Sorry for doubling up on the posts today. I just don’t want to start the year in the hole. You understand. I know you do.
So anyway, the MoranFest activities continued on Wednesday after Christmas, when a load of Morans (and some Kellys) (again, note the lack of apostrophes) headed out to enjoy ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo.
We pre-arranged garage parking a couple of blocks from the zoo, and spotted this sight on our way to meet up with everyone.
One of the zebras that greeted us at the back entrance of the zoo.
When we got to the zoo, we headed to the gift shop to get special ‘3D” glasses that showed holographic images around all of the lights. There were snowmen, monkeys, penguins, and much more. If you look closely, you can see this one shows zebras. Zoom in. You’ll see it.They’re in pairs.
The seal pool.
Chameleon – he flickred and eventually flicked his tongue to catch a fly.
Dreaming of tropics.
Flamingo in flight.
ZooLights bokeh.
Candy Cane Lane – we saw a couple get engaged here as we were walking through!
The Girl, posing with a penguin.
Bolivian Grey Tailed Titi Monkeys – they entwine their tails when sleeping to help maintain their balance on the high branch.
Warming up in the ape house, The Girl fit right in.
So she claims.
Trees and light show bokeh.
After the ZooLights, we headed to R.J. Grunts for dinner. We saw people leave upon hearing it was a two-hour wait, but we’ve got friends in high places. We only waited about 5 minutes. It pays to know folks.
We all ate more than we thought we would, and with full bellies, we headed out for another one of the MoranFest traditions – a tour of an industrial facility. Previous years tours (which I have skipped) included The Deep Tunnel Project, The Jardine Water Purification Plant, and The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Mainstream Pumping Station. This year we were allowed to witness behind the scenes workings of the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center. Our tour happened to be led by 18-year employee, Bart Moran (my BIL). I’d asked him if photography was allowed on the tour. He said yes, just no faces. Cool. I wanted faceless photos anyway.
Production Floor at The Chicago Tribune Freedom Center
Warehouse of newsprint rolls – that’s a LOT of paper!
The last letterpress plate molded for the Chicago Tribune. Midwest Edition P. 1, September 19, 1982 @ Tribune Tower
Closeup of the last letterpress plate molded for the Chicago Tribune
The light is all yellow because regular light would muck with the process.
Plate production, prepping for the presses. The light is all yellow because regular light would muck with the process.
The papers fly through the air on a conveyor that does its thing.
When The Girl saw this room, she said, “I’ve always wanted to see something like this in my whole life!” Who knew? Also, doesn’t that thing look like a TARDIS?
New York Times – completed run, frozen on the press.
Carrie Fisher article (RIP) in the New York Times – completed run, frozen on the press.
The whole thing was pretty darned awesome. And I kept thinking of Rory the whole time. Well, and Logan saying, “That’s how we do it at the Daily News!”
