Posted: 28 Nov 2009 08:11 PM PST

Strict new rules regarding business signs in Irving were enacted to literally remake the city's image. The goal is to eliminate what many officials and residents say are cluttered thoroughfares and muddled shopping centers.

Instead, business owners say, the rules are either discouraging people from opening up shop or encouraging them to skirt the rules and undermine the city's efforts.

And city officials, sometimes accused of letting aging commercial areas turn into eyesores, now face criticism from business owners who say the city is going too far in attempts to bring older areas up to newer standards.

"They're trying to make the whole of Irving look like Las Colinas – nothing up in the air, everything ground-based, everything tightly controlled," said Jeff Youngblood, who owns a FastSigns store on Belt Line Road. "What's really happening is their bureaucracy and their requirements have created a black market for signage in Irving."

In January, the City Council unanimously approved sweeping changes to ordinances regulating business signs. The new rules are aimed at cutting down on the pole signs, window hangings and myriad neon signs.

"The inner-ring suburbs are all hitting that age where we're trying to figure out things," said Gary Miller, the city's planning director. "How do you turn it around or what do you do? It's a challenge, but Irving's definitely taking it on."

Pole rules

Among other things, the new rules prohibit any new pole signs from going up except for at businesses along major highways. Most existing pole signs are allowed to remain – as long as a new business doesn't open in a building with a sign.

But Youngblood said many building owners either aren't aware of that rule or simply don't tell their new tenants. He said he's had three clients who planned to open Irving businesses but walked away from their plans after they realized the pole sign would have to come down.

Youngblood said business owners aren't necessarily in love with pole signs. But tearing them down can cost $5,000 to $10,000. And then there are the new requirements for the ground-based monument signs.

The ordinance loosened setback requirements for monument signs. But it also required materials such as brick and stone.

"Now you're talking about making a sign that's in the $15,000 to $18,000 range," he said.

At least once a day, someone at Youngblood's store looks at his price estimate, turns around and walks out of his store. He says many end up going to sign companies outside of Irving that have a distinct pricing advantage: They either don't know or don't care about Irving's new rules.

Youngblood says he'll see the business days later with a new, albeit nonconforming, sign out front.

"They have no way of ever catching them," Youngblood said. "They have no way of knowing what was up yesterday."

No banners

But it's not just the costs of signs that have some business owners and industry leaders balking. Another part of the ordinance prohibits businesses from using banners except for during grand openings.

Kathy Carlton, director of government affairs for the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, said that takes away a major marketing tool that apartment complexes rely on to bring in potential renters.

"In this economy where our occupancies are going down, our hands are tied to what we can do to advertise to somebody driving by," she said.

And, some business owners say, the city is essentially telling them what they can and cannot do.

Zack Hamzeh, who owns Express Auto and Tires on Story Road, says he moved banners inside his shop after the city told him he couldn't have them outside.

Then, he said, he was told he couldn't have them inside if they were visible from the street.

"It's inside my property," he said. "I don't think they have a right to come inside my property and tell me what to do. But who am I to do anything about it?"

Youngblood also is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed this month that claims Dallas' sign rules effectively violate business owners' free-speech rights. Irving officials say that they know about the suit, but that it hasn't affected the city's policy.

"We're aware of it, and we'll see what happens, obviously," city attorney Charles Anderson said. "When courts speak on a topic, you can sometimes get wisdom from that."

'Cleaning up the city'

Irving officials say they're doing everything they can to educate business owners about the sign rules. That includes holding an informational meeting Dec. 8 at City Hall.

And they admit the new rules are creating some unforeseen conundrums, such as determining whether certain window hangings are signs, art or advertising. They say they're working with business leaders, including Youngblood, to see whether there are tweaks that can be made.

Still, the city's not ready to abandon the overarching goal of the sign rules.

"We want it to be fair, but we want it to accommodate the purpose of cleaning up the city as well," said Chris Wallace, CEO and president of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce.

But Youngblood, who also is a chamber of commerce board member, said there are so many conflicting provisions and inadvertent side effects that more than just tweaks are needed.

"If the city wanted to clean up problem areas, the previous sign code had all the teeth it needed to clean up those problems," he said. "It just got pushed through without the appropriate review."

Here's a look at the number of signs targeted by Irving code enforcement during the first 10 months of this year.

