Hibernation

This blog is having emotional technical problems. I'm not dead but my computer nearly is, check back later (tomorrow) for more posts.

Mexican Standoff: Tony makes enemies all over KC

I've always known that there is something about me that grates on people, it's what makes me a decent writer and why I don't have any friends. Most of the time it works to my advantage, today is yet another example.

If you're a "local Latino" you might already know the background regarding boulevard clubs but for those of you who don't here goes: I recently wrote a story about Club Oasis for Dos Mundos that got a "bit" of reader reaction. Here's the version in Spanish and I don't think they've put the English copy up yet:

Violencia asola club en el boulevard

Basically, the story is a compilation of all of the shootings and two violent deaths that have taken place in front of the establishment over the past two years beginning with the most recent report of gunfire earlier this August.

Well, it turns out that the owners read the story and were pretty pissed. They placed a bunch of phone calls to Dos Mundos and were a bit upset about not being contacted for the story. Yesterday, one of the owners took a meeting with Clara (my boss) and claimed that nobody had tried to get in contact with him for the article.

BULLSHIT.

Thing is, I had to go down to that stinking hell hole two times and place more than two dozen calls in order to have one employee after another tell me "No, managers esta aqui" over and over and over. I felt sorry for the employees because the scared look in their eyes upon my request suggested to me that they were probably beaten for any indiscretion they committed. I don't have any proof for that statement but that's generally what it looked like . . . I'm somewhat of an expert when it comes to the non verbal communication of mojados.

Anyway, today I heard about the dust up and then Ed (the co-owner and designer) told me the proprietor of Club Oasis was just walking by the front doors of Dos Mundos and on his way to one of the other establishments he owns. Since the guy had decided to talk to my boss, I thought I should talk to him . . . Honestly, I just wanted to gauge how pissed off he was and maybe see if he wanted to do a follow-up article.

Damn, he was pissed. He and his brother were extremely (muy) pissed. The minute I introduced myself the shouting started. This just happened an hour ago so I'll try to relay the more interesting details but it was mainly a case of the guys calling me a liar and saying that it was my responsibility to be their secretary and wait at their beckon call for a response . . . Sorry folks, I'm on a deadline just like everybody else. I think they called me a thief, a liar, said I was unprofessional, told me I was irresponsible, said that they didn't want to talk to me only to keep on wagging their fingers at me and questioning the timing of my visits and calls. However, all of my information was correct and anyone familiar with the area knows that the club has been the subject of several neighborhood complaints. The guys yelled at me for not leaving a card with them but time and again they didn't return calls to Dos Mundos that other reporters had placed as well.

Toward the end of the conversation the owner (biggest guy of the bunch) got up in my face and tried the Mexican Standoff trick. I thought it was funny that the prospect of two Latino dudes standing no more than 5'11 would inspire such a chilling silence to come over the restaurant but in the end nobody swung . . . The intimidation tactic was actually a compliment because I was scared that this whole Internet thing was making me into a bigger nerd than I really am . . . In the end, I gave the guy my cell number and told him that if he had a plan to do anything about the violence that has surrounded the club then I would be more than willing to write the story. He sat back down to his lunch, still looking pissed and curtly told me "Yeah, we'll give you a call" and brushed me off.

I'm not holding my breath . . . And what I really learned is that my boss Clara has more integrity than anyone I've ever met working in the field of print journalism. This wonderful lady met with these guys who fancied themselves as intimidating, listened to their story and told them that she stood by what she published. In an era when everybody wants nothing more than press release copy published in newspapers Clara isn't afraid of to print stories that important (and oh so intimidating) business people in the community find offensive. I don't think I could ever tell her face to face how much I admire her and the reputation she has built for herself but I'm always glad to see her and I've always felt so lucky that 9 times out of 10 she smiles at me when I drag my ragged looking ass into the office.

For all of you portly popcorn eating po'folk

KC based AMC will offer a new concession value menu in the fall.

I guess this is good news when you also consider those comfy, wide ass seats and the horrible tripe they're calling movies nowadays. If there's nothing decent to watch at least you could become the star of your own personal medical drama. Word to canola oil.

Bananarama

Independence Passes Pit Bull Ban. No word on what they're gonna do about the mullet which is far more dangerous if you really think about it.

Additionally, everyone involved in reporting this "issue" should be ashamed that pit bulls were the talk of the town this summer. Seriously, werewolves are far more dangerous than doggies and I don't see anybody doing anything about kicking Steve Glorioso out of town . . . Maybe it's time we talk priorities . . . A few po'folk getting mauled is not nearly as important as some shrimpy dude with fangs tearing this town to shreds.

Just like women's fashion (and women in general) the local media in this town focused on a trivial issue and now looks hopelessly out of date and without much substance in this manufactured controversy.

Town Topics: Last of the dog days

Channel 9 runs PR for the city regarding the Brush Creek Flood control project and doesn't mention much about all of the other flash flooding that left drivers throughout town stranded.

I once got a handjob in this park (From a woman and for free!!!) and that should damage your conception of the museum far more than any vandals.

Yeah, there was a story about a lost dog on what we are forced to call the news.

The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City announced the creation of the Kansas City Biotechnology Center on Monday. So now you won't have to feel bad about looking at crazy Internet porn considering that you won't be the only person in town doing research on unnatural acts.

Oh, to be rich, white, good looking and die in a tragedy . . . All of the other people you went to high school with (thankfully) never thought about you at all once they left.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards is a new father . . . It's a happy occasion as he prepares to give birth to so much failure this season.

Failing Upward

If the Bush years have taught us anything it's that brown people don't matter there is nothing better than being a white guy with connections. The new Police Chief in Topeka can speak to that after his horrible tenure in KCK earned him a nice new gig in a whiter better part of the Sunflower State.

Local loud mouth activist Alonzo Washington has some pretty insightful remarks about the former KCK good ole boy (If possible read the following passage with a violin solo playing in the background):

Alonzo Washington, a community activist in Kansas City, called Topeka's new chief "evasive" and said that when Miller led the KCKPD, he was more interested in protecting the area around the new speedway than protecting the lower-income areas.

"He certainly didn't go the extra mile to reach out to the high-crime areas," Washington said. "In terms of being an innovator or someone to bring together the community, I certainly didn't see it."

Thing is, there might be hope because people always leave KC and go on to greater things. Think Walt Disney and all his kick ass work as a Nazi sympathizer or Neil Smith holding John Elway's umbrella. So I wish the guy luck and hope the does a better job in the State's Capital than he ever did in the KC metro area.

* To be fair, I should note all of the recruitment that KCKPD is currently doing in the Latino Community in an effort to find some incompetent Latinos who also pay little attention to high crime areas for a change.

An endorsement in an angry tone

Here's the thing about the political season, nothing is too petty that it can't be made into a campaign issue. In a recent post, some Republican splog is taking shots at KC Councilman Terry Riley for his recent endorsement of Claire McCaskill in a so-called "angry tone."

Riley takes a very aggressive and angry tone when speaking about Missouri's Junior Senator (Jim "No" Talent). His comments were absurd and totally unacceptable, especially when coming from an elected official.

Two problems I have here . . . Terry Riley's angry tone is the least of his shortcomings. His biggest concern should be that his district is a dump . . . Literally, for bodies, asbestos and trash. Additionally, the whole "Black people should vote for _____ because I'm Black and I'm getting a favor in exchange for this endorsement" is really an insulting strategy in this day and age . . . It's embarrassing for a KC politico to be that obvious.

And then you really have to consider The Source - not the shitty hip-hop mag for those of you who might get the two confused. The more I think about it, the more I really don't like any of the residents from the center of this state. If I had my way, KC would be a city-state with only a regional affiliation with STL that would merely include a clause that we agree not to kill each other when traveling for sporting events . . . The rest of Missouri can go screw itself. These people are pretty much human trash and they exist mainly to provide background research material for anyone who wants to do a history of jokes about screwing your sister. Please know that there is no reason to get off of I-70 other than for porn, strippers, maybe a wine tasting (ugh) and possibly a Walnut Bowl . . . The last two are only slightly related (No homo).

Anyway, The Source strikes me as one of those blogs run by an imp of politicos or maybe even GOP party activists themselves. It's not an opinion from a real person, just a collection of crap handed down from the main office . . . In other words, just like Terry Riley, it's all politics and no substance. Word to PAC's and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

Hat tip to Dan for the link.

P.S. - Don't think that I'm endorsing Claire in this post because the fact that she's a chubby white woman partnering with a Black dude pretty much means she's desperate like every other fat, blonde chick I've seen in similar situations. Sadly, her strategy to get with Riley may turn some people off but I didn't like her much before she swung that way . . . When I vote in this election I'll probably just hold my breath and pray, very much like anybody who gets into bed with Claire . . . Isn't that right, Terry?

Blogger Backtalk: On the ground floor

In his campaign for City Council Mark Forsythe goes door to door to door to door...

Every blogger should be able to relate to this insightful post: "I felt the need to talk today about anonymous commentary and the stupidity they love to post." Check out the ensuing flame war in the comments section that would make Greg Reeves proud

A carnival of humanity at Costco during the weekend storm.

JDoubleP explains "Ghost riding da whip" as the reality of bringing up a kid in the age of dumbass YouTube videos begins to take hold.

Hockey in KC bounces around basketball ideas as well: "If it's too expensive for Milwaukee, then it's definitely not the right professional league for KC."

Remember the time

A local blogger writes a thoughtful post: The Importance of Remembering 9/11.

Thoughtless bastard that I am, I have a great system for remembering this day. It's the same day as my sister's birthday and I relentlessly tease her, tell her that she'll never have a happy birthday for at least another 10 years and then tell her that not only does Osama think she's fat but Osama also believes that she shouldn't have any more cake.

I do this whole routine while dancing and pointing. I still don't think it's half as offensive as all of those horrible country songs that were recorded paying tribute to the event.

Never believe anything you read online

I saw this ad and it just struck me as funny. Odds are you probably won't impress your boss with an online degree unless it's for some kind of deviant sexual act. There was a time when I considered ads for this site, I may again but I have to say that I'm uncomfortable with anybody doing the misleading on this page other than me.

5000 posts for TKC

There was a time when all I ever wanted out of a career was to be a columnist for The Kansas City Star. I also wanted to play professional football or maybe become a stock broker but all of those dreams now serve as nothing more than reminders of how dumb I was as a little kid.

Sadly, at this point in the blog and my life I don't have any profound insights on what I'm doing or where this thing is going . . . I only know that this blog is very much a reflection of my life given that it's profane, obsessed with white women, vulgar, ironic, sometimes misunderstood, very often overrated, full of useless information about this city and resentful of nearly everyone and everything . . . And it's written from my mom's basement. What I do here is try to entertain, try and tell the truth when it's funny and share every horrible thought that comes into my head concerning Kansas City . . . Only recently have I been unable to distinguish the difference between any of these endeavors.

I've written a lot of things in this blog up to this point and I'd like to thank anybody who has been kind enough to read it . . . The old school TKC homies remember when this place on the web was put together in Microsoft Frontpage.

Presently, this blog gets more than a few hundred hits a day, totaling a few thousand a week and I've been lucky enough to appear on local radio a couple of times with more than a few mentions from print publications around KC.

I've won one award for this thing and I've think that I've managed to burn almost every bridge possible in terms of local media outlets that I've offended who pretend not to read this site. I've collected more than 2 dozen private e-mails pretty much informing me that I'm an asshole and ten times as many compliments. I've also met some great people because of this blog including a great, beautiful, lovely and wonderful lady who is most often the best part of my day.

Like I mentioned previously, I have no idea what the future holds for myself or this blog but I'd like to think we can both keep going for a little while longer if only to piss off everybody who doesn't like me.

I'm not a kid anymore and I've stopped having lofty ambitions about the future or great expectations of things to come . . . Still, I remain thankful for this blog and the few people who are good enough to read it just as I'm thankful for this cozy corner in my mom's basement, the warm glow of this computer screen and the steady supply of snack cakes I've managed to maintain.

I've always felt that part of being a grown up was realizing that things could be worse, things can always get worse . . . In that respect I think that I could have achieved some of the vapid goals I set for myself as a young man only to realize that they were essentially worthless and didn't provide me half as much freedom as blogging does . . . For that, and so many other things I'm happy, thankful, grateful that blogging has granted me the freedom to call bullshit on whomever I chose. The only casualty has been my career and my circadian clock.

Again, thanks for reading, take care, stay safe and kiss your mother for me.

KC Nearly Drowns in Sea of City Hall Incompetence

Yesterday's summer storm should clearly point out to everyone in the metro how hopelessly out of date and in need of repair KC's Sewer/Storm system has become . . . There was not a low lying area in the city that did not become an impromptu pool as more than a hundred motorists were left stranded. Obviously, the rain gardens didn't do that much good and are still rather ugly if you ask me . . . Only an out of touch old bag would think that something as pretty and useless as flowers would solve the 3 BILLION dollar crisis coming KC's way.

Still, if this town follows its normal course of action then I guess we might as well start building some high dollar attraction in lieu of actually dealing with the problem. I think resurrecting the aquarium idea might be in order seeing as how new underwater visitors to the city might be able to teach us something about adapting.

Anyway, thankfully and strangely nobody died during yesterday's torrential downpour. Hopefully, what happened was that all the illusions regarding Mayor Kay and City Council were washed away . . . They have failed this city in every respect and with any luck a tide of angry voters will rise up and wash them away . . . However, with election day turnout down to a trickle I wouldn't count on it and politicos have always done a great job (with the help of local MSM) of drowning out the concerns of citizens in this town.

Celebrate meaningless victory for the Chiefs

This routine never gets old and it's good for not only tax money but also ad revenue. I know I'll enjoy the upcoming season almost as much as watching drunk people from JoCo speed back to their homes once the games are finished.

Smacks of revisionist history

How come so few people want to really examine the fact that Charlie Parker loved his dope every bit as much (probably more) than his music? I haven't finished listening to all of this report about the guy but what I've heard so far follows the standard reporting that only briefly mentions the guy's addiction rather than portraying it as the dominant figure in his life and death.

Everybody should say thanks to EMAW

More than three weeks ago, a local blogger commented on a YouTube video full of dumbasses trying to look hard for a home video camera. Happy in Bag and I kicked it around, I posted the video later with my usual ranting and he followed with a far more eloquent take on the subject.

And then the local MSM took notice.

Greg Reeves aka "KC's biggest Douchebag" posted a write-up and then most likely fabricated a bunch of comments . . . Seriously, would you read his splog if it wasn't affiliated with the Star? Then, Jerry Agar kicked the thing around on his Friday show for more than an hour in what was actually a bit of inspired radio . . . All of this happened without even mentioning EMAW or the opinions of anyone who was not a media insider. Hell, Reeves didn't even throw ScooterJ a bone with a link only a hat tip afterthought!

What does this tell you?

The local media doesn't understand the blogging or the Internet at all and they don't even grasp the idea that a link or a mention is a sign or respect or at least reference to people who contributed to the discussion long before you . . . I know I'm a bit late with throwing a shout out to EMAW but I'm fairly certain that most people working in KC's larger media companies will never get it.

Once again back is the incredible

The Star unquestioningly reports more lies: Kansas City outlines a strategy for the new school year.

Conspiracies other than Tall Israeli control of the media

Hearne's recent column details the dude behind the upcoming conspiracy convention slated for KC on Dec. 9.

Sadly, I think Skelton is displaying onset of dementia

Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton says the United States should start a phased withdrawal of its troops from Iraq by the end of the year . . . He'd be better off sending ice water over there . . .

The City Council is full of frauds so why should one more make any difference?

Sandra McFadden-Weaver reportedly signed a couple of home mortgage agreements that went sour. Basically, everyone in the city has lined up against this woman so I don't see any reason to jump on the bandwagon. On the plus side, she once made it a routine to visit nearly every homicide in her district (an empty yet important gesture), on the down side this is just one of the many scandals that Eastside voters tend to ignore when it comes time to vote along lines of race or who will be doling out more patronage and welfare.

Blogging your way to better health

Amazing post from this local blogger about his diet and exercise regimen. I'd like to post mine as well: Dr. Pepper, Swiss Cake Rolls, Internet surfing and crying while looking at photos of Estella Warren . . . Also, in between there somewhere I change underwear every few days.

More that meets the ass

Finally . . . I was waiting for a local blogger to review the strange looking new designs for the new Transformers collection.

I don't mind the biomechanical side to these, but I really think megatron looks retarded for some reason. Mainly because he retains no iconage from the original. To me this would be just like making optimus prime transform into a weinermobile or a log cabin. I know michael bay wants to keep this updated for the new generation, but all this is going to do is piss off the old folks that made it popular in the first place....and seriously how will a toy of that work exactly?

I don't know much about design and I hate all those "kids today . . ." bloggers posts but I have to say that I fear for the future when even the toys for the youth of today look like something out of an S&M movie.

Everyday bloggers write the book

The book meme is still going around the local blogosphere faster than a chubby blonde gets around Westport. I'm really impressed with the answers of the X-man, you will be too.

"Flooding Brookside"

Here's a great firsthand report from a local blogger in what should be a storm of outrage headed toward City Hall regarding KC's shitty sewer/storm system . . . Why do I combine the two terms, because they're basically the same thing . . . And that's really shitty (and gross) when you think about it.

Downtown Maze gets even worse on Monday

Thirteenth Street, from Walnut Street to Grand Boulevard, is scheduled to close at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28 until mid-October for street replacement for the new Power & Light entertainment district. On the bright side, it'll be completely empty as soon as the P&L District is complete.

Because kids need to learn about kickbacks as well

Kansas City Youth Commission is taking applications.

That's Hot

A limousine exploded into flames Friday night in front of a popular Crossroads restaurant. Hipster posing gets a little harder or maybe includes some photos of fireman. Actually, that's cool that the authorities was were there because most people wouldn't pee on these limo driven douchebags if they caught fire.

Marshmallow Bee at Sparrow's Fall

If you aren't a regular reader of KC comics that headline doesn't make a lot of sense but let me assure you that local artist Parrish Baker is posting some awesome pages today. Check'em out.

Blogger Backtalk: Rain or shine

I can't say I can blame the Irish fest folks for being concerned about the weather.

A local conservative blogger writes: " Rick Santorum and Jim Talent and others need our help. Are you doing your part?" I'm not sure, I've never went gay bashing and it's been awhile since I've punched a child in the face for being poor but we'll see what happens tonight.

A blogger in the gutter.

More great bar hopping blogging from this local blogger. It's a really great piece of documentary work, almost as good as Ken Burns and you'll probably pass out but not from boredom.

This local blogger post "The Wet Blanket Award"

Can we ever trust Asian people again?

Life is like Asian food, you never know what you're gonna get.

I'm sorry folks, this post may not seem relevant to you but I'm dealing with some really serious personal turmoil right now . . . See, I basically live off of Chinese food and now come to find out that a local Asian market was indicted Thursday for allegedly selling dirty meat to customers. This is the worst kind of betrayal because when I (never) order pork liver, I don't want inedible pork lungs instead. A guy has to have standards . . . Also, people who deride stereotypes about Korean food have never heard meows and barks coming from a kitchen or understood that Kim Jong-il is going to kill us all and not Osama.

This is so sad to me because we have made so much progress since December 7th and the subsequent stereotype that all Asian people are horribly sneaky. But now my trust has been put to the test again and I'm almost considering becoming a vegetarian if I didn't believe that homosexuality was a sin.

Never mind that there are many different varieties of "Chinamen" in Kansas City ranging from the gangster like Viet Cong in the Northeast to the valley girl Viet Cong in the suburbs of JoCo. But I digress . . . This isn't about ethnicity, it's about putrid ethnic food.

The prospect of our local friends from the far east serving up 9,000 pounds of tainted food in KC is just plain scary and makes me reminisce about the good old days when the same Asian market was owned by the Italians who only ground up their cousins and Jimmy Hoffa once in a while to add flavor to the meatballs they provided . . . Ah, this melting pot of different cultures in KC wouldn't be so bad if we could all promise to limit the amount of uninspected food that's unfit for human consumption into the mix. But expecting multiculturalism to have any limits is downright pigheaded.

On a final note, this is a true story: My Grandma grew up in Texas during WWII. I was told, very matter-of-factly, that on her way home from school she regularly walked by the Internment (read: Concentration) camps for the Japanese-Americans and made fun of them with the children's classic slant eyed gestures . . . Before you get too down on her, just remember that she didn't build the camps . . . White people like you did.

More freebies for KC School Kids

Not that I'm opposed to free haircuts but it seems like it'd be a lot cheaper just to go ahead and make a serious effort to provide a decent education rather than promote the place with door prizes.

Republican Racism

This blogger is spotting a trend that started sometime after Lincoln was shot in the head. Still, I love great quotes and this is so much more blatant than the Democrats encouraging abortion and the mass slaughter of brown children, the welfare state and encouraging all kinds of mediocrity from Jesse Jackson and Bill Richardson to public schools.

The Blacks are, in fact, killing each other in this town

Dave Helling proves exactly how lame he is by referencing one of the corniest songs ever written but the post was excellent . . . And Terry Riley really needs to be more concerned with reality in KC rather than enforcing PC bullshit . . . Ugh, was that a rhyme . . . I'm pretty lame myself.

Town Topics: Hot for teacher (I guess)

Missouri kids learn an important lesson: Privacy is a thing of the past.

No news is news. This was just false advertising, the police (unfortunately) don't seem any closer to solving a triple murder that involved an unborn baby. Channel 9 is going just as tabloid as everyone else as they are soon to move into their new suburban digs.

Dead woman in alley in KCK

High Energy performance: KCP&L Asks To Raise Electricity Rates

Fighting with wife cuts deep

Drugs, Guns Found In Shawnee House . . . Potpourri too but that's to be expected.

Royals fans are out of it

A wonderfully desperate post from a local blogger and Royals fan laments:

"And despite a season-long duel with the Pittsburgh Pirates, it appears the KC has triumphed in the bid to be the worst team in MLB this year."

It's an important achievement and anything less would have been used not only to sell more season tickets but also to probably raise taxes or make sure that even more parking money went straight to the County. As long as the Royals are the worst team in baseball there's always less danger of them trying to get a better deal here or someplace else . . . In much the same way that you should only start worrying that your spouse is cheating if they begin to change their underwear more often or lose weight.

Blogger Backtalk: In praise of Pluto

A lot of bloggers are upset about Pluto, Death's Door explains it best.

Another insight that made me laugh, a local blogger reminds us that they prefer to be called "little planets."

Finally, my favorite lovely local blogger kicks it old school regarding the lost planet.

Blogging isn't a vocation but it's damn educational: "Nursing school = some form of punishment for something awful I did in a previous life."

Bloggers write the best customer reviews: "Eat a Dick" says this pissed off patron.

"Every metropolis has a standout jazz organ player. Kansas City's is Everette DeVan." One of the best local music blogs shares some insight on one of this town's best.

Here's an awesome old school local souvenir posted by a local blogger: "Union Station by Moonlight." It's quiet, still, peaceful and mostly empty . . . Just like nowadays only with better lighting.

What'cha gonna do?

Here's some stuff to do this weekend other than stopping all your snitching.

Also, after watching one the scariest things I've ever seen in my life I want to remind you all to stay safe out there - have fun but don't forget to wear a condom while wearing your seatbelt and DO NOT FORGET that the FUZZ are going to be out on the street IN FORCE this weekend busting drunk drivers . . . wear your walking shoes.

The Event Driver lists lots of shows this weekend, including:

Brooks & Dunn at Verizon...
Ben harper at Starlight...
Club Wars Shows...

Check out his site for more info. Also, he provides some ticket info.

Present Magazine also shares some local links this weekend:

August 25, Friday, 6-10 PM
August 26, Saturday, 10 AM-10 PM

August 27, Sunday, 10 AM- 6 PM
38th Annual Parkville Days Riverfest
A festival complete with carnival and fantastic music by Skip Hawkins Band,The Bolt On's, Hal Wakes, Yard Dogs, Rain Dogs, Doghouse Daddies, Max Groove, The Proof with Quinn Harvey, Dixieland Six Band, and Laura Giess. A performance by the Creative Arts Academy Dance Troupe, a parade, and a Little Miss/Mister Parkville make this a fun time for all.
www.parkvillemo.net


Friday, August 25, 7 PM
Poetry from Mark Hennessy and Ed Tato
Kansas City Native, and featured poet (PRESENT, March 2006) Mark Hennessy will read with Ed Tato. Diamond Heart Club and DJ Shellac will provide music. Keep your eyes (and mind) open for jugglers, dancing bears, fire eaters, and the white rabbit. Free for all.
The Writers Place
3607 Pennsylvania
816.753.1090
www.writersplace.org

Friday, August 25, 8 PM-1 AM

Funkshion
Standard Style presents a night where fashion meets beats in a benefit for the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City. Featuring DJ Spider. The $5 dollar cover charge will be matched by an additional match of $5 per entrant and be directly donated to the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City, benefiting several local charities.
VooDoo Lounge
1 Riverboat Drive
816.889.4237
www.voodookc.com
www.michaelwente.com/funkshion.htm

August 25, Friday
Eddie Delahunt
He makes a great cup of coffee and sings a lovely tune (and sometimes a raunchy one). If you want to know more about this Irishman-turn-Kansas City character look him up in our PRESENT, August 2006 issue!
Mike Kelly's Westsider
1515 Westport Road

Only football nerds like myself will appreciate this next one:



August 25, Friday, 11:30 AM
Rainy Day Books presents Lou Holtz
Legendary football coach, motivational speaker, and bestselling author will talk about his new book, Wins, Losses, and Lessons.
Westin Crown Center
One Pershing Road
816.474.4400
www.rainydaybooks.com

August 25, Friday, 7-10 PM
Art Unleashed
A live and silent auction to benefit The Greater Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. What better way to spend an evening than viewing and bidding on beautiful, charming, original pet-themed artwork from some of Kansas City's very best artists? There will be all kinds of artwork up for "adoption"—watercolors, sculpture, jewelry and more will be available for bidding—a little something for everyone. There will be hors d'oeuvres and a beer and wine selection, all donated by generous area restaurants and chefs. Tickets are $30 at event.
Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral
13th Street and Broadway
www.hsgkc.org

(Even More) White Flight in KC Schools

Once again, white kids are leaving the KCMO School District in droves.

Only one question remains: Can you blame them?

The KCMO School District hosts consistently low test scores, sickening graduation rates, a host of arsons and fights with regularity along with one major political or racial squabble every year or so. Additionally, the district is presided over by a confirmed bigot who would rather not hire anyone who isn't Black. On top of all this, I hear the school lunches aren't that good and the lunch ladies rarely smile.

This is not news. The district is beyond repair and the only solution politicos or Federal judges have come up with is to throw money at the problem.

The article reporting this fact was pretty straight forward but what it doesn't do is place blame.

So I will, blame should be directed squarely at KC's Middle Class Black Population.

"These people" have supported one incompetent official after the next. They have worked only to make sure that the district functions merely to provide patronage for their community and the top heavy administration is filled with employees who are there only because somebody was owed a favor. This is how things normally work in Kansas City but the fact that it works this way at the expense of this town's ability to provide basic public education is shameful.

And nobody wants to hear about the bright spots either. While a modicum of success has been achieved by one school singing Ladysmith Black Mambazo before they do algebra problems, overall that's just not impressive.

While you might say that this is all rhetoric or ranting . . . The truth is that anybody with a choice is leaving the district . . . And that's just more proof that KC Schools are beyond repair and the only service left to provide is helping other students avoid this train wreck and find some alternative form of education. From overpaid executives to parents that don't understand that some schools just need to be closed down in order to save money . . . So many white kids leaving the district are doing the right thing when it comes to a situation like this; time and again history has shown us that the safest thing to do in the midst of a disaster is to run.

The local Latino community has never had any faith in the African-American dominated district and they have either turned to Catholic schools or now Cristo Rey to escape the district's criminally negligent Hispanic dropout rate of more than 50%. It seems now that even the last remnants of the white community isn't falling for propaganda disguised as progress.

And yet, I'm sure that this news is going to engender impassioned responses from the Black community . . . More garbage, excuses and whining about "systemic" racism and the like when the fact is that the KC Black Middle Class are the people in control of the local school system. And in the end, any response from district leaders is just more politics, more passing blame which will undoubtedly be supported by local Black politicos and in turn by whatever small segment of that community who might care about this thing and who ultimately get what they deserve when it comes to supporting the incompetents who are running the institution into the ground.

Council votes on raise for city workers today

In order to attract and attain qualified employees the city is voting to increase salaries . . . Seeing as how nobody in their right mind would move to this town for the schools, (rapidly disappearing) neighborhoods or the cultural attractions (i.e. Internet porn and Chili's).

White Katrina victims are okay I guess

Personally, I hate most new arrivals to this city but if you ask anybody in social service about local increases in child abuse, substance abuse, domestic violence and just plain pain in the ass problems . . . They will all tell you there is a direct correlation to the influx of Katrina refugees in KC. Do your own research while The Star simply focuses on feel good stories regarding white people.

Dust in the Windy

Or Dog Gone

Gary Lezak's dog died. Sad I know, not only because pets are great but also because it was the only local weather personality who didn't have to be ashamed about licking ass.

The most ignorant thing you'll see on YouTube related to KC

Check out Happy in Bag later today, he e-mailed me earlier about this video that we're both trying to do our best to ignore but it's simply too stupid to put out of my mind. Expect a much more insightful post from him, whereas I think that garbage like this is simply just one of many excuses to go and find Kimora Simmons and punch her in the face.

Seriously, I don't think Pope John Paul II was thinking about hip-hop dirtbags making "hood" videos when he talked about a culture of death but that's the first thing that came to my mind when I saw these local dumbasses waving around their guns and drugs.

Surprisingly, this video seems as if it was shot in the winter so these guys managed to survive last year's murder spike . . . Cool, but it seems more like dumb luck.

Buck, the trend, this town and sports writers with forked tongues

Leave it to Dallas Penn to write one of the most insightful posts regarding the rejection of Buck O'Neil to the Hall of Fame. Seriously, the post penned by Dallas offers an amazing history lesson about a few players who had it even harder than KC's favorite Black baseball player (non-Dominican category).

All this liberal boohooing and handwringing is coming from the very same sportswriters that have elected NOT to vote BUCK into baseball's prestigious Hall of Fame. Well if all of you sage and just writers really wanted this old codger to be able to smell the roses while he was still breathing you would have voted for him. No sense in giving a Black any credit while they are alive anyhoo I guess. Just look at how 3-6-MAFIA acted.

It's true and it's also important to realize that if Jason Whitlock is your biggest ally (figuratively and not regarding his big fat ass) than you're really dealing with a lost cause. Of course, I think it's important we celebrate the baseball history of this town even if it's not in the Hall of Fame . . . Seeing as how the Royals season is history around June and this time of year is usually when the worst team in baseball is around 100 games back.