Solution For the Mill Creek Fountain?

Then, meanwhile, also a good to great solution for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, too?

Kudos and thanks to Carrington Harrison for the ideas. Great on you, sir.

Kansas City?

Let's do this?

On Institutionalized Racism: Now, Two Things Kansas City Can and Should Do

Given the killing of George Floyd and the consequent race protests across the nation and world, now would be an excellent time for Kansas City to make a couple more changes. Sure, it's been announced the local police are finally going to have and wear cameras on them all the time and that's a great change but here are two more we should make.

First, as Steve Kraske so well and rightly said some time ago, we need to rename the JC Nichols Fountain.

Steve Kraske: Kansas City should confront racist past and rename J.C. Nichols fountain

JC Nichols was a publicly known racist. He's one of the biggest reasons the city was and still is, to this day, so racially segregated and separated. Mr. Kraske did a great job of calling it out at the time, thankfully. Unfortunately, that was 3 years ago and nothing has yet been done. It's incredibly ironic that these racial protests are taking place around the fountain named after him and at the shopping center he created.

Then, next, the second thing we should do, as a city, is to finally, at long last, take down the Andrew Jackson statue downtown. There is no bigger or worst, known racist than Andrew Jackson, former President or no.

Andrew Jackson, President, Patriot, War Hero, Racist

Andrew Jackson was a slaver, 

ethnic cleanser, and tyrant

The 11 Most Racist U.S. Presidents

Andrew Jackson Racist Quotes

The state and Governor of Virginia are doing it, so should we.

Virginia governor announces removal of 

Robert E. Lee statue

Philadelphia, too, removed a statue of racist former Mayor Frank Rizzo.

Philadelphia removes statue 

of controversial former mayor

Birmingham, too, did the right thing and removed a statue. This was 2 days ago.

Birmingham Mayor Orders Removal 

of Confederate Monument

This was announced late today.

Kentucky governor: Jefferson Davis statue should be moved

To be clear and complete, too, we should take down this Andrew Jackson statue downtown and melt it down, not put it anywhere else.

It's time, Kansas City. It's time.   In fact, it's long, long past time.

Let's do this.

Let's change both.

Additinal links:

Steve Kraske: I’m still talking about J.C. Nichols, racism and renaming the fountain

Kraske: Rename Plaza Fountain Because Racism

Quote of the Day -- Prescient, Local Version

Great statement from the protest locally I heard on the evening news. It was said by a speaker at the protest this past Sunday, I believe, by one of the organizers, on the Plaza:

"This isn't black against white.

This is people against racism."

Quote of the Day -- Timely, Protest, Riot Version

"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are."

--Benjamin Franklin

In Case You Were Wondering What 500 Gs Can Get You In Kansas City

Kansas City hit a two-fer today in the Sunday New York Times. This is the second.

$500,000 Homes in Mississippi, Missouri and New York

A 1916 Tudor Revival in Jackson, a condo in a landmark Kansas City Beaux-Arts building and a log cabin in Pawling.  By Julie Lasky.

It can also tell you how much it cost and what you get in the Sophiia, in case you were wondering.

Kansas City, Mo. | $499,900

A two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in a 40-unit 1922 Beaux-Arts building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  (Face it, most of us didn't know it's a Beaux-Arts building. Or that it's on the National Register of Historic Places).

This third-floor unit in the Sophian Plaza, a luxury building across from Southmoreland Park, is in the heart of Kansas City’s cultural district, less than five minutes on foot from the Nelson-Atkins Museum and Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, which it overlooks, and the same distance from the Kansas City Art Institute and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. The historic Country Club Plaza shopping center is about a half-mile away.

Size: 1,850 square feet

Price per square foot: $270

Indoors: The main entrance to the eight-story brick building with limestone and terra-cotta detail is approached through a columned forecourt. The grand lobby is clad in black-and-white marble and hung with brass chandeliers and wall sconces.

