#illinois grants for small business

[investingdrone]

How To Apply For Small Business Grant In Illinois 2024?

Have you ever been interested in starting a business in Illinois? Or perhaps you are already a happy small business owner looking to grow? Providing subsidy can be a major hurdle. However, never fear, there is a promise of something better that isn’t too far away: small business grant in Illinois. These grants can give you exactly the financial boost you need to pursue your endeavor or take it to…

[beardedmrbean]

Tiffany Henyard, the scandal-ridden Democratic mayor of Dolton, Illinois, who has been engulfed in controversy in recent months, is now facing a new headache involving allegations of her "targeting" the town's own park district.

FOX 32 Chicago reported Tuesday that the Dolton Park District is sounding the alarm about $2,000 worth of citations it has received from the Village of Dolton over allegedly doing work without a permit. Two of the four tickets were issued for installing new playground equipment with the other two for spreading new mulch on the playgrounds.

"Every year we replenish the mulch in the park to ensure the kids are playing on a safe surface—healthy mulch, and we do this every year," Dolton Park District President Cleo Jones told FOX 32 Chicago.

ILLINOIS MEETING PROBING ‘SUPERMAYOR’ TIFFANY HENYARD'S LAVISH SPENDING DEVOLVES INTO CHAOS

Jones suspects the Dolton Park District, which FOX 32 Chicago notes is a separate government entity from Henyard's office, is being targeted because it allowed her political opponents on the Dolton Board of Trustees to hold meetings on Park District property after being shut out of Village Hall.

"We do not play politics here. And do not put us in the middle of politics by issuing us these political citations," Jones told FOX 32 Chicago.

Henyard is also accused of holding up two grants worth a whopping $600,000 for park improvements by blocking the necessary permits.

"We’ve gone to the village for permitting, and they’ve been unresponsive," Dolton Park District executive director Stephanie Wiedeman said. "I have a project manager that’s working on that, and they just refuse to give us the permits."

A $400,000 grant meant to rehabilitate Blackstone Park is on the brink of expiring if the permits aren't issued by Henyard's office within the next few weeks and the $150,000 in money already spent on the project will have to be footed by the taxpayers instead.

Wiedeman, an outspoken critic of Henyard, believes she's being targeted by the mayor as a result.

DEMOCRATIC ILLINOIS ‘SUPERMAYOR’ VETOES ATTEMPT TO PROBE HER LAVISH SPENDING

"What resident wants to look outside of their house and see beat up stuff? If we can upgrade these things, and you're preventing it with a permit, the residents are suffering. They don't get to look out their door and see nice things because you’re stopping it," Wiedeman told FOX 32 Chicago.

Henyard's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Henyard, the self-proclaimed "supermayor" of a small town south of Chicago, has made national headlines over ongoing probes looking into her lavish spending.

Henyard has been dubbed the "worst mayor in America" by critics after being accused of financial misdeeds as well as weaponizing police raids. Most recently, she has also come under fire for an alleged sexual assault by one of her allies during a Las Vegas trip, where the alleged victim claims to have been fired after speaking out. Henyard's cancer charity is also facing scrutiny.

Fox News Digital previously reported that Henyard has been living like a royal with a combined salary of nearly $300,000, more than the state's governor, and the frequent use of beauty vendors, despite the town's residents having a median income of $24,000.

In February, it was reported that the FBI was investigating Henyard after six people had spoken to the agency about her alleged misconduct, including business owners, a former village employee and one or more public officials.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Hakai Magazine:

When I was a teenager, my parents bought a home near an old farm pond in Bangor, Maine. A family of muskrats lived there and would go about their business as I lazed on the dock; I didn’t pay them close attention, as they were hardly glamorous creatures, and in retrospect, I took them for granted. Nevertheless, I did appreciate their presence. On warm-season evenings, the football-sized rodents—they resemble enormous voles or small, long-tailed beavers—would chug back and forth, harvesting cattails and carrying fronds to their den to eat in privacy. The sight of a whiskered nose held just above the water, a small bow wave preceding it, never ceased to lift my spirits.

When I learned last summer that muskrats as a species are struggling, the news came as a sad surprise, though the decline has been decades in the making. In the 1990s and early 2000s, around the same time as I met my farm-pond neighbors, the number of muskrats caught for their fur by trappers in the eastern United States and Canada started to drop, in some places precipitously. Wildlife managers typically use trapping data to track muskrat populations, but since the popularity of trapping had also dwindled, that seemed a likelier explanation for the downward trend than an actual population decline: after all, muskrats are known for their resilience.

They are prolific breeders, raising a dozen or more young per year in times of plenty, as happy and quick to set up house along a drainage ditch as in a wetland sanctuary. Even as other so-called furbearers were trapped to near-oblivion in the 19th and early 20th centuries, muskrats flourished, and they persisted through the thoughtless times before the adoption of federal clean water laws and the advent of environmental agencies in the United States and Canada. They’re the sort of species for whom the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s formal designation of “least concern” has seemed quite appropriate. Impervious would be another term.

Yet, reports of declines continued to gather from throughout their native range, which runs from the Arctic Circle to the US–Mexico border. In 2017, biologists Adam Ahlers of Kansas State University and Edward Heske at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign published the most comprehensive analysis to date, confirming that the patterns did not seem to be a function of trapping statistics. Something else was going on—and whatever it was, it was big. Since the early 1970s, muskrat populations appeared to have fallen by at least one-half in 34 US states. In a handful of states, the collapse was near-total, coming in between 90 and 99 percent.

Muskrats remain fairly common overall—no official population count exists, but it’s safe to ballpark within the millions throughout their range—and in some places, they still thrive, with as many lodges per wetland hectare as there are homes in a leafy suburban subdivision; researchers don’t fear their extinction, but the overall trend is deeply troubling. It is also mysterious. Many possible causes exist, from climate change to habitat fragmentation to vegetation shifts to disease, but “no one has really proposed a reason that seems like the most likely one,” says John Crockett, a wildlife ecologist and PhD candidate at the University of Rhode Island, where he is monitoring the Ocean State’s muskrats. “It’s just a muddle of different possible culprits.”

[belovedspector]

All I've Ever Known Is How to Hold My Own (But Now I Wanna Hold You, Too) - Chapter 2

Pairings: Steven Grant x Layla El-Faouly, Marc Spector x Layla El-Faouly

Chapter Summary: How does Layla end up in Chicago, anyway? Meanwhile, Marc and Steven tackle their first day of classes.

Content/Warnings: College!AU. Quick allusion to Randall Spector's death

Word Count: ~600

A/N: Here it is, chapter 2! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 1 | Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Layla El-Faouly’s circle is small. It’s more of a dot, really—her father, Adballah El-Faouly.

Growing up, she tags along on archaeological digs with him, fascinated by the entire process. She has never wavered on wanting to follow in his footsteps.

As she gets older, she becomes more involved in the digs. Just like her father, she is fiercely passionate about repatriation—returning stolen artifacts to their country of origin. At just 17, she co-authors a paper with him on the subject.

That paper gets her noticed by schools near and far that offer her scholarships. One is a little school outside of Chicago. She doesn’t think twice about it, is planning on staying in Egypt, until she gets a personalized letter from the head of the school’s archaeology department. In her letter, Dr. Dalila Rashad explains that she, too, is Egyptian and cares deeply about repatriation. She emphasizes how much she and the rest of the archaeology department would love to have Layla study at Northern Illinois University.

The letter is enough to win over Layla. There aren’t a lot of archaeological digs in Chicago, but she’s up for the adventure nonetheless.

So, one day, she packs her bags and flies to Illinois and doesn’t look back.

She’s ready to expand her circle.

It’s the first day of classes, and Marc is anything but excited. He hates the icebreakers, hates having to introduce himself. He hates the attention on him, prefers to just keep his head down and do his work.

Marc has never really liked school. He can’t sit still, can’t focus. He’s not dumb—far from it—but just doesn’t do well in a traditional classroom setting. Steven, on the other hand, thrives in a school environment.

Despite this, Marc and Steven decided that Marc would be the one to front during classes. When they were younger, it was easy enough for teachers to look the other way when “Marc” started speaking with a British accent and writing with totally different handwriting. They chalked it up to the grief of losing his brother, and so they left him mostly alone. Now, though, Marc and Steven know that to blend in, they’ll need to keep Steven from fronting in class.

