Archives: March 2009

Breakfast Buffet: Friday, 3/20

%{}% KC Meesha has the lead on some good goulash at Grinders this coming Monday. Might want to think twice about those hens before eating an Egg McMuffin. McDonald’s is in direct violation of California’s Prop 2 with its hen cages. Tobacco plants can help fight diabetes but don’t rush out and get cigarettes. It takes modified tobacco plants and…

Mob scene at Screenland: Black Hand Strawman opens today

Terence O’Malley’s long-awaited new documentary about the Mafia opens today at Screenland (1656 Washington, 816-421-9700). The director’s 2006 movie, Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time (now on DVD) — which also had crime on its mind — played there for about 14 years. Of course, mugs like “Moonface” here lack fundamental sex appeal, but a movie about organized crime —…

Sketchbook: Your Band Needs a Tall Guy

Editor’s Note: This comic’s artist and bi-weekly Sketchbook contributor Grant Snider has been named the Charles M. Schulz 2008 College Cartoonist of the Year in the Scripps-Howard Foundation National Journalism Awards for his cartoons in UMKC’s University News. Yaaaay! The award comes with a $10,000 prize. Congratulations, Grant! The first round is on you. And the second … and third….

Litterbugs have more fun

Walking to Cellar Rat in the Crossroads yesterday afternoon, I came across evidence of a good old Kansas City date. It starts with this … and leads to this … and then ends like this … Basketball fans, it’s only Thursday. Pace yourselves! Categories: News Tags: Crossroads, Good Old Kansas City date, NCAA basketall, Sprint Center

None So Vile: Marasmus

After guitarist Ryan Caddell left Marasmus a few months ago, the group scrapped most of its existing recordings. Only “Casket Made of Ivory” remains on its MySpace page. Fortunately for fans, that lone remaining track is pretty fucking great, balancing technicality, groove and vocal malevolence. Singer Devon Ferrara vows anything that bears the squiggly-sharp Marasmus logo must meet or exceed…

Missouri Republicans to poor children: We don’t care about you

Here’s a story that didn’t get enough coverage: Late last month, Republicans in the Missouri House of Representatives refused to extend health-care coverage to 20,000 poor kids. Today, Rep. Jonas Hughes held a press conference at Operation Breakthrough, an organization that helps children living in poverty, to protest the fact that the Missouri Legislature is once again considering cruel budget…

New bar and aspiring music venue Coda finds footing in former Jilly’s

As a Westside dweller and Crossroads worker, I’ve been curious as to the progress of Coda, which announced itself with a “coming soon” sign in the window of the vacated Jilly’s sometime last year. Yesterday while driving by, I noticed the “coming soon” had been updated to “now open,” so I gathered up the Buckle Bunny for a drop-by. Here’s…

Incoming Concert Updates: Bone Thugs canceled, Crue on the way

All-singin’, all-rappin’ Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are all-not-comin’ after all to the Granada on April 24, apparently. We have as yet received no explanation for the cancellation. Refunds at point of purchase. But as if to make up for this tragic turn of events, the umlaut-sporting, scandal-rich, withered and wiry and still totally rockin’ kings of glam metal Mötley Crüe are coming…

MoDOT + stimulus funds = FAIL

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (otherwise known as “the bailout,” “the stimulus plan” or “Porkulus,” depending on whom you ask) is very clear in its requirements regarding the funding of road and bridge projects. The Missouri Department of Transportation will receive $577 million of this stimulus cashola to distribute to projects, if: (1) the projects can get under way…

Roquefort fans can breathe easy for another month

There used to be a television show called Kids Say the Darnedest Things. Without getting political, there should be a show called Bush Signed the Darnedest Laws (the show could work for any president). The first episode could focus on the Roquefort cheese tariff. In his final two days in office, Bush signed new tariffs on several European items. Most…

In the Pines International

This week, the Star talks with In the Pines about their European tour last year and about new material the band will showcase this Saturday when it plays the Record Bar with Oriole Post and the Blessed Broke. Read our preview of the show here. Welcome back, ITP! (OK, honestly, this blog entry was mainly an excuse to run the…

Where to go to watch some Hawk and Tiger basketball

Downtown is overrun with visitors watching the basketball games and enjoying the area and Power & Light District. I won’t try to give an overview of places for basketball tourists to hang out today — KC Beer Blog beat me to it with a comprehensive list including everything from the very close places like Willie’s, Czar Bar and the Bulldog…

Mayor Funkhouser doesn’t Tweet much

It’s been 10 days since Mayor Mark Funkhouser last used Twitter. What is the mayor doing? I have no idea. Funk, please Tweet! I just started following the Gandalf doppelgänger — Funk only has 36 followers. I count at least six people from KCTV Channel 5. C’mon, Kris Ketz. I know you wanna follow the Funk. Categories: News, Politics Tags:…

Attorney on Shon Pernice: ‘Consider the source’

Earlier this week, KCTV Channel 5 aired an interview between activist Alonzo Washington and Shon Pernice, whose wife disappeared three months ago. During the interview, Washington and Pernice talked about Kelli A. Sharp, a Kansas City, Kansas, schoolteacher whose photo was released by Kansas City Police. Here’s what the KCTV story says: Pernice said he met Sharp while corresponding with…

Greasy burgers create greasy art

When the link to this video arrived in my in-box, I knew within, oh, six seconds that it was a commercial for somebody. Someone. Something. Like most viral videos is doesn’t say directly what it’s promoting, but through little hints it’s pretty easy to guess the restaurant chain. Commercial or not, it’s worth the 90 seconds to watch the maestro…

Greasy burgers create greasy art

Now follow the clues. The only words are at the beginning, when Hansen quotes a statistic saying, “55 percent of burger lovers say fast food burgers are just too greasy.” Since Jansen is slamming burgers, it’s a good bet the chain doesn’t sell them. And since he mentioned fast food, that’s probably the category the restaurant is competing in.The main…

Concert Review: Black Lips at the Bottleneck

The Black Lips took the stage Wednesday night obscured by a thick cloud of vapor that poured out of a nearby fog machine and tasted vaguely of waffles. The haze cleared quickly, revealing the four Lips in all their weirdness. Singer Cole donned a poncho and pilgrim hat, apparently ready for that traditional Mexican holiday called Thanksgiving. Guitarist Ian sported…

Kansas snubs out another smoking bill

I don’t mean for this to be “let’s harp on Kansas” day but sometimes it’s too easy. Yesterday, a committee in the Kansas House killed a statewide smoking ban. The Associated Press is reporting that the “House Health and Human Services Committee took less than five minutes Wednesday to vote to table the issue until it receives more information.” There’s…