Archives: September 2023

Creature Feature: Azriel is as real as it gets

Azriel needs a home. // Courtesy photo Azriel Azriel is a beautiful 5-year-old American Bulldog and weighs about 60 pounds. He is a friendly and sweet-natured guy who absolutely loves to play fetch. He enjoys exploring the yard and being silly with his human friends. He loves treats and sits pretty.  Azriel was a very sad and skinny guy when…

Photos: KC Current vs. North Carolina Courage

  KC Current vs. NC Courage. // Photo by Tarik Sykes On Wednesday night, the Kansas City Current took a loss against the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL Challenge Cup Semi-Final at Children’s Mercy Park. Our photographer, Tarik Sykes, was there to capture the match in all of its excitement and disappointment. All photos by Tarik Sykes Categories: Culture,…

Service-Oriented: Red Hare Leather offers inclusive leather goods that go beyond just kink

Red Hare Leather. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op Artisan leatherworker Faye Woods is the owner, designer, and manufacturer of all things Red Hare Leather. The queer-owned, local hand-stitched and hand-cut leather goods boutique is known largely for its unique and striking harnesses, as showcased at various events around Kansas City. What started as a hobby has turned into a…

Sax Appeal: Tash Sultana blew out Voodoo Lounge on their North American tour

With support from Chiiild.

Tash Sultana serenades the audience // Photo by Hayden Kalp Tuesday night in the Voodoo Lounge of Harrah’s Casino saw Australian performer, Tash Sultana take on KC for only the second time ever. Sultana’s music can only be described as the kind of thing you hear while flying in your dreams. The same can easily be said for their supporting…

World Literacy Foundation asking for help from Missourians in donation drive

Taking place on Sept. 8, the organization calls upon Missourians to help donate in support of girls without access to books in Afghanistan.

(Photo courtesy of Rosario Aran, World Literacy Foundation) World Literacy Day, taking place on Sept. 8, calls upon Missourians to help donate in support of girls without access to books in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is currently an oppressed country under control by the Taliban, making women’s rights few and far between. One of the basic human rights that have been stripped…

Shuttered private jail in Leavenworth could become ICE detention center

Facility struggled with violence, suicides, drug use and understaffing when it held pre-trial detainees facing charges in federal courts.

CoreCivic’s Leavenworth Detention Center, which previously held pre-trial detainees charged with federal crimes could become a detention facility for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. // Photo by Allison Kite/Missouri Independent A private pre-trial detention center in Leavenworth beset with violence when it closed in 2021 could house individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. For years,…

The “most punitive and restrictive book policy in the country” begins in Missouri Sept. 25. Who is fighting back?

On Aug. 25, MODOC announced that friends and family are no longer permitted to send approved books or publications to incarcerated people due to recent policy change.

Members of Liberation Lit packaging books for incarcerated individuals in Missouri prisons. (Photo courtesy of Dylan Pyles) Beginning on Sept. 25, family and friends will be unable to purchase books or publications to be sent to incarcerated people in Missouri’s prison system. Beforehand, books were not authorized to be personally sent to incarcerated people, causing friends and family to purchase…

Eat This Now: Schnitzel Sandwich at Werner’s Fine Sausages

Werner’s Fine Sausages’ schnitzel sandwich. // Photo by Joe Ellett Walking into Werner’s Fine Sausages, you will notice a couple of things. First is the distinct smell of freshly smoked meat from behind the counter. Second is the insanely low-priced sandwiches in a society where inflation reigns supreme. Just a little hole in the wall off Johnson Drive, Werner’s is…

Photos: Shinedown closes out Labor Day weekend at T-Mobile

Shinedown. // photo by Anna Perry Shinedown with Papa Roach T-Mobile Center Monday, September 4 Touring in support of their 2022 album, Planet Zero, rockers Shinedown took the stage at the T-Mobile Center to close out the Labor Day weekend with tourmates Papa Roach. A slew of covers ensued from both bands, from Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” to “Firestarter”…

Kansas awards $2 million unplanned-pregnancy contract to group moored in anti-abortion politics

State treasurer says contract went to lone qualified Kansas-based applicant.

