KC Confidential

A funny thing happened the other day on the way to the office…

I was talking with my real estate agent about what kind of car he was going to buy after he unloads a $2.5 million-plus mansion in Fall Creek in Lawrence, and when I suggested he look at a 42 miles-per-gallon Lexus CT Hybrid he paused and said; “I can’t buy a hybrid, I’m a Republican.”

For the purposes of the following discussion, Uptown Theater main man Larry Sells would like to set that sentiment aside. Conserving natural resources shouldn’t be a matter of party politics, it’s about sustaining things near and dear to everyone in this country…as in the earth. Continue reading →

Talk about bringing a knife to a gunfight…

This journalistic contest was over before it started. In an attempt to breath relevance into the review of a book certain to be covered by the biggest guns in journalism, the Kansas City Star tossed a saddle on a little known, relatively inexperienced writer and laid down a bunt of a book review of former Star sports scribe Joe Posnanski‘s “Paterno.”

Given the circumstances, it’s one of the weakest book reviews I can recall. Continue reading →

For three days when I’ve looked out my bedroom window I’ve gazed upon the Crown Center complex…

Which, as you  might surmise, is because I’m staying at the Westin Crown Center Hotel. It’s been a while since I’ve spent this much time hanging at Crown Center, and that’s probably true for many of you. Unless like the great suburban masses you’ve barely been here ever if at all.

The experience has sparked some observations and even caused me to wonder about the very future of Hallmark Cards, that giant among giants of heritage Kansas City companies. Continue reading →

For the second time in less than five years Entercom has axed veteran radio personality Tanna Guthrie…

The longtime KY102 and 99.7 KY personality has parted company with The Point 99.7 FM – reportedly on “good terms” – after a little over a year on the hot AC station and three on KUDL FM before that.

“They didn’t get rid of her because she did anything wrong,” says Stanford’s Craig Glazer, a frequent flyer at Entercom.  “They just didn’t want to have to pay her.”

If you recall, the former 99.7 KY personality was let go by Entercom in January 2008 when the classic rock station switched music formats. Kicked to the curb at that time were Guthrie and fellow KY stationalities Max Floyd, Traci Wilde and Slacker. Continue reading →

By now, everyone who cares  knows Alamo Drafthouse will suffer no fools at its new Mainstreet movieplex…

Not the sort who talk or text during movies anyway. That said, there’s practically no limit to the foolishness Alamo will eagerly participate in when the spirit moves – from heavy metal singalongs to nudist screenings.

The Alamo’s about to spring one such trap at 5 p.m. today. Continue reading →