Unkown Chicago: Christmas Eve 1985

This is a different Magnificient Mile than exists today!

A little of what happened 25 years ago in Chicago on Christmas Eve:

As always, some shoppers had waited to the last moment.  Marshall Field's, Carson's, Ward's, and the other State Street stores were busy.  VCRs and the new digital compact disc players were selling briskly.  The one surprise gift of the season was the telescope.

Halley's Comet was coming back for the first time in 76 years.  Binoculars could be used to examine the heavenly marvel, but why not get something special for that special someone?  So now telescope manufacturers were running triple shifts--and still couldn't keep up with the demand.  Comet junkies were shelling out as much as $2,500 for a high-end model.

Out in Lincolnwood, they were getting ready for heavy traffic.  The homes there were known for their elaborate Christmas displays.  Most had gone dark during the hard times of the Carter years.  But now the economy was roaring, Lincolnwood was again bright, and all the thousands of drive-by gapers were returning.

Hmmm that seemed like a nice shot at Jimmy Carter. :P

Let's continue:

The spirit was carried forth in acts of charity.  On the South Side, 63 needy seniors received reconditioned fur coats at a free church raffle, courtesy of Mysel Furs.  In Little Village, a thousand chicken dinners were given away to poor families.  The Salvation Army again received an anonymous donation of gold coins in one of its street kettles.  This year the gift was five Canadian maple leaves, worth $1650.

Well I'm sure someone would consider this very selfish. Not unexpected in Chicago of course:

And this being Chicago, politics was in the news.  Mayor Harold Washington and the city council had been feuding for over two years.  But in the spirit of the season, mayor and council had come together, and found something to agree on.  They gave themselves pay raises.

This was doing the era of Ronald Reagan. During the time of President Barack Obama, there's a good chance of an outcry if the mayor and city council attempted that today. Well I would hope so.

ZudFunck: Highland Towers Ruins

Chicagoist: Bears Gaining Respect: Pats Game Moved to 3:15 Start

The NFL is moving up the Patriots vs. Bears game to a later start time at 3:15 PM on Dec. 12th. Chicagoist further speculates that if the Bears face Green Bay for the NFC North title that game on January 2nd, that game may be pushed up as well.

It's safe to say this blog rarely becomes an NFL blog during the football season. Just can't get into football, but it's mostly because the Bears can't help but disappoint. They're doing surprisingly well this year and most of the time I'm working when I could be watching a Bears game.

I do look forward to watching the Bears in the playoffs in the near future, but not sure they'll be in the Super Bowl like they were almost four years ago.

Also, the Bears are doing something right when you see a thread for them over at Capitol Fax. And Rich Miller is more of a baseball fan.

YoChicago: I had to disrobe some, said the architect

You know I think you'd like this story. Joe Zekas recalled the story of an architect who, back in the 1970s, was frustrated by state architecture licensing authorities that he showed up taking the test in a Batman costume. Officials administering this exam weren't very happy needless to say.

The last Jew of South Shore Gardens

She died this past April and I just now found this article. Found it very interesting. She was the last Jew in the area called South Shore Gardens. Well I just refer to that area with it's boundaries as Pill Hill although that may not entirely be accurate:

Gloria Kolodny Chanenson, the last Jewish resident of the Chicago neighborhood of South Shore Gardens, died while visiting her daughter in Cincinnati on April 8, at age 90. She refused to move from her home, which was built in South Shore Gardens in 1954. South Shore Gardens suffered an acute epidemic of white, and especially Jewish, flight between 1967 and 1972, while the neighborhood was new and building up. These tumultuous times were reviewed in the book "The South Side" by Louis Rosen (Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, Inc., 1999). The neighborhood is bounded by 87th Street on the North, Jeffrey Boulevard (2000 East) on the West, 93rd Street on the South and Anthony Avenue on the East.
...
When their neighbors began to move in the late 1960s, the Chanensons decided to stay in their home, and they became friendly with their new African-American neighbors as they moved in. "We integrate the neighborhood," Irving said. Eventually, only a few other staunch and stubborn Jewish families refused to "go with the flow." Among the last couples to remain in their homes in South Shore Gardens or neighboring Pill Hill were Esther Malkin Lesner, a retired elementary school French and adjustment teacher, and her husband, Samuel J. ("Sam") Lesner, retired movie and night club critic of the Chicago Daily News and a columnist for the Hyde Park Herald; Minnie Brainin Lieb and Dr. Bernard Lieb, a physician; and Dr. Max Martin Jacobson, a distinguished ophthalmologist who had studied in Vienna early in his career, and his wife, Eugenia ("Jeanne") Rydnik Jacobson, a pianist and piano teacher.

