Jul
7
to Jan 1

PFLEGER SHUTS THE DAN RYAN

On Saturday, July 7, 2018 Chicago’s Father Michael Pfleger led a march of thousands of Chicago residents to protest police brutality and persistent neighborhood violence. Responding to a question from The Weekly Opine prior to the march, Pfleger said he was “surprised” to have the support of Chicago’s mayor. After tense negotiations involving Pfleger, Illinois State Police, City of Chicago Police, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Governor Bruce Rauner, marchers were permitted to fulfill Pfleger’s stated goal to shut down the Dan Ryan Expressway. Scroll down to view event photos. (All photos credit: The Weekly Opine) theweeklyopine.com/politics/2018/7/12/pfleger-tkos-chicago

Father Pfleger directs things before the march started.

Father Pfleger directs things before the march started.

Yours truly moments after interviewing Fr. Pfleger.

Yours truly moments after briefly speaking with Father Pfleger.

Chicago’s top cop Eddie Johnson (in white shirt) at pre-march press conference.

Chicago’s top cop Eddie Johnson (in white shirt) at pre-march press conference.

Marchers just before entering the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Marchers just before entering the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Mission accomplished. The Dan Ryan is shut down!

Mission accomplished. The Dan Ryan is shut down!

Marchers begin to exit the expressway.

Marchers begin to exit the expressway.

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Feb
5
to Jan 1

OUT OF TOWN ON A RAIL!

Boarded Amtrak on Tuesday, February 5 for an eight-night trip that took me to South Florida - destination Miami Beach. To quote the great, late-Jackie Gleason, “How sweet it is!” Scroll through the photos. (All photos credit: The Weekly Opine) theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2019/2/21/out-of-town-on-a-rail

Yea, get me outta here.

Yea, get me outta here.

Along the Potomac river outside Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.

Along the Potomac river outside Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.

Rolling through central Florida.

Rolling through central Florida.

Miami Beach: How sweet it is!

Miami Beach: How sweet it is!

Uh-oh.

Uh-oh.

Old Ebbitt Grill a few blocks from the White House.

Old Ebbitt Grill a few blocks from the White House.

A few hours from home. Yuck!

A few hours from home. Yuck!

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May
26
to Jan 1

THE GREAT SPECTACLE

After arriving in Indianapolis a day earlier to visit relatives, on Thursday, May 23rd, I drove to Speedway, Indiana to get a pre-race day peak at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). I approached the track on 16th Street and saw the familiar huge grandstands that run along Turn 2, the short chute, and Turn 1. Then I drove past campers and circled around to 25th Street. It had been years since I’d driven on Georgetown Road alongside the massive grandstands that frame Turn 4, the outside of the main straightaway and Turn 1. The world’s largest stadium did not fail to impress even me, who grew up just 15 miles from the track in Plainfield. (All photos credit: The Weekly Opine.) theweeklyopine.com/sports/2019/5/23/the-great-spectacle

This water tower says it all.

This water tower says it all.

The short chute grandstands between Turns 1 and 2 loom over 16th Street.

The short chute grandstands between Turns 1 and 2 loom over 16th Street.

Race fans campground just off Georgetown Road.

Race fans campground just off Georgetown Road.

Hungry?

Hungry?

Looking down Georgetown Road outside the front stretch grandstands at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Looking down Georgetown Road outside the front stretch grandstands at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Yours truly on the left with the gang that attends the race together every year.

Yours truly on the left with the gang that attends the race together every year.

The huge crowd along 16th Street moves slowly toward the track on race day.

The huge crowd along 16th Street moves slowly toward the track on race day.

Oops, these fans spilled their liquid gold!

Oops, these fans spilled their liquid gold!

The all-time best oval racer of them all, 4-time Indy winner Rick Mears.

The all-time best oval racer of them all, 4-time Indy winner Rick Mears.

The front row leads the field into Turn 3 on the pace lap.

The front row leads the field into Turn 3 on the pace lap.

All eleven rows are visible (front row top left in Turn 4) moments before taking the green flag!

