Keeping up with Zimmerman's Wall @ Oak Street Beach By Jerry Pritikin

The weather in Chicago has had it's ups and downs. The heat index has been at or near the 3 digit marker. So when it's good and not thick with humidity, I head for the beach. A painter, named Zimmerman has been commissioned by the City's Park District to paint the familiar wall that greets people coming from the Michigan Ave. underpass. It's like the Marilyn thing... either you like it, or you don't. In both cases I did like 'em. For now it's a work in progress, and catch it before it's completed into another instant Chicago landmark.

Beany Power @ North Avenue Beach By (c) Jerry Pritikin

Another Beany Revelution starts... All photos (c) Jerry Pritikin


I was taking an afternoon stroll near North Avenue Beach, when a young man asked me where I bought my beany cap? I just happened to have a few in a shopping bag along with my camera. A young lady, celebrating her 17th Birthday bought one. The attached images were taken moments later. This group from Oak Park were having a good time in this summer of their teens. Ironically, I was in my teens when I began visiting Chicago's lake front at Oak St. and North Avenue Beach.

Cast the last stone...With Jerry Pritikin @ Chicago's Gorilla Tango Theater.

A near capacity crowd at Chicago's Gorilla Tango Theater.


Would you believe that the red eye's in this image are not my fault.



In the Gorilla Tango's Den.



Chicago: I prepared for my 7 minutes at the last minute... and I was greeted warmly, someone left the backdoor opened. There will be a Marijuana-rama-III in October.
I will be posting more about this soon, In the meanwhile... Inhale!

Marilyn Monroe finds a home in the Windy City. By (c) Jerry Pritikin

Marilyn Monroe is back in form! Located just north of the Michigan Ave. bridge and The Tribune Tower. In the few days that it's
been in that perfect location, it is a Chicago landmark. To do a study of this iconic memory, I guess you would have to come very early so people will not in the background of a picture. It's going to be here until next winter... and that should provide a
treasure trove of images, along with the Bean, Nathan Hale,Water Tower and Oak Street Beach this year. I was here when the Hola-Hoop and Frisbee made it's debut and was noted in Life Magazine. I was also here the day the Queen Elizabeth entourage
past in an open car in 1959. I was the only one who did not rush to the fense to see her. I could of had a field day if I was a crook. Everyone left their valuables on their beach blankets. I did get a glimpse. I believe she was here in town for the Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. There was a International Trade Show at Navy Pier. And the beat went on...

The Great wall of Zimmerman 2011

Oak Street Beach is getting a face lift at it's Oak St. underpass. And it's already becomming a Chicago Tradition. The artist is named Zimmerman, and it looks like a labor of love. He was interviewed by most of the local TV stations. I am glad to see something other then cracked or graffiti covered walls. Check it out in a couple of weeks, when Zimmerman hopes to be finished with it.

I FOUND SHIT! YOU CAN TOO! (C) J PRITIKIN

The attached photo is a post card production, of a street level billboard near 17th St back in 1977. Coming home after playing in a City night-softball league, we were stopping for a light change, when I noticed what appeared to be a father and his teen age son.
The were just done added their 2 cents worth. Because it was street level, I knew it would not be up for long. The next morning I went back to shoot the "I FOUND SHIT" image. I think that will be the name of my 7 minute "POT"monologue. It's based on my own experience in the SAN FRANCISCO STONE-AGE of the 1960s and 70's! I will post a written version after I complete my one night stand next week.

My 7 minutes POT Time Capsule- By Jerry Pritikin

Before the Senior Moments. I have thought about posting some of the stories left over from the 1960's and 70s and the POT connection. I used to read the Want Ads in newspapers for jobs that I didn't want. Today I prefer the WWW and CRAIGSLIST.com. In both circumstances my life changed because I was stoned on pot, and looking for jobs I did not want! I actually found a few gigs that way. The latter was looking for an Actor, and my reason for the POSTER.

Back in 1981, I was involved with the play 'Bleacher Bums' after seeing it on S.F.PBS/KQED. The next day I noticed an ad for actors for the S.F. production of the "BLEACHER BUMS". It was suppose to be a 6 week run that ran well over a year. I was hired for special promotions and PR. When the run ended, I continued doing Cubs an Bears tie-in promotions whenever they were in the Bay Area. I was tabbed by the media as the Bay Area's Resident Cubs Fan. From that, I evolved into the "Bleacher Preacher." I moved back to Chicago in the late 1980s. I spent most of the next 25 years roaming the cheap-seats of the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, and I became part of the fabled fans in the Bleachers.

Update:

A few weeks ago, after a long, long drought(no 420) and survived liked the message in the song "I'LL GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS". A month ago I happened to see an ad on CRAIGSLIST. A director was looking for marijuana stories for his Marijuana-Rama Show and I have a 30 year supply. I have made a commitment to do a 7 minute monologue at the EEK Theater. I plan to put it all together this week. Is this that stage that Shakespeare had in mind when he wrote about the"Idiot"that struts and frets upon the stage? Anyway, if you happen to be in Chicago... My first one night stand(on a stage). Follow the instructions on the leafy green poster, and buy some tickets. Maybe instead of getting some flowers tossed at me at the end of the 7 minutes... it might be samples.

Lee Balterman hits 91 at the Greek Islands Chicago

Lee wearing his Intersteller Propellar and crowned Chicago Propeller Head #1!
Lee opening one of the gifts and enjoying every moment.

With one of his care givers... Top Notched and very good for Lee.
Lee, blowingout a lot of candles... (c) J.Pritikin

Chicago July 6,2011... Lee Balterman had a bunch of friends at the Greek Islands in Chicago.

It was Lee's 91st Birthday. Paul from Daiter's broght a copy of an Italian Magazine with a 3 page spread on Lee. There were so many camera's you would think there was a Lady Ga-Ga sighting!

My corner in Chicago over the years. (c) J Pritiikin

This is from July 1,2011 Just before a rain storm. (c) J. Pritikin
This is about 1996, when I first moved in, notice the space in the center of the photograph. (c) J.Pritikin
Just one of the perks when you live on the 13th Fl. The hard rains keep them clean too.(c) J.Pritikin

October's Chicago Marathon passes my window every year. (c) J.Pritikin

I just found this image (2nd from top)of a time before Walter Payton Prep High School) and other buildings that appear on my daily sky-box horizon windows. I am amazed at the amount of buildings that seem to have been growing right in front of my view. At the very beginning, I could see planes taking off at Mid-way Airport at night. Now the old CHA projects are gone.

This spring, we had too many gray days. When the sun did showup, it came with out warmpth.

Back in the late 1980s, I had an apartment at 2 East Oak on the 36th Floor. When I first moved in, I could look downState Street and see the Landmarked Chicago Theater Marquee. Within a short time a new building 2 blocks away, blocked the view. You might like to look my other images on Flickr. I have posted many imaged from this vantage point, among others. Cheers, J.

Windy City Sky-Vortex (c) J Pritikin

Today, the Skybox on the 13th Floor gave me goosebumps... the real thing is better, but this is what I found in my camera's view finder.

Jerry Pritikin