These three couples all died while remaining in their neighborhood homes, and Irving passed away in 1990, leaving Gloria as the last Jew in the South Shore Gardens area and probably the only Jew in the entire South Shore-South Chicago area from 71st Street southward to the city limits and from Lake Michigan to Stony Island Avenue.

An interesting story taking place on the South Side.

If you want to know more about this racial change that took place in that particular area then I would like to refer you to this post I had written in 2005 about a book I had checked out of the library. It was about this very community that was populated by the Jews and what happened when Black Americans started moving in.

Check out these wallets

This first wallet is from the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Gift Shop:

The Mighty Wallet is printed with the licensed graphics of the CTA and is not only functional for quick transfer info on the go but it also adds a level of stealth that safeguards your valuables from theft. Mighty Wallets have actually evaded theft in real life situations through their uncommon stealthy design.

Made from Tyvek (think express mail envelopes), the Mighty Wallet resists tearing because of thousands of interlocking plastic fibers spun in random patterns giving the wallet incredible strength.

This might be very cool. Such a wallet can foil theft attempts, especially if a potential pickpocket thinks that this is merely a CTA Map.

Also check out this second wallet:

A dot-matrix wallet from ThinkGeek. The description doesn't mention foiling thieves, but it does mention that it's made of a similar material to the CTA Mighty Wallet. The fact that it's a dot-matrix wallet should ring a bell to old-time computer geeks.

Some of the other wallets you might find at ThinkGeek may have some added features that may foil criminals. Although the hazard isn't necessarily to think of actual pickpockets or theft as opposed to a theft of a different type.

Obligatory ballot receipt shot

I voted early this morning. Just now took a picture of it and posted it on twitter. I hope those of you reading this blog has voted already.

Oh yeah that is one of my Moleskine notebooks that the receipt is sitting on.

End our 'multiuniversities'

This article is very difficult for me to excerpt. Just to sum up the author, David Warren of the Ottawa Citizen, wants to see an end to the public universities. He will leave alone the private universities because they aren't funding by taxpayers but only criticizes them as "'finishing schools' for the smuggest and most plausible". He accusses public universities of being job-training community colleges and wants them to be dissolved and then reverted to their true mission as "centres of true, humanistic learning". Via Instapundit!

If Historical Events Had Facebook Statuses

Courtesy of Cool Material. I cropped what I thought was the funniest statuses I could find. This just had to be it. LBJ signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act with Dr. King liking the status, however, some of the Southern states weren't too happy. Almost a reminder of when people were complaining that there wasn't a dislike function. LOL!

Via Instapundit!

Eadweard Muybridge: Man in motion

Found this article via The Economist. He was a British photographer who mainly practiced in California. His motion studies work is seen as the forerunner to the motion picture. Well if you don't understand "motion picture" it's what we call movies or film today. In fact we can even connect this to video since it's another medium of motion picture.

Muybridge is best known for his demonstration that movement could be broken down into fluid sequences of individual moments. That insight was made use of by a succession of artists, from Auguste Rodin to Francis Bacon. Muybridge’s motion studies can be fairly credited as the forerunners of the cinema. There is also evidence that in 1888 he shared with Thomas Edison some thoughts on combining a new projection system he had invented—the zoopraxiscope—with Edison’s phonograph. And the grid pattern of his bestselling books on locomotion survives in the format of comic strips.

A travelling exhibition, which began at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and has now opened in London, reveals Muybridge as much more than simply the pioneer of motion, however. Good close attention is paid to his biography, even if there are still important gaps. The very first line of the opening wall panel admits: “Where Muybridge learned his skill as a photographer remains unknown.” Other parts of his life are more familiar, in particular the fact that he coldbloodedly killed his wife’s lover. He was acquitted in part because a jury could not believe that a man who could lug the heavy and cumbersome photographic equipment of the time up into the Yosemite Valley could be entirely sane.

Muybridge did not just invent another name for himself. He excelled in a new industry, and made up more than just its technology as he went along. He was adept, for example, at marketing himself along with his photographs, and there is plenty of evidence of that in this show, from his illustrated trade cards and well-designed logos, to the many photographs of himself, quite naked, posing as a model in some of the motion studies.

For each major undertaking Muybridge invented the appropriate kind of photography to suit. His investigation of galloping horses for Leland Stanford, a California politician and racehorse owner, is well known. In each stride horses lift all four hooves off the ground at once, something that George Stubbs, the most famous horse painter of the last 300 years, had guessed at but which, until Muybridge, had never been proved. The beautiful cyanotype proofs for “Animal Locomotion” have recently been restored and are being given their first public outing in this show. There are also examples of the work Muybridge did up and down the Pacific coast for the national body in charge of lighthouses, including a sequence of unusual large-format seascapes completed in the 1870s, at precisely the time that Thomas Stevenson (father of Robert Louis) was designing his lighthouses around the coasts of Scotland.

