Have a Safe and Happy New Years Eve

Welcome Home

While in the Art District, I found many stately homes and thought I would kick off the series with this beautiful door.  

Sporting Kansas City

I was out at the Village West (what I refer to as the Kansas Speedway) today.  The area around the Speedway has grown by leaps and bounds since it's 2001 inaugural season.  Nebraska Furniture Mart and Cabela's where the first to move into the area.  Then Legends Outlet Mall and many, many restaurants and businesses.  I read recently about a Casino and Soccer Club joining the mix.  While in the area today I found the Sporting Kansas City Soccer Club under construction.  If you look close enough to the background on the right of the green, you can obtain a glimpse of the Speedway.  I have made several unsuccessful attempts to capture a good picture of the Speedway but let me leave you with their website.  The skies were very gray today.

Winter Fountains

I was down on the Country Club Plaza yesterday and found I had forgotten my camera.  This is an iPhone picture.  The most picturesque place in all of Kansas City.  I assure you I will not forget my camera on the next trip to the Plaza.  I love to see fountains running in the winter and the ice formations. The skies did become blue yesterday.

Gray Days

While talking to my brother in Albuquerque this weekend, he mentioned that the sun was shinning.  I told him we have gray skies in Kansas City almost all winter.  I don't think he understood what I meant by gray skies.  This picture is for my brother - no clouds, no sun, just gray.  I miss New Mexico's blue skies.

More Inside the Gold Dome

Prior to Christmas Mass

For Leif inside the Gold Dome

Happy Holidays

Holiday Happenings

Now if the horse would only hold still long enough for a photo

Holiday Shopping

Crossroads

Once again I have a photo with the Green bin in front.  It is not to be confused with a trash can but is a local diverse newspaper - The Pitch, which provides loads of information about the happenings around the KC area.

Grinders East & West

Located in the Crossroads District. Grinders is the best biker bar I've ever visited(not that I frequent many)  They also have authentic Philly Cheesesteak, owner is from Philidelphia.  Great place to eat and visit.

Grinders Sculpture Park

Found in the Crossroads Art District, just south of downtown KCMO.  Crossroads is an eclectic, diverse community of artist studios, unique boutiques and restaurants and innovative businesses.  It is always fun to visit this area.

In 0ut of the Cold

Under Bartle Hall watching downtown in out of the cold, cold weather.  I've given you a couple photo's of the sky stations on top of Bartle Hall, here is a photo from under Barle Hall.

Majestic Steakhouse

All photo's this week were taken last Saturday on a bitterly, cold windy day.  Yesterday's photo led into the subject of the jazz group The Scamp, so it was fitting to display the Majestic Steakhouse.  Located a short block away from Scamp's Alley.  The Scamp was also known to play at this club.  The historic Fitzpatrick's Saloon Building is now The Majestic Restaurant.  The inside has the original old pressed tin ceiling, tile floor and wooden bar.  Great old ambiance.  

Built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the grand old site has housed a saloon and bordello, and during Prohibition, the basement was a Speakeasy and meeting place for many businessmen and local politicians.

Scamp's Alley

The area behind the Folgers Coffee Plant is named Scamp's alley after the longest, continuous performing group. 

 Jazz aficionados know that The Scamps are a regular feature at The Phoenix, performing at the club on 8th Street and Central for 17 years. The group has earned recognition by having 8th Street between Broadway and Central renamed as Scamp's Alley. The Scamps also perform regularly on Saturdays at The Majestic.

Thank you Randy.

Folgers Coffee Plant

In the early 1900's Folgers Coffee Co experienced great growth, which is credited to salesman Frank P. Atha.  In 1908 Atha suggested building a coffee roasting plant in Kansas City and the plant has been in operation since.  This plant in downtown KCMO fills the area with a wonderful aroma whenever coffee is being roasted.  Last spring the J. M. Smuckers Co announced the plant will close in the summer of 2012.  Hopefully this will not happen.  Join the Save Folgers Coffee facebook page

Moving

Anyone in Kansas City this weekend knows what bitter cold we experienced.  The wind made it so much worse.  I spotted this harp being moved into the Hotel Phillips in downtown KCMO while driving by on Saturday morning.  Unfortunately by the time I got my camera out and took the picture, the harp was almost indoors.  Although not the best photo, I thought it depicted the cold weather and activity well.

