Robert Pence

My thyroid is completely toast anyway, so what's to stop me from pigging out on tofu? I don't know of any Chinese markets nearby, but we do have a Vietnamese grocery.

Old habits die hard. They learned that when they were kids driving tractors pulling hay wagons down narrow farm lanes. When you come to a tight corner, you have to swing way out to keep the wagon from catching on the fencepost on the inside corner. It's even more difficult if you're pulling two wagons hitched in tandem. When I was about twelve or thirteen, my dad used to get all freaked out and harp at me about "Swing wide! Swing wide!" Finally one day he took over to show me how to do it, and while he was swinging wide and watching the wagon behind us, he ran the front of the tractor through the opposite fence. It was really hard to not snicker. So if you see somone going slow and swinging wide on the turns, being very careful to watch ahead and behind, it's probably me. I always signal, though. :-D

Just after the volunteers started work in the mid seventies, I had a complete tour one night from projection booth to fly gallery to the basement where resided a row of hand-fired, coal-burning boilers, a giant, archaic-looking (but beautiful to me) belt-driven reciprocating compressor that drove the carbon dioxide-refrigerated air conditioning, and the dressing rooms, small, badly-lighted and musty-smelling, long-unused and with institutional-green paint peeling from the walls. All that has been re-done; a new gas-fired boiler system was installed and good modern air-conditioning compressors and evaporator coils were donated from a nearby hotel that was to be razed. The dressing rooms were brought up to date, and several years ago a major construction project extended the stage back into the attached Indiana Hotel building to make it deep enough to accomodate Broadway shows. Major structural issues were addressed, like a very expensive roof replacement, including an annex that supports a walkway over Jefferson Boulevard connecting with the Grand Wayne Center. The annex has handicapped-accessible restrooms; the original ones, ornate and still functioning, are accessible only via a long, wide stairway down from the lobby. I haven't had a nooks-and-crannies tour since all the work was done.

People in parking garages who drive as if they're on a lonely country road, powering around the corners and up the ramps without awareness that a pedestrian might be just out of sight around the corner, or that someone might back out of a parking spot without anticipating a speed maniac. When I get one tailgating me, I drive extra-sloooooowww, about walking speed, just to piss them off.

Heyerly's Bakery in tiny Ossian - quite possibly the best in Northeast Indiana. Pecan rolls, apple fritters, bear claws, creme-filled chocolate eclairs ... Just typing those words made my belt feel tighter. There's a nice Mexican bakery not far from where I live, too. One glance through the front window, and I'm irresistibly drawn inside to pick up a tray and tongs and load up. Some of the things look too pretty to eat, but one bite and those reservations are cast aside. Few things will ever match my late grandmother's German coffee cake, though, yeast-raised, dense and moist, and topped with a crumbly mix of butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Sadly, the recipe went to the grave with her.

If you haven't already done so, I suggest you go back about a half-dozen posts and read the one by KJP, titled "3C Corridor Myth Busters." You might find it helpful to read some of the subsequent entries.

The opening line was a flashback of past relationships. It's a big part of why I prefer an electric blanket to a boyfriend. :-)

Considering the dreariness of Toledo winters, even if no one drank in the warmer months, the annual average probably still would come in pretty high! :-D

The current efforts to provide conventional rail won't be wasted with the advent of HSR. In other countries HSR didn't replace conventional rail. It was created from scratch as premium service running on dedicated ROW and only serving major markets, while conventional rail continues to operate on traditional, often-parallel ROW and serves intermediate destination/origin stations with lower fares. In our own Northeast Corridor, Acela Express stops only at locations where there is sufficient market for fast, premium-fare service, while Regional trains provide lower-cost service and serve many intermediate points. I expect passenger rail to follow this proven format as it takes shape in the Midwest and across the country. In fact, the eventual creation of HSR may relieve running-time constraints on established conventional rail to permit the addition of stations in many smaller communities that didn't get them at the outset. Edit: Added example comparison For example, Boston - Washington, D.C. Acela vs. Regional (from Amtrak system timetable, winter-fall 2007-2008 Cheapest Acela Fare $144 Cheapest Regional Fare $ 83 Acela #2253 trip time 6:40 Regional #93/493 trip time 7:45 In Fort Wayne even as train frequency dwindled, one of the cab companies had a direct phone in the station. I think a car-rental company (Hertz?) might have had one, too. Budget car-rental had an agency two short blocks away. The space outside the front door was reserved for taxis, and usually there was at least one waiting out front at train arrival times.

The acoustics are wonderful, too. I got a free ticket for one of the Philharmonic concerts, and the seat turned out to be clear in one corner at the top of the balcony. Even there, I could clearly hear the most delicate sounds. Here's the schedule for the remainder of the 2009-2010 season.

The discussion here about how/where HSR will be built is premature speculation. Despite (temporary) relief from rising gas prices, many routes that operate slower than 110mph and sometimes even slower than 79mph, and tacky, inconveniently-located stations, Amtrak's national ridership continues to increase People I know who have ridden an Amtrak train and aren't sure whether they will incude trains in future travel plans never cite speed as the reason for their dissatisfaction, or even having to drive 20 miles to a bus shelter beside a wind-swept asphalt platform. I hear complaints about erratic schedule keeping and inconvenient arrival/departure times, along with on-board service issues like trying to get a snack three hours out of Chicago and finding everything already stowed for arrival by an attendant who seems annoyed at being asked for a (small) cup of (over-cooked) coffee. Immediate 3C issues involve providing service that is pleasant and reliably on time, and that runs when people want to travel. It doesn't have to be gee-whiz stylish or high-tech so long as it's clean and looks and smells fresh, the heat or air conditioning works, and the seats are comfortable. Station amenities can come later; if the trains run on time, people won't be spending much time there. Station essentials include easily accessed, safe locations and adequate, secure, inexpensive or free parking. High-level platforms would be nice for simplifying handicapped access and expediting boarding/detraining overall. Provide those things, and lots of people will ride. State and federal legislators will hear from their constituents, and true HSR will come. It's not going to happen overnight, and it's too early to speculate what economic and geopolitical realities will drive transportation policy when it does come.

Beautiful countryside. I pretty much agree with your assessment of Phoenix, although they do seem to be making an effort to change things. I never thought I'd see the day when they'd accept the idea of decent bus service, let alone rail.

Embassy Theatre Fort Wayne, Indiana All Photos Copyright © 2004 – 2010 by Robert E Pence The Emboyd Theatre and Indiana Hotel opened in 1928. The theatre, designed by John Eberson, prolific creator of movie palaces across the country, was built for movies and vaudeville shows. The building housing the theatre and hotel was the work of noted local architect A.M. Strauss, whose commercial and residential designs across the city are still much admired. In 1951 the theatre and hotel were sold to the Alliance Amusement Company, and the name was changed to the Embassy. The Grande Page Organ fell into disrepair and a small group of local enthusiasts stepped in to restore and preserve it and present occasional concerts. In 1972 the theatre was faced with demolition, presumably to create a parking lot for senior apartments that were proposed for the hotel. A preservation fund-raising effort kicked into gear, and dedicated volunteers put many hours of their own labor and sometimes considerable amounts of their own money into saving and restoring the facility. Now the theatre hosts concerts by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic along with numerous travling shows and entertainers. The magnificent Grand Paige Organ rises to stage level on its platform to add its presence on many occasions. The theatre marquee has been updated with digital reader boards. Winter night scenes from February, 2008. The interior photos were taken in 2006 and 2009 during the annual Festival of Trees, one of several events during Fort Wayne's downtown holiday fest. Trees are sponsored by businesses, organizations, and individuals, and the festival visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorites. An admission fee is charged and the decorated trees are auctioned, with festival proceeds going toward the preservation and operation of the theatre. The first floor of the Indiana Hotel lobby. The hotel currently is not used, although various possibilities for its use continue to be explored. The lobby is available for receptions and other private events. Mezzanine level of the hotel lobby. The theatre lobby seen from the mezzanine level. The theatre lobby may be hired for receptions and other private events. The theatre auditorium originally seated 2,800, if I remember correctly. Several years ago the seatng was redone using the original decorative cast-iron stanchions but with wider cushions to accomodate the steadily-increasing girth of patrons. The change resulted in some loss of seating capacity. Steps from the theatre lobby mezzanine up to the balcony During the festival, nearly continuous entertainment by various arts groups takes place on the Embassy stage. On this day youth-oriented groups were featured. A lighting sconce in the balcony Stairway down from the hotel lobby mezzanine to the main floor ... ... and out the door ... ... onto Jefferson Boulevard. Looking south on Harrison Street. The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is under construction on the right. The hotel and the Embassy will be connected by a skybridge, which along with the existing skybridge over Jefferson Boulevard, will provide hotel guests a sheltered connection with the Grand Wayne Center.

Maybe that's where the Party Girls hang out? :-D

The rather staid facade of Akron's Civic belies the wonders that lie within.

The Fort Wayne line is a long way from being shovel-ready (or track-laying-machine-ready); the portion of the route between Fort Wayne and Chicago is probably the closest to being ready, because it has only been a few years since it was single-tracked and de-signaled, and much of the grade is still in place and in good condition. Further, in the vicinity of Fort Wayne the ROW was acquired and developed in the early 20th century to accomodate four tracks, and at least one of the trestles was built with foundations wide enough to support the additional tracks. On the other hand, much of the proposed route between Fort Wayne and Toledo has been in deplorable condition for many years, with submerged, rotted ties and barely-visible rails and no visible ballast rock or drainage in some places and a grade that has almost disappeared and probably will need to be essentially recreated.. Before the Fort Wayne line becomes eligible for consideration for funding under a Track 1 proposal for actual construction and operation, it must first meet the conditions outlined in INDOT's Track 2 proposal, a major portion of which is an environmental impact study. As I recall, the cost for that has been estimated at $46 million. But getting back to 3C, I don't remember if, in the discussion over suiltable station locations, anyone has mentioned what I see as a critical first step. I think it's important that there be a direct connection at Cleveland with the Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited. A station in Columbus convenient to major businesses and government offices probably is significant, too. Those two things immediately create an all-rail connection between Columbus and Chicago and East-coast cities. The eastward connection would make it attractive enough for some Dayton and Cincinnati travelers to drive to a station a few miles from downtown, and a dedicated shuttle bus probably would be well-received by some. Farther into the future, might through cars might be run to/from Columbus or beyond, switched between 3C trains and the Lake Shore or Capitol at Cleveland? That would allow through travelers to/from points beyond Cleveland to complete their journey without changing trains.

:x Happened again last night/today; I hate it like hell when it snows overnight, and then the sun comes out the next day and I have to work really fast to get my sidewalks all shoveled before the snow melts.

Neat thread! I love the combination of photos and narrative. Be aware, though, that when they see the forbidden photos and come to get you, UO policy does not include posting bail. Individual forumers may elect on their own to send care packages containing fresh socks and underwear, and maybe cookies. Do you like chocolate chips? :wink:

True, although the riverfront space in downtown Dayton, and for that matter, in downtown South Bend, and been turned into an attractive amenity providing activities for the public, unlike Fort Wayne, where more than thirty years ago the city stopped maintaining the riverbanks even downtown and in the parks and let them become completely overgrown with ailanthus altissima (stink trees), mulberries, wild grapes, and other invasive plants. Even the handsome water filtration plant in its classic setting at the confluence is almost completely hidden in summer by the thicket of trash vegetation that has been allowed to take over the view. South Bend is fortunate in that its Saint Joseph River (not the same one that flows into Fort Wayne) has a much higher flow rate than our rivers do. There once was a hydroelectric plant in downtown South Bend across from the present East Race, and given the trends in energy costs, I wouldn't be surprised if someone is thinking about that now. Here's a photo of about half of the low-head dam there:

True, but they'd rather buy into myths about energy independence than accept that either voluntarily or otherwise, eventually they'll drastically reduce their consumption. :|

Good research and beautiful photo documentation.

Not every vehicle in a DMU set has an engine. Some are powered and some are, as pictured above, unpowered "trailers." A trailer may have a control cab on one end to let it be used on the unpowered end of a DMU train to permit bi-directional operation. The workable ratio of trailers to powered units is subject both to operating environment and to the units' design.

The line is double track through the city, but goes to single track on both the east and west. I'm not sure just where the double track ends; checking that out that might be a good afternoon project for me on a nice day. If you like this sort of stuff, and haven't seen the photos on my web site, check here and here. The rivergreenway system incorporates about 20 miles of decently-maintained asphalt trails, and more are on the agenda along with designated bike lanes on city streets. Aboite Township, west of the city, is developing its own trail system that eventually will link with the city's system. Likewise New Haven, east of Fort Wayne.

