Northeast Portraits

 Above, the Scarritt House circa 1907, below the Palazola Home circa 1880s.

 Mystery home.... guess it correctly and win nothing.

All Nikon D800, 24-70mm lens...  ISO 100, multiple images merged.   Aperture F13-16.  All images converted using a super secret filter in Photoshop CS6...

Historic Northeast Mini-Mansions Volume 1

 I've driven or ridden past 3911 Sunrise Drive for decades and always wanted to see inside.
It's now on the market so I got my chance.   It's advantageous working with realtors :)

 This house and it's virtual twin next door west were built in 1927.   Don't know the names of the first owners but they liked quality.

 This house is rock solid and surprisingly spacious.

 Above, the tile in the front walkway was left-over bits and pieces from the construction of the roof.

 Above two, the living room.  Below, the parlor.

 Above and below the dining room.

 I think the rest of these rooms are self-explanatory.    All photos taken with the Nikon D800 on a tripod.  Nikon 14-24mm lens.  ISO 800.  F13 multiple exposures using LiveView to minimize camera shake and merged using software.  5 shots for each image.

 Below, the second floor rooms.

 Above, the garage door is on the back of the house and leads to the basement.  Plenty of room for two smaller cars.

Eric B has the listing.  See it here:   http://www.ericbsellskc.com/HEARTLAND/IDX104-4742939/MO/City/Kansas-City/Type/Single-Family/MLSNO-1781307/3911-Sunrise-Drive-Kansas-City-MO-64123/01001,852&ret=L0hFQVJUTEFORC9JRFgxMDQtNDc0MjkzOS9NTy1LUy9BZGRyZXNzLzM5MTEtc3VucmlzZS1kcml2ZStuYS9UeXBlL0FsbC9saXN0aW5ncz9TZWFyY2hPcHQ9MSZrZXlvcHQ9MSZ0aWQ9JnFzPTAmaGRyPTAxMDAxLDg1Mg==

Miss Missouri Teen

 Amber is heading to Nationals so we had fun with a shoot in Loose Park.  Perfect weather.

 Nikon D800 for all.  Fill flash on some, others all natural light.  The one immediately below was done with camera set to jpeg fine in portrait mode.    I always shoot RAW though for more editing opportunities.   Nikon 70-200mm lens for most... last two are 24-70mm.   ISO 100 and 400.

Before Van Brunt Boulevard, A Dairy Farm

These two pictures were taken ca. 1899 and were titled "East Boulevard." They show the proposed site of the newest road to be constructed in Kansas City. At the time these were taken the land was a dairy farm. Cows are visible in both shots and, in the shot above, a barn is barely visible behind the trees in the upper right. Not sure at all of directions in these shots, but, if the lay of the land is any indication, the land slopping up would probably be toward the north. East Boulevard was later renamed "Van Brunt Boulevard." My personal guess is that this is north of St. John and that the ridge in the bottom photo is where Gladstone Boulevard eventually was constructed. There was a large pond where Elmwood Avenue and Windsor intersect that was used for watering the cattle.

Gene the Barber

In a row of shops across from the Gladstone Theatre between Elmwood and Lawn Gene the Barber plied his trade for five decades. One of the nicest men you'd ever want to meet his passions were golf, sports and family. I started going to him when he worked in the same barber shop back in the 50s... then it was "Sal's Barbershop." Later, Gene bought the shop and reduced it from four chairs to two. Mike Morris was his long-time second chair.

The haircuts were always perfect and, since the barbershop never changed in decor, it was a little trip back in time whenever a haircut was necessary. Young men called him "Mean Gene the Cutting Machine" and were so loyal to him that they would come in from Grain Valley and places further.

His daughter always decorated the shop for Christmas with a tree in the window. Only two subjects were forbidden in the shop.... politics and religion.... see... he was also wise.

Gene, through his front window, watched over the years as the Gladstone went from movie theatre to roller rink to church to beauty school... but, while it changed, he never did.

Above, I talked him into posing for me a couple years before his retirement.... barber chair and golf club... that was the man.

Toyo view camera, 90mm lens, t-max 400 4x5 black and white film, exposure unrecorded. Available light.

The City That Works?

Over a year and counting since reporting on these houses to the City commenced. The home on the left, 4403 Norledge, is vacant, owned by an out of town landlord and always looks like this. The "home" on the right, 4401 Norledge, burned over a year ago and nothing has happened since. Yes, they have been reported via 311 repeatedly.
The burned out house sits open to the elements, the evil doers and the creepy crawly things. Not even boarded up.
And what happens when this kind of blight is allowed to fester? See below. Multiple for sale signs. Who wants to live right across the street from this crap? Only problem for the folks trying to escape is potential buyers can also see this. Many great, energetic families in Indian Mound are just hanging on by their fingernails hoping things get better. The above pictures seem to say the answer is no.
Above, Norledge and Kensington the west side.

Twenty-Eight Feet and Counting

Not as high as 1993...... yet... work on removing the old Paseo Bridge continues.... deck is completely gone.. vertical supports going next.
As marvelous as the bridge is.... a simple thistle is just as becoming... although less functional in our eyes I suppose.

The river is flowing very fast and is a deep chocolate color with lots of debris.