This particular unit, which is on the northeast corner and has been updated in the last decade, opens to a hallway with hardwood floors and charcoal-gray walls with white picture rail molding. (A second, service entrance was blocked to create closet space, but could be reopened.) At the end is a sitting room with the same features and color scheme; it connects through two doorways to a carpeted living room (previously a third bedroom and a sunroom that were combined) with an antique marble fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves. On the other side is a formal dining room. All of the rooms, except the bedrooms, have plantation shutters on their large windows, and there is a built-in sound system with speakers in every room.

The kitchen has countertops and floor tile of marble, and Bosch appliances. There is also a small, marble-topped breakfast bar.

Turning left from the front entrance takes you into the master bedroom. The marble fireplace here and in the living room are gas powered and have television screens above the mantels that appear as mirrors when not in use. The en suite marble master bathroom has a waterfall shower, heated floors and another mirrored television. There is also a Bosch washer and dryer in the unit, supplementing free laundry facilities in the basement.

The guest bedroom is off the kitchen; it is carpeted and has three closets and dark-painted molding. Its en suite bathroom has Nero Marquina marble tile walls and a combined bath and shower.

Most of the furniture in the unit is for sale.

Outdoor space: A side terrace encircled by a portico offers communal seating. This unit has a deeded parking space and basement storage. (Additional parking spaces rent for $100 a month.)

Taxes: $4,885, plus a $985 monthly homeowner fee covering heat and water (Because paying half a million up front just is no way enough, right?).

And now for the all-important contact information:

Contact: Judy Rea, Brookside Real Estate Company, 816-210-7730; brooksiderealestate.com

KC Vid

Fun, beautiful KC promotional video.

Nate Evans - Welcome To KC from nate evans on Vimeo.

With a last name like that, how could he go wrong?

Have a great week, y'all.

So Proud of You, Kansas City

Yes sir, so proud of my now hometown.

That's you, Kansas City.

There was a rather hastily put-together protest and march today at the Country Club Plaza. It began at Mill Creek Park, went for a protest march around the Plaza and then back to the park for some speeches.

It was to protest for women's and abortion rights, rightly, after the nightmare week in Jefferson City on the part of yet more Right Wing, mostly all white, Republican men who voted to limit even the possibility of an abortion after 8 weeks of pregnancy.

Forget all the medical facts like how difficult it is to know a woman is actually pregnant in the first few weeks after conception and all the other facts. Yeah, forget all that. Forget that theirs is supposed to be a "small government" political party. Forget all that. They want to have that government come between the patient, the female patient and her doctor.

It's not quite as bad as Alabama's draconian law they passed this week but it's right up there.

So a protest was planned and executed today and it was a beauty. I knew I had to be there. It's estimated 4,000 people showed. And they were boisterous. Herewith, some photos from the day. It was wondrous.

Some of the posters were a bit more, uh, frank, shall we say?

As I said, it was a very good sized crowd. I think we were all very, very pleased with the turnout and energy.

Some people wrote on the sidewalks, too, for a protest that would last a bit longer than just the time we were there.

One of the biggest ironies of all these, again, Right Wing, Republican government representatives is this article on a study of abortions and nations with and without them.

Abortion rates go down when countries make it legal: report

But again, facts and data and scientific studies mean little to these people. It's the same on this topic, abortion, as it is with guns and gun laws. Facts just don't matter.

You Must Go to the Wornall House

I've lived in the Kansas City area more than 35 years. Heck, I was only born an hour North in St. Joseph but I've lived here for years. And in all that time, I've driven by the old Wornall House on Wornall Road more times than I can count. Heck, I now live in the neighborhood. Again.

So yesterday, I'm driving by, yet again, when I see what are likely Civil War re-enactors on the lawn. It's Saturday. I have my chores done. I decided I have time so I park the car and go.

Am I ever glad I did.

