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From the inside, you get a better perspective of the inside of the Veterans Drive tunnel under construction in SeaTac, WA as part of the SR 509 Completion Project.
This section of the tunnel will carry two lanes of eastbound traffic under I-5. Southbound I-5 drivers who exit to SR 516 will have the option to turn left about half-way down the ramp and use the tunnel to continue east to Military Road South.
The SR 509 Completion Project is part of WSDOT's Puget Sound Gateway Program which completes critical missing links in Washington's highway and freight network.
A touch of old hollywood meets modern chic. This home came with extra personality in each space. We had fun creating her vision and the results were nothing short of Glamorous!
designed by Siza Vieira
Since its completion in 1966 the Leça Swimming Pool complex, by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza, has been an internationally recognized building. Still almost half a century later, it has gracefully retained its architectural integrity and remained a popular retreat. The Leça Swimming Pools is one of Siza’s greatest early works, and an example of his careful reconciliation between nature and his design.
The Leça Swimming Pools were one of Alvaro Siza’s first solo projects. After graduating from the University of Porto in 1955, he worked briefly with architect Fernando Tavora before setting up a studio as an independent architect. He is still practicing and has received various awards and accolades for his work, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1992.
The Leça de Palmeira beaches are on the northern coastline of Matosinhos, a small town to the north of Porto, as well as Siza’s birthplace. It is also the site of another early work of Siza’s, the Boa Nova Tea House. Both the Leça Swimming Pools and the Boa Nova Tea House were constructed and completed around the same time in the mid 1960s. They both use concrete and have a similar respect for the natural rocky coastline near Siza’s home.
It became apparent that the site was well suited for another high-profile memorial since it sat directly south of the White House. By 1901 the Senate Park Commission, better known as the McMillan Commission, had proposed placing a pantheon-like structure on the site hosting "the statues of the illustrious men of the nation, or whether the memory of some individual shall be honored by a monument of the first rank may be left to the future"; no action was ever taken by Congress on this issue.[3]
The completion of the Tidal Basin Inlet Bridge in 1908 helped to facilitate the recreational usage of East and West Potomac Parks. In 1918, large liquid-chlorine dispensers were installed under the bridge to treat the water and make the Tidal Basin (also known as Twining Lake) suitable for swimming. The Tidal Basin Beach, on the site of the future Memorial, opened in May 1918 and operated as a "Whites Only" facility through 1925, when it was permanently closed to avoid the question of racial integration.[5]
A design competition was held for a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt in 1925. The winning design was submitted by John Russell Pope and consisted of a half-circle memorial situated next to a circular basin. The plan was never funded by Congress and was not built.[3]
Jefferson Memorial Side View
The Memorial's chance came in 1934 when President Franklin Roosevelt, an admirer of Jefferson himself, inquired to the Commission of Fine Arts about the possibility of erecting a memorial to Jefferson, including it in the plans for the Federal Triangle project, which was under construction at the time. Later the same year, Congressman John J. Boylan jumped off FDR's starting point and urged Congress to create the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission. Boylan was appointed the Commission's first chairman and Congress eventually appropriated $3 million for a memorial to Jefferson.[3]
Jefferson warns that a nation cannot be "ignorant and free."
The Commission chose John Russell Pope as the architect in 1935. Pope was also the architect of the National Archives Building and original (west) building of the National Gallery of Art. He prepared four different plans for the project, each on a different site. One was on the Anacostia River at the end of East Capitol Street; one at Lincoln Park; one on the south side of the National Mall across from the National Archives; and one situated on the Tidal Basin, directly south of the White House. The Commission preferred the site on the Tidal Basin mainly because it was the most prominent site and because it completed the four-point plan called for by the McMillan Commission (Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol; White House to the Tidal Basin site). Pope designed a very large pantheon-like structure, to sit on a square platform, and to be flanked by two smaller, rectangular, colonnaded buildings.[3]
[edit] Construction
Under construction in 1941, as seen from across the Tidal Basin
Construction began on December 15, 1938 and the cornerstone was laid on November 15, 1939, by president Franklin Roosevelt. By this point Pope had died (1937) and his surviving partners, Daniel P. Higgins and Otto R. Eggers, took over construction of the memorial. The design was modified at the request of the Commission of Fine Arts to a more conservative design.
Construction commenced amid significant opposition. The Commission of Fine Arts never actually approved any design for the Memorial and even published a pamphlet in 1939 opposing both the design and site of the Memorial. In addition, many Washingtonians opposed the site because it was not aligned with L'Enfant's original plan. Finally, many well established elm and cherry trees had to be removed for construction. Construction continued amid the opposition.[3]
In 1939, the Memorial Commission hosted a competition to select a sculptor for the planned statue in the center of the Memorial. They received 101 entries and chose six finalists. Of the six, Rudulph Evans was chosen as the main sculptor and Adolph A. Weinman was chosen to sculpt the pediment relief situated above the entrance.[3]
The Jefferson Memorial was officially dedicated by President Roosevelt on April 13, 1943, the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's birthday. At that time, Evans' statue had not yet been finished. Due to material shortages during World War II, the statue that was installed at the time was a plaster cast of Evans' work painted to look like bronze. The finished bronze statue was installed in 1947, having been cast by the Roman Bronze Company of New York.[3]
One of the last American public monuments in the Beaux-Arts tradition,[citation needed] the Memorial was severely criticized even as it was being built, by those who adhered to the modernist argument that dressing 20th century buildings like Greek and Roman ones constituted a "tired architectural lie."[citation needed] More than 60 years ago, Pope responded with silence to critics who dismissed him as part of an enervated architectural elite practicing "styles that are safely dead."[citation needed] As a National Memorial it was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.[1][6]
[edit] Description
The monument's marble steps, portico, and circular colonnade of Ionic order columns, and shallow dome.
Composed of circular marble steps, a portico, a circular colonnade of Ionic order columns, and a shallow dome, the building is open to the elements. Pope made references to the Roman Pantheon and Jefferson's own design for the Rotunda at the University of Virginia. It is situated in West Potomac Park, on the shore of the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River. The Jefferson Memorial, and the White House located directly north, form one of the main anchor points in the area of the National Mall in D.C. The Washington Monument, just east of the axis on the national Mall, was intended to be located at the intersection of the White House and the site for the Jefferson Memorial to the south, but soft swampy ground which defied 19th century engineering required it be sited to the east.[citation needed]
[edit] The interior
Rudulph Evans's statue of Thomas Jefferson with excerpts from the Declaration of Independence to the right
The interior of the memorial has a 19-foot (5.8 m) tall, 10,000 lb (4336 kg) bronze statue[7] of Jefferson by sculptor Rudulph Evans[7] showing Jefferson looking out toward the White House. This statue was added four years after the dedication. Most prominent are the words which are inscribed in a frieze below the dome: "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."[8] This sentence is taken from a September 23, 1800, letter by Jefferson to Dr. Benjamin Rush wherein he defends the constitutional refusal to recognize a state religion.
