President Obama Visits Lawrence Kansas

Very cool!

I agree, very cool. :)

What - he didn't buy any art from you?!!

He visited Boise yesterday (other side of state from me). I heard tickets were difficult to get. Yes, cool.

Oh no, Roy. We just let people off work so they could go watch the motorcade go by - lol.

But we're an equipment rental company so helpful for overnight stage building, restrooms and things like that.

Lawrence is only about 100G population, so one way or another just about everyone in town is impacted.

Much nicer community turn out then tornado clean up - lol.
-- mary ellen anderson

must. resist. political. comments. must....

We had an ex-employee come in to tell us about it. He said he waited in line for 5 hours to get tickets. Happy as a duck, so guess worth it.

PS Course Lawrence got real fame last month as "the most hungover town in USA" and top 'drunk' food joints. Like bacon and ice cream.
-- mary ellen anderson

Don't worry, John. I'm biting my tongue, too. You're not alone.

Yeah, thanks for holding the politics. It's just fun to have a parade, think about that.
-- mary ellen anderson

April, John... please don't. Just please.

A couple of years ago Obama was heading to the airport in KCMO and detoured through Parkville for lunch and a tour of our quaint Main street. Stopped into a shop where some of my work is on display. So... there is that.

I'll bet the traffic was murder in Lawrence today.

He visited the Intel campus where my husband is a contractor a couple of years ago. Traffic was tied up for hours, and they never even got a glimpse of him. Only his motorcade.

I just read that Lawrence is a "little town". And then that it has a population of "about 100,000".

Well, then ...

Love him! Honored to meet & talk with him back in ''08 during a campaign stop here in southern OR. Glad you got to enjoy the parade & related festivities. So cool, yes!

"must. resist. political. comments. must...."

Absolutely, or I'd probably be banned if I spoke my mind.

Actually Kevin, Lawrence routinely handles events that double it's population for a day, so I'd say it went pretty smoothly. And KU is basically situated on a big hill in the middle of Lawrence. So everyone drives up the hill and are out of your way, till they all run down again. People brought me lunch so didn't see what downtown was like. Lot's of helicopters which was unusual.
-- mary ellen anderson

Yeah Lawrence population is about 100G. Half of that is the population of KU, so really 50G. Either figure would be considered small town. It's all relative.

Actually, although I don't want get political than Lawrence is the only city formed entirely for political purposes. And that flavor or heritage is still very apparent in Lawrence. Lawrence average age is in the 30's, everyone is educated (the mc d guy has a phd), known as city of the arts and home of many movements like the beat generation. We have all the strange characters like the guy that dresses in a sheet and thinks he's jesus. Spontaneous street performances. Theater, symphony, etc. Lawrence is quirky, but for the most part they pull it off.
-- mary ellen anderson

Mary Ellen I lived there for 9 years when there were 50,000 in town. I know Lawrence.

Very cool. Very exciting!

President/parade or no president/parade...I suspect "Lawrence" KA is an ok, pretty cool, place to live ;)

Lawrence is also the center of the Universe, because the guy that invented google maps went to KU. From google world view default, just keep zooming in and that's Lawrence.
-- mary ellen anderson

Mary Ellen
I'm thinking the only reason POTUS was there is because he asked Google Maps for directions to Kansas City....Just kidding...I lived in Kasas City.

I believe he was hoping to play basketball.... Which was invented in Lawrence.
-- mary ellen anderson

All roads lead to Lawrence.

Where are the photos?

What happened to Springfield, Ma where the Basketball Hall of Fame is?

I shot him in 2008 a few times, one was the big rally with Oprah at Williams-Brice Stadium when he was hitting his campaign stride. I was working in TV then and was not able to take my still camera in. I hate that to this day. Also saw Arrested Development that day. Go ahead, Mr. Wendall!

Kevin...are you talking about Cafe Cedar?

Here you go Edward. Springfield first game, Lawrence invention.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Naismith

Lawrence also was start of hallmark. It's a pretty cool town. The rest of KS is pretty unexciting.
-- mary ellen anderson

Rock Chalk Jayhawk! night!!

@Mary Ellen, I agree with you anytime there is a presidential motorcade or actually seeing the president its exciting. Years back right smack in front of Café Du Monde I happen to notice all of a sudden what is the busiest street in the French Quarter there were no cars moments later a limo pulls up with a police escort and to everyone's amazement it was President Bush Sr. He got out secret service walked by his side shook hands with locals and tourist waived and got back in and the motorcade took off. Wouldn't you believe I did not have a camera that day.....

Vincent, the Cafe Cedar is gone.