I LOOKED OUT MY WINDOW, AND FOUND JESUS... AND I'M JEWISH! By Jerry Pritikin

It's a fact, it happened... and this being the day after the shortest day... means that the days are getting longer....again!
I assume, these are students of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. This happens to be the softball field of Walter Payton Prep High School on N.Wells at Oak Street. This was taken from the 13th floor. I've been here for 15 years, and my view is constantly changing, with the weather and new buildings among the old on my horizon. This is just one that I enjoyed finding, and glad I had my camera handy. That's problem. It's camera worthy everyday... living on the 13 th floor gives me an out of body like feeling often.

Phil Cavarretta, 1945 NL MVP with Cubs, dies at 94

Phil Cavarretta was my first Cubs Hero. He was a local Cub player who went to Lane Tech High School in the early 1930's. From the first Cubs game I attended in 1945, I liked the Cubs first sacker, with a big numbered 44 on his back. The Cub's radio announcer(WIND) Bert Wilson, had a nickname for him "Philabuck" . In 1946, when I was 9 years old, I recall walking home after (Hibbard) School, by way of Lawrence Avenue, and in the window of Little Al's Radio and Phonograph Store... who's slogan was "Where the Customer was always Wrong! I witnessed the first time I ever saw a tv image. On the 10 inch black and white RCA Victor table model, I noticed a baseball game was being televised, and there on the screen was a batter with the number 44 on his back, and I knew at once it was Cavarretta! He then grounded out to end the game, and in my young mind, I thought the game had ended a short while before, because it must of took time for the image to go from Wrigley Field, to WBKB, Chicago's only tv station, and then into that TV in the store window! I have an old Saturday Evening Post magazine ad, With Cavarretta, that was sponsored by Wheaties, the "Breakfast of Champions,"with Phil, and his family. I made my mom go out and buy some! I also recall when Phil was traded to the White Sox, and being interviewed live by Bob Elston , and Commander Elston, asking Phil if he had any regrets leaving the Cubs, and he responded "SHIT NO!" I remember many ballplayers wearing # 44, including Hall of Fame members, Hank Aaron and Willie McCovey... but for me, there will always be only one #44, Phil Cavarretta!

575 Castro Street-"Center Earth" for the S.F.Gay Rights movement in the 1970s. By Jerry Pritikin

About a month ago, I received an email from the HRC,(Human Rights Campaign) the largest gay rights organization in th country. They asked me for my permission to use my iconic image of Harvey Milk, for their new store that will be located at 575 Castro Street. That's the landmark location of Harvey Milk's camera shop, made even more famous in the "Milk" movie. I told their representative that I had problems with some of HRC's programs. They have had many Black-Tie Events, and I felt they were pricing OUT gay students,seniors and the average hourly wage gays from attending them. I also remarked, that I felt they were wrong when they left the trans-gender segment of the gay community out of their "Rights" agaendas. That being said... I feel it can become a great attraction for tourist, and or gay pilgrims visiting that landmark location. In the past few days, a few of the people depicted in the MILK movie, has cried fowl... saying Harvey would be appall, knowing that the HRC is moving into his location. I honestly doubt that! Recently there was a posting on the site known as THOUGHTS FROM A QUEER NUDEST http://nudewoody.blogspot.com/2010/11/harveys-as-happiest-place.html tellin the history about Harvey's landlord at the 575 Castro location, that raised the rent many hundreds of dollars and forced Harvey to move from that location in early 1978. It also tells how Paul Langley, in the late 1980's raised the rent of the well known Elephant Walk Bar & Restaurant from $6,000. to 12,000. a month forcing them out of business. Paul came to me and asked if I would sell him a few of my Harvey Milk images and memorabilia... and I refused, because I knew his background in the evolution of the Castro.I also found out that the story was based on one of my comments on a well known gay website, called the Petrlis Files.

