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* As subscribers already know, the big snow storm heading our way has canceled both the House and Senate sessions this week. The weather folks are predicting a monster…

‘Virtually impossible’ travel possible from expected winter storm

Northern Illinois is bracing for a winter storm that the National Weather Service says could be life-threatening.

Chicago and Milwaukee were expected to be particularly hard-hit.

A blizzard watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon for most of northern Illinois. The blizzard could bring white-out conditions with snow falling at rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour. The weather service says travel could become “virtually impossible” at times.

* Things aren’t looking so great in central Illinois, either…

A winter storm described by the National Weather Service as “extremely dangerous” that could bring up to a foot of snow to some areas of central Illinois is expected to begin about midday today and last into Wednesday.

“This will likely be our strongest storm of the season,” said Kirk Huettl, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Lincoln. “And it’s going to cover a lot of real estate, all the way from the Midwest to the Northeast.”

A mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain will occur today and Tuesday, then change over to all snow over the entire area by Wednesday as colder air filters into the region.

* The Question: Your blizzard plans?

And be nice to each other in comments, please. I’ve got to get to the store and stock up before this thing hits, so there will be little time to monitor y’all for the next couple of hours.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:06 am

Comments

Phone banking for my aldermanic candidate. Everyone’s going to be home!

Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:12 am
Business as usual, until it actually happens. It’s snow, not frogs, dropping from the sky. Maybe I’ll smear a little ram’s blood above my door, just in case.

More often than not in recent years, we get more storm hysteria than storm.

If it happens, I’ll shovel, go sledding with my kids, etc. If you have to have cold, you might as well have snow — keeps everything looking fresh and clean.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:14 am
99 bottles of beer on the wall…..

Comment by unspun Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:14 am
I remembered to buy a flashlight to have in my purse and I guess I should stop for catfood on the way home tonight.

And wine. Catfood and wine.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:15 am
Hope that my college classes gets canceled and drink…….

Comment by John Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:16 am
Do we push back our Wisconsin invasion plans due to the weather?

Comment by in the 'ville Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:17 am
Catfood and wine…not my cup of tea for emergency rations

Comment by thechampaignlife Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:17 am
Cheryl44…those are my two items, too. Oh, and toilet paper. Don’t want to be without that.

Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:20 am
Cheryl44–I have the same list, with litter added. As long as I have food, litter and medication for the cats, and booze for their owner, I can get through any storm.

Comment by Champaign Dweller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:23 am
I stocked up on litter last week–took the I-Go car to Target. The food I have to stop at PetSmart or PetCo for, because they’re picky little beasts. Iams is not good enough for them.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:25 am
sledding and then hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. and a nice roaring fire in the fireplace

Comment by Justanordinarylawyer Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:25 am
non stop rantings on cap fax message boards and finding whatever that stuff is that lester freeman does a voiceover for on commercials.

Comment by shore Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:25 am
Has snow EVER caused a government shutdown in Chicago? Crossing my fingers that offices will be closed on Wednesday.

Comment by Wanting a snow day Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:27 am
Runnig to the grocery store at lunch time to stock up and have the makings for soup. REALLY hoping to get a snow day.

Comment by Because I say so Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:31 am
cats and dogs living together…. (or whatever that Ghostbusters quote is) honestly, how bad can it be compared to 1967, 1979 and 1999? if the wires are working, I’ll be working and surfing. god bless the ability not to go into the office, especially on warm and sunny days.

and there’s always that bottle of tequila I got recently……

Comment by amalia Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:33 am
Unfortunately, some of us HAVE to work regardless of the storm. Wife and I have a hotel room near her workplace, adjacent to the El so I can get to work.

No way were we even considering commuting from the SW suburbs.

Comment by Concerned Observer Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:33 am
OK, it’s starting. I’ve got a few lovely little flakes the size of pillows coming down. Is a cab the right thing to serve with Fancy Feast Tender Beef Feast Classic? Update - now it’s sleet coming down between the flakes. Uh-oh.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:37 am
Biggest snowflakes I’ve ever seen are falling near my house. Some the size of cue balls.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:37 am
I’m hopping on a plane to FL this afternoon and I think I’ll stay until after spring training wraps up. If you need me for the WI invasion it will have to wait until I return.

Comment by Fed-Up Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:41 am
Same as the last SOTC

“Now I…..had…..the time of my life and I owe it all to…..”