They’ve had many years at this point to master co-consciousness and smooth shifts. Steven promises that he’ll be there to help take notes and follow along during lectures, something he knows Marc struggles with. But, Marc will have to be the one to actually participate in class.

Marc sighs as his intro to business professor finishes going over the syllabus. He knows what is coming next, and he’s not looking forward to it.

“You’ve got this,” Steven encourages from the headspace. Marc makes a face but doesn’t reply.

“Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to know each other, shall we?” the professor says, clapping her hands together once. “I want us to go around the room and each ask another student a question.” She points to a girl in the front row to get things started.

And so, they go from one student to the next, asking and answering questions, some more enthusiastically than others.

Finally, a boy turns to Marc and asks, “Uh, do you have any siblings?”

Fuck. Of course that’s the question he gets.

“No,” Marc lies through gritted teeth. It’s easier this way—no need to trauma-dump to a class full of poor, unsuspecting students.

The rest of the class goes by quickly. They finish up the exercise and are dismissed early. Marc and Steven have enough time to go back to their dorm for a bit before their next class.

Marc flops onto his bed and groans. One class down, two to go.

It’s gonna be a long semester, he thinks.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Please feel free to let me know what you think! :)

[goldfish-moriarty]

Office Space in Elk Grove Village, Illinois: A Hub for Growing Businesses

Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is a dynamic and thriving community that offers prime office space for businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in the Chicago metropolitan area. With its strategic location, diverse range of office options, and supportive business environment, Elk Grove Village has become a top destination for companies of all sizes. We won't be office hatters but office realists. This blog post will explore the benefits of leasing office space in Elk Grove Village and why it’s an ideal location for growing businesses.

Strategic Location and Connectivity

One of the primary advantages of Elk Grove Village is its strategic location near major transportation hubs. Situated just minutes from O'Hare International Airport, the village provides businesses with convenient access to global markets. Additionally, Elk Grove Village is connected to major highways, including I-90, I-290, and I-355, which makes it easy for employees, clients, and partners to commute from Chicago and other key cities in the Midwest.

For businesses that rely on efficient transportation and logistics, Elk Grove Village’s location offers a significant competitive advantage. To learn more about the village’s location benefits, visit the Elk Grove Village Official Website.

A Diverse Range of Office Space Options

Elk Grove Village offers a wide variety of office spaces that cater to the needs of different industries and business sizes. Whether you are a startup looking for a small office or a large corporation in need of a multi-story building, Elk Grove Village has something to offer. The village’s commercial real estate market includes modern office complexes, renovated industrial buildings converted into office spaces, and standalone office properties.

For businesses seeking flexible office solutions, the village also offers co-working spaces and executive suites that provide the benefits of a fully equipped office without the long-term commitment. These spaces are perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses looking to grow without the overhead costs associated with traditional office leases.

For detailed information on available office spaces in Elk Grove Village, check out this Commercial Real Estate Resource.

Supportive Business Environment

Elk Grove Village is known for its business-friendly environment, which is designed to foster growth and innovation. The village government works closely with businesses to provide resources, incentives, and support that help companies thrive. Elk Grove Village offers a range of economic development programs, including tax abatements, grants, and low-interest financing, to attract new businesses and assist existing ones.

In addition to financial incentives, the village provides a variety of business support services, such as networking events, training programs, and workforce development initiatives. These resources ensure that businesses have access to the tools and talent they need to succeed in a competitive market.

To learn more about the resources available to businesses in Elk Grove Village, visit the Elk Grove Village Economic Development page.

Workforce Talent and Availability

Elk Grove Village’s proximity to Chicago provides businesses with access to a large and diverse talent pool. The village attracts a wide range of professionals, from highly educated individuals in fields such as technology, finance, and healthcare to skilled workers in manufacturing and logistics. The presence of top universities and colleges in the region ensures a steady supply of qualified graduates who are eager to contribute to the local economy.

Moreover, Elk Grove Village offers a variety of workforce amenities, including training centers and job placement services, to help businesses attract and retain top talent. The village’s commitment to workforce development makes it an attractive location for companies looking to build a strong and capable team.

Infrastructure and Amenities

Elk Grove Village is equipped with modern infrastructure that supports the needs of today’s businesses. The village’s office spaces are designed with state-of-the-art facilities, including high-speed internet, advanced telecommunications, and reliable utilities. These features are essential for businesses that require robust technological infrastructure to operate efficiently.

In addition to office facilities, Elk Grove Village offers a wide range of amenities that enhance the quality of life for employees. The village is home to numerous parks, recreational facilities, and cultural attractions that provide opportunities for relaxation and entertainment. The presence of restaurants, cafes, and retail stores within close proximity to office spaces adds to the convenience and appeal of working in Elk Grove Village.

For more information on infrastructure developments and utilities in Elk Grove Village, visit the Elk Grove Public Works page.

Conclusion

Elk Grove Village, Illinois, offers an ideal environment for businesses looking to lease office space in the Chicago metropolitan area. With its strategic location, diverse office space options, supportive business environment, and access to a talented workforce, Elk Grove Village is a hub for business growth and success. Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, Elk Grove Village provides the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in a competitive market.

As the office space market in Elk Grove Village continues to evolve, now is the perfect time to explore the possibilities this vibrant community has to offer. If you’re considering leasing office space in Elk Grove Village, reach out to a local expert who can help you find the perfect location for your business needs.

For more insights on office space opportunities in Elk Grove Village, visit this Commercial Real Estate Resource.

[dankusner]

Flossmoor auctioning garden art to fund upkeep of public sculptures

Workers install sculptures by artist William O’Brien in May at Brassie Avenue and Flossmoor Road, a busy recreation area in Flossmoor.

The sculptures are among the newest public art pieces in the village. Village of Flossmoor

Flossmoor has long been a center of public art, as one can see by driving around the village, noticing the many sculptures.

There are 12 in the permanent collection and seven in the rotating collection.

Maintaining and obtaining all that public art costs money, and the Flossmoor Public Art Commission, which oversees the collection, could use some help.

So they’re turning to something they know well, auctioning art created for just that purpose.

Nancy Burrows, co-chair of the public arts commission, touched on why this month’s art auction has a key role.

Some public art collections she’s seen in other towns look weathered because of lack of upkeep, and she doesn’t want Flossmoor to fall into that trap. “It’s quite a balancing act,” Burrows said.

Hence, the Garden Art Auction.

“Public art is an important part of Flossmoor’s identity and brand,” she said. “However, it is not funded by the village. The village provides incredible support for the program but the funding is through donations.”

Pieces of art designed by local artists — including one by Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson — will be auctioned this month to raise funding to support the permanent and rotating exhibits.

You can find and bid on artwork by visiting www.ArtFlossmoor.com. Click on “garden art” and then on “garden art online auction.”

There, you will find 34 pieces of art on which to bid. They range from small to large, all with a garden art theme.

There’s even art you can sit on.

Burrows created 16 items for the auction.

“We wanted a theme that worked with the outdoor idea of sculpture. So, we thought that garden art would be a good way to publicize who we are and what we do,” Burrows said.

Many of the pieces sit on stakes, so they can be placed in a garden or yard.

“We even have one piece donated and created by Jason Verbeek, one of the artists in our rotation,” she said. He now has two sculptures in that rotation.

Verbeek donated “Rock Dancer” to the auction.

And as of June 27, that has received the highest bid of any piece at $650.

“The other piece that is getting a lot of play is a downtown scene painted on an Adirondack chair that the mayor, Michelle Nelson, built and painted. She’s very talented,” Burrows said.

The green Adirondack chair Nelson built from scratch had the second-highest bid at $350 as of June 27.

“I enjoy building stuff in my spare time,” said Nelson, a civil engineer by trade. “My chair is painted Flossmoor green. I matched it to the village’s logo color. An Adirondack chair is a little plain, so I painted a scene of our downtown area because it’s so beautiful.”

Downtown architecture, sculptures, flowers “for our green commission,” and “the LGBTQ flag for how welcoming and inclusive we are here in town” are incorporated in the scene.

In a clever touch, the hands of the clock in her painting read 7:24. Why so specific?

“In military time, that’s 19:24, the date of our establishment. It’s our 100-year anniversary,” Nelson said.

Nelson spent about 20 hours building and painting the chair. She added a sealcoat to protect it from the weather.

Flossmoor, the mayor said, is keen on art “because public art sparks conversation and interest.”

“Residents really appreciate the value and beauty it brings to the community. And art does have a wow factor,” said Nelson, who was elected mayor in 2021.

