Monday, December 17, 2012
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Some shots from the museum (though the museum contained many fine works of Art, there were way too many "abstract" works; too many plain black or plain beige squares, many with their own huge room. I don't understand that stuff. It seems like an easy way in to a museum. You'll always get the intellectual type who stand there and stare at what is literally a white linen napkin hanging on the wall. You'll hear them talk about the depth, the conception, the inner workings. It's a white linen napkin hanging on the wall!!! There's nothing to "get". It's silk, about 8 inches square, and probably from Walmart. One room was about half the square footage of my house and contained a single grey rectangle). Most of what I really thought was beautiful came from the greenhouse.
Before we took photos at this famous piece, a guy proposed to a girl right here.
Some plants in the greenhouse
Indiana Medical History Museum
Following the completion of my final exams, Aimee and I took one last road trip of the year to sort of "recuperate". We headed to Indianapolis, since we had never spent time there before. It's really a beautiful city. As always, there are so many places I wanted to see and photograph, but time was not on out side. Besides, we hit up the antique malls and completed a couple rounds of late-night bowling (she beat me as always). Here are a few photographic highlights from our trip.
These were taken at the Indiana Medical History Museum
A very early stereoscope
An early manual centrifuge
Gross lesions - are there any other kind?
Early microscope
Curl up with one one these
Original 1895 medical classroom
Autopsy table
The old power plant that provided electricity to a long-gone medical campus
Delay
No posts in awhile yet again - this past semester has been heavy, but that's over and done with and I have a bit more time to take photos (until I go back early next month). I have some photos from the last month but not much worth posting. On Thanksgiving, my nephew Jeffrey (the Peffernaut) and I took a post-feast walk along north Milwaukee Ave. I think he caught the photography bug. We walked to the historic yet overlooked Edison service station at 5837 N. Nagle, and then headed east on Ardmore toward Milwaukee Ave, where we shot a few old signs and a fenced in empty lot, where someone had been living in a disheveled old tent.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Koffend
I don't even have to be looking for this kind of stuff. It just seems that everytime I go to a cemetery, there is always at least one or two of these appropriately-morbid headstones.
From Bohemian National Cemetery (more to come, stay tuned...)
Sunday, October 14, 2012
The Grayland Theatre, Part II
Last year I posted about the former Grayland Theatre, 3940 W. Cicero Ave (now a clothing store called Rasenick's). I had developed an interest in the building and its history, and even came across a fascinating story involving the Grayland which took place nearly one hundred years ago (the original posting can be found here: http://thejosecshow.blogspot.com/2011/06/grayland-theater.html). I had mentioned how it appeared is if something on the front of the building was being covered by several pieces of sheet metal. I assumed it could have been an epigraph for the theatre. The owner of Rasenick's assured me that nothing was there, but I didn't believe him for a second. It makes no sense to cover a blank section of what is an otherwise beautiful example of early 20th century theatre terra cotta, unless it had been damaged - in which case it would make more sense to repair the damage versus cover it up.
The other day as I was driving to work, I passed Rasenick's as I do every day, but this time I noticed out of the corner of my eye that portions of the building were boarded up. I passed too quickly to get a good look, but initially it appeared as though a vehicle had crashed into the store. I hoped for the best and made a note to check it out on my way back after work. When I finally got out of work, I drove past the former nickelodeon and was shocked to see it - the building in a state of repair and with the sheet metal removed, revealing a Grayland Theatre epigraph!! HA!! I KNEW it...I just KNEW that sheet metal wasn't just there for nothing. The epigraph was stunning, the building seemed transformed into its former self, at least for the time being. The front window was removed and covered with plywood, with a makeshift sign assuring people that Rasenick's was still open despite the construction. I couldn't stop to look at it since I was actually heading to an appointment I couldn't miss, but I quickly grabbed the phone number and called the store to inquire as to the future of the store and the epigraph. An upper management employee (or maybe even the owner) picked up. I mentioned that I had seen the storefront and was happy to see that the sheet metal had been removed to allow the world to see the once-hidden epigraph. I then asked what was expected to come of the construction project. The employee told me the plan was to "smash up and tear the front down as soon as possible" so that a more modern facade could be put in its place. I kind of gulped and was shocked to hear this. I asked why they hadn't planned to preserve the terra cotta or at least the epigraph and got a rude, condescending response. "Look. We are a clothing store, we are the longest-running small business at Six Corners. We are not a theatre and never will be. If you are interested in Rasenick's, I can help you, otherwise, I don't have time to talk about anything else. We informed the neighborhood association, the historical society, and the Alderman, and no one wanted to do anything about it, and now it's too late". I told him that I was a customer of their store and simply wondered why they didn't care to preserve their historically significant building. He could not have been any more indifferent about the historical significance.
I do not believe that Rasenick's ever made an attempt to reach out to any organization, the community, or the Alderman to seek funding for the preservation of the facade and epigraph. Last year the owner straight-up lied to me about what was beneath the sheet metal. If he cared so much about preserving the facade enough to seek funding or assistance, he would not have lied to me last year. If it were me, I'd raise awareness of the issue early so as to raise the funds to restore and retain the facade. I would not lie to repeat customers about the history of the building and what existed beneath the sheet metal.