On the panel of the southwest interior wall are excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776:[9]
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We...solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states...And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour.
Note that the inscription uses the word "inalienable", as in Jefferson's draft, rather than "unalienable", as in the published Declaration.[10]
On the panel of the northwest interior wall is an excerpt from "A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, 1777", except for the last sentence, which is taken from a letter of August 28, 1789, to James Madison:[9][11]
Almighty God hath created the mind free...All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens...are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion...No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.
Detail of the statue
The quotes from the panel of the northeast interior wall are from multiple sources. The first sentence, beginning "God who gave...", is from "A Summary View of the Rights of British America".[12] The second, third and fourth sentences are from Notes on the State of Virginia.[13] The fifth sentence, beginning "Nothing is more...", is from Jefferson's autobiography.[14] The sixth sentence, beginning "Establish the law...", is from an August 13, 1790, letter to George Wythe.[15] The final sentence is from a letter of January 4, 1786, to George Washington[16]:[9]
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.
The inscription on the panel of the southeast interior wall is redacted and excerpted from a letter July 12, 1816, to Samuel Kercheval:[17][9]
I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.
[edit] Criticism
Cato Institute Fellow and University of Alberta history professor emeritus Ronald Hamowy has called the inscriptions "[p]erhaps the most egregious examples of invoking Jefferson for purely transient political purposes." Hamowy argues that:
Planned and built during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the walls of the memorial are adorned with quotations from Jefferson’s writings, many of which suggest that Jefferson advocated positions consistent with the aims of the New Deal—with which he would, in fact, have had little sympathy. Thus, Jefferson’s admonition that an educated electorate was essential if liberty were to be preserved is transmuted into a call for universal public education. And his caution that man, as he advances in his understanding of the world, must accompany his greater enlightenment with changes in his social institutions becomes a justification for a new theory of government in keeping with the social-democratic principles that animated the New Deal.[18]
The excerpts chosen from the Declaration have been criticized because the first half alters Jefferson's prose (for the sake of saving space) and eliminates the right of revolution passage that Jefferson believed was the point of the Declaration, while much of the second half (from "solemnly publish" to "divine providence") was not written by Jefferson.[19]
The fifth sentence quoted on the northeast interior wall ("Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free.") has been called "misleadingly truncated" by historian Garry Wills, because Jefferson's sentence continued with: "Nor is it less certain that the two races, equally free, cannot live in the same government."[20]
[edit] Location
Jefferson Memorial, with Potomac River in the background. Photographed from the top of the Washington Monument, January 1967
The site of the monument is in Washington D.C. West Potomac Park, on the shore of the Potomac River Tidal Basin, is enhanced with the massed planting of Japanese cherry trees, a gift from the people of Japan in 1912.[21]
The monument is not as prominent in popular culture as other Washington, D.C. buildings and monuments, possibly due to its location well removed from the National Mall and the Washington Metro. The Jefferson Memorial hosts many events and ceremonies each year, including memorial exercises, the Easter Sunrise Service, and the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.[21]
The monument is open 24 hours a day but park rangers are there only until 11:30 p.m.;however, the monument is only a few hundred yards from the National Park Police D.C. Headquarters in East Potomac Park. (0330 UTC)[22]
DMS2345 nearing completion. This bus has the original red/white livery with the roundel repositioned to accept T Shape adverts. The real bus can be seen on Flickr. Route numbers and destinations are temporary and light clusters to be completed.
A pair of Foremost Delta 3 vehicles just days away from testing.
GVWR: 59,300 lb.
Payload: 30,000 lb,
Power: 325 HP
Torque: 1095 ft-lb.
Maximum fording depth: 4.5 ft.
Maximum grade: 50%.
Content description: Crowd of people looking up at 8 Cambridge Center foundation completion ceremony.
Local identifier: 020_01_03_033
Type of resource: still image
Genre/form: black-and-white prints (photographs)
Date: 1998-04
Physical description: 1 photograph : print, black and white ; 25.4 x 20.3 cm
Digital origin: reformatted digital
General notes: Title and content description from related item.
Date notes: Date from related item.
Acquisition notes: Donated by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority in July 2014.
Description standard: dcrmg
Subject headings:
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
Boston Properties, Inc.
Kendall Square (Cambridge, Mass.)
Construction industry
Urban renewal--Massachusetts--Cambridge
Host collection: Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Records, 1952-2000
Physical location: Cambridge Public Library
Conditions Governing Use: The material in this collection is subject to copyright and intellectual property restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to understand and observe copyright law and to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyright. Researchers must obtain written permission from the copyright holder(s) if they wish to publish materials from this collection. Questions concerning copyright and permission to publish should be directed to the Cambridge Room, Cambridge Public Library Archives and Special Collections.
Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection: [Identification of item], Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Records, 1952-2000, 020, [Box#, Folder title], Cambridge Room, Cambridge Public Library Archives and Special Collections.
For more from this collection: cambridgeroomcollections.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/cambrid...
(further pictures and enormous amounts of information you can get by clicking on the link at the end of page!)
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Seat of the Archbishop (Cardinal) of Vienna, one of the most important buildings of the Central European High and Late Gothic, monumental example of the South-German-Austrian multi-naved church, landmark of Vienna. Characteristic is the independent lateral position of the towers, the inclusion of the romanesque western facade, the high Gothic hall choir and the mighty steep roof with colorful brick patterning.
History
1147
The first Romanesque church - from Passau founded (hence patron saint: saint Stephen Protomartyr) - is consecrated. It is located in a quarter of new settlements of merchants, which in the second half of the 12th Century was included in the city's fortifications (which is the part between Singerstraße and wool line (Wollzeile), the road to Hungary). It is located outside, to the southeast, of the oldest city area of the Roman fort, Vindobona. This building was in its dimensions already a large basilical complex, at its completion already including the floor plan of the Heath towers in the West.
1263
Re-consecration after the fire. The impacts on the Romanesque church are not precisely known. The huge gate was already previously rebuilt, when Vienna was for a short time residence of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In succession, the reconstruction of the west gallery and the expansion of the western towers (Heath towers) took place. From this period stem also most of the sculptures of the giant gate, the vaults, capitals and rose windows at the west gallery.
Stephansdom64.jpg (35605 bytes)
1304 -1340
Construction of the Gothic hall choir, Albertinian choir, named after the Habsburg Albert II (1330-1358).
The citizenship of Vienna initially purchased the required properties and "as the owner of the Gothic choir in the Zwettler (city in Lower Austria) documents of 1303 and 1304 Viennese citizens are testified".
This civic foundation was then converted by a princely.
The following indulgence certificate - in the original written on parchment and provided with a hanging seal - is in a sense the main historical document of the choir consecration and thus also to the architectural history of St. Stephen of great importance.
1340
Bishop Peter of Marchapolis gives, at the request of the parishioners, all who attend at the anniversary of the consecration of the choir of St. Stephen's Church, which was accomplished on the above day in his presence by Bishop Albert of Passau, or at the feasts of the altar patrons of the church, an indulgence of 40 days.
1359
Laying of the foundation stone for further Gothic reconstruction of the nave (south and north wall), the Singertor and the Bischofstor (gate) and the two double chapels laterally to the Romanesque western building. Furthermore, the construction of overall four towers was planned. In fact, only the southern transept tower (the "saint Stephen's Tower") was first started.
1365
Those conversion measures are associated with the efforts of Duke Rudolf IV to raise Vienna to the status of a diocese, and with the founding of the University of Vienna.
1395
Consecration of the chapel of Saint Catherine ("baptistery") on the east side of the south tower.
1404
Peter of Prachatitz is Dombaumeister (cathedral builder). The citizenship by providing financial support pushes ahead the expansion of the tower.
1417 - 1430
Establishment of the lower sacristy
1433
Completion of the south tower under Hans von Prachatitz
1440 - 1459
Completion of the High Gothic nave
1450
Planning and construction of the North Tower by Hans Puchsbaum
1459
At Hüttentag of Regensburg the mason's lodge of St. Stephen's in Vienna is designated the leading main lodge in Central Europe.
1466
Extension of the upper sacristy
1469
Under Frederick III. the Diocese of Vienna is built.
1474
The Chapel of St. Barbara in the north tower is completed according to the plans of Puchsbaum. Formerly this building extension in the North Tower was called: Urbanuskapelle (chapel).
1511
Suspension of the building at the north tower. It is higher than the nave walls, but lower than the ridge height of the choir roof. As a crowning feature of the tower stump an octagonal structure was set up, which was closed with a so-called "Welsh hood" of Kaspar and Hans Saphoy 1578. The Welsh hood is a into the Gothic transmitted dome shape".
The back of the St. Stephen's Cathedral with the North Tower
1514/1519
1514/1519 at the top of saint Stephen's tower an eight-rayed sun ("Star") was fitted with a crescent moon as a symbol of spiritual and temporal power. When the Viennese in the Turkish siege (1529) throughout in the camp of their enemies saw similar symbols, they raised first objections against the "haidnisch Zaichen (heathen signs)", yet remained the "Moonlight" on the tower. Only on the occasion of the second siege (1683 ) vowed Leopold I to replace the "ungodly and unworthy Turks coat of arms" by the sign of the cross, when the city was liberated by God's assistance.
The from saint Stephen removed moon. Book illustration, 18th century
The new, of copper wrought double cross ("Spanish Cross") was made by coppersmith Hans Adam Bosch. It was one and a half meters high and had a weight of 45.5 kg. On September 14th, the Kreuzerhöhungstag (day of the elevation of the Cross) (in the same time the anniversary of the moving in of Leopold into the liberated city), it was placed under great spectacle. However, it was not flexible enough and already on 14th December it fell down due to a violent storm. On 31st October 1687 followed the setting up of a new crowning. To the Spanish Cross now the imperial double-headed eagle and the initials of Leopold I had been added. Cross and eagle had a height of 2.45 m and a weight of 67 kg.
St. Stephen's Cathedral around 1530
1640
Bishop Friedrich Count Breuner the Baroquisation of the equipment of the St. Stephen's Cathedral as a manifestation of the Counter-Reformation had started. He commissioned the brothers Jacob and Tobias Pock from Konstanz with the construction of a new high altar.
1683
Damages caused by numerous cannonballs at the second Turkish siege.
1700
Second wave of Baroquisation: Gothic winged altars and also their early Baroque successors are replaced by baroque marble altars.
1711
July 21st, 1711. In front of a large audience the k.k. Stückgießer (specialized iron caster) Johann Achamer carries out the casting of the great bell of saint Stephen. The for this purpose required metal comes from stocks of the Imperial arsenal of captured Turkish cannons. After Pölzung (supporting) of the underground vaults under the streets that touches the train, the bell weighing more than 17 tons on a special car or a loop of 100 people is brought from the Leopoldstadt on 29th October to the cathedral. On December 15th, Bishop Rummel undertakes the consecration of the bell, then it is pulled up to the south tower. There it rests on two oak beams, which for ringing can be screwed off. When Charles VI. solemnly moved into Vienna after his imperial coronation on 26th January 1712, the Pummerin was rung for the first time, in the process only the 813 kg in weight clapper was moved.
1720
The so-called catacombs are set up as a burial site.
1735
The cemetery around the church is closed down and in 1783 completely removed
Stock-im-Eisen-Platz and St. Stephen's Square before the demolition of the houses
Coloured engraving of V.C. Schütz. 1779
1803
The Steffl gets air: Demolition of houses on Stephansplatz
October. The strong increase in population leads to an increased volume of traffic. As part of "traffic-appropriate" measures streets are widened, squares enlarged, arcades created and traffic regulations introduced such as, e.g., the first one-way at the Carinthian gates (1802). With the demolition of the last still in front of the cathedral facade standing houses yet another basic expansion and redesign of the Stephansplatz can be completed.
1809
Also in the French wars the Cathedral is damaged by artillery fire.
1810
Repair work on the South Tower
1831
Renovation of the roof at the Albertinian choir
1842
On the occasion of the two renewals of the tower helmet in the 19th century respectively in 1842 and 1864, again a new double-headed eagle with a double cross was set on the spire. This last crowning of 1864 still today adorns the top of saint Stephen's tower.
1853 - 1854
Expansion of the remaining Wimperge (gables) in the roof area of which Puchsbaum under Frederick III. only one had realized.
1863 - 1864
Cathedral architect Friedrich Schmidt heads the restoration of the tower helmet.
1945
St. Stephen's Cathedral, April 1945 © Press Agency Votava St. Stephen's Cathedral, April 1945
The roof of St Stephen's Cathedral
is on fire 8th April 1945
Friday 13 April: Dombrand (cathedral's fire) in the last days of World War II. The roof burns down, the vaults of the middle choir and the southern side choir collapse. The Pummerin plunges down and breaks. The cathedral is badly damaged.
1945 - 1952
Reconstruction of the roof and choir
Triumphant entry of the new Pummerin in Vienna. The in St. Florian/Oberösterreich (Upper Austria) cast bell to Vienna had a true triumphal procession behind herself.
From the ruins of the Pummerin 1952 in St. Florian, Upper Austria, a new bell was cast and consecrated on 26th April 1952 in Vienna. The other bells of St. Stephen's Cathedral also consistently bore names as Halbpummerin, Viertelpummerin, Councillor Bell, Mentioned bell (Genanntenglocke), Zwölferin, beer bell (Bierglocke) etc. Very few of them survived the year 1945.
1953
Construction of the Bishop tomb in the catacombs under the Apostle Choir
1954 - 1965
Restoration of the South Tower
1956
Renovation of the Ducal Crypt, construction of the lower church and the lapidary (collection of stone monuments)
Completion of the tower helmet at the north tower (Saphoy'sche hood) with housing of the Pummerin
1961
In 1961 the cathedral received a new peal of eleven bells.
1973
Consecration of the People's altar (makeshift solution)
1977 - 1998
Restoration of the North Tower
1989
Remodeling of the sanctuary and the consecration of the new People's altar (September 14)
1991
Consecration of the new cathedral organ (Servants - Madonna gets here her new stand)
Overall length: 107.2 m outside inside 91.8 m
Width of the nave: 38.9 m
Height of the South tower: (High Tower) 136.7 m
Height of the North tower: 60.6 m
Height of the Heathen towers 65.6 m
On completion of construction work on the Residenz, the final development of Würzburg Palace Gardens or the Hofgarten was tackled during the rule of the Prince Bishop of Würzburg, Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim (reigned 1755-1779). Seinsheim employed the Bohemian-born garden artist Johann Prokop Mayer (1735-1804) as new court gardener to help him in the realisation of the project.
Mayer skilfully divides the awkwardly sized garden terrain rising steeply toward the bastions, into individual, symmetrical self-contained sections. This resulted in the creation of approximately three equal sized parts, namely the East Garden, the South Garden and the nursery grounds. Mayer filled all sections of the gardens with an abundance of topiary fruit trees, hedges, trellises, potted plants and pergola walks. (Source: www.residenz-wuerzburg.de/englisch/garden)
èicture taken in mid-October.
New York's Grand Central Station nearing completion sometime around 1913. 8x10 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection.
Ace Hotel (formerly The Hotel Breslin)
20 West 29TH Street
New York, NY
Lobby Bar at the Ace Hotel
------------------
Prior to the opening of the 269 room Ace Hotel at the corner of Broadway and 29th Street in 2009 - there was the Hotel Breslin.
The Hotel Breslin was built by United States Realty & Improvement Company in 1904 on the site of the former Sturtevant House Hotel. Upon its completion, the hotel was leased to prominent New York hotelier, Colonel James H. Breslin, for whom the hotel is named.
Breslin also operated the Gilsey House and the Hotel Walcott.
The architectural firm Clinton & Russell designed the Beaux-arts 12-story brick and terra cotta building. The firm also designed the Hotel Astor in Times Square and the landmark Apthorp Apartments on New York's West Side. The hotel was constructed on a trapezoidal lot at an estimated cost of $1 million.
The Breslin's mansard roof and corner cap were its signature attributes.
Upon its opening in 1904, the Breslin was noted for its salons and cafes, and for its unusual "ladies' grill room." The property was situated in the Times Square of the turn of the century -- an area full of clubs and restaurants, and New York's first neighborhood to be electrified with lighting and signage.
A block over (West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenue) was Tin Pan Alley - a neighborhood flush with music publishers and songwriters that were the center of American popular music in the early 20th Century. It was thought the term Tin Pan Alley referred to the thin, tinny tone quality of cheap upright pianos used in music publisher's offices.
In 1906 Clinton & Russell were commissioned to extend the hotel to the south on 29th Street. It was promised to "harmonize" the additions building materials with the old building.
According to a 2001 New York Landmarks Preservation Commission Report the Hotel Breslin remains remarkably intact on the exterior above the first floor.
Following Breslin's passing in 1906 he was succeeded by Walter E. Hildreth as president of the Breslin Hotel Company.
Jim Breslin died of Bright's disease at his Hotel Wolcott apartment. Breslin was president of the Hotel Men's Association. Breslin's first job in the hotel industry was as a bellboy at the United States Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. According to the NY Times "... to have been one of Jim Breslin's employees and with a recommendation from him meant a job in any hotel in the United States and at once..."
In 1911 Walter Hildreth representing Breslin Hotel Company and the United States Realty & Improvement Company sold the 400 room hotel for approximately $3,000,000 to an entity known as Hotel Operating Associates. According to the NY Times D.V. Mulligan of the Russell House Hotel, Ottawa, Canada was appointed the hotel manager. For many decades the Russell House served as Ottawa's foremost hotel. Mulligan was a well-known Canadian hotelier and he planned to focus on attracting Canadian businessmen to the Breslin.
Manager Mulligan received some publicity regarding his attempts to make the Breslin a "no tipping hotel". His thought was such a policy would increase business. Mulligan fired several hat check girls who accepted tips from the patrons, but he also understood he could not dictate to his patrons how to spend their money and it was useless to prohibit employees from receiving tips. So in 1913 he implemented a policy of reducing by 10% every restaurant bill - with the hope that most patrons would accept the reduction as a notice to leave a 10% tip in cash. It is not known how long he continued reducing restaurant bills by 10%.
In 1925 the Breslin Hotel was sold to Paul A. McGolrick and Sidney Claman, owner of the Times Square Hotel, purchased the Breslin in 1937. In 1955 it was sold to Max A. Goldbaum and three years later, in 1958, Goldbaum leased the hotel to the Beryl-Jason Holding Corporation. Edward Haddad, the principal with Broadway Breslin Associates, secured a 99-year lease on the Hotel Breslin in the 1950s. In time the building began to be known as the Broadway Breslin. It was known for very cheap monthly housing in a very good location.
By 2006 the Breslin Apartments had degraded to a rent-stabilized single-occupancy dive.
In April 2006, the hotel’s principal owner, Edward Haddad and GFI Capital Resources Group, took the first steps toward converting the shabby Breslin from an old single-room occupancy building to a luxury hotel.
In 2006, GFI Real Estate Partners bought the Breslin’s lease from landlord Edward Haddad for $40 million - at the height of the market. Haddad had put little work or money into the building for several years. A joint venture partner with GFI Capital in the Ace Hotel as well as in the Standard New York in the meatpacking district is Dune Capital Management who manages a real estate opportunity fund.
GFI Development secured another $35 million to finance its renovation.
In July 2007 GFI principals Andrew Zobler and Allen Gross (founder, CEO and President, GFI Capital Resources Group, Inc.) contracted Alex Calderwood, the co-founder of the Ace Hotel Group, to move to New York in early 2008 to take over management of the Breslin and its multi-million dollar reconstruction and transition.
Andrew Zobler is the founder The Sydell Group. Previously Zobler was a Partner, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of André Balazs Properties and also was with Starwood Hotels & Resorts as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Development.
Alex Calderwood along with two friends, Wade Weigel and Doug Herrick founded Ace Hotels in 1999. Their first hotel was the Ace Seattle, a 28-room hotel in a former downtown halfway house. According to Alex Calderwood, Ace’s Modus operandi is straightforward: “Taking characterful old buildings in emerging neighborhoods and doing as much as we could with the existing infrastructure on a shoestring budget.”
Taking over a fully occupied, 344-unit building, GFI offered its rent stabilized residents $3,000 to move out. Reportedly the buyout amounts grew to $50,000 or more.
An attorney for the tenants brought suit to prevent "greedy big business" from turning the Breslin and its residents on its side. The tenants even produced a video “Voices of the Breslin” - a documentary about the disappearance of affordable housing in New York. In early 2008 about 150 tenants had accepted buyout agreements to move out yet many desired to stay. According to Alex Calderwood “The people who’ve remained, they get a brand-new HVAC system, brand-new windows. They have an option to move to a completely renovated unit if they want.”
As of March 2011 roughly 30 rent-stabilized tenants still live in the hotel, some of whom pay just $500 a month for their apartment.
Other notable New York City hotels with holdover tenants include the Carlyle Hotel and the Gramercy Park Hotel.
In May 2009, after court struggles and extensive renovations by architectural firm Roman & Williams, the trendy Ace Hotel was completed. Upscale shops replaced the street level stores and the sleek modern hotel rooms, purportedly available for under $300 per night, now attract a young, hip crowd.
Roman and Williams also completed the Royalton Hotel in 2007 and the Standard Hotel in 2009.
The lobby has three areas - the welcome area, the work-table area and in the back a lobby bar. The hotel rooms range from bunk rooms to lofts, and everything in between. The guest rooms are described as efficient. A clothes rack Roman & Williams made from bent plumbing pipes replaces a closet. Pipes also appear on bath accessories and as desk legs. Chalkboard paint on the walls and paintings & murals by emerging artists individualize each room. Rooms feature vintage furniture, Mascioni sheets and some rooms come with guitars, turntables and 50's Retro style refrigerators.
Proprietors’ restaurateur Ken Friedman and Chef April Bloomfield, of The Spotted Pig fame, operate The Breslin, a 130 seat no-reservation restaurant on the ground-floor which has a turn-of- the-century New York look. Also, April Bloomfield of the Breslin and Josh Even of the Spotted Pig have designed and created the menus for John Dory Oyster Bar in the Ace Hotel.
Portland coffee mecca Stumptown Coffee Roasters has its first Manhattan outlet in the Ace Hotel.
Ace Hotel's opening manager is Jan Rozenveld. Previously Rozenveld was GM at The Greenwich Hotel in NYC and GM at The Tides South Beach, Miami.
GFI Hotel Company was formed in 2008 as a division of GFI Development Company to manage and oversee hotels. Michael Rawson is president of GFI Hotels. Since its inception, GFI Hotel Company has opened two Ace Hotels (Palm Springs and NYC) and is currently developing a flagship, The NoMad Hotel in NYC, the former Johnston Building at 28th and Broadway. In February 2011 Andrew Zobler and L.A. billionaire Ronald Burkle co-partnered on the purchase of the Hotel Theodore (formerly the Mondrian) in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Photos and text compiled by Dick Johnson
November, 2011
richardlloydjohnson@hotmail.com
Vertical construction of the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense project continues Jan. 14 in Deveselu, Romania. The land-based BMD facility is in the final stage of construction and the system is expected to be fully operational in late 2015. U.S. Naval Support Facility Deveselu was established in October and about 200 U.S. military personnel, government civilians and support contractors will man the complex. Phase three of the U.S. European Phased Adaptive Approach to ballistic missile defense will include a second facility in Poland, set to be complete in 2018. The projects in Romania and Poland are designed to support NATO’s collective defense and overall missile defense system in Europe. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by John Rice)
The Cupboard Under the Stairs
Tucked under the front stairs of number four, Privet Drive was Harry's first 'bedroom' - a forgotten, cramped and rather cluttered storage cupboard. Set decorator Stephenie McMillan sourced many of the assorted props from her own basement.
Harry's Spectacles
This is one of the original pairs of glasses worn by Daniel Radcliffe. On completion of filming, he asked to keep a pair as a memento.
People the world-over have been enchanted by the Harry Potter films for nearly a decade. The wonderful special effects and amazing creatures have made this iconic series beloved to both young and old - and now, for the first time, the doors are going to be opened for everyone at the studio where it first began. You'll have the chance to go behind-the-scenes and see many things the camera never showed. From breathtakingly detailed sets to stunning costumes, props and animatronics, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London provides a unique showcase of the extraordinary British artistry, technology and talent that went into making the most successful film series of all time. Secrets will be revealed.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London provides an amazing new opportunity to explore the magic of the Harry Potter films - the most successful film series of all time. This unique walking tour takes you behind-the-scenes and showcases a huge array of beautiful sets, costumes and props. It also reveals some closely guarded secrets, including facts about the special effects and animatronics that made these films so hugely popular all over the world.
Here are just some of the things you can expect to see and do:
- Step inside and discover the actual Great Hall.
- Explore Dumbledore’s office and discover never-before-seen treasures.
- Step onto the famous cobbles of Diagon Alley, featuring the shop fronts of Ollivanders wand shop, Flourish and Blotts, the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Eeylops Owl Emporium.
- See iconic props from the films, including Harry’s Nimbus 2000 and Hagrid’s motorcycle.
- Learn how creatures were brought to life with green screen effects, animatronics and life-sized models.