All eleven rows are visible (front row top left in Turn 4) moments before taking the green flag!

Cars avoid the wreckage from the crash involving Sebastion Bourdais and Graham Rahal near the end of the race.

Cars avoid the wreckage from the crash involving Sebastion Bourdais and Graham Rahal near the end of the race.

The race (won by Simon Pagenaud) is over. Go out the same way you came in.

The race (won by Simon Pagenaud) is over. Go out the same way you came in.

Driving home from the race on Indiana’s I-65 an hour and a half south of Chicago.

Driving home from the race on Indiana’s I-65 an hour and a half south of Chicago.

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Jun
26
to Jan 1

RAILING AWAY!

Officially, hooked. One reason I am a train aficionado is the unhurried atmosphere at the train station. Another is that, unlike air travel, which is about getting from point A to point B, the train ride is an integral part of the vacation experience. Amtrak did not disappoint!

Meals are shared with interesting people. Dinner with a couple from Northern Virginia and a pie-maker from Dodge City. Breakfast with a couple from Pittsburgh. Lunch with a man from Palm Springs and a woman from Riverside, California. Dinner with a woman from Wisconsin and her college-age daughter. Pleasurable conversation with good food and wine.

Stepping off the train during “fresh air” stops I chatted with a guy from Poughkeepsie and a couple from Pittsburgh. Talked with grandparents and their 9-year old grandson. The young fella showed me how to make time-lapse videos using my iPhone. (All photos credit The Weekly Opine.) theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2019/6/26/railing-away

Midday mellowness abounds in Union Station’s Great Hall in Chicago.

Midday mellowness abounds in Union Station’s Great Hall in Chicago.

Cozy roomette quarters have a Mercury capsule feel.

Cozy roomette quarters have a Mercury capsule feel.

Glaciers did a number on Illinois, making it the second flattest state after Florida. Incessant rain has done a number on Illinois farmers. Many bare fields in late-June.

Glaciers did a number on Illinois, making it the second flattest state after Florida. Incessant rain has done a number on Illinois farmers. Many bare fields in late-June.

The Mississippi River is more intimidating when swollen from a deluge of rain.

The Mississippi River is more intimidating when swollen from a deluge of rain.

The Harvey Hotel in Dodge City, Kansas.

The Harvey Hotel in Dodge City, Kansas.

Storefronts in La Junta, Colorado, seen during a stop for fresh air.

Storefronts in La Junta, Colorado, seen during a stop for fresh air.

Here we go! First close-up of mountains, north of Trinidad, Colorado.

Here we go! First close-up of mountains, north of Trinidad, Colorado.

Room with a view, riding through New Mexico.

Room with a view, riding through New Mexico.

Big sky in New Mexico the day before the longest day of the year.

Big sky in New Mexico the day before the longest day of the year.

New Mexico’s rugged beauty offers ample photo opportunities.

New Mexico’s rugged beauty offers ample photo opportunities.

A cool formation in New Mexico.

A cool formation in New Mexico.

A great wall in New Mexico.

A great wall in New Mexico.

Post-train ride, downtown L.A. seen from Griffith Observatory in the Los Feliz neighborhood.

Post-train ride, downtown L.A. seen from Griffith Observatory in the Los Feliz neighborhood.

Holy Toledo! The Griffith Park cave that was staged as the bat cave in the 1960s campy TV show “Batman.”

Holy Toledo! The Griffith Park cave that was staged as the bat cave in the 1960s campy TV show “Batman.”

View from hills in San Diego looking toward downtown.

View from hills in San Diego looking toward downtown.

In the land of milk & honey, heading north on Hwy. 5 between San Diego and L.A.

In the land of milk & honey, heading north on Hwy. 5 between San Diego and L.A.

Another room with a view, from my hotel balcony in Century City. Just beyond the foreground is Beverly Hills and hilly Benedict Canyon.

Another room with a view, from my hotel balcony in Century City. Just beyond the foreground is Beverly Hills and hilly Benedict Canyon.

