Downtown Cathedral

One of the nice things about being downtown is the proximity of important venues.
Fancy restaurants are located next to inexpensive restaurants, and most are within walking distance of downtown workers, executives as well as clerical staff.
There's entertainment and culture on almost every street.
The Lyric Theatre is about 100 yards from my office.
And then there's the Cathedral.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on 11th Street is an incredibly beautiful structure, with gorgeous statuary and stained glass windows. The chapel has a crucifix above the altar that is known as the San Damiano crucfix, that was in use at the time of the conversion of St. Francis Assisi in the early 1200s. As Francis was praying before this crucifix one day in a dilapidated chapel, he heard God telling him to repair his church. Francis thought he was to literally begin laying new stone for the crumbling structure, and only later realized that he was being called to a work of spiritual renewal, where he promoted voluntary poverty for the love of God and all!
Working downtown, I can walk to noon services at the Cathedral, pick up a coke on my walk back to the office, and finish my meal within the lunch hour. Downtown is a great place to work!

Discovery Sunday!

Just ten blocks south of DeLaSalle (and also from my room on Tracy) is the Discovery Center.
I needed a good walk to stretch out my tired bones and refresh my soul this humid Sunday afternoon, so I headed to 47th and Troost and into a virtual mid-town oasis.
I saw bullfrogs, rabbits, butterflies, yellow finches, Baltimore Oriels, squirrels and plenty of yellow jackets and wrens. Mercy, it's amazing what you can find when you're not expecting much.
I happened to be talking to Karol on my cell phone for part of my Sunday stroll. She was exclaiming about the orchids and bananas and I didn't want to one-up her, but if she could have seen the Black-Eyed Susans and Cattails, well maybe Hawaii isn't the only paradise left in this crazy old world.
I just love how God continually surprises me! Lordy!

Eleventh Street Looking East

Skyscrapers abound in the view to the east from the building where I office.

Summer in the City!

It was a hot one yesterday in the downtown area - 97 degrees!
Just when you think it's about the hottest day in Kansas City that you can remember, there's usually a hotter one around the corner!

Cool Passcards!

These are the cool passcards that I get to use in my new office.
The one to the left is for the parking garage.
It took me several (partial and nervous) trips into the garage, and back to Mr. Harold at the front desk, to figure this one out.
Even then, I was somewhat befuddled, until on my last trip into the garage yesterday, someone in the car behind me kindly noted that I needed to hold the card towards a sensor that was above my car.
Bingo! Up went the gate and I was in!
The other card opens all of the electronically-controlled doors that are for general employee usage in the main building. With this card, I can enter side doors and stairwells. I can also get into the building during non-office times.
I am absolutely delighted to have been afforded such access and welcome into this magnificent office building. Thanks to Dave Lovetere, Vince Dasta, MC Realty, Kansas City Southern Railway and DST Systems!

An Inspiring Letter!

New Office!!

Through the kindness and generosity of MC Realty and DST Systems, I now have office space downtown!
The office area is near a building exit which overlooks the western exposure to downtown along 11th street (first picture).
A private hallway leads to Suite 170 (next two pictures).
Inside Suite 170 is a conference table surrounded by four offices (next picture).
I'm in the second office on the right (last picture).
Come by and see me. The street address is 114 W. 11th Street. Tell Harold, our security officer, that you're there to see me.
I'll have a phone tomorrow, so watch out! I may be calling you and coming to see you, instead!

Getting Our Signals Straight

Vanessa Van Goethem-Piela is the DeLaSalle Director of Development. After our fundraising call, we talked briefly in the lobby to strategize and to develop our follow-up plan. We're hoping to raise the final funding for the DeLaSalle Capital Campaign in the next few months.
If we do, and we are confident we will, groundbreaking for the new addition will begin next spring!

Atop Kansas City!

It's a beautiful panorama looking south from the corporate offices of Kansas City Power and Light in downtown Kansas City, where we made a capital campaign fundraising call today!

Suddenly Kansas, Seymour!

I wondered over into Kansas tonight.
Mercy, it's hot in the farm-belt of the USA! It was 93 degrees in Missouri but it felt like 103 degrees in Kansas. Sure is pretty, though!

A Perfect Mid-Summer Eve Stroll!

After an intense first day focused on fundraising, I decided I needed a walk this evening.
I got in the car and drove south and ended up at Kauffman Legacy Park.
I began walking and soon found myself at the south end of the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, where the sculpture garden beckoned.
I ambled through the garden on winding walkways and ended up at the Art Institute, where I took a detour and entered the main concourse. I have long been fascinated with the colored embedded lights within the concourse, but it was not quite dusk and the lights remained unlit.
On a whim, I looked south to the lower park where Richard III is playing, but the park was empty - a night off for the actors!
I thought of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and remembered that we had acted out the play in my college Shakespeare class.
Tonight is midsummer's eve, and night, the longest day, and shortest night, of the entire year. My fancy led me to consider the many memorable summers I have spent in Kansas City, the first of which was in 1972, when I hitchhiked from Delaware to Kansas City to tutor in the local jail for the summer.
In 1974, I courted Karol through the summer, marrying her on August 24th.
From 1976 to 2009, we scheduled our vacations during the hottest times of the summer, to go to Delaware to visit my extended family, or to visit our children who eventually had all moved out of Kansas City.
It was a magical evening and a relaxing and enjoyable time for remembering, on a night meant for memories!

Meanwhile, Back at My Newest, Temporary Office...

...there was work to be done!
It may not look like much, but it will work until I get settled into my office.

Veni, Vidi, Vamoose!

I arrived at the school this morning all dressed up in my new JC Penney's wardrobe. I was ready for my first appointment in my new capacity as Director of Sustainability for DeLaSalle.
I was early, and needed to get a room set up for my appointment, and Carolyn Watkins was kind enough to capture this moment for me.
With just a little wistfulness, I realized that leaving at the right time after my appointment was completed was almost as important as arriving early!

Have Office, Will Travel!

My office, at least for a day or two, is now mobile. I am operating out of the 1991 Jeep Cherokee, a remarkably sturdy car of unparalleled economy!

Today is...

...the first day of the rest of my life?
Sure.
But it is also the last day I report for work at 3740 Forest.
I have spent this past week orientating the new Executive Director, Mark Williamson, to a few of the many people who are instrumental to DeLaSalle.
By the end of today, I will have carted the last of my thirty years of office possessions out of this building.
I am excited to have a new office downtown, where I will move in early next week.
From there, I will be calling on our many friends to help us complete our fundraising for the capital campaign. We only have $1,310,000 left to raise so that we might break ground on the new addition next spring. We have already raised nearly $5,000,000!
After we complete the fundraising for the campaign, I will work on developing a "sustaining fund" for the future of DeLaSalle.
I am honored and privileged to continue working for DeLaSalle's noble cause of helping our community educate all of our youth!

Meanwhile, in Hawaii...

...our son, Matthew, is hard at work building.
He is a great worker and an excellent builder. He got half those qualities from me, although I might argue that I am also "a builder of vision"!

Yes, That's Corn Growing...

...at DeLaSalle on Troost Boulevard!
Called an "Art Farm" by artist and KC Art Institute student, Theo Bunch, it's the first step in DeLaSalle's transformation to a trend-setting urban campus.
Soon, a new roof will be installed for DeLaSalle's 70 year-old building, and new signage will be placed along Troost (in front of the soon-to-appear stalks of corn!) announcing the opening of DeLaSalle's first charter school this fall.
The last step will be the construction next summer of a new addition to the school to accomodate the modernized Student Press, and the enhanced PACES Program, in addition to space for the Behavioral Health Center, all to occur through the generosity of a plethora for wonderfully kind supporters. We still need financial help to raise the last $1,310,000 of this $6,247,000 campaign, so call today to make a gift to the future of KC's youth. Thanks!

Our Board in Action!

At our Annual Board meeting on June 15, our Board of Directors listened to DeLaSalle students discuss the upcoming "100 Men in Aprons" fundraising event.
Following the Board meeting, we held the first meeting of our DeLaSalle Charter LEA School Board, where we discussed officers for this new program, which opens this fall.
Another first was the arrival of our new Executive Director, Mark Williamson (second from the left in the lower picture). I have the opportunity this week of introducing Mark to our many friends in the community. Next week, I officially move out of the building and focus on my new duties as Director of Sustainability!
It continues to be an exciting time for DeLaSalle and for me!

We've Got Chickens!

Our new home in Hawaii has just been blessed with chickens, loaned to us by our son, David. (This picture is from the internet, not from our new chicken coop!)
Mountain View is a rural area which is agriculturally zoned, so many of our neighbors have goats, chickens, cows and extensive orchards. We've got to keep up with the Joneses, don't you know!

I Set Forth....

...and the light will burn brightly after night is done!
I had the opportunity tonight, on my last night as Executive Director, to close the building, after hours and late.
I had a few things to do before I start work in my new position Monday.
The last thing I did was turn off the lights.
Good Night, my friends, and I look forward to the next light-filled chapter of our lives and work together!

I'll Be Remembered!

At a reception honoring my 27 years as Executive Director on Tuesday, the DeLaSalle Board of Directors presented me with a replica of the street sign that will be affixed to the street leading to our future new school entrance. This street will be named, as the picture indicates: Dougherty Drive.
I am honored to be remembered.

May 16, 2010 Commencement Talk

I was honored to be the 2010 DeLaSalle Commencement Speaker. We had a great evening and a great group of graduates!

Clutter Transferred, But...

....look at my new view!
For my first week as Director of Sustainability, I will be helping the new Executive Director get orientated to his position and to meet key contacts in the community.
I will therefore be officing at DeLaSalle for one more week before I move off-site. This is my office (and view) until June 18.
It will be good for the organization that I move off-site, so that the transformation of DeLaSalle continue under new leadership.
I will be looking for a new office, so if you know of any inexpensive (free) sites, I'm open!
(More to come about that view from my temporary office soon.)

It Still Runs!

I am grateful to Brian Sanders for his donation of this 1991 Jeep Cherokee, which he donated to DeLaSalle ten years ago, and still runs like a charm!
I will be able to continue to use this car in making calls in my new position as Director of Sustainability.

The Cleanest My (Former) Desk...

....has ever been!

My former desk and former office are now ready for the new Executive Director, Mark Williamson!

Mark told me today he has moved into his house in Kansas City, and will be stopping by tomorrow to say hello.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop by!

Tributes

A party acknowledging my 30 years of service to DeLaSalle was held last night, and I was deeply honored and humbled by this event.

But I could not have managed my transition from Executive Director to the Director of Sustainability without the help of our Board President, Gary Ballard (left in picture).

Gary worked with the Board of Directors to help DeLaSalle develop a new direction for the organization that will become more evident in the next few months, as our new Executive Director begins working with the Board, staff and community. It's an exciting time at DeLaSalle, and a lot of the credit belongs with Gary. Thanks so much, Gary, for your commitment and vision!

Mike Mayer

It was fitting that on the first day of my last week as Executive Director of DeLaSalle I would visit with former Board member, Mike Mayer.

Mike was an outstanding Board member, chairing the Development Committee (fundraising) for three years.

He was an officer of the Board (Vice-President) and helped us tremendously.

Mike is an extremely successful businessman and community leader.

It's always a joy being with Mike!

You may have read recently about two brothers whose bodies were found wrapped in plastic bags and dumped in a shopping cart. One of those young men was Joseph Hooker (picture at left). He was 19. He graduated last year from DeLaSalle.

I got to know Joe very well last year.

I had been invited to participate with a DeLaSalle student in the development of grant guidelines for a discretionary fund to assist central-city groups in combating violent crime. I asked our staff what student I should invite to participate with me. I was given Joe's name.

I talked to Joe about helping me with this project. He was eager to help. He told me that "the streets were crazy", meaning that his neighborhood was troubled and had a great deal of crime.

