Sunday, March 8, 2009

Ongoing Vehicle Sunday



The yards of two homes in the East Bottoms contain, take your pick, yard art/salvage/trash/collectibles. I'll post more shots later, but thought Donna (Just Me) would get a kick out of this piece. From the rear wheel spikes I'd say it would be right at home on the tundra.

Dodge


West Bottoms rusty body lot.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

More From Pano Panoply



Views from the west side of Corinthian Hall overlooking Goose Neck and the Cliff Drive Scenic Byway. First image looks primarily west with Gladstone Boulevard on the left and the east bottoms on the right. Skyline is left of center. Second image looks south with the bottoms on the right and Corinthian Hall on the left. Used high dynamic range in these. Each shot is composed of five shots which in turn are composed of five shots and then converted using Photomatix and stitched together with Photoshop. It sounds more complicated than it is... it just takes time.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

View From the Mound



View from the top of Indian Mound not far from my house. One in summer, one in winter.
I'm totally ready for the summer view. Each shot is a panorama made up of three different images stitched together in Photoshop. Views look south. Old Wards Catalogue facility is in the left part of the images... now known as Super Flea.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wanting Lakefront Property



I know.... thank goodness someone finally took a picture of geese. This pair, they mate for life, returns each year ( at least I think it's the same couple ) to North Terrace Lake along Cliff Drive. They select a spot on the island in the middle of the east end of the lake and nest build. She lays her eggs... one per day... 5 to 7 total and they take turns sitting on the nest... although the female does it the majority of the time. 25 or so days later the goslings hatch and a flotilla is created. It is amusing to watch the little ones the first time or two they try to leave the water and head up the bank. The feathered duo was circling the island Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

57 Years In The Hood



In 1952 Tony Mortallaro opened the Askew Inn in Northeast Kansas City. A couple of years later his brother, Tom, came into the business and now, Tom's sons Andy and Bill keep the tradition going. It's a gathering place in the tradition of the neighborhood bar where folks have gone for brew and conversation for years. They are two of the nicest fellows you'd ever want to meet. I'm proud to have known their families for years... Bill and I went to Northeast High School together although he is hundreds of years older. If you're on Independence Avenue between Bales and Askew... stop in.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Marble, Mahogany , Tile and Light











It takes conviction to save an historic structure rather than level it and thank goodness there was plenty of that on hand when the Scarritt Building and Arcade were renovated a few years back.  Built in 1908 the buildings, 819 Walnut, were designed by Root and Siemens and were inspired by Louis Sullivan in both formation and detail.  The pictures above show the exterior of the Arcade structure which fronts on Walnut.  The taller building on the east opens onto Grand.  Inside the Arcade is open from the first floor to the skylight five floors above with offices ringing the airy space. The detail work in the plaster and tile is just incredible.  The Grand Ballroom is located on the Grand Avenue side.  One picture shows the lobby of the Ballroom and the other  the space prepared for a wedding last weekend.   Many thanks to Dawna and Shilah for letting me photograph their building!!