Absolute Bus Stop

Knowing that we'll get a lot of visitors downtown during the holiday season, Chicago is pulling out the stops and rolling out the red carpet. Or at least the red chairs. This is the bus stop at State and Madison (also notable as being 0 North/South and 0 East/West, the starting point of our city's grid system). Actually, the chairs are part of a certain vodka company's ad campaign.

Hubbard's Folly

Sometimes I think I'm the only one who ever really reads any of the little historical markers that are sprinkled all over the city. I always seem to find a new one -- even though it has been there for years and years and years. This one is by Wacker and LaSalle. Even though the building is no longer there, good old Gurdon seemed to prove the skeptics wrong. After all, there's a Hubbard Street in Chicago ... but no Skeptics Street ;)

Crouching Tiger

One of the carvings by Foster Beach.

Wipe Out

I always get the tune "Wipe Out" stuck in my head when I see this statue. But, the statue has nothing to do with surfing.

It's real name is Crossing and it is by a sculptor named Hubertus von der Goltz. The title and statue refer to "the delicate balance of commercial and cultural districts that converge along the LaSalle Street corridor".

Neighborhood Welcome Signs

Chicago is often called "A City of Neighborhoods". Some of the neighborhoods - such as Rogers Park, where these photos were taken - even have their own logos and welcome signs.

One of These Days

I've been meaning to take a photo of this escalator for awhile. It is the escalator at the North and Clybourn stop on the CTA Red Line. I swear it is the narrowest escalator in the CTA system. It's barely 24 inches wide. With a bulky winter coat and any packages, you have to stand sideways. You also have to stand single file on it so you feel trapped when there are a lot of people riding the escalator. On the other hand, it's a good motivator for taking the stairs.

The North and Clybourn station is the one right by the new Apple Store in Chicago. So, I'm betting it gets a full makeover, complete with a wider escalator, soon.

LaSalle Street Cattails

Couldn't really find much about the decorative metal and stone sculptures on LaSalle Street. They have an "Autumn" look when the light hits them just right.

Lock Down

I've been holding on to this photo for about a week now because I was trying to figure out what they are doing to the Chicago River locks. They are currently closed and there seems to be some type of maintenance work going on. I think the gates are being replaced, but I can't seem to find anything about what they are actually doing. I don't think it is related to the Asian Carp threat, even though carp-related articles are about all that show up when I google "Closed Chicago River Locks November 2010".

Traffic

Just a glimpse of a slow traffic day on the river.

His Master's Voice

I guess "his master's voice" was singing him a lullaby.

Veteran's Day

I never knew the reason that Olive Park is named as it is. But I recently stumbled upon this monument in Olive Park that explains it all. It is named after Milton Olive, a Chicago native, who was only 18 years old when he was in Viet Nam and jumped on a grenade to smother it to save his four soldier companions. He was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor in the Viet Nam war and it was awarded posthumously. (One of the Chicago City Colleges - Olive Harvey College - is also named after him.)

The Old-Fashioned Way

I know a lot of cities have started using these new-fangled computer database thingies to track maintenance and repair projects. But the old-fashioned way seems to work just fine. ;)

Next Time

Next time there's a Graffiti Theme Day on City Daily Photo, I'll know where to go. Foster Avenue Beach has a number of colorful artistic renderings.

Feathered Friends: Getting All Your Ducks in a Row

Chicago currently has a few rare visitors: Harlequin Ducks. They usually don't come to this area. There was one around last year, though, so maybe he recommended our fair city to his duck friends.

They were displaying some interesting activity. One of the three would start splashing. Then the other two would splash and all three would dive.

More photos of the Harlequin Ducks are at my bird-watching blog, here.

Got Some Weather Moving In

Chicago seems to be the target for some wild weather patterns lately. Or, at least, some wild skies. These Thursday afternoon clouds brought wind, rain, something one weather forecaster called slail (sleet + hail), colder temperatures and the first mention of the dreaded S Word* by weather forecasters.

Looking West

Looking East

* SNOW :(

Sepia Line

The Armitage Stop on the Brown Line. Since it was the Brown Line, I did it in sepia-tone ;)

Storage?

It's an interesting place to store a can of paint. Actually, there are THREE cans of paint sitting precariously on that shelf. The paint cans almost have to belong to somebody inside the building because there isn't a way to get to that little alcove from the outside. It's a couple of stories up from the sidewalk. (I was on the Brown Line el at Belmont when I took this.)

30 Minutes Difference

It's so interesting to watch the light change as the sun rises.

7:05 am - November 2, 2010

7:35 am - November 2, 2010

Quiet Space

I like the little nature spots that are scattered throughout the city. This is the little park next to the Art Institute.