Chicago February Specials

First and foremost, LINCOLN SQUARE is celebrating President Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday this Thursday, February 5, 2009 right in the heart of Lincoln Square. 

So Happy Birthday and have fun at Lincoln Square with all their activities.

NEXT:

TOBOGGANS ARE ON SALE!  I was floored when I saw this but it is true.  The Cook County Forest Preserve District are selling hundreds of six- and eight- foot rental toboggans on eBay!  There are going for $20 each - $10 to nonprofit groups.  These toboggans are 6 to 12 years old, according to Steve Mayberry from the Cook County Forest Preserve District. 

To find the toboggans at eBay.com under item No. 320336367543.

THE ULTIMATE OF ULTIMATES:

The City of Chicago is offering PARKING TICKET AMNEST PROGRAM:  It's been effective December 1, 2008 and runs until February 14, 2009.

• Do you owe outstanding paring or red lights tickets issued prior to January 1, 2007?  If so, take advantage of this program now.  If you pay your tickets in full, the City of Chicago will waive 50% of the penalities for those tickets.

Do you owe boot, tow, and storage fees for a vehicle no longer in the City's possession?  If so, pay your tickets in full or get on a payment plan, and the City of Chicago will (catch this one ....) waive them in full.

Have you previously defaulted on a payment plan? 

During the amnesty, you can get a new payment plan.  The City will waive the $100 penalty.

You can pay parking/Red-Light tickets online!  That's right ......  just go to http://www.CityofChicago.org/revenue or call (312) 744-PARK. 

Now, if you don't know your parking tickets because you "lost" them, were busy, didn't bring them with you, couldn't remember where you put them.....?  Conduct a search online for all tickets by license plate, notice number, driver's license number or vehicle identification number.

Personally, I've used the license plate search ... so easy to find 'em!

Now, if you can't make the payments in full right now but want to take advantage of this little event of forgiveness,  go to http://www.cityofchicago.org/revenue and click "Payment Plans" or call (312) 604-7100.  The City offers a variety of flexible parking ticket payment plans in addition to recently hardship eligibility.

What have you got to loose? 

NOW ON THE FLIP SIDE ......

It appears that Chicago hasn't converted over to digital TV transition successfully.  For those of you who haven't taken advantage of the "converter box coupon", you still have time.  Consumers can apply for up to two $40 coupons per household by calling the toll-free number 1-888-DTV-2009 or by applying online at www.DTV2009.gov or by mailing an application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, ORE  97208-2000.  Applicants will receive their coupons in the mail. 

Have questions?  Then go to the National Association of Broadcasters' website  http://www.DTVAnswers.com for more information regarding the transition.

Here's some things you need to know about the transition:

1. Your antenna is important!  For the digital TV transition to go smoothly, you need to have UHF component to the antenna.  That's the LOOP inside the "rabbit ears". 
2. You may need an adapter or connector:  If your television is old, like old, it may not have a connector for a coaxial cable. 
3. You may have remote control issues!  Be careful with this because I made this mistake.  Check to make sure that your box comes wiht a universal remote so that you can use one remote for your "box" and "tv"
4. You may want the analog pass-through capability.  This allows you to turn off the box and allows analog signals to go through it.  Why is this important?   Well, here in Chicago we have some low power stations that don't have to go through this switchover!  They are not required by the FCC to go digital. 
5. VCR issues:  If you want to watch one station, but record on another station, then you need TWO converter boxes!

NOTE:  If your coupon expires, you can't use it!  The expiration is March 31, 2009.  So, get a haulin!