a lot up
    very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your host?
    I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours
    lol

    Here is my homepage … Madeline

  16. Definitely believe that that you stated. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the web
    the easiest factor to have in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while folks consider issues that
    they just do not recognise about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having
    side-effects , folks could take a signal. Will likely be
    again to get more. Thank you

    My web site: Rapid Keto Cut Ingredients

  17. I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great
    topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.

    Feel free to visit my web blog D-Fine8 Ingredients

  22. I just wanted to thank you again for your amazing
    web page you have built here. It is full of useful tips for those who are
    seriously interested in this specific subject, particularly this very post.
    Your all so sweet and thoughtful of others in addition to the fact that reading the blog posts is a fantastic
    delight in my opinion. And thats a generous present!
    Tom and I will have excitement making use of your suggestions in what we must do in the near future.
    Our list is a distance long which means that your tips are
    going to be put to great use.

    Check out my page – Darwin

  25. Having read this I thought it was really informative.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put
    this informative article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.

    But so what, it was still worth it!

    Have a look at my homepage – DFine8 Reviews

  26. I have been exploring for a little bit for any
    high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of area .
    Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this
    web site. Reading this information So i am satisfied
    to exhibit that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed.
    I so much unquestionably will make certain to don’t fail to remember this web site
    and provides it a glance on a constant basis.

    my blog Stephaine

  27. Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted
    to mention that I’ve really loved surfing around your blog
    posts. After all I will be subscribing on your feed and I’m hoping you write again soon!

    Look at my blog post: Keto Lean X

  29. Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!

    My blog post; Hempizor CBD

  30. Hello! I’ve been reading your weblog for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Tx!

    Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic job!

    Here is my website … Keto Lean X

  34. I do not know if it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your blog.

    It looks like some of the written text on your posts are running off the
    screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this
    is happening to them as well? This might be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Thanks

  35. First off I would like to say terrific blog! I had a quick question in which
    I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing.
    I’ve had trouble clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
    I do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas
    or hints? Cheers!

    Look into my blog post – Keto Secret Pills

  36. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website.
    I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well.
    Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own site now.
    Actually the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a great example of it.

    Here is my site :: Vinyasa Cream

  37. Hey very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing
    .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am glad to find a lot of helpful info right here within the submit, we’d like work out more strategies on this regard,
    thanks for sharing. . . . . .

    my web site; VigraFast Reviews

  39. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this article together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving
    comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

    Visit my page – D-Fine8 Review

  43. I do not write a great deal of remarks, but after browsing through a
    few of the comments here Blog Post-from Chicago! – ecoShuttle Charter &
    Tours. I actually do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright.
    Is it only me or does it appear like some of the
    comments come across like they are written by brain dead people?
    😛 And, if you are posting at other online social sites, I’d
    like to keep up with you. Would you make a list of the complete urls of your social
    community sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

    Feel free to visit my web page: Evo Naturals Hemp Gummy Bears Price#

  44. Hey! This post could not be written any better!

    Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to
    him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  45. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video
    to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about,
    why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you
    could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  46. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really realize
    what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from
    my site =). We can have a hyperlink trade contract between us

  48. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through
    Google, and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
    I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Many people
    will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  49. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search
    Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog
    to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.

    If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!

  50. Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it
    has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick
    heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!

  51. I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty.

    You are amazing! Thanks!

  53. This is very interesting, You’re an overly professional blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and sit up for in search of more of your wonderful post.
    Also, I have shared your website in my social networks

  54. Hello to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this
    site, and your views are good for new viewers.

  55. Having read this I thought it was really informative.

    I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together.

    I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

    Feel free to visit my web page – Green Earth CBD

  58. Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I
    was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of
    a good platform.

  62. You actually make it seem so easy with your
    presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m
    looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang
    of it!

  63. Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or
    did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with
    a few simple adjustements would really make my blog
    jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Bless you

ecoShuttle Charters & Tours

25500 SW Grahams Ferry Rd.
Sherwood, OR 97140
office hours:               M-F, 5am-5pm PST
toll free:                     1-877-ECO4PDX 
phone:                        503-548-4480 
fax:                             503-548-4821
email:                         info@ecoshuttle.com 

Service Areas: Beaverton, Bend, Camas, Damascus, Eugene, Gresham, Keizer, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Hillsboro, Hood River, Portland, Salem, Sherwood, Springfield, Tigard, Troutdale, Tualatin, Vancouver, Washougal, and Wilsonville, Maupin, Madras, Pendleton, The Dalles, Corvallis.

©2024 ecoShuttle Charters & Tours. All RIGHTS RESERVED.