Chicago activist publicly burns himself alive in protest of Iraq War
November 9, 2006
Chicago peace activist and musician Malachi Ritscher burned himself alive Friday morning (Nov. 3, 2006) on the Kennedy Expressway, apparently in protest of the Iraq war.
Police found a homemade sign near his body which said "Thou Shalt Not Kill." Before the act, he posted a suicide note on his website.
Sources
"Man sets himself on fire on Kennedy". Chicago Sun-Times, November 4, 2006
"Act by 'martyr' to protest war in Iraq a futile gesture". Chicago Sun-Times, November 9, 2006
Ward 49 of the City of Chicago includes most of Rogers Park and parts of West Ridge.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Five Commissioners rescend welcome of 2006 Gay Games in Chicago
Five Commissioners rescend welcome of 2006 Gay Games in Chicago
July 21, 2005
A month after the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to welcome the 2006 Gay Games to Chicago, the five Republicans on the board withdrew their names under pressure from conservative activists. Chicago is located in Cook County.
The Gay Games is an Olympics-style multi-day international sports competition targeted to LGBT athletes.
Commissioners Gregg Goslin, Liz Gorman, Carl Hansen, Tony Peraica and Peter Silvestri, the only Republicans sitting on the Board of Commissioners withdrew their names from the proclamation. "I'm a pro-family kind of person and conservative on social issues. That's nothing against the gay and lesbian community, but it's nothing I want to advance as a cause celebre," Peraica told the Chicago Sun-Times. In the same report, Gorman said that she doesn't support "special rights for any group."
An anti-gay rights lobbying group, the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), says it is trying to get Democrat commissioners to also withdraw their names from the official welcome. "There is a difference between tolerating and celebrating homosexuality," Peter LaBarera, a spokesman for the group said in an Associated Press interview. The IFI also expressed concern about taxpayer money being used to promote the event.
Although Gay Games spokeswoman Tracy Baim she said she was not surprised by the reversal of the five commissioners, Mike Quigley, a Democrat Cook County Commissioner said of the retraction of his colleagues, "It's a blinding bias and animosity that is overriding human interest, job creation, economic development and the whole spirit of athletic competition." Quigley was the sponsor of the proclamation and plans to play ice hockey in the games.
The 12 other commissioners who voted for the welcome proclamation maintained their support for the event, which is scheduled to run from July 15 to July 22, 2006 and projected to generate between $50 million and $80 million in tourist business to the city and county.
Sources
"Cook officials withdraw names from Gay Games welcome". Associated Press, July 21, 2005
Steve Patterson "5 County Bd. members drop OK of Gay Games". Chicago Sun-Times, July 21, 2005
July 21, 2005
A month after the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to welcome the 2006 Gay Games to Chicago, the five Republicans on the board withdrew their names under pressure from conservative activists. Chicago is located in Cook County.
The Gay Games is an Olympics-style multi-day international sports competition targeted to LGBT athletes.
Commissioners Gregg Goslin, Liz Gorman, Carl Hansen, Tony Peraica and Peter Silvestri, the only Republicans sitting on the Board of Commissioners withdrew their names from the proclamation. "I'm a pro-family kind of person and conservative on social issues. That's nothing against the gay and lesbian community, but it's nothing I want to advance as a cause celebre," Peraica told the Chicago Sun-Times. In the same report, Gorman said that she doesn't support "special rights for any group."
An anti-gay rights lobbying group, the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), says it is trying to get Democrat commissioners to also withdraw their names from the official welcome. "There is a difference between tolerating and celebrating homosexuality," Peter LaBarera, a spokesman for the group said in an Associated Press interview. The IFI also expressed concern about taxpayer money being used to promote the event.
Although Gay Games spokeswoman Tracy Baim she said she was not surprised by the reversal of the five commissioners, Mike Quigley, a Democrat Cook County Commissioner said of the retraction of his colleagues, "It's a blinding bias and animosity that is overriding human interest, job creation, economic development and the whole spirit of athletic competition." Quigley was the sponsor of the proclamation and plans to play ice hockey in the games.