Headed home after a splendid SoCal vacay. Mountains at dusk north of Lytle Creek, California. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Headed home after a splendid SoCal vacay. Mountains at dusk north of Lytle Creek, California. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

On the way home New Mexico was still magnificent! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

On the way home New Mexico was still magnificent! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Final sunset of 9-night vacay. Near the Colorado-Kansas border. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Final sunset of 9-night vacay. Near the Colorado-Kansas border. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

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WHERE TIME STANDS STILL
Nov
21
to Jan 1

WHERE TIME STANDS STILL

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On November 22, 1963, when I was in first grade, President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Texas. Two weeks ago, nearly 56 years after JFK was assassinated, I finally traveled there to see the city, and the place called Dealey Plaza, preserved to look just as it did in 1963. It was an eye-opening exploit that provided a measure of closure. Below are specially curated photos that document my experience. As I learned, residents long ago recovered from the catastrophe that struck their city. Dallas now appears to be a thriving, cosmopolitan city. theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2019/11/21/where-time-stands-still

East Grade School, where I was a first-grader, emptied upon news President Kennedy had been shot. (Photo credit Plainfield Public Library)

East Grade School, where I was a first-grader, emptied upon news President Kennedy had been shot. (Photo credit Plainfield Public Library)

The glamorous First Couple arriving at Dallas Love Field on November 22, 1963. (Photo credit Life Magazine).

The glamorous First Couple arriving at Dallas Love Field on November 22, 1963. (Photo credit Life Magazine).

Dealey Plaza looks much the same today as it did in 1963. Clockwise from top left: the orange bricked Texas School Book Depository Building; the grassy knoll; the triple underpass; the spot where Abraham Zapruder filmed the assassination. (Photo cre…

Dealey Plaza looks much the same today as it did in 1963. Clockwise from top left: the orange bricked Texas School Book Depository Building; the grassy knoll; the triple underpass; the spot where Abraham Zapruder filmed the assassination. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The presidential motorcade began at Love Field. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The presidential motorcade began at Love Field. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Like San Francisco’s Haight and Ashbury, the corner of Houston and Elm streets in Dallas is famous, or in this case, infamous. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Like San Francisco’s Haight and Ashbury, the corner of Houston and Elm streets in Dallas is famous, or in this case, infamous. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Lee Harvey Oswald’s sniper’s nest on the 6th floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Lee Harvey Oswald’s sniper’s nest on the 6th floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald’s view from the sniper’s nest. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald’s view from the sniper’s nest. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The X on the street near the center of the photo is where the fatal shot hit Kennedy. Evidence points to accidental friendly fire from a Secret Service rifle. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The X on the street near the center of the photo is where the fatal shot hit Kennedy. Evidence points to accidental friendly fire from a Secret Service rifle. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Notable ballistics and forensics experts believe Secret Service Special Agent George Hickey, shown here brandishing his AR-15 behind JFK’s limo, inadvertently fired the shot that killed Kennedy. Their fact-based theory is intriguingly plausible. (Ph…

Notable ballistics and forensics experts believe Secret Service Special Agent George Hickey, shown here brandishing his AR-15 behind JFK’s limo, inadvertently fired the shot that killed Kennedy. Their fact-based theory is intriguingly plausible. (Photo credit Unnamed Motorist)

Barely one-hour after it began, JFK’s motorcade ended here at Parkland Hospital. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Barely one-hour after it began, JFK’s motorcade ended here at Parkland Hospital. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The news around the globe was the same. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The news around the globe was the same. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Ruth Paine’s boarding house, where Lee Harvey Oswald slept the night before he shot the president. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Ruth Paine’s boarding house, where Lee Harvey Oswald slept the night before he shot the president. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald was captured at the Texas Theater, which still operates in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald was captured at the Texas Theater, which still operates in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald was held in cell #2 at the Dallas Municipal Building. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald was held in cell #2 at the Dallas Municipal Building. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald (and later Jack Ruby) stood in front of this wall to have his mugshot taken. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald (and later Jack Ruby) stood in front of this wall to have his mugshot taken. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald was paraded up and down this hallway in front of media scrums. Note the silver-ish colored line on the floor (toward the right) that runs from the bottom of the photo to the top of the photo. That’s where the wall was in 1963, creating a pack…

