Laurie
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laurie-merrell.bsky.social
Laurie
@laurie-merrell.bsky.social
🏙 Chicagoan 🔢 data 🚍 transit 📰 local news 🌱 civic tech 🌊 Lake Michigan stan account 🙊 views mine 👤 she/her
poll: what is the default carb you'd serve alongside (or under) chili?
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Reposted by Laurie
Current* conditions near Chicago, IL:
November 16, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I took a "lake forever problems for now" photo today but it was eaten by my phone due to some technical issues which are mostly my fault. so today the problems won. but that is ok, the lake is forever
November 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Laurie
In 1582, a papal bull introduced the Gregorian calendar, still used today by most of the world. Because it’s 11 days ahead of the Julian calendar, countries introducing it simply skipped a third of October, and if you scroll back far enough in the iPhone calendar app you can see it change
December 31, 2024 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Immigration agents in military-style gear have conducted sweeps across Chicago over three months, resulting in shootings, pepper spray, and tear gas incidents. Experts cite insufficient training and restraint, with arrests of both undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens.
Tear gas, car crashes, rubber bullets: Risky tactics have driven Trump’s Chicago deportation ‘blitz’
chicago.suntimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Bird friends! Data friends! Design friends!

I made a tool that turns lists of bird species into generative collages of feathers, colored by wikipedia descriptions.

It'll work with your eBird lifelist! Or local birds.

Download images, or buy art (5% goes to bird rescue)

ofafeather.binstobins.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Current* conditions near Muskegon, MI:
November 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Laurie
715-717 N. Paulina, Chicago, ca. 1890
November 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
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Current* conditions near Manistee, MI:
November 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by Laurie
NEW: I wrote about British churches installing heat pumps, in some cases in 1,000-year-old buildings! Decarbonisation may not be easy, but many view it as an act of faith.

This is a special feature to mark The Reengineer’s first anniversary! Spread the word! 🥳

www.thereengineer.pro/p/let-there-...
Let there be warmth! The British churches putting their faith in heat pumps
Ancient buildings and old bones aren’t getting in the way of decarbonisation
www.thereengineer.pro
November 13, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Members of the local Irish community protest at the British consulate, Chicago (1970)

Photos: Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
November 16, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Laurie
Current* conditions near Evanston, IL:
November 16, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Laurie
MCM cousins in West Ridge, 2956 W. Bryn Mawr and 2814 W. Morse, both likely mid-1950s
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 AM
guardians (various)
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Reposted by Laurie
Fall in Ping Tom Memorial Park
November 15, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I swam & played water polo in high school because I hate running just that much
Chagrined about how much of my life i thought “exercising” meant “running” and therefore couldn’t bring myself to do it because I hate running
November 16, 2025 at 3:55 AM
my main criterion for bike modifications is that I only do them if they improve both recreational and for-transportation riding experience and so far that has worked well
My advice is to ignore anyone telling you to get a road bike or anything that requires clip-on shoes or special equipment. Get something that doesn’t strain your back or shoulders and with fenders and a rack so you can get groceries. Prioritize comfort over speed.
November 16, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Reposted by Laurie
Current* conditions near Muskegon, MI:
November 15, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Beautiful afternoon in Columbus Park, Chicago. Close to 70 degrees!
November 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Current* conditions near Empire, MI:
November 15, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Chicago.
November 15, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Laurie
Oh. Oh Loyola. Oh no.
November 15, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Reposted by Laurie
"Proposed Crosstown Bike Trail Gains Traction But Needs Anti-Gentrification Measures, Some Say"

@blockclubchi.bsky.social
Proposed Crosstown Bike Trail Gains Traction But Needs Anti-Gentrification Measures, Some Say
Thursday’s virtual town hall was the first of many to discuss the proposed 3.2-mile trail that would run through Old Irving Park, Irving Park, Portage Park, Kilbourn Park, Belmont Cragin and Hermosa.
blockclubchicago.org
November 15, 2025 at 8:31 PM
lake forever problems for now
November 15, 2025 at 8:19 PM
girl who is "going to be okay"
November 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM