TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! LET'S REMEMBER THE TOP 5 REASONS THE KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN TOY TRAIN IS UN-AMERICAN!!!

In the public discourse Memorial Day is mostly about mindless cheerleading for a collection of mostly misguided foreign policy decisions and that's cool.

Go Team!



However, what might be more productive is to examine some of the Democratic principles that are often touted by chicken hawks who send young people to die in faraway lands but are rarely put into practice . . . Especially in this town.

Don't worry . . . I wasn't planning on making any new friends today.

Anyhoo . . .

Because Democracy is more important than MISTAKING MILITARISM WITH PATRIOTISM . . . Consider this . . .

CHECK THE TOP FIVE WAYS THE KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN TOY TRAIN IS UNDEMOCRATIC AND UN-AMERICAN!!!

1. The measly, nearly secret and smallish vote that will decide the fate of The Downtown Streetcar is a disgrace to Kansas City and Democracy - Less than 603 voters CAREFULLY SELECTED by local politicos will determine a HUGE BILL that this town will be forced to pay long after all those phony promises about increased revenue are revealed as lies.

2. Only Kansas City politicos, special interests and consultants will benefit from this Downtown Toy Train - This is a power play by the Kansas City oligarchy supported only by a couple of dimwit amateur urban planners. There is no public consensus about this project because politicos only want a small crowd voting and private companies rule this election . . . In much the same way that Halliburton gave everybody the heebie-jeebies during the Iraq crusade.

3. The Downtown Toy Train Doesn't Solve Any Problem - It's not a transit concern because most people could easily walk the distance. It's not a "starter line" and no plans are in the works to link up with it . . . The project is nothing more than another local "white elephant" to feed with taxpayer cash.

4. Tourist Schemes From City Hall ALWAYS Turn Out Bad - Check the last 20 years and just about every City Hall development project has been a let down. There's no pro sports team that was promised at The Sprint Center. The P&L District bleeds money. Union Station is nothing more than glorified office space. The Mayor and City Council are looking on FOOLISHLY OPTIMISTIC when the record of local politicos to develop successful projects is abysmal. Maybe this isn't completely undemocratic but it does follow the same story line as most wars waged by politicos and their empty promises that end up costing countless lives.

5. Politicos Making The Downtown Toy Train A Priority Lose Focus Of Local Neighborhoods - After BILLIONS worth of investment the so-called "Downtown Renaissance" still has failed to materialize. Like it or not, it won't be delivered by train. Meanwhile, KC neighborhoods are paying the price for this folly and betrayal of local voters.

For these reasons and many more . . . On Memorial Day . . . It's important to remember that The Downtown Toy Train is nothing but a scam perpetrated by local elitists, asking for more sacrifice in the name of a project that does nothing less than betray democratic ideals.

DEVELOPING . . .

And because TKC honors Memorial Day . . . Here's a playlist to honor the occasion.

Hopefully, more posts later . . . STAY TUNED!!!

NOW IT'S "OUR TIME" TO FORGET GEORGE BRETT'S LONG GONE GLORY DAYS!!!

Every day Kansas City becomes even more irrelevant on the national sports scene.

Here's a reminder of this fact from a player that's currently WINNING vs. the long gone Kansas City glory days of this small town's most beloved big fish . . .

New York Times blog: With a Single in the First, Jeter Passes Brett

SB Nation: "Derek Jeter Passes George Brett For 14th Place On All-Time Career Hits List"

New York Daily News: "Yankees' Derek Jeter passes George Brett, Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer, on Major League Baseball's career hit list"

Another Kansas City "Green" Project

The Star wonders . . .

"Could Kansas City be next in Missouri to lighten up on lighting up?"

The answer is . . . GRASSROOTS activists, pardon the pun, are soon to roll their own brand of civic involvement up in this town that's much more interesting than this article in The Star . . . Stay Tuned!!!

Old And Busted Sewers Breaking Kansas City

An interesting article about awarding contracts to start on $80-million-a-piece storage tank project should make us realize that long term political failure is one of many contributing factors taking this town down the tubes.

No MoDOT Mowing Money

AP reports on soon to be blighted highways and byways: "The Missouri Department of Transportation has opted to cut back on mowing grass in order to save the department about $2.6 million."

Jordan Carver And The TKC Link Pool

Jordan Carver & Kansas City mainstream morning links for the holiday . . .

