Moments at the Sears Tower (Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Spent some time up at the top of the Sears Tower with some friends.

Chol HaMoed at Lake Michigan (Chicagoland)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went for a walk along the lake on a beautiful fall day during succos in Chicago. I can't believe how much cooler it is here compared to this time of year in Baltimore.

Music by Cat Stevens - "Into White"

A Ten Year Journey

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I wanted to put together a collage of sorts of my favorite photographs taken with my camera that reflected the last 10 years of my life.

The photographs represent some of the time I spent in Israel, California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Washington DC and Illinois.

Music by Alon Michael And Israel Edelson - Zlotchover Rebbe's Niggun

My Weekend

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Went from the East Lakeview Art Festival to see a long lost friend, up to Highland Park to walk around and ended with going with friends for them to do Tashlich.

Music by Máire Breatnach - Breatnaigh Abu

Tashlich (2010 / 5771)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Tashlich (תשליך) is a ritual that many Jews observe during Rosh HaShanah. "Tashlich" means "casting off" in Hebrew and involves symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread or another food into a body of flowing water. Just as the water carries away the bits of bread, so too are sins symbolically carried away. In this way the participant hopes to start the New Year with a clean slate.


Photographs taken at Montrose Harbor - Chicago, IL

Music by Peter Himmelman - "Untitled"

Chicago Botanic Garden (Northbrook, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a perfect day to walk through the Botanic Garden's with a friend.

Music by Jewel - Who will save your soul

Oakwood Beach - Hyde Park (Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Took a stroll by the beach. To the north you could see downtown Chicago. To the south you could see the industry of Gary, Indiana. The list picture you can sort of see Buckingham Fountain.

Music by Doris Day - Que Serra Serra

Osaka Japanese Garden and the Museum of Science and Industry Lagoon (Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went to pay my respects to both my grandmother and her sister, who's ashes were spread over the Japanese Garden years ago. This was their favorite place to go when they were children growing up in Chicago.

Music by Alon Michael And Israel Edelson - Mikdash Melekh

Between Rogers Park and Evanston on Sheridan Rd. (Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I It was an absolutely beautiful day and I forced myself to go out and take some pictures near Lake Michigan. I was walking on Sheridan Rd., between the borders of East Rogers Park (Chicago) and Evanston.

While I was walking I met a woman who is almost 90. For almost 50 years she was a school teacher on Chicago's west side. She was totally inspiring. The woman went on and told me that she recently lost over 120 lbs. Since the weight loss she had her knees replaced and is now walking 3 hours a day along the lakeshore. The woman shared a few of her life long dreams with me. Next year she's going to China to walk the Great Wall, and the following year she's off to Africa to meet wild elephants.

The way she talked about her plans, I know she's going to do it. I know so many people who have all sorts of dreams, yet seem to always put them on the back burner. I'm hoping you will use this 80 something year old woman's story as an inspiration. I know that what ever it is that you've always wanted to do, you will be able to accomplish if you believe in yourself.


Hope you enjoy the show

Music by Rahel Jaskow and Ray Scudero - Lullaby in C

Port Clinton Art Festival (Highland Park, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I ran away from home and joined an art fair. This was the best art fair I've been to in a long time.

Music by Paco de Lucia - Siboney

Childhood Memory (Southern, Wisconsin)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went back to a place I used to go during my early years with my family.

Music by Diana Ross - Do You Know

Skokie's Sculpture Park (Skokie, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

They built the sculpture park several years ago and I always wanted to walk through it. Today I found the time. I only went through about a forth of it. Had no idea it was so big.

Music by Bill Quateman - Get It Right On Out There

Glenwood Art Festival and Farmers Market (East Rogers Park - Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Went strolling with my camera in a neighborhood I hadn't been in since I was in my early 20's.

Music by The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Rock Art (Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went walking along a place I used to ride my bike to as a kid. This was a place I went when I needed time and space to myself. It is great to see the tradition of creating art on the rocks remains the same.

Music by Bill Quateman - Too Many Mornings

Lincoln Park Zoo's Nature Boardwalk (Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

A dear friend of mine and her family are about to make aliyah to Israel from Baltimore. I was out walking around thinking about them, especially one of her children who loves to talk about "Downtown Chicago".




Music by Simply Tsfat - "L'Cha Dodi"

Driving through Lincoln Park (Chicago, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I had a zillion errands to run on today, and kept running over towards the lake after each one. It was so beautiful.

Some of the stops included Lincoln Park, Juneway Terrace, Rogers Beach, Montrose Harbor (including the doggy beach).

Music: 

3 Doors Down - Here Without You

Bughouse Square and the Newberry Library (Chicago, IL)

© (Photographs by Vicki Polin)
Music By Simon and Garfunkel - "Feeling Groovy"


I went back to my old neighborhood where I lived prior to moving to Israel and Baltimore. It was amazing to see how much it changed.





Here's the history of Bughouse Square: http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.or...

Gardens at the Baha'i House of Worship (Wilmette, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Took the long way to get to Walmart after attending the Evanston Art Fair and ended up walking around the gardens at Bahai Temple





Music: James Taylor - You've Got A Friend

Evanston Art Fair and Dog Beach - 2010 (Evanston, IL)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I spent part of the day at the Evanston Art Fair, which was right near the Evanston Dog Beach and Northwestern, University.




Music by Peter Himmelman - "Whispering Days"

Last Trip to Hunt Valley (Maryland)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I'm moving away from Baltimore this week and wanted to one last trip photographing Hunt Valley. It's been one of my favorite place to go when I needed time for myself.

(Cockysville, Sparks, Corbertt, Glencoe)

Music by Peter Himmelman