AND BACK TO THE KANSAS CITY GRIND!!!

AND WE'RE BACK!!!

We start this early afternoon with an appreciation of hottie Denise and then a quick peek at all of these local links. Take a look:

Kansas City Boozy Tradition

Kansas City's original Irish pub celebrates 70 years in business

It is one of those joints where everybody knows your name. Kelly's Westport Inn is celebrating its 70th anniversary of serving drinks in Kansas City. Anyone who has ordered a pint of Guinness in Kansas City is likely to have heard of the Westport establishment, which traces its lineage to 1947, when County Clare native Randal Kelly stood behind the bar.

First Responders Risk All

KCK firefighter injured while battling house fire near N. 25th and Wood Avenue

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A Kansas City, Kan., firefighter was taken to the hospital Monday with a minor injury sustained while battling a fire near North 25th and Wood Avenue. Further details surround the firefighter's injury were not immediately available. According fire chief John Paul Jones firefighters were first dispatched to the home around 9:36 a.m.

Bad Debt Sparks Meth Town Change

Independence Chamber of Commerce president will step down - Kansas City Business Journal

The head of the Independence Chamber of Commerce said he's stepping down from the post. Hap Graff broke the news of his retirement as president of the Independence chamber at a luncheon celebrating the city's economic progress, The Independence Examiner reports. Graff said he would stay on at the chamber until a replacement is found.

The Monday Conversation

Food Waste And Leftovers; Church Decides To Omit 'Country Club' From Name

A good Thanksgiving Day meal requires consideration, preparation and even preservation. Today, we hear food safety advice to help keep uneaten leftovers fresh and to learn warning signs of spoiled items. Then, a local congregation shares why they've made the decision to remove the phrase 'Country Club' from their name and learn about the history of the district the church was originally named after.

Local Late Lunch Link

Shaka Noodle Shack & Hang 10 Pier Land in North Kansas City

A framed photo of Chewbacca holding a surfboard hangs over the table where a couple is digging into a plate of noodles that's topped with Alfredo sauce, avocado sour cream, and chimichurri. This is the Shaka Noodle Shack, where the decor is as unexpected as the flavor combinations.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now . . .