Oswald was paraded up and down this hallway in front of media scrums. Note the silver-ish colored line on the floor (toward the right) that runs from the bottom of the photo to the top of the photo. That’s where the wall was in 1963, creating a packed, tension-filled space. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald, escorted by Detective Jim Leavelle, took this elevator to the municipal building basement to be transferred to the county jail. Moments later, Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Oswald, escorted by Detective Jim Leavelle, took this elevator to the municipal building basement to be transferred to the county jail. Moments later, Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The ambulance that carried Oswald from the municipal building basement used this ramp. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The ambulance that carried Oswald from the municipal building basement used this ramp. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Dallas is now a gleaming, cosmopolitan city with proud citizens. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Dallas is now a gleaming, cosmopolitan city with proud citizens. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

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Feb
20
to Jan 1

THREE FABULOUS DAYS

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For the second consecutive year, I spent a few days in Miami Beach to get away from Chicago’s winter. It was even more enjoyable the second time around. The late Jackie Gleason was correct. How sweet it is! (All photos credit The Weekly Opine) theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2020/2/20/three-fabulous-days

Add a cup of coffee and this view is the way to start every day.

Add a cup of coffee and this view is the way to start every day.

Follow the footsteps into the Atlantic Ocean.

Follow the footsteps into the Atlantic Ocean.

The former mansion of the late Gianni Versace.

The former mansion of the late Gianni Versace.

The newsstand - and the news - is gone from South Beach’s News Cafe.

The newsstand - and the news - is gone from South Beach’s News Cafe.

The place to be for a relaxing, slow lunch and conversation.

The place to be for a relaxing, slow lunch and conversation.

A leisurely way to spend midday.

A leisurely way to spend midday.

Our tour boat was dwarfed by ships carrying containers to and from faraway locales.

Our tour boat was dwarfed by ships carrying containers to and from faraway locales.

Chicago gangster Al Capone’s swimming pool was behind this structure. His home was hidden in the grove of palm trees.

Chicago gangster Al Capone’s swimming pool was behind this structure. His home was hidden in the grove of palm trees.

Palm trees sure put you in a good mood.

Palm trees sure put you in a good mood.

The sun begins to fade on my last day in Miami Beach.

The sun begins to fade on my last day in Miami Beach.

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IU DELIVERS
Mar
12
to Jan 1

IU DELIVERS

On Thursday, March 5-6, 2020, Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School held its fifth annual “America’s Role in the World” conference. It was an outstanding two days of informative panels, punctuated by former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch receiving the inaugural Richard G. Lugar Award. (All photos credit The Weekly Opine) theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2020/3/12/iu-delivers

A beautiful early-spring drive down Indiana’s I-65 between Chicago and Lafayette.

A beautiful early-spring drive down Indiana’s I-65 between Chicago and Lafayette.

The building housing the Hamilton Lugar School is a magnificent building.

The building housing the Hamilton Lugar School is a magnificent building.

Standing room only crowd in the Shreve Auditorium both days necessitated two overflow rooms!

Standing room only crowd in the Shreve Auditorium both days necessitated two overflow rooms!

The Day One panel on U.S. - China relations was outstanding, as were all of the panels.

The Day One panel on U.S. - China relations was outstanding, as were all of the panels.

Ambassador William Burns being interviewed by Susan Glasser of The New Yorker.

Ambassador William Burns being interviewed by Susan Glasser of The New Yorker.

Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch shortly before receiving the Richard G. Lugar Award.

Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch shortly before receiving the Richard G. Lugar Award.

The IU Auditorium was packed for Ambassador Yovanovitch’s appearance.

The IU Auditorium was packed for Ambassador Yovanovitch’s appearance.

Bloomington, Indiana’s Monroe County Courthouse, bathed in sunset Friday evening after the conference ended.