“We are blessed with an incredible art commission with a wide range of expertise. We are so lucky the (seven) commissioners volunteer their time to bring in these beautiful pieces.”

The public art program in Flossmoor was established in 1998 through private donations and an Illinois FIRST grant.

The village added new sculptures to its permanent collection of public art this spring, and it incorporated a new sculpture into its rotational collection.

A 9-foot bronze sculpture called “Paradise” by the late artist Hubert Phipps that evokes the landscape of America’s West was installed at the west end of Flossmoor in Ballantrae Park, 1404 Lanark Ave.

In May, Chicago-based artist William O’Brien came to the village to place three related sculptures together at the southeast corner of Flossmoor Park, at Brassie Avenue and Flossmoor Road.

Burrows said the art commission hopes to raise $6,000 to $10,000 via the auction, which is accepting bids through July 25.

They’re also open to adding more items to sell.

“If more pieces come in, we are accepting them to add to the auction,” Burrows said.

[michiganprelawland]

The Right-to-Repair Debate in Congress

By Taylor Trenta, Calvin University Class of 2025

August 18, 2023

Throughout 2023, there has been an uptick in attention granted to the concept of right-to-repair, especially with technology and auto parts. In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York signed the Digital Fair Repair Act, then saying New York was the “first state in the nation to guarantee the right to repair.” Many states followed, leading to attention throughout 2023. [1] Throughout the summer, a panel of experts made the case to dismantle right-to-repair restrictions on a Congressional level. [2] The group argues that consumers should have access to cheaper and more accessible part replacements and services, rather than only the original manufacturers. [2]

According to Nathan Proctor, a campaign director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, TV and radio repair shops have been replaced in a push towards replacements and repairs from the manufacturer. He said: “We've been pushed into this... How did we wake up in a world where changing a battery was too dangerous to do? They benefit from us not having that power.” [1] While this is becoming a more prevalent problem, powerful technology producers have led to this for decades. For instance, the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act expanded protections for code in the growing market of software embedded products. [1] Darrell Issa, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee’s intellectual property panel, said during the July hearing: “Let there be no doubt that the right to repair the product that you have purchased is a fundamental principle... and individuals and businesses should not under any circumstances have any doubt as to where the bright lines are in their rights.” [2] One key roadblock in accessing data for necessary repairs is Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; this prevents consumers from working around technological safeguards due to their copyright. The intention was to prevent piracy. However, this prevents users from accessing some aspects of repair manuals, which some say reaches beyond the scope of the law. [2]

In March, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel worked with 28 other attorneys general to call upon the 118th Congress to pass Right-to-Repair legislation; in this movement, the coalition targeted automobiles, agriculture equipment, and electronic equipment. [3] With this, the purpose is also to keep small businesses competitive against closed systems that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) favor. [3] Nessel stated: “The monopoly on repairs hurts consumers...Original Equipment Manufacturers restrict competition for repair services by limiting the availability of parts, making diagnostic software unavailable, or using adhesives that make parts difficult to replace, all of which can result in higher product and repair prices. I stand with my colleagues in asking Congress to pass Right-to-Repair legislation that not only protects consumers, but protects the laborers and farmers who help build and feed our nation.” [3] The letter sent in by this group included attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. [3] The group also encouraged Congress to consider three major pieces of proposed legislation that received support, but were never passed: The Fair Repair Act, the SMART Act, and the REPAIR Act. [3]

From the University of Michigan, Professor Aaron Perzanowski testified on the concept of right-to-repair before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. [4] In regard to Section 1201, Perzanowski stated, “Section 1201 of the DMCA makes it practically impossible for consumers to exercise their lawful right to repair a wide range of devices, from tractors to home electronics, even though the copyright office says those activities are non-infringing.” [2] With his testimony, he emphasized the gravity of the situation: “The right to repair is a longstanding principle, reflected in both personal property and IP law. Without it, the fundamental notion of ownership—of our cars, our communications devices, our home appliances—is under threat. Safeguarding that right to repair is a complex legal problem that has no single solution. Beyond IP law, it presents questions of antitrust, consumer protection, and contract law, among others. Nonetheless, by addressing the ways in which IP law interferes with rights of Americans to fix the things they buy, Congress is positioned to help maintain and restore this core right of property owners.” [4]

During the same July 18th House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, most shared the perspective of Perzanowski. However, Devlin Hartline from the Hudson Institute’s Forum for Intellectual Property said: “The right-to-repair movement isn’t based on a preexisting right; it’s instead asking lawmakers to create a new right at the expense of the existing rights of IP owners.” [5] Even those who support the right-to-repair movement noted some concerns over safety; in the food and auto industries, Perzanowski said this type of Intellectual Property law is not always the right way to go. However, these risks of flawed production are present even with the original manufacturer. [5]

With this increase in attention, other members of Congress have looked to introduce legislation against other barriers. One bill looks to shorten the enforcement period for patents on some auto parts. Another bill proposed by Neal Dunn in February also hopes to prevent auto manufacturers from hiding data that would enable replacement parts to be manufactured. [2] While this issue is not yet resolved, the debate over the right-to-repair will likely continue to gain momentum throughout the country.

______________________________________________________________

Taylor Trenta is a pre-law student at Calvin University, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is currently studying history and economics as an Honors Scholars student.

______________________________________________________________

[1] Clark, Peter Allen. (January 23, 2023). “Flood of “right to repair” bills signals DIY watershed.” Axios. AxiosFlood of "right to repair" bills signals watershed moment for movementThe “Right to Repair” movement championing owners' freedom to fix everything from smartphones to tractors is set for a landmark new year,....Jan 23, 2023.

[2] Weiss, Benjamin S. (July 18, 2023). “Congress takes on ‘right to repair’ consumer reforms.” Courthouse News. Courthouse News ServiceCongress takes on 'right to repair' consumer reformsLawmakers want federal copyright law amended so that third parties can access the parts and data necessary to repair cars, electronics and....4 weeks ago.

[3] Michigan Gov. (March 28, 2023). “AG Nessel Joins Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Right-To-Repair Legislation.” Michigan Gov. https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2023/03/28/ag-nessel-joins-coalition-urging-congress-to-pass-right-to-repair-legislation.

[4] Needham, Bob. (August 7, 2023). “Perzanowski Testifies at Congressional Subcommittee on Right to Repair.” Michigan Law.

https://michigan.law.umich.edu/news/perzanowski-testifies-congressional-subcommittee-right-repair.

[5] McDermott, Eileen. (July 18, 2023). “House IP Subcommittee Mulls Copyright and Design Patent Revisions Amid Right-to-Repair Debate.” IP Watchdog.

[saulweissberg]

“you’d be surprised, cookie.” despite his wealthy upbringing and professional job, saul wasn’t exactly traditional himself. he had been a somewhat openly bisexual man in the early nineties when it was a turbulent time to be anything other than completely straight. at least he had the oasis of manhattan to escape to then, he couldn’t imagine growing up in a place like blue harbor in the same time period and not coming out through adulthood with some scars. “a lot of my college buddies and post-grad friends were very shocked when i showed up one day with a ring on my finger. they thought it would never happen to such a slu—” saul paused, grimacing slightly. if phoebe had any respect for him, he might lose it if he divulged just how… messy he had been when he was even younger than phoebe currently. it was part of the reason he felt such affection for someone like cj; he had been the same way, but he had been forced to grow up. cj seemed to be holding onto youth a little longer. “anyway, love makes you do stupid things, but it’s how i got my son. so i guess i can't complain in the end.”

saul laughed good-naturedly. “oh, everyone felt that way about george michael back then.” the flamboyance was just part of the fun when it came to wham!, but really, it was hard to find any popular music group in that period that wasn’t decked out in neon and spandex. his eyes squinted slightly. “yes, anthony edwards. i saw top gun because i would go watch any movie with tom cruise when i was a kid but i came away thinking goose was cute and that i’d never join the navy.” quite the opposite effect that it had on other moviegoers around the same age, but saul thought he was rather adept at recognizing propaganda, even as a young teen. having parents who were democrats who hated ronald reagan probably helped. as she listed her celebrity crushes, he shook his head rapidly. “yeah, i have no idea who those people are.” since he had been permanently busy with his career since law school, he never had a lot of time for pop culture unless it had to deal with reality shows like real housewives or below deck. most of his references came from the era he grew up in, but he personally thought eighties movies were intrinsically better anyway.

he nodded as she explained more about her cat’s clawing issues. “well, i don’t know if you’re ever going to be able to figure out psychologically why misty scratches you. not unless you hire the my cat from hell guy.” saul gave a small, empathetic frown. “it could be something simple like she’s overstimulated. are you petting her when she scratches you? or maybe bored. i got two cats so they’d be able to entertain each other while i’m at work.” which, granted, was pretty much all day. it was the exact reason why he never got a dog as an adult. that, and his apartments were too small back in new york, even when he was at the height of his career. “yeah, he got an apartment in town.” something that did bother saul slightly, since it seemed micah had moved all the way out to illinois just to not move in with him, but he had to be grateful micah was even within a fifteen-mile radius. there was an emotional distance that was hard to close, but at least they were physically close. that had to mean something. “well, thank you for understanding. i know how much you love them, though i’m sure they’re jealous now that you have a cat of your own.”

