The Colonnade

I photograph this more than any other public structure... it's just so elegant. Built in 1908. It's the crown jewel of the Concourse. This is a total of 20 exposures combined into 4 shots that were stitched together to make one. I removed streetlights because I hate their positioning.

Faux Copper

Workmen are busy today installing new roofing material on the Colonnade here in Northeast. While it looks just like the copper that was there, it's worth nothing to thieves who seek the real stuff. Should be completed this week. Kudos to Parks and Rec for getting the repairs done so quickly.

Look Ma No Brakes - Tweed Ride

Saturday saw tweed in abundance as vintage bikes made an appearance at the Colonnade and along Cliff Drive. Participants from as far away as Columbia, Mo. came to town to participate... above the riders head off to Reservoir Hill... from there they went along Cliff Drive to the Elmwood entrance and then back to the Museum.
Above, Lane Wood, Eric Rogers, and Mark Rainey, the event organizer, relaxed before the start of the ride.
Above, Nancy McDonald and Caesar.
Above.... representing the Spokesmens Vintage Bicycle Club of Independence L - R Mark Christian, Lance and Clifford Deel. Below, the Lawwwells Brian, Logan, Parker and Jana came in from Lee's Summit.



Above and below Tres Wood from Excelsior Springs atop and next to the "Bonebraker Rideable" which is notable for its solid rubber front tire and NO brakes. You really have to plan ahead on that one.

There were contests for best dressed and best bike and a raffle for an older bike.

Above, judging the entrants... Northeast's own Malenda Shahane, right, was taking names.... she later rode with the other participants.

Above, women's mustache contest.... below.. they're off......






See ALL the pictures here: http://gallery.me.com/dremley#100517&bgcolor=black&view=grid

Honeysuckle Be Gone

Saturday stalwart residents of Northeast, Pendleton Heights, Scarritt Renaissance and Indian Mound helps clear bush honeysuckle from an area just west of the Colonnade on the Concourse.

We worked in partnership with KC Parks and Recreation which furnished men, chainsaws and a wood chipper... the difference is remarkable....


Above and below show the area before we attacked.

Above Mike and Olga raking and piling.

All ages were involved in the clearing and cleanup.
Above, Leslie getting some exercise.
As usual over here much of the work was done on hillsides....


Above, Adam Schieber rakes.... after the scrub trees and honeysuckle was cut the stumps were painted with herbicide. After a couple of weeks Parks and Rec will come back in and cut the stumps at ground level. Thus this area can then be regularly mowed to prevent re-occurence.
Mike, foreground and Jeff in the background.... we hauled the branches up the hill and Parks chipped them.... two truck loads came from this relatively small area.
Above, Jason multi-tasking... he is the Neighborhood Beautification Czar for Scarritt Renaissance.

Leslie in the background (blogged her home in a recent post) raking so the stumps are visible.
Our crew started at 9am and Adam broke out the grille at noon. The rain started just as we began eating.
Above, Andrea, community organizer for the new HELP organization and Don Bosco....

Kade and Kerry above in Dad's truck.
Malenda... assistant beautification czarina and person in charge of our bicycle rack art project. More on that in a future blog.
What a difference a day makes.... Parks and Rec furnishes the tools, the neighborhood furnishes gloves and trashbags.



Hard work but well worth it. It's good to partner with the City in these projects.