• Apropos: Local casualties add meaning to holiday
  
  
• Local support: "By the time the week of Memorial Day is over, a group of Kansas Citians will have sent nearly 1,000 “care packages” to U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan."
  
  
• Mary Sanchez write about money laundering: Closing the border won't shut down illicit trade
  
  
• Star stands up for boobies: Opponents of OP nude are missing important message
  
  
• A rather uncreative choice for local movie fans: FOX 4 Film Critic Shawn Edwards places a bottle of Gates barbeque sauce in the Men in Black III time capsule.

DON'T GIVE TO KANSAS CITY'S MISGUIDED DISNEY TRIBUTE!!!

Star reports on Kansas City's favorite (possible) Nazi sympathizer and purveyor of racist cartoons: "For 15 years, a Kansas City group has raised money to revitalize Laugh-O-Gram, Walt Disney’s first professional animation studio, and turn it into an interactive historical site, educational museum and perhaps more. Now, 90 years after Disney began work there in May 1922, organizers are launching their final fund-raising push, hoping to complete the project by 2015."

Even worse . . . Disney was a notorious union buster who worked against his animators . . . Other than the possibility that the tribute MIGHT include his frozen head . . . It's mostly a bad idea and a MONUMENTAL waste of time for a town that already has too many museums.

Sporting KC Stays Winning

Surprise . . . A Kansas City Pro Team moves ahead of a team on the coast: "C.J. Sapong broke a seven-match goal drought, and Kei Kamara scored his team-leading fifth goal and added an assist to help Sporting Kansas City beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on Sunday."

Kansas City Dance Crew And Graffiti Art

Local video content and some rather KICK-ASS urban exploring from a local video/radio show . . .

Vimeo Description: "This week Shorty and the Boyz sits down with Kansas City B-Boy Dance Crew Tiger Style, and Midwest Graffiti artist Jesse "Chewy" Hernandez."

Link:

Shorty and the Boyz EP. 3 (Tiger Style Crew! & Jesse "Chewy" Hernandez)

Kansas City Hanky

A nice post from a blogging/seamstress about a kind of cool Kansas City souvenir hanky design.

Kansas City Dead Tree Media Moves

Bottom Line Communications keeps us up to date on all of the former Star writers scurrying around for work during the last days of newsprint.

THE KANSAS CITY WEEKEND SHOOTOUT!!!

Let's start Monday with a note that some parts of Kansas City are every bit as violent as a foreign battle zone. Even worse, violence and gunfire spread throughout the metro area despite the best attempts by local politicos to ignore the problem.

Take a look:

KCTV5: 4 shootings in 1 night make for violent holiday weekend

KMBC: Lee's Summit police swarmed a busy park on Sunday morning after a man was shot in the face.

Man, 65, shoots motorcyclist in road rage incident

Kansas City police are investigating after a man was found shot in a Jeep early Sunday morning.

So, while I gawk at Wendy Fiore it seems that Kansas City residents didn't forget their bullets on this Memorial Day Weekend.

A few more links, breaking news, local content and all kinds of good stuff in a few . . .

STAY TUNED!!!

TKC BREAKING NEWS & SUNDAY SPECIAL!!! LGBT ACTIVIST SARAH GILLOOLY STARTS HER CAMPAIGN FOR DOWNTOWN AREA KANSAS CITY MO STATE REP. TODAY!!!

Just like we told you . . . The race to replace Kansas City, Missouri Downtown State Rep. Mike Talboy has turned into a frenzy.

Right now the race to represent Downtown KCMO (Missouri 24th District) is looking downright interesting and a bit crowded.

To wit . . .

KANSAS CITY LGBT ACTIVST SARAH GILLOOLY IS THE LATEST TO ANNOUNCE HER CAMPAIGN TO REPRESENT DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY IN THE MISSOURI HOUSE!!!

Check her Facebook like page . . . And then, take a look at her presser sent out this Sunday . . .

Run, Sarah G! Run!

Dear Friends & Family:

As we remember those who gave their lives in services to our country this weekend, I am delighted to announce that I am running for the Missouri House of Representatives, 24th District in the August 7, 2012 Primary!

This week, Representative Mike Talboy, who has served this area for the past six years, announced that he is leaving the legislature to take a job in the private sector. Rep. Talboy has been a dedicated and passionate public servant to the people of Kansas City. I am ready to continue Rep. Talboy's leadership while bringing a new voice to Jefferson City as Kansas City's next Representative.

Why I'm Running: Committed to Community. Dedicated to Progress.

Read more »

THE TKC SATURDAY NIGHT PLAYLIST!!! TKC ADVICE TO KANSAS CITY GRADUATES!!!

To the Class of 2012,

First of all, thank you to the faculty, staff, alumni and the crew of illegal Mexican and Somali janitors who asked me to speak at this graduation ceremony.

I will not bore the graduates with my EPIC struggle given that I live in my mom's basement and wouldn't want to pretend to have any life lessons worth sharing.

However, there's no denying that I know a great deal about this wicked little town and how to survive and navigate Kansas City.

Therefore, for those graduates with realistic low expectations or without the ambition to leave this dump . . . Please let these TOP 5 Kansas City principles guide a life of hopefully quiet cowtown desperation.

1. Kansas City Never Lives Up To Big Promises - From sports teams to development deals. Don't ever expect Kansas City to come through with anything but more hype.

2. Don't Get Caught In The Crossfire - This principle applies not only to life on local streets but also to any local conflict. There are always powerful forces and special interests competing with another - It's best to stay out of the way and wait for a winner to emerge . . . And then tout your contribution to their victory. It's not valiant but an option for survival that will keep graduates around longer than so many idiot crusaders.

3. Kansas City Keeps Changing But Usually Not For The Better - Picking up BBQ one afternoon a chubby, hot waitress was arguing with an old lady. The waitress reminded the lady that "things will always change." To which the old lady replied, "change doesn't necessarily mean progress." The mini-multi-generational argument between two white women will forever define my view of life in this deplorable little burg.

4. Kansas City Embraces Mediocrity - This isn't a town for trend setters. In fact, Kansas City is only a place for careers on the way up or down. The folks who stay around are "never beens" and this town LOVES THEM with all their heart because "the middle" enjoys company.

5. Kansas City Is Complex - For this item I was going to say that "Kansas City is changing color" but that's not really true. THANK GOD there are so many blessed white women in this town who will forever remain frustrated with the status quo both personally and professionally. Still, this principle emphasizes that things are never what they seem in this place. Motivations and influences are impossible to clearly define. Kansas City loves to fight but there is never one single cause of any confrontation.

So, sweet graduates, take this advice for what it's worth and enjoy fighting that 30-50 to maybe 100lbs that Kansas City life seems to so easily accumulate for longtime residents.

Of course I'll end this thing by quoting a great sage of the 20th century, always look out for number one and look out that you don't step in number two.



And all of this has inspired tonight's playlist . . .

As always, thank you for reading this week and have a safe and fun weekend.

TKC Saturday Night Kansas City Links!!!

Candice Swanepoel and all of the news we're thinking about tonight:

• Maybe not the best way to facilitate community cooperation: A former Kansas City Chief is charged with attempted murder.
  
  
• Celebrate the latest meaningless victory for The Royals
  
  
• Police Corruption in Kansas: A former Wichita police officer who pleaded guilty in January to sexual battery while on duty has been accused of abusing two children.
  
  
• In Memoriam: Flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Overland Park soldier
  
  
• Time for Kansas City to rinse off: Water parks open around the metro

BREAKING!!! SUSPECT FIRED FIRST AT KCPD SHOT DEAD!!!

TKC TIPSTERS just told us: KCPD shot and killed a suspect off of Independence Avenue and Brooklyn this afternoon . . .

We'll have more details soon . . .

KSHB has the first report . . .

Just after 4 p.m., emergency responders were called to 522 Park, one block east of Brooklyn, after police reportedly shot a man who had fired at police first. No officers have reported injuries.

Fox4 quickly files their report with a lot of details:

Kansas City Police are on the scene of an officer involved shooting that turned deadly. The shooting happened on Saturday afternoon near Independence Avenue & Brooklyn around 4:15 p.m.

"Officers were called to the area to investigate suspicious prostitution related activity. Police say the man shot at two police officers. At least one officer returned fire which resulted in the suspect’s death."

Seriously wondering if things have become so stupid on Kansas City streets that some d-bag would shoot at a cop and expect to be around long enough to talk about it.

More links . . .

Suspect in prostitution bust shot and killed by police

KC police shoot, kill man wielding gun

A 22-year-old man is dead after getting into a shootout with Kansas City, Mo., police officers.

Kansas City Anti-Crime Group Discussion

Recently, Fox4 has done an excellent job in profiling Kansas City anti-crime groups.