Look, I understand that not everything old has to be saved. I totally understand that. Sometimes I do become overly sentimental about certain things. However, the significance of the Grayland Theatre as one of the first small movie houses in Portage Park is so important to the character of the neighborhood. The Six Corners district is undergoing a long-term revitalization after a long period of closed-down storefronts and low foot traffic/parking issues. What Rasenick's should keep in mind is that some of the most successful businesses in the city still retain epigraphs of former business of importance - bath houses, fire stations, post offices, architects, and even the nearby former People's Gas & Coke building, which is a National Historic Lamdmark. Rasenick's hasn't quite caught up to this trend and believes it will better its already quite successful business by destroying its unique facade and replacing it with a boring flat wall of bricks. Or maybe they are simply big advocates of Rahm Emanuel's Beautify Chicago plan - a plan that involves modernizing everything and getting rid of "eyesores" such as neon signs. I just wish for a moment they though of the good that could come out of preserving history - what people can learn about their community beginning with its past, and how it developed into what it is today. The Portage Theater thankfully still exists in good condition, and a few other buildings of note remain (the former Borovik Drugstore, for example). If all you see is new construction replacing older buildings, what does it tell people about history? That it is insignificant and meant to be forgotten? With all due respect to Rasenick's (because I understand they are a small business and small businesses are needed), I think they planned without regard for retaining history - a tool that can teach us about our present and ultimately our future.
First, the photo I took last year.
The other day as I was driving to work, I passed Rasenick's as I do every day, but this time I noticed out of the corner of my eye that portions of the building were boarded up. I passed too quickly to get a good look, but initially it appeared as though a vehicle had crashed into the store. I hoped for the best and made a note to check it out on my way back after work. When I finally got out of work, I drove past the former nickelodeon and was shocked to see it - the building in a state of repair and with the sheet metal removed, revealing a Grayland Theatre epigraph!! HA!! I KNEW it...I just KNEW that sheet metal wasn't just there for nothing. The epigraph was stunning, the building seemed transformed into its former self, at least for the time being. The front window was removed and covered with plywood, with a makeshift sign assuring people that Rasenick's was still open despite the construction. I couldn't stop to look at it since I was actually heading to an appointment I couldn't miss, but I quickly grabbed the phone number and called the store to inquire as to the future of the store and the epigraph. An upper management employee (or maybe even the owner) picked up. I mentioned that I had seen the storefront and was happy to see that the sheet metal had been removed to allow the world to see the once-hidden epigraph. I then asked what was expected to come of the construction project. The employee told me the plan was to "smash up and tear the front down as soon as possible" so that a more modern facade could be put in its place. I kind of gulped and was shocked to hear this. I asked why they hadn't planned to preserve the terra cotta or at least the epigraph and got a rude, condescending response. "Look. We are a clothing store, we are the longest-running small business at Six Corners. We are not a theatre and never will be. If you are interested in Rasenick's, I can help you, otherwise, I don't have time to talk about anything else. We informed the neighborhood association, the historical society, and the Alderman, and no one wanted to do anything about it, and now it's too late". I told him that I was a customer of their store and simply wondered why they didn't care to preserve their historically significant building. He could not have been any more indifferent about the historical significance.
I do not believe that Rasenick's ever made an attempt to reach out to any organization, the community, or the Alderman to seek funding for the preservation of the facade and epigraph. Last year the owner straight-up lied to me about what was beneath the sheet metal. If he cared so much about preserving the facade enough to seek funding or assistance, he would not have lied to me last year. If it were me, I'd raise awareness of the issue early so as to raise the funds to restore and retain the facade. I would not lie to repeat customers about the history of the building and what existed beneath the sheet metal.
Look, I understand that not everything old has to be saved. I totally understand that. Sometimes I do become overly sentimental about certain things. However, the significance of the Grayland Theatre as one of the first small movie houses in Portage Park is so important to the character of the neighborhood. The Six Corners district is undergoing a long-term revitalization after a long period of closed-down storefronts and low foot traffic/parking issues. What Rasenick's should keep in mind is that some of the most successful businesses in the city still retain epigraphs of former business of importance - bath houses, fire stations, post offices, architects, and even the nearby former People's Gas & Coke building, which is a National Historic Lamdmark. Rasenick's hasn't quite caught up to this trend and believes it will better its already quite successful business by destroying its unique facade and replacing it with a boring flat wall of bricks. Or maybe they are simply big advocates of Rahm Emanuel's Beautify Chicago plan - a plan that involves modernizing everything and getting rid of "eyesores" such as neon signs. I just wish for a moment they though of the good that could come out of preserving history - what people can learn about their community beginning with its past, and how it developed into what it is today. The Portage Theater thankfully still exists in good condition, and a few other buildings of note remain (the former Borovik Drugstore, for example). If all you see is new construction replacing older buildings, what does it tell people about history? That it is insignificant and meant to be forgotten? With all due respect to Rasenick's (because I understand they are a small business and small businesses are needed), I think they planned without regard for retaining history - a tool that can teach us about our present and ultimately our future.
First, the photo I took last year.
These photos were taken today, just days after the removal of the sheet metal.
Very soon, this will all be memory. All in the name of "progress".
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Thamnophis radix
I caught this little plains garter snake to show as part of a local reptile/amphibian presentation I'll be holding in a few weeks. This species has always been one of my favorite snakes. In spite of their relative abundance, they are some of the most interesting and beautiful of all the snakes I've seen in my years (though I'm sure I could say that about any species!) They were some of the first snakes I ever caught as a kid in Chicago.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Ralph Frese
I was fortunate enough to be treated to a self-guided tour of Ralph's blacksmith shop. A fourth generation blacksmith and canoe builder, Ralph Frese, at age 86, still runs his canoe and kayak shop in the same building his father worked in. Ralph has a wealth of stories, and if you've got the time and the interest, you may just be lucky enough to hear some. Here are some perspectives of the legendary canoe builder's blacksmith shop.
Ralph's hammer and anvil.
Where the magic happens.
Canoe humor.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Maple Lake
I didn't know when I was here that this was the location for the filming of "The Lake House" in 2006.
My shadow and bullfrog
My shadow and bullfrog
Small dragonfly
The world is yours, my friend
Spiderweb
Don't cry for me, Weeping Willow
Argiope aurantia, waiting...
Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon)
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