I am now in negotiations with the HRC, to use my "Milk/Save Our Rights" image as a mural on the back wall. I would be honored
if it happens. I first met Harvey when he opened that location, and bought my film and had it develped there,too. That was center earth for much of the early gay rights movement. In my archives are more stories about those times. Hope everyone has a Great Holiday Season and New Year. I'll let you know of any up-dates...Cheers, Jerry

The image Harvey Milk and me Photo credit Danny Nicoletta Others (c) Jerry Pritikin

Out, The Glenn Burke Story... with Jerry Pritikin

There is a new documentary that recently had its premier at the Castro Theater in San Francisco. I had a brief cameo in it. I first met Glenn when he was still with the Dodgers. During the off season, Glenn was playing in a choose up basketball game with several other gay athletes. At the time I was a photographer for a San Francisco gay newspaper, and Glenn asked me to refrain from taking his photograph because of the consequences, and I honored his wishes. Glenn was a great guy, but the pressures of being gay and playing in the major leagues in time took its toll. There have been a few reviews that had comparisons to Jackie Robinsons breaking the color barrier in 1947, and some reviews saying that was not a just comparison. I happen to believe, it was more then just to do so! This documentary is completely on target, and long over due. I am thankful to have been part of this historical documentary about Glenn Burke, and his life after he left Professional Baseball. It soon will be made available as a DVD.

11.10: Out: The Glenn Burke Story -- Drew Remenda
"You're in a foxhole with somebody, and the ...

11.10: Out Town Hall Meeting -- Larry Baer, Drew Remenda & Monte Poole
Greg Papa hosts the town hall meeting at ...

11.10: Out Town Hall Meeting -- Bill Romanowski, Lorenzo Neal & Ray Ratto
Greg Papa hosts the town hall meeting at ...

11.10: Out. The Glenn Burke Story
Brodie Brazil reports from the movie's premiere ...

11.10: Out -- Movie Producers Sean Maddison and Doug Harris
The co-producers of "Out. The Glenn Burke ...

11.10: Out -- Ted Griggs with Brodie Brazil
Comcast SportsNet GM Ted Griggs joins Brodie ...

11.10: Out -- Glenn Burke's Family with Brodie Brazil
Felicia and Sydney tell Brodie that Glenn ...

11.10: Out: The Glenn Burke Story -- Roger Brigham
"He's nurtured many of the athletes."

Out: The Glenn Burke Story -- Trailer
'Out: The Glenn Burke Story' re-airs tonight ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Billy Bean
Former Major League outfielder, gay rights ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Tommy Hawkins
Former Los Angeles Dodgers VP of Communications ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Claudell Washington
Former Major League Outfielder

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Reggie Smith
Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder.

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Pamela Pitts
Oakland Athletics Director of Baseball Administration. ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Davey Lopes
Former Los Angeles Dodger, Philadelphia Phillies ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Larry Corrigan
Former Dodgers-Minor League teammate, Pittsburgh ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Eric Sherman
Author, "Out at Home, the Glenn Burke Story". ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Jon Rochmis
Former Oakland Tribune sportswriter, journalism ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story- Marvin Webb
Former Los Angeles Dodgers Minor Leaguer. ...

Out- The Glenn Burke Story - Mike Norris
Former Oakland Athletics pitcher.

