Chicago Blues :: Still No News -- Chicago Number One in Stress 2008 - 09

Ted Kennedy's death; 'Cash for clunkers' numbers; and Chicago's Stress Factor by Rob Manker August 27, 2009 [HERE]

Ted Kennedy Dies Ongoing Commentary [Excerpted Article retrieved HERE by PD] ... Former U.S. Sen. Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy (Feb. 22, 1932 - Aug. 25, 2009) served 37 years as senator for the state of Massachusetts before dying of brain cancer.

At the time of his death, he was the third-longest serving senator in U.S. history and was the second-longest active senator in Congress, having held the position since 1962.

Kennedy was the youngest of nine children and brother of former President John F. Kennedy and former New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. [Ted] Kennedy was known as a "liberal lion" for his strong stance and liberal ideology while in politics.

In 1980, he ran an unsuccessful bid for the presidency. He left behind a wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, and three children, Edward M. Kennedy Jr., Kara Anne Kennedy and Patrick Kennedy.

Question: Why is John F Kennedy's Presidential Portrait facing down?
In his official Presidential Portrait, JFK is facing down and seems very somber.
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters:
The artist, Aaron Shikler, was commissioned by Jackie to do several paintings, including that one after his death.
He had several pictures to go on, but the pose was ultimately inspired by a picture that was actually not of JFK, but of the youngest brother, Edward Kennedy, looking down at JFK's grave. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jk35.html

Ca$h for Clunker$
The number :: 690,114 [SOURCE]
Sales reported under the "cash for clunkers" car rebate program, according to final data released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The total value of the rebates claimed by dealers totaled $2.88 billion of the allotted $3 billion.

The list :: Top-selling vehicles in the "cash for clunkers" program:
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus front-wheel drive
5. Hyundai Elantra

The list, part II :: Top "cash for clunkers" trade-ins:
1. Ford Explorer four-wheel drive
2. Ford F-150 pickup two-wheel drive
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel drive
4. Ford Explorer two-wheel drive
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan two-wheel drive

Best stressed :: Chicago metro area is first in composite rankings

If you're feeling burned out lately, there might be a good reason. According to Forbes.com rankings of America's most stressful cities, (chicagotribune.com/stress), the Chicago metro area is first in composite rankings on poor air quality, high cost of living and high unemployment, among other categories. Chicago beat No. 2 Los Angeles and No. 3 New York. We blame those new parking meters.

... Few enjoy their commute. Just ask Stephen Dinwiddie, M.D.,
a psychiatrist at the University of Chicago.

"I think anybody who, like I do, commutes on the Kennedy on a daily basis knows exactly what stress is," he says, of his daily home-to-work commute on Chicago's expressway that extends from the Chicago Loop to O'Hare International Airport. "It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several centuries—at least subjectively."

But more pressing factors make Chicago for the second year in a row the country's most stressful city. Crowding, poor air quality, a high 11 percent unemployment rate
and free-falling home values have created a cocktail of constant worry affecting
many in the Windy City.

Lee's Weather Website, Rantoul, Illinois
-- Also --
2008 :: Forbes ranks Chicago most stressful city
September 17, 2008
Chicago's rising unemployment rate, expensive gas, high population density and relatively poor air quality create a perfect storm of stress, according to Forbes magazine, which has ranked the city the most stressful in the United States. New York is No.2.