Pole signs removed

7,560

Temporary signs removed

371

Businesses in compliance with new rules

299

Businesses with pending violation notices

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Text Size - Chicago Tribune

Posted: 28 Nov 2009 03:07 AM PST

POLAR EXPRESS The Polar Express pulls into the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Nov. 27, 28 and 29 and Dec. 4, 5 and 6. The annual trip to the North Pole will be made at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. each day and include a dramatic reading of the Christmas story about a boy who is not sure whether he believes in Santa Claus. Standard class fares are $12 for adults and $8 for kids 2 through 12. Fares in premium class--a restored 1950s streamline buffet-lounge-observation car, are $25 for lounge seating and $18 for table seating. Reservations are required. Call 920-437-7623, ext. 10, or visit www.nationalrrmuseum.org.

MARINE RADIO SEMINAR The Waukegan Sail and Power Squadron is offering a VHF/DSC Marine Radio Seminar Dec. 1. The seminar, from 7 to 9 p.m., is at the Waukegan Yacht Club, 199 N Harbor Place. The seminar instructs on the use of VHF, the mainstay of coastal communication, and Digital Selective Calling, which is being phased in. Fee is $10 per person. Contact Lt. Cmdr. Mike Ludtke at 815-575-0809 or wspsxo@gmail.com.

POLAR EXPRESS The Monticello Chamber of Commerce hosts Lunch with Santa on the Train Dec. 4 and 5 at the Monticello Railway Museum, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. The journey, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., leaves the Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello and includes a reading of the story. Tickets are $20 per person. For information, visit www.polarexpressride.com or call 877-762-9011. For tickets, visit www.mrym.org.

HAPPY HOLIDAY RAILWAY Take a train ride through holiday light displays and visit with Santa Claus and his elves at the Illinois Railway Museum Dec. 5 and 6, 12 and 13 and 19 and 20. Children on Santa's "good" list will recieve a gift. Trains run every two hours at the museum in Union. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

TOYS FOR TOTS The 32nd annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at Dan Ryan Woods, 85th Street and Western Avenue, Chicago. The parade will proceed up Western to the Marine Reserve Center at Foster Avenue and Troy Street. Participants can gather at 8 a.m. and should bring an unwrapped new toy or game -- but no plush toys. Visit www.chicagolandtft.org or call 773-866-TOYS (8697).

TOY SHOW The annual Tinley Park Holiday Toy Show is set for Dec. 6 at Tinley Park High School, 6111 W. 175th St. The show, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature diecast cars and models. Admission is $6. Call Jim at 262-246-7171.

LISLE POLAR EXPRESS Lisle is hosting two Polar Express trains Dec. 9. They leave the Metra Station at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Santa will be on hand along with clowns, activities and goodies. Fares are $14, and tickets are required in advance. They're on sale at The Nook on Main Street, 7-11 at Ogden and Main and Lisle Savings Bank. Call the Lisle Convention Bureau at 800-773-9811.

MOTORCYCLE SWAP The Walneck Motorcycle Swap Meet is set for Dec. 20 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. Admission to the meet, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., $6 with vendor booths $40. Visit www.walneckswap.com or call 630-985-2097.

BOAT SHOW The 80th annual Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show sails into McCormick Place North Jan. 13 through 17. Hundreds of the latest product s and accessories will be featured along with the Huck Finn Trout Pond and green boating zone. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan 13, 14 and 15; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan 17. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for kids 13-15 and free for those 12 and younger. Seniors 65 and older will get $2 off Jan. 13. Visit www.ChicagoBoatShow.com .

STRICTLY SAIL Strictly Sail Chicago will be held Jan. 28 through 31 at Navy Pier. The event will include the latest sailboats and products, along with seminars and a kids activity center. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan 28 and 29, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31. Adult admission is $12 Jan. 28 and 29 and $15 Jan. 30 and 31. A two-day adult pass is $24. Children 15 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Visit www.StrictlySailChicago.com.

AUTO SHOW BLACK TIE The Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity will be held from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 11 on the show floor at McCormick Place. Eighteen Chicago-area charities benefit from the black-tie event. Tickets cost $225 each. Visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.

CHICAGO AUTO SHOW The 102nd Chicago Auto Show hits McCormick Place North and South Feb. 12-21. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 12-20 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 21. Tickets cost $11 for adults, $7 for seniors 62 and older and children 7-12 and free for kids 6 and younger with a paid adult. Visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.

Having a public event? Rides would like to list it. Please send the information--event name, time, place, admission/fees and contact information--to What's up, Rides, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 or e-mail to transportation@tribune.com at least two weeks before the event. Submissions will be accepted in writing only.

