Tag Archives: Hearne Christopher Jr.
Hearne: Westport Lobbies KC for Festival License to Compete w/ P&L District
It’s time to level the party playing field…
For four long years the Power & Light District downtown has held a huge advantage in festival licensing over other Westport and other Kansas City entertainment districts. All while costing Kansas City taxpayers millions of dollars in subsidies with deficets projected as high as $15 million a year.
Unfamiliar with festival licensing?
It’s the practice of allowing patrons to carry drinks outside of bars and restaurants onto streets and sidewalks. Kinda like Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
It’s a competitive advantage the Power & Light District has had for far too long, says Westporter Bill Nigro.
Star Search: Shock & Awe Hits 18th & Grand, New Publisher Announces Layoffs, Furloughs
I have to admit, this one caught even me by surprise…
New Kansas City Star publisher Mi-Al Parrish stunned the newsroom today when she unleashed her first ever round of layoffs at the newspaper.
"It was a shock, because people weren’t expecting it," says one source.
In addition to eliminating "seven staff positions," Parrish’s memo outlined that a one week unpaid furlough would be implemented for "most employees" to be taken in the first half of the year. That on the heels of a week’s furlough late last year.
"That’s two weeks with no salary," says another surprised Star staffer.
Star Search: Star Readers Rep Derek Donovan the Gatekeeper for Fewer Errors?
Another day, another handful of watered down news items….
Make no mistake, the Star dishes out more than its fair share of quality local news. When it wants to. Too often though it’s easier for all concerned – editors and reporters – to kinda let stuff slide and stay on the sunny-side-up plan.
Too often there’s little incentive to probe deeper – in part because of limited competition – and partly because keeping sources happy means you’ll likely be first in line when the next "scoop" surfaces.
I can think of dozens of examples, but let’s take a look at just one before moving on to today’s.
Hearne: KC Confidential Adds New Restaurant Critic, Column
Fasten your chinstaps, KC Confidential is about to unleash a new Food Dude…
His name is Reid Jolly and for what it’s worth, the 30-something, Shawnee Mission Northwest grad’s high school mascot was a Cougar. Fittingly, Jolly comes equipped with a penchant for both Italian food and adult movie star sex.
"Uh, I’m alright with it," he says. "The more women in it the better."
As a single dude, Jolly’s mostly blogged about the good, bad and ugly of getting restaurant food to go. Something former Star restaurant critic Tim Finn almost got fired for several years back. Unlike Finn however, Jolly was up front about styrofoaming it with his readers.
I digress.
Hearne: Whitney Houston Death Hardly the Surprise Characterized by Most Media
Enough already…
From CNN and MSNBC on down, media pundits have expressed shock and dismay at singer Whitney Houston‘s death at the young age of 48.
As a reluctant follower of Houston’s fall from grace in the pages of the National Enquirer though, my take is just the opposite.
I can’t believe she lasted this long!
Hearne: The News Drip Torture That is Jardine’s Rambles On
When it comes to first class messes, it doesn’t get much better than Jardine’s….
The iconic Plaza area jazz club has been down for the count since late last November when things spiraled out of control after owner Beena Raja busted a handful of staffers for drinking on the company dime after hours Thanksgiving Day morning. She then accused others at the club of unethical practices, resulting in a spate of resignations, firings followed by a state of complete confusion and tabloid style local TV news coverage.
Among the misdeeds that ensued, rogue former staffers changed the password on Jardine’s Facebook page and refused Raja access, rendering her unable to get her side of the story out at a critical time early into the revolt and chaos.
Then on New Year’s Eve eve, the Pitch reported that locals Robert McCain and Joseph Fulgenzi had purchased Jardine’s and Raja was o-u-t. That however proved premature as all parties involved have since stated a deal has yet to be struck and the club remains closed to the public.
Hearne: Finally, KC Lands Madonna Show at Sprint Center October 30th
At long last Kansas City is getting Madonna…
To the best of my recollection, KC has never hosted a Madonna show. Back when she truly mattered – the early to mid 1980s through mid 1990s – the Material Girl’s concert tours hit the East Coast, the West Coast and Florida, but never here.
That’s about to change when the Madonna plays Sprint Center the night before Halloween on October 30.
When Madonna broke out in 1983, her early claim to fame was she was dating popular 70s/80s DJ John Jellybean Benitez who mixed her first album.
John Who, you may ask, assuming like most Kansas Citians you were largely resentful of the disco phenomenon that swept most of the country with the exception of gay bars in Midwestern burgs like KC.
Car: Fiat Abarth Wins Super Bowl Ad Sweepstakes, Edmunds Says
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Long time no Fiat column…
Seems like only yesterday, KC Confidential was all over the triumphant return of Fiat to the United States. You may recall that in addition to covering the return of the Italian carmaker to America – as a result of Fiat’s rescue of the now wildly successful Chrysler – I made an impulse buy and signed on to buy one of the first 500 "Prima Edizione" Fiat 500s, sight unseen, price unknown.
Pretty smart, huh?
As the months dragged on, I reported on the tiny car (seven inches shorter than a Mini Cooper) and defended the little bugger against all comers in KCC‘s caustic, few-holds-barred comments section.
Was I totally gay? Didn’t I know Fiat was short for "Fix it again Tony?" Why not do the right thing and buy a Mini?
Hearne: The Little Known Fall From Grace of MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’
I watch a lot of politics on television…
Including nearly all of the many Republican Presidential Debates. So it’s not like I’m completely clued out (although some might disagree). I can practically recite every one of Michele Bachmann‘s many gaffes. Hey, I even spelled her name correctly – no small feat – without having to look it up. And I spotted her brother, KCTV weather wonk Gary Amble, looking somber and standing next to her on stage as she announced she was dropping out of the race.
I digress.
In recent months I’ve gradually become a fan of MSNBC’s "Morning Joe" show. It’s headed by a cocky, former Florida congressman I previously knew little to nothing about named Joe Scarborough.
Hearne: Frosty Who? KC Faces First Ever Snowman-less Winter, Lezak Says
Fetch the sunglasses and the cocoa butter, it’s Ground Hog Day…
Not just any Ground Hog Day, mind you, this one’s likely to go into the record books in the most benign winter in KC ever.
So says KSHB weather wonk Gary Lezak.
"Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so that means he goes back inside and we have six more weeks of winter," Lezak says. "So what we’ve been doing already for six more weeks."
What "we’ve been doing already" is scampering about in sweaters and light jackets and celebrating astonishingly low heating bills. What we’ve not been doing is buying driveway melt, winter coats, snowblowers and so forth.
And while that could change, don’t hold your breath, Lezak says.
Hearne: What You Don’t See (On Television) is What You Get at Live WWE Matches
Now it can be told…
After years of dodging the pro wrestling bullet, I broke down Monday and bought tickets to the WWE Gangbang at Sprint. And I can now report, plenty has changed even since the not-too-distant days of the WWF, before to the name change from Federation to Entertainment.
Here’s what I saw and learned, starting with my suggestion that if you really like watching over-the-top, wrestling soaps and steroid-buffed out dudes, by all means have at it. However, save your ticket money and stick to the TV action – the live shows are way too long, with way too much between match silliness and way too little wrestling action.
It’s really that simple.
Hearne: Fear & Loathing in Joplin, Missouri with Anderson Cooper / Tornado Map
Whole lotta shaking going on Joplin way as the tornado ravaged town preps for the first anniversary of last May’s disaster…
Recent news has centered on the demolition of the stricken Saint John’s Mercy hospital. And naturally, the Star has milked its fair share of tear jerker survivor tales from the tragedy.
But it’s the news that’s not been covered…
Hearne: The State of WWE Wrestling & Monday’s Matches @ Sprint
Was a time being a seven-time World Heavy Wrestling Champion like Handsome Harley Race was a big deal…
Less so these days since the WWE wiped out the NWA and other regional wrestling circuits around the country. For example, the current WWE world champ is a 210 pound dude named Daniel Bryan who rather unceremoniously won the belt minutes after Wichita refugee Big Show took it from fellow behemoth Mark Henry.
These days, wrestling is about two things; ridiculously improbable storylines and high risk acrobatics.
"Actually the belts aren’t that important today," says retired promoter Jon Lunkwicz. "If you look at one of the most important wrestlers today, it’s John Cena, and he hasn’t been a champion for awhile."
Cena wrestles "The Big Red Monster" Kane in one of two headline matches Monday at the Sprint Center.
Hearne: ‘Big Show’ Big Bro Flashes Back, Looks to Monday’s WWE Match at Sprint
To borrow a vintage local expression, Helloooooooo, wrestling fans!
Longtime wrestling afficionados may recognize announcer Bill Kersten‘s pre match incantation. Which brings us to the state of pro wrestling today and this Monday’s big WWE Raw Supershow at the Sprint Center.
The match features two main events – a first for Sprint – including a battle between John Cena and Kane, along with a host of WWE stars ranging from Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, The Divas and Big Show.
Speaking of Big Show, it was former Beaumont Club main man Jon Lunkwicz who helped him during his formative years in Wichita.
"He lived with me for a couple of years," Lunkwicz says. "And I helped him get through the brief years he was at Wichita State and helped him get into wrestling."
Hearne: Don’t Look Now But Jardine’s Saga May Be Nearing End
That’s right…
Two months into one of the longest – at times silliest – and frankly saddest chapters in modern Kansas City jazz, the dudes who jumped the gun last month by telling the Pitch and Fox 4 they’d bought Jardine’s are poised at to do just that – buy Jardine’s.
Today partners Robert McCain and Joseph Fulgenzi met a drop-dead deadline for a payment owed by Jardine’s owner Beena Raja to the jazz club’s founder Greg Halstead.
"We have, that is correct," Fulgenzi says. "We still have a couple more hoops to jump through, but it’s getting closer."
McCain and Fulgenzi must now finalize a deal on the lease with American Century, settle whatever taxes and outstanding debts may be owed and complete the aquisition of a new liquor license.
ETA on reopening Jardine’s?
Hearne: Jardine’s Sudden Death Sale Coming Down to the Wire Wednesday
There have surely been dicier business propositions than the sale of Jardine’s...
Then again, I’ve yet to be privy to one. Let’s review, shall we?
Following a series of flareups with her manager / chef, Jardine’s owner Beena Raja and a hairstylist pal returned to the club by cab in the wee hours Thanksgiving morning to retrieve the stylist’s car. Only to discover a passel of servers drinking and smoking illegally after hours at the club. On Jardine’s dime, no less, Raja says.
Here’s where it gets a little dicey.
Hearne: Former Club Concert Kingpin Looks at Life From an 8 by 8 Room
Hank Williams III, Jane’s Addiction, Big & Rich, B.B. King…
Former Beaumont Club main man Jon Lunkwicz has partied with the best. For year’s he was the force behind hundreds of Kansas City’s top club level shows in the popular Westport live music emporium.
No mas.
Three short years ago the 60 year-old Lunkwicz awakened to find himself paralyzed. He’s since retired and now lives in a long term care facility just outside Kansas City.
"My world’s very uncomplicated," Lunkwicz muses. "It’s about an eight by eight space and I suspect the food’s about as good as prison food. And I get to shower about twice a week, that’s pretty exciting."
There’s more.
Hearne: Nelson-Atkins Museum to Party Arty Patrons; Lay Down Your Arms!
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It’s not often patrons at an upscale society shindig have to be warned to unarmed…
But that’s exactly what happened in the case of Saturday’s Party Arty at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This year’s theme, "All the World’s a Fair," advised attendees to a) "come dressed" and b) "Steampunk flair preferred."
Here’s where it gets a little odd.
"No prop weapons or real weapons will be allowed in the Museum," the invite cautioned. "Security reserves the right to deny entry to guests whose attire and/or behavior compromises the safety of guests."
A high society event that urges partygoers to engage in themed costumary, and in the next breath warns them not to come packing?
You got it.
Today: Record Breaking Winter Weather Continues, But for How Long?
Will the Winter of 2011 / 2012 be a record breaker?
It’s looking that way so far, says KSHB TV waether wonk Gary Lezak.
"To date, we’ve had .4 of an inch of snow," Lezak says. "And the lowest snowfall ever was 4.5 inches in the winter of 1922-1923. So we’ve got 4.1 inches just to get to the lowest season ever, but there’s no sign of that now."
Hearne: Broadway Stars Pay Tribute to KU, Pull Tiger Tails at Kauffman Center
Who would have thunk it?
That a packed house at the opening night show of Broadway stars Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin would devolve into a KU Schmaltz Fest.
That’s right, schmaltz fest.
"Mandy went to KU," explains promoter Mark Edelman. "So in the middle of the show he started talking about KU and everybody in the audience started yelling that he should do the cheer, so he started doing the KU cheer."
As in the famous Rock Chalk Chant that evolved from a cheer former KU chemistry professor, E.H.S. Bailey created for the KU Science Club in 1886. An incantation that former president Teddy Roosevelt reportedly called the greatest college chant he’d ever heard.
You know the drill; "Rock Chalk…Jay-Hawk…KU"