The 12 other commissioners who voted for the welcome proclamation maintained their support for the event, which is scheduled to run from July 15 to July 22, 2006 and projected to generate between $50 million and $80 million in tourist business to the city and county.
Sources
"Cook officials withdraw names from Gay Games welcome". Associated Press, July 21, 2005
Steve Patterson "5 County Bd. members drop OK of Gay Games". Chicago Sun-Times, July 21, 2005
Chicago requires blind students to take driver's education
Chicago requires blind students to take driver's education
March 13, 2006
Mayra Ramirez, a 16 year old Chicago, USA student is blind. In order to graduate, she and dozens of other visually impaired students in Chicago schools are required to pass a written rules-of-the-road exam. "In other classes, you don't really feel different because you can do the work other people do," Ramirez said. "But in driver's ed, it does give us the feeling we're different. In a way, it brought me down, because it reminds me of something I can't do."
Michael Vaughn, a spokesman for Chicago schools said, "I can't explain why up to this point no one has raised the issue and suggested a better way for visually impaired students to opt out of driver's ed."
Blind students are typically told that they must take the class to graduate; although, by law, any parent can request a change in a disabled student's education plan. This law is rarely, if ever, disclosed to the students, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Sources
March 13, 2006
Mayra Ramirez, a 16 year old Chicago, USA student is blind. In order to graduate, she and dozens of other visually impaired students in Chicago schools are required to pass a written rules-of-the-road exam. "In other classes, you don't really feel different because you can do the work other people do," Ramirez said. "But in driver's ed, it does give us the feeling we're different. In a way, it brought me down, because it reminds me of something I can't do."
Michael Vaughn, a spokesman for Chicago schools said, "I can't explain why up to this point no one has raised the issue and suggested a better way for visually impaired students to opt out of driver's ed."
Blind students are typically told that they must take the class to graduate; although, by law, any parent can request a change in a disabled student's education plan. This law is rarely, if ever, disclosed to the students, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Sources
- Tracy Dell'Angela "Driver's ed for blind kids?". Chicago Tribune, March 10,2006
- AP "Chicago Requires Driver's Ed for the Blind". YahooNews, March 10,2006
- Uoi "Blind kids required to take driver's ed". UPI.com, March 10,2006
Chicago Transit Authority announces repairs to Blue and Red Line
Chicago Transit Authority announces repairs to Blue and Red Line
July 11, 2007
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) riders on the subway portions of the Red and Blue lines may see relief of the slow zone in the coming months. So-called "slow zones" are locations where trains travel at restricted speeds because of track work or deteriorating conditions.
The CTA is putting nearly US$15 millions towards renovation of the O'Hare to Clark/Lake portion of the Blue Line and Chicago to Belmont portions of the Red Line. Work will happen during off peak and overnight hours. The CTA says that one track operations and delays may occur.
"We have heard our customers' frustration with slow zones and today we are acting to address their concerns,” said Chicago Transit Board chairperson Carole Brown. "I am pleased that we are able to leverage existing contracts to begin this work and I look forward to working with state lawmakers to increase transit investment to bring our entire system to a state of good repair."
Sources
Jon Hilkevitch "CTA To Tackles Slow Zones". Chicago Tribune, July 11, 2007
Press Release: "CTA to Tackle Red and Blue Line Slow Zones". Chicago Transit Authority, July 11, 2007
July 11, 2007
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) riders on the subway portions of the Red and Blue lines may see relief of the slow zone in the coming months. So-called "slow zones" are locations where trains travel at restricted speeds because of track work or deteriorating conditions.
The CTA is putting nearly US$15 millions towards renovation of the O'Hare to Clark/Lake portion of the Blue Line and Chicago to Belmont portions of the Red Line. Work will happen during off peak and overnight hours. The CTA says that one track operations and delays may occur.
"We have heard our customers' frustration with slow zones and today we are acting to address their concerns,” said Chicago Transit Board chairperson Carole Brown. "I am pleased that we are able to leverage existing contracts to begin this work and I look forward to working with state lawmakers to increase transit investment to bring our entire system to a state of good repair."