A brutal murder inspired a bevy of protests and vigils and Fox4 noted Pat Clarke's organization calling for a "change in culture" among Eastside neighborhoods.

In an unrelated report . . .

There was also a news of threats to a KC anti-crime organization.

"Seven shots were fired into a car and into the office of the Stop the Killing KC Coalition near 30th & Askew. "

Now, obviously, nobody working on anti-crime organizing deserves to have gunshots fired their way. However, Kansas City insiders tell us that there are a great deal of unanswered questions about the leadership of this group in question that are circulating throughout the community. Obviously, some of those questions aren't making it into mainstream media reports.

In KC, even anti-crime groups are often caught in turmoil and sadly gunfire punctuates so many local arguments.

Developing . . . 

TKC Breaking News: CampKC Goes Glossy!!!

CampKC is the LGBT news-source-of-record in Kansas City.

Check out a bit of detail about their new eye-catching cover . . . And take note, this is a paper news resource out there trying something different:

"Ann Brown, Photographer, and Andy Chambers, make up artist, did the cover and the lovely Cydney Carll was the model. Camp KC printed this issue for the first time in a small magazine trim size with a glossy cover and did a special Gay Pride Bar Guide section on the back cover. "

Surprisingly, Camp KC isn't officially working on the upcoming KC Gay Pride Fest. As the LGBT event approaches, we might blog the topic more . . . As always, count on CampKC as one of Kansas City's BEST alternative news sources.

Kansas City Shakespeare Fest Sneak Peak

Johnson County Lifestyle (ugh) offers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming Heart Of America Shakespeare Festival coming soon to Kansas City Proper.

Prospect Checkpoint Crackdown

Star: "A sobriety checkpoint on Prospect by Kansas City police until 4 a.m. Saturday morning produced 10 DUI arrests."

TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! TKC TIPSTERS RAGE OVER NEW KANSAS CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT TAKE HOME CARS!!!

In this age of austerity it seems that Kansas City local government is THANKFULLY coming under increasing scrutiny over spending.

To wit . . .

TKC TIPSTERS INVITE US TO THINK ABOUT THE WAY THE KANSAS CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT USES THEIR FLEET OF CARS!!!

This week The KCPD Chief Of Police offered a detailed explanation of his take home car policy along with links to audits and department policy.

Disagree or not . . . It would be nice to see this same level of transparency from The Kansas City Fire Department.

Now, KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS bring us their perspective . . .

"Why don't we look into all the FD Brand New take home vehicles as well . . ."



"This photo was taken at EMS headquarters on Eastwood. It's like they don't care about the budget as long as the chiefs get what they want. At this time there were also about 7 new battalion chiefs vehicles that where put into service."



"The first photo features take home cars for the deputy chiefs and all the cronies. This next one is a look at replacement vehicles for the battalion chiefs in the stations. The second was also at Eastwood . . .."

The difference between old school Ford Explorers and new ones is kind of stark . . . But I digress.

So . . .

ALL OF THIS REMINDS US OF THE NEED FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY FROM THE KANSAS CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT!!!

Kansas City's Police Department is on Twitter, Pinterest, Blogs and conducting regular community forums offering DETAILED explanations of how they operate and new efforts they're undertaking . . . MEANWHILE, there's almost no communication or interaction between Kansas City's Fire Department and the public.

In fact, there's a MISGUIDED perception that the KCFD doesn't answer to anybody. Nothing could be further from reality.

Firefighters answer to taxpayers and voters just like every other public servant.

HOWEVER, CITY HALL HAS ALLOWED THIS GROUP OF CITY EMPLOYEES TO REMAIN FAR BEHIND THE CURVE IN COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC ONLINE AND IN KANSAS CITY NEIGHBORHOODS!!!

This lack of public communication and discourse might have worked in the old days but that time is over.

THE MOST AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS have valiantly shed light on behind the scenes details of the KCFD . . . But now I'm thinking that the reason why this happens is because so few official communication channels exist between Kansas City voters and taxpayers with the KCFD.

Given continued ambulance response time FAIL along with budget debates that will continue for the foreseeable future . . . This should be an opportunity for the KCFD to increase their ACCOUNTABILITY to the public rather than hide behind mean-spirited anonymous comments directed toward TKC.

Sniffle. I don't scare easy but I cry all the time and mostly when I re-watch the Bette Midler classic Beaches while drinking hot tea. Again, I digress . . .

The more important point and TKC just trying to help . . .

There is new leadership withing the KCFD and NOW is their opportunity to change their closed door policy.

DEVELOPING . . .

Bold New Poets Back @ Nelson-Atkins!!!

Great news for Kansas City poets . . .

KANSAS CITY'S BOLD NEWS POETS WILL SOON BE RETURNING TO THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART FOR ANOTHER BLOWOUT SPOKEN WORD EVENT!!!

Remember that we chronicled this really great Kansas City cultural event earlier this year.

We hear that the upcoming gather is going to be even bigger and better. Stay tuned for more details . . .

Tickets go on sale at the beginning of next month. The show is Aug. 7th.

SPECIAL POLITICO KCPT WEEK IN REVIEW!!!

Check out an EXTRA SPECIAL Week In Review from KCPT.

Here's the rather witty intro from KCPT's Nick Haines . . .

"This week we push aside our regular reporters to bring you pithy and insightful state lawmakers on both sides of state line to comment on the news instead. After all every one of our stories this week involve state government. Why wouldn't we ask the people who are making the decisions on your behalf? And in fact, they've all promised to be even more witty and enlightening than the reporters we normally have around the KCWIR table..."

The reviewers:

Pat Colloton
KS House (R) Leawood

Will Kraus
MO Senate (R) Lee's Summit

Jolie Justus
MO Senate, (D) Kansas City

Scott Schwab
KS House, (R) Olathe

Click the link and see if they lived up to the promise:

KCPT: Kansas City Week in Review - May 25, 2012

I thought it was a nice chat but didn't quite explain why this session was EXCEPTIONALLY UNPRODUCTIVE for both Missouri and Kansas.

Scumbags @ The Star Swagger Jack TKC!!!

I'm always curious about how many indignities I'll suffer because of this blog and this morning brings the latest assault on my good nature.

CHECK OUT THE STAR STEALING MY BAD PUNS FOR THEIR PITIFULLY LATE AND LAME EDITORIAL IN SUPPORT OF MORE KANSAS CITY RED LIGHT CAMERAS!!!

The Star missive after KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS broke the story: "A green light for more red-light cameras in KC"

THREE DAYS AGO TKC TIPSTERS TOLD US THIS . . .

"KANSAS CITY INSIDERS AND POLITICOS HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO PUSH EVEN MORE RED LIGHT CAMERAS ON LOCAL STREETS!!!"

I even did a green highlight because I'm silly like that . . . When I first saw this INSULT I had to hurry and find my favorite Denise Milani and Penny Mathis pic in order to relax.

Now that I've regained a bit of composure I simply wanted to point out the limited political insight The Star brings and the fact that so much of their content stale common knowledge from most insiders and AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS. Natch.

Coming Soon: Kansas City Catholic Dorms

"Catholic Dorms" sound like a contradiction and not much fun at all but bad ideas never stopped the grand designs of Church Leaders: Catholic diocese plans to build dorm near Rockhurst, UMKC

Royals Waste "Our Time" with Another Loss

The Kansas City Royals keep getting rocked by just about team in the MLB as the All-Stat game approaches: Orioles Blast Royals 8-2

KCPT "Ruckus" This Week

The don't really start talking about any issue that impacts Kansas City Proper directly until 12:45 into the clip . . . And then Woody stands down and plays nice about new taxes . . . Still, it's a good discussion about local politics and a reminder of the very boring and pedantic nature of TKC competition.

Kansas City Midtown Food Guy Suggestions

Check out this Kansas City foodie post with some useful links and more than a few suggestions of new places to try around Midtown.

Northeast Kansas City Mini-Mansion Pix

Hyperblogal has a great eye for some of the most interesting high-culture places in Northeast (Don't laugh, I'm being serious) . . . Take a look at his Northeast Mini-Mansion Pix photo gallery featuring the good life in Kansas City's most underrated neighborhood.

Holly Henderson And The Kansas City Mainstream Media Saturday Link Layout

Kansas City mainstream media links to start the morning . . .

• Kansas City Mother And Son Still Missing: A family is desperate for answers after five days pass without contact from a 30-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son.
  
  
• Judgement Day for Sam: Legislative session colors Brownback's political future, for better or worse
  
  
• On Memorial Weekend It's Important To Remember U.S. Soldiers Still Making Sacrifices: An Olathe Northwest graduate died while serving in Afghanistan this week.
  
  
• Troubling Rock Chalk Robbery: Lawrence Man Says Mom’s Ashes Stolen with Car
  
  
• Meth Town Home Invasion: An Independence woman said she's thankful to be alive after two men held her at gunpoint inside her home.
  
  
• Kansas Politico Court Date: Rep. Scott Schwab, an Olathe Republican, told The Associated Press Friday that he received a subpoena Thursday ordering him to appear June 7 at the Shawnee County Courthouse.
  
  
• Show-Me Deadly Missouri: A new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds Missouri has the 16th highest rate of deaths from injuries, while Kansas is 27th.
  
  
• The Aftermath Of Independence, MO Cuts: Budget forces Fire Department to get ‘creative’ with staffing
  
  
• Remembering the long gone Kansas City glory days: Chamber of Commerce to Honor Ewing Kauffman, 1985 Royals
  
  
• Porn/Reality Star Holly Henderson poses in the park in her latest photo set.

THE TKC WEEKLY POWER RANKINGS!!!

Don't worry, we still have a strong devotion to Jordan Carver. But until we can make that dream happen (I could win the lottery), we'll profile these Kansas City Power Players who were exceptionally strong this week. Check it:

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS LIST OF KANSAS CITY'S MOST POWERFUL FOR THIS WEEK!!!

POLITICOS



1. Kansas City Power Player Mike Talboy - He's now working with the most powerful interest in Kansas City. For the foreseeable future Mike Talboy will be a member of the local elite. As a Missouri House Rep. he was one of the most influential Democrats the State has seen in a generation and now behind the scenes he'll be using that same influence on current elected officials.

2. Mayor Sly James - Full steam ahead with this horrible tax and borrow plan.

3. Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo - She has now taken the role of enforcer on The Council for Mayor Sly.

4. Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders - He's quietly working on his next move.

5. Council Dude Scott Wagner - A useless daytime prowling ordinance (wtf) s his latest bit of resume padding that proved successful.

NEWSIES



Kansas City Queen Of Talk Radio Darla Jaye - She is the last remaining voice of grassroots Conservatism in Kansas City. She's fun to argue with and I find myself agreeing with her more often that I'd prefer.

Chris Hernandez - Kansas City's man about town reporter who we'll always see whenever there is news happening.

Kris Ketz - Your friend and mine on Twitter.

Christa Dubill - One of this town's best anchors AND a rather AWESOME reporter as well.

Kevin Collison - Credit where it's due . . . He's the last guy we're all reading at The Star.

KANSAS CITY INSTITUTIONS



John Landsberg @ Bottom Line Communications - The most accurate and insightful guide to Kansas City's Media Scene.

Bold. New. Poets. - The DEFINITIVE collection of spoken word artists in Kansas City.

Downtown Burlesque Underground - This town's premiere troop reviving a curvy bit of Kansas City history.

Nelson-Atkins Museum Of Art - I never get a chance to go there anymore . . . But the old school building is still a remnant of a long forgotten time when this town actually mattered.

Westport - For better or worse and always with a lot of conflict . . . Wesport remains the last refuge of local nightlife that is distinctly Kansas City.

As always, this list has been compiled according to scientific TKC polling and market research data and it's a weekly comprehensive guide to local powerful people.

BREAKING!!! BLACK YOUTH CAUGHT UP IN PLAZA FLASH MOB LAST YEAR REACH OUT TO ALONZO WASHINGTON TO FOLLOW UP ON KANSAS CITY'S BROKEN PROMISES!!!

The Plaza Teen Curfew starts tonight but it looks like the underlying issues that started the hot mess aren't even close to being solved.

Take a look at a recent statement from Alonzo Washington that might soon make their statements public:

"I got some calls from some the original so-called flash mobbers. They want to talk to the press about the broken promises from city leaders about Black youth having safe places to go during the summer. They also want to talk about the curfew. I am trying to talk them out of this. The Plaza is a social problem that Kansas City deserves. After years of not serving Black youth with safe social activities now the White power structure wants them to stay away from where they have fun. This is a perfect storm for chaos."

TKC Note . . . As long as it's before 9 in the PM: The Free Speech of local teens is protected. But they'll have to speak up to be heard over the street performers, the guy with the bagpipes and a more than a few cackling 40-something ladies who have had too much wine.

DEVELOPING . . .

THE LEGENDS STAYS LOSING MONEY TOO!!!

