Tony's Kansas City

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! Gentrification on the Westside of Kansas City is Dangerous!!!

2009-07-03T18:03:00.003-05:00

The corner of 17th and Summit is an intersection dividing different worlds. On one side there is the pricey Blue Bird cafe and a very expensive bakery catering to yuppies throughout downtown, on the other side there is Los Alamos -- One of the many bodegas in the Latino neighborhoods of Kansas City. The Southeast side contains a hip-hop recording studio and across from that is an urban garden and a parking lot.

This last story of the day is just a bit of neighborhood news that has greater implications for all of Kansas City and maybe even the nation. This story is currently spreading all around The Westside like wildfire.

Recently, one of the many urban professionals -- a new arrival to the neighborhood -- along with one of his friends were brutally beaten and robbed in front of Los Alamos market by two men who were most likely illegal immigrants . . . Right or wrong, the term used around this part of town is "mojados" -- At the very least I want TKC readers to know just a little bit about the wonderfully descriptive language of The Westside.

From what I hear the robbery was rather intense. One of the victims is now in the hospital under intensive care.

Now, this story might not shine a flattering light on The Westside, my neighborhood, but it's important to acknowledge reality. The reality of the situation is that rampant real estate speculation in this part of town is creating real tension among everyone in this neighborhood. The Great Recession has killed the hopes of so many interlopers hoping to cash in on a relatively safe neighborhood meanwhile longtime neighbors are feeling infringed upon by obtrusive and towering new structures that scream arrogance and a desire to sculpt, transform and recreate a community that was doing fine long before slimy real estate speculators. In all this, crooks and thugs are always looking for opportunity.

I'm very familiar with this community and recently I've seen things that just don't belong . . . A few white people walking their dogs at night, women joggers in the early evening and drunken hipster party-goers relaxing . . . These are all nice things . . . But Downtown Kansas City, The Westside and so many parts of the urban core aren't exactly ready for the middle-class to create Disney land at the center of this violent city.

It's sad but it's a fact . . . Yuppies and Hipsters walking around with their head in the air in the urban core are putting themselves in danger.

What keeps people safe is situational awareness, an understanding of their surroundings and just a little bit of caution . . . These traits are not prized by the arrogant American middle-class and therein lies the problem.

So . . . Once again TKC is trying to help by bringing a bit of real talk. Illogically priced houses that have stayed for sale for years can't deliver the message loudly enough, some folks aren't taking their cues from the real estate collapse and lingering recession . . . And in the meantime yuppies keep making themselves easy targets in a neighborhood that is sometimes more dangerous than people think.

Change is always difficult, what's even harder is when things stay the same -- which is usually the case in Kansas City.

Raytown judge arrested in pan throwing flap

2009-07-03T17:55:00.001-05:00

A link from NBC Action News: "The Raytown Post reports that Municipal Judge Traci Fann was arrested Wednesday evening at her home. Police officers were responding to a disturbance call. When police got there Fann told them a man was grabbing her and throwing pans. But he said she was intoxicated.

Officers arrested Fann and the next day she was charged with assault."

Slap on the wrist for KC booze joints

2009-07-03T17:51:00.002-05:00

WDAF reports . . . Harry's Country Club and Brooksider Bar & Grill will be closed for two days for violations of multiple city ordinances, including employees selling alcoholic beverages to minors. The most important part of this "discipline" courtesy of KC: The suspensions will begin July 5 at 9 a.m. and end July 7 at 1:30 a.m. So, Friday & Saturday nights on the July 4th weekend will not be impacted.

My favorite part of Kansas City . . . When people stop pretending to care.

Friday Freedom Links

2009-07-03T17:34:00.003-05:00

Some Friday Afternoon Links for the Cloudy and slightly rainy 4th:

KCPD takes Drunk Patrol to the next level: Crime Scene KC reports DUI crackdown.