Class of 1914

William Jewell College

Stained Glass

Dharma

The holding of religion

Holiday Greetings

While on Liberty square, I was intrigued with these stairs, took several pictures.  I like the detail in the rod iron and I love the holiday arrangement.

Jesse James was a local in Missouri

This bank that was Jesse James first daylight robbery is on Liberty Square

Cold Weather on Liberty Square

I was in downtown Liberty, MO yesterday on what was a very cold, windy day.  I would pull my hands out of my coat pockets just long enough to take a quick picture.  I couldn't believe how quickly my hands started to hurt from the cold.  I live in the Liberty area of Kansas City and enjoy visiting the shops on the square.  I frequent the Liberty Farmers Market on the square during the summer months.  Lots of activity happens in downtown Liberty,  Spring and Harvest Festivals, Art Shows, and the local High Schools Homecoming parades end on the Square to name a few.

Mass St, Lawrence, KS

Lawrence, KS

Lawrence, KS depending on where you are in Kansas City can be as little as  30 miles away.  Massachusetts Street (known as Mass St) is an iconic main street.  Celebrations like NCAA Championship Parades, beating rivals Mizzou and K-State always happen on Mass St.  It is historic and the most wonderful street to visit and shop.  This photo was taken on Black Friday by my daughter-in-law, Andrea.  She (as well as my followers) know I love lampposts.

Door on Main Street

I'm sure this store has had many lives, but I still like the details framing the door.

The Gold Dome

In 1835 this was the site of a log cabin church named St John Francis Regis.  In 1857 the building of the brick church was initiated with the name of Immaculate Conception.  Bishop John Joseph Hogan selected the church to become a cathedral in 1882.  The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception went thru many renovations and growth.  In 1960 Bishop John P. Cody was responsible for this city landmark by finishing the cross, dome and cupola with gold leaf.  This gold dome stands out throughout downtown Kansas City.  

Main Street

This building has always been a favorite, mainly because of the lions out front.  It has a wonderful Christmas display and great front doors

Rectory Next Door

This beautiful front porch was next to the Westport Church.  I gather it is the rectory.  I would love to have this front porch

Westport Church

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in the Westport area.  Beautiful limestone building

Future Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts

I showed you the backside of our future Center of Performing Arts here  This is the front side of the building.  Kansas City has already started the count down to the opening in Sept. 2011.  This is an exciting looking building. 

The Count Down is On

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday.  I had a fabulous and exhausting time with family and friends

Wordless Wednesday

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Then there was Blue

All these houses have the red railings

Colorful Westport Neighborhood

Reverend Nathan Scarritt House

I was in Westport the same day I took the Downtown Airport and Broadway Bridge pictures and stumbled across a very colorful neighborhood.  Although this home is not as colorful as what you will see in coming days.  This seemed like a good jumping off point to set the historic value of the neighborhood.

Broadway Bridge

Downtown Airport view

Although it was a bit cold this morning by afternoon the sun had warmed up the day.   Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport is great to capture a photo of the Broadway Bridge and the downtown skyline.   Many bicyclist, runners and walkers use the 3.68 mile loop for their workouts.

Dedicated by Charles Lindbergh in 1927, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport is the city's first airport and still one of its busiest. Originally home to commercial aviation, the airport now attracts a large number of corporate, charter and recreational flyers. 

What a Mailbox

I have driven down this street periodically over many years.  Last week was the first time I noticed this mailbox, it caused me to turn around for the photo.  Very unique.

More Old Modern

I find the back of yesterday's building just as interesting.  I like the old brick and admire this Design firm's renovation.

Modern Old

I find this old building quite appealing with it's renovated modern flair.   This building appears to have lived many lives.

Contrast

This little tree doesn't know it is fall.  I was taken in with the green leaves against the red.

They all Fall Down

Northland Fountain

While I sat at the stop light looking across at this fountain, I was amazed by the brilliance of the red tree thru the fountain

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

While running my errands the other day, I drove past this Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park.

The memorial is currently under repairs.  The memorial fountain and monument wall containing the names of 385 Kansas City area servicemen who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.