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69th Running of The Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix this Thursday at ... - Who Won

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 06:54 AM PST

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
69th Running of The Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix this Thursday at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

by Kevin O'Brien

IRWINDALE, Calif. -- The 2009 North American Motorsports racing season reaches its conclusion on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 at TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale Speedway when it hosts the 69th Running of the Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix presented by Agajanian Promotions.

One of America's most revered racing traditions has for many years served as the "last word" for the North American Motorsports calendar of major events and is a highlight for race fans, especially those who travel across the country as evidenced by the number of motor homes who have already established temporary residence in the Speedway's RV area.

Many of the traveling fans will prepare Thanksgiving dinner in the Speedway's parking lot during the afternoon leading up to an evening of 200 laps of racing that includes a race tripleheader of the fastest cars to compete on TOYOTA Speedway's half and third mile oval tracks. The 98-lap Midget feature race honors the memory of the late race organizer J.C. Agajanian, with whom the number 98 was synonymous with the famed #98 Agajanian entry in the Indianapolis 500 that featured wins by Troy Ruttman in 1952 and Parnelli Jones in 1963.

The field of over 100 racing entrants will include the nation's top drivers and teams competing in the USAC Mopar National and Western Midget Series, the USAC Western Sprint Car Series and the USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Series in their only appearance at the facility in 2009. IRL and Indy 500 veteran Davey Hamilton and NASCAR veteran and former "Turkey Night" champion Jason Leffler of Long Beach, Calif. are among the entrants as well as defending "Turkey Night" champion Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass.

Champions will be crowned in each of the series competing in the event with Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind., Garrett Hansen of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. and Nik Romano of Atherton, Calif. leading their respective series.

In the Mopar Midget National Championship standings, Kuhn has a 40-point lead over Brad Sweet of Alpine, Calif. and a 53-point margin over Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif. A total of 66 points are available and a 19th place finish for Kuhn would eliminate Hagen from the championship hunt and a 13th place finish would eliminate Sweet.

Hansen leads the Western Midget standings and is seeking his first ever USAC Championship.

Swanson leads the Western Sprint car Series standings and is going after his second USAC Series championship in a 40-lap race.

Nicknamed 'Quick Nik', Romano is a 19-year old rookie from Atherton, Calif. who has captured division crowns in other open-wheel development series and is seeking his first California paved Ford Focus Midget championship when he competes in the "Hoosier Tire 40" on TOYOTA Speedway's third mile oval.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. The King Taco fan appreciation autograph session with drivers and cars on the track is scheduled at 5:45 p.m. with racing scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. Toyota will have the Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot Camry show car available in its vehicle pavilion and will allow fans to sit behind the wheel of the car and get pictures taken.

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., track officials and key vendors along with many of the Turkey Night racers in association with the Foothill Unity Center will be serving a special turkey dinner to needy families from the surrounding San Gabriel Valley communities. Later that day, Toyota and the Southern California Toyota dealers will be hosting a busload of Marines from the Camp Pendleton, Calif. Marine Corps base. The Marines will tour the pits before the races and will be served turkey dinner.

Tickets for the Turkey Night Grand Prix are available for purchase at the Speedway ticket office, on the Internet at www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com or by calling (626) 358-1100.

Southern California Auto Club members receive a 10% discount off of the purchase of up to four (4) adult general admission tickets for the Turkey Night Grand Prix when they show their AAA membership card.

Additional information on the events and racing series can be obtained by logging onto www.usacracing.com and the Speedway's web site www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com.

TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale is located at 500 Speedway Drive off of Live Oak Ave. and I-605, between the 10 and 210 freeways in Irwindale, Calif.

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Police log: 16-year-old pistol whipped Sunday - Tracy Press

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 08:02 PM PST

A caller reported at 9:43 p.m. Sunday that his 16-year-old friend passed out after being pistol whipped by two men at Freiler School, 2421 W. Lowell Ave.

The caller said the men told his friend "give me your (stuff)" and hit him twice with the gun when he refused.

An ambulance was called for the boy, who was "making gurgling noises" as he breathed, and the suspects ran away behind the school, the caller said. They took off in a silver SUV.

The Tracy Police Department received 468 calls for service between Friday and Sunday. The following is a sample of those calls:

Sunday (128 calls)

12:08 a.m.: During a traffic stop on the corner of Eaton Avenue and Holly Drive, a 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving. His blue Acura Integra was towed.

1:32 a.m.: An officer pulled over a driver who did not have her lights on near Corral Hollow Road and Cypress Drive. She said she was a designated driver and was unfamiliar with the car. The officer gave her a warning.

1:50 a.m.: A woman said she heard five gunshots near Orchard Mobile Home Park, 812 W. Clover Road, as well as men yelling. Police found nothing suspicious.

2:05 a.m.: At the corner of Eaton Avenue and Tracy Boulevard, a 24-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were arrested during a traffic stop. The woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and resisting arrest and the man had warrants out for his arrest.

9:50 a.m.: A caller said a 50-year-old man was riding a dirt bike near the 1600 block of Reyes Lane at "a high rate of speed," without a helmet. An officer gave him a warning.

11:38 a.m.: A caller reported a theft from the backyard of a home on the 1100 block of Tarrogana Drive.

12:23 p.m.: Near 11th Street and Corral Hollow Road, a caller said a man was in a fight with another person. Another caller saw the fight and broke it up. Officers spoke with one of the people in the fight, who admitted to being involved.

1:35 p.m.: On the 300 block of Glenbriar Place, someone reported a stolen purse.

1:35 p.m.: A woman at Melrose Manor, 2925 Sunset Way, said her baby's father assaulted her and left.

3:32 p.m.: A caller said three guys were smoking marijuana at Joseph Tiago Park, 1260 Eastlake Circle. They were gone when police arrived.

4:30 p.m.: On the 400 block of East Sixth Street, a man said his car was broken into.

5:04 p.m.: A caller alerted police about a 28-year-old man who has been walking door-to-door around Mahogany Lane and Village Drive with a bucket of candy. Police were unable to find him.

6:38 p.m.: Police warned an unlicensed solicitor who was going door-to-door near Butler Court and Kavanagh Avenue, collecting donations for a nonprofit in Livermore.

9:05 p.m.: A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving near Ninth Street and Roosevelt Avenue.

9:13 p.m.: On the 300 block of Glenbriar Circle, a caller reported a 2-year-old boy missing. The caller later told police that the child was hiding in a blanket.

9:18 p.m.: A caller reported blue and yellow graffiti on the side of Safeway, 1801 W. 11th Street.

9:32 p.m.: Two teenagers were arrested at Thoming Park, 1000 Cambridge Place, on suspicion of being in possession of a controlled substance.

Saturday (145 calls)

12:34 a.m.: Two men took two beers from Chevron, 3400 N. MacArthur Drive, a caller said.

1:25 a.m.: At 7-Eleven, 2360 W. Grant Line Road, a caller said two men stole two 18-packs of beer and headed west in a white pick-up truck. Police found no one.

2:08 a.m.: During a traffic stop at 10th and B Streets, a 33-year-old with a $20,000 warrant was taken into custody.

5:46 a.m.: A woman said she thought there was an intruder at her house on the 100 block of Faith Lane, but her alarm was just malfunctioning.

9:34 a.m.: On the eighth block of Portola Way, a caller reported graffiti on a wall.

9:51 a.m.: A caller reported the theft of a generator from an RV at JT Storage, 2460 Toste Road.

11:14 a.m.: At Bank of America, 875 S. Tracy Blvd., a caller said a woman came into the bank on Friday and told a teller that "if she had a gun, she would shoot her."

12:59 p.m.: A teenager was arrested on suspicion of petty theft at Sears, 3350 Naglee Road.

1:20 p.m.: At Optimal Auto Services, 5749 S. Tracy Blvd., a caller said two women paid for $1,800 of car repairs with retired American Express traveler's checks.

2:27 p.m.: A caller said two guitars were stolen from the 1400 block of Coolidge Avenue.

3:40 p.m.: On the 200 block of West Clover Road, a caller said his black Mercedes, along with other cars in the area, were vandalized with black spray paint.

7:13 p.m.: A woman on the 2200 block of Barcelona Drive said she caught a group of kids who were apparently trying to break into a house. Police said it wasn't a burglary, just kids at the wrong house.

7:41 p.m.: On the 1100 block of Tarrogana Drive, a man said someone stole $600 worth of lawn care equipment and other things.

8:06 p.m.: At the Tracy Police Department, 1000 Civic Center Drive, a 34-year-old man with two $25,000 warrants for his arrest was taken into custody.

8:27 p.m.: On the 2300 block of Joseph Damon Court, a caller said a man in an orange sweater was knocking door-to-door.