I took Joe to a half-dozen meetings. I learned about Joe's family. His older brother had just opened a restaurant on Troost. Joe said he worked there when he wasn't in school.

Joe's father was a painter and a minister. I was surprised in one of our meetings when a participant asked Joe if he was the son of this man. Joe answered matter-of-factly that he was. The individual praised Joe's father. Joe acted like it was no big deal. But I could tell how proud Joe was of his father, and of his entire family.

That's why the only part of the newspaper story about Joe's death that made sense to me was that his body was discovered alongside that of his younger brother's body.

Joe's father died last year. Our staff have speculated that this may have precipitated a change in Joe, and that this change may have resulted in some darker developments in Joe's life. None of us know at this time what really happened. But perhaps one lesson we can take from this is the importance of role-models, especially males and fathers, in the lives of our young men.

I tried to c0nnect with Joe in the only when I knew. I found he loved baseball, as do I. I learned that he frequently played the position of a catcher, like I had when I was a teenager. I shared baseball stories with him. He was also so proud of his 1997 Mercury Sable automobile, the one that was torched and found burned out two days before his body was discovered. We talked cars.

But obviously I missed the deeper connection. I did not observe the change that must have developed around the time we were working together.

How did things go so horribly bad for him, barely one year after his graduation from DeLaSalle?

I intend to find out more about this tragic story. I feel somehow responsible. I want to make sure we involve more men as mentors to our young men at DeLaSalle. I believe I owe it to Joe.

Exile? Or, The Best of Both Worlds?

It feels a lot like exile, being apart from my family while living again in Kansas City.

Karol and our three children and three grandchildren are in the cool, mountain climate of Hawaii this evening, while I am in hot Kansas City.

It's not really that bad here. I share a house with two friends, one a priest. We have a chapel on the lower floor with incredible stain glass windows. (See the above picture for one of those windows.) I have lots of time for quiet reflection and prayer.

Of course, that's good, except that I miss Karol and our family.

With the five hour time difference, they are probably now just finished with lunch. I just finished dinner.

I'll call Karol before I go to bed, to hear about her day. I already called her once, and she called me earlier as well.

As an adolescent, I loved the literature of exile. I devoured Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov and Camus. I experienced a vicarious appreciation for James Joyce's wonderful anti-hero, Stephen Daedalus. I feel like I am in exile now, but not the exile of an adolescence angst.

I feel a deep yearning for the fullness of my family and married life to return.

I'll be here six weeks.

In those six weeks, I'll orient the new DeLaSalle Executive Director, and formally leave my office and the school. I'll set up a new office for my new job with DeLaSalle in this house, and continue to raise money for DeLaSalle. I'll be the new Director of Sustainability. Nice title, hard job. But I'm up to it.

I love raising money.

And I can't wait to see my family.

Until then, I'll pray for them and talk over the phone to them. An exile of sorts, but with an interesting balance and an exposure to two very different worlds. The best of both worlds!

Aloha!

Soon I will be at the Hilo Airport and on my way back to Kansas City, where I will begin my last week as Executive Director of the DeLaSalle Education Center.

I'm looking forward to my return, and beginning work as the new Director of Sustainability on June 14.

My first duty in that new position will be orientating the new DeLaSalle Executive Director, Mark Williamson, to the organization and the community. It will be a busy and exciting time for me and for DeLaSalle!

Clearing the Land

We spent part of the day clearing the area behind our water-catchment system.

Looking Down Lehua Street...

...to the northwest from our house, you can almost see the slope leading to Mauna Kea. One of the distinctive features of this 13,803 foot inactive volcano are the 8 astronomical observatories near its peak. It is a incredible sight on a clear day!

A Walk with a View

On Saturday, my daughter, Liz, invited me for a walk near her home. She pointed out the tremendous views, such as the ocean (in the distance just above the trees, in picture at left).

Behind us on this pleasant walk, were the peaks of Manua Loa and Mauna Kea, both reaching over 13,500 feet in height.

It makes for a wonderful walk, having wonderful company, and extraordinary views.