Sources
Jon Hilkevitch "CTA To Tackles Slow Zones". Chicago Tribune, July 11, 2007
Press Release: "CTA to Tackle Red and Blue Line Slow Zones". Chicago Transit Authority, July 11, 2007
Chicago apartment fire kills six children
Chicago apartment fire kills six children
September 4, 2006
Six children aged between 3 and 14 died early Sunday in an apartment fire on the 7700 block of Marshfield Ave on the north side of Chicago, IL. The fire also injured the victims' mother and three other siblings. Authorities say that candles are suspected as the cause, and that the apartment had had no electricity since May.
The three-bedroom apartment on the third-floor did not have a smoke detector, officials say. Commonwealth Edison spokesman John Edison declined to comment on why the electricity was turned off for the apartment.
Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco told the media, "This is the largest multiple fire fatality we've had from a single fire in quite a few years. I mean it's children. It's difficult for everyone involved."
Witness Cmdr. Will Knight said, "The mother came running out with one child in her arms, screaming to the neighbors that there were other children inside."
Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said that the children were found in the front room, huddled not far from where the fire started. He added that the fire broke out shortly after midnight.
Witness Al Tillman, 32, said that he was visiting a friend when he heard the children cry for help. He ran up to the third floor, where he managed to grab a boy's arm and drag him out to the waiting paramedics.
Tillman said, "I'm shaken up because the other children didn't make it. I only heard one child. I wish I could have saved the others."
One man said that he and several others tried to get into the building, but the intense heat forced them to turn around.
Later, people held a blanket under one of the apartment's windows, asking them to jump down.
Firefighters retrieved the children remaining by ladder.
The mother is hospitalized with three other children. The Cook County's medical examiner indentified the children as Vanessa Ramirez, 14; Eric Ramirez, 12; Suzette Ramirez, 10; Idaly Ramirez, 6; Kevin Ramirez, 3; and Escarlet Ramos, 3. Escarlet Ramos has been listed as living at a different address, but details regarding this have not been revealed.
September 4, 2006
Six children aged between 3 and 14 died early Sunday in an apartment fire on the 7700 block of Marshfield Ave on the north side of Chicago, IL. The fire also injured the victims' mother and three other siblings. Authorities say that candles are suspected as the cause, and that the apartment had had no electricity since May.
The three-bedroom apartment on the third-floor did not have a smoke detector, officials say. Commonwealth Edison spokesman John Edison declined to comment on why the electricity was turned off for the apartment.
Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco told the media, "This is the largest multiple fire fatality we've had from a single fire in quite a few years. I mean it's children. It's difficult for everyone involved."
Witness Cmdr. Will Knight said, "The mother came running out with one child in her arms, screaming to the neighbors that there were other children inside."
Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said that the children were found in the front room, huddled not far from where the fire started. He added that the fire broke out shortly after midnight.
Witness Al Tillman, 32, said that he was visiting a friend when he heard the children cry for help. He ran up to the third floor, where he managed to grab a boy's arm and drag him out to the waiting paramedics.
Tillman said, "I'm shaken up because the other children didn't make it. I only heard one child. I wish I could have saved the others."
One man said that he and several others tried to get into the building, but the intense heat forced them to turn around.
Later, people held a blanket under one of the apartment's windows, asking them to jump down.
Firefighters retrieved the children remaining by ladder.
The mother is hospitalized with three other children. The Cook County's medical examiner indentified the children as Vanessa Ramirez, 14; Eric Ramirez, 12; Suzette Ramirez, 10; Idaly Ramirez, 6; Kevin Ramirez, 3; and Escarlet Ramos, 3. Escarlet Ramos has been listed as living at a different address, but details regarding this have not been revealed.
Olympic Stadium
Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Stadium is the name usually given to the big centerpiece stadium of the Summer Olympic Games. Traditionally, the opening and closing ceremonies and the track & field competitions are held in the Olympic Stadium. Many, though not all, of these venues actually contain the words Olympic Stadium as part of their name. The Winter Olympic Games do not have a central Olympic Stadium, however some edifices are designated as the Olympic Stadium, which usually hosts the opening and closing ceremonies.