10:27 p.m.: At the Shamrock bar, 117 W. 11th St., a 51-year-old man with a warrant for his arrest was taken into custody.

10:56 p.m.: A man on the 800 block of Winnipeg Court said there were people in six cars in the area that were looking to beat up his friend. An officer said two people came over to the house looking for a fight, but they left without incident.

11:20 p.m.: A 33-year-old man with two warrants for his arrest was taken into custody at FoodMaxx, 3225 N. Tracy Blvd.

Friday (187 calls):

1:35 a.m.: A woman reported she and her husband were in a fight on the 1100 block of Andreas Lane. The woman told police her husband had been calling her names all night and she "finally snapped and called police." She said he'd been talking to an ex-girlfriend on Facebook behind her back, but an officer said it was only a verbal argument, and advised the couple of domestic violence laws. The woman said she was going to sleep in a guest room for the night.

9:25 a.m.: A man reported two guys approached him while he was the parking lot of Goodwill, 2626 N. Tracy Blvd. The caller said he had just opened the door of his car to get inside when one man pulled out a screwdriver and asked him where he got the car. The man kept asking the where he got the car, and one guy climbed in the driver's seat as the caller was forced to get on the passenger's side.

10:18 a.m.: The loss of a cell phone by a 10-year-old was reported on the 2100 block of Devin Court.

11:31 a.m.: Police arrested a 54-year-old woman on suspicion of drunken driving after a man reported she ran into his car at Parker and Emerson avenues.

11:36 a.m.: A caller reported graffiti on two sides of a building on the 500 block of West Grant Line Road.

11:55 a.m.: A caller reported a woman at Save Mart, 2005 N. Tracy Blvd., was "wrapped in a teal blanket" was crying and looked like she was "in distress." An officer found the woman at the 99 Cents Only Store and said she said she was fine.

12:37 p.m.: A man on the 500 block of Rockingham Court reported a neighbor's kid was "constantly" throwing rocks at the caller's window and broke one. The caller later spoke to the kid's mother, who agreed to pay for damage.

1:47 p.m.: A man reported his fishing boat and trailer were stolen from his driveway on the 1900 block of Bridle Creek Circle. The boat and trailer were found at a construction site at Byron and Grant Line roads, and the California Highway Patrol said the person who found them wanted to claim "salvage rights" and was allowed to take the trailer and boat to a home in Stockton. The Stockton police department was going to try and find the missing trailer and boat.

2:19 p.m.: A caller reported two guys drove off in a van with thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise from Home Depot, 2461 Naglee Road. Officers were told to keep an eye out for the two-toned red and gray van.

3:46 p.m.: Police said they had arrested two people in connection with a woman's complaint that her Social Security card was used after she left it behind in a car she sold to someone who was no longer returning the woman's phone calls.

4:48 p.m.: A caller on the 2800 block of Dorset Lane reported forgery.

6:14 p.m.: A caller from the Jules Veterinary Clinic, 1855 W. 11th St., reported the theft of a wallet from the office.

7:41 p.m.: A woman at the CVS Pharmacy, 1885 W. 11th St., reported receiving a phone call from someone who threatened to kill her and blow the place up. She had no idea who could have called in the threat, she said.

8:29 p.m.: Police arrested a 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old man on suspicion of shoplifting at Save Mart, 875 S. Tracy Blvd. A store worker said they guys ran of the store with two 18-packs of beer.

8:38 p.m.: A woman on the 300 block of West Third Street said her boyfriend's mother was sending her text messages in which the woman threatened to beat up the caller, who asked police for help in getting a restraining order.

10:21 p.m.: Police arrested a 60-year-old man on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs at 11th and East streets after a caller reported erratic driving at Grant Line Road and Parker Avenue.

11:04 p.m.: Police arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs at10th and F streets.

11:41 p.m.: Police arrested a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of public drunkenness at the Great Plate, 714 Central Ave.

11:45 p.m.: A caller on the 2100 block of Babcock Lane reported returning home after two days away to find her door had been "partially kicked in and broken." Police said there were no signs of forced entry and nothing was taken.

11:56 p.m.: Police arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of public drunkenness on the 2100 block of Lara Lane after a caller reported locking a drunken son out of the home after an argument.

This column includes a sample of items as reported in the Tracy Police Department dispatcher's daily log. Additional information is based on reports from officers and other law enforcement agencies. To anonymously report information about a crime: Crime Stoppers, 831-6847.

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