Bloomington, Indiana’s Monroe County Courthouse, bathed in sunset Friday evening after the conference ended.

Smoke stacks are smoking just south of Indianapolis as I head home Saturday morning.

Smoke stacks are smoking just south of Indianapolis as I head home Saturday morning.

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Sep
23
to Jan 1

WORLD-CLASS CSO

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Seeing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the unparalleled Riccardo Muti, was a memorable occasion. Having years ago witnessed championship Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls teams, it was high time to see one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. The CSO delivered! theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2021/9/30/world-class

A glimpse of the sun setting between Chicago skyscrapers - known as Chicagohenge - was a precursor to a delightful evening. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Symphony Center is home base for the world-renown Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Attending a CSO concert for the first time required going first cabin, i.e., box seats. It was a great decision. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Room with a view. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Moments earlier, these seats were filled by top-of-the-line musicians. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

We had a splendid evening with one exception. Other than participating in the national anthem, trombones were left out of the evening’s performance. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

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Feb
18
to Jan 1

DESERT MOD SQUAD

Want to get away from Chicagoland in February? There’s not a better place than Palm Springs. It’s becoming a tradition! theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2022/2/24/groovin

These couches typified the cool vibe of Modernism Week in Palm Springs, California. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Who wouldn’t want to hang out at this pool? (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Or this pool? (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

A favorite place to eat while visiting the Palm Springs area. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

There’s an awesome zoo out here, too! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Mountain sunrises make it easy to get the day started. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The San Andreas fault runs alongside these mountains. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Another pool, why not? (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

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Sep
9
to Jan 1

LINCOLN'S HOME

A trip to Springfield, Illinois presented a long overdue opportunity to visit historical places related to America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln. theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2022/9/15/abe-the-great

Abraham Lincoln’s house looks much like it did in the mid-19th Century. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

An authentic couch that Lincoln would have sat on when he lived here. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Mary Todd Lincoln would have used this stove to cook for her family. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The Springfield, Illinois train depot Lincoln departed from when he travelled to Washington, D.C. to become president. Presumably, his body returned to this depot four years later. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Gloves Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The original vault that contained Lincoln’s body. His obelisk atop his permanent burial site can be seen in the background above. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

This spectacular monument and tomb of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois’ Oak Ridge Cemetery. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Lincoln’s headstone. For security purposes, his coffin is buried 10 feet below, covered with two tons of concrete. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

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Aug
26
to Jan 1

HARPERS FERRY / D.C. MARCH

A hiccup from Amtrak notwithstanding, it was a perfect trip to history-soaked Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and then to Washington, D.C. to attend the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2023/8/31/wide-awake

Scenic serenity abounds in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and belies what took place here 165 years ago. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Downtown Harper’s Ferry sparkles at night. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

In 1859, abolitionist John Brown occupied this Harper’s Ferry fort and started the skirmish that led to the Civil War. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

It was a beautiful day for the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Among star-studded speakers were (Top L clockwise) MLK III, Rep. James Clyburn, Eric Michael Dyson, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. (Photos credit The Weekly Opine)

Attendees were passionate and energized with a mellow undercurrent. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

It was a memorable day in D.C.! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Riding the rails saying goodbye to Harper’s Ferry on the way home from D.C. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

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Aug
21
to Jan 1

DNC IN CHICAGO

Pre-convention anxiety gave way to a joyful celebration in Chicago as Democrats nominated Kamala Harris to be their presidential candidate. The predicted hundreds of thousands of protesters did not materialize. theweeklyopine.com/politics/2024/8/24/chi-town-shindig

By all accounts Chicago and the Democrats ran a smooth convention. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The United Center in Chicago was the center of world politics for four days in August. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

With one exception on opening night, the strong police presence kept protesters from acting out of bounds. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Protesters couldn’t have asked for better weather. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Like this woman, protesters are not enamored with the two choices. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

What’s the replacement if the whole system goes? (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

After the convention left town Union Park returned to normalcy. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

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