30 December 2014: Holiday Scenes from Philadelphia

City Hall and holiday shoppers on Market Street

Christmas display in the former Wanamaker's (now Macy's) department store.

Holiday window display at Macy's
featuring a model of the famous Wanamaker eagle

Irish Pub patrons wondering why i'm taking their picture

The new Rothman Ice Rink outside Philadelphia's City Hall

Skaters enjoying the Rothman rink

City hall courtyard with Christmas tree

29 December 2014: No Swimming

Swann Fountain, Logan Square, Philadelphia

24 December 2014

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

18 December 2014: Wile E. Coyote Gets Edumacated

The semester is over. The students have all gone away.
Time for the coyotes to come out and play.  

17 December 2014: Another One Bites the Dust

Adios, Mor-Way!

This happened quickly--i'm sure i saw people doing their laundry at this laundromat in the ugly little strip mall at Morse and Wayne just a couple of days ago. The little cell phone store in the same strip has also closed within the past few days. The only business still open there is the pharmacy. 

This strip mall was an eyesore when i moved to the neighborhood nearly fifteen years ago, and it hasn't improved with age. I hope that someone has a plan to develop that corner into something attractive and/or useful.

16 December 2014: Back to the Beach

It was relatively warm and just a little foggy on Monday morning--perfect for a walk to the beach. 

11 December 2014: Meanwhile in Lincoln Square….

Lincoln Square is one of the few Chicago neighborhoods that i like almost as much as my beloved Rogers Park. It's one of the best places i've found for patronizing high quality, independent businesses like the Book Cellar, Gene's Sausage Shop, and Merz Apothecary; it's also a great place to eat like a German (though i still mourn the demise of the extraordinary Delicatessen Meyer). Here are a few views of the 4700 block of N. Lincoln Ave. all decked out for the holidays. 

5 December 2014: 'Tis the Season

Carolers in the Block 37 Concourse on Wednesday

4 December 2014: Lunch on Wheels

Food trucks are a lot less common in Chicago than in other cities where  i've lived,
but this one is a beaut! I got a nice chicken sandwich from an even nicer man
on this truck on the near west side yesterday.