Portal

For a while, I have loved this piece of outdoor art gracing the light rail stop of Central Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix, associating it with a gate, a doorway. But to where? Another dimension? An alternate universe? A parallel city of Phoenix that offers sufficient mass transit to its residents? The possibilities are endless, even if slightly fantastic. Little did I know that my sense of this statue's meaning was correct, until a couple of mornings ago, when I spotted the plaque below. I love art that has a spiritual meaning. Circle of life...!

Architectural Gems of Uptown, Chicago

Uptown is the community closest to my neighborhood in Chicago. At one time, in the early and middle 20th century, Uptown was a socio-economically upscale neighborhood, and great effort was made to construct grand buildings that signified the status of Uptown residents and their upward aspirations. The neighborhood's past is still reflected in the older buildings that remain standing today. Here are a few of the buildings that stand out most vividly, as far as I am concerned.

Uptown Theater, Chicago, IL

During the 1990s, there was an organized movement to fully restore the Uptown Theater and make it an active business again. To my knowledge, that effort has stalled. The interior is supposed to be equally beautiful, but I have never been inside to be able to say for sure.

Bridgeview (formerly Uptown National) Bank, Chicago, IL

Formerly Uptown National Bank of Chicago, this Bridgeview Bank location has been in existence since, I believe, the late 1920s. As you can see, the exterior of the bank is undergoing some work.

Ceiling detail, main lobby, Bridgeview Bank, Chicago, IL

The main lobby of the bank is highly ornate and gorgeous. I believe it has been used as background in a couple of movies, but I can't recall that for sure. A long time ago, I used to work at this bank and never ceased to marvel at the main lobby's beauty.

Ceiling detail, main lobby, Bridgeview Bank, Chicago, IL

Teller stations and desk, Bridgeview Bank, Chicago, IL

I like how many of the original furnishings of the main lobby have remained intact over the decades. All of the old fashioned details make you feel like you've stepped into another time.

Ceiling detail, Bridgeview Bank, Chicago, IL

Old Goldblatt's Building, Chicago, IL

This building, constructed with a neo-classical design, used to house Goldblatt's, a local department store. Since then, it was converted into a Borders Books, but was abandoned when Borders experienced financial difficulties. I have no idea when a new tenant will inhabit this historic space. It's a shame to see it empty.

Door, old Goldblatt's Building, Chicago, IL

Uptown Broadway Building, Chicago, IL

This building is one of my favorites in Uptown, and instead of me babbling endlessly about it, I am going to let its architectural richness speak for itself. Photos displaying architectural details from this building follow below.

Architectural detail, Uptown Broadway Building, Chicago, IL

Architectural detail, Uptown Broadway Building, Chicago, IL

Main entrance, Uptown Broadway Building, Chicago, IL

Architectural detail, Uptown Broadway Building, Chicago, IL

Okay, one comment: I love the cornucopias featured on either side of this doorway architectural relief.

Chivalry is still alive!, Uptown Broadway Building, Chicago, IL

Top detail, Uptown Broadway Building, Chicago, IL

Architectural detail, Aragon Theater, Chicago, IL

The historic Aragon Theater is used today to house musical concerts. Its design is somewhat austere, offering architectural ornamentation in only a few areas of the building.

Architectural detail, Aragon Theater, Chicago, IL

Architectural detail, Aragon Theater, Chicago, IL

There are more beautiful buildings similar to these in Uptown, but these are my all-time favorites. I hope they will inspire you to go and see them for yourself.

Peace Garden, Chicago

Peace Garden, Uptown Neighborhood, Chicago, IL

This is not much more than a little garden nook in the middle of a city park, but Peace Garden has been in existence for a long time and provides a nice respite from busy city life. Located just south of Montrose Avenue, it features a little waterfall with stone accents, including places to sit and enjoy the flowers in bloom. The limbs of large trees overhang and provide shade from the sun. While Peace Garden is nothing spectacular or extravagant, I have always found this modest patch of park to be magical. Even in the midst of so much activity, there is a soothing stillness in this little garden, something that can instill calm. Peace Garden can easily serve as a meditation garden. Maybe if more people engaged in meditation, practicing mindfulness over their thoughts and feelings and learning to embrace the present moment, then mindless acts of violence might cease to happen in this oftentimes troubled world. There's always room for hope.

This pole wishes for peace everywhere

While I captured this side of the pole that only wishes for peace in Chicago, this pole has a message engraved on each side wishing for peace in Illinois, the United States, and the entire world. But maybe this photo, starting at the micro-level, is an indication of the proper direction for promoting peace in the world. We're a culture enslaved by impulsiveness and the egotism of a popular culture that celebrates materialism and aggression. We cannot effectively promote peace in the world if we do not first cultivate peace within ourselves, and then work outward. Such quiet places as Peace Garden can make for a perfect place to begin the meditative process. But you don't need a special park to start. You can start meditation or engage in heart-felt prayer anywhere, including the middle of your living room. We need to look inward, understanding how we react to moments of stress and insecurity, patiently giving these reactions our mindful presence, and learning to open that tight fist of a heart into an open palm offering an abundance of peace, love, and compassion. Peace can start now, but it must begin with you and me. It is an inward process that unfolds outward, like a flower blooming and bringing beauty to a garden, beauty that can inspire peace in all of its beholders. So, let us start to promote peace with each mindful breath and the stillness of lovingkindness. Enjoy these photos.

Above, joggers run by as water ripples down the fall

Flowers bloom in the midst of the city

People coming together to play (and live) in friendship

The waterfall provides a nice, soothing rhythm

This nearby prairie in the park celebrates Illinois' botanical heritage