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
AIR DATES/TIMES


8pm

Out. The Glenn Burke Story “Glenn was comfortable with who he was. Baseball was not comfortable with who he was.” –Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim, Childhood Friend and Sports Agent Glenn Burke’s journey through baseball began and ended in Oakland, California. His sports career had many stops along the way, starting as a multi-sport star at Berkeley High School, followed by a brief stint at the University of Nevada, Reno as a prized basketball recruit, and then moving into professional baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers, being hailed by one coach as “the next Willie Mays.” Early in his career, Burke felt he had to hide his true self from his teammates. Later, when he began to reveal glimpses into his sexuality the baseball establishment began to close him out. Out. The Glenn Burke Story, a one-hour documentary produced by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, tells the dramatic tale of Burke’s legacy as the first openly homosexual Major League Baseball player. From his Major League debut in 1976 and starting Game One of the 1977 World Series for the Dodgers to subsequently being traded to the Oakland Athletics the next season, and then walking away in 1980 from the game that he deeply loved, Comcast SportsNet follows one of baseball’s most dramatic arcs. Many of Burke’s teammates were aware of his homosexuality during his playing career, as were members of management. And many of those teammates believe that his sexuality – and the reaction it provoked – led to the premature derailment of his baseball career. Out. The Glenn Burke Story tells the tumultuous story of the wedge that was driven between Burke and the Los Angeles management, the ensuing similar situation in Oakland that led to Burke’s abrupt retirement, and the hero’s welcome that Burke received in San Francisco’s Castro District after he left professional baseball. Comcast SportsNet’s narrative follows Burke through his public announcement of his homosexuality in a 1982 Inside Sports magazine article (‘The Double Life of a Gay Dodger’) and on The Today Show with Bryant Gumbel, to his subsequent downward spiral to drugs, prison, and eventually living on the same San Francisco streets where he was once hailed as an icon. Burke’s story took on another level of tragedy when he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1994. Yet at the end of his life, the game that he claimed abandoned him so many years before reached out to one of its own. The A’s found Burke and provided him with constant support in his final months, as did some of his former teammates. Glenn Burke passed away on May 30, 1995 at the age of 42 of AIDS-related complications. Out. The Glenn Burke Story documents the extent of Burke’s courage, strife and friendship throughout his life, and the compassion and callousness of the sport of baseball. The program weaves together insights from Burke’s teammates and friends, including Dusty Baker, Davey Lopes, Reggie Smith, Rick Monday, Manny Mota, Rickey Henderson, Claudell Washington, Mike Norris, Shooty Babitt, Tito Fuentes, and former Major Leaguer and gay rights activist Billy Bean,and Gay Softball player,Jerry Pritikin.

National Museum of American Jewish History

Jerry Pritikn's First Chutzpah Award Goes to Cubs Owners!

Today's Trib Headlines 11/12/10
Jerry Pritikin aka The Bleacher Preacher
Real Baseball Fans are an Endangered Species T-shirt designed by Pritikin over 10 years ago.

(Chicago,Il.) I think I heard it before... I am mad as hell, and I am not going to take it anymore! Ironically, I do not consider myself a ba$eball fan anymore either, because I have been priced out of the "Friendly Confines" of Chicago's Wrigley Field , at the face value of a Bleacher Ticket. My Dad, who was my BASEBALL RABBI, and taught me "Baseball 101" and Cubs History way back in 1945, that also included stories of his adventures when the Cubs played at the Old West-Side ballpark dating back to 1906-08. There he picked up beer and soda bottles to get free entry into the games. He had stories of Cubs teams and players ever since that time, and even during the Great Depression he said the average person, working or not working could still afford a day at the old ballpark.

When the Tribune Company bought the team in 1981, they had a catchy slogan... "Building a New Tradition". However, they forgot to tell us fans... that it came at the expense of many of the fine traditions... that earned Wrigley Field the moniker, "The Friendly Confines". Each year since the Tribune Company, and the Ricketts Family cartel that now own the team... has constanly raised tickets, food and beer prices so much... the average fan taking his family to a game, would have to file for bankruptcy... to do so!

I gave Players, Owners, Scribes and Fans Awards during my 25 years that I roamed inside and outside the ballpark. After seeing today's headlines in both the Trib, and Sun-Times... I almost want to come out of retirement... just to give one more Award... however I decided to make my First WWW Chutzpah Award, via my blog and it's an imaginary one... since I have not learned to master the Photo-shop tools, needed to make one... and if I waited until someone helped me... it might be too late. I am attaching the following "Letters to the Editor"... that I sent to both the Trib and Sun-Times, as the messenger to my response of Today's Headlines:

Editor:
If there are needs for improvements at Wrigley Field, it should not come from the City's entertainment tax, and the fans should not pay for building improvements, either. I recommend that funding be based on the Cubs payroll. There should be a 10% Added Value tax on all games played at Wrigley, with 5% paid by the Cubs, and 5% paid by the players for all home games. The same Added Value Tax formula should be put on any other Entertainment venue, based on what Bands are paid, or other events that take place within the "Friendly Confines". If the Cubs new owners don't like that... let them move.

Jerry Pritikin aka The Fan Formally Know as the "Bleacher Preacher"

P.S. Look forward to my next Chutzpah Award... and also take the time to leave your comment on this, or any other of my postings on this site... PLEASE!

