KC Confidential

There’s more than one Wizard playing at KC’s Union Station…

Oh sure, there’s The Great and Powerful Oz on the five-story tall, IMAX screen in stunningly bright 3-D. It’s a moviegoing experience that’s redefining upscale moviegoing in Kansas City.

However a less well known Wizard is also at play in the historic train depot turned science museum. His name is George Gusatello and he joined the then financially troubled station as CEO in December of 2008.

Four years later, and Guastello has three consecutive years of operating profits under his belt – that’s black ink, not red for those of you keeping score at home – and on top of that he’s just added the most spectacular movie watching experience to be had in the Kansas City region. Continue reading →

What a way to go…

Think of it as death by lottery – a coin flip, actually. After centuries spent fine tuning the so-called American Way, it seems a little trite that after thousands – maybe even tens of thousands – of dollars are spent, months of political campaigning and gosh knows how much behind-the-scenes power schmoozing and intimidation, it all comes down to a coin flip.

Anyhoo, that’s the way the game is played in Johnson County. Continue reading →

With audio and video stores becoming scarcer and scarcer, the question is fast becoming, is there any future at all for retailers and manufacturers of higher end A/V gear?

“I don’t know, I’m concerned,” says John Kiefer, practically the last man standing out of what once were scores of Kansas City and Lawrence area electronics retailers. “Look at who lost money last year, Sony. For 60 some odd years Sony was profitable and they lost money last year. I’m questioning if there is a future.” Continue reading →

Think of him as a long-haired, white, suburban trouble magnet…

Wherever hard rocking former Merriam councilman Dan Leap goes conflict and angst seem almost sure to follow.

Since Leap settled into Merriam’s sleepy downtown years ago – living large, high atop his Guitar Lamp selling retail biz – it’s been one dogfight after another.

First it was Leap’s long blonde locks and appetite for heavy metal music that ruffled the feathers of the more conservative pols and town folk. Continue reading →

Not all American Idol winners are created equal…

And there’s no better example of that than Kansas City’s David Cook, winner of the reality show’s seventh season. Unlike past Idol winners such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson who have become household names and achieved superstar status, five years after the fact Cook remains basically, “David who?” Continue reading →

Nothing’s etched in stone…

But sources say that the Beaumont Club in Westport could be ready to climb back in the saddle as early as this summer. Depending upon which of the several rumored interested parties opts to finalize their plans.

The club ground to a halt following a DJ gang bang in late December and has been shuttered ever since. That after talk of discord among its ownership group, back rent owed and a lease yet to wind down.

Enter the interested parties. Continue reading →

As elections go, Merriam‘s snow blown barn burner last week was a controversial one…

Or was it?

“The primary election was February 26th when we had all that snow and nobody voted,” says former Merriam council dude Dan Leap. “I mean, I voted but it was only a block away.”

Out of more than 1,600 registered voters in Merriam’s Ward 2 only 88 votes were cast. Kinda reminiscent of KCMO’s controversial streetcar election last year – but I digress. Continue reading →

Remember that Steve Martin bit, Let’s get small?

Well, as first reported here months ago, that process is well on its way at the Kansas City Star  and took its first baby step today in the FYI section. Continue reading →

Think good time for a good cause…

The powers that be at the Uptown Theater have graciously agreed to donate the venue and services to host a fundraiser tonight for victims of the fiery gas explosion that decimated the 20-plus year-old Plaza area eatery JJ’s.

The eatery opened in the mid ’80s as J.J. Malane’s, named – at least in part – for founder J.J. Quinn who sold out  in 1985.

However it’s sword swizzling Jimmy Frantze who’s served mostly as JJ’s front man.

A bold, former rogue, Frantze’s once suited up his serving staff in “Fuck American Century” tee-shirts after being forced from his restaurant rental space in the mutual fund’s building on Main Street just north of the Plaza. Continue reading →