T-Bones n’ Roses

5/20 & 5/24
As much as we hate to admit it, the Royals aren’t exactly off to a stellar start. For die-hard fans, there is no alternative to hunkering down at Kauffman Stadium and hoping for the best. But for baseball fans with not-so-intense allegiances to Major League Baseball, who just want a good time in a nice atmosphere at a reasonable price, we recommend the Kansas City T-Bones, our local Northern League team.

The T-Bones stadium, CommunityAmerica Ballpark at State Avenue and 110th Street in Kansas City, Kansas, has free parking (yes, free) and more-than-reasonable ticket prices, which start at $4.50 for outfield picnicking and go up to $13.50 for the prime seats.

Thursday is the T-Bones’ home opener against the Lincoln Saltdogs; to celebrate, the team is giving away 2003 MVP Eddie Pearson bobbleheads. If that doesn’t get the T-Bones some new fans, then maybe Pete Rose’s appearance in a hometown uniform on Monday will do it. That’s right: Pete Rose. Games start at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call 913-328-2255.— Michael Vennard

Smell the smells this weekend.

5/22-5/23
Folks who go to urban farmers’ markets get a pretty sweet deal — they’ve never had to hoe a row, yet they find organic nuggets gleaming beneath the sun in asphalt parking lots. This weekend, they might do well to check out the sources of their favorite seasonal produce. Farmers in the Paola area have organized the Scenic Miami County Farm Tour, allowing passers-by to investigate area agricultural hubs — including a pecan orchard, a dairy, an emu farm and a buffalo ranch. The free tour runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For maps call 913-294-4045 or 913-271-1832. — Sarah Smarsh

Bottoms Up

SAT 5/22
Sure, Parkville is “cute.” This weekend, however, the hilly little Victorian enclave seems to be ditching “quaint” for “debauched.” On Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m., the Best of the Midwest Brewers Festival ferments along the banks of the Missouri River at English Landing Center. Everyone gets a commemorative glass so they can sample all of the beer flowing from the following breweries: Boulevard, 75th Street, Flat Branch, Pony Express, River Market and McCoy’s. Bluegrass bands The Drifters and Green Side Up provide other forms of entertainment. Admission is $10, and you’re encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy a day at the park — just don’t bring any of your own alcohol. You’ll be kicked out in a very public and humiliating scene. Call 816-505-2227 for more information. — Annie Fischer