The Stars Motel, located on the corner of N. Lincoln and N. Jersey in Chicago’s northwest side, is one of several motels that dot a two mile swath of N. Lincoln Avenue. Most were built in the 1950s when N. Lincoln Avenue was a major thoroughfare between Chicago and Milwaukee before the advent of the the major interstates. The motels have been a source of major controversy in the Budlong Woods neighborhood. Neighborhood groups have accused some motel owners of permitting drug use and prostitution on their premises. There is a strong push by city officials to tear them down and replace them with new development. In this instance, the Stars Motel is slated to be demolished to make way for a condominium development. This series was taken before and after its last weeks of operation.

I’m currently having a solo photo exhibit at the Mode Realty Gallery, 818 W. 18th St. (at S. Halsted). Work from two of my continuing series, Across the Borderline and the St. Louis Arch studies, is being shown. The show ends September 25.

Balancing Act, has been selected to hang along with the work of 41 other photographers at the 3rd Annual Member’s International Exhibition at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins, CO beginning Friday, October 6.

Kickin’ Up Sand was named second runnerup in the Photography competition for the 2006 PanLiterary Awards, sponsored by the international online journal of the arts, Drunken Boat. Well, I’ll be a drunken sailor…