Category Archives: Hearne_Christopher
AMC Theatres CEO Heralds Coming of 3-D, Jim Carrey
When AMC Theatres new CEO Gerry Lopez looks into his crystal ball the images he sees are in 3-D...
The movie theater wave of the past may well be the wave of the future, Lopez says. AMC recently forecast revenue increases of Continue reading
Mix 93.3 FM’s Kelly Urich Gives Vibe The Kiss Off – Back in Action in December
According to sources, former Mix 93.3 FM superstar Kelly Urich was thisclose to signing a deal with the 95.7 The Vibe and taking over for the recently axed Shorty & the Boyz show. No mas. In fact, there is a … Continue reading
Star to Deceased: Call Me
Dead men tell no tales…
Nor do they typically return telephone calls. Not even Oprah gets that kind of action.
So it was a little surprising for Craig Glazer to read Joyce Smith’s story in today’s Kansas City Star about his former landlord Haider Ali.
“Bank of America has filed a lawsuit against Westport Landing LLC and Haider Ali for allegedly defaulting on a loan,” the story begins. “The bank said Westport Landing LLC – defined as 534 to 556 Westport Road – owed $3.675 million in principal, interest of $78,859, and default interest through Oct. 11 of $37,158, $7,579 in late charges, and other fees.
“The suit was filed Monday in Jackson County Circuit Court.
“Ali, the loan guarantor, could not be reached for comment and his attorney did not return phone calls.”
Hold it right there.
Of course Ali could not be reached, Continue reading
End of an Era: Krause Dining to Close
Get it while you can…
One of the area’s most esteemed eateries – Krause Dining in Lawrence – will close its doors early next year. That according to an email from the Krauses, who were unavailable for comment at the time of this posting.
That said, here’s the email” Continue reading
Ex Starbucks Honcho to Make Coffee Bigger Deal at AMC
Ever try and choke down a really bad cup of drip coffee that’s been sitting on the burner for gosh knows how long at a local movie theater?
If they even have any made?
Which brings us to the $64 million question for new Continue reading
Head for The Hills: The Originals vs. the originals – KC’s Finest Divided on Local Restaurant Group
The fall issue of The Hills quarterly magazine is out and available at upscale distribution points near you. The Hills is targeted to covering news and views of interest to the denizens of Mission Hills and Sunset Hill. Catch it and check out my profile of Churchill owner Continue reading
Love Hurts: KU Mascot White Owl’s May-December Romance on Rocks; Restraining Orders All Around
Game over…
What major area media hasn’t celebrated the unlikely love match and pending nuptials of the KU mascot known as White Owl and his 22 year-old bride-to-be Julia Lee? The Kansas City Star, Lawrence Journal World, University Daily Kansan – everybody wanted a piece of that one. And everybody got one.
First the Star’s June 20, 2008 front page headline: “White Owl has found his spring chicken, and we Continue reading
Blitzen Trapper & Sissy Wish Tonight/Tomo: Best Club Shows You Almost Missed
Trust me…
There are two alternative rock band club shows you do not want to miss; Blitzen Trapper at the Jackpot Saloon tonight in Lawrence and Sissy Wish at the Record Bar Monday in Kansas City.
I caught Blitzen Trapper’s show earlier this year at the jackpot and I can tell you, the Portland-based “experimental folk rock” band delivers a powerful live show In keeping with the band’s excellent Subpop release last year Furr.
The reviews and hype make catching Sissy Wish’s first world tour simply too much to pass up. Continue reading
KC Star to Attendees of ‘Spring Awakening’: You’re Effed!
Forget the plot, rock on Continue reading
Hearne on the Street: Uptown Conspiracy Update, Dissing Iowa
“An evil, unlawful, treacherous, or surreptitious plan formulated in secret by two or more persons”…
That, ladies and gentlemen, is dictionary.com’s leading definition of the word conspiracy. Which just happens to be the name Uptown Theater main man Larry Sells has selected for his mysterious, coming soon nightclub and entertainment extravaganza near 37th and Broadway adjacent to the theater.
The Conspiracy is what it’s to be called.