If you have either never been or it's been a long time? Go. Go back. It's a terrific education. The original Wornall family did more to help develop this city and area than you have any idea. And the ties to even JC Nichols and his development of the Plaza, the family ties to Liberty and William Jewell College, local banks, all of it. Fascinating.

Here are just a few of the shots I took, on the outside. This is on the front porch.

A soldier and an officer's tent.

The inside of said tent.

More of the re-enactors.

I'm telling you, you'll get a terrific, fast national education on the Civil War and even the nation, as well as one more on the state of Missouri, the region, the Missouri-Kansas border war, slavery and area, all. Seriously fascinating.

Then, when that's done, either same day or some other time, maybe some other weekend, make a point to go to the Majors house at 82nd and State Line Road. It's under the same non-profit organization and can give you more information and history, at least, if not also entertainment.

Links:

John Wornall House Museum

Majors House - The Alexander Majors House Museum

Home - Wornall Majors House Museums

March For Our Lives Kansas City!

In keeping with the national movement and marches on this day, Saturday, March 24, we'll be having our own "March For Our Lives" here in Kansas City. It will start at 1 pm at Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza.

If we can't be in Washington, DC, we'll do the next best thing and still have our voices heard.

See you there!

Links:

Florida teen shooting survivors announce 'March for Our Lives 

MARCH FOR OUR LIVES

Join us on Facebook:   

March for Our LIves Kansas City
Mar 24, 1 PM · Mill Creek Park · Kansas City, MO

Next Up? That Andrew Jackson Statue Downtown

Think about this.

Last weekend, writer, reporter Steve Kraske, of the Kansas City Star and KCUR, the local NPR station, penned an article in the Saturday paper calling for the renaming of the J.C. Nichols fountain on our own Country Club Plaza because, well, the fact is, Mr. Nichols was a blatant, very public racist.

And sure, there are and will be plenty in the city who think it's crazy and/or unnecessary and/or just out and out stupid.

But the fact is, the City Council is meeting today and talking about doing just that.

On another local blog today I saw a comment and it made me realize what's next.

Yeah, that Andrew Jackson statue downtown? The one in front of the County Courthouse?

It will be next up for evaluation.

You want racist? It just doesn't get any more racist than US President Andrew Jackson.

Indian-Killer Andrew Jackson Deserves Top Spot on List of Worst US Presidents 

And it's not just that he was racist, though that's bad enough. He's been listed as one of the nation's worst presidents for years and for a range of reasons. Here are links to just three articles, of many, many that are available, spelling out how awful he was.

The 5 most notorious presidents in US history

Andrew Jackson was America's worst 

'great' president 

5 Reasons We Should Kick Andrew Jackson 

Off the $20 Bill 

Here is just a bit for which he's known.

When Jackson was inaugurated, he held a party in the White House to which anyone was invited. People trashed the place, even snipping bits out of the curtains as souvenirs. This story confirmed all the worst fears of Jackson’s critics. His predecessor, John Quincy Adams, who Jackson had defeated in a horrifically bad-tempered election, was so horrified by Jackson’s triumph that he refused to attend the inauguration – the last outgoing president in history to have boycotted his successor’s big day. Men like Adams – who came from a Massachusetts family that had fought for Independence and feared for the survival of the republic (particularly his father, John Adams) – saw Jackson as a profane, unprincipled demagogue; a would-be tyrant in the Napoleonic mode; a man with no respect for the checks and balances of the Constitution or the rule of law.

The first president to have risen from lowly origins, Jackson became famous as the general who had defeated the British at the battle of New Orleans in 1815. Previously known for buying a slave plantation in Tennessee (in 1803) and for taking part in a high-profile duel (with Charles Dickinson in 1806), after the battle of New Orleans he went on to win more fame fighting the Seminole Indians.