- Rediscover other memorable sets from the film series, including the Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, Hagrid’s hut, Potion’s classroom and Professor Umbridge’s office at the Ministry of Magic.
Located just 20 miles from the heart of London at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, the very place where it all began and where all eight of the Harry Potter films were brought to life. The Studio Tour is accessible to everyone and promises to be a truly memorable experience - whether you’re an avid Harry Potter fan, an all-round movie buff or you just want to try something that’s a little bit different.
The tour is estimated to take approximately three hours (I was in there for 5 hours!), however, as the tour is mostly self guided, you are free to explore the attraction at your own pace. During this time you will be able to see many of the best-loved sets and exhibits from the films. Unique and precious items from the films will also be on display, alongside some exciting hands-on interactive exhibits that will make you feel like you’re actually there.
The magic also continues in the Gift Shop, which is full of exciting souvenirs and official merchandise, designed to create an everlasting memory of your day at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
Hogwarts Castle Model - Get a 360 degree view of the incredible, hand sculpted 1:24 scale construction that features within the Studio Tour. The Hogwarts castle model is the jewel of the Art Department having been built for the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It took 86 artists and crew members to construct the first version which was then rebuilt and altered many times over for the next seven films. The work was so extensive that if one was to add all the man hours that have gone into building and reworking the model, it would come to over 74 years. The model was used for aerial photography, and was digitally scanned for CGI scenes.
The model, which sits at nearly 50 feet in diameter, has over 2,500 fibre optic lights that simulate lanterns and torches and even gave the illusion of students passing through hallways in the films. To show off the lighting to full effect a day-to-night cycle will take place every four minutes so you can experience its full beauty.
An amazing amount of detail went into the making of the model: all the doors are hinged, real plants are used for landscaping and miniature birds are housed in the Owlery. To make the model appear even more realistic, artists rebuilt miniature versions of the courtyards from Alnwick Castle and Durham Cathedral, where scenes from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone were shot.
LUC has worked with a large multi-disciplinary team to deliver a sustainable infrastructure and development masterplan to guide the long term transformation of Shawfield in Glasgow’s East End. LUC also led the design and implementation of an advanced phase of public realm and landscape works that now forms a framework for new development to be realised over a 20-25year horizon.
Prior to construction the site was heavily contaminated and consisted of large areas of vacant and derelict land together with dated business and industrial premises. The site was completely cleared and underwent significant ground remediation in advance of the public realm works to ensure the site is ‘development ready’.
LUC developed a green infrastructure strategy to inform the masterplan design with an emphasis on integrated surface water drainage and pedestrian connectivity to surrounding communities, transport nodes and the River Clyde corridor.
The Clyde riverbanks have been manipulated to provide new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and this now provides an extension to the strategically important Clyde Walkway.
An ecologically diverse mosaic of riparian woodland, grassland and wetland habitats has been created that will improve the biodiversity of the River Clyde corridor.
A new strategic pedestrian and cycling link has been created linking the new South Dalmarnock Smart Bridge with the centre of the masterplan site, improving connectivity in the area. In contrast with the more naturalistic riverside treatment this link is more formal in character with strong tree avenue planting, lighting and paving patterns.
For more information, visit: www.landuse.co.uk
LUC has worked with a large multi-disciplinary team to deliver a sustainable infrastructure and development masterplan to guide the long term transformation of Shawfield in Glasgow’s East End. LUC also led the design and implementation of an advanced phase of public realm and landscape works that now forms a framework for new development to be realised over a 20-25year horizon.
Prior to construction the site was heavily contaminated and consisted of large areas of vacant and derelict land together with dated business and industrial premises. The site was completely cleared and underwent significant ground remediation in advance of the public realm works to ensure the site is ‘development ready’.
LUC developed a green infrastructure strategy to inform the masterplan design with an emphasis on integrated surface water drainage and pedestrian connectivity to surrounding communities, transport nodes and the River Clyde corridor.
The Clyde riverbanks have been manipulated to provide new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and this now provides an extension to the strategically important Clyde Walkway.
An ecologically diverse mosaic of riparian woodland, grassland and wetland habitats has been created that will improve the biodiversity of the River Clyde corridor.
A new strategic pedestrian and cycling link has been created linking the new South Dalmarnock Smart Bridge with the centre of the masterplan site, improving connectivity in the area. In contrast with the more naturalistic riverside treatment this link is more formal in character with strong tree avenue planting, lighting and paving patterns.
For more information, visit: www.landuse.co.uk
completion dated 20.Mai 1424 ; from the Barfüßerkirche in Göttingen ; tempera on oak ; individual scenes about 1m square ; most recently restored 1999-2005
a colour shot of one of Walters rebuilt and refurbished Lorain cranes.it would seem that there is not much to do now to complete the transformation from USAF useage to one of Walters finished gems. behind the crane of note is the road tanker body that is being used as a fuel storage tank for Walters fleet.
Governor Hochul announces the completion of Plug Power's newest manufacturing facility, located at the Vista Technology Campus in Slingerlands, Albany County. The new location supports the company's efforts to significantly expand its line of GenDrive fuel cell systems, which are used to power electric motors in the electric mobility market. The company has committed to creating more than 1,600 new green jobs at this Capital Region location, complementing New York State's efforts to be a national leader in growing the green economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and combating climate change.
I recently took part in my first Triathlon - The 2008 Blenheim Triathlon. The story of how I got to this starts at the end of my first ear of University, in the year 2000. I contracted glandular fever, and a doctor told me that I would feel "awful for two weeks, low in energy for a year, and have less energy for the rest of my life". I thought it would be a good idea to pull my finger out and work on getting fit, to prove the doctor wrong. My first efforts were extremely painful, and very short, and showed me quite how unfit I had become after a year of partying and very little exercise. When I spent two years in Japan, things moved up a couple of gears, and I started running, cycling and swimming longer distances. I found that the more exercise one does, the more one is inclined to do, until I was running half-marathon distances after work and cycling up mountains with friends (there's material for a retrospecitve blog if ever there was). Since these were the main sports I was doing, I wanted to do Triathlon, but I knew running was still my weak spot. With this in mind, I entered the Robin Hood Marathon in Nottingham on my return to the UK.
