%{}% Not only is pot becoming more legalish, it’s becoming more potent too. On Thursday, scientists will gather in a circle to report that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels in thousands of confiscated marijuana samples have exceeded 10 percent for the first time. THC is an indicator of the potency of the pot. Back in the ’60s and through most of…
Einstein is rumored to have said that if honey bees disappeared from Earth, humans wouldn’t last another four years. For the last couple of years, we’ve been precariously close to testing his hypothesis. Starting in 2006, honey bees would leave to gather pollen and then … poof! they’d never come back to the hive. Keepers and scientists quickly gave the…
A month ago I was at a wine trade show at 801 Chop House and talked to a number of people in the industry. At first I thought they were all crazy: Everyone mentioned that they were selling more bottles than they ever had. Then they’d mention how sales were off this year. It took a distributor from New Zealand…
Who says there are no ‘zines in KC? Former Pitch contributor turned broadsheet entrepreneur Chris Milbourn is celebrating the latest issue of his hip-hop and DJ-oriented rag Demencha with two “unofficial” release parties tonight and tomorrow. Both nights feature sets from this season’s Demencha cover models: DJ Sku and Reggie B. Tuesday, May 19: Sku and Brent Tactic spin at…
In the government’s byzantine kajillion-dollar stimulus package, around $150 million is set aside for food banks and soup kitchens. Politicians agree we can’t have people starving in America. Nobody’s really arguing against helping to feed people, but some are worried that it’s become too much of a good thing — that our nation’s homeless are becoming pampered by high-falutin’ soup…
Kansas City’s latest newsie alleged to be driving drunk is of the live, late breaking, investigative variety. KCTV Channel 5 reporter Betsy Webster allegedly crashed her car into the back of a Lincoln Town Car on West 39th Street around 2:40 a.m. Friday, The Kansas City Star reported today. The driver of the Town Car suffered minor injuries and so…
%{}% Working out is tough but it means no-guilt eating. That is, until you eat too much and the workout cycle starts again. A tale of karma and headache-healing powders and how throwing something randomly in your bag can pay big dividends at a hotel in the middle of the night. This celebrity chef is only 13 with his own…
Dennis Skillicorn is scheduled to be executed at 12:01 tomorrow morning. Tonight, there are vigils being held around the state. Here’s a list of locations: Kansas City: 5 to 6 p.m. at J.C. Nichols Fountain on the Plaza. St. Louis: 7:30 p.m. prayer service at St. Francis Xavier Church, sponsored by the Intercommunity Justice Coordinators; 8:15 to 9 p.m. vigil…
%{}% The Kansas City Star has this timely business article on the slow death of the independent bookstore. Timely, because I finally got all my various payday loans and car title loans paid off, thanks to God and the Amazon Kindle. With my new clean slate and slightly better credit rating, I’m planning to take out a loan for a…
You never know what’s going to come out of notorious oversharer George Brett’s mouth. NBC Action News got an earful when the Royals legend got that crazy look in his eye at a charity golf tournament. This wasn’t the fun-loving, pants-crapping Brett. This was a pine-tar-angry Brett, and he will not stand for your criticism of Royals manager Trey Hillman…
A 31-year-old man was fatally stabbed in the 400 block of West 87th Place Monday around 11 p.m. View Larger Map Witnesses told police that the stabbing victim was arguing with his ex-girlfriend and another man over the custody of a child when he was stabbed. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he died. The man’s ex-girlfriend…
Here’s a whole mess of clichés coming together, which is appropriate since we’re talking country radio, where the clichés are revered and preserved like Jurassic Park brontosaurs. First, take the old line about how country stardom is for folks who couldn’t make it in rock and roll. Then, try on the myth that few people bought Velvet Underground records but…
About a month ago, I signed up to take surveys for The Kansas City Star. I’d forgotten about it until yesterday, when I was sent the first survey from Research & Analysis of Media. Guess they really wanted to know what I thought about the ad on the front page of Sunday’s paper ($.99 coleslaw! $2.99 watermelon!), the first but…
Your Crap Archivist brings you the finest in forgotten and bewildering crap culled from area basements, thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets. I do this for one reason: Knowledge is power. Picture Stories of the Sex Life of Man and Woman Author: Dr. David H. Keller, “America’s most consulted sexologist” Publisher: Cadillac Publishing Company, New York Date: 1941 Discovered…
It’s been well over a year since Chrissy Murderbot moved from KC to Chicago, but his two new records look and sound so good, how can we not claim him? The DJ and producer behind the Ssion’s Sleazetone label is preparing to drop a 12-inch and an EP. The single is out now on emusic and features the M-bot cut…
Want the new Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse album? Well, you’re gonna have to break the law to get it. And the artists are all for it. Dark Night of the Soul is a collaboration that features some very significant guest work. The album includes contributions from Suzanne Vega, members of the Pixies, Iggy Pop, the Shins and the Strokes. But…
Like we really needed someone to chronicle the stupid text messages people send. But Texts From Last Night is an archive of idiocy that’s kinda funny. And the 816 and 913 are represented in all of their shameless, scandalous glory. There’s the mean: (816): He’s been sleeping iwht *** (816): Nooo (816): Yeah I don’t even know how, she looks…
%{}% %{}%Kansas City may have a major league city reputation, but we’re big time losers on the field. The jerks at Toronto Star ranked 37 North American cities by the winning percentages of their pro sports franchises (each city had to have at least two teams) since 2000. Kansas City placed a pathetic No. 36, way behind tenth-ranked St. Louis….
One of the biggest barbecuing and grilling holidays is only a week away! The more adventurous people have no doubt started to clean their grills, buy charcoal and plan a menu. I say, why bother? With the Blue Ember iQue you can (to borrow Ron Popeil’s phrase) fix it and forget it. The Blue Ember iQue comes equipped with a…
