South Patrol Ribbon Cutting

Ribbon snip!

OK hand over those scissors...

Election Day

Cruise Nights Are Back!

Yipee!  It is car cruisin' season again--a nice way to take a break from the troubles of the day.  Here are some pictures from the Branch cruise in Overland Park.  This is an all makes cruise that is every Friday night starting at 6 p.m.  Come on out--bring your classic ride if you have one--if you don't just come on out to enjoy the classic metal.

 One of the most iconic rear ends in the automotive world.

 Mustang!

 Offerings from each of the big three from the 1950s.

 Car peeps doing what car peeps do.

 What is it?

 Taste not required in the 1970s.

 The curiosity of  the day:  NOT a motorcycle!

Friday, April 6 was the first cruise night for this cruise--a good turnout and excellent weather!

Happy Easter!

I hope that you all had an enjoyable Easter holiday out there!

Woof!

That is all I got for now...see you all tomorrow.

A Taste of Traveling

Arial View

The island of Manhattan, from the air. That is a lot of people in a small space!

Car Spotting

Here is another round of interesting cars I've seen in my travels in the Kansas City metro. Believe it or not, I left some for next time!

In addition to being at least 40 years old, this extended cab Dodge has an interesting kludge.

This mid/late 1970s Dodge has a modification that may offend many purists...

This car almost needs its own post.

An AMC model--one way I can tell AMCs is the door handles--they are unique for the era.

And finally, a postal Jeep. How do I know that this CJ was used at one time by the U.S. Post Office?

Funny Sign

Honestly, I don't know what to blog about today.

I did get a laugh yesterday from this sign at the gas station. I love slightly self deprecating low key humor and word play like this.

Brother was it hot today! Broke records at KCI and all over. 108 at the Lee's Summit airport. That's hot!

Retro: Christmas 1995 at Channel 4

Ah, cleaning up--you just never know what you might find! I found this advertising piece from channel 4 dating back to Christmas 1995. On the cover is the lead news team at that time.

What you found when you looked inside was channel 4 newsies in holiday sweaters and/or ties. Pretty much everyone got their own page. Most intriguing to me was this photo of the official weather geek of the South Kansas City Observer, Gary Lezak, who at that time was the morning weather dude at WDAF:

Here's Lezak's whole page (click to enlarge)--he was one of the few whose recipes were not for nasty fattening treats.

Gary's bald head looks better than this moussed mess--probably a consultant's idea, that hair.

If you want to see more of this, make a note in the comment section. Trust me, Phil Witt hasn't changed a bit...

HPAC Auto Show Highlights

I mean over 300 pictures! And once the batteries in the camera died, I started in on the cell phone. So any one group of photos from last week's fabulous HPAC auto show is going to be woefully incomplete. Just to give myself a frame work, I've picked a car or two from each decade from the 1930s to the 2010s.

1960s era Plymouth features big engine and plenty of speed.

1970s, part one: Winged car, one of at least five at the show.

1970s, part two: Dodge station wagon featured the classic rear seat.

Not a first generation Viper, but the sense of adventure personified by the 10 banger was definitely part of Chrysler in the 1990s.

1940s era Plymouth with plenty of bright work and looong hood.

Interior of the 1955 Chrysler 300. Do the seatbelts belong?

The Dodge Charger is a good representative of the 2000s--this is a fire chief's car.

Pair of 1930s era Plymouths.

1983 Jeep CJ--pre merger days, but the Jeep brand and vehicles would prove vital to Chrysler in the 1980s and early 1990s after the 1987 merger/takeover with AMC.

Hot pink metallic Dodge Challenger provides some of the muscle in the Chrysler lineup of today.

No doubt there will be more photos posted in other places--stay tuned.

Kansas City Shelter Animals

So, as I mentioned in the post below, I went to the KCMO Animal Shelter. And, of course, there were lots of nice animals to see and visit--did you really think you'd only get two animal photos? Here are some more--and this is just a portion of the available pets there.

Interestingly marked black and white bicolor finds herself in the shelter after her owner passed away--one of two cats with that story--and both are very sweet.

Yes, it's raining kittens in Kansas City, Missouri! Here's a group of dilute tortie sisters.

Dogs--one of two Huskie/Huskie crosses in the shelter this day. Beautiful dogs.

One of my personal favorite crosses--the "Puggle"(Pug/Beagle)--I had never seen one in white before. Editor's note: Description on Petfinder says this pup is Chihuahua/Pug. Either way.

I love this pair--I don't think either are purebred but they are enchanting combo of chihuahua/min pin. So cute.

If you are thinking of adopting a pet, please consider a visit to the KCMO shelter. Animals there are in danger of being killed due to crowding issues--adoption and the assurance of a home will save lives. Information on the shelter, located near the stadiums at 4400 Raytown Road, is linked right here.

Sunday Sunset

Last night's sunset. When I saw this I knew today would be a great weather day. I was not disappointed. Hope you all got out in the sun a little bit today.

Car Show and Cruising Season Is ON!

I think Kansas City is one of the best places for old cars. Its history of manufacturing and engineering causes an appreciation for the old school around here. Couple that with weather that is reasonably agreeable to preserving automobiles--there are just a few months that driving an antique is ill advised and there is no salt air to corrode metal--and we have a feast of old autos to look at. Here are some pictures from a couple Friday night cruises at the Long Branch, 91st and Metcalf in Overland Park, KS.

For listings of all things automotive, I recommend visiting Craig Hover over at Hover Motor Co. for a run down of all things old car happening in the KC and surrounding areas. Linked here, or permanently over on one of the blog rolls to the left. He has lots of other cool stuff too.

Two dates on my calendar are the Mopar Family Reunion Car Show & Swap June 11 and 12 at the Bass Pro in Olathe, KS and UM Church of the Resurrection Car Show July 9 at the church in Leawood (137th and Roe). Also remember the Long Branch cruise every Friday night and for you MOPAR people, the HPAC cruise every third Saturday at Carver's in Olathe (135th St just west of US 69). See you at the show!