Sunday, September 25, 2011

Chiefs Chargers 2011 Kansas City News

The Chiefs Chargers rivalry continues today at 3:05pm when the banged up and limping Chiefs take on the San Diego Chargers in their home town. The Chiefs are playing with a skeleton crew after losing star running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and starting strong safety Eric Barry. With those players missing from the Kansas City Chiefs lineup, it doesn't leave much left on the field. Matt Cassel is an average quarterback at best, and although Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston and Jonathan Baldwin might be talented receivers, it doesn't matter if the quarterback can't get them the ball. Cassel made a few feeble attempts to throw the ball down the field last week vs the Lions, but Cassel's long pass attempts looked wobbly and weak and the receivers had to halt their route and turn around and come back to the floppy passes to try to make a catch. This is not the type of quarterback that you need to win games. Your team's quarterback should be able to throw the ball far down the field with zip and confidence or the opposing defenses will never respect the quarterback's arm and will be able to stack up against the run. It's that simple. As poorly as Cassel throws the ball, Jamaal Charles wouldn't have stood much of a chance anyway as defenses would have been keying on him heavily.

The Chargers are also a little banged up, with Antonio Gates injured and on the sideline for this match. Look for Vincent Jackson to make some big plays behind the arm of Philip Rivers, and possibly some rushing yards from 2nd year running back Ryan Matthews.

As always with Kansas City Chiefs football games, if the Chiefs can somehow get into the end zone first, they stand a better chance to stay in this game. But with the incredible passing skills of Philip Rivers, the Chiefs really don't stand a chance. The Chiefs continue to build towards the "Suck for Luck" losing campaign. If the Chiefs can manage to lose all of their games this year, they will get the first pick of the 2012 draft and have a shot at getting a real quarterback in Andrew Luck. Let's hope that happens as we need to get rid of Matt Cassel immediately.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Kansas City Plaza Art Fair in it's 80th Year

Now in it's 80th year, The Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City 2011 kicked off Friday night and will run through 6pm on Sunday. Although cumbersome to those who live on the plaza and have to try to find a place to park to get to their home, the Plaza Art Fair attracts over 300,000 visitors each year to take a gander at over 240 artists, 26 local Kansas City restaurants, and three live music stages with Kansas City bands that will line up throughout each day as follows:


MAIN STAGE - Plaza Art Fair 2011

Friday, Sept. 23
5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.| Low Standards
6:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m.| LipRiddle
8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.| The Zeros

Saturday, Sept. 24
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.| LauraChalk
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.| Az One
1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.| Lester Estelle & Friends
3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m.| Kim Osborne Band
5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.| Red Guitar
6:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m.| Jeff Jenkins
8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.| Perpetual Change

Sunday, Sept. 25
11 a.m.-12 p.m.| Sara McMullen
12:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m.| Menage of Twang
2 p.m.-3:15 p.m.| The Shanks
3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.| Jayson Kayne



Techno / Emo Stage
Friday, Sept. 2
5 p.m.-6 p.m.| Dollar Fox6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m.| DJ Sheppa of Nomathmatics & Brandon Draper of Quixotic7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.| Atlantic Fadeout8:45 p.m.-10:00 p.m.| Making MoviesSaturday, Sept. 2410 a.m.-11:00 a.m.| Blackbird Revue11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.| Everyday/Everynight12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.| Quiet Corral1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m.| Vi Tran Band3 p.m.-4 p.m.| Antennas Up4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.| Spirit is the Spirit5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.| Hermon Mehari & Diverse6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.| David George Band8 p.m.- 8:45 p.m.| White Girl9 p.m.-10 p.m.| The Latenight Callers

Sunday, Sept. 25
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.| Margo May
12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m.| She’s a Keeper
2 p.m.-3:15 p.m.| Sara Swenson & The Pearl Snaps
3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.| Grisly Hand

Acoustic Stage - Plaza Art Fair 2011

Friday, Sept. 23
5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.| Heather Thorton
6:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m.| A La Mode
8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.| Lyal Strickland

Saturday, Sept. 24
10 a.m - 11:30 a.m.| Brandon Miller
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.| Brian Ruskin
1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.| Casey Todd
3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m.| Brendan McNaughton
5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.| Sara B & Michael B
6:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m.| Silver Soul Delight
8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.| Terry Wright

Sunday, Sept. 25
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.| KC Raindogs
12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.| Troy Ganson
2 p.m.-3:15 p.m.| Kathleen with Quattro
3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.| Sean McNown

Broadway Restaurants - Plaza Art Fair 2011

810 Zone
Royal bleu balls, Philly buster sandwich, smoked salmon salad, corn dog on a stick

California Pizza Kitchen
BBQ pizza, cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, tacos, margaritas, Long Island ice tea, cherry sparkler, Bud Light, Oktoberfest, Boulevard Wheat, Corona, white wine, red wine

The Capital Grille
burgers, chicken sandwiches, steak sandwiches, Christopher Elbow ice cream, draft beer, bottled water, soda, wine, Stoli Doli

Coal Vines
Coal Vines award winning meatballs, pizza by the slice, wine by the glass, frozen drinks, beer

