Traffic Deaths Reach a 60 Year Low

Traffic Deaths Reach a 60 Year Low

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released data regarding Traffic Fatalities for 2009. Their findings showed the lowest number of fatalities ever recorded. The telling statistic is 1.13 traffic deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The drop has been attributed to several factors. Most notably, new, safer vehicles. Every year vehicles are equipped with better technology to increase survivability of automobile accidents. Rollover technology and improved braking systems lead the way. Seat belt use is also up, and drunk driving down, though drinking still plays a role in over 30% of fatal accidents. One "expert" also cited less distracted driving as a potential factor, although it seems to me about half the people on the road are on the phone at any given time.

Locally, Missouri and Kansas generally followed the same trend. 2008 was the lowest year on record for traffic deaths in Kansas and they only had 2 more (386) in 2009. Missouri's fatal crashes were the lowest in 60 years. Missouri can probably thank a huge improvement in their road quality. A perennial laughing stock - in the last several years, quality roads has been a priority in the Show Me State. The economy can also not be ruled out as a factor. People are taking less vacations - shorter distances from home than in the past. Less nights out for the family (more folks staying at home and not driving) also would play a role.

Lets hope this trend continues. Vehicles on the road will get even safer as older models are traded in for newer ones. Awareness of distracted driving is increasing, and seat belt use is becoming commonplace. Stiffer penalties for drinking and driving could help reduce the number of drinking related crashes.

Royals Swept by Twins, Guaranteed Losing Season

You've got to hand it to the Royals, at least they are consistent. Kansas City fell to the Minnesota Twins last night, 4-3, at Target Field which has been a house of horrors for the Royals this season. The Royals latest dismal showing in Minneapolis (the team finished 2-7 there this season) guarantees the Royals will finish with a losing record for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons. And you thought this guy was the benchmark for consistency.

With the Royals' season now painfully behind us, Kansas City fans can reflect on another "promising" year that ultimately went down in flames. Many sports pundits and fans predicted the team to improve, however inconsistency from the entire club lead to long losing streaks and forced the team to ultimately trade all of its veterans and groom younger players. Zach Grienke was wildly unpredictable compared to his previous Cy Young winning form, as well as the entire bullpen ranging from average to downright scary.

So yet another rebuilding effort starts in Kansas City, yet the Royals seem to finally be learning their lesson from past failures. The Royals already boast a very loaded farm system and have young players already producing for the team like Grienke, Joakim Soria and more. Hopefully instead of foolishly spending on veterans like Jose Guillen and Gil Meche, the Royals will learn from the Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins, two teams that groomed young players and became successful without spending big money. If not, the Royals organization will be in danger of continuing its streak of mediocrity, despite how impressive it is.

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Prairie Village Jazz Festival This Saturday

Prairie Village Jazz Festival This Saturday

This Saturday, September 11, Prairie Village will celebrate it's first ever Jazz Festival. The fun kicks off at 3PM at Harmon Park, 77th and Mission, Prairie Village. It's the park with the water tower, you can't miss it. Parking is available at the Prairie Village Pool Complex, or Shawnee Mission East High School. The event in FREE.

The schedule is as follows:

Killer Strayhorn - 3:00-3:50

A local five piece mainstream jazz ensemble.

Sons of Brasil - 4:10-5:00

Kansas City Jazz with a Brazilian Flavor - be prepared to dance.

David Basse and Orchestra 2010 - 5:20-6:10

Basse is a local musician that has appeared on A&E's City Confidential, CBS Sunday Morning, and All Things Considered.

Eldar Djangirov Trio - 6:30-7:20

Born in the Soviet Union, Eldar moved to the US at a young age and was a true child prodigy on the piano. He spent his formative years in Kansas City, soaking up the extensive jazz history of this town. Now, at age 23, he is a veteran of the music business having worked with the likes of Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis , and Herbie Hancock.

The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra w/Miguel "Mambo" DeLeon - 7:50-9:00

The Jazz orchestra is a Kansas City tradition - "Mambo" DeLeon is a vocalist and percussionist with a salsa flavor.

Vendors will be on hand to serve food and drinks including wine and beer. No coolers or outside alcohol is allowed, but pets are as long as they are leashed and under control.

Naked Man Dragged by Beard Out of Home

Men have tried a lot of different strategies over the years to try and get women, ranging from buying flowers, serenading them outside of of their window or just blindly throwing money at them. Unfortunately, Laurence Saunders of Kansas City didn't think those would be enough to impress his neighbor, so he tried a new method: breaking into her bedroom naked.

According to the woman's report, she woke up to find a naked Saunders standing in her room. After grabbing his beard (this thing rivals the fuzz on ZZ Top) the man got violent, so the woman beat him in the head a few times before he finally left. He could be found later on the woman's desk, sitting alone and crying (aww).

Remember when stuff like this was used to impress a woman? I've tried some embarrassing manuevers to impress a girl but this crosses the border of persistant to criminal. The police said that Saunders had been drinking, which may explain a few things (hopefully), but don't people think before they act? Next time you give your girlfriend or wife one of these for valentines day and she seems unappreciative, just mention this story. Hopefully she will then start to warmup to her new gift you grabbed at Walgreens on your lunch break.

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KU Football Program Dead at 120

KU Football Program Dead at 120

The University of Kansas Football Program was found dead Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence. The KU faithful in the stands that night could only gasp in horror as North Dakota State bludgeoned a barely breathing program to death. Turner Gill turned himself in Tuesday morning to authorities who were seeking him on charges of accessory to murder. Also sought is Athletic Director, (Sweet) Lew Perkins, those familiar with the case claim Sweet Lew has fled the state. If convicted, Gill could be sentanced to up to 10 years as Mark Mangino's food tester.

Born in 1890, Kansas Football hasn't always been the laughing stock of the Big 12. Three NFL Hall of Famers have played at Kansas (John Riggins, Gale Sayers, and Mike McCormack). They even won an Orange Bowl. They amassed a 6-6 record in 12 Bowl Games alltime. Not too shabby for a basketball school. The Program will be missed by other Big 12 schools who would count on an easy victory every year, as well as by the few thousand who regularly attended KU Football games. When does Basketball Season start?

When reached by Kansas City News, Mark Mangino had no comment, but a huge smile on his face!