KC Confidential

Steve Paul

From the ultra conservative Thomas McClanahan, who retired without fanfare earlier this year, to the ultra liberal Steve Paul of the FYI section, who the newspaper announced today would join the board.

“They replaced Mr. Dodge Ram, Tom McClanahan, with Mr. Toyota Prius, Steve Paul,” said one wag at 18th and Grand.

Funny thing, Paul drives a gold Prius.

As for replacing McClanahan with Paul, “That’s too bad,” says local writer/producer/politico Jack Cashill. “At least with McClanahan the Star had a token conservative. You had to look hard to find him, but at least he was there. Continue reading →

This just in…

You saw the headline, so whip out those black armbands. Beloved local brewer Boulevard Brewing is taking the money and running.

Hey, it’s the way of the world.

“As European interest in American craft beers begins to mirror the mania for them stateside, the Duvel Moortgat Brewery of Belgium on Thursday announced a deal to buy the Boulevard Brewing Company, a craft brewery in Kansas City, Mo.” the New York Times is reporting. “The acquisition of Boulevard will give Duvel, pronounced DOO-vel, ownership of a large United States craft brewer that is well known in the Midwest and produces a wide variety of beers under its own name and others. Boulevard’s brands range from 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer, described as citrusy with a slightly sweet flavor and light bitterness, to Dark Truth Stout, an “inky” beer with hints of chocolate, coffee and fruits.” Continue reading →

The rumors began to fly two weeks back…

The Velvet Dog and Empire Room had closed unexpectedly – allegedly “for remodeling” – leaving only 81/2 by 11 notes on the front doors explaining what supposedly had happened.

There followed unconfirmed reports of “boxes getting carted out” on October 7th and employees showing up for their shifts unaware of the closings only to find locked doors.

With no outward evidence of remodeling work going down, the obvious question was, had something had gone wrong? Continue reading →

The days of housewives and soccer moms have long been on the endangered species list…

That said, it seems rare and unusual for a slammer bound businessman’s wife to – not just rise to the occasion – but take the helm of a major restaurant chain such as the Hereford House. Enter convicted arsonist Rod Anderson‘s wife Camellia. Continue reading →

How blue can you get?

It’s Chiefs season and small local bars and taverns are seeing red. But not because the home team is 6-0 and may be Super Bowl bound.

Not even close.

Nope, it’s because Regulated Industries aka Liquor Control has allowed a small group of civic volunteers to enforce discriminatory Sunday Blue Laws that in most halfway enlightened communities have long since gone the way of the dinosaur. Continue reading →

Maty Mauk

Time for some navel-gazing…

Following the Missouri Tigers stunning (and impressive) win at Georgia this past Saturday, it’s time to re-read some of those early season tea leaves. As well as look ahead to the Chiefs historic 6-0 (going on 7-0) start.

“Missouri and the Chiefs are doing a lot of things very similarly,” says sports scribe Craig Glazer of Stanford & Sons. “The breaks have been going their way, but Missouri just caught a bad break and lost their starting quarterback. And the Chiefs are in a precarious position because they’re using a guy who’s little and good and they’re over-using him.”

That would be running back Jamaal Charles.

Next up? Continue reading →

Why do promoters insist on inflating and exaggerating attendance figures?

If you stop and think about it, the answer’s somewhat obvious. Because size matters and smaller crowds can lend the perception that an event like last weekend’s New Age gang bang WaterFire on the Plaza is somehow less important or significant than its organizers would like it to be thought of.

Here’s how Popular Mechanics story “The Curious Science of Counting a Crowd” put it: 

“Crowd-size estimation is tough for people who want to do it right. But when turnout implies clout, then politicians and event organizers have plenty of motivation to exaggerate the head count. Through careful research, though, it is possible to make better crowd-size estimates that aren’t the result of political bias.” Continue reading →