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
Southern Jack pulled pork sandwich, brisket sandwich, turkey sandwich, beef burnt ends, hickory pit beans, cheesy corn bake, beer, wine, soda, bottled water

Ingredient
Ingredient chopped salad, chicken fajitas, beer, and wine

Kona Grill
Chicken satay, shrimp skewers, Las Vegas roll, tuna roll, California roll, mojito, Boulevard Wheat, Bud Light, Free State Ad Astra

M&S Grill
grilled steak sandwich, smoked pulled chicken slider, potato bacon chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, red velvet cupcake

Central Restaurants - Plaza Art Fair 2011

Bo Ling’s
egg rolls, crab rangoon, sichuan chicken dumplings, sesame chicken, vegetable fried rice, homemade almond cookies, NEW! Bo Ling’s custom cake, Bo Ling’s combo plate: Egg roll/ crab rangoon/ sesame chicken/ vegetable fried rice, soft drinks, iced tea, bottled water

Classic Cup Café
thai pizza, hummus, artichoke dip, black bean chili, chicken corn chowder, nachos, quesadillas, crab dip, curry dip, lamb gyro, cookies, brownies, wine, beer, soft drinks, liquor, coffee, bottled water

Figlio Italian Restaurant
sausage and pepper sandwiches, breadsticks & marinara, Sonoma cheese tortes, chicken spedini, Boulevard Wheat, Boulevard Pale Ale, Bud Light, Miller Light, sangria, chardonnay, cabernet, white wine

Fogo de Chao
Grilled rib eye, grilled chicken breast wrapped with bacon, grilled sausage, Brazilian potato salad, peper dews, lime and strawberry caipirihnas, Xingo beer, gurana soda

Fred P. Ott’s
hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, full bar, Boulevard Wheat, Boulevard Pale Ale, Boulevard Stout, Stella Artois, Boulevard Pilsner, Bud Light, Miller Light, Newcastle

Houston’s
grilled chicken salad, chili, hot dogs, artichokes, spinach dip, dip trio: guacamole, salsa & cheese dip, steak sandwich, tortilla soup, chips, baby back ribs

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
chicken lettuce wraps, chicken fried rice, pork tacos

Starker’s Restaurant
fried green tomatoes with creole remoulade, Mexican grilled corn, creole rice fritters, bookbinder soup, chicken and andouille gumbo, gumbo z’herbs (Vegetarian), Carolina braised pork sandwich, shrimp remoulade sandwich, campo lindo chicken salad with local tomatoes, cucumbers and balsamic vinaigrette, steak sandwich with garlic bordelaise and aged provolone, Starker’s fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, creole beignets, Boulevard Pale Ale, Wheat, Pilsner, and Bob’s 47, Miller Lite, white wine, red wine, rose wine, watermelon coolers, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, water

Topsy’s Popcorn
popcorn, limeades, ice cream, hot dogs, Italian sausage, flavored popcorn, soda, bottled water


Ward Parkway Restaurants - Plaza Art Fair 2011

Blanc Burgers + Bottles
grilled burger, jalapeño cheddar brat burger, hand cut fries, sweet potato fries, lentil burger, gouda fries

Brio Tuscan Grille
lasagna, meatball sub, Italian sausage, margarita panini, hot dogs, anti pasto, carpaccio, Tuscan tasters, salads, funnel cakes, cannollis, peach bellinis, beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks

The Granfalloon Restaurant and Bar
cheeseburgers, brats, chili, Caribbean chicken salad, margaritas, liquor drinks, Red Bull, beer

McCormick & Schmicks
chocolate cones, calamari, baja tacos, chowder bowls, blackened tilapia, red and white sangria, Sauza Gold margaritas, Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka, Bud Light, Boulevard, Stella, Smirnoff Vodka and Red Bull, red and white wine, soft drinks, bottled water

The Melting Pot
chocolate fondue with pound cake, strawberries and brownies, shrimp with teriyaki dipping sauce, beef and chicken kabobs, chocolate martinis, margaritas, beer, wine, Coke products, bottled water

O’Dowd’s Little Dublin
chicken salad pita, turkey and avocado wrap, smoked salmon salad

Plaza III Steakhouse
steak sandwich, burger sliders, shrimp cocktail, steak soup, soft drinks, beer, wine, martini’s

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
prime sliders, crab cake sliders, tenderloin steak sandwiches with horseradish cream, mash potatoes, mixed drinks, beer, frozen margaritas and daiquiris

Zocalo
grilled chicken and pork carnitas tacos, braised beef sandwich, roasted garlic mushroom hongos, churros with dipping sauce, margaritas, sangria, Corona, Dos Equis, bottled water, soft drinks


The Plaza Art Fair in it's 80th year in 2011 has been blessed with near perfect weather, ranging from the mid 60's to the mid 70's throughout the day. If you're heading down to the Plaza Art Fair be ready to be dazzled by some great art, some delicious food and some of Kansas City's best live bands.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Sunset Safari Kansas City Zoo Friday Night

Tonight will be a fun night at The Kansas City Zoo when they open the zoo up for Sunset Safari. The zoo will be open special hours tonight from 4pm to 8pm and it will feature dueling pianos from 5pm - 7pm as well as the following exhibits:

4:00 -7:30 p.m. Visit the Lorikeets 4:30 p.m. Tiger chat 5:00 p.m. Sea Lion Show 5:30 p.m. Tropics Chat 6:00 p.m. Elephant Demo 6:30 p.m. Discovery Barn Chat – upstairs 7:00 p.m. Polar Bear Chat 7:30 p.m. River Otter Chat

Sunset Safari is a great way to support The Kansas City Zoo and the animals. Sunset Safari is free for Friends of the Zoo Members and only $6 for non-members. Becoming a Friends of the Zoo Member has several benefits, sign up for membership here and support The Kansas City Zoo!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Antenna TV Kansas City by Fox 4 TV

Great news for those of you who have told Time Warner Cable to stick it, basic television now has a great new station: Antenna TV! A product of Fox 4 TV in Kansas City, Antenna TV has a great line up of classic television shows and classic movies. Antenna TV runs 24 hours per day and offers some of television's greatest shows that ever aired. Obviously modeled after Nick at Night, channel 4.2 is quickly becoming a household favorite in Kansas City.

Time Warner Cable is a complete rip off. If you currently have Time Warner Cable it may interest you to know that you should not be paying any more than $34.99 per month for digital standard cable (70+ channels). That's right, and if you're in your first year of service with Time Warner Cable, then you should only be paying $29.99 for digital standard cable (after 12 months the price goes up $5 to $34.99). If you are paying any more than this, you are getting ripped off and you need to call Time Warner Cable and complain. You may have to be tricky and tell them that you want to cancel all service at first so that they will transfer you to the "retention department" where those operators have the authority to offer good deals. If you are speaking to a regular customer service agent, they will not have the authority to offer any deals, you have to say that you want to cancel service and then they will transfer you to the retention department where they should make you an offer. If this doesn't work, try cancelling service completely, then wait a couple days and sign up for service using someone else's name (your spouse, other adult in the house, etc.) - they will offer you the new customer deal of $29.99, then, every 12 months, just cancel again and then reapply with the name you used 12 months ago.

In our case, we just cancelled Time Warner Completely, signed up with AT&T internet service ($29.99 per month and is TWICE as fast as Time Warner) and went to Best Buy, bought a high powered TV antenna for $39.99 and bingo, our TV and internet bills total $29.99 per month - and that's it. The HD that you can pick up now with just an antenna is much better quality than the HD that you get with a cable package. Not to mention that if you have internet service ($29.99 per month with AT&T) then you can get access to NetFlix which allows you to watch almost any movie and/or TV show you want.

Now back to the great new TV station, Antenna TV, which in Kansas City is located on channel 4.2. The Antenna TV programs include such great classics as Three's Company, Married with Children, Sanford and Son, Good Times, All in the Family, Soap, and even the classic lost TV series featuring Ted Knight, Too Close for Comfort. The only drawback so far is that they show the lamest show ever "Mad About You" - sheesh, how did that stupid show stay on the air so long? But either way, here at Kansas City News we would like to welcome Antenna TV to Kansas City!

The Automatics Band Kansas City Celebrate 10 Years

Several local Kansas City bands have amazing history and credits to their name. Today, 10 years after they broke up, we celebrate some of the accomplishments of one of the most powerful funk bands that has ever performed in Kansas City, The Automatics. Here are a few things that this amazing horn powered band accomplished in just a few short years:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - The Automatics (then called the BWB band) performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The White House - The Automatics have performed at The White House
Jerry Seinfeld - They opened for Jerry Seinfeld when he performed at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada
ESPN - The Automatics were featured on ESPN as the headline act for the NCAA Championship game.
Kansas Speedway - The Automatics performed with Brooks and Dunn at the Kansas Speedway on stage together.
Dick Clark's American Bandstand - The Automatics performed for the walk of fame Dick Clark's American Bandstand
The Automatics were made up of the perfect combination of Kansas City musicians including Johnny C (guitar / vox), Randy Malone (saxophone / vox), Shawn Cassity (trumpet / vox), Brian Reynolds (drums / vox), Adam Blue (keys / vox), and last but certainly not least, Greg "Coko" Henderson (bass / vox). They played relentlessly and they played whatever the hell they wanted.
They played as loud as any touring band, and they partied their asses off in the process. If a venue owner tried to tell them to turn down, drummer Brian Reynolds would happily point to the large sticker on his bass drum which read "If It's Too Loud, You're Too OLD". But if it was a concert-like environment you wanted, The Automatics delivered; a horn section that would peel your face off, a bass player in Coko Henderson that would make any white person who played bass just want to quit playing the bass on the spot, and a combined attitude of "fuck off, we're going to play, and we're going to play really loud". They don't make bands like that any more, ever since the acoustic strumming hippie acts have hit Kansas City, but we can always hope that the style of the Automatics is replicated sometime in the near future, or then again, maybe a reunion concert? Ay boys? Here's a slideshow video of one of the Automatics unforgettable performances:

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