Some of the Olympic stadiums have usually been built specifically to host the Olympics, as opposed to being an already existing facility. Others have been already completed when their city has been awarded the Olympics, and have had the title added:
Specially built
- Olympiastadion - Berlin (1916, 1936)
- Olympiastadion - Helsinki (1940, 1952)
- Olympic Stadium - London (2012)
- Le Stade Olympique - Montreal (1976)
- Stade Olympique de Colombes - Paris (1924)
Already constructed
- National Olympic Stadium - Tokyo (1964)
- Jamsil Olympic Stadium - Seoul (1988)
- Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic - Barcelona (1992)
- Olympiako Stadio Athinas 'Spyros Louis' - Athens (2004)[1]
There have been a number of other stadia that have been used as the main stadium for the Olympics, but which have not incorporated the words Olympic Stadium into their name - again, some of these were specially built for the games, while others were already existing:
Specially built - Francis Field - St. Louis (1904)
- White City Stadium - London (1908)
- Turner Field - Atlanta (1996)
- Stadium Australia - Sydney (2000)
- Beijing National Stadium - Beijing (2008)
Already built
- Panathinaiko Stadio - Athens (1896)
- Vélodrome de Vincennes - Paris (1900)
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - Los Angeles (1932, 1984)
- Wembley Stadium - London (1944, 1948)
- Melbourne Cricket Ground - Melbourne (1956)
- Luzhniki Stadium - Moscow (1980)
In addition to these, there are other stadia called Olympic Stadium around the world, which have been built as part of a prospective bid for the Games:
- Olympiako Stadio Athinas 'Spyros Louis' - Athens (1996) Note: subsequently used for 2004 Summer Olympic Games
- Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium - Rio de Janeiro Note: built specially for the 2007 Pan American Games
- Guangdong Olympic Stadium - Guangzhou, China (2008) Note: the Guangdong Olympic Stadium was intended to be the Olympic Stadium for the 2008 games until the Beijing National Stadium was proposed.
Some have simply been named that way:
Used twice
A number of stadia have been used in more than one Olympics, in those cities that have held the Games twice. While only one (the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum) has been the main stadium twice, both the Panathinaiko Stadio and the Vélodrome de Vincennes have hosted events at subsequent Olympics. Wembley Stadium will also be used again at the 2012 Games, although that stadium is a completely rebuilt structure on the same site as the 1948 stadium. The only stadium to have been used twice, but only host one Olympics, is the Melbourne Cricket Ground which was host venue in 1956 and hosted the first game of the Sydney 2000 football tournament.
Other major events
- Athens - Olympiako Stadio - 1983 European Cup Final, 1994 UEFA Champions League Final, 1997 World Championships in Athletics, 2007 UEFA Champions League Final,WRC Acropolis Rally SuperSpecial Stage 2005, WRCAcropolis Rally SuperSpecial Stage 2006, 2006 IAAF World Cup in Athletics
- Berlin - Olympiastadion - 2006 FIFA World Cup Final
- Helsinki - Olympiastadion - 1983 and 2005 World Championships in Athletics
- London - Wembley Stadium (original) - 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, 1996 European Football Championship Final, 1992 UEFA Champions League Final
- London - White City Stadium - 1934 Empire Games
- Los Angeles - Memorial Coliseum - Super Bowl I (1967), Super Bowl VII (1973), 1959 World Series
- Melbourne - Melbourne Cricket Ground - 1992 Cricket World Cup Final, 2006 Commonwealth Games, annual Australian Football League Grand Final
- Munich - Olympiastadion - 1974 FIFA World Cup Final, 1979 European Cup Final, 1988 European Football Championship Final, 1993 and 1997 UEFA Champions League Finals
- Paris - Stade Olympique de Colombes - 1938 FIFA World Cup Final
- Rome - Stadio Olimpico - 1977 and 1984 European Cup Finals, 1987 World Championships in Athletics, 1990 FIFA World Cup Final, 1996 UEFA Champions League Final
- Sydney - Stadium Australia (now Telstra Stadium) - 2003 Rugby World Cup Final, annual NRL Grand Final
- Tokyo - National Olympic Stadium - 1991 World Championships in Athletics
External links
Ballparks by Munsey & Suppes - Olympics
Aerial and Satellite Photography of Olympic Stadiums from SightseeBySpace.com
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