Quarterback Scores Cheeky Touchdown;The Driscoll Middle School

I HAVE NOT SEEN A PLAY LIKE THIS SINCE JOE E. BROWN OR RUDY VALLEY DID IT IN AN OLD TIME MOVIE! Cheers to the coach and players... The Bleacher Preacher

The Pritikin Poll, Now & Then...

Jerry Pritikin
Winds on Castro Street December-1978 (c) Jerry Pritikin
Jerry with Harvey Milk-1978 Photo Credit: Danny Nicoletta

I am 73 years old, and have voted for over 50 years, in that time I have never been asked to participate in one poll! I really don't give a crap at poll results, period. They don't reflect me, or how I vote. Next to all those negative ads, the thing I hate about elections, are the dam polls! In the 50s, I heard about the Jewish Vote, and later the black vote, and now the gays votes. Let's face facts... the only vote that count are those in the ballot box. I was involved in the early gay politics in San Francisco... and you know what I found OUT, that gay's are no different than any other voting group.

When Harvey Milk was running against a non-gay, married lawyer... who was a freedom rider in the south during the civil rights movement in the 1960s, and defended G.I.s who did not want to return to the Vietnam war, and was a resident of District 5 for most of his adult life. Even though I was Jewish and openly gay like Harvey...and a friend of Harvey Milk... I supported Terry Hallinan, over Harvey Milk, because he was more qualified to serve most of the citizens and businesses in the District. There were 2 gay newspapers, and they supported Harvey, because he was gay. After Harvey was elected and then assassinated in November of 1978, there was a group from the "Gay Democratic Club" putting out flyer's asking that the gay community get behind Harvey's Campaign Manager and City Hall Aid, Ann Kronenberg to replace Harvey's seat on the Board of Supervisors.. It was signed by their President, Harry Britt. Terry and I both supported this campaign. Some how, after meeting with Mayor Feinstein.... guess who was appointed? Harry Britt! Terry Hallinan had agreed to be Harvey's Co-Chairman for the next election... because Harvey was doing a good job representing the District. However, Terry decided to re-run for the "Open" District 5 Supervisor's seat. The "Gay Democratic Club, changed it's name to the "Harvey Milk Democratic Club", and one of the their first campaign brochures asked the question "Who needs a gay Supervisor? and on the inside it said "We Do!" Can you imagine what would of happened if Terry, put out a brochure asking "Who needs a "straight" Supervisor? We do!" Terry chose the Campaign Slogan "UNITED WE STAND", and The Bay Area Reported gay newspaper claimed that it was "Overtly" anti-gay, as well as Terry,was too for using it. I took the time to write a "Letter to the Editor" why I supported Terry Hallinian. Above my name they boldly printed "GAYS FOR HOMOPHOBIA", and deleted the 2 main paragraphs from my letter. When B.A.R. came OUT for their support of Harry Britt... Guess what HEADLINE they used? "UNITED WE STAND", the same paper that said, Terry was anti-gay for using it! I used to go with Terry, when he spoke to groups that supported candidates with endorsements. One of those groups was the Young California Gay Republicans... that later changed their name to "Log Cabin Republicans". While Terry was talking to their Board... at one of their club meetings, I struck up a conversation with a very good looking 18 year old... this was not long after that 18 year old got to vote. We were talking about everything but politics, when another person joined in our conversation without being invited, and proclaimed that he had just got talking with Jerry Pritikin (me) and added... you know, the anti-gay queer, who is supporting the anti-gay Terry Hallinan, and at that point, I turned to the young man and extended my hand and said"My name is Jerry Pritikin", and then turned to the other guy, and said "What else did I have to say?"... he then turned and left... Terry was elected Supervisor several years later, and then elected twice as San Francisco's District Attorney. In his administration, he hired over 40 openly gay lawyers and workers... remember, this is the same guy who was branded "Anti-Gay"!

President Harry Truman said "That if you can't stand the heat of a political kitchen, stay out!" Frankly, I don't mind the heat... it is the lies that are flung during election time. Like I said... the only vote that matters to me, is my vote. In those 50's years since I started to vote... I discovered that gays are no different than any other group. They consist of bigots, that includes Hetero-phobes, as well as all religions, Atheist , people of all sizes(pun intended)and colors, left wingers, right wingers and you,too! (if you are gay)... Hey, if your not...we all can't be perfect!

