All-Star Ballot Unveiled Today - Kansas City News

The 2012 MLB All-Star game has unveiled its ballot today, allowing fans across the nation to cast ballots for their team’s best players. Fans will have until July 5 to cast votes in at their team’s stadium for who they think should be in the game, which takes place on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Online voting will end on June 28. Royals fans who attend today’s game against Toronto will have an opportunity to be the first fans in Kansas City to vote, as in-park balloting begins today.

Despite a terrible start to the season, there are several Royals on the ballot. Despite an All-Star worthy season last year, Alex Gordon was snubbed from the team. This season, the only player in Kansas City who is playing at an All-Star level is Billy Butler, who is on his way towards a career year.

The following is a full list of players on the ballot:

Billy Butler
Jeff Francoeur
Alex Gordon
Lorenzo Cain
Salvador Perez
Chris Getz
Alcides Escobar
Eric Hosmer
Mike Moustakas

Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Royals Swept By Indians, Off To Terrible Start - Kansas City News

After a promising road trip to start the year, the Royals season has completely fallen apart during the team’s recent home stand. The Royals lost their sixth straight game at home last night to Detroit, which lead to two troubling outcomes – the Royals are winless at home for the season, and Kansas City is now alone in last place in the AL Central.

Kansas City’s offense completely disappeared during its series against the league-leading Tigers. The Royals only scored six runs combined for the entire series, wasting three good outings from its starting pitching. The only player who has consistently produced at the plate this season is Billy Butler. Butler is batting .375 so far this season, with 2 home runs, 9 RBI and 6 doubles. The other big bats in the Royals lineup have yet to consistently produce, and hopefully Butler will get some help from his teammates soon.

The main problem for Kansas City has been consistency. The nights the Royals get strong pitching, its offense disappears. The nights Kansas City’s bats come alive, the pitching and defense struggle. The team has shown some flashes here and there, and for the most part, the starting pitching has been solid. The team must find some consistency and soon, or it will suffer yet another lackluster season.

The Royals have a good opportunity to turn things around Friday, when they start a four game home series with the Blue Jays. Luke Hochevar (1-1) will try to atone his dismal start last week in which he allowed seven runs in the first inning of the Royals’ home opener. He will face Kyle Drabek (2-0), who has pitched extremely well this season.

Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Nightlife Events in Kansas City April 20th April 21st April 22nd Friday and Saturday - Kansas City News

There are a lot of things to do this weekend in Kansas City, charity events, sports events, and assorted nightlife, so here at Kansas City News we thought that we would bring you up to speed:

Kansas City Charity Event
The Dream Factory Annual Gala
When:  Friday, April 20th
Where:  Starlight Theatre
What:  The Dream Factory is a Kansas City charity organization that donates "dreams" to children with life threatening illnesses.  The Dream Factory Gala is a formal attire gala that gathers annually to support the charity and to award "dreams" to various recipients.  Highlights for this year's gala include an appearance by our good friend Larry Moore, and a performance by The Dave Stephens Band from Los Angeles, CA.

Kansas City Royals
Royals Home Game - Fireworks Friday!
When:  Friday, April 20th
Where:  Kauffman Stadium
What:  On Fireworks Friday the struggling Kansas City Royals will take on the Toronto Blue Jays.  The starting pitcher for the boys in blue will be Luke Hochevar (1-1, 7.84 ERA).  The Blue Jays starter will be Kyle Drabek, who has been red hot with a 1.03 WHIP and a 2-0 record with 12.2 innings pitched. C'mon Royals!  Let's get some wins here.

Kansas City Charity Event
The Gillis Spirit Awards Annual Gala
When:  Friday, April 20th
Where:  The Sheraton Crown Center (formerly The Hyatt Regency)
What:  The Gillis Spirit Awards is the annual formal gala held by Kansas City's Gillis Center, one of Kansas City's oldest charity organizations.  Highlights for this year's gala will include the presentation of the Sprit Awards for 2011 and a performance by The KC All Stars.

NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series SPF 250
When:  Saturday, April 21st
Where:  The Kansas Speedway
What:  Just when you thought NASCAR couldn't get anymore redneck, The Camping World Truck Series has replaced the Busch auto race on Saturday at NASCAR Kansas Speedway with a pickup truck race.  Yes, we said it, it's a pickup truck race.  On Saturday, you can pay $99 to go watch some tricked out racing trucks zoom around the track in the Camping World Truck Series.  Awesome.

Kansas City Nightlife
Dolewite in Concert
When:  Friday, April 20th
Where:  The Landing in Liberty (recently taken over by the owners of The Brooksider)
What:  Dolewite is one of Kansas City's hottest new bands, performing all of your favorite hits from the 90's.  Their playlist is based in 90's hip hop, not 90's grunge rock, and they will be welcomed warmly in the Northland, where they love their white trash rock!

NASCAR

Sprint Cup Series STP 400 Race

When:  Sunday, April 22nd

Where:  The Kansas Speedway

What:  The grand finale of Kansas City events will come on Sunday afternoon with the Sprint Cup Series.  Greg Biffle is leading the current Sprint Cup Series and will look to keep his lead on Sunday at the Kansas Speedway when rural Coor's light drinkers will gather to watch cars go in a circle for 3 + hours.  Without a doubt, America's most amazing sport, NASCAR races attract only the highest society members and black tie attire is recommended.

Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Alex Gordon Named Official Spokesperson for 2012 MLB All-Star FanFest - Kansas City News

Alex Gordon has been named the official spokesperson for the 2012 MLB All-Star FanFest, which will begin on Friday, July 6^th. Gordon’s spokesperson role includes making personal appearances at many of the events being held from July 6 through July 10.

With the Royals hosting the 2012 MLB All-Star game, it is no surprise that Gordon got the spokesperson nominee. He is coming off the best season of his career in which he not only put up great offensive numbers, but significantly improved his defense in the outfield and earned a gold glove award.

Unfortunately, Gordon couldn’t capitalize on the momentum of being named official spokesperson in tonight’s game against the Tigers. Gordon made a spectacular catch in the outfield, but struck out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. The Royals lost to the Tigers, 3-2, and fell to 3-7 for the season.

 

Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Gillis Spirit Awards Kansas City Charity Event 2012 - Kansas City News

This Friday, April 20th, 2012 will be the 31st Annual Gillis Spirit Awards Charity Gala.  This year's event will be held at The Sheraton Crown Center, formerly known as the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  There are still a few tickets left at Gillis.  Tickets are $125.00 each.  The evening's festivities will include cocktails at 6pm, dinner at 7pm, a guest speaker, the award presentation, and then a performance by The KC All Stars, winners of KMBC-TV's "Best Band in Kansas City" award, sponsored in part by Adam Blue Productions.

As one of Kansas City's oldest charities, Gillis has been in Kansas City since 1870.  Gillis' mission is to help at-risk children and families reach their potential through education, counseling, and social services. The vision of Gillis is that all children and families will live in emotionally stable, safe and nurturing environments. - Kansas City News


The 31st Annual Gillis Spirit Award Winