#City of South Fulton | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

visit-new-york · 2 years

Text

What are the best spots for photography in Brooklyn Bridge Park?

Capturing the Essence: Best Photography Spots in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park, nestled along the East River with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, is a photographer's paradise. This urban oasis offers a myriad of picturesque scenes that appeal to both amateur and professional photographers alike. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, here's a guide to the best spots for photography in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

DUMBO's Pebble Beach:

Start your photographic journey at Pebble Beach in the DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) section of the park. This spot provides an excellent vantage point for capturing the majestic Brooklyn Bridge against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. The combination of the bridge's intricate architecture and the glistening water makes for a classic shot.

Brooklyn Bridge Promenade:

As you traverse the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, you'll encounter breathtaking panoramic views of both Brooklyn and Manhattan. This elevated walkway offers unobstructed shots of the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, and the iconic skyscrapers of downtown Manhattan. Sunrise and sunset are particularly magical times to capture the changing hues of the cityscape.

Jane's Carousel:

Nestled near the Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway, Jane's Carousel is a nostalgic gem that offers a unique blend of history and aesthetics. Photograph this beautifully restored 1922 carousel against the striking backdrop of the Manhattan skyline or experiment with capturing the joyous expressions of riders in motion.

Main Street Park Section:

Wander further south to the Main Street Park section of the park, where you'll find lush greenery, colorful flowers, and strategically placed benches. This area is perfect for capturing candid shots of people enjoying the park, framed by the architectural marvels of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan in the background.

Picnic Peninsula:

If you're looking for a more relaxed and intimate setting, head to the Picnic Peninsula. This area provides a close-up view of the Brooklyn Bridge and is an ideal spot for capturing reflections in the calm waters of the East River. Consider framing your shots with the iconic bridge in the foreground and the Manhattan skyline in the distance.

Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn:

This expansive lawn, surrounded by trees and gardens, is an excellent location for wide-angle shots of the skyline. Whether you're capturing the skyline during the day or experimenting with long-exposure techniques at night, the Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn offers diverse opportunities for stunning photographs.

Greenway Terrace:

For a different perspective of the Brooklyn Bridge, head to the Greenway Terrace. This elevated platform offers unique angles of the bridge and is an excellent spot for capturing the interplay of light and shadows during different times of the day.

Conclusion:

Brooklyn Bridge Park is a haven for photographers, providing a rich tapestry of scenes that celebrate the beauty of the city and its iconic landmarks. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a hobbyist with a camera, exploring these diverse spots will undoubtedly result in a collection of memorable and visually striking photographs. So, grab your camera, explore the park's unique corners, and let your creativity run wild in this urban photographic wonderland.

#brooklyn bridge #brooklyn bridge park #brooklyn #New York City #new york #newyork #New-York #nyc #ny #manhattan #urban #city #visit-new-york.tumblr.com

158 notes · View notes

drdougdouglass · 3 months

Text

According to crime statistics, the following is a list of the most dangerous cities in the US in 2023 by violent crime. The state violent crime data is based on violent crimes in 2022 (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault).

The population of each city has been collected from the United States Government Census Bureau.

30 U.S. Cities With Highest Violent Crime Rates

30. Billings, Montana

Population: 119,960

Number of Violent crimes: 1,076

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 897

The city Billings of Montana, has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, with the possibility of being a victim of a crime such as rape, armed robbery, manslaughter, aggravated assault, or even murder.

29. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Population: 1,567,258

Violent crimes in 2022:15,668

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 999

Philadelphia is the most populous city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While in the past we have seen an increase in gun violence in cities and towns across the United States, Philadelphia is one of the few major American cities where it has been the worst in decades.

28. Nashville, Tennessee

Population:679,342

Violent crimes in 2022: 6,855

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,009

Nashville is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Tennessee.

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in Nashville, followed by burglary and motor vehicle theft.

27. Beaumont, Texas

Population:112,089

Violent crimes in 2022: 1,148

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,024

The community risk factors in the city of Beaumont include the amount of poverty in the area, unemployment rates, and the average education level of the city’s population which has led to the alarming rise in gun violence in Beaumont along with general crime.

26. Denver, Colorado

Population:713,252

Violent crimes in 2022: 7,511

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,053

Denver is a consolidated city and the capital of Colorado. The crime rate in Denver has increased in recent years, with both property crime and violent crime above the national average in America.

25. Indianapolis, Indiana

Population:880,261

Violent crimes in 2022: 9,109

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,054

Areas with a higher population density, such as downtown, have considerably higher crime rates. The single most important issue that the city as a whole faces is gun violence and crime.

24. Lubbock, Texas

Population: 263,960

Violent crimes in 2022: 2,795

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,058

Lubbock, Texas is termed as the third most dangerous city in the U.S. for 2021, according to a nationwide study conducted by SafeWise, ranking high in violent crime and property crime.

23. Houston, Texas

Population: 2,302,878

Violent crimes in 2022: 25,697

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,115

Houston is also a major center for the trafficking of cocaine, cannabis, heroin, MDMA and methamphetamine due to its size and proximity to major countries that export illegal drugs.

22. South Fulton, Georgia

Population: 111,158

Violent crimes in 2022: 1,147

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,131

South Fulton, Georgia is one of the newest cities in the Atlanta metro area.

Given the economic and social upheaval caused by the pandemic over the past few years, there has been a rise in crime rates, especially gun violence.

21. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Population: 251,350

Violent crimes in 2022: 2,849

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,133

Homicide rates nearly doubled from 2015 to 2019 but dropped by 18.2% from 2019 to 2020, the FBI data showed. In 2000, there were 50 reported homicides, and, in 2021, there were 119.

20. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Population: 563,305

Violent crimes in 2022: 6,595

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,170

Amongst the largest cities, Milwaukee ranked high for murder, aggravated assault, and robbery. Property crimes and motor vehicle theft are at an all-time high in the city as well, causing concern to the citizens of Milwaukee.

19. Aurora, Colorado

Population: 393,537

Violent crimes in 2022: 4,642

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,184

Aurora’s murders, aggravated assaults, and robberies are at all-time highs according to Aurora Police Department reports and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

18. Chattanooga, Tennessee

Population: 184,086

Violent crimes in 2022: 2,184

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,186

Chattanooga, TN is a city that has higher than average crime rates when compared to the US as a whole.

17. Dayton, Ohio

Population: 135,944

Violent crimes in 2022: 1,620

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,191

There has been a massive increase in violence and gun use as an overreaction to disputes that could be resolved without assault weapons.

16. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Population: 425,096

Violent crimes in 2022: 5,130

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,206

Minneapolis was sort of the center of the defunding of the police movement after the death of Floyd at the hands of then-Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020.

Protests and then violent riots rocked the city in the name of Black Lives Matter. Since the Floyd riots, violent crime has skyrocketed in Minneapolis.

15. Stockton, California

Population: 321,819

Violent crimes in 2022: 3,921

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,218

The cheap housing and lack of opportunity have led to a community with many low-income households along with mental, emotional, and addiction issues, leading to a rise in crime.

14. Baltimore, Maryland

Population: 569,931

Violent crimes in 2022: 7,041

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,235

Baltimore, Maryland has long had a reputation as being one of the most violent cities in the United States. This year gun crimes have resulted in dozens of shooting homicides, assaults, and robberies with deadly weapons.

13. Peoria, Illinois

Population: 110,021

Violent crimes in 2022: 1,367

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,242

Becky Rossman, CEO of Peoria Community Against Violence, said 43% of households in Peoria are single moms. She said the absence of male role models and a lack of resources often lead young people to a life of crime.

12. Lansing, Michigan

Population: 112,537

Violent crimes in 2022: 1,422

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,263

The rise in violence is not unique to Lansing in Michigan. Since the pandemic hit the US in early 2020, researchers have documented sharp jumps in domestic violence, violent crime, homicides, and gun violence more generally.

11. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Population: 561,008

Violent crimes in 2022: 7,442

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,326

As of 2021, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) recorded 35 homicides across the city. This wave of crime is particularly concerning and requires attention.

10. Springfield, Missouri

Population: 170,067

Violent crimes in 2022: 2,292

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,347

There are a variety of factors that contribute to violent crime in Springfield, including poverty and drug use. But the number one driver of violent crime in the city is domestic violence.

9. Cleveland, Ohio

Population: 361,607

Violent crimes in 2022: 5,293

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,463

Cleveland is one of the most important cities in the Midwest. Unfortunately, Cleveland has one of the highest crime rates in the United States, including property and violent crime.

8. St. Louis, Missouri

Population: 286,578

Violent crimes in 2022: 4,205

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,467

The City of St. Louis is known for manufacturing industries, the Gateway Arch, and baseball. Over the last few years, rapes, robberies, and burglaries have risen significantly, which has led to an unfortunate rise in crime wave, troublesome and worrying for the citizens of Missouri.

7. Rockford, Illinois

Population: 146,713

Violent crimes in 2022: 2,155

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,468

Rockford is among the most violent cities in America. Violent crime rates have increased nationwide following the pandemic.

6. Kansas City, Missouri

Population: 509,297

Violent crimes in 2022: 7,485

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,469

FBI hate crime data shows that Missouri reported its highest-ever number of hate crimes in 2021. Some of the root causes of crime seen are economic deprivation, racial-ethnic segregation, and lack of economic and religious diversity.

5. Tacoma, Washington

Population: 221,776

Violent crimes in 2022: 3,488

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,572

Tacoma is one of the largest cities in Washington state. It has a population of 221,776 – making it rank the third largest in the state and only surpassed by the economic hub Seattle and the riverside city Spokane. The crime rate in Tacoma, Washington is higher than the US average. Tacoma has seen a major spike in crime. Arson, robbery, stolen property, and sex offense cases are threatening the population on a daily basis.

4. Pueblo, Colorado

Population: 111,456

Violent crimes in 2022: 1,813

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,626

Pueblo is one of Colorado’s most crime-ridden and dangerous cities, with violent and property crimes being some of the most prevalent and ongoing. In Pueblo, violent crimes most often committed are manslaughter, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

3. Little Rock, Arkansas

Population: 202,864

Violent crimes in 2022: 3,694

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 1,820

Little Rock, Arkansas, has a high rate of violent crime and violent crime. Violent crimes, including homicides, have been on the rise in Little Rock, with some parts of the city experiencing murder rates more than 100% higher for the first three months of 2022 compared to the same time period in 2021.

2. Detroit, Michigan

Population: 620,376

Violent crimes in 2022: 12,724

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 2,051

Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan, but the rise in violence in the city is not unique to its state. Since the pandemic hit the US in early 2020, researchers have documented sharp jumps in domestic violence, violent crime, homicides, and gun violence more generally.

1. Memphis, Tennessee

Population: 621,056

Violent crimes in 2022: 13,091

Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 2,107

Memphis is the second largest city in its state after the capital, Nashville. It has a population of 621,056. It often gets criticism for high levels of crime, and perhaps it’s unsurprising that it ranks first on our list in terms of violent crimes as well. Using census data, the think tank found Memphis had one of the largest jumps in functional unemployment since the pandemic began, which has contributed to the rise in crime significantly, as well as increased tension, poor mental health, and easy access to firearms.

5 notes · View notes

copperbadge · 2 years

Note

So, my roommate (and because limited space, me) has been watching Chicago Fire as of late, and OH MY GOD YOUR CITY LOOKS TERRIFYING!

Is TV doing it an injustice in the name of TV, or is my Canadian self never, ever visiting Chicago.

Honestly I haven't watched any of the Chicago [Franchise] shows in years, and I never really watched regularly, so I'm not sure if the terrifying is because of all the disasters, or because they're not showcasing the city visually very well, or if there's just a lot of crime being portrayed....

I think there are probably a few contributing factors, though. For one, you're seeing a show centered around people who respond to disasters, so you're gonna see a lot of disasters :D We don't...have that many disasters, generally. Well, possibly we do but they're spread out around the city, you know? I have not personally witnessed a disaster of any kind in quite a while.

Two, while we like to invite TV and movies to film here, we don't actually make it super easy. So especially with a TV show, which has a smaller budget and not as much goodwill because they'll be around a lot longer, they tend to film in areas of Chicago that don't have a lot of people or don't have a lot of people willing to complain. So you get a lot of footage near vacant lots, under train tracks, in chicagoland alleys, depressed areas of the city, etc. You are definitely not seeing the city at its finest. I think there are actually some pretty strict rules about filming in parks, especially, so you rarely get to see our many gorgeous parks!

Chicago does have a fair amount of crime, that much is true. We have a problem with poverty, a problem with gun violence, and a problem with racial inequity, particularly in areas of the south side. That said, the high incidence of violent crime is generally confined to a pretty small region of the city. By and large Chicago is actually quite safe to be in. I'm out in the city, on foot, at all hours, relatively frequently; I used to run regularly at 3am and the worst I ever encountered (other than the pigeon incident) was drunk drivers going the wrong way up Michigan Avenue.

And of course Chicago is famous for its crime -- both the crime it has now and its history of grift, violence and bootlegging, political corruption, et cetera. So media that is explicitly set in Chicago tends to want to play that up, the same way media in the 90s and early 2000s played up violence and ugliness in New York long after New York had begun drastically lowering its crime rate. Chicago's a tough town! It's fulla crime! It takes a real hero to live here and do the right thing! blah, blah. It's an unearned reputation.

Anyway. You should come to Chicago! We're actually extremely lovely as a city, and we are very friendly as a people. Stay in the loop or South Loop, go to the Art Institute and the Field Museum, stroll around Grant Park, head north to the Lincoln Park Zoo or south to the Museum of Science and Industry, go to Wicker Park to see the hipsters and go thrifting or go to Fulton Market to get a gourmet meal. Come to my own beloved Printer's Row for our Litfest! Don't let the fire trucks fool ya. :D

#chicago #ifiknewiwouldtellyou #tourism

68 notes · View notes

local-dragonfly · 2 months

Text

sooo frustrated with how common it is that ppl online will respond to things like cop city with that kind of. ‘teehehe a pound of sugar will prevent concrete from spreading make sure not to do this!’ kind of thing like. okay. clearly you don’t live near here. people are getting charged with treason for protesting near the construction site & shit. ppl have been shot. but yeah totally you’re gonna fly to the south from wherever you’re living safely not worried abt this shit cause u don’t think it’ll affect you, and sneak onto the weelaunee forest construction site, and personally sabotage the concrete set out. sure. it’s like. pretending to be helpful in a way that totally ignores how scary this shit actually is. go back to posting abt how funny it was that donald trump sat in the fulton county jail & had to endure overcrowding and infestation and abuse for all of forty-five minutes, and how everybody there must totally deserve that treatment, or whatever. have you thought about the people imprisoned there since the day you learned the name ‘fulton county’ because trump was there?

#mercurys orbit

2 notes · View notes

onenakedfarmer · 1 year

Text

BLACK OWNED BOOKSTORES List courtesy of Publishers Weekly

Activists across the United States are encouraging book lovers who want to show support for the ongoing protests against police violence to buy books from black-owned and African American–focused bookstores. PW has compiled a list of black-owned stores for readers.

44th and 3rd Bookseller, Atlanta, Ga.

A Different Booklist, Toronto, Ont.

The African American Literature Book Club, online

AfriWare Books, Maywood, Ill.

Amalgam, Philadelphia, Pa.

Ashay by the Bay, Vallejo, Calif.

Atomic City Comics, Philadelphia, Pa.

Babycakes Book Stack, Online

Between the Lines Bookstore, Baton Rouge, La.

Beyond Barcodes Bookstore, Kokomo, Ind.

Black Garnet Books, Minneapolis, Minn.

Black World Books, Killeen, Tex.

Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center, Ypsilanti, Mich.

Book Boutique, Atlanta, Ga.

Books and Crannies, Martinsville, Va.

Brian Lair Books, South Bend, Ind.

Brave and Kind Books, Decatur, Ga.

Cafe Con Libros, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Carol's Bookstore, Sacramento, Calif

Cultured Books, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Da Book Joint, Chicago, Ill.

Dare Books, Longwood, Fla.

Detroit Book City, Southfield, Mich.

Enda's Booktique, Duncanville, Tex.

Eso Wan Books, Los Angeles

Eye See Me, University City, Mo.

For Keeps Books, Atlanta, Ga.

Frugal Bookstore, Roxbury, Mass.

Fulton Street Books & Coffee, Tulsa, Ok.

Harambee Books, Alexandria, Va.

Harriett's Bookshop, Philadelphia, Pa.

Hakim's Bookstore, Philadelphia, Pa.

Loyalty Bookstore, Washington, D.C., and Silver Spring, Md.

Lushena Books, Bensenville, Ill.

Mahogany Books, Washington, D.C.

Marcus Books, Oakland, Calif.

Medu Bookstore, Atlanta, Ga.

MeJah Books, Claymont, Del.

Mocha Books, Tulsa, Okla.

Nubian Bookstore, Morrow, Ga.

Olive Tree Books-n-Voices, Springfield, Mass.

Pyramid Art, Books, & Custom Framing, Little Rock, Ark.

Revolution Books, Berkeley, Calif.

Riches in Reading, Maryland City, Md.

Sankofa, Washington, D.C.

Semicolon Bookstore, Chicago, Ill.

Sister's Uptown Bookstore, New York, N.Y.

Sistah Scifi, Online

Smith & Hannon, Cincinnati, Ohio

Solid State Books, Washington, D.C.

Source Booksellers, Detroit, Mich.

Source of Knowledge, Newark, N.J.

The Dock Bookshop, Fort Worth, Tx.

The Black Reserve, Lansdale, Pa.

The Key Bookstore, Hartford, Conn.

The Listening Tree, Decatur, Ga.

The Lit. Bar, Bronx, N.Y.

The Tiny Bookstore, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Turning Page Bookshop, Goose Creek, S.C.

Willa's Books, Kansas City, Mo.

Uncle Bobbie's Books and Cafe, Philadelphia, Penn.

Underground Books, Sacramento, Calif.

Yoruba Bookstore, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Zawadi Books, Columbus, Ohio

#Black-owned businesses #bookstores #Publishers Weekly

6 notes · View notes

songsmiff · 1 year

Text

LEGACY

Written for friends from whom my bride and I were renting their family's old farmhouse/homestead in South Fulton County, while our new home was being built...

LEGACY (c) 2023 - G. C. Smith (BMI) ====================== for Renee and David April 15, 2023 ====================== Granddad had a country store, He ran part-time before the war, A red Coke cooler by the door, And a pair of rocking chairs.

Sardis Church was up the hill, Five miles west of Cochran Mill; Town was three miles farther still. It was the middle of nowhere.

The family farmhouse stood out back, It started as a shotgun shack; Nothing fancy but it never lacked, A seat around the table.

Folks would fish the pasture lake, And keep whatever they could take, Pay at the box down by the gate, As much as they were able.

My father grew up in that yard, And never knew that times were hard. He finished school and joined the Guard. They shipped him off to Nam.

He made it home by the Good Lord’s grace, Married Mama and built the place, Where my brother and sister and I were raised. That made me who I am.

The County paved the road to the ferry. The State said a bridge would be necessary, For all the traffic it would carry. There was nothing we could do.

City folk soon started coming, Bike and car and truck tires humming; Houses sprouting by the dozens. That prophecy came true.

I went to college where I got some learning, On the value of what I was earning, And the simple pleasure of returning, Though that seems so long ago.

So here we stand now, you and me, Watching as our legacy, Slowly becomes history, With little left to show.

Granddad had a country store, He ran part-time before the war. A red Coke cooler by the door, And a pair of rocking chairs. ======= (...and yeah, there's a bit of Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson - and maybe just a pinch of David Allen Coe - in the rhythm and spoken-word nature of how I heard this as it came together... I hope y'all hear it, too...)

8 notes · View notes

theramblinghockeydude · 9 months

Text

Quiet Spots

I believe it is vital in life to have a quiet spot that you can to when things get a bit hectic and you need a recharge of the batteries to get through the day to day. I have always had my quiet spots from a very early age in life and so right now I am a bit thrown off because I am not able to get out and find a new quiet spot.

Growing up whenever I wanted to get away a bit or just be alone with my thoughts I'd trek to the coulee (back pasture) behind our house and wander around. A couple of favorite spots were the far, I believe South, corner at the far edge of the field where the beavers would build their dam and do their work. You could cross the creek and sit up on the hillside under the trees and just kind of take it all in. It was peaceful. My other spot was the hill next to the creek where it had eroded away and I could sit and look for rocks for hours. There was something about sitting on that hillside getting lost in the rocks that was soothing. I think it was being able to simply shut the brain off and focus on one thing only...cool rocks. Once I got a little older and was driving there was a spot a few hundred feet from our driveway on the road that you could pull into. I would pull in quite a bit when it was dark out and stare at the sky and let everything melt away. When the Northern Lights were out that was a pretty good spot to watch them from. All of these spots had the same things in common, you could hear the sounds of nature whether it be the birds or any other animals, smell the fresh, clean air and for two of the spots at least, you had the sound of the water running through the creek.

When I left for college I was in need of finding a new quiet spot. I tried the library, but that didn't work, it was a different kind of quiet. I eventually found a spot behind the Johnstone/Fulton/Smith dorm compound. A nice little spot where you could sit on the bench, it had flowers and I am not remembering now if there was a fountain or not, but I do remember going there quite often to sit and just let the stress of the day roll off of me. Mind you, the English Coulee didn't always smell the best, and with the Simplot plant close to campus and the Sugar Beet plant in Minnesota not far away, the smells weren't always the best, but there was something calming about that place, especially in the evening hours.

Once I was out of college and back in Minot I found that any place outside of the city where I could sit and watch a sunrise or sunset would do the trick. Had to be far enough out where it was a bit secluded, but back then that wasn't hard to find like it is now. There were times after work when I would drive out to the Lake Audubon Wildlife Refuge and do the scenic loop there. There were a couple of cool spots on the drive where you could pull over a bit and sit and watch the ducks do their thing. Very peaceful and calming.

I eventually found my favorite quiet spot that I have ever had, the Lake Darling Scenic Drive. I absolutely loved that place. It was best in the early early morning or late evening. Drive up top, park and watch the sunrise/sunset over the water, that was the best. It was so peaceful, not a sound could be heard other than the wildlife. The calls of the Red Winged Blackbird or the Yellow Headed Blackbird seemed to dominate the area, but the waterfowl there were not going to be outdone either. Early morning was great when you had a bit of fog rolling through. The air just had a fresh smell to it and everything felt and looked brand new. I had the chance to sit out there a few times and watch a storm roll in and hunker down in my vehicle while it did it's thing. Something about thunder, lightning and rain that are very soothing to me. Once the storm passed, you could hear the wildlife come back to life, almost as if they were checking on each other to see if they were alright.

I hope that each of you has a quiet spot that you can go to and recharge and let the stress of life melt away. If you feel like, I would love to hear where your spot is, please feel free to comment either here or on my facebook feed.

#Quiet #Nature #Wildlife #Storms #Sunrise #Sunset

2 notes · View notes

archinform · 1 year

Text

Van Buren Street Station, Chicago

1896, Francis T. Bacon, Supervising Architect of the Illinois Central Railroad system

John F. Wallace, Chief Engineer

J.L. Fulton Company, General Contractors

Van Buren Street Station, platform level view

The Van Buren Street Station, 132 E. Van Buren at Michigan Avenue, is a commuter rail station in downtown Chicago serving the southbound Metra Electric Line, as well as the South Shore Line to Gary and South Bend, Indana.. It is the oldest active station building on the Metra Electric line. The station is located in Grant Park to the east of Michigan Avenue at Van Buren Street.

One of the station's entrances is a replica of an Hector Guimard-designed, Art Nouveau-style Paris Métro entrance. The entrance was given to Chicago as a gift by the city of Paris in 2001. The Guimard entrance will be relocated as part of a station renovation to be completed by 2027.

The station was originally constructed by the Illinois Central Railroad (incorporated 1836; operated independently until 1972), and completed in 1896.

Vintage view of the station, with buildings of Michigan Avenue behind.

"Lake Front Improvement No. 98. Van Buren St. Station and Viaduct. Looking N. from E. end Harrison St. viaduct."

The Van Buren Station is the first Metra stop south of the Millenium Station, the northern terminus of the South Shore Line.

The station is completely invisible from the street, constructed below grade, one level below Grant Park. From Michigan Avenue, passengers descend stairs to a long, featureless tunnel about a block long, which splits into up and down ramps that easily confuse the visitor, and are inadequately labeled for the ticket office and main level, or down toward Platform 2 access.

I saw the Van Buren Street Station for the first time when I took a train to Hyde Park, and decided not to depart from Millenium Station, which can be a confusing space to navigate. Nothing prepared me for this underground slice of history, and its largely intact tile and terra cotta waiting areas.

The station is below the level of the park, only its roof surrounded by a balustrade visible from above. The pedestrian viaduct over its center leads to the eastern side of Grant Park and the Lincoln statue. Entrances are from the sidewalk on the west side of Michigan Avenue, and from the Guimard Paris metro and stairs at "Van Buren Entrance" in the screencap above.

The station's placement is illustrated in the above plan, in The Inland Architect and News Record, Vol. XXIX No. 1, February 1897, Special Supplement p. 2.

The station's plan (above) and section (below) were also reproduced in the 1897 Inland Architect.

"Francis T. Bacon was the supervising architect of the Illinois Central Railroad system from the mid-1890s until 1907. Bacon died in Chicago on June 18, 1909, at the age of 43, after having been in private practice for two years." - Wikipedia entry

The Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer, Volume 60, 1909, cited in the wikipedia entry, doesn't reveal any further details of his life.

In this section, the station wall is heavily buttressed on the left, under the ground of Grant Park. A balustrade surrounds the ground-level roof, and the train platform is at right.

A glowing contemporary description of the station from The Inland Architect details the Waiting rooms' features and construction materials:

After passing the ticket inspectors, those taking express trains turn to the right and those for local trains to the left, in the central distributing corridor. From this corridor the passengers are ushered into two magnificent waiting rooms, each 34 feet by 106 feet and 9 ½ feet high. These rooms, for beauty, substantiality and completeness of appointments and conveniences, will compare favorably with those of any railway station in the world, even though naturally restricted in height of ceiling. The floors of the wating and toilet rooms, also corridor, are all paved with English floor tile; the foyer, vestibule and south entrance are paved with ceramic mosaic, and the bas throughout is of polished Tennessee marble. The walls are faced with Maw’s écru glazed tile, 3 by 6 inches, patented lock back, and the ceilings are of cast plates of stucco, forming a design of Gothic tracery. The cornices and girders and also finished in stucco, the point of junction with the glazed tile walls being covered with a mahogany molding. There are two rows of cast-iron columns in each room, which are incased in écru glazed terra cotta, elaborately molded and ornamented.

The windows of the ticket offices are covered with elaborate, handmade, wrought-iron grilles, some of which are polished and electroplated with bronze.

Source: The Inland Architect and News Record, Vol. XXIX No. 1, February 1897, Special Supplement p. 2

The station originally featured, apart from two waiting rooms, smoking rooms, a ladies' retiring room and lavatory, and a matron's room at the south end of the building.

The men's lavatory, bootblacking stand, toilet and janitor rooms are at the north end. There are also private lavatories for the attendants and locker rooms for the railroad employees. All these are under the space of 14 feet wide and 300 feet along the park side, and already occupied by the entrances, and are lighted through ceilings of cast iron and glass.

Source: The Inland Architect and News Record, Vol. XXIX No. 1, February 1897, Special Supplement p. 2

The tiles on the walls were manufactured by Maw & Co., of Shropshire, England, and are supplied and set by their agents, Hawes & Dodd, of this city, and are chiefly remarkable for their evenness of color, highly finished glaze, and freedom from the technical fault known as "Crazing."

Source: The Inland Architect and News Record, Vol. XXIX No. 1, February 1897, Special Supplement p. 2

The Inland Architect article also noted the building's fireproof construction, including terra-cotta-clad iron columns, and that the entire interior was washable.

Not all of the station's original features remain. The cast-plaster ornamental ceiling is long gone, as are some of the more elaborate decorative elements, such as scrolled wall brackets and an ornamental drinking fountain shown in a period photo below.

No trace remains of the original marble and bronze recessed drinking fountains or decorative brackets above.

The column bases and bright inlaid flooring, in need of some restoration, are still in place.

The tilework remains intact, but the original ornamental ceiling has been replaced, as well as some other decorative elements.

Original mahogany waiting-room furniture includes this curved corner bench. The benches have brass feet, to facilitate cleaning the floors.

Detail of ornamental floor tile work at the edge of one waiting room

The ticket windows are located in the entrance vestibule leading to the twin waiting rooms.

Van Buren Street Station in 1907; exit stairs from middle platform to the Van Buren viaduct

"The east front of the building, 300 feet in length, shows a wall of one story, faced with cut Bedford stone - pierced with windows and doors." (Inland Architect)

The original awning over the platform was replaced, and is in a state of disrepair.

The recessed central area of the platform is directly underneath the Van Buren viaduct above.

The exterior still features carved stone decorations.

Detail of one of the carved stone elements.

"...even the copper down-spouts and their open heads are veritable works of art." ( Inland Architect)

At the far north end of the second platform, stairs allow passengers to exit to the Jackson Blvd. overpass, just south of the Art Institute.

Other Illinois stations designed by Francis T. Bacon:

Left:

Illinois Central (IC) Railroad Station, Springfield, Illinois; Springfield Union Station, 500 E. Madison St., 1896-98; 1901 view, The Inland Architect

Right:

Illinois Central (IC) Railroad Station, Decatur, Illinois, c. 1890s; View 1901, The Inland Architect

The center or second platform gives access to northbound trains. It's reached by stairs or elevator below the main station.

Click here for a PDF version of The Inland Architect v 29 no 1 of Feb. 1897 article on the Van Buren Station.

Links:

7 notes · View notes

vancouverislandtotoronto2023 · 11 months

Text

Day 21, Friday, June 16: Mitchell to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Luverne and Magnolia and Worthington and Mankato and Kenyon and Rochester, Minnesota. 480 km.

Mitchell, South Dakota is the county seat of Davison County, South Dakota. The population was 15,660 at the 2020 census, making it the sixth most populous city in South Dakota. Its primary claim to fame is the Corn Palace, a Moorish Revival, multi-purpose arena decorated with crop art; the murals and designs covering the building are made from corn and other grains, with a new design is constructed each year.

As I pull out of Mitchell, I set my Garmin to "avoid highways" and spend much of the rest of the day oriented towards Rochester, Minnesota, but essentially lost, all in an effort to avoid the Interstate.

I know that I started out on State Road 38 heading east towards Fulton and ended up in Alexandria, where I caught the 262 to Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls is probably most well known today for its 1500' waterfalls but at the turn of the last century, it was better known as the divorce capital of the US on account of its lax divorce laws.

14 miles later, I hit the Minnesota border. The sights that great me are typical Minnesota - corn, soybeans, trains, wind turbines, and solar panels. If you look carefully, you can see where they have separated the sitting train cars to make throughways for roadways and farmers' lanes.

While many of the small towns along the route consist of a set of grain elevators and a few houses and service buildings, many, in fact, are quite lovely. The entry to Luverne, for instance, is tree lined with beautiful classic wooden homes and, of course, old glory flying proud.

Another lovely small town is Magnolia, founded in 1891 and with a current population of 222.

Just after midday, I pull in to Mankato and Google "all day breakfast." Bakers Square shows up, and I stop in for my daily coffee and eggs. Breakfast for lunch. I just love being retired.

I leave Mankota and hit the home stretch towards Rochester. When I leave, my phone says I should be there in less than two hours. As I ride on, however, my Garmin puts me at well over two and a half hours. That's it. I check my phone to find out where I am and turn off my Garmin. Tonight, I'm going to figure out how to regulate my Garmin's enthusiasm for keeping me off the Interstates.

In the meantime, my phone turns me back southeastward and a more respectable arrival time. Another small town I encounter on the route is Kenyon on State Road 56 into Rochester and the location of Gunderson House.

A member of the National Register of Historic Places, Gunderson House, was built in 1895 for M. T. Gunderson (who brought electricity to the area) in the beautiful Queen Anne style, which would stand out anywhere, but particularly in this small town of pop 1,898. It's amazing to think that this amazing wooden house is over 125 years old.

I push on, and finally, around dinner time, I hit Rochester. It has been another fascinating and exhilarating day on the road. But I'm ready to get off the bike, give it its daily bath, and find myself a cold beer.

2 notes · View notes

dasmuggler · 1 year

Text

Here are some little known, very interesting facts about Texas:

1. Port Arthur to El Paso : 889 miles. Port Arthur to Chicago: 770 miles

2. Brownsville to Texline (north of Amarillo): 956 miles. Texline to Canada: 960 miles

3. El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas

4. World's first rodeo was in Pecos, Tx July 4, 1883.

5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water. Destroyed by Hurricane Ike - 2008!

6. The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman who was the first full-time coach at Rice University in Houston, Texas .

7. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in North America.

8. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America 's only remaining flock of whooping cranes.

9. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.

10. The worst natural disaster in US history was in 1900, caused by a hurricane in which over 8,000 lives were lost on Galveston Island.

11. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969, was " Houston ," but the Space Center was actually in Clear Lake City at the time.

12. The King Ranch in South Texas is larger than Rhode Island.

13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a US rainfall record of 43" in 24 hours in and around Alvin in July of 1979.

14. Texas is the only state to enter the US by TREATY, (known as the Constitution of 1845 by the Republic of Texas to enter the Union ) instead of by annexation. This allows the Texas Flag to fly at the same height as the US Flag, and Texas may choose to divide into 5 states.

15. A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old.

16. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.

17. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period in Dr Pepper.

18. Texas has had six capital cities: Washington-on-the Brazos, Harrisburg , Galveston , Velasco, West Columbia and Austin .

19. The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the US which is taller than the Capitol Building in Washington , DC (by 7 feet).

20. The San Jacinto Monument is the tallest free standing monument in the world and it is taller than the Washington Monument .

21. The name ' Texas ' comes from the Hasini Indian word 'tejas' meaning "friends". Tejas is NOT Spanish for Texas .

22. The State Mascot is the Armadillo. An interesting bit of trivia about the armadillo is they always have four babies. They have one egg, which splits into four, and they either have four males or four females.

23. The first domed stadium in the US was the Astrodome in Houston.

24. The Beck family ranch land grant is one days ride by horse (25 miles) in each direction from the headquarters.

25. The name of the XIT ranch in Dalhart Texas stands for "ten in texas". That means 10 counties in Texas!

2 notes · View notes

visit-new-york · 2 years

Text

One World Trade Center

285 Fulton St, New York, NY One World Trade Center also known as One World Trade, One WTC, and formerly Freedom Tower is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, New York City.

Location 285 Fulton Street, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. 10007 It is bounded by West Street to the west, Vesey Street to the north, Fulton Street to the south, and Washington Street to the east.

One World Trade Center is a masterfully designed building and a symbol of resilience and resolve.

MARCH 29, 2022 One World Trade Center 95 Percent Leased With Latest Deal: Durst

As of September 2016, One WTC became the tallest building in the western hemisphere to be awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, which recognizes structures that have been built and designed using strategies that address energy savings, water efficiency, and CO2 emissions reduction.

Constructed using more than 40% post-industrial recycled content and with more than 87% of construction waste diverted from the landfill, One WTC is a sustainable force to be reckoned with.

Where in New York is the World Trade Center? The complex—located at the southwestern tip of Manhattan, near the shore of the Hudson River and a few blocks northwest of Wall Street—was built by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as a central facility for businesses and government agencies involved in international trade.

Can you see the Statue of Liberty from One World Observatory? The observation deck at One World Observatory (the 'Freedom Tower') offers breathtaking views of New York Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty.

One World Trade Center The One World Trade Center (1WTC) is the most important building of the new World Trade Center, established to substitute the complex wrecked in the September 11 attacks.

Construction The construction of the building began on 27 April 2006, nearly 5 years after the Twin Towers were destroyed. Nevertheless, the first cornerstone was laid on 4 July 2004 - two years earlier, in a symbolic ceremony. During the first years, the skyscraper was known as Freedom Tower. The skyscraper was inaugurated on the 3 November 2014.

The architect David Childs and Skidmore Owings & Merrill company were commissioned the design of this new skyscraper. The designer had previously created the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Willis Tower in Chicago and Jin Mao Tower in China.

Standing 1,776 ft (541 m)-tall, it is currently the sixth highest building in the world. The tallest is in Asia. The rooftop stands 417 meters high, the same measurements as the first tower in the original World Trade Center.

One World Observatory Inaugurated the 29 May 2015, 13 months after the skyscraper was opened to the public, the One World Trade Center observation deck, known as the One World Observatory, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York. It offers unimaginable panoramic views of New York.

The One World Observatory occupies the last three floors of the skyscraper (floors 100 – 102) and reaches a height of 386.5 meters. It is the tallest observatory in New York. The 360° views give visitors a vision of up to 80 km in all directions.

Sadly, unlike the observations decks of the Empire State and Rockefeller Center, the One World Observatory does not have an outdoor terrace, it is all interior with large glass windows. This makes it is harder to get a good photograph and visitors won’t feel the pulse of the city like on the other viewpoints.

Worthwhile, But… If you enjoy modern architecture and want to observe New York City from its new iconic skyscraper, we recommend the One World Observatory. The whole experience, from as soon as you walk inside the building, take the elevator covered by led panels that recreate the growth of the city from it once founded.

This said, the city’s best viewpoints are without a doubt: The Empire State Building Observatory followed by the Top of the Rock, since both offer different sensations. The One World Observatory would be our third favorite.

Skip the Line Tickets The number of tickets is limited by scheduled turns, which means, that visitors must buy their tickets in advance. If not, the waiting line can be several hours long.

To avoid wasting time in tiresome lines, we recommend visitors pre-book tickets. These can be printed out or on downloaded on the smartphone.

Location 285 Fulton Street.

Schedule Open every day of the year: 9am -10pm. On certain dates the landmark closes at 8pm.

Price Adults: US$ 40.28 (€ 37.80) Over 65s: US$ 38.11 (€ 35.70) Children 6-12: US$ 33.75 (€ 31.60) Children under 6: Free.

One World Observatory Tickets US$ 46.82 (€ 43.90)

#one world trade center #one world trade #world trade center #freedom tower #one wtc #fulton street #New York City #new york #city #urban #new-york #manhattan #nofollow #one world observatory

43 notes · View notes

s-o-a-p-ing · 2 years

Text

JEREMIAH S.O.A.P. ~ CHAPTER 11

Tuesday, 8/2/22

SCRIPTURE:

“Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; ... And the Lord said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hear the words of this covenant and do them.'" ~ Jeremiah 11:2, 6

OBSERVATION:

Hear and speak and do...

"...this covenant" - a relationship between two partners who make binding promises to each other and work together to reach a common goal, often accompanied by oaths, signs, and ceremonies, defining obligations and commitments...

...but they are different from a contract because they are relational and personal.

"...this covenant..." to "partner with God relationally and personally...." to reach the common goal of fellowship with Him... and invite others into this fellowship...

"...in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem..." - far and wide - country and city - like the cities of South Fulton and the streets of Atlanta...

Where Jeremiah was... where I am...

APPLICATION:

Hear...

Speak - proclaim...

Do...

PRAYER:

Speaking Heavenly Father - forgive my rush to speak before stopping to listen and hear and act on Your Word... Thank You for the reminders of Your grace and mercy through Your Son Jesus and by the presence of Your Holy Spirit... Show me the ways and give me Your words to express the joy of keeping Your New Covenant made possible by Jesus... In His Name, and for Your honor and glory above all things...

Gratefully - in Him...

<))><

#Jeremiah #Jeremiah 11 #Covenant #Hear Speak Do

2 notes · View notes

bllsbailey · 24 days

Text

Fani Willis Steps in It With Latest Remarks That May Tick Off the Judge, Defendants Considering Action. There is Stupid, then there is Stupider.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis just seems to keep wanting to step toward trouble.

When Judge Scott McAfee rendered his decision last month on whether to disqualify her from the case, one of the things he chastised her over was public comments on the proceedings. She had made remarks at a church blasting people who criticized her appointment of former special prosecutor Nathan Wade, claiming objections to his appointment amounted to playing the race card.

The judge said these remarks were "legally improper" and spoke about "the danger of public comment by a prosecuting attorney."

"She went on to frequently refer to SADA [Special Assistant District Attorney] Wade as the ‘black man’ while her other unchallenged SADAs were labeled ‘one white woman’ and ‘one white man.’ The effect of this speech was to cast racial aspersions at an indicted Defendant’s decision to file this pretrial motion." [....] "But it was still legally improper. Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into."

So you would think that Willis would want to steer clear of any comments that might tick off the judge. That would be, if she had any sense. But apparently no such luck because she was at it again, spouting off at the recent South Fulton Women of the Shield Awards.

Our sister site Townhall reported on Willis' latest remarks.

"Recently, they tell me they don't like me to talk about race. Well, I'm going to talk about it anyway," Willis said, which sounds like she's talking about the judge and thumbing her nose at him.

"Truth is: There's some challenges that come with being black. And I see so much greatness in this city that has so many great African American leaders. And I appreciate all of the sacrifice that you all have had to make to be in these positions," Willis said at the South Fulton Women of the Shield Awards. The March 29 event—hosted by the city's police department—was held to shine a spotlight on "extraordinary women who have made remarkable contributions to law enforcement and community impact." Willis thanked the police chief for "having the intelligence" to establish such an event "where we recognize that you've had to go through a little more to serve." She prefaced the speech: "It's hard out here always having to prove yourself two and three times."

Of course, none of the questions raised about her have anything to do with her race -- they have to do with her actions and what she's said. But there she was again playing the race card, despite the judge's admonishment. She seemed to be ignoring his warning, and he very well could decide to take action against her. The co-defendants are reportedly considering moving for a gag order against her, but there are pluses and minuses to that; such an order could interfere potentially with their appeal over their effort to disqualify her. But it certainly would set her and the left off if the judge did decide to do that.

0 notes