ATTENTION MR & MRS. AMERICA AND THE SHIPS AT SEA...

THIS WAS PAST ON TO ME... WHAT AMERICA NEEDS ARE MORE MINDS LIKE CHARLEY REESE! Photo: (c) Jerry Pritikin

Subject: Charley Reese's Final Column ...

Charley Reese is retiring. His last column is this one. I know many will miss this southern gentleman. He had a great run and we are all better off for it. Farewell, Mr. Reese, and thank you. Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years. Be sure to read the Tax List at the end. This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be - read it!! The article below is completely neutral, not anti republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinal has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering! 545 vs. 300,000,000 EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE. READ IT AND THEN REALLY THINK ABOUT OUR CURRENT POLITICAL DEBACLE. 545 PEOPLE -- By Charlie Reese Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits? Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes? You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does. One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank. I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes. Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it. The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to. It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist. If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red. If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan. If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way. There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do. Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses. Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees. We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess! Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper. What you do with this article now that you have read it ... Is up to you. This might be funny if it weren't so true. Be sure to read all the way to the end: Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table, At which he's fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes Are the rule. Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts anyway! Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat. Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt. Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he ttries to think. Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries tax his tears. Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways to tax his ass. Tax all he has Then let him know That you won't be done Till he has no dough. When he screams and hollers; Then tax him some more, Tax him till He's good and sore. Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in which he's laid... Put these words Upon his tomb, Taxes drove me to my doom...' When he's gone, Do not relax, Its time to apply The inheritance tax.. Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CDL license Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon) Gross Receipts Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax) Liquor Tax Luxury Taxes Marriage License Tax Medicare Tax Personal Property Tax Property Tax Real Estate Tax Service Charge Tax Social Security Tax Road Usage Tax Recreational Vehicle Tax Sales Tax School Tax State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax Telephone State and Local Tax Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax Vehicle Sales Tax Watercraft Registration Tax Well Permit Tax Workers Compensation Tax STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?' I hope this goes around THE USA at least a million times!!! YOU can help it get there!!! GO AHEAD - - - BE A GREAT AMERICAN!!! Forward it to YOUR list! P.S. If you do the right thing and pass this on - which is entirely up to you - please do the right thing and highlight and delete any Email addresses you receive with it. Thanks.

October 17th,1989 I left my dream in San Francisco! By Jerry Pritikin

THIS IS MY BOARDING PASS FOR MY FLIGHT BACK TO CHICAGO OCT.17,1989

Back on this date in 1989, I was in San Francisco. I had returned to the Bay Area, for the Cubs/Giants playoff games the week before. When the Cubs lost... I decided to spend more time visiting old friends,and stayed with my brother Neil,in Navato. I planned to return to Chicago on the 17th. On the Morning of that day, I awoke from a very weird dream. Usually I was able to self analize my own dreams... but this was different. While having breakfast, I told my brother about my dream... it was a kind of out-of-body type of dream, like I was witnessing a newsreel of an devastating event, from a helicopter. There were overturned cars, and trucks hanging over the sides of rooftops, with people dazed all about... and Neil said I should stop smoking weed before going to sleep! A couple of hours later, he drove me to the San Francisco airport, and I borded the airplane on my way back to Chicago. About an hour and a half later, the pilot made an announcement... that there was a major earthquake in San Francisco, and the Bay Bridge had collapsed. There were gasps, and then almost silence for the rest of the flight. When we landed, I ran to the nearest TV, and they were showing video of the earthquake... and one of the first scenes showed the collapsed of the Nimitz Highway... with smoking cars, and smahed trucks, and dazed people looking over from the top deck... and it looked like my dream, except it was not rooftops, but looked very similar. For the next several days, I tried contacting my brother, and when I finally got in touch with him... The first thing he said to me was "THE NEXT TIME YOU DREAM, DREAM ABOUT MONEY!

Happy Birthday Kukla & Ollie! Thanks for the memories!