JoCo Car peeping

Kansas City continues to clash: Late Night Violence Sends Two Men to Hospitals

A bit of 4th of July nostalgia from Bookpusher

Mail from a murderer: Abortion Doc Murder Suspect Advocates Via Mail

Palin resigning as Alaska governor . . . No word if Tina Fey will be sought as a replacement.

Afraid of the weekend blowup: The police bomb squad unit was called to a home Friday afternoon near 44th and Eaton streets after a man was found dead inside. NBC Action News: "Man Found Dead with Military Ordnance Nearby"

"Russian Dolls"

2009-07-03T17:31:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it's nice to find common ground with another blogger . . . Especially with KC With a Russian Accent.

Background on Woodyard Barbecue

2009-07-03T17:28:00.000-05:00

KC Wired comes up with an interesting profile of Merriam KS that supplies wood to all of the other BBQ joints in town . . . And serves up some good stuff of their own.

Midtown Miscreant Celebrates Independence!!!

2009-07-03T17:27:00.002-05:00

Another great blight Tour from one of my favorite bloggers.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! NICE TURNAROUND FOR THE FRIENDS OF TERRY RILEY!!!

2009-07-03T07:05:00.002-05:00

Councilman Terry Riley is a gentleman and a scholar and he could be the next Mayor of Kansas City . . . And I'm only halfway kidding.

C'mon . . . You guys know the Eastside vote as well as I do and there's no way the 3rd or 5th District stands behind Sly James without some serious reservations - Especially when Sly rarely makes his presence known on the wrong side of Waldo.

ANYHOO . . . Politics is all about helping friends and hurting enemies . . . And in at least one instance KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS recognize that the Councilman has a lot of pull.

Remember that TKC is the only local news(ish) source to report on the alleged hiring of Kimiko Gilmore by City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

TKC Tipsters are saying this stinks to high heaven for a number of reasons but here are the most important:

Gilmore is a great gal but she just got her MPA. She's fresh out of grad school working an important position that is usually occupied by seasoned professionals with FAR MORE EXPERIENCE. The influence of Riley is seen as part of her meteoric rise despite the concerns of a great many.

Why would Councilman Riley care? Maybe because . . . GILMORE USED TO WORK FOR THE FORMER COUNCIL DUDE!!!

This Assistant to the City Manager gig is choice and the salary could come in at more than 100k. This could be a HUGE favor to hand out to somebody who doesn't have the usual qualifications for the gig.

So . . . While this bit of power brokering by Riley seems unsavory and highly inappropriate to a great many City Hall watchers . . . It is also seen as a testament to Riley's influence inside The Hall. Make no mistake . . . Riley is a force to contend with and the people of Kansas City would do well to realize the power that he wields.

Pitch Punk Peter Rugg Fights Like A Bitch

2009-07-03T05:53:00.003-05:00

Ah . . . Kansas City Newsies never cease to amaze me . . . They talk all day and night about their "credibility" but when it comes down to it . . . The vast majority of them are timid, would rather type tough than debate face to face and when it comes down to it they act like petty old ladies.

To wit . . . KC Confidential details a fantastic run in with a Pitch writer that turned nasty. Check it:

Around midnight Thursday when Pitch staff writer Peter Rugg exited Lew’s Grill & Bar in Waldo, executed a finger point shout out to me, then hurled his drink striking me, a waitress and Lew’s co-owner Andy Lewellen.

Seriously dude? What kind of grown man throws a drink?

I don't know how things work in Waldo . . . But on the Westside I'm absolutely sure that kind of sissy move would get a grown man killed. Then again . . . This is a "Journalism" debate we're talking about . . . Wordsmiths like Nadia "For the Love of God stop calling me a chickenhead" Pflaum and even the Lesbionic overlord C.J. Janovy are great at stirring up discontent but duck their heads and start running when things get "real" up close and personal . . . It's one thing to tweet something nasty . . . It's quite another to stand behind it or participate in a discussion. Poor Peter Rugg . . . It looks like he was caught up in the web of bravado spun by beeatches typing on a keyboard. Sexist or no . . .

A real man knows when to ignore the feigned outrage of silly women.