Whilst her own knowledge on etiquette was limited to the dining room scene from Pretty Woman, Phoebe tended to think she had some manners. She ate with the appropriate cutlery (unless it was something that required hands, like burgers and pizza), didn’t talk with her mouth full, and tried not to interrupt people in a sentence. Basically, the opposite of any behaviors Seb exhibited. “You can be the Professor Higgins to many, many wild Eliza Doolittles.” She joked. 

The first part wasn’t something that Phoebe hadn’t heard before. From Foster, from Seb himself, so she just let out a resigned ‘hmm’. She debated letting Saul in on the reasons why she was…protective to the point of control with Seb. Their fucked up childhoods, the way they had to parent themselves. But, as much as she trusted the lawyer — as fond of him as she was — she didn’t want him knowing that part of her. So she latched onto the second part of his comment. “I don’t think CJ knows what taxes are, honestly. That's why he has his whole team.” It was one of the many reasons she had been happy to hear that Seb would be moving in with CJ; the one person in town so well looked after by a whole slew of people, she’d be guaranteed the bills and rent would be paid on time, and perhaps weekly groceries bought as well. Even if she were a hypocrite on the latter, fully surrendering that task to Foster.

When he glanced up, giving her the advice to not do anything society expected of her, Phoebe offered a soft smile in response. Her entire existence was going against societal norms. She was a product of a teen pregnancy, she grew up destitute, she was a girl, and bisexual. She had more passion and talent for art-based subjects instead of academia. Anything that the concept of society frowned upon, she had checked the box. “I don’t think the traditional thing is my speed.” She told him. Kids were forever off the table, and considering how she got Foster to use the boyfriend/girlfriend label, she highly doubted marriage would be on the cards in the future. If ever. And that was also something she was unsure she wanted anyway.

Whilst she hadn’t heard of the actor that had stolen Saul’s mother’s heart, she couldn’t help the little snicker that left her. “One of my friends from college, her mom felt that way about George Michael.” Just a little bit before her own mother’s time, but she supposed there had to be someone from Lisa’s generation who was closeted back in the day but still a massive heartthrob to the masses. She was curious about Saul’s comments on the actors, wondering if he was speaking objectively about their looks in the same vein of a father trying to bond with his teenage daughter about boy bands, or if his opinions were genuine. Phoebe never tried to speculate about sexuality, was extremely fortunate to grow up with two other people figuring out their own identity so that when she came to her realization in college, she wasn’t alone. And, as much of a crappy mom Lisa was in the other aspects of her life, at least she was an ally. “Anthony Edwards, huh?” She asked with a quirk of her eyebrow. “Harry Styles is my all-time crush. But, Sabrina Carpenter is my number one at the minute. What can I say? I like them short and blonde.” 

Trimming Misty’s nails had indeed been the first thing on the list of suggestions of what to do with her. But after that experience, the groomer wouldn’t answer her calls anymore, and the vet had given Misty a strike. And she had been worried that Misty would just chew at the caps. Plus, it wasn’t like it was the cheapest option. “It’s not so much the scratching as the reason behind it.” She explained, even if Foster would say it was very much the scratching. “Micah, right? Yeah, he’s staying with one of my neighbors.” He was nice, even if things were a little awkward between them, neither of them quite knew the right thing to say to each other. “I understand you picking family for that, Saul. It’s not an issue.” Phoebe assured him, punctuating her sentence with another bite of pancake.

[focusonthegoodnews]

Chicago nonprofit giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID relief money

Chicago nonprofit giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID relief money

Good News Notes: “Help for Chicago small businesses is on the way, thanks to a local nonprofit. “My Block, My Hood, My City” announced Monday that it is giving away $200,000 in COVID-19 relief money. Grant applications are open right now for any local small business in need. Priority will be given to South Side, West Side, female-owned and minority-owned businesses. They hope to help 40…

[tiarnanabhfainni]

i wrote another fic about generational trauma and the winchesters, this time featuring deadbeat mom extraordinaire mary née campbell, displacement, emigration, the american wake and just really missing your mom.

gonna quickly tag a few mutuals who might be interested but also you can find the fic under the cut

@uhuraha @myaimistrue @nonsensegnomes

American Wake

On a mild summer’s day in 1950, a wedding took place in Normal, Illinois. Dressed in a simple white dress that she had inherited from her mother, Millie Walsh looked up at the man who was to be her husband in daze of transcendent happiness. She had good reason to be besotted. His name was Henry Winchester and he was a dashing young academic of the supernatural with a fascinating air of mystery that surrounded him. They had met the previous year when he had come to her home in New York on a fact-finding mission. Millie fell in love after only two minutes of conversation.

With such a buoyant adoration to carry her through, Millie was perfectly happy to relocate to a state far from her family and friends to build a new life with charming debonair Henry. She knew about the supernatural elements of his life. How could she not? But it was a trade she was perfectly willing to make for the opportunity to create a family with him.

And she paid dearly for that decision. Millie lost a husband and was left to raise her four year old son alone.

It was all entirely avoidable of course. The Winchester name was not her inheritance by birth. No Cupid had ever marked her name for Henry. It was by no means a match made in heaven. If not for love, Millie could have lived a life completely divorced from the less-than-natural.

After her husband’s disappearance her heart hardened and she abandoned the Winchester name and any association with the supernatural. Packing her bags for Kansas, she returned instead to the ways of her own people. For Millie’s family had a long history of leaving their pasts behind them.

--------------------------------

Millie’s maternal line can be traced back to a small town in Limerick, Ireland now known by the name of Patrickswell. The farm where her grandmother was reared would likely have been a fair few miles from the town itself but it’s difficult to be precise about these things since many of the records of the era were destroyed in an explosion during the Civil War of the 1920’s.

Bridget Ó Laochdha lived in a hard place surrounded by tough people. There was no work in the surrounding towns and villages and her family was forced to eke out a living on rented land. Most of the local community spoke little to no English and spent most of their day-to-day lives conversing and working through the medium of the Irish language.

The Ó Laochdha family was no exception to this rule. Bridget - as the sole member of the family with more than a rudimentary grasp on the foreign tongue - had been translating for her father at the market for most of her young life.

The rugged countryside that surrounded them was austere and beautiful but there was darkness around every corner. Violence engulfed the region as the Land War raged around them. The threat of eviction was a constant sword of Damocles over their heads and the precarity of the political situation left a permanent mark on Bridget’s development.

Bridget loved her family, of course she did. She loved the language she spoke with them and the easy rhythm of her life. But she knew that there was a brighter future out there somewhere on the other side of an ocean. Somewhere she wouldn’t hear constant news of Whiteboys, Invincibles and their clashes with the police. Somewhere that was safer, where she might get a job and support her family from afar. All she needed was the means to get there.

------------------------------------

Mary idolises her dad when she’s young as children are prone to do. Her family are heroes who straddle the line between the known and the unknown and keep the world safe from the evil lurking in the shadows.

As a teenager, she joins the family business and she’s a natural. She excels particularly at getting information out of young witnesses. She sits amongst small groups of girls, nodding along to conversations about music, miniskirts and make-up and nudging the topic of discussion slowly around to the subject of her father’s latest hunt. Mary’s good with the guys too, she finds that a well-placed laugh or look can get her most of what she needs.

But intel is not the only area where she excels. Mary’s a sharpshooter and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. Hand her a shovel and she can dig a grave just as fast as the boys. She even knows the best technique for washing blood off her hands.

She’s on a path to be one of the best in the business. And she hates it.