When will this exhibit come to Chicago? I want to see this.

Oh yeah the galloping horse above well that's one of Muybridge's famous photographs.

Vegas Chapels Busy On Symmetrical Date

Hmm I wonder why 10/10/10 caused so many people to want to schedule their marriage or events on this particular date:

Megan Powell, a 26-year-old who married a nightclub and restaurant operator, said her Las Vegas wedding was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get married on 10/10/10."

"That day will never happen again," she added.

Her new husband, Scott Frost, called it "fun" that "we'll have something unusual in common with a big chunk of people. We'll have a much greater probability of running into couples with the same anniversary."

Tamara Tom, 28, of Fairfield, Calif., was following a tradition when she married Robert Harper at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno. The couple said they will celebrate 10 years of being together on Dec. 10.

"We thought it would be fun to have all 10s as our anniversary," Tom told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

If there was such a rush I wonder how accommodating the various marriage license bureaus were in counties or municipalities around the state.

Oh wow, 10/10/10 has now given away to 10/11/10. :P

Instapundit says that it's 10/10/10

And I wasn't on marking 8/9/10 on the blog either so this time I'm making note of it on the very day it is. Have a wonderful Sunday. Oh and Columbus Day is Monday. Thankfully I got the day off! :)

Instapundit on 10/10/10 and 8/9/10

Car Lust: Cadillac Catera

You know my mother owned both a Catera and it's cousin the Cimarron. Over a year ago the Car Lust blog talked about the Cimarron. It was already known by me that the Cimarron was nothing more than a luxury Chevy Cavalier.

You couldn't say that so easily with the Catera. It was inspired by German designed cars, but Car Lust says that it more or less resembled similar GM autos such as the Pontiac Grand Am or the Chevy Malibu. Another issue with that car was that compared to other Cadillacs the Catera design was boring. Also it was mechanically unreliable as well.

Of course the Catera's immediate successor was the CTS. Not a lot of complaints about it from Car Lust so far, but I'm sure there is a post about CTS in its future.

My mom owned a Cimarron similar to this!

She also owned a Catera smiliar to this!

Hat-tip Instapundit!

OH YEAH! I had the pleasure of driving the Catera, but in those days I only had an instruction permit. I drove it around the city, but only very rarely. I must say however that on several occasions the car just shut down on us when we did drive it around the city. Thankfully we weren't too far away where we didn't have long to wait for a bus.

In fact one time we were just down the street from the house when the Catera broke down, although in a different neighborhood. There was some lady who may have been on something. This woman was yelling and playing ballerina on a busy street that night!

Another Recovery Act sign

Near 111th/Ashland in Morgan Park. The bridge across I-57 was out of service and being fixed up. Another Obama stimulus "campaign sign" located on Chicago's south side. A little more background from Marathon Pundit, he's been keeping an eye on these.

Allerton Hotel put up for sale

Hey I took a mobile phone picture of this place yesterday. Hadn't thought of it in years in fact, but I knew it was the place to be years back. Not sure if it still is or at least I don't hear about it.

Story from Crain's:

The New York investment firm that recently took over the Allerton Hotel has put the property back on the market, the latest twist in the battle to control the Michigan Avenue landmark.

Petra Capital Management LLC, which took ownership of the Allerton after an auction in late June, has hired Cushman & Wakefield Sonnenblick Goldman to solicit buyers for the 443-room hotel, confirms Mark Gordon, executive vice-president, principal and head of the New York brokerage’s U.S. lodging group.

“We’re going to be marketing through the month of July, and we anticipate an aggressive transaction,” he says.

Mr. Gordon declines to discuss pricing, but a person familiar with the property says Petra is hoping to sell the Allerton for $79 million to $80 million, not much less than the $84 million that the previous owner, San Francisco-based Chartres Lodging Group LLC, paid for it at the peak of the market in 2006.

The price will determine whether Petra, the hotel’s former junior lender, can recoup its investment and avoid a legal confrontation with DiamondRock Hospitality Co., a Maryland-based real estate investment trust that bought the senior loan on the Allerton in May.
...
The Allerton does have one advantage: Because it’s not part of a big chain, the hotel offers buyers the opportunity to own a prominent property outright, rebrand it and sign a management agreement with a major hotel operator.
“I can’t remember the last time a North Michigan Avenue hotel has been available fee simple and unencumbered by management and franchise agreements,” Mr. Gordon says.

What ritzy hotel brand might be interested in having a place right off the "Magnificent Mile" and right up the street is the Drake Hotel as well.

I just saw the Wiki article on The Allerton. Tip, Top, Tap was for the lounge that was closed in 1961.