And about this time I'm glad that bloggers are not part of the effete world of newsies fighting over so-called "credibility" . . . Because it all seems rather lame and while the blogosphere is place for debate, disagreement and discontent . . . I've yet to see or hear of something so stupid as a grown man acting like Audrey Hepburn and spilling a drink on a dude and then running away.

Real talk: Pitch Staffers seem more and more frustrated as Likeme.net and the devious plans of Village Voice Media seemingly move toward replacing so many of them.

If Hearne is spilling the facts (likely) this is a pussy move for Peter Rugg.

More Real Talk . . . Nadia and C.J. what you're doing is dangerous and you're dealing with forces that you don't truly understand. People around you humor you and listen to your B.S. but the angst, hate and frustration that both of you emanate from unsatisfied fajitas (or whatever) shouldn't lead to real world physical altercations . . . Fighting among writers is silly and unsavory and the level of angst spewed for by you two is getting out of control . . . I know this because cooler heads talk behind your back and are amazed at your lack of humor, wit and style . . . Also because middle-class white women make everyone suffer if they haven't found a worthwhile cause. Natch. If you two can't play nice without provoking hate . . . A spanking might be in order . . . Or maybe it's just time for Village Voice to clean house a little bit more thoroughly at a paper that prints a surprisingly meager amount of copies and is in worse shape than most realize.

Something like a wave of Ad Interest

2009-07-03T05:50:00.002-05:00

Met with a few potential advertisers this week . . . And since this isn't a HUGE news day I'm soliciting input from anybody who cares . . .

First of all . . . TKC has discovered that sidebar ads don't work and I really just like the sidebar to show stuff that I'm interested in which is always more important to me than the sordid topic of coin.

On the other hand, inline ads look kind of promising.

What his means is there could be a few posts every day containing ad copy designed by TKC . . . Just a jpeg really at about 400 x 400px with a descriptive link . . . Following Google NoFollow Guidelines of course. TKC will not attempt to trade page rank.

Now . . . I haven't done this yet . . . But I'm thinking of pursing it.

Ads will be labeled Ads . . . If I do this, they will roll in content just like a magazine with no commentary from me. . . And they might be closed to comment. Most likely, they'll probably feature original work from the mind of TKC. This is an ad solution I can live with . . . And while I don't really care what most of you bags think . . . If anyone has any strong objections . . . Now is the time to speak up.

Sadly . . . None of this is as sessy or exciting as recent photos of Denise Richards in a bikini.

MO Money for Mike Talboy!!!

2009-07-03T05:49:00.002-05:00

Just a quick bit of follow-up . . . TKC EXCLUSIVELY covered one of the biggest Kansas City Democrat gatherings of the Summer so far.

Here's the aftermath . . .

On a Monday . . .

In the Summer . . .

Kansas City Democrat State Rep Mike Talboy raised about 8k among a crowd of more than 100!!!

That's big money for somebody that Republicans aren't even going to run against as KC is FINALLY starting to make inroads at The State Level with more influence (and cash) hopefully on the way.

Kansas City Ballet's Todd Bolender Center For Dance & Creativity Walkthrough

2009-07-03T05:48:00.002-05:00

A rare high art preview of the upcoming ballet building courtesy of one of Kansas City's classy institutions, an architectural firm . . . And Youtube.

The JO Bucks Bus

2009-07-03T05:45:00.002-05:00

Randy Miller hosts a few slightly funny promotional videos for The Jo.

Best part of the JoCo Bus trivia contest . . . Episode 1 . . . Miller mistakes The Jo for Light Rail.

Gov. Jay puts Truman on blast

2009-07-03T05:36:00.002-05:00

The Star: Nixon requests statue of Truman in U.S. Capitol . . . Honoring a hometown hero who spent most of his life in mediocrity only to later unleash the power of the Sun on the Japanese . . . Believe in your dreams!!!

30 KC Red Light Cameras by End of July!!!

2009-07-03T05:32:00.001-05:00

Keeping watch and collecting fines in Kansas City reaches the tipping point.

Independence and Freedom

2009-07-03T05:31:00.000-05:00

Fireworks Legal In Indy After 20 Years . . . Some things just go better with Meth.

Next Kansas City Mayor: Mike Burke

2009-07-03T05:26:00.002-05:00

Not so long ago . . . TKC put a former City Councilman in play in the next Mayoral Race that's already going down.

Now, KC Tribune brings even more details . . . As the current Mayor is all but irrelevant.

Pros: Northland Credentials.

Democrat affiliation.

City Hall Experience.

Cons: Lawyer.

Not as tall as current Mayor.

All things considered: Stalin would make a better Mayor than Gloria Squitiro . . . Who is currently running Funkhouser and his staff (ew).

KC Immigrant Song

2009-07-03T05:25:00.001-05:00

WDAF: "Independence Day has Special Meaning for Metro Iraqi Immigrants"

A Kansas City Conversation

2009-07-03T05:24:00.001-05:00

Crime Scene KC: "A 42-year-old man said he was having a “normal conversation” with another man early today when the man pulled a gun and shot him in the chest."

All Nite KC Movie Making!!!

2009-07-03T05:22:00.000-05:00

The 2nd Annual Kansas City 48 Hour Film Project Returns

The Kansas City 48 Hour Film Project

Knowledge, Power and Friday Links!!!

2009-07-03T05:12:00.002-05:00

Here are some of the most important stories I'm thinking about at the end of the week:

The Urban Death Toll that NOBODY like to mention: KCK vigil held for two brothers, victims of violence one month apart

Northland Attraction: Entertainment district to open at Zona Rosa

The Ritzy KC Sale to Remember: Historic Bloch Mansion Auctioned Off

More Tragic Metro Stories: Witness Talks About Human Trafficking Case

Long time Coming: Man Shot by Police Was Fugitive for 25 Years

Show Me the Great Recession: Missouri revenue drop is ‘worst in over a generation’

TKC linked it first and now it gets mainstream attention: Gaza Refugee Fundraiser Draws Criticism

Old school drinking place celebrates political connections: Westport Business Owners Applaud New Outside Drinking Law

All that Jazz, Comedy and high art: KCUR Debuts "12 O'Clock Jump" This Saturday Night

Rosario is really one of the most beautiful women on the planet.

KC Blogger Citadel Plaza Suggestion!!!

2009-07-03T04:56:00.002-05:00

Toellner Tells it offers great photos and insight: "Maybe the answer should be, that instead of building another shopping center, maybe we should provide an incentive for people to fix up and fill the empty building space that blights the area."

Could Darla beat Dennis Moore?!?

2009-07-03T04:55:00.003-05:00

Stay Red Kansas reports that the Queen of Talk radio in Kansas City earned a great deal of support against entrenched Congressman Dennis Moore in a recent Olathe Straw Poll. Now I know she's doing quite well with her show and coming off a Kickass Week during drive time with Scott Parks . . . But Darla as a politico would be nice . . . Simply given the fact that she's one of the few Conservatives I know who actually means what she says.

Give and Take From Gone Mild

2009-07-03T04:47:00.003-05:00

Praise and Serious Questions about TKC tactics from Gone Mild . . . Both deserve linking. There are two sides to EVERY story:

"Has Journalism Reached a Tipping Point?" - I think this is a bit of TKC Praise.

"How to Know You Have Lost Your Soul" - A bit of TKC scorn . . . Factoid: The photos were sent to me from a TKC TIPSTER who has my highest esteem and is devoted to capturing a nice slice of life from this cowtown.

Both are well deserved . . . TKC is not running for office . . . So I don't need fake flattery . . . Rather, Gone Mild has consistently shown a bit of insight into this thing we call blog and how it works in this contentious, little cowtown.

The Jessica Simpson cleavage shot is just for good measure.

Mo Rage Independence Day

2009-07-03T04:43:00.001-05:00

Top Ten Rants from a GREAT blogger with a lot of hardcore questions.