-------------------------------

Although many people left Ireland to try their luck in the United States in those days, it was still a difficult path to tread. Tickets to get to New York were expensive and hard to come by. Buying a ticket at the harbour was as likely to get you scammed as to get you a place on the boat.

Bridget was fortunate in that her local parish priest was looking to sponsor a few young hopefuls on the trip across the Atlantic and offered her a place. That decision might have been the hardest any in her family had ever had to make. To leave behind everything she knew and understood for the small chance that her life could be better. She made that choice nonetheless.

The tradition of The American Wake was one that dated back to the famine years in Ireland to mourn the departure of a loved one to that far off place across the ocean. There would be no real way to send letters home consistently and economic conditions meant that the emigrants would likely never be able to return home. What do you do when you are setting up to grieve someone who is still alive? You hold a funeral.

On Bridget’s last day in Limerick she cried until her tear ducts ran dry. She sat in the centre of the room and listened to the keening women wail around her. Her father could not speak his sadness but he stood beside her and rested his hand on her shoulder, bowing his head in silent prayer. Her mother held her face in her hands and whispered one last goodbye.

Yet amidst all of the tears and the heartache, a sense of relief made its way into Bridget’s bones and settled in her spine. There was death and loss but a future there too. A brand new life in a brand new land. And while they’d never say it, her family was relieved too, she could see it in their eyes. This was one less mouth to feed, one less person to clothe. The money she will send home in remittances would lighten her father’s load by a considerable degree.

As she boarded the boat in Cobh, she stared at the ticket clutched tightly in her hand and thought not of what it had taken from her but of the life it stood to grant her.

---------------------------------

When Mary meets John for that second date outside his mother’s house, she knows that this is it. That he is her ticket out.

She clutches his body in her lap and cries and she doesn’t know what to do. With death and destruction all around her, Mary makes the only choice she can.

Deanna’s body still lies abandoned on the kitchen tiles. But isn't it better, in a way, that she never had to face her daughter leaving her behind?

------------------------------------

The first impression America made on Bridget was not a positive one. No sooner than she arrived at Ellis Island, did they take the last vestiges of her home away from her. Bridget Leahy took her first step onto foreign soil without even her name to console her.

Her first job in New York was that of a kitchen worker in a large airy home in the employ of a family belonging to the upper echelons of East Coast society. Her hours were long and her fingers near scrubbed to the bone. Since her food and board were covered, every penny that she earned was sent home to Patrickswell.

While her English had served her well in local markets of Limerick, she found that they were quite inadequate here among native speakers. She sat around the table in the servants’ quarters with the others who worked in the home and listened as conversations happened all around her. They all spoke so fast and the topic of conversation switched so quickly that she couldn't quite keep track. Bridget simply did not have the vocabulary to contribute and so she stopped speaking entirely.

The longing for home was like a physical wound lodged just under her ribs and sometimes she wondered how she continued to breathe through the pain.

The only times that she could recognise herself was on her rare evenings off when she made her way down to the local Irish dance hall. There she could allow young men from Inchicore, Kilrush and Listowel to spin her around a room to the music of home and forget where she was for just a few hours.

--------------------------------------

It is impossible to overemphasise how little the role of a housewife suits Mary Winchester. The sundresses feel awkward on her form and the kitchen still feels like a foreign land.

The other mothers in the neighbourhood all seem to speak the same language as they switch tracks fluently between complaining good-naturedly about their husbands and swapping recipe cards. Mary has never felt more out of place.

She doesn’t know where she fits or how to contribute. The loss of her mother is like a crater in her chest and she doesn’t know where to lay down all of the grief she holds in her hands. She thinks she would be better at holding her children without it.

When it all gets too much, she sheds the skin of Mary Winchester and leaves her small family behind to retrace the Campbell path. She might not be able to get her family back but she can pretend to be home for just a small while when on a hunt.

-----------------------------------

In a small catholic church on an intersection, Bridget Leahy married Mick Walsh of Tyrone in a small, private ceremony. As a married woman, she left the world of employment behind and started the task of homemaking in their small Manhattan apartment. She did her best to keep the rooms aired out and clean but the grime of the city was ever present.

When she looked out of the window and saw grey dusty streets she couldn't help but compare the view to green fields and the fresh air of the Limerick countryside. Her husband worked in construction, building monuments of steel to the sky that looked towards an American future while she remained stuck in an Irish past.

When Bridget’s pregnancy first became obvious to the couple, they were delighted. This was their chance to build something of their own on American soil. A family.

When her waters broke, the women of the neighbourhood rushed into her room to oversee the birth and refused to let her husband in so he could hold her hand.

In another life maybe Bridget stayed at home and married a local boy in Patrickswell. Maybe she gave birth at home next to her parents’ fireplace with all of the women of her family around her and her mother stroking her hair.

Maybe she was destined to die in childbirth no matter where she was but at least at home the last voice in her ears would have been in a tongue that was her own.

-------------------------------

Just like Millie Winchester née Walsh before her, Mary Winchester let the supernatural into her home in a desperate grab for the life that she wanted to build.

And just like her mother-in-law before her, a demon crashed through the walls and destroyed every semblance of a family that she had found.

[averyfaulk]

——— did you see avery faulkner hanging around DOWNTOWN? i think they’ve been in town for about five years and FRESHLY GRADUATED FROM CORNELL UNIVERSITY.. he's probably staying at the lofts. played by lav.

PHOTOGRAPHY / MUSINGS / AESTHETICS 

avery pierce faulkner was born in lincoln park, chicago, illinois to his mother freya and his father lennox. from an early age the boy saw how his family was different than those he went to school with: his father was a businessman, and his mother was an accountant at a law firm. in his mother’s best attempt to keep the boy humbled, she would always remind him that he didn’t have to grow up to be like his father – and by this she means yelling on the landline phones about money and being away on trips for five, six days at a time. young avery knew this, and his attitude about life was pretty optimistic… until his sister was born.

when he was only eight his mother gave birth to his sister, named charlotte, and all of the positive attention fell onto her, as she would grow up to be the golden child, daddy’s little girl, you name it. avery loved his sister, they had one of those movie-like relationships where they were each others best friends, but this put a strain on his relationship with his own father. whether he was being told he wasn’t good enough, a disappointment, or just an asshole, avery rarely took his father’s words to heart, especially knowing how upset it made his mother.

at the age of seventeen is when avery began to act out: parties, gateway drugs, phone numbers texting him with little to no idea of what their name was. typical plotline, but the boy was just broken. he loved hearing his father’s rage towards his acting out and it only fueled the fire. truth be told he was insecure after growing up in such a heartless household where his father acted like he ran the place while everyone else had to put up with constant business meetings at their home, money was his main priority, while him being away on business trips was like a vacation for all of the faulkners.

he was blessed to have been accepted into cornell university in new york; a chance to get away from chicago, a chance to do what he wanted without constant retaliation. the only hard part was leaving behind his sister, his best friend. granted the eight-year age gap meant nothing to them and he still wrote emails and even sent old-fashioned letters back home for her to open and read. unfortunately, when his final year of college came around was when the family’s success was at a sudden.. stop..

𝚊. 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 name: avery pierce faulkner alias(es): aves pronouns: he/him/his date of birth: april 14, 1997 age: twenty-five (25) current residence: the lofts, downtown ithaca, new york height: 6′0" sexuality: pansexual

𝚋. 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚜 hobbies: parties, cartoons, drawing zodiac sign: aries likes: nighttime, spicy foods, late night conversations dislikes: opening up to people, crowds, loud noises fear(s): thalassophobia

𝚌. 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 eye color: brown hair color: brown other physical characteristics: many small/medium sized tattoos usual facial expression: blank, uninterested, cocky smirks

𝚍. 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚝𝚜 positive trait(s): honest, truthful, dedicated negative trait(s): naive, selfish, stubborn optimist or pessimist (1-10): seven (7) bad habit(s): chewing his lip, rolling his eyes

𝚎. 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜 parent(s): freya michelle (mother), lennox faulkner (father) sibling(s): charlotte michelle (sister, younger)

𝚏. 𝚊𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚌 clothing style: outgoing, fashionable, lazy at times favorite food: thai food, homemade meals favorite color: beiges, blue, grey favorite music genre: 80s genre alignment: chaotic good

[quicksiluers]

For the ship prompt, 30 and Grant/Julia or Grant/Sherman 'cause tourist Grant has been my headcanon ever since i read his memoirs

ok so this one....I had to stop writing at some point and I apologize for where I left it because if I didn't stop, I was never going to. I may continue this if people like it! And it's got a mix of both in there, cause you know I love them both :) But I'm thinking of going back later to add...if people like it enough, maybe lol

there should really be called "can Ali write under 1,000 word challenge?" and have me fail them all because each one has been way too long

“So they started thinking about making the part back in the 1860s because they thought of having something like New York City had with Central Park. Which, for my money, I think the Golden Gate Park is far superior. I mean, Central Park is great but this right here? It’s amazing. Does Central Park have a Japanese tea garden in it? I don’t think so. Anyway, so they really got into work on it around 1870…”

Grant nodded his head along, but his mind zoned out as he walked with the energetic redhead beside him. His enthusiasm was special, that Grant couldn’t knock him for.

