Bob Lewellen’s Memorial Service
Services for former KC Councilman and Parks Commissioner Bob Lewellen went down this morning at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church near his home at 118th & Holmes. The place was packed and highlights ranged from jokes about Lewellen being a die hard Kansas City, Missouri dude but having to die on the Kansas side of State Line, to a touching reference about him being trapped in a body that was falling apart, even "while his mind was as sharp as a sword."
Former KC mayor Dick Berkley – appearing to stand no taller than 4’11” – eulogized Lewellen from the pulpit.
"His motive was to improve this area," Berkley said. "Bob Lewellen was for what was best for the community, not what was best for Bob Lewellen."
Early Radio Ratings Returns
The big news in radio ratings for April is Funny 102.5 was still in the Top Seven and doing very well in men. It even beat sports radio WHB in a number of key male demos.
NewsRadio KMBZ didn’t go anywhere despite simulcasting on 980 AM and KUDL FM’s former frequency and an abundance of heavy duty national and international breaking news.
And KCMO FM 94.9 FM – the station formerly known as "Oldies" – soared to No. 1 in women listeners 25 to 54. Thanks in no small part to KUDL going away.
The Reincarnation of Star movie mogul Robert Butler
What a way to go, now former KC Star movie main man Robert Butler – the only guy I know to get double whacked during the newspaper’s three year Death March – celebrated his last day at 18th and Grand on Friday the 13th.
An odd date to receive your last rites given Butler’s penchant for art over slasher flicks.
The latest: at last blush Butler was reportedly mulling picking up some pocket change teaching a film class at KU, had landed a freelance movie reviewing gig with some seniors site and actually jammed an entire, full-length review onto his Facebook page.
In a somewhat awkward post Star moment, Butler attended yesterday’s screening of "Pirates of the Caribbean" only to find himself seated near replacement Star reviewer, Sharon Hoffman.