Former U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp, a Republican, signed a $2 million state contract on behalf of the newly formed Kansas Pregnancy Care Network to create an anti-abortion public awareness campaign and deliver resources statewide to encourage women with unplanned pregnancies to give birth. Gov. Laura Kelly had vetoed the appropriation, but was overridden by the 2023 Legislature. (Photo by Sherman…

Grass Ceiling: The Funky Skunk caters to the canna-curious

Photo by Brooke Tramel Tucked in an unassuming strip mall off Blue Ridge Cutoff in Raytown is a sign featuring a grinning cartoon skunk with a suggestive droop to its eyelids. The Funky Skunk has been operating there for years as a CBD and smoke shop, only recently moving a few spaces down from their original location to realize one…

Dish & Drink KC: Seafood Ravioli at Cupini’s and Shrimp Diablo Pasta at Stone Canyon Pizza

Shrimp Diablo Pasta at Stone Canyon Pizza. // Photo by Lauren Textor Stone Canyon Pizza has been for families since 1995 My parents have been known to visit Stone Canyon Pizza twice a week. If they’re going out for dinner for their birthdays, their anniversary, or any other special occasion, they’re probably going to Stone Canyon. When deciding where to…

Jason Klamm’s We’re Not Worthy charts an oral history of ’90s TV sketch comedy from the biggest names in the biz

The ’90s were the most fertile time for sketch comedy on North American TV. Shows like In Living Color changed the way TV looked forever, and Mr. Show with Bob and David took the sketch form and nearly perfected it. Every other sketch show of the era created some of the world’s biggest stars; the decade’s impact on comedy is undeniable. While plenty of…

Field of Play: Mark Dent and Rustin Dodd’s new book Kingdom Quarterback uses football to tell a story far more important to KC’s future

Illustration by Jacqulyn Seyferth Had he played for the Chiefs in an earlier era, Patrick Mahomes II most likely wouldn’t have been allowed to buy or even rent a house in the Country Club Plaza. In 2023, however, he is the face of Kansas City—and the entire National Football League.  How did we get here? Kingdom Quarterback, a new book…

Kansas embarking on five-year, $451 million project to spread high-speed internet statewide

Federal funding fits with view of broadband access as basic necessity, not luxury.

Jade Piros de Carvalho, director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development, hopes to secure internet services for rural areas within a few years. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Jade Piros de Carvalho sits in the control center of an ambitious $451 million, five-year initiative to deliver high-speed connectivity to tens of thousands of Kansans left behind by an internet…

Photos: Cannons bring dreamy indie electropop to a sold-out Truman

Cannons. // photo by Isabella Galvan Cannons with Jane Leo and New Constellations The Truman Thursday, August 30 Kicking off the Labor Day weekend party a night early, Los Angeles indie/dream/electro-pop band Cannons played a sold-out show at the Truman, pulling from their 2017 debut, Night Drive, all the way through last year’s Fever Dream, alongside cuts from their forthcoming…

Toggle Switch: How the Penechar brothers became the wizards behind Fountain City Guitarworks and Seüf Guitars

The finished product. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-Op When I get to Fountain City Guitarworks’ location in the Squier Park neighborhood of Kansas City, I am not quite sure I’m where I’m supposed to be. Located on a quiet residential street between Troost and 71 Highway, the business looks just like another house. I spend a solid minute double-checking…

Crochet Couture: Rachel Hughes threads the needle on runway-ready garments

Rachel Hughes’ crochet fashion. // Photo by Brooke Tramel As a little girl, Rachel Hughes carried a plastic binder with fashion sketches around her elementary school. Classmates stopped to view her work, asking if she would pretty please share what she designed. Sometimes, the teacher requested a chat with Hughes about the commotion, but the students still needed to catch…

Photos: Royals obliterate Red Sox in 13-2 victory on Friday night

Photo by Tarik Sykes On Friday night, the Kansas City Royals absolutely pummeled the Boston Red Sox at The K. Jordan Lyles had one of his best outings of the season for the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven in eight innings. Salvador Perez hit his 20th homer of the season, making this his seventh…

Eat This Now: Chilaquiles at AR’s Breakfast and Brunch

Chilaquiles at AR’s Breakfast and Brunch // Photo by Brenda Cortes Many people have a go-to spot for traditional Mexican dinner, but what about Mexican-style breakfast? While the Kansas City metro offers numerous options for delicious Mexican cuisine, there are limited places that serve traditional Mexican-style breakfast. AR’s Breakfast and Brunch is changing this with its new location in the…

Oklahoma synth-pop duo The Ivy talks “Good Faith” and next album ahead of recordBar show Sept. 7

The Hippocampus-adjacent act on their 80s influence, singing gibberish, and running a live concert light show via Instagram.

The Ivy. // Photo by Laura Webster Oklahoma-based indie synth-pop duo The Ivy, comprised of bassist/songwriter/synth player Shawn Abhari and singer/songwriter/guitarist Wyatt Clem, is coming to Kansas City next week. They’re playing recordBar Sept. 7, the final show in the first leg of their first headlining tour. The Ivy has released three critically acclaimed EPs and several singles. They’re currently…