I'd love to get a tour of it again. I've been in it twice, both times long ago. When I was about seven years old, Dad knew one of the supervisors there. I don't know how; maybe church, Lions Club, bowling league or something. Anyway, he took me there on a Saturday and we got to walk through the whole thing. Another memory from that day is that for some reason Dad was driving my aunt's 1932 Ford V8 Roadster, tan with chocolate-brown fenders, rumble seat, and canvas top. It didn't have roll-up glass windows; it had isinglas windows on the sides, attached to the top with snaps and with a canvas flap at the bottom on the driver's side where you could stick your arm out to signal turns. The other time was when I was about twenty. I was an apprentice machinist-toolmaker at GE, and a group of about a dozen of us arranged a tour one night. I remember how old-school formally arranged everything was inside, and how spotlessly clean. The floors gleamed.

Headwaters of the Maumee River February 3, 2010 All Photos Copyright © 2010 by Robert E Pence Looking northward from the Columbia Avenue Bridge toward the city water filtration plant, I'm standing directly above the origin of the Maumee River. Following a sinous path through the city, the Saint Marys River on the left flows from the Southeast, originating at Grand Lake Saint Marys near Saint Marys, Ohio. The Saint Joseph, on the right, originates in southern central Michigan not far from Jackson and reaches Northeast Indiana via the extreme northwestern corner of Ohio. Saint Joseph River Saint Marys River Now, I'm standing on the grounds of the water filtration plant looking downstream toward the Columbia Avenue Bridge, my vantage point for the previous photos. Father Julian Benoit was born in France in 1808, ordained in Baltimore in 1837, and came to Fort Wayne in 1840. He did much to advance the Roman Catholic faith in Fort Wayne, and was a friend and protector of the Native American people who lived in the area. His work in ministering to the sick and his generosity with his own personal funds were important in advancing civilization in a then-rough frontier settlement. Local sculptor Hector Garcia created the bronze in 1976. Hector also was influential in establishing Three Rivers Velo Sport cycling club and arousing interest in a largely dormant activity in the 1960s. Note that the Rivergreenway passes by this point. The water filtration plant was built in 1931 as part of a program to replace an outgrown and worn-out 1879 system using steam pumps and deep wells and an open storage reservoir atop a man-made hill in what is now Reservoir Park. The new plant was the first Fort Wayne public works project to use Federal money. Local officials have been conscientious when planning expansions to stay consistent with the original exterior architectural designs. Three Rivers Apartments, built in the 1960s. Still advertised as luxury apartments. Having not been in the buildings in more than thirty years, I wouldn't know. Looking upstream from the Tecumseh Street Bridge, about a half mile from the confluence. The 1913 Tecumseh Street bridge was terribly deteriorated and was closed for reconstruction. The restored bridge was reopened late last year. As much of the original stonework was reused as was possible, but all the limestone balusters had to be replaced. Hosey Dam stands about a mile downstream from the confluence, near the Anthony Boulevard bridge. It was completed in 1925 and once included hydroelectric generating facilities. The last time I know of that the roller gates were raised was during the flood of 1982, and they have since been disabled because in their deteriorated condition they were vulnerable to damage by raising and lowering. Roller gates must be raised and lowered skilfully under any conditions in order to keep them from becoming buoyant and floating out of their guide channels, a situation that would be difficult and expensive to remedy. A study was commissioned in Autumn, 2009, to determine the feasibility of generating hydroelectric power at the Maumee Dam, the St. Joseph River Dam, and an outfall from the city sewage processing plant. I haven't yet heard any results from that study. The only active control device on the dam now is the small tainter gate next to the structure that once housed the generating equipment. The Chicago-Buffalo mainline of the former New York Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate)Railroad, now Norfolk Southern, follows the Maumee eastward out of downtown. This is looking toward downtown; on the left, the building that once housed Wayne Candy Company, originator in the 1920s of the Wayne Bun. Bun bars now are made by Pearson Candy Company. They're a milk-chocolate-and-nut patty filled with a vanilla or maple fondant or caramel. Looking eastward, if you follow the tracks far enough you'll go through Lakewood and then across a loooong, high viaduct over the Cuyahoga Valley. The Wayne Home Equipment Company was founded in 1928 to produce oil burners for home furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, and industrial boilers and ovens. In the 1940s they added water pumps to their product line. In 1998 Scott Fetzer Corporation bought the business, and in 1991 they moved it to Harrison, Ohio. Looking downstream from the Anthony Boulevard Bridge, toward New Haven and the Indiana-Ohio line.