Comment by Joe from Joliet Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:43 am
That should have been the QOTD: “Snowflakes the size of (fill in the blank) are currently falling at your location.”

Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:44 am
Excessively rabid–cab is good with the Fancy Feast. In a pinch, you can try a merlot.

Comment by Champaign Dweller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:45 am
You folks up north have fun. I think we’re only gonna get rain down here in God’s Country.

Comment by Deep South Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:46 am
I’m planning on being at work…just leaving a little earlier.

Comment by Stones Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:48 am
Just move from work to home. Unfortunately, home has too many tempting toys. Plenty of food. Get up a little later and walk the dog during the fun.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:48 am
So we’re all going to Cheryl44’s then?

Comment by quicknote Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:50 am
IL lawmakers can’t assemble to do more damage. Thanks God. We owe you one.

Comment by just sayin' Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:50 am
My plans consist of coming up with new, cataclysmic names for the storm. snowmagedon and snowpocalypse are played out.

Comment by Montrose Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:56 am
Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum!

Comment by Bill Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:56 am
All my supervisor heard was “weather has been cancelled,” so I am sending her off on a multi- city airplane trip around the upper Midwest.

Comment by Name/Nickname/Anon Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 11:57 am
You guys hunker down and be safe up there. Looks like the only political news tomorrow is going to be the Carbondale mayor’s race. (*yawn*)

Comment by Ray del Camino Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:02 pm
Still sunny with a little haze here. Appears as though today’s stuff is going just north.
If blizzard hits; still hoping it will stay north,present track has us getting 18″-24″, I will be going to work anyway. If staff can’t make it in I will be plowing snow all day. COE staff use our roads to access their facility, have to keep road open. Will be an interesting commute. Haven’t missed a day due to weather in 35 years. can’t start now. I am sure I will get an atta boy for my efforts….lol.

Can use the comp time to go way north Wisc. next weekend to go snowmobiling. roflmao

Comment by Irish Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:09 pm
I am halfway through the Twin Peaks DVD box set so will continue with that.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:10 pm
I sure hope this doesn’t interfere with Chris Christie’s plan to come visit Illinois companies. We all know he’s not a big fan of snow. As for myself, unless the trains aren’t running it will be business as usual. Luckily I stocked up on booze yesterday because my stock was running dangerously low.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:10 pm
My work is booking hotel rooms for guys that commute from the Chicago suburbs. My company did this for our Georgia employees a few weeks ago when they were hit with snow. Since I live in just a mile outside The Loop, no hotel has been offered to me.

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:11 pm
Wine, bread, and thou with a coupla cats thrown in as bedwarmers…my hubby has gassed up the plow…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:12 pm
I’ll go about my life as normal, because mostly likely, the storm won’t be very big. There will be a lot of disappointed newscasters who are all geared up for Storm Watch!!!, so we can watch a lot of “Well, if the storm had hit, this area would have been devastated, but as you can see, traffic is moving just fine. Now, over to Trent with a story about school children who flushed ice cubes down the toilet but still had to go to school.” Why do I know this? Because nine times out of ten, that’s what comes of all this pre-storm hysteria.

Comment by lakeview Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:12 pm
Fire in the fireplace, a Mitch Rapp book, and plenty of spirits…

Comment by Holdingontomywallet Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:15 pm
sledding with little wumpus, followed by hot chocolate

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:16 pm
I have to leave now for a bocci ball game.

Comment by Yossarian Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:26 pm
I am fantasizing about a blizzard disrupting the February Chicago Municipal Election.

Decades ago, the party bosses ordained February as the time for holding the election to minimize voter turn out. What is a blizzard hit on election day. Wicked fun!

Comment by Esquire Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:29 pm
Stand outside and shake my fist at the weather in futility. After that, jump off of garage roofs onto snow banks, a la 1978/1979 snows.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:29 pm
==So we’re all going to Cheryl44’s then?==

Is everyone bring a cat? I might have to buy litter, in that case.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:31 pm
==So we’re all going to Cheryl44’s then?==

Is everyone bringing a cat? I might have to buy litter, in that case.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:31 pm
Load the fireplace up, top off gas tanks and Pam the shovels & sleds [spray Pledge works almost as well].

Comment by North of I-80 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:33 pm
Board games and fireplace roaring. Heaven!

Comment by Mex Girl Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:34 pm
Shoveling out my neighbors.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:35 pm
Make plans to attend the Gov. Christie news conference on Illinois taxes. Heard he’s moving it to Orlando because of the snow, again.

