Helpful Grand Avenue panhandler
Some panhandlers can be annoying; others just amusing. The one at the Grand Avenue Red Line stop during the evening rush is actually quite helpful.
He stands stoically at the bottom of the northbound stairs, clutching his white Styrofoam cup. He's at least 70, quite thin, sporting a longish white beard, usually wearing brown corduroy pants. And he likes to gives passengers hustling down the stairs updates on train arrivals and departures.
"Don't worry, take your time; the train's on the other side."
"Here it comes folks!"
"The train just left, sorry."
He told me once that he's a former postal carrier "just trying to supplement my income."
Now that's a guy who earns his pay.
I always appreciate that guy's helpfulness. Other days, when the African-American lady with the walker is at the post, I wonder if she realizes that we northbound Grand riders are used to getting a little something.
I used to wonder if the two of them ever actually worked out whose post it is, or if it was sheer coincidence that they were there on separate days. Then, a couple weeks ago, I saw them together, talking - so I guess they must.
Posted by: Crysta | November 18, 2004 at 10:08 AM
Yes, I saw her there yesterday too. I feel disappointed when he isn't there...he is a fixture in that tunnel.
Posted by: jz | November 18, 2004 at 01:11 PM
Has anyone ever been approached by the "Shakespeare bum"? This guy who talks in Old English, and never breaks character regardless of what you try to say to him.. It's great. He's around Columbia and Roosevelt Campuses.
Posted by: jacob | November 18, 2004 at 01:58 PM
See this guy almost every day. Unfortunately, saw the cops accosting him a couple weeks back. They checked his cup for evidence of pan-handling, but luckily enough Old Man Winter was smart enough to have pockted the change. No evidence, no crime!
Posted by: Edub | November 18, 2004 at 04:28 PM
I was wondering if I was the only person who had sort of observed this guy. Neat to find a blog entry on him, although I thought you'd be commenting on the fact that the doomsday budget is going to come to fruition, unfortunately. Still, I had never really stopped and thought about how useful this guy is, and I'll drop some change in his cup sometime soon ... not something I usually do (I prefer the Food Bank), but God knows he earns it. :-)
Posted by: Mike Harris | November 18, 2004 at 10:01 PM
Per Mike's suggestion, please also consider a donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the most efficient and effective hunger relief organization in the country.
And if you can, take a tour of their new, huge food bank and training center.
I'm likely preaching to the choir given the readership of this blog, but we all know that the need is spreading exponentially.
Chicagosfoodbank.org
Posted by: Julie Martin | November 20, 2004 at 12:16 PM