Julia had planned to meet up with a friend of hers for most of the day and being the type of person not to sit around and do nothing, he had decided he would explore the city. San Francisco had always been a place he wanted to visit but never got the chance. They had already hit up a few of the more touristy parts, which while he enjoyed, didn’t really give him the feeling he was looking for from the city.

Julia told him to see if he could find a local to help him. Grant thought it odd, asking a stranger out of the blue to point him in the right direction, but he told his fiancé he would keep it in mind.

A hand grabbing his shoulder brought him out his musings, “Let me show you the Japanese tea Garden, it’s really incredible. It started as a village and a tea garden when they had the World’s Fair back in 1894. After the fair, they sold it off to the city who then hired this guy Makoto Hagiwara to take care of the garden. He was one of the main guys to be around to see it turn into what it is now and brought all kinds of Japanese animals for people to see.”

Grant hadn’t been sure what drove him to ask the redhead, Sherman?, for assistance. He had noticed him when he was crossing the street toward the park. It was hard to miss the red hair. Grant had been looking down at his map, trying to pinpoint the best spot to start when he passed the lanky stranger by. That was when he heard footsteps behind him and turned around, meeting the man’s brown eyes.

Now he found himself being pulled along the sidewalk, the ginger chatting away nonstop. How could he talk so much, so fast? The amount of information he was spewing out was dizzying.

“Hopefully the tea house isn’t too busy, it’s early enough in the morning where we should be able to get in,” Sherman explained happily, hand still gripping Grant’s shoulder. He tried to slip his way out of it but it was no use. Heat crawled onto his cheeks. Julia was the only person that was really able to pull him along like this. Their touch almost felt the same, though Sherman’s was stronger, firmer, and…

What are you even thinking?

“Hey, is the sun getting to you?” Grant felt pressure on his forehead, Sherman’s brown eyes staring down at him with concern. Unconsciously, he leaned into the touch, the cool feeling of it soothing him. His skin felt like it was on fire “You’re pretty red, do you want to sit?”

“Uh…,” Grant pulled back quickly, silently cursing to himself. Why had he done that? He coughed into his hand, trying to cover up his burning face, “N-no it’s fine, I just…”

“You’re not used to the heat,” Sherman injected, smiling proudly as if he figured it out, “Totally understandable. You said you were from Illinois right? That’s a different type of heat.”

“Sure…,” the word was drawn out, Grant nodding after a moment. That made sense, it seemed like the taller man already bought into it, “Yes, I guess that makes the most sense…”

“Well, we can get something at the tea house. Which is right over here, I think you’re really going to like it.”

Walking along the path, he tried to keep a good amount of space between them but it was too crowded for that. He felt his arm brush along the redhead’s a few times, the other man seemingly oblivious as he talked on and on about something else. At this point, Grant couldn’t keep track. Everything was too mixed up for him to focus. Why did he feel so weird? It was like butterflies in his stomach, which in itself sounded horrifying. He’d only ever felt like this around Julia and that was a whole other level. He couldn’t have…whatever was going on when he and Julia were engaged! What would she think?

All he needed was an excuse to get away from Sherman. That was it, simple as that. He’d go back to the hotel, tell Julia he hadn’t been feeling well, and just decided to hang out inside for the day. The idea of lying to her filled him with dread. He couldn’t do that, she would know in a second it was something else. Julia always had a way of knowing.

The whole situation left him confused and uncomfortable. None of it was Sherman’s fault, he was just being helpful. And he seemed concerned when he thought Grant wasn’t feeling well. It was Grant’s fault for making the whole situation seem weird.

Walking through the garden brought him a small sense of calm. The pathway was less crowded, allowing them to explore around. Sherman pointed out the different structures and described how they were built, how much time it took, and what parts of Japan they were popular from. Grant was absorbed into his descriptions, asking questions along the way that the ginger seemed to have every answer to. The uncomfortable feeling disappeared as they walked, Sherman pulling him over towards the pond and pointing out each of the fish that peacefully swam around.

“You seem like you know a lot,” Grant teased, crouching down to have a closer look at the fish. All the different colors caught his attention. He pulled out his phone, taking a quick look back at the suddenly quiet tour guide.

Sherman had been staring down at something but had turned his head quickly away. “Well, I do spend a lot of time around here,” he stuttered briefly, catching Grant’s attention. That was the first time he’d done that today, “I have a brother who brings his kids into the city a lot and they’re always asking questions.”

Taking a few photos, Grant stood back up with a small smile, “Well, that’s nice. I’m sure they love learning all about it.”

As they walked up to the tea house, Sherman talking a mile a minute again, Grant wondered what had made the redhead so quiet before. Had something caught his eye and made him shut up for a moment? That seemed out of the question.

Had he been looking at him?

What a ridiculous thought. Grant felt his cheeks heat up again, pushing away the notion.

God, why was he acting like this today? Couldn’t someone just be nice without anything behind it?

The tea house was special. They had gotten there at the perfect time, able to sit down a try out a few of the food options that Sherman liked the best. He also recommended the Sencha, which was a type of green tea that Grant particularly enjoyed. Though the weather was a bit warm, the tea brought with it a soothing sensation that he was in desperate need of.

Making a note of coming back, Grant pulled out his phone to take a quick photo for Julia. He tried to sit back a bit to get the photo and Sherman attempted to lean out of the shot, “No, it’s fine,” Grant reassured, waving his hand a bit, “You can stay in the photo.”

His red hair contrasted nicely with the greenery around them. The lighting was perfect too. It wouldn’t hurt to have one little thing to remember Sherman by.

Not odd at all.

They continued their journey through the park, Grant taking a particular interest when they were passing the pol field. A few horses were galloping around, seemingly warming up before a match was going to begin.

“Do you play?” Sherman asked, picking up on Grant’s flickering gaze as they slowly walked by.

“No, my father wanted me to but,” he paused, mind wandering off before he reeling it back in. No use in revisiting that, “I stuck with other equestrian sports.”

He felt Sherman’s eyes on him, that awkward silence falling over them. Maybe he didn’t mind the redhead’s constant talking

Eventually, they found themselves at the end of the park, crossing the street to walk closer to the beach. The sky was a perfect blue, with a few clouds peppering the sky. Waves rolled over naturally, a few kids crying out in glee as they rushed into the water, and others lounging on the beach sand without a care in the world.

“If we talked along the road here, we could go see the Golden Gate Bridge,” Grant felt Sherman’s hand press into his back lightly, turning him in the direction he was pointing, “It’s a bit of a hike and I wasn’t sure what else you had planned for the day…”

Grant glanced down at his watch, “I’m not sure I would have the time…”

The redhead’s face fell, only for a moment, before he nodded in understanding, “No yeah I totally get it. We walked the whole park which is pretty incredible as it is, that’s a lot of walking. And then we’d have to walk the whole way back because I don’t know what direction you were coming from or where you were sta-“

Reaching up, Grant grabbed the collar of Sherman’s shirt and pulled him down, pressing their lips together. The silence was almost blissful. His lips were warm, cracked slightly from the summer air. There was a lingering mix of sweetness and bitterness from the tea and cookies from the tea house. He moved to tilt his head before he caught himself, embarrassment rushing through him. What was he doing?

Pulling away, Grant took a few steps back from the redhead who was staring back at him in confusion. How could he have done that? “I-I’m so…,” he stuttered, hands shaking slightly. Before Sherman could say anything, he turned and rushed back across the street.

“Grant! Wait!”

The trees and people passed by in a blur, his mind spinning out of control. What was he doing? Kissing someone he barely knew, without even asking! He didn’t understand what had gotten into him.

It felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest.

[beardedmrbean]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Floodwaters breached levees in western Iowa on Tuesday, creating dangerous conditions that prompted evacuations as the deluged Midwest faced another round of severe storms forecast for later in the day.

The sheriff’s office in Monona County, south of Sioux City near the Nebraska border, said the Little Sioux River breached levees in several areas. Evacuation orders were issued and roads closed in two small towns, emergency management officials said. No injuries were immediately reported.

“Please stay out of the area for your safety,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.

Patrick Prorok, emergency management coordinator in Monona County, described waking people in Rodney, a town of about 45 people, to recommend evacuation about 4 a.m. Later Tuesday morning, the water hadn’t yet washed into the community.

“People up the hill are saying it is coming our way,” Prorok said.

Iowa state transportation officials said they planned to close sections of I-29 and I-680 north of Council Bluffs Tuesday because of rising floodwaters.

The flooding has damaged roads and bridges, closed or destroyed businesses, required hospitals and nursing homes to evacuate, and left cities without power or safe drinking water, the governors of Iowa and South Dakota said. Officials reported hundreds of water rescues.

Severe storms were forecast for Tuesday afternoon and evening with large hail, damaging winds and even a brief tornado or two in parts of western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service. Showers and storms were also possible in parts of South Dakota and Minnesota, the agency said.

The weather service also predicted more than two dozen points of major flooding in southern Minnesota, eastern South Dakota and northern Iowa, and over three dozen points of moderate flooding. Flood warnings are expected to continue into the week.

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for affected counties in Iowa on Monday, a move that paves the way for federal aid to be granted.

Late Monday in Correctionville, Iowa, the Little Sioux River rose to nearly 31 feet (9.5 meters), about 12 feet (3.7 meters) above flood stage, according to the National Weather Service. About a quarter to a third of residents had evacuated Monday, mayor pro-tem Nathan Heilman said, with homes on the west and south sides of town most affected.

On Tuesday, Heilman said the water was slowly starting to recede, potentially aided by a levee breach downstream.

“That makes everything feel a little bit better,” he said. But there’s still a lot “we’re just kind of waiting to see.”

The flooding in the region, which affected areas from Omaha, Nebraska, to St. Paul Minnesota also came during a vast, persistent heat wave. Dangerous hot, muggy weather was expected again Tuesday around the Omaha area.

Storms last week dumped heavy rains, with as much as 18 inches (46 centimeters) falling south of Sioux Falls, the weather service said.

Places that didn’t get as much rain had to contend with the extra water moving downstream. Many streams, especially with additional rainfall, may not crest until later this week as the floodwaters slowly drain down a web of rivers to the Missouri and Mississippi. The Missouri will crest at Omaha on Thursday, said Kevin Low, a weather service hydrologist.

The heavy rains were blamed in the deaths of at least two people. On Saturday, an Illinois man died while trying to drive around a barricade in Spencer, Iowa. The Little Sioux River swept his truck away, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said. Officials recovered his body Monday. Another person died in South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem said without providing details.

“I’ve never had to evacuate my house,” Hank Howley, a 71-year-old North Sioux City, South Dakota, resident said Monday as she joined others on a levee of the swollen Big Sioux River, where a railroad bridge collapsed a day earlier.

Outside Mankato, Minnesota, the local sheriff’s office said Monday that there was a “partial failure” of the western support structure for the Rapidan Dam on the Blue Earth River after the dam became plugged with debris. Flowing water eroded the western bank.

Eric Weller, emergency management director for the Blue Earth County sheriff, said the bank would likely erode more, but he didn’t expect the concrete dam itself to fail. The two homes downstream were evacuated.

A 2019 Associated Press investigation into dams across the country found that the Rapidan Dam was in fair condition and there likely would be loss of property if it failed. A pair of 2021 studies said repairs would cost upward of $15 million and removal more than $80 million.

[castielsbeeslippers]

Dean’s bar was loud but not the kind of loud that gets under your skin, there was a warmth to the crowded bar, a deep sense of home and belonging moved through the building when Dean’s voice would boom over the chattering patrons and welcome in someone with a wide smile on his face.

Dean did it all; he was the bartender on most occasions , he was the owner , door greeter , fight breaker upper (luckily that didn’t happen often because at ,Dean's people knew it wouldn’t be tolerated. ) ,and in this of course he was not alone he Had Castiel.

Cas the love of his life from hell , to purgatory to now when Dean finally opened his mouth and let the truth fall out.

“Ya’know….’ Dean was gripping Cas’ hand as they drove down the highway after an arduous hunt in the middle of nowhere Arkansas.

“I think I’m getting too old for this Cas.” A smile tugging his lips.

Cas grinned all gums and wrinkles. Magic words he had prayed to hear.

He didn’t push the issue or ask when or how he just squeezed Dean’s hand tighter and hummed softy with the tune of ramble on.

No less than two months later Dean started asking his opinion on buildings in the area asking what he thought of the location and if he liked them.

Castiel felt such overwhelming pride , Dean wanted to own a bar… but it was more than that. Cas would listen as Dean would explain how it could be a hub for hunters, especially the young ones ,the ones that he was once among. The reckless , the misguided , the abandoned.

Dean knew what it was like to finally find a space. It was Bobby’s first ,the Bunker ,Jody’s and every found family and home and in between and then it was Cas.

Dean wanted to make sure other kids , teen’s hell even adults had someplace they could trust to be there when the whole world felt like it was ending because shit maybe it was.

Things moved quickly as the summer crept quietly into Kansas and with the first swelter of the summer’s sun Dean’s bar was officially open for business.

It wasn’t anything grandiose , but with the help of his family it was everything Dean had dreamed of and more. Dean cried on opening day and he didn’t feel ashamed bout’ it not one lick.

He’d earned this , died for this , bleed for it and sure it was Cas’ words that were rattling in his head telling him how he was truly worthy of love and deserved happiness and peace...but right then and the days that followed Dean finally believed it.

He could be happy , safe and loved and most importantly he could give that safety and love to others.

January 24th

“Surprise!!!!!!” came a chorus of voices all at once.

Dean laughed and shook his head.

“I knew you guys were up to something ,’just take a day’ off my ass.”

Dean couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face.

Donna , Jody ,Claire , Kaia and Sam had shoed him and Cas out of the bar early that afternoon urging them to ‘go out and enjoy the day’.

Dean had already enjoyed a morning of worship from his not so devout ex-angel , but who was he to argue when they insisted. Especially Sam with that stupid puppy dog look that he started at age 7 and never quit.

Cas had taken Dean to a local bakery for Pie and Coffee before they headed out for a drive and maybe made a few unnecessary stops along the way before settling on just sitting and talking on a bench with a scenic view.

By the evening they made their way back to Dean’s bar where his family had set up a surprise party , balloons , pie , steamers , and of course the karaoke mechine was on and ready.

After hugs , laughs and a few rounds of food and beer Dean had found his way up to the small stage it was his turn for bad karaoke.

The tune started up , Carry on my Wayward son came out of the two small speakers.

Carry on my wayward son , there’ll be peace when you are done

Lay your weary head to rest.

Don’t you cry no more.

Dean grasped the microphone tightly giving it his all. The lyrics hitting him hard.

His friends and family all watched on smiling and cheering him on.

He met Cas’s blue eyes that were glued to him.

Once I rose above the noise and confusion

Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion

I was soaring ever higher

But I flew too high.

Though my eyes could see , I still was a blind man

Though my mind could think , I still was a mad man

I hear the voice when I’m dreaming

I can hear them say

Dean’s mind races filled with the thoughts of everything he’d been through in the deacade plus of his life.

He thought of all the almost-apocalypses..Demons , tricksters , dying , death from hell to pourgatory and back again . His journey of meeting Angels of meeting Castiel in that barn in Pontiac Illinois... he thought of how everything has changed.

He belted out the chorous once more granting him a few whistles from the crowd which he figured came from Donna.

Masquading as a man with a reason

My charade is the event of the season

And if I claim to be a wise man , well

It surly means that I don’t know

On a stormy sea moving emotion

Tossed about, I’m a ship on the ocean

I set a course for the winds of fortune

But I hear the voices say

The chorous fell from Dean’s lips again and the song came to close with thunderous applause from everyone in the bar.

Throughout all the world ending , sacrifice and pain he had been through he had carried on ....He had pushed forward in the face of adversities no one man should ever have to face and even when he felt alone.. Dean was loved , and he wasn’t alone... and now that warmth all that love filled him and carried him though his days and into Cas’ open arms.