Comment by piling on Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:36 pm
Keeping the engine of financial trading running smoothly…

Your welcome

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:37 pm
Well let’s see…pray the generator will start, make sure snowplow is mounted and ready to go, store 10 gallons of well water in case we lose power )and therefor the pump becomes inoperative), load in firewood, grab a few sacks of salt and cinders for lane and hill, check propane stove for readiness and fuel, animal food, bird food, people food, wine reading materials…wife…almost forgot that one…Yep, good to go, here.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:40 pm
Maybe I’ll watch the Egyptians to see if I can can get some pointers on restoring democracy in Illinois.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:41 pm
Given that the hype is often deeper than the snow, we’re proceeding as scheduled with Wednesday’s Mayoral Candidate Forum at the Union League Club. It’s open to the public, the food’s terrific, and the exchange promises to be lively. If CapFaxers wish to join us, details can be found on the club’s website at www.65West.org.

Comment by Mayoral Candidate Forum Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:41 pm
Concerned Observer - I have gotten a room at the hotel next door to my job in the past as well. I do the Frankfort to Rolling Meadows commute, but I am lucky enough to be able to work from home in bad weather.

Comment by The KQ Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:46 pm
- Mayoral Candidate Forum

Is there a dress code, can I show up in athletic shoes and a non-collared shirt and jeans?

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:48 pm
Put on my “I Love Rahm” underwear and watch the Chicago Media fawn over Rahm. I was also thinking of calling the judges and thanking them for changing the residency rules for the anointed one. Maybe call Amy Rule in Washington D.C. and ask if she is happier now! The usual.

Comment by Patrick McDonough Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:50 pm
–I do the Frankfort to Rolling Meadows commute, but I am lucky enough to be able to work from home in bad weather.–

Yeesh, that’s a brutal commute in any weather, brother. Do you have a jetpack or something? Walter Cronkite promised them to us back in grade school.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:52 pm
Fireplace - check. Bailey’s - check. Stouffer’s comfort food - check. Hiking boots for walking the dogs - check.

Too bad I work only 3 blocks away from home, I’m expected to be there, no matter what.

Comment by 312 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:56 pm
Meh, I was a kid in the Chicago 67 blizzard. We made tunnels in the snowbanks, and our crazy cousins jumped off the second-floor porch of our 2-flat into the drifts, they were that tall in our postage-stamp back yard.

This week? meh. Snow’s no big deal, ice would be. Gas up the car, shovel’s already in it. Make sure the blackout supplies are ready. Stock up some basic groceries. Already have a huge stack of books and DVD’s for in-home entertainment, so as long as there’s power, we’re good. And if there’s no power, we’re good for about three days.

Those pitiful Ameren customers are the ones I feel sorry for. CWLP generally has outages fixed in hours, not weeks. I put that down to Ameren not spending much to upgrade and maintain the old infrastructure they bought up, so it goes down more seriously and for longer periods in something like a bad ice storm.

Comment by Gregor Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:57 pm
ok got salt for the driveway. Gassed up the tractor, plows ready. Need to top off the ATV, the boys want to go sledding behind it — no helmets required (Ira).

Get an extra gas can full of petrol, case of Heineken, chips, french onion dip (2 qts). Generator is ready to go. Flashlights all good. Neighboor’s snowmobile ready too.

I think we’re set. Rich let me know when the flakes are the size of beer coasters

Comment by Todd Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 12:59 pm
Everyone should relax. I bought gas for the generator this morning. Generally that pretty much wards off bad weather.

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:02 pm
Whatta bunch of animal lovers we have posting here. That’s very nice. BTW, did you know Amazon delivers litter? Right to your doorstep. Just had a 40 pound container of it sent last week, so storm or no storm the kittehs are good to go. The brand I always buy has free delivery.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:03 pm
For this I drove back to Chi from Spi?? The weather media hypestorm of the Century! Why, back when I was young on the farm, we’d have a foot of snow on the 4th of July and thought we were lucky to get it cuz it helped making the ice cream! In the winter we’d get 10 feet of snow and we’d have to tunnel through it to go 20 miles to school up hill both ways, barefoot! So for this little dusting, I’ll be sending annoying messages to my children telling them how good they have it!!

Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:11 pm
Whoa! Radar map just changed big time. Don’t look like today’s snow is going to miss us now! Big blue blob just blossomed where there was nothing.

