Visit to Kansas City Fourth Day

My last full day was Sunday.  We began by picking up Anola and going to her parish, St. Therese, for Mass.  With all her demands to bring her novel to publication, Anola has temporarily stopped singing in the gospel choir.  Nonetheless we enjoyed the Mass, the music, and the wonderfully diverse and friendly assembly.

We returned to Mom's apartment and spent a lazy afternoon napping (me), working crosswords (Mom), and chatting (both of us.)  The temperature got to 90 which led me to run out to Starbuck's for some ice tea which we both enjoyed.

Around 4:00 we left her apartment for a tour of the city before we met Anola, Peter, Gerry and Kara for dinner at Pierpont's in the Union Station.  Mary had told us Saturday about the new public art at the MAX bus stops.  We  had visited two Saturday night and decided to see the third on the way to dinner.  It is located at 31st and Troost, a place where we would often walk for movies at the Isis Theater which is now a vacant lot on the corner...well not vacant but home to a MAX bus stop, a park and ride lot, and an impressive public art mural.  View a video pan of the entire mural.

The high point was the sculpture at the bus stop that was set in motion by the approaching MAX bus.  I am always impressed and proud of my hometown for its commitment to public art.  There is a local ordinance that any public construction project (roads, bridges, buildings, etc.) must include  a certain percentage for public art.  Marilyn and I always comment on the art integrated into what would otherwise be very ordinary overpasses.

We continued our tour of downtown Kansas City, commenting on how much things had changed since we used to come downtown on the streetcars to shop.  Suddenly I saw a structure that simply took my breath away.  It is the almost completed Kauffman Performing Arts Center.  It is a gift to Kansas City from the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Foundation.  Kansas City is blessed with people of wealth who use that wealth to improve the quality of life of the community.  They set an example for all of us, even if we are not wealthy.

Finally we arrived at the Union Station and had a wonderful meal with the others.  It was great to spend some relaxed time with Gerry and Kara, whom I had last seen at their wedding.  It was my coincidental good fortunate that a wedding in Texas had brought them to the US from Abu Dhabi.

I left the next day fro home and arrived safely and on time.  My next visit to Kansas City will be July for Mom's 99th birthday.