This Saturday, the public is invited to a Celebration of Life for Jim Leedy, the artist, teacher, gallery owner, and Crossroads pioneer who helped Kansas City—and Downtown, especially—become a nationally prominent center for the arts.
Jim died at age 91 in late December, and the Celebration of Life on July 23 coincides with an exhibit of his life’s work at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center entitled “Jim Leedy: Across Boundaries.” The exhibition runs through the end of this month.
Celebration of Life organizers suggest that guests bring food, drinks, and stories to share about Jim. The event begins at 4 p.m.
You may also share condolences or memories you have of Jim by using the form on this page. With your permission, your words may be used for a slide show celebrating and commemorating Jim’s life and legacy.
More information is available at the Celebration of Life Facebook Event page.
This Friday, July 22, marks 150 years since the birth in St. Joseph, Mo., of famed political boss Thomas J. Pendergast. He was known as “T.J.” and “Boss Tom,” and he certainly has had more influence over the history of Kansas City than any other individual at this point in time. (Yes, even more than Patrick Mahomes.)
Pendergast was generally considered to be either altruistic or criminal, with one’s viewpoint skewed by whether or not a person benefited from the Pendergast political machine, or was harmed by it. There is no doubt the Pendergast machine gave a boost to the poor and the working class in Kansas City, and likewise it is certain that the machine stole from, violated, and abused the citizens, government, and organizations of Kansas City as well.
As the State Historical Society of Missouri wrote, “Pendergast’s control … was the result of fraud, manipulation, and violence at the ballot box as well as service to the people of Kansas City and Jackson County.”
Pendergast’s best-known office was on the second floor of a two-story building located Downtown at 1908 Main. It remains standing today, located on the modern-day streetcar line.
POST-PUBLICATION NOTE:
Reader Kaler Bole pointed out to me that Pendergast's Ward Parkway mansion, pictured above, was the home he lived in for the last 20 years of his life, but the home where Boss Tom actually raised his family was at 200 W. 54th Street.
Bole says that before T.J. died he stated, "I never had a bad day in our first home and never had a good one in the last"
When I looked it up online, I thought the house looked familiar—and it was—because longtime KMBC anchor Larry Moore used to own and live in this Pendergast house near Loose Park.
I also learned that there are rumors that T.J. buried enemies in the concrete of the basement, and that there are apparently tunnels leading to who-knows-where under the house.
In the mid to late 2000s, I worked for a video production company that produced marketing videos for The Reserve Condominiums, a planned residential conversion of the former Federal Reserve Bank at 9th and Grand Downtown. It was right before the financial crisis of 2008, and it seemed a certainty that buyers would soon be moving into the old bank building at the time. With the ensuing economic recession, a housing crisis, and other factors, the project stalled and died. A 2014 proposal by a different developer to convert the building to a hotel never occurred, either.
Earlier this month, a group called Exploring the Abandoned posted a YouTube video of the inside of the ol’ Federal Reserve Bank Building (apparently with permission). Here’s what they found:
Part two of Exploring the Abandoned’s visit to the Federal Reserve is also now online.
The MR340 river race, the longest, non-stop paddling race in the world, launched from Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday and offered this spectacular view of Downtown KCMO. Hundreds of kayakers started in KC, and a slightly lesser number of participants finished at St. Charles, Mo., a few days later.
Join Art in the Loop this Wednesday, July 20, at Oppenstein Park for a multi-disciplinary performance featuring music, theatre, and puppetry by local performance artists Alber, Emily Bartlett & b.hive theatre, and "Pollinators Parade" by Lavinia Roberts.
The performance begins at 5:30 p.m. in the park at 12th and Walnut. Bring your folding chairs, blankets, snacks, and cold beverages. The event is free and open to the public.
Link: Oppenstein Park Performance, Art in the Loop Series
1970
Artful City: One weekly selection with a Downtown connection
Quick Clip: The city in motion—just a few seconds at a time
Downtown Lens: A single image depicting the urban aesthetic
Answering the question “Who are all these people and where are they going?”, The Loop brings you a list of some of the biggest events happening Downtown each week. Please give a friendly Downtown-Kansas City welcome to audiences and attendees of….
TODAY
Prejudice & Pride continues through July 24th at the Music Theater Heritage
THURSDAY the 21st
Sheryl Crow at GrindersKC
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights at KC Live! Block in P&L
FRIDAY the 22nd
Mikey Needleman Band at KC Live! Block in P&L
SATURDAY the 23rd
Coors Light Block Party: Pop Preachers at KC Live! Block in P&L
For a more exhaustive list of everything happening Downtown, go to the VisitKC events page and use the “regions” function to search for Downtown, Westside/Southwest Blvd, West Bottoms, River Market, Power & Light, Crown Center, Crossroads, 18th & Vine—or anywhere you want to go in the KC Metro
Until next week—enjoy the city!
Got a tip or question about Downtown KC?
Write to: tips@kcdowntownloop.com or contact The Loop via social media
Kevin Worley, Co-Publisher/Editorial
Joe Nichols, Co-Publisher/Business
Hannah Schuh, Intern
107 W. Ninth Street, Suite 210
Kansas City, MO 64105
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Kevin, proud and enjoying it all
The video from the reserve bank made me think of the images from Metro North Mall several years ago. I used to love that place but it gradually emptied as I grew into adulthood. These photos are beautiful in an apocalyptic way.
https://www.insider.com/photos-abandoned-metro-north-mall-kansas-city-2016-11