BTW- Kitty litter works great for traction.

Comment by Irish Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:13 pm
Todds got it right gas everything needed, have the “beer essentials” but throw a 3lb bottom end roast in the crock pot add garlic,celery, beef broth,onions, slice a few spuds,slice some sport peppers or banana peppers top with gardinera of your choice( hot is best) cook 5-6 hours take out roast shred and put back in pot with the goodies slice some fresh Italian bread make a sandwich add the “beer essentials” pop a beer and let it snow !!

Comment by railrat Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:15 pm
Try not to end up like the Donner party.

Comment by Ahoy Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:17 pm
Early start to the super bowl party?
Don’t I wish. I will be working and actually have a public speaking gig this weekend.
Hope all is plowed over by then.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:23 pm
I hate freezing rain. That too often means power outages.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:24 pm
I’ll be shopping on eBay with all that federal disaster relief aid we will no doubt be getting because of the snow…I’m thinking Jersey Shore Season 1 DVD to start with, and then go from there.

Comment by U-Haul Ho! Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:28 pm
Is Scott Walker proclaiming the weather is a reason to move to Wisconsin? Hey, if he thinks the taxes are lower he probably things that about the snowfall too.

Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:31 pm
I am always prepared.
I have a switchblade, crossbow, shotguns, filled reserve tanks, bottles of single-malt, case of Leinies, a Bible, snowshoes, bearskin coat, axes, salt, shovels, filled generator, beard, wood, food, TP, truck, dog sled, empty garage, flare gun, and Magnums.

And cat food and wine.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:32 pm
OneMan: Avoid denim and gym shoes, put on a collared shirt, and they’ll seat you right up front in front of the television cameras!

Comment by Mayoral Candidate Forum Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:35 pm
I’m going polar bear hunting.

Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:36 pm
“Working from home.” Always, always must be put in quotes.

Comment by Obamarama Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:40 pm
I might own adult clothes, we might be able to do that. All the more so if I am going to be stuck downtown

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:40 pm
Railrat — I’ll just have to go into the freezer and dig out some vension. I know a I got a couple of roasts, you forgot the peperchini (sp). Speaking of which got to thaw out some deer stick — cheddar with jalapeños.

Just checked, good on vodka and bloody mary mix for the next morning.

and Rich — they do make these things called Generators: http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4105567&convertTo=USD

Comment by Todd Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:51 pm
The General Assembly is not in session. The citizens of Illinois are safe for one more week!

Comment by KnuckleHead Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:51 pm
I went to the store at lunchtime for bread and milk. Already have the necessary wine, cat food, and litter for the furry beasts. Plan to bring the camping lantern inside in case we loose power. Throw an extra quilt on the bed. Plus, I’ll bring files home tonight so I can work from home tomorrow if necessary. And hope that management gets some sense and allow us to work from home tomorrow.

Comment by Crafty Girl Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 1:53 pm
All you cat lovers are smart. After the storm has snowed us in for a few weeks the rest of us will be wishing we had fresh meat. You on the other hand will have plenty to eat. LOL

Comment by Practical Dude Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:05 pm
Veering off on a tangent…

The fleecing of the motorist has begun. Gas this morning $2.99, at noon $3.29.

Like Rahm says, why waste a goodsaster?

Comment by Joe from Joliet Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:12 pm
It’s BYOC (bring your own cat) at Cheryl’s.

Comment by Champaign Dweller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:15 pm
Dude! Mai rude! Not even the Asians eat cats, dogs, but not cats…BTW, as I let my critters out this am, a gigantic coyote ran across my backyard…its coyote mating season, so put your pets on a leash, no roaming early evening or first thing in the morning…tasty morsels for hungry coyotes…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:20 pm
OneMan, it’s bidniss casual over there. A tie would be nice, but they sell nifty ULC ties in the lobby. Too bad you can’t buy them since you’re not a member.

You make all those bigtime Internet buckaroos anyway. Why not join before Rahm taxes membership dues?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:20 pm
We’ve had just a small amount of rain here in
Carlinville….a touch slick in spots but the
State routes are still ok, thanks to Director
Hannig and the DOT guys. So far, The Storm Of
The Year is a bit of a yawner; as long as we
don’t lose power, I don’t care how much it snows.

Comment by Esteban Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:34 pm
I’ve got several botles of Glenfiddich, so I will be just fine!