The marathon was massively painful in one of my knees, but because it was the event I had been building up to, I ran to the finish. Afterwards, it took about a week to be able to walk normally, and I concluded that running is not good for me. Supporting evidence for this is the fact that several members of my family on both my mother and father's sides have had knee problems to the point of surgery, and there is a history of arthiritis, so I decided to listen to the painful alarm bells. The training route to the triathlon consisted mainly of carrying on as before, and in fact the main hurdle was getting hold of all the equipment. I had foreseen the main expense as being the bike, but in fact it turned out to be the wetsuit. I managed to snag a basic raodbike for a mere 116 quid at Decathlon in their winter sale, and she is still going strong after over 700 miles.
My wetsuit is an Aquasphere Mako, hurriedly purchased from "Mike's Diving" in the week leading up to the Triathlon, and fortunately it fits like a glove. Thus prepared, George, his girlfriend and I headed up to Blenheim Palace on the day of the event, though not without a hitch as the following photo illustrates:
On arrival, we had to rack up, which basically means putting your bike and running gear in a rack in the transition zone and hopefully remembering their location. We then made our way down to the lake in our as-yet untested wetsuits, and had a briefing. Briefing over, we made our way to the pier, and followed the triathletes, leaping like lemmings into the remarkably chilly lake. The icy bite of the lake made things painful during the seemingly long wait for the starting claxon. I reassured George that the pain would go away once we started swimming, having no idea whether it actually would. Finally the claxon sounded and the lake transformed from idyllic tranquility to a frothing tumult of swimmers, all vying for position. I had read that the first 200-400 metres are the most stressful part of any triathlon, and that a lot of triathletes freak out at this point due to the combination of cold water on the face, sudden exertion, and being in water teeming with other people, all of whom seem to want to swim over you. Having been forewarned, I was prepared for this and kept switching from crawl to breast stroke to keep my bearings, and my head.
At the end of the swim, we clambered out of the water and some helpful attendants unzipped our wetsuits as we made our way up the hill for the 400m run to the transition zone.
At transition, I spent about two minutes trying to extricate myself from my wetsuit, writhing around on the gravel in a most undignified fashion, before finally emerging and grabbing my t-shirt and bike from the rack, clipping on my helmet and wheeling the bike towards the exit of the transition. There are so many tules dictating what one can and cannot do in transition, I was quite worried about getting disqualified for doing something that was banned, like putting my helmet on at the wrong time, or walking inappropriately... Once on the bike I made a mental note to not go too hard, as I am wont to do on my commute when anyone overtakes me. I wanted to pace myself to leave something in reserve for the run. The route was three laps of a track through the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace, adding up to just under 20km. There were several downhill sections marked with "slow down", which obviously were the most fun parts to go as fast as possible on, and build up some momentum for the ensuing hill-climbs. I still had not encountered George by the end of the third lap, and was pondering this when I heard a shout of "COME ON CHUFFY!" as George flew by on his trusty steed. I gave chase and we entered transition at the same time, in our appalling-looking skimpy swimming trunks.
The second transition should have been more straightforward than the first, as no wetsuit removal was necessary. Despite this fact, I managed to remove my helmet too early, earning a shouting-at from one of the marshalls. George and I then headed out of transition heading in completely the wrong direction, and the same marshall alerted us to our glaring error before witheringly shouting "The run exit is over there where there's a huge sign saying 'RUN EXIT'!". Thus informed, we set off on the run leg of the event. George had to drop back briefly as he was suffering from cramp owing to the transition from one leg-intensive exercise to another. I didn't want to go into cramp so I kept jogging steadily. I ran alongside a friendly Aussie called Coops and we chatted until the end, when he had challenged me to a sprint finish.
As the time approached, Coops said he didn't really feel the sprint coming on, and I could totally sympathise with him after my previous marathon experience, so I went for it, and here is a video of the finish: [video:youtube:O7cHwRKMHZI] All in all, it was a fantastic event, with much less painful after effects than the half marathon. It is definitely something I want to repeat. In fact, George and I have booked places at the Nottingham Triathlon on August 3rd.
The good doctors celebrated the return of spring and the completion of our Pataphysical Slot Machine on a balmy Saturday afternoon.
We held a ritual blessing of the ‘Pataphysical Slot Machine, to guide it on its way to its new home at the Figurines Ranch. We ended with another butt-shaking dance break to cap it all off.
We then gathered in the art garden for a special awards ceremony led by Dr. Truly, who presented the beautiful medals she created for each doctor: they are amazing works of art, carefully designed to highlight the unique talents of each creator. Thank you for these wonderful gifts, Dr. Truly!
In other news, Drs. Rindbrain and Figurine completed a new ‘pataphysical flagpole, with the help of Dr. Maurizzio, visiting from Lucca, Italy. Dr. Pozar hobbled over with his new crutches and supervised the playground with his acolytes, while Dr. Tout d’Suite created more ‘pataphysical talismans and Dr. Jardin decorated her lab coat. Dr. Igor inspected the slot machine one last time and pronounced it ready for next week's move. Dr. Really gave our last slot machine demo in this studio. Drs. Canard and Fabio finally got the sounds to work on Mother of Yes — which was the last thing we wanted to fix before our move. :)
The mojo is stronger than ever in the art garden. Fire in the hole!
View more 'Pataphysical photos: www.flickr.com/photos/fabola/albums/72157623637793277
Watch 'Pataphysical videos: vimeo.com/album/3051039
Learn more about Pataphysical Studios: pataphysics.us/
Liking the darker reds, this will make a find stand-in for the otherwise older dinky Bloodthirster from the 90's (80's?).
100% Games Workshop components, and alarmingly easy to accomplish.
Details on how it was built and painted can be found at my blog: battle-brothers.blogspot.com
Pilot Wayne Holum poses with F-4E 66-0300 upon completion of her short-lived 'sharkmouth' motif in the #2 alert pod.
Holum, a USAFA grad ('73), had come to Keflavik from the 335th TFS "Chiefs" at Seymour Johnson. When we received the F-4Es he was assigned ship #330. I was assigned as assistant crew chief, and we've been friends ever since. After Iceland he pulled a tour as an ALO with the Army, then to F-16s at Hill. He was the first pilot assigned to fly Right Wing with the Thunderbirds when they transitioned to F-16s in 1982. A USAF Fighter Weapons School grad with a number of years in Test & Eval at Nellis, as well as leading the F-16 Agressor squadron, he was best man for my wedding. In the summer of 1999 I was sent to Korea as a USAF artist, and finally had a chance to fly in his backseat - an F-16D at Osan - just before he retired from the Air Force as vice commander of the 51st Fighter Wing. He now flies for Southwest Airlines.