Lee Bey: The Eye opens on State Street

I took this picture earlier this month. This eyeball was at Pritzker Park on Van Buren & State. Thanks to Lee Bey, we know more about this object:

The three-story steel reinforced fiberglass eye sculpture–called, appropriately enough, “Eye”–debuted this week at downtown’s Pritzker Park.


The work is by Oak Park artist Tony Tasset and is actually modeled after one of his own eyeball. Produced by the Chicago Loop Alliance, the giant unblinking blue eye, veins and all,  will be joined by Tasset’s companion piece, “Cardinal”,which is 156 street banners along State Street featuring the state bird. The banners are designed to flutter like a flipbook, giving the illusion of the Cardinal flying down State Street from Congress to Wacker.

I like the “Eye.” It’s a commentary on our Age, if you ask me. Security cameras, cellphone cams, red light cameras, youtube videos—we are all watched as we watch. Life is increasingly like that brilliant “everybody’s gotta watch everybody else” scene in “Casino”. That and I was fascinated by the detail Tasset was enable to incorporate. The longer you look at it, the more details you can find.

Well Bey came to a much deeper meaning about this piece than I did. My thoughts on this is that it was something different and didn't think much about it with regards to symbolism. You know, this thing has become an instant hit since Bey wasn't the only one who has been taking photos of it.

American Recovery Act sign

Located off the Dan Ryan at 75th St. This is what Marathon Pundit would refer to as Obama campaign signs.

Got to talk about my new BlackBerry 9700

I finally bit the bullet and bought that BlackBerry I wanted. I bought what I believed the most current phone I could find.

Well obviously there are some limitations to doing some of the things I do on  PC on a mobile phone. Some sights including my Blogger blogs aren't conducive to being accessed on the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Although some plusses is that I saved bookmarks to those sites that I know I would use especially local news sites, social networks, and even transit information.

I can check the radar and current weather conditions on the go. If I have any pictures I want to share on various social networking sites it's with better ease than with my previous phone. Especially if I can access those sites with applications or directly on the mobile versions of such sites.

The camera function I would like to play with a lot more. Even better there is a little card where the photos or video can be stored upon in addition to storing them directly onto the phone. At least that will save me the trouble of deleted images just to have space on the phone. Hopefully with a USB wire I can connect the phone to a computer and upload any pictures off of the phone to be saved elsewhere.

With this phone I got a Bluetooth Headset with it well the AT&T store wanted me to get some accessories with it, but it only increased the amount I was going to pay. If I got these accessories separately it might costs more, but then I didn't really care much about that. Especially if all I really cared about was a decent case to carry my phone in.

Anyway for the first time I decided to utilize the Motorola H270 Bluetooth device (picture at right) that came with my purchase. I don't necessarily like the design but it seems simple enough to use. I connected it to my phone with ease, but using voice recognition is going to take some work. And I got to get used to all the buttons as well.

Also, the voice recognition aspect of this device is going to take some getting used to. Once or twice the phone almost dialed an unintended number when attempting to place a call. I don't know if it has trouble with my own voice or there's just something wrong with that device.

Either way I'm very happy about the purchase. And with that memory card attached to it, I just got to say I may not have to carry a camcorder or a digital camera. It's still possible that a camcorder or camera will be a part of my equipment when I am waking about. ;)

1969 Pontiac Ventura Being Restored

Artistmac from Chicago is back and this is his 2nd video about a classic Pontiac being restored by a local mechanic who specializes in restoring old GM vehicles. An earlier video featured a 1969 Pontiac Firebird 400. He also has shown videos of his 1984 Pontiac Fiero that he has taken to that local mechanic when he needs to fix it up.

Here are his comments with regards to today's GM vehicles:

Take note, GM. 40 years from now, will people be taking the time and energy to restore CTS's, Lucernes and FWD Impalas to their original condition? Doubtful.

Here's a gem from your glorious past, being restored by Chicago mechanic Dave Armstrong. This '69 Ventura (a trim package on the Catalina) spent almost all of its life in Palm Springs. That brown coating you see on the rear undercarriage and differential isn't rust -- it's sand. When it's power-washed, it'll look as clean as the underside from the differential forward.

It's great to see the front end without the fenders, showing off that 428 V8, disc brakes and front suspension in all their glory.

As you can see, that's the original Harrison air conditioning unit. Black Morrokide upholstery and Pontiac 5-spoke mag wheels will complete the picture. It'll be another showpiece, just like his green Firebird 400.

You know this is a guy who's lived a long time and has seen the changes in our automobiles. In addition to his Pontiac Fiero he also has a 1979 Chevrolet Caprice in his garage.

Do you think today's cars will be restored by anyone with the interest to keep today's classics on the road?

Sunday night

Well there was a lot of traffic near Jackson Park for the fireworks on the south side of town. So this picture reflects that as I was riding along Stony Island on the western edge of Jackson Park.

First Blackberry pic

I took this yesterday on the northwest corner of State and Van Buren a group of men in shrouds with a sign "The 12 lost tribes of Israel".

Stunning images as storm breaks over Chicago

From the UK Times online, Pictures of lightning strikes on Willis (Sears) and Trump Towers in Chicago from the storms of the past week. They have seriously battered our city. In fact in my backyard there's still a branch from a tree that I haven't removed yet. Either way the pics depicted there are breathtaking so you should take a look!

Hawaii Five-0 is coming back, this fall!!!

I like to watch reruns of this classic show on Me-Too a local Chicago TV channel dedicated to classic shows. Me-Too is a companion channel to not only Me-TV but also Channel 26 WCIU.

Anyway new episodes of a rebooted series are to be seen next TV season on CBS. Here you will see a preview of  the new series. Changes have been made to many of the familiar characters. Some of them are of a different gender now. Other changes have the cast being seen as having more personality than in the original series.

While TV series remakes haven't always fared very well over the years this is one remake that I will look forward to seeing. Looking to this preview it looks very good!

Chicago Black Hawks 2010 Stanley Cup Champions

This video below shows the Black Hawks being presented and then hoisted the trophy over their heads to celebrate in Philadelphia earlier tonight!

This next video shows the crazy goal that was the Stanley Cup clincher for the Hawks in sudden death overtime!

Initially there was no signal, but eventually it was ruled that a goal was scored and the puck was said to be stuck in the netting. I thought it crossed along the goal line through the crease. Then all the sudden I saw the Hawks removing their gear and celebrating on the ice.

I cannot believe the Stanley Cup is coming to Chicago!!! :)

Scenes yesterday near the Federal Plaza

Not a lot of media there on Thursday afternoon after I left the downtown library, but I knew that this was the day when the Blagojevich trial started. The media trucks from ABC7, FOX 32, WGN, and even CNN were all parked along Plymouth Court between Jackson and Van Buren, right across the street from the Dirksen Federal Building.

 BTW, I posted this link in another posting, but I'll share it again today. Rich Miller rounds up the media coverage of the Blagojevich trial. He also has a round-up for jury selection in this trial. It seems like what Blagojevich doesn't want on his jury the judge will attempt to keep them on the jury.

Can't believe he may be up for almost 415 years behind bars!

What to do with unused subway entrances?

I noticed them a while back putting bricks on the stairs into the mezzanine level where one in the past would board onto the CTA Red Line at Washington/State. This entrance is on State Street between Madison and Washington.

The Washington/State section of the Red Line has been closed since 2006 as a result of well construction of a new building on the former vacant property at Block 37 located north of Washington on the west side of the street. There were also plans to build a "superstation" with the intent of running and express rail service from downtown towards the city's airports. Unfortunately that proved to be too much cost wise and that project was shut down, but at least we have a nice building at Block 37 that may not live up to expectations as another big city mall!

Oh yeah I noted that they were placing bricks at one point onto the stairs into this closed station. Another day they finally covered up the stairs. Then on this day when I took these pictures it looks like they placed a garden on top of the coverings.

How about that for going green?

Chicago has Blackhawks Fever and It's Bad

The Black Hawks going to the Stanley Cup is quite a big deal here in the city!

New CTA rail cars temporarily sidelined

It seems they've found a problem with the new trains already. They have been in regular passenger service since late April. Currently they've been running along the CTA Green Line. I've had a chance to ride them several times when they were running along the Red Line:

Vibrations were affecting a component in the braking system, CTA engineers found. The vibrations could possibly cause the "slack adjuster'' in the brake to loosen and result in a loss of braking friction during extended use. The slack adjuster makes accommodations for the amount of wear on the brake pads over time.

There have been no cases of brake failure, officials said. They added that they have known about the issue for months and were waiting for a replacement part from Bombardier Transit Corp., which manufactured the 10 prototype trains the CTA has been testing.

"The new part is ready now,'' CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said.

CTA officials said they expected the rail cars to resume passenger service on the Green Line in a few weeks after the adjustments are made and the trains are tested without any passengers on board.

Before the CTA orders more of these new railcars they have to be tests on the entire L system. I like these cars, but I think I can live without the longitudinal seating.

Black Hawks championship history

The Black Hawks existed as an NHL franchise since 1926. They are considered one of the "Original Six" franchises of the National Hockey League (NHL). So called because from 1942 to 1967 Chicago, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings were the only teams that competed in the NHL.