There's a myth that only Kansas City development schemes are doomed to failure . . . However, fact is,

LOCAL GOVERNMENT GETTING INTO THE DEVELOPMENT GAME IS ALWAYS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER!!!

Here's the latest example:

The Kansas City Business Journal reported that U.S. Bank said the owners of Legends Outlets owe more than $179 million and have not made a payment since October.

Sadly, Kansas City and so many other municipalities are quick to get suckered into silly schemes by developers rather than focus on the neighborhoods and infrastructure. KCMO is exceptionally guilty of this FAILED strategy but it's happening all over the Midwest and across The State Line Too.

Bill Clinton & The TKC Friday Night Links!!!

Kansas City mainstream media links for tonight . . .

• A Golden Ghetto story of boobs and prudishness: Johnson County boobaphobe wants Overland Park to disappear arboretum's Yu Chang sculpture
  
  
• Missouri psychologist accused of fraud . . . Which would make this case different from his colleagues how?
  
  
• KCUR Summary of this week's events: Hollywood Dreams Led Chinese Firm To Buy Into U.S.
  
  
• KCI Admission: KC man admits trying to bring gun on plane
  
  
• P&L District Pool Of D-Bags or D-Bag Stew
  
  
• STL admission: Streaker at Cardinals game tells police he lost bet
  
  
• Yoder doens't give in to tax bullies: Yoder one of six House GOP members not to sign anti-tax pledge
  
  
• Olathe Justice: After Nearly Two Years, Child Porn Case Finally Headed to Feds
  
  
• Best Headline From Crime Scene KC: Beekeeper caught in police sting
  
  
• Show-Me absolutely nothing accomplished during the session: Missouri high court leaves election maps intact
  
  
• Tornado disaster bills come due: Contractor sues Joplin schools for $2.2M
  
  
• Bill Clinton hangs with porn stars and offers us hope for an active retirement.

TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! ADVOCATES FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED DECLARE VICTORY IN THE LATEST MISSOURI HOUSE SESSION!!!

Here's a glimpse as news that mainstream media would rather ignore . . . The latest fundraising note for Missouri Immigrant & Refugee Advocates (MIRA) declares victory amid the recent House Session that didn't accomplish much.

Victory for MO Immigrants! CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU!

"Friday, the gavel went down on the 2012 legislative session, without a single piece of anti-immigrant legislation being signed into law. With your help, MIRA defeated15 bills that would have created an unwelcome, harassing climate for immigrants of all backgrounds and immigration statuses. Thank you for calling and writing your representatives, coming out to our lobby day, donating, speaking out for immigrants' rights, and simply supporting a more welcoming Missouri! The bills you helped defeat targeted documented immigrants, refugees, undocumented people, naturalized citizens, and family members of immigrants. 

Thanks to all your hard work, immigrants and refugees all over our state can celebrate a victory today!"

Meanwhile, the only thing the Missouri GOP Leadership was really able to get accomplished was putting that ugly "Rush Bust" on blast. So much for the so-called majority.

Kansas City Upskirt Perv Charged

Star looks at this slice of local life: "Jackson County prosecutors Friday accused a 42-year-old man of secretly videotaping up women's skirts while he trolled Kansas City streets asking women if he could photograph their feet."

Kansas City Mom And Son Missing

KMBC: "Kansas City police are asking for help finding a missing woman and her son."

THE DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE IS DEAD!!! AMC BAILS OUT OF THE P&L DISTRICT!!! HAVE WE SEEN THE FIRST CASUALTY OF THE DOWNTOWN TOY TRAIN TAX?!?!

As soon as The Chinese bought the Kansas City movie giant we noted that they would bail out of their money losing P&L District venture.

We reminded folks about the upcoming sell-off last night . . . And now it has come to pass.

The argument that this move is independent of the recent purchase is silly.

What's more important . . .

THIS IS ANOTHER INVESTMENT IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY GONE BUST!!!

Even worse, Cordish and AMC had the red carpet rolled out for them by developers. To wit, Kansas City's Downtown is a place where biz goes to die and now local politicos want to double down with taxpayer cash.

Updated . . . A more informed TKC TIPSTER writes us . . .

IS THE AMC DEPARTURE THE FIRST CASUALTY OF THE TOY TRAIN TAX?!?!

Politicos want to promote biz Downtown but they actually seem to be chasing it away.

DEVELOPING . . .