Clark and Albion, Kwikmart detail

6601 N. Clark
Quik Mart (now out of business)

Strange how these sidewalk signs and newpaper boxes seem to attract trash. I'm curious about where these things come from. I know the cigarette companies pay a lot to place their signs at these locations. But what about those plastic boxes? Do they need permission to be placed in the public right-of-way, or at the entrance to a strip center? Do they just appear in the middle of the night?

I'm taking my first vacation days at the new job next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Angela has a meeting in Traverse City, Michigan, and we're turning it into a quick family getaway. Michigan is just as exotic as you've heard.

Clark and Estes, northwest corner

Built: 1916
Architect: L. Mecker
Cost: $5,500

Almost forgot this one. Yet another dollar store on Clark. If condos ever actually go up at the Adelphi site on the SW corner this place will have it made. Or its rent will increase and it will disappear. Probably the latter.

Clark and Wallen, west corners

Built: 1915
Architect: N. Norman
Cost: $35,000

Built: 1922

Architect: J. P. Hellinger

Cost: $50,000

At the northwest corner is Grande Noodles, a nice addition to the choices in Rogers Park. With a Chinese, Thai and Japanese menu it maybe over reaches a bit. But worth a visit just for their bubble tea.

I’ll be down in Pullman for a historic district workshop meeting on Saturday. This is one of the very few times I’m expected to work on the weekend, but I’ve been assured there will be donuts.

Clark and Albion, east corners

Built: 1915
Architect: Wolff Sextor, Harper & Truex
Cost: $26,511

Built: 1925

Architect: Leschanko & Esser

Cost: $75,000

Given the remaining corners on Clark (30?) I’m starting to combine and simplify. More to follow. I also picked up some additional reference photos this weekend. Nice to have temperatures above 40...

My old friend Fred was in town this morning! We were able to meet up for lunch at a Loop diner. He and Sarah may be moving back to Chicago this spring, which would be pretty cool. How long can anyone live in St. Louis, anyway?

Clark and Ashland

Built: c. 1901

OK, maybe this isn’t technically a corner, but it’s close enough. This is where Ashland reappears in Rogers Park after disappearing at the north end of Andersonville. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to include this, since it only has one finished facade. It generally makes up for it with a huge billboard.

Tomorrow Angela is going to her graduate school reunion downtown, and I’ll meet her there after work. I’ve been promised free food and an open bar. I strongly suspect it’s mainly a way to get alumni donations. Why doesn't my graduate program doesn’t have reunions? I know there’s a bunch of us still in the area. They most I get are invitations to attend strange events and auctions.

Clark and Lunt, southwest corner

Built: 1929

This is the store where we buy 90% of our corn chips. Now and again there’s someone dressed like a big white bear standing out front. I think they’re advertising some sort of tax service. Last time he gave Felix a lollipop. This is also where people sell CDs on the street in summer. They spread them out like tiles on the sidewalk. Someone told me that you don't need a vendor's license to sell books and music, since it's considered a form of free speech. I'd like to think this is true.

Clark and Touhy, northwest corner

Built: 1939

This may be the last remnant of the Jewish community on Clark Street in Rogers Park. You can still get every kind of Kosher meat here, but remember that it’s closed on Saturday.  Apparently I'm too meek to be served at their counter.  Seventy year old grannies kept pushing in front of me.

My mom and dad were in town this week to celebrate mom’s 65th birthday. They took a gaggle of relatives to the Bonefish Grill in Skokie. But it was a great time, and Felix was extremely well-behaved. We picked up a bunch of new toys from Walgreens, so every time he got bored we had something new to keep him busy.