Comment by You Can't Stop What's Coming Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:34 pm
VanillaMan - That didn’t really answer the question. We all know that you’re a weird hermit living in a hand-built log cabin in the middle of the woods.

What are you planning to do for the blizzard, though? Not just for a routine day in the forest in January.
:-)

I’m stuck in downtown Milwaukee. The good thing is I don’t have to worry too much about being prepared for anything - Just have to walk from the hotel to the client site while I’m up here. Sure, there’s gonna be a lot of snow, but I should be able to survive it.

That said, if y’all want to start the big Wisco invasion tomorrow, I can help with some guerilla combat behind the lines. People in Milwaukee are (oddly) a lot more intimidated by the big blizzard than Chicagoans are. Might be a great time to strike.

Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:41 pm
– Why not join before Rahm taxes membership dues? –

*Chill shivers down the spine*

Comment by Mayoral Candidate Forum Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:41 pm
1) Pray the roofs don’t collapse.
2) Tip a couple of Spotted Cows.
3) Hope it isn’t as bad as they’ve been sayin.

Comment by sal-says Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:47 pm
== and Rich — they do make these things called Generators: http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4105567&convertTo=USD ==

That makes me think of a Yes Album

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Generator

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:49 pm
A two-out-of-three falls handicap match against the reigning tag-team champs: Rum and Coke.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 2:49 pm
MRJm…

My money is on Rum

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:11 pm
The grocey stores were jammed at lunch time but I have all my supplies including dog food. No dog lovers here? Skies are darkening over Chgo.

Comment by Because I say so Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:12 pm
The morning coffee will get a nice hit of Baileys (when I get up at 11:00). Guiness in the afternoon. A dry red with the steak I plan to grill outside on the Weber (real charcoal & some hickory chips). Maybe watch a Bullwinkle DVD with the kids. The moose reminds me of several of the folks discussed regularly on this blog.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:12 pm
…and I’ve already stocked up on cat food and litter.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:14 pm
My snow plans have started. Capitol Fax and a nice peach brandy. It is slick out folks so be carefull. I skated to the door from the garage, so it is all ice! Be safe and be kind!!

Comment by Ain't No Justice Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:15 pm
===It is slick out folks so be carefull.===

Ain’t that the truth.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:17 pm
And UIS is still going to fully operate, don’t they know it’s slick out there. My professor will lower our grades she stated if we don’t come to tonights class

Comment by Publius Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:21 pm
Just means extra, unwanted exercise. Shovel tonight if anything sticks in the city. Shovel tomorrow morning. Shovel tomorrow night. Shovel Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening. Clear a path as far down the sidewalk towards the El as I can before collapsing, due to all those homeowners who don’t shovel. (But only wide enough for single-file walking. I’m not crazy!) Pull on old duck boots — look FABULOUS with the necessary suit! — and trudge to crowded train.

Comment by Monstrum Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:27 pm
Montrose -
One word: Blizzapalooza 2010!!!!

Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:27 pm
errr…2011.

And I guess that was one word, one number.

Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:28 pm
Melba on WBEZ just called it:
“Snowtorious B.I.G.”
best handle yet!

Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:34 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qTd2WLlE8k

Comment by Techboy Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:44 pm
Time to batten down the hatches and sleep. Work at the Capitol is canceled and hopefully my class tomorrow night is canceled at UIS. Tonight my class is still on…stupid professor.

Comment by Publius is snowed in Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:45 pm
Naperville school district has already closed its schools for tomorrow. Sound off the sirens and blast the cannons!

Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 3:58 pm
All this talk of comfort food made me hungry. So I just put a big pot of vegetable beef soup on the stove. Mmmmm…. Soup.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 4:00 pm
Just returned from laying in a supply of Smuttynose Brewing Company’s Shoals Pale Ale. Brewed in Portsmouth, NH, happily it’s finally available in Chicago. If you like Sierra Nevada, you’ll love Smuttynose.

Comment by Mayoral Candidate Forum Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 4:25 pm
Hope they call off school, I can catch up on my lesson plans, make some soup, and watch my cats go nuts (they love storms). Glad I’m far enough north to miss the sleet and ice.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 4:28 pm
…And that bottle of wine I opened to flavor the soup is also going down quite well.

Bring on the freaking snow!

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 4:29 pm
Well that settles it. Soup/wine at Rich’s. If we all head out now, we can (probably) make it to Rich’s just in time… You do have more wine, right Rich?

