Yearly Archives: 2011
Glazer: Kansas City’s Enduring (Not Endearing) Contribution to Baseball
The Kansas City A’s and now the Kansas City Royals. In fact you take out the George Brett era team of 76-85 (when the Royals were good), it’s pro sports worst franchise ever.
Example: the 1964 Kansas City A’s won 57 and lost 105.
The current Royals are close, but not quite there yet. Here’s a great one; both teams never had a true power hitter in over half a century!
My God, George Brett was the only real super star the franchise ever had, but really he was just a gamer.
Today: Case Closed; Fitzpatrick Slams Gavel on Zach Myers Mystery
"The tears flowed on both sides of the aisle yesterday as 16-year-old Joshua Pena pleaded guilty in Johnson County District Court to involuntary manslaughter in the vehicular death last year of a close friend, 16-year-old Zach Myers."
So begins former Star reporter Jim Fitzpatrick’s final installment on the traffic death last December of the Olathe teen.
"As a result of a plea agreement, Pena was sentenced to 60 days in the Juvenile Detention Center and two years of supervised probation," Fitzpatrick continues. "If he fails to abide by the terms of the probation, he could be sentenced to a detention term of 18 months to three years. Also, his driving privileges were suspended for a year."
Glazer: Woodside to Expand with Apartments, Shops Offices – Oh and Hotties!
It’s not just a rumor…
Woodside owner Blair Tanner says the club is an inch away from its dream of becoming the "it" place to live near the Plaza and Johnson County. The city is poised to green light Tanner’s plan to expand the Woodside Health & Tennis Club and surrounding area into a beautiful new mix of apartments, shops, offices and a ‘living life healthy and fun" Mecca.
Tanner’s plan, which I have seen, has spectacular apartments and a new outdoor pool area second to none. It’ll be a tad pricey for some, but well worth it to those who can afford it. Residents will also become a member of Kansas City’s hippest, most popular health, tennis and glam club.
Tanner and local co-owner David Freeland – with general manager Chris Bell – have almost completely redone Woodside the last three years. They just finished its new EARTH BAR, a first in KC.
Starbeams: The Top 5 Signs Johnson County is Under a Boil Order
Top 5 signs Johnson County is under a boil water order.
#5. 500,000 people in tents waiting for Whole Foods to open.
#4. Residents seen giving water to their gardener to see if he lives.
#3. One more excuse to close Planned Parenthood.
#2. People crowd community centers to protest school closings.
And the No. 1 reason Johnson County is under a boil order is…
Givenchy Menswear: What Not To Wear
Excuse me, House of Givenchy, but is Riccardo Tisci on crack?
Let’s just cut to the chase.
Tisci’s Fall 2011 Menswear Collection is for the inner-Goth. His mostly black collection includes a brigade of pale, sad model-boys in baggy shorts and black leggings.
Not exactly my cup of tea, but it could be worse—wait…it is worse.
Today: Marilyn Maye in Rehab, Plots Jardine’s Comeback & Karrin in November!
This time last week legendary Cowtown crooner Marilyn Maye was still down and out…
"I haven’t talked to Marilyn, she’s still in rehab," said Jardine’s owner Beena Brandsgard. "Because she lost a lot of her weight and strength."
A trio of kidney stones sidelined the singer the night before she was to perform a string of sold-out shows at Jardine’s for Father’s Day week last month.
The latest?
Caitlin: Paris 2012 – From Rottweilers to Tree Frogs – Tisci on Crack
Excuse me, House of Givenchy, but is Riccardo Tisci on crack?
Let’s just cut to the chase.
Tisci’s Fall 2011 Menswear Collection is for the inner-Goth. His mostly black collection includes a brigade of pale, sad model-boys in baggy shorts and black leggings.
Not exactly my cup of tea, but it could be worse—wait…it is worse.
Starbeams: Royals Wave White Flag, Swimming Lesson at RiverFest & Cracking a Cold One
The Kit Bond Bridge will be lit with special red, white and blue lights this weekend for the 4th of July. The bridge also turns green for Saint Patrick’s Day, red for the Chiefs home opener, and regular white lights when the Royals are officially out of the playoffs.
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KC Riverfest is this weekend at Berkley Park by the Missouri River. Residents wishing to see the fireworks display are urged to wear scuba gear.
Glazer: Never Heard of Today’s Top Comics? Take a Number!
People often come up and ask me, "Hey, got anyone big coming up at the comedy club?"
I always wonder if they even know who is big. Most people can only name a few comics that even do clubs. The really big acts like Lisa Lampanelli went on to theaters and the ones who were just good or so-so have left the business.
Now there’s an entire generation of new comics.
Yes, there are still some oldies but goodies. They still fill the rooms. At the top of this group are names like Ralphie May, Carlos Mencia (when he’s not doing a theater), Pablo Francisco, Kevin Nealon, Lynne Koplitz, Caroline Rhea and a few more. Big names like Tommy Chong have left the club scene as he’s re-teamed with Cheech to make millions again in theaters like The Midland by AMC in KC (sold out, standing room only).
New Jack City: Jack’s Best (if Questionable) Movie Bets at the Holiday Weekend Boxoffice!
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Thinking of taking in a movie this long holiday weekend?
Here are Two-To-Disappoint!
(Movies that didn’t live up to expectations.)
The first is the new Tom Hanks produced, directed and co-written romantic comedy LARRY CROWNE that has him starring as a mid-level manager who unexpectably gets blown out at a large U-Mart big box store.
WHY?
Today: Knuckleheads Saloon and Isle of Capri Hope to Dodge Flood Bullet
A story in yesterday’s newspaper warned that "nervous businesses" were braced for flooding…
Complete with an ominous disclaimer from one high profile potential victim located on the banks of the Missouri River.
"There was no word from the Isle of Capri about its Kansas City casino," the story said.
Well, hang onto your sandbags cuz all it took was a single call to get that elusive "word" on the casino’s flood status.
Glazer: Wake Up, Sam – The Kansas City Royals Totally Suck!
The Star’s Man Sam – Sam Mellinger – says the Royals newest youth movement (No. 9 million) is working.
Sam wrote a long story yesterday about how well it may work out for our soon-to-be division champs. All they need is two more pitchers (starters) and we’ve got the rest.
HUH? What!
Starbeams: Royals Mount Charity Drive, Topeka Lands on Mars & Don Harman Warms Up
The Daily Beast ranks Kansas City third on the list of the most charitable cities in the nation. Several factors figured into the equation; including percentage of salary, time donated…and the Royals bullpen.
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Topeka is home to the new Mars chocolate factory. 200 employees will make M & Ms and Snickers candy bars. Nice to see that our high speed Google network is drawing companies to TOPEKA.
Glazer: To Be or Not to Be; Whether tis Nobler to Save Westport Or…
Like the Lone Ranger, should Stanford & Sons ride to the rescue of Westport?
A cloud of dust then – poof! – Stanford’s returns to Westport. With America’s Pub likely to go when its lease is up at year’s end, Stanford’s could come home.
America’s Pub’s space is almost too big, but we could make it work. When we did Johnny Dare’s we didn’t have a big enough area for comedy. Now there are plenty of empty spots. And the Pub very much makes sense.
Hearne: Eyes Wide Open, Robert Butler Saddles Up for Transformer 3
Two thumbs up, to recently axed Kansas City Star movie critic Robert W. Butler…
It takes a darn good sport to put up with me at times. Like that’s a secret. And from the looks of Butler’s just-posted review of the new Transformers, that’s exactly what he is – a good sport.
"If you somehow find yourself in a theater showing this third episode in the ‘Transformers’ saga, there’s a bit of good news," Butler writes on his new blog. "It’s not nearly as bad as installment 2. I base that judgment on my ability to keep my eyes open this time around."
Here, here!
Car: The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, Hombres Welcome!
From my car review in The Hills – that upscale magazine you’ve probably never laid eyes upon unless you reside in Mission Hills Sunset Hill or the ritzier parts of the Plaza or Ward Parkway corridor – I give you my review of the new Merecedes SLK.
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The wind in your hair, the bugs in your teeth – the summer sun beating down – what’s not to love about a convertible sports car?
Passion, romance, sex appeal, excitement – free from the aforementioned worldly distractions. That’s what upscale sports car buyers are looking for and that’s what Mercedes 2012 SLK350 roadster has to offer. At an affordable price, no less.
Sounds Good: Elvis Costello@Crossroads, Meat Puppets@RecordBar, Umphrey’s McGee & Quixotic@Crossroads
Do girls my age like Elvis Costello?
I mean, I know hip ones do – ones that are into music and that whole deal – but I’m talking about casual music fan girls. You know, the hot ones.
I needed to know, so I asked one of them that question, and she replied, "Who?"
"You know, AAAAAlison…"
(Blank stare, shaking head).
"Umm, Radio Radio?" I asked meekly.
(Blanker stare).
"The guy with the funny hat from Austin Powers who sings with that old dude when Mike Myers is trying to shag Heather Graham?"
"Oh, I love that guy! Wait, I thought that was Bono…"
Jack Goes Confidential: Transformers: Dark of the Moon One Hell of a Popcorn Ride!
A reporter asked director Michael Bay about the budget for TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON.
Was it $350 Million, $400 Million? Bay wouldn’t say. Offering only that the cost of TRANSFORMERS 3 was the price of a movie ticket. Whatever—it’s all UP there now on the big screen!
Welcome to Paramount’s version of a trip through Toys ‘R’ Us
Today: Kansas City’s Hottest Outdoor Pickup Patio to Return!
The outdoor deck atop The Well in Waldo is the place to be on a breezy summer night at this stage of the game…
It’s Chill Chamber delivers the frostiest brewskies in town. The busses have gone to bed. And the odds of your getting drugged, mugged or bugged are slim to none.
You’re high in the sky and all is Well.
Which brings us to the mack daddy of outdoor party places past, Baja 600’s gone-but-not-forgotten patio overlooking Brush Creek.
Glazer: The True Meaning of Life & My Upcoming Dirt Nap with the Critters
Einstein said, "Life has no meaning" – we’re just animals racing around the planet until we die…
Kinda hard to argue with that one. We are smarter than most of the other animals, but in the end, most of what we do and accomplish is soon forgotten.
I was spending time this past with actor/comic Bryan Callen. He made an interesting comment as well. "Life is a footnote."
I like that better.
At least there’s a little room for a speck of interest in what we’ve accomplished, right?