Riyadh, Elf-One, AWACS, Aug-Nov 1981
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In May 1981, I re-enlisted in the Air National Guard at the completion of my first 4 year hitch. I had made E-5, Staff Sergeant, and was enjoying my time in the service. Our unit had gone to Korea for a Team Spirit exercise in the spring and Pusan had been a lot of fun.
I was working as a security guard and going to Sac State. When the Air Guard asked me if I would like to spend a couple fo months in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in August, I jumped at the chance to travel again. My aunt Clyda had been working as a nurse at King Faisal Hospital in Riyadh for several years and liked it (and the money she was making) well enough to stay there.
So, some time in August 1981 (don't remember exact dates) I boarded a flight for Oklahoma City, site of Tinker AFB, the headquarters of the 552nd AWACS Wing as well as the 3rd Combat Comm Group, a regular Air Force equivalent to my own ANG 162nd Combat Comm Group. I was on loan to the 3rd Herd for my stay in Saudi.
After a day or two at Tinker, we flew via C-141 to Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt, Germany,refueled and from there continued on to Riyadh. Like Rhein Main, the air base at Riyadh shared runways with the commercial airport.
We were supporting Exercise Elf One, which was playing I Spy on the Iran-Iraq War. The Saudis had asked the US to fly AWACS radar planes and have radar ships in the Gulf to watch the Iranians, in case they decided to attack Saudi Arabia, which was suporting the Iraqis in the war. I don't think the Iranians ever did attack the Saudis, but they did bomb Kuwait one day when we were there. After that, I think the Kuwaits asked that we warn them if any Iranian planes came their way. We had picked up the Iranian planes going to and from Kuwait, but had no agreement to inform them before that.
In those days, the Iranians were flying US made F4s and F14s, while the Iraqis had Soviet MiGs and French Mirages. We didn't know it at the time, but the Iranians were getting parts for their planes under the Iran-Contra deal.
There are western compounds in Riyadh, where the normal Saudi rules are relaxed. The US Army had a training mission, and companies such as Lockheed and British Aircraft also had compounds. Alcohol was strictly forbidden under Saudi Sharia law, but the western compounds would brew jungle juice and serve it at parties, with the Saudis turning a blind eye, as they needed the Americans, Brits and others to keep things working. I saw the aftereffects of bathtub grapefruit wine on some of the guys and decided I could wait until I got back to Germany and have some decent German beer.
Our compound or Elf One was the ai Yamama Hotel on Airport Road between downtown and the airport (duh!!!). It was a regular hotel, but had been taken over by USAF for the Elf One people. The regular staff managed it, and we ate breakfast and dinner in the hotel dining room for free. After a while, the same 6 or 7 items for dinner did get old, and we would sometimes eat at other restaurants in town, but Riyadh is not known for its swinging night life.
I was one of two Teletype techs in Riyadh while I was there. We also had crypto, sattelite radio, HF radio, ground power, HVAC maint people, who hung out in our shop van near the flight line on base, as well as a bunch of radio and Teletype operators who did the work of running the gear. The maint people mainly hung out, repaired problems, and did periodic maintenance on the equipment. That explains the photos of us hanging out in the shop van, reading, napping, playing cards and generally goofing off.
The aircraft maint people worked elsewhere.
USAF had KC-135 tankers and E3 AWACS planes in Riyadh for Elf One. An E3 was in the air at all times, flying in 12 hour shifts. We could, if we wanted to, go on "morale flights" on the AWACS, but I never did as sitting in a plane for 12 hours with nothing to do sounded slightly less appealing than sitting in the shop van for 12 hours with nothing to do.
We could also, take morale flights on the KC-135s when they went up to refuel the AWACS every afternoon. They left about the same time every day, taking off southbound over downtown Riyadh and our hotel and you could always tell the 135 by the distinctive sound of its water injection turbojets as it flew over.
I went up on two morale flights on KC-135s and on the first one I remarked to the pilot that I would love to take photos of the refueling. He was cool with it, so the second time I went up, I brought my camera and asked permision from the pilot on that trip. He didn't care, although I think the Saudis did not want people taking arial photos of the country. Oh well. This was 35 years ago and all of the air crews on these planes are out of the service or retired by now.
I have to say that the midair refueling of the AWACS as seen from next to the boom operator on the KC-135 is one of the coolest things I've ever witnessed. Boom operators joke that they have 3 college graduates fly them around so they can pass gas, and USAF does midair refueling dozens of times a day all over the world, but it is remarkable to see two planes flying close together, connected by a refueling boom.
My TDY was originally for 2 months, but with no job to return to and having missed the Fall 1981 semester at Sac State, I extended it for another month.
In 1981, Riyadh had a rail connection to the Gulf at Damman with a daily passenger train, and freight service. I saw the passenger train at Riyadh, but did not feel comfortable taking out my camera to get any photos. It had a GP38 (IIRC) pulling new stainless steel cars that had been made in Europe. I've heard that one of the Twin/Nebraske Zephyr sets wound up in Saudi Arabia (the other is at Illinois Railway Museum), but I saw no sign of it and I did not try to take a ride on the railway as we only had one day off a week and a round trip required an overnight stay. I did get a few photos another day when I found the yard and shop. One is posted here, and when I find the others, I will post them. The Saudis had some F7s and I saw a couple of those as well as what I think is a GL8, an EMD export model.
I tried to meet Aunt Clyda during the whole time I was there, but she could not get into the al Yamama and I could not get into her nurse's quarters, and,as I said, there were not a lot of places to meet in downtown Riyadh. I knew she worked at the hospital's blood bank and we could give blood there, so toward the end of my stay, I joined the guys donating blood and at least was able to say hi to Clyda for a few minutes.
The weather was very hot when we got there, dry heat, of course, but by November, things had cooled off and we even had a bit of rain before I left in mid-November.
I planned to stop off in Europe and travel around for a month before returning to the US, so I mailed most of my stuff home before I left and when our plane got to Rhein Main, I joined the crowd heading to the bar for a beer, then went to the base hotel for the night.
The next morning was rainy and green and rain and green never looked so good!
As the Evergreen Line nears completion, media and government officials get a tour of two new stations. The Burquitlam Station highlights development in the busy area, while Moody Central is a hub for multiple transportation routes.
For more information, please visit news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016TRAN0002-000018
To celebrate the completion of the telescope portion of the James Webb Space Telescope (as well as completion of NASA Goddard's test program on the telescope), NASA Goddard employees were invited to come see the telescope up close.
In the afternoon, project member spoke to NASA employees about the project. Present was astronomer Dr. Nancy Roman, the first woman to hold an executive position at NASA, she was key to the creation of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Credit: NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya
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