In office, Jackson was an aggressive wielder of the president’s hitherto unused veto power. He stopped Congress from spending money on new roads or canals, and he prevented the re-charter of the Bank of the United States, which had attempted to regulate the money supply and served as a lender of last resort. And whatever political challenge he faced, his language was hyperbolic. “You are a den of vipers and thieves,” he wrote to the directors of the Bank of the US, “I intend to rout you out, and by the eternal God, I will rout you out”. When he left office, the country was plunged into the deepest recession anyone could remember.

So, yes, Steve Kraske's idea and proposal struck a lot of people unawares but with all the removal of statues of racists first in New Orleans, then in St. Louis and the national conversations its inspired, I would absolutely look for this one to come up, too, shortly.

Like it, agree with it or no.

Kansas City On Parade

Some videos I found.




Have a great weekend, y'all.

Country Club Plaza Blight??

Here we go again.

Yet another company on the Country Club Plaza wants tax breaks. This time, it's a huge luxury hotel corporation, The Intercontinental, and they're claiming that their Intercontinental on our Plaza--you know, the old Alameda, is suffering from "blight."

InterContinental, a premier KC hotel, 

seeks 'blight' designation

What chutzpah. What corporate chutzpah. What nerve.

Intercontinental should break the news to their customers, that the hotel where they're staying suffers from "blight."

As an example, check out how the Intercontinental Hotel chain describes their local hotel, on their website.

LANDMARK ELEGANCE AT KANSAS CITY’S BEST ADDRESS

It is today and always has been presented as a luxury hotel, first. Second, they've updated and redecorated the hotel since taking over from the Alameda. And the rooms start at $200 per night. How much blight can they suffer at those rates?

Check this out. As further proof. They list themselves on at least a few sites on the internet as a Five Star Hotel, too.

The 5 Best Luxury Hotels in Kansas City, MO

 - Five Star Alliance

Five Star Luxury Hotels in Kansas City

The chain lists themselves on their official website (see below) as having $1,803,000 last year in "group revenue" with an operating profit of $680 million.

This is just like when the law firm, some years ago, wanted to take over an apartment building on the Plaza. They asked for tax breaks, too. Fortunately, the people of Kansas City rose up, made their voice heard and it was struck down. The site is now an ongoing, successful hotel.

That's what needs to happen here, now, on this, again. That is, the citizens of Kansas City need to rise up, speak up and tell Intercontinental "HELL NO" on this whole idea and proposal.  

They want to be a top of the food chain, luxury hotel?  Fine. Do it.

They just shouldn't do it on the backs of the citizens of Kansas City.

Links:  InterContinental® Hotels - Official Site

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

It's Looks To Be A Busy, Even Great September

Just glimpsing into what this September is going to bring us, besides Autumn and cooler temperatures, which is always welcome, it seems there's not just a lot of things that are going to take place but a lot of good to great things. Some examples:

--The Iran Deal. Agree or disagree, like it, love it, hate it, whatever, we're very likely now going to get the negotiated Iran deal which we--everyone--need so badly. Sure, disagree if you wish but scientists, military advisers actually in the military and experienced in the region as well as hundreds of Rabbis all came to the same conclusion, that this is a good and smart move. It's good for Iran, good for the region, good for the US, heck, good for the world. (see links, below).

--On a lot lighter side, we get Stephen Colbert back. This has, all of a sudden, become Stephen Colbert's week and even month, what with his Late Night talk show beginning this Tuesday. I don't know anyone brighter or any funnier than Mr. Colbert nor full of more energy and what appears to be downright, welcomed intelligence.

--Also lighter on subject, football. The NFL. And normally I wouldn't mention this but this year, especially the first game of the year, is especially poignant since the New England Patriots and their quarterback/leader Tom Brady will be highlighted. Coming off that rather auspicious win, what with his/their/our "deflategate" seeming scandal and the belief on so many people's part that the game looked rather shady, at least, if not out and out stolen, it should be interesting. Then there was all the courtroom drama this Summer and not that long ago---weeks---when a judge threw out the case of the NFL and commissioner Tom Goodell against Mr. Brady and his Patriots. Heck, the commentary alone on that opening football night and game should be interesting. Fun, even.

