Up Me Beam Scotty

I visited the site of the new Kauffman Performing Arts Center last Saturday just is time for the crane operators and ironworkers to put another of the curved trusses in place. This structure is going to be a beautiful addition to the skyline and is due to open in 2011.


The 36,000 pound truss is lifted off the ground with guide ropes draped below.
Men on the ground help guide the iron as the crane swings it around and toward the building.
The largest beam hoisted into place was 184 thousand pounds.





Men on an industrial sized cherry picker await the beam and gently guide it in into place.

The truss is bolted into place.... the bottom, middle and top are secured before final tightening.

These pictures show the north side of the Performing Arts Center.... looking north across the street is this view of Bartle Hall and part of the skyline. Many thanks to Mike W., crane operator, who filled me in on some of the details.

Nearly 1000 Participate in Cliffhanger Run/Walk

At 9 am Sunday morning runners and walkers from all over the city gathered at the east entrance to Cliff Drive for the start of the Cliffhanger 5k and 8k races. Staged by the Kansas City Track Club the funds generated benefited Gladstone School (my alma mater thank you very much) and Neighbor to Neighbor an agency founded to help those who don't have and can't get health insurance.

Nearly 1000 participated in the event which was blessed by mild temperatures and sunny skies.

Fresh out of the gate the first runner passes my position which was totally stationary.

All ages and both genders participated in the races. Both courses ran along the Cliff Drive Scenic Byway in Northeast Kansas City. One of the few urban byways in the nation.

That may, or may not, be a wigged runner on the left.

Holy cow.... smiling runners..... very rare....
Below Geoff and Jen Henggeler and what appears to be a stolen baby.

The Burnetts, John and Ingrid... both avid runners. Ingrid set a personal best in the 5k... no word on if John has finished yet.
When not cartooning for the Northeast News Bryan Stalder walks the Drive with his family.
5k turnaround was just past North Terrace lake.... 8k turnaround was further along the drive. Reservoir Hill is in the background.

These shots were taken from the Lexington Avenue Bridge.

A Byway in Autumn

Finally got out of the house on a sunny day to record some fall colors. The trees, I don't have to tell you, are spectacular this year. Little stress and lots of water makes for a happy leaf.

These are shots along Cliff Drive in Indian Mound, Scarritt Renaissance and Pendleton Heights.

Below, the Colonnade.

Above and below along Lexington Avenue adjacent to Reservoir Hill.

Cliff Drive the western end by Paseo.
Around North Terrace Lake.

Above looking east from the lake toward Chestnut Trafficway.








Grassy meadow at the foot of the bluffs.

A Remembrance of Suns Past

Maybe we'll see this nearby star again on Tuesday. One can hope.

The sunset skyline from Kessler Park.

Indian Mound Trail II, Maple Grove

Indian Mound Trail runs from it's namesake to Elmwood below Gladstone Boulevard along the bluffs. My favorite part of the trail, year round, is Maple Grove which is prettiest in the fall. It's directly below Gladstone and Hardesty. I was hoping to see critters but a couple of blue jays ratted me out. Indian Mound and its namesake neighborhood are in the Old Northeast section of Kansas City, Missouri. Traces of Indian encampments and villages have been found all along the bluffs in this area of the city.

Cats... The Eternal Mystery

Mr. Daisy has a brand new way of relaxing.