Carry on my wayward son. There’ll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest. Don’t you cry no more , don’t you cry no more.

(  🐝asked to be added or removed 🐝)

Tag list : @my-favourite-hellatus , @i-dont-even-wanna-know , @nguyenxtrang @minxyone93

[afaulkncr]

(thomas doherty, he/him + cis-male, twenty-three) | well of course you’ve heard of (AVERY FAULKNER), right? they are a (THIRD) year student living in (LINACRE) taking (SOCIOLOGY) at rye university, and as per the blinds, they are like (second day hair, ferragamo shoes, and sarcastic comments), but that may just be because they know (REDACTED).

        avery pierce faulkner was born in lincoln park, chicago, illinois to his mother freya and his father lennox. from an early age the boy saw how his family was different than those he went to school with: his father was a businessman, and his mother was an accountant at a law firm. in his mother’s best attempt to keep the boy humbled, she would always remind him that he didn’t have to grow up to be like his father – and by this she means yelling on the landline phones about money and being away on trips for five, six days at a time. young avery knew this, and his attitude about life was pretty optimistic… until his sister was born. 

        when he was only eight his mother gave birth to his sister, named charlotte, and all of the positive attention fell onto her, as she would grow up to be the golden child, daddy’s little girl, you name it. avery loved his sister, they had one of those movie-like relationships where they were each others best friends, but this put a strain on his relationship with his own father. whether he was being told he wasn’t good enough, a disappointment, or just an asshole, avery rarely took his father’s words to heart, especially knowing how upset it made his mother.

        at the age of seventeen is when avery began to act out: parties, gateway drugs, phone numbers texting him with little to no idea of what their name was. typical plotline, but the boy was just broken. he loved hearing his father’s rage towards his acting out and it only fueled the fire. truth be told he was insecure after growing up in such a heartless household where his father acted like he ran the place while everyone else had to put up with constant business meetings at their home, money was his main priority, while him being away on business trips was like a vacation for all of the faulkners. 

        he was blessed to have been accepted into rye university in southeastern new york; a chance to get away from chicago, a chance to do what he wanted without constant retaliation. the only hard part was leaving behind his sister, his best friend. granted the eight-year age gap meant nothing to them and he still wrote emails and even sent old-fashioned letters back home for her to open and read. unfortunately, when his second year of college came around was when the family’s success was at a sudden.. stop.. 

𝚊. 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 name: avery pierce faulkner alias(es): aves pronouns: he/him/his date of birth: april 14, 1998 age: twenty-three (23) current residence: linacre: gated community, rye, new york height: 6′0" sexuality: pansexual 

𝚋. 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚜 hobbies: parties, cartoons, drawing zodiac sign: aries likes: nighttime, spicy foods, late night conversations dislikes: opening up to people, crowds, loud noises fear(s): thalassophobia 

𝚌. 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 eye color: brown hair color: brown other physical characteristics: many small/medium sized tattoos usual facial expression: blank, uninterested, cocky smirks 

𝚍. 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚝𝚜 positive trait(s): honest, truthful, dedicated negative trait(s): naive, selfish, stubborn optimist or pessimist (1-10): seven (7) bad habit(s): chewing his lip, rolling his eyes 

𝚎. 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜 parent(s): freya michelle (mother), lennox faulkner (father) sibling(s): charlotte michelle (sister, younger) 

𝚏. 𝚊𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚌 clothing style: outgoing, fashionable, lazy at times favorite food: thai food, homemade meals favorite color: beiges, blue, grey favorite music genre: 80s genre alignment: chaotic good

[goldfish-moriarty]

Commercial Real Estate in Elk Grove Village, Illinois: A Prime Location for Business Growth

Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is a vibrant and thriving community that has established itself as a prime location for commercial real estate. Strategically located near major transportation hubs and boasting a diverse range of amenities, Elk Grove Village is an ideal destination for businesses looking to expand or establish a presence in the Chicago metropolitan area. This blog post will explore the factors that make Elk Grove Village a top choice for commercial real estate investment, from its robust infrastructure to its supportive business environment.

Strategic Location and Accessibility

One of the most significant advantages of Elk Grove Village is its strategic location. Situated just minutes from O'Hare International Airport, Elk Grove Village offers unparalleled access to global markets. The proximity to major highways, including I-90, I-290, and I-355, ensures seamless connectivity to Chicago and other key cities in the Midwest. This accessibility makes Elk Grove Village a preferred location for businesses that rely on efficient transportation and logistics, such as manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing.

For more information on why Elk Grove Village is an ideal location for your business, visit the Elk Grove Village Official Website.

Diverse Commercial Real Estate Options

Elk Grove Village boasts a diverse range of commercial real estate options to meet the needs of various industries. Whether you're looking for office space, industrial facilities, or retail properties, Elk Grove Village has it all. The village is home to the largest consolidated business park in North America, the Elk Grove Business Park, which spans over 6 square miles and houses more than 3,600 businesses. This business park offers a wide range of industrial spaces, from small warehouses to large distribution centers, making it an attractive option for companies of all sizes.

For a detailed overview of available commercial properties in Elk Grove Village, check out the Commercial Real Estate Agents in Elk Grove, Illinois page.

In addition to industrial spaces, Elk Grove Village also offers a variety of office spaces that cater to businesses in sectors such as finance, technology, and healthcare. The village's commercial real estate market is dynamic, with new developments and renovations continuously enhancing the quality and availability of office spaces. Retail properties are also abundant, with several shopping centers and standalone retail spaces available to serve the growing population of the village and its surrounding areas.

Supportive Business Environment

Elk Grove Village is known for its supportive and business-friendly environment. The village government actively collaborates with businesses to foster growth and development. Elk Grove Village offers a range of incentives, including tax abatements, grants, and financing programs, to attract new businesses and support existing ones. The village's proactive approach to economic development has resulted in a thriving business community that continues to expand and innovate.

To learn more about the resources available to businesses, visit the Elk Grove Village Economic Development page.

Moreover, Elk Grove Village is committed to maintaining a high quality of life for its residents and employees. The village offers a wide range of amenities, including parks, recreational facilities, and cultural attractions, making it an attractive place to live and work. The village's commitment to sustainability is evident in its green initiatives, such as energy-efficient buildings, green spaces, and environmentally friendly infrastructure.

Workforce Availability and Talent Pool

Another key factor that makes Elk Grove Village a prime location for commercial real estate is its access to a highly skilled and diverse workforce. The village's proximity to Chicago provides businesses with access to a vast talent pool, ranging from blue-collar workers to highly educated professionals. The presence of top universities and colleges in the Chicago area ensures a steady supply of graduates with expertise in various fields, including engineering, business, and technology.

Additionally, Elk Grove Village's workforce amenities, such as training centers, job placement services, and networking opportunities, make it easier for businesses to attract and retain top talent. The village's focus on workforce development ensures that businesses have the resources they need to succeed in a competitive market.

Infrastructure and Utilities

Elk Grove Village's robust infrastructure is another reason why businesses choose to invest in commercial real estate here. The village is equipped with state-of-the-art utilities, including reliable power and water supply, high-speed internet, and advanced telecommunications services. The village's infrastructure is designed to support the needs of modern businesses, from large industrial operations to small startups.

Elk Grove Village is also committed to continuous improvement of its infrastructure. Recent investments in roadways, public transportation, and utilities have further enhanced the village's appeal as a commercial real estate destination. The village's focus on maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure ensures that businesses can operate efficiently and effectively.

For more information on infrastructure developments and utilities in Elk Grove Village, visit the Elk Grove Public Works page.

Conclusion

Elk Grove Village, Illinois, offers a unique combination of strategic location, diverse commercial real estate options, a supportive business environment, and robust infrastructure, making it an ideal destination for businesses looking to grow and succeed. Whether you're a small business owner or a large corporation, Elk Grove Village provides the resources, amenities, and opportunities needed to thrive in today's competitive market.

As the commercial real estate market in Elk Grove Village continues to evolve, now is the perfect time to explore the possibilities this vibrant community has to offer. If you're considering investing in commercial real estate in Elk Grove Village, don't hesitate to reach out to a local expert who can guide you through the process and help you find the perfect property for your business needs.

For more insights on commercial real estate opportunities in Elk Grove Village, visit this Commercial Real Estate Resource.