I can actually remember the first image on our first television, back on this day in 1947 when I was 10 years old. What was unusual, was that our TV set was the first in the Albany Park neighborhood, that was not in a bar or tavern. Prior to that event... I used to sneak into Steiner's Bar on Kedzie and Lawrence Avenue, to watch all kinds of sports on Chicago's only TV station-WBKB. I used to sit on the bar's foot rail, and look up to the 10" TV, after school or on the weekend. When my Dad heard that I was hanging around Steiner's, he wanted to nip my new pastime in the bud. I recall him coming home from work from South Water St. produce market on a Monday afternoon, and asking me to go with him, without telling me where we was going. A few blocks away, we stopped at "Little Al's Radio and Phonograph Store" who's slogan was printed on their window... WHERE THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS WRONG!"

He had ordered a 10" RCA Victor wooden black and white (color tv was years in the future!) consol TV. There were no credit cards back then, and I remember my dad paying cash... $450. for the set, $65. for an outdoor antenna and $65 for a one year warranty and then, along with Mr. Al, we took it back to our house on N. Troy St. with a 2 wheel hand truck... it was a very large box. Because RCA had to install the outdoor antenna, Al put up an temporary indoor antenna. Then he turned on the TV... and the first image was an introduction to a kids program called "Junior Jamboree". It was a puppet show. At first, I was not impressed, because one puppet who was called Kukla, mouth did not move, and was mostly bald. However, I liked the other puppet named Ollie, who had a big moving mouth and a single tooth! They had a beautiful friend called Fran Allison, who talked to them, and sang a few songs. As time went by, I forgot about Kukla's non-moving mouth, and even forgot he and the other character's were puppets... and they became my friends after school. Once in a while, they had guest like Roy Rogers. They changed the name of the program a short time later to "KUKLA,FRAN AND OLLIE". I began going down to the studio at 190 N.State Street on the 12th Floor of the State-Lake Building after school. Because their studio was very small, and the camera's very big... I watched the show on a Philco projection tv, in the little theater. I was treated royally evey time I showed up... and liked when they would mention my name on the air. I got to meet other TV personalities. I recall when Chicago got its second TV station, when WGN-9 went on the air, followed by WENR-7 and WNBQ-5. With the advent of coaxial cable, soon we were watching live shows from New York,and our living room became a the neighborhood landmark... for kids programs, Cubs and Sox games, wrestling, old movies and the latest news. In 1948, I watched the Boston-Cleveland World series, the Election results and in January of 1949, I got to see Harry Truman's Inaugural...

Looking back, I am thankful that my dad changed my bar habit, and replaced it with many memories of events that came into our living room via that new thing called television!

Running in Chicago's Marathon and Politics (c) J Pritikin

Rahm Emanuel (c) J Pritikin-2010

The leader's passing my 13th fl. window on Wells Street at 8:15 a.m. 10/10/10 (c)J.Pritikin

Fall colors and longer shadows, plus the runners in the Chicago Marathon... but the race I am

interested in, is the race for Chicago's next Mayor. When Rahm Emanuel was President Obama's Chef of Staff... he gave to the inner circle of his staff "Intersteller Propeller" Beany Caps with propellers. He gave those receiving them... the moniker "Propeller Heads"! Well I never ran in any marithon, and once in a while, I ran to catch a bus... however, I have been wearing an "Intersteller Propeller" Beany since 1981. It was when I was handling the public relations for the San Francisco production of the play, "Bleacher Bums". I thought there was a need for one of the cast of characters to wear a propeller beany, that would spin through out the play like the winds of Wrigley Field, the location of the set for the play. So I checked the Yellow Pages and found "Intersteller Propeller" listed out of Berkeley. The owner, a real character left over from the Haight Ashbury, named Stacy Samuels. I talked Lee Sankowich, the Director into the idea. The play, and my beany changed my life. I used to give celebrities beany's, then snap pictures of them. Back in the mid 1980's, when I became known as "The "Bleacher Preacher", my "Intersteller Propeller", along with my 10 Cub-Mandments, Lifesize Voodoo Doll, and Cub-Conversion's became a media hit. I switched to a solar powerd pith helmet with a propeller on it... and Stacy, rewarded me with a solid gold propeller to replace the plastic one. At that time the only other solid gold propeller, was given to Wavy Gravey.