Comment by Jack S. Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 4:52 pm
It’s getting nutty in the press. The Tribune has food postings related to the storm…..what to stock, cooking when the power goes out. sure, I went shopping for milk and…..wait for it….catfood….but there’s enough in the pantry not to starve. and maybe those local girl scouts will deliver the thin mints this week…..ah, frozen snowpocalyse cookies! mmmm.

Comment by amalia Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 4:53 pm
The “Ethics” people have decided to take tomorrow off WITH PAY. Other state workers are receiving email stating if they do not show up for work then they must use a vacation day or other time.

Must be nice to be able to do what you want, when you want, and not have to answer to anybody.

“Ethics”? I doubt it.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 4:55 pm
cooking without power…. a pich of C4 about the size of a pee will giv you instant canteen cup of hot water for coffee or coco.

Can of beef and greese on the manifold of the truck takes about 10-15 minutes. Don’t forget to poke a whole i nthe top or you’l coat the engine with it.

Comment by Todd Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 5:03 pm
Sterno is also a useful product to have on hand during power outages.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 5:18 pm
I plan to be at work tomorrow. I figure I’ll come in early and leave before the storm hits. I live in Berwyn and work in Warrenville, so we’ll see.

Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 6:09 pm
Well, I only live 5 blocks from work so I could walk in if I had to; but my boss said we might be closed tomorrow so I’m hoping I don’t have to.

Hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps sounded so good to me that I went out on my lunch hour and got (among other things) whipped cream in case I decide to make some

Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 6:16 pm
probably sleep in till 7:30, shovel, pretend I won’t go in, then take a mid day train out of boredom.

Comment by park Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 6:25 pm
City critter here added to the larder and the wood pile, broke out the snow shoes, the cross country skiis, brought up a case of wine, and excavated mom’s recipes for every rib-sticking thing I normally do not eat for fear of gaining a third butt cheek. That and a half a dozen books and I call this a vacation.

Comment by Indeedy Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 7:19 pm
will be in idot snow plow ,there is talk about pulling the plows off the road tue night (never happened before), glad i’m on the day shift.

Comment by foster brooks Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 7:52 pm
sorry I forgot the crock pot roast needs 1 1/2 cups of your fav. Italian dressing and 1 tbl of Italian seasoning. Its getting nasty folks hunker down ! I plowed in 79 in “K” town Chicago me my Springer Spaniel, my Ruger 44 in a Cat loader, I feel for you foster brooks they wouldnt let us go I spent 53 straight hours in that loader. Be safe!

Comment by railrat Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 8:04 pm
just wondering, in terms of storms, when has it ever been as bad as or worse than they say it will be? That’s the catch. Say it’s the Katrina of Chicago snow storms and the day after you tell people they dodged the big one and for some reason they believe you rather than assail your credibility. Short of the editorial page, the weather page is the part of the paper most filled with uncorrected errors.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 8:21 pm
Only God knows my ultimate plans…right now, I plan to head into work but may have to take the day if driving borders on the near-impossible or is at least so treacherous so as to lead to an unconscionable arrival time, plus, if most kids DO get A “Snow Day,” I may have to stay back home for that reason alone (Is this what Twitter is like, by the way?) Anyway, Wednesday IS “Ground Hog Day,” and since I have that flick, maybe I’ll slip in while the blizzard ensues to have a few, hearty laughs with Bill Murray–or drive to Woodstock, where they filmed it, for the annual festivities??? (on the other hand, maybe that LAST thought can wait till next year)…In any event, do you think the old Groundhog in Pa. could actually find it in him to predict that there would NOT be 6 more weeks of Winter at a minimum in the midst of all THIS???

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Jan 31, 11 @ 8:28 pm
- Mayoral Candidate Forum

Looks like registration is closed. Can I just walk up?

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 1, 11 @ 8:15 am
SNOPRAH! And you get a foot of snow…and you get a foot of snow…and YOU get a foot of snow…

Comment by Jack S. Tuesday, Feb 1, 11 @ 8:23 am
Slip sliding away, slip sliding away
You know the nearer your destination, the more you slip sliding away.

Be careful out there, folks.

Blizzards, blizzards, we don’t need no steeenking blizzards!

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Feb 1, 11 @ 9:17 am
That’s truer than you know dupage dan. A stat I’ve seen says that most accidents occur within 5 minutes of home. Either most people’s trips are within 5 minutes of home or people let their guard up as they get close to home.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Feb 1, 11 @ 10:12 am