The NHL was formed in 1917 and only two of these original six franchises Toronto and Montreal were founded before 1926. The other four Original Six franchises including Chicago were founded in 1926. Now from the time of the NHL's founding other teams had come and gone through the years until 1943.

The Stanley Cup was created in 1892 by Lord Stanley who was the Governor-General of Canada from 1888 to 1893. He was originally a British nobleman and politician and he offered this cup as the prize for amateur hockey teams in Canada. By 1926, the NHL were exclusively competing for the prize known as Lord Stanley's Cup.

Over the years the Black Hawks have competed for the Stanley Cup in 1930-31, 1933-34, 1937-38, 1943-44, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1964-65, 1970-71, 1972-73, 1991-92. They have won cups in 1934, 1938, and finally 1961. In addition they have made conference champion in 1992 which was their last Stanley Cup appearance having been defeated by Pittsburgh. That is in addition to 14 division titles starting in the 1969-70 season.

This season (2009-10) they will play for the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1992. They also won a division title and conference title this season.

GO BLACK HAWKS!!!

The top image is of Bobby Hull and Jack Evans another teammate (if you know who that is please leave a comment) standing with the Stanley Cup after their Stanley Cup victory against Detroit on April 16, 1961. This info was found on June 10, 2010 at Chicagoist.

The evolution of Chief Black Hawk

This graphic is from the Chicago Sun-Times

You know in light of the Black Hawk's remarkable playoff run I may be going overboard just a little bit on Black Hawks stories. Just yesterday, I had posted about why I make the team's nickname into two works instead of the officially used one word as it has been since 1986.

Today's post is about the Black Hawk's logo. It has been an enduring one and is easily one of the most recognizable in sports. People from 80 years of age to 8 (according to this Sun-Times article) will be wearing some Black Hawks paraphernalia.

The Blackhawks logo has gone through many changes in its evolution, much like the team it represents -- one that stands just four wins away from its first Stanley Cup since 1961.

It was first introduced to the world in 1926 after team founder Frederic McLaughlin's wife, Irene Castle, designed it for her husband's franchise, which was in its infancy.

McLaughlin, a Harvard-educated coffee tycoon, named the team after a renowned leader of the Sauk tribe -- Chief Black Hawk -- after serving in a U.S. Army infantry unit that called itself the Black Hawks during World War I.

Castle was a popular ragtime dancer and vaudeville performer whose innovative style made her a trend-setter in the fashion realm. But perhaps her most durable legacy was coming up with the long-lasting symbol of the Original Six franchise.

Originally outlined with a black-and-white circle, the logo was ringed with the word "Black Hawks" on top and "Chicago" on the bottom. Facial features were few and far between, but it would become the groundwork for the icon going forward.

In 1937, color was added to the design as well as facial features. The feather, too, was more detailed. By 1960, the franchise had abandoned the encapsulating circle, and the profile took on a wider look. War paint, along with red, green, yellow and orange feathers adorned the back of the head.

Ten years later, the face took on a slimmer look and darker complexion. Today, it's very much the same as it was 40 years ago.

Enduring and believe it or not I have a jersey (actually a training jersey that I had bought in 2002) at home. Often I would wear it around campus and had more meaning as last year the Hawks were in the playoffs for the first time since 2002. That run was remarkable as it marked a turnaround for the original 6 NHL franchise especially since almost a year before Bill Wirtz (some fans may refer to him as "Dollar Bill" because he was unpopular) had passed away.

What ought to be next is a championship history since I did one with the Bears when they went to the Super Bowl. I wonder if I'll have enough time to do some before the Stanley Cup finals commence on Saturday!

I wonder if you notice how I type Black Hawks

I just felt like answering a question to something no one may notice but I'm sure wants to ask if they did.

It's my way of being retro. That's why in showing the Black Hawks logo I may be more apt to find a retro version of the Indian Head logo. The one above for instance and the one below.

Anyway looking up Black Hawks history it wasn't until 1986 that you see Blackhawks. From Wikipedia:

In 1985–86, while going through the team's records, someone discovered the team's original NHL contract, and found that the name "Blackhawks" was printed as a compound word as opposed to two separate words ("Black Hawks") which was the way most sources had been printing it for 60 years and as the team had always officially listed it. The name officially became "Chicago Blackhawks" from that point on.

Well there ya go, but in some respects I really like going retro. While the Black Hawks want to keep things official I think that I would like to keep them two separate words. And continue to use the old-style Indian head logos in addition to the current iteration of the Indian head seen below.

A few days ago when Marathon Pundit noted the success of the Black Hawks in this year's playoffs could again capture the attention of that American Indian groups who believe any sports teams' usage of American Indian images could be considered racist.

Although I think in the case of the Black Hawks they more or less honor American Indians more than any other team. The other one could be the University of Illinois as they are named for the Illini, a native Illinois tribe. Unfortunately UIllinois have had to put their mascot Chief Illiniwek to rest.