So the Chicago Marathon for 2010 is now history... However, the race is on for the next Mayor of Chicago, and I'm tossing my "Intersteller Propeller" beany into the ring of Rahm Emanuel's supporters... for the next Mayor of Chicago. Last Thursday, I was at the Breaker's Senior Resident Apartment, because Rahm was speaking there. As he past me, he read my sign, and gave me a thumbs up! I am also supporting Mechele Smith, for the Alderman of the 43rd Ward. I am looking forward to having a great time getting involved in Chicago politics, again!

The first time was in 1948 when I was 11 years old. My future Brother in-law was supporting

Henry Wallace, the candidate of the Progressive Party for President. I attached a "WALLACE" sign to my back on Election Day, and as I walked next to the local polling place on N. Troy St. in Albany Park... a Chicago Cop ripped it off my back, because as he said" I was too close to the polling place!" The next time was in the late fifties, when I was made a Democratic Poll Judge for a day, by Patty Bauler, the famed Alderman of the 43rd Ward. He assigned me to 1550 Lake Shore Drive... a fashionable high rise on Chicago's Gold Coast. I did not have to work hard, because there were no Democrats living there! Well, in future postings, I'll write about my other adventures in Chicago, and San Francisco Politics ... until then Cheers!

Take a minute... and stay longer... (c) Jerry Pritikin

(c) J Pritikin Entrance across from Washington Sq.Pk. S.F.-1977
I added a new image to the header, I was not sure if the last one scared some visitors, but too many only spent a second or few
and left the site.. I enjoy knowing that my stories and images are on the www. Some read a page or two... and many read lots of them. When I started out showing my images in a Castro Street bakery... just a few yards away from today's Harvey Milk Plaza in San Franciso. It was a popular bus and streetcar transfer spot... and I sold very few... but the fact is... I enjoyed so many people looking at my work(hobby). I also like knowing some people are enjoying them... HOWEVER, I HAVE A FAVOR TO ASK OF YOU.
There has been so few comments on my photos... and I would love to get you thoughts on any of my posted images or stories. I have helped some college students, infact a few from Germany... and I have had hits from throughout the world.

Please, take a stroll while you are here. Even mark it as a favorite... And do as I do... spend some time here every so often. And let me know what's on your mind in regards to these pages.
Thanks, Jerry
P.S. Omie is coming back,soon!

Jack-POT Out of the Stone Age. (c)J.Pritikin

Idea for a story... Jack-POT!

How lucky I was to be in San Francisco at the times I was. I bought my first lid of Pot (ounce)for $7. at a Tupperware Party-like, on Russian Hill in San Francisco. I have many stories about what I call "My Stone-AGE!" since my first joint. I found myself taking pictures with a cheap Kodak Instamatic. Many of those following images were taken under the influence. For the first 1,000 times I've smoked... it was never by myself. For the past 20 years, I would say 99% of the time, it was by myself. In recent times, the cost of weed has gone beyond sky-HIGH! And for me, it took time to discover a source , So I am grounded most of the time. Several years ago, I began a habit , when ever I would get the pack of white zig-zags papers, I always bought a lotto ticket... so if I hit the Jack-Pot, I could say it was because, I was getting the cigarette papers...I could write a story, proving that smoking dope was good for you. But be that as it is... this ticket is not what I had in mind to write the story. You'll read about it here first, if that JACK-POT Lotto Ticket shows up in my hands.

Marshall Field Clock and State Street (c) J Pritikin

The Marshall Field Clock is there in name only, now replaced by Macys. This recreation of the famous Saturday Evening Post Magazine Cover by Norman Rockwell, was from a few years ago. The image from beneath is to give you the feeling that your meeting someone there... that was a well known meeting place... under the Marshall Fields Clock at Randolph and State Street. I worked at Fields from May of 1955 to December of 1957. I have so many Fields Stories, that happened over 53 years ago.I have a few of my pay stubs... I was on straight 6% commission and often made $200. a day . I was going through a few photos and these popped up.

The best laid plans of boys...(c) J Pritikin

The image of the group of young men at Stinson Beach... in the mid-1970s, and the "Drags" in 1978, that I call "5" years later... of young men at Everett's Villiage Bar. Just my imagination that they are one in the same group.