--On a far more local, Kansas City note, there's always the Fall art shows--Westport Art Festival next weekend and the Plaza Art Fair--and the UnPlaza Art Fair, of course--the 3rd week.

And that's just a short list. Heaven knows it will be a busy month. Enjoy, y'all.

Links:  Dozens of retired generals, admirals back Iran nuclear deal

29 US Scientists Praise Iran Nuclear Deal

340 rabbis urge Congress to support Iran nuclear deal

This is an astoundingly good Iran deal

Entertainment Overnight -- The Beautiful City

Kansas City Lights from Dan Wood on Vimeo.

Entertainment Overnight -- Kansas City

Paris of the Plains from Tim Lair on Vimeo.

A Happy Kansas City Birthday

To Ms. Ida McBeth. And thank you for sharing your wonderful voice and talents with us.

Kansas City gets some high profile recognition

Here it is, one more list Kansas City is on---and this time we hit it rather big. The number one spot over at the Huffington Post:

America's Top 5 Cities To Keep On Your Radar

What they said about us (after using our own Eric Bowers' photograph, no less):

Get to the Green Lady Lounge for some jazz, eat awesome BBQ at Q39, and don't forget to check out the historic City Market. The food is amazing, nearly everything is affordable, and the people are nice.

Sure, it's brief but hey, we got big exposure, some nice things said about us and we're in this number one spot.

So now go out there and be nice, people.

Have a great weekend.

The Federal Reserve's KC Annual Symposium is WHERE?

Why is the Federal Reserve's "Kansas City annual symposium" in Jackson Hole, Wyoming if we're paying for it all?

Why the hell isn't this in Kansas City, Missouri, where it belongs? They could have stayed at our finest hotels and gone to our finest restaurants and STILL saved a LOAD of money.

Granted, it's a figurative drop in the bucket, moneywise, to the overall national budget but hey, you start saving money SOMEWHERE. This seems like a terrific place to start.  And cut.

The Plaza, then and now

Our own Country Club Plaza, same building, 1966 and today:

If only the JC Company had, all those years ago, had the wisdom to know they should mandate that all buildings maintain their original Spanish style architecture on the outside.

The properties would all look FAR better now and all this time, from its creation to now, it would maintain the look throughout the Plaza--wouldn't that make sense?--and the property values would unequivocally be even higher than they are now I think it can easily be argued.

So it goes.

Old JC Nichols had brilliant ideas for himself, his company, his buildings and the city but he missed out on this one.

_________________________________________________________
Thanks to Michael Signorelli and the Things and places we loved in Greater KC when we were much younger! page from Facebook, yesterday.

Race will affect traffic on Memorial Day morning

The City of Kansas City, Mo., is notifying motorists that the Amy Thompson Run (8K, 5K and 1 mile) will affect traffic in the Sunset Hill, Ward Estates and Country Club District neighborhoods on Monday, May 27 from approximately 7 a.m. to noon.

The following streets will experience rolling closures during the race:

- Wornall Road between 51st and 55th streets
- 55th Street between Wornall Road and Summit Street
- Belleview Avenue between 52nd Street and 60th Terrace
- Pennsylvania Avenue between 55th Street and Huntington Road
- Huntington Road between Pennsylvania Avenue and Belleview Avenue
- 59th Terrace from Belleview Avenue to Ward Parkway
- Summit Street between 60th Terrace/61st Street and Greenway Terrace
- Valley Road between Greenway Terrace and 64th Terrace
- 64th Terrace between Valley Road and Ward Parkway
- Ward Parkway (northbound) between 64th Terrace and Sunset Drive
- Sunset Drive between Ward Parkway and 54th Street
- 54th Street between Sunset Drive and Belleview Avenue
- 51st Street between 52nd Street and Wornall Road

Please observe caution and obey all posted detours and barricades.

Thanks and acknowledgement to Scott Wagner and his Facebook page for this information.