“This is Cleopatra,” Sells says motioning to a likeness of Egypt’s final effective pharaoh of the Continue reading
Heard it Through the Grapevine: Lonnie McFadden goes R&B Tonight at Jardine’s
Move over Ben Vereen, Lonnie’s got a brand new bag… In a departure from his standard issue tap and jazz performance schtick, singer/hoofer
Ollie Gates Unloads on Buck O’Neil Center, Chiefs, Royals, NBA & American Royal BBQ
Seventy-seven years and counting Continue reading
Hearne on the Street: Comic Lewis Black Melts Down at Ameristar
There are far easier things than growing old gracefully…
That said, funny guy Continue reading
Loser Blogger / Columnist Succumbs to Mac Attack, Opts for Apple iPhone
It had to happen, was only a matter of time…
After more than 10 months and like four flawed phones, I’ve ditched my cutting edge-at-the-time Blackberry Storm and gone iPhone. I know, I know – small step for mankind. File this news in your “Who Cares?” basket if you wish, but I promise you there are people out there who will benefit greatly by my having made this move and they know who they are.
Aside from me, of course.
They include Crossroads KC promoter Brett Mosiman and the artist known as Stretch, both of whom my Storm pocket called – or “ass-dialed,” as Stretch so delicately put it – dozens, if not hundreds of times.
When’s the last time anybody’s cell phone was so un-smart it repeatedly redialed the last number based on merely being jostled in a pants pocket? The Storm was an expert at that. But no mas. Continue reading
Handsome Harley Race’s Wife B.J. Passes Away; Services in K.C. Tomo
The “best wrestler on God’s green earth’s” wife has died…
Eight time World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race’s wife B.J. Race passed away Friday in Osage beach, Missouri at the Lake regional Health System where she was being treated for pneumonia and other complications. The jury is still out on the exact cause of his wife’s death, Race says.
“She was the most wonderful woman in the world,” Race says. “It’s almost impossible to believe that she’s gone.”
When it came to Harley’s World League Wrestling league and the Race Wrestling Academy for up and coming pro wrestlers in Eldon, Mo., “She ran everything,” Race says of his wife. Continue reading
Will Sandstone Survive? Definitely. Venue to Return for 2010
Turns out going green brought in the green at Capital Federal Park @ Sandstone…
“Actually this year went pretty good,” says main man Chris Fritz. “We were very aware of the economy and what’s going on, so we played it pretty close to the vest and all of our shows were successful. And we were still able to do our green initiatives and keep our prices down. So it was a good year. We didn’t make huge money, but we made enough to make it into the next year.”
Therein lies the good news for concertgoers who were worried about Sandstone’s future. With Starlight Theatre, the Crossroads, Beaumont Back Yard and what’s (barely) left of the City Market, there are five substantial size outdoor venues operating and competing in the local marketplace. Continue reading
To Bust or Not to Bust, That’s the Question: Are Kansas City Smoking Ban Cops Legit?
It’s all over but the busting…
The decision earlier this week by the Missouri Supreme Court not to hear an appeal of a challenge to Kansas City’s smoking ban ordinance, puts an end to the legal challenge that the law is in Continue reading
Former KMBZ / KCMO Host Russ Johnson Dies
Very sadly, this just in from sources close to the family of former KMBZ 980 AM and KCMO 710 AM talk show host Russ Johnson…
Johnson was found dead at his residence yesterday in or around Aurora, Colorado, the victim of an apparent suicide. Calls to the local coroner’s office were yet to be returned at this writing. Continue reading
Russ Johnson Update: Cause of Death “Undetermined”
Cause of death to-be-announced…
That’s the official word from the Arapahoe County Coroner’s office re the passing of former KCMO 710 AM and 980 KMBZ talk show host Russ Johnson. Johnson, age 40, was indeed found yesterday in his car in the garage of his house in Aurora, Colorado. The office confirms that evidence points to Johnson having taken his own life via carbon monoxide poisoning from fumes generated by his car exhaust. However there was also evidence that some form of medication was involved, therefore the coroner will not issue a final determination of the cause of Johnson’s death until the toxicology report is received back. That process may take from 8 to 10 weeks. Continue reading