YouTube's at five years

Believe it or not YouTube didn't exist when I started blogging five years ago. If I wanted to share something I saw on TV with you all I could do is either link to it or discuss it in whatever detail I could.

Now assuming someone else has posted some segment from TV, I can embed onto this blog. And this doesn't merely have to be YouTube. These days we also have the luxury of embedding from a variety of sources, especially if that clip is available from a major media outlet whether newspaper, TV or whatever. So it doesn't always have to be YouTube.

For example if I were to embed from the C-Span archives the program on the American Presidents I can do that here. Now be prepared to watch a program in excess of 2 or 3 hours.

Of course not all we see on YouTube needs to be that serious. People have become "famous" because people may have created some mindnumbing entertainment. There doesn't have to be any rhyme or reason for it, but it captures people's attention for the moment.

Perhaps that's the revolution of YouTube.

Waiting for my train to pull off

At 95th street on board the new railcars. Watching car leveling in action.

Coco on 60 Minutes!!!

Watch CBS News Videos Online

His first interview since leaving Tonight back in January of this year. It had been 7 months since he assumed hosting duties. Sadly in a reshuffling Conan left NBC and Jay Leno got his old job back.

You know...

Expect him on TBS in the near future. He even comment on that deal in this interview as well.

Rode the 5000 series train on the Red Line!!!

Photo of a 5000 series car by Ben Meyerson.

I just want to mention this video by YouTube user msibnsf featuring the first day of passenger service of the 5000-series cars.

This was on Monday afternoon. I took a run in the late morning and then took a run from Howard Street all the way back to 95th Street. I have some thoughts to note!

First I noticed how the train will literally kneel to the platform at certain stops. On any other train you would literally have to step down off the train. Of course this isn't perfect as at certain stops you still have to step down onto the train. Of course this isn't treated like it's a whole stair on or off the train.

Second, the ride is certainly a lot quieter. You would have listen hard to hear the rumbles of the train wheels. This might mean for a smoother right however at times you would still feel the jerkiness of the ride especially if you were riding on the Dan Ryan line

The other innovations I like are the fact that you can see a map that will light up the point for the next stop. Also the LED screens that not only show you the stops but also the time and other information such as letting passengers know of delays and information with regards to the rules and regulations of the CTA.

I was trying to get pictures but wasn't bold enough to take any. Especially on either ends of the CTA Red Line. I hope this review is enough.

I would suggest however that you view this video taken on the first day the 5000 series cars began passenger service.

Since we're on the subject of sports from yesterday...

Click the old school Black Hawks logo to the official NHL Playoffs page

I saw the final period of game 5 and failed to see a minute of game 6 of the Black Hawks first round playoff series against the Nashville Predators. Monday night, they won game 6 to clinch the series and move on to round two in a rematch against the Vancouver Canucks. The Hawks face the Canucks last year in the second round of the playoffs and moved on to face Detroit in the Western Conference finals where the Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs.

In game 5 on Saturday I almost feared that the Hawks would lose the game. They tied the game in the closing seconds of the 3rd period and scored a goal in sudden death overtime. You can watch highlights from that game here!

Since I never saw Game 6, I'm going to be watching the highlights of that game with you. You can also see that here!

No word yet on when the Hawks/Canucks series will commence. It looks like we have one more game before we wrap up the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Even if it is in the Eastern Conference between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitols. The game will commence tonight at 6 PM Chicago time and that series is tied 3-3!

Just found on Chicago Breaking Sports News that the schedule for the Canucks/Hawks series will be announced as soon as the Montreal/Washington series is concluded tonight!

Been mulling something

I want to do something in the sidebar in honor of the baseball season. It has gotten nary a mention on this blog and the season is just over two or so weeks old.

It should be known around these parts that I consider myself a Cubs fan. Rarely will I discuss sports here because I just don't follow very well the on-field aspects of any sport. Basically if I do discuss anything it's the business aspects of sports. That is more interesting that the play itself.

That being said I want to really follow the Cubs this year. I just don't want to bore you with my opinions on why the Cubs win or lose or whatever. If nothing else, the only thing you will see here about the Cubs is whether or not they win or lose.

During the course of the season I want to place an image in the sidebar to let you know about how the Cubs are doing. Hopefully I can place it up top and that will mean some more changes in the sidebar. I've got one image to the left in mind to celebrate a Cubs victory, but I have something in mind to mark a Cubs loss. Sadly I know right now that I'm going to have some difficulty finding it.

Either way I hope that if you're a Cubs fan you might be willing to follow along in the sidebar and this will force me to keep track of the Cubs progress during the season. Even if I'm unable to actually watch a game either in person or on TV.

BTW, the Cubs won Monday at Wrigley defeating the Washington Nationals 4-3 in 10 innings!

In the market for a new camcorder

I got my eye on the Flip camera and decided to check out some of the models at a local Best Buy. The cheapest models is between $150 to $200 and at my rate of wages it seems like the most difficult amount for me to get off of if it was something I wanted.

The main reason that I want one is for something that I can use to shoot video on the go. It would be easier to use than a MiniDV camera which is what I currently own now. At least my time won't be wasted by having to load the camera with a tape before I can press record. At least this camera could fit in a pocket at least if I want to conceal it.

Another reason is that this type of camera is less intimidating that a regular video camera. I Googled and article to find that reason. Really this is key if you were a TV journalist and you're carrying around large expensive TV cameras. However I think this is key even for people who like to record video on the go and find that someone may have a problem with them shooting a video.

For right now at least I'm a long way from making a decision. When that purchase is made, expect the news to be posted here and

Photos of the day!!!

These are for the Marathon Pundit, John Ruberry. He's still tracking all the Obama stimulus signs in the Chicago area. Last summer I took pictures of signs along the Dearborn subway stations. This year Obama stimulus in Federal Plaza near Dearborn & Adams.

Looking at that sign, the plaza won't look much different that what it currently looks like. Ironically this was thought to be the site of last week's tea party rally which was held instead at Daley Plaza just up the street at Dearborn & Washington.

Black Hawks are even in their first round playoff series

To be honest I haven't been watching the last two games as I should have. I saw the closing minutes of both game one and two. Was disappointed in the outcome of game one as the Hawks was shutout by the Nashville Predators and elated to see a victory by the Hawks in game two.

I only thought about writing this post because of this article from Chicago Public Radio. For an interesting change (of course that's not to say they don't follow sports anyway) a sports article caught my eye from them.

If my work schedule permits I expect to be able to watch more games in the future in hopes that the Hawks will make their first Stanley Cup finals since 1992. They last won the cup back in 1961!

You can check out the NHL playoffs on the NHL's official website!

The new A-Team movie trailer

Or click here for the trailer

The movie is going to resemble the original TV series. People may still have a hang-up over the recasting of BA Baracus, but I got to say I don't mind him at all. Although I really think he'd do Mr. T a disservice by attempting to imitate him. Everyone else is exactly as I would expect them. Otherwise I can tell from the action of the trailer.

The last line of dialogue in the trailer, man if Dwight Schultz had said that it would've been very believable! It's said by a different actor, but that's the Murdoch I remember!!! BA when he sees his van crushed well I think I could live without his reaction. Or could I?

The van will similar to the TV series and man I like the worm shots the series was known for. That van is going to go airborne and the camera will be right on the ground when it finally lands.

The sad thing is, this might be the second movie I have seen in the past year. The last one Star Trek was also a remake of a TV series. While people may not be able to get over recasting BA Baracus I had to get over other actors playing my favorite Star Trek characters.

These pics take me way back

In the mid 1980s my mom would take me into downtown Chicago and usually we would take the L. Often the trips I remember was by the L. Until 1993 the Dan Ryan line would be elevated and routed to the Loop L and west along Lake Street to Harlem/Lake. Today the Dan Ryan line is routed through the State St. subway to the north side!

These pics posted by davidwilson1949 on flickr takes us back to 1986 and I had no idea that they started to build that eventual connection to the subway near Cermak/Chinatown that early!

This shot is looking south and you see how different this area looked approximately 24 years ago!

In this shot a southbound train from the loop is about to pull into Cermak/Chinatown. You see the work on the ramps that will in the future take Dan Ryan trains into the State Street subway.

Here's a better shot of the construction this time from the northeast. We're looking at the northbound side of Cermak Chinatown.

A northbound train heading towards the Loop L tracks. You see more of the construction of the route towards the State Street subway.

The train is up towards the connector on 18th Street that will take the train towards what was called the south side mainline tracks. The former Lake-Dan Ryan route would run along the Howard-Englewood-Jackson Park route. By 1993, trains from Englewood & Jackson Park would be routed to Lake Street to become the Green Line.

Those are the 18th Street tracks that takes the train east to the south side mainline. These days those tracks are part of the Orange Line that takes you to Midway Airport. Of course you see no indication of that line yet in these pics. Another unusual sight was this freight train along Metra's Rock Island route.

 Look back to the south a Dan Ryan train headed back towards 95th Street.

Looking to the west on Archer and Wentworth was according to David Wilson a yard for passenger trains for the AT&SF (these days part of the BNSF) Railway, these days however this place is now home to a commercial and residential development.

Man this takes me WAY back!

If you want some more information check out Chicago-L.org!