Underwater Pinniped View

I took this from the underwater viewing gallery at the Pinniped House of Brookfield Zoo. The Brookfield Zoo is located about 12 miles west of downtown Chicago, in the suburb of Brookfield. If you plan to go, be advised that this zoo sits on 200 plus acres of land and things are spread out so wear comfortable shoes and use your map so you don't waste time or energy doubling back...you'll need everything you've got for the trek back to the parking lot!

Alternatives, Inc.

This is part of a beautiful and exuberant mosaic mural that spans the entire building's face of Alternatives, Inc. on 4730 N. Sheridan Road. Alternatives is a youth and family agency serving the city's north side. Their programs include counseling, career and employment skills training, summer and after school activities, as well as varied art and cultural activities. (Read more on them here.)

Last Call for Summer

These two boys were having a rolling good time on the beach at 57th. By next week, they'll be doing roll call and homework. But for now, it's time to soak up these last blazing hot days...

Safety on Campus

There are over three hundred of these emergency telephones on the campus of the University of Chicago and its surrounding areas. Pressing the red button will automatically transmit its location to the University Police, and they will come to your aid whether you speak to a dispatcher or not. An interesting aside: the U of C private police force is one of the largest in the world, the only one larger is the Vatican's. Click here to read more on safety in the city.

How far to...?

On Dock Street at the Pier. In our new world gone high speed and global, it's still useful to know the actual distances between our cities, countries and continents so we can calculate such things as gas mileage and hours to travel. Of course, frequent flyers will be quick to tell you that these two variables often operate entirely separately, affected by airport security, congestion, and of course, the weather.

Listening to Children

An exhibit at the Chicago Children's Museum poses the question: Who are the important people in your community? Children from everywhere are asked to draw the person most important to them and say why. Some of the answers are simple (example: my mom, my dad, my dog, etc.) and others reveal a more complicated life (example: Shannon, because she tucks me in at night).

Texture and Contrast

Here is another view of the Historic Water Tower which I featured a few days ago. This angle brings the building's texture into view, forcing the eye to take in the irregularity of the Joliet limestone against the dark steel and glass of the John Hancock building on the left, and the symmetry of the Macy's/Water Tower Mall on the right. The architect of the Historic Water Tower was William Boyington.

Back in the Loop

The Chicago Loop is the downtown area that is circumnavigated by the elevated train (known as the el), although mostly we say "in the Loop" to indicate anything located downtown, whether or not the el has a stop nearby. Does your city's downtown have a nickname?

p.s. This was a rainy morning about three weeks ago--it is actually bright and sunny right now. Thanks to all who visited while I was ghost blogging from another city--I'm back and will return to haunting my own city once again. Cheers, everyone!