Gladstone by Stone

Above, what I grabbed from the rubble pile.... a section of tile from the entrance floor... many of you who attended movies here will remember this....
The Gladstone Theater Building (Gladstone Hall) is being razed after a spectacular fire last month. As I approached the remains I was struck by how sturdy a building she was. Concrete, two courses of bricks with a brick facade... this was made to last. It also makes me wonder if significant portions couldn't have been saved. Currently a machine is being used to punch through the ground floor ceiling (hole in pictures above and below).

Above, where the lobby was with the stairs to the balcony on the right. Below, alley entrance on the east side. Betcha many a lad or lass snuck in here to see a movie.

Above and below, the main auditorium... paint on the walls could be from when the building wasn't a theater but a hall. Originally windows lined these walls and were bricked up.


Above, a lot of original flooring still there. Hyper came away with a souvenir of tile from the entryway.
East side of the building next to the Log Cabin.
Above, more memories rubblefied.

Flora and Feline

Had some spare time this evening so took camera, tripod and cat out to the backyard.
All shots taken with the Nikon D3 and 105mm macro lens.. ASA 200-800 and varying apertures. Tripod with remote cord.







Mr. Daisy above on his stalking tree and, below, posing by the pond.


Bush honeysuckle is evil, yet pretty.



Above, I get a few cherries every year.

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

We Have New Mayor And Council

Today the new mayor and council for Kansas City, Missouri, officially took the oath of office in the Rotunda of City Hall. This, according to the City Charter, must be done on May 1st.... there will be another oath giving in the Council Chambers tomorrow. Congratulations to all. Above, Mayor Sly James and his wife. He was sworn in by the City Clerk. Below, she then swears in the new Council.

Above, 1st District at Large Councilman Scott Wagner, his wife Laura, kids, Patrick and Truman and Mayor James. Below the "grandmothers" of the council, Jan, Melba and Cindy.

New council above and the crowd that watched below.
Below, Mayor James and Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo.