Category: Pop Culture
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The North Avenue Architecture Photo Party
North Avenue, the border between the north side of Oak Park and the Galewood neighborhood of Chicago, is relatively newer than many surrounding neighborhoods. While the buildings along North Avenue post date Frank Lloyd Wright, he golfed here with friends and clients. Many used the area as a place to get away and hide from…
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The Scottish Motor Club – 2010 Calendar of Events
There have been some inquiries regarding the Scottish Motor Club’s Calendar of Events this year. An abbreviated version: Heartland International Tattoo, Sears Center, Hoffman Estates, Illinois Saturday, 10 April, 2010 www.heartlandtattoo.org This event is being in conjunction with members of the British Car Union, Lotus Corps Chicago and the Rolls Royce Owners Club / Lake…
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More Poetry
In response to a recent musing about William McGonagall, friends from Vancouver have since brought to my attention Sarah Binks, the Sweet Songstress of Saskatchewan. A regular feature on a CBC Radio broadcast, her works included poetry like this: “My Garden” A little blade of grass I see Its banner waving wild and free And…
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Happy New Decade!
Happy New Year. It’s surprising to see that we’re already a decade into the new century. Previous posts have spoken about vacant storefronts and even vacant buildings, all from the aftermath of the latest economic turn. There is so much vacant space out there that based on current absorption rates, some markets have several years…
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Departing Chicago?
A recent editorial cartoon depicted Illinois as an airport. In the departures gate were the 2016 Olympic Games, a variety of major trade shows that recently announced leaving Chicago, and Oprah Winfrey. In the arrivals gate were prisoners being transferred from Gitmo. Much of this is directed at Chicago specifically: the “departures” noted are all…
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Ferris Beuhler’s Day Off in November
It seemed like a simple enough request – appear with my daughter on a float in the North Michigan Avenue “Festival of Lights Parade”. North Michigan Avenue is the most exclusive shopping district in Chicago and to start the Christmas holiday shopping season, they have a large night time parade – bathed profusely in brilliant…
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Convenient Access by Car
While early industrialists had grand visions of mechanized buildings and cities that walked, many of those ideas were whimsical at face value. Mind you, when applied as small parts, they were very useful – like the passenger elevator. One of those side concepts probably came to be applied to personal transportation – the automobile –…
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Everyone wants to be called an Architect
A recent television news series spoke of development of a new electric automobile. It appeared odd that the person interviewed wore the title of “Product Development Architect”. Many in the software industry also wear titles denoting some sort of “architect”, though they’ve never been exposed to issues dealing with public well being, building envelope issues,…
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A Change in the Weather…
Last year at this time, the weather in Chicago seemed practically like summer. It gave rise to theories of global warming. But it was absolutely beautiful weather. This year, it has come to be very chilly, very suddenly. No global warming this year. Take this year’s Columbus Day Parade – which actually celebrates Canadian Thanksgiving,…
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One Last Bit about the Morning Commute
Just to wrap up the past couple posts: When North American cities were first developing, we commuted on foot. It had its limitations, was endured during inclement weather, but gave us exercise. Various forms of mass transit came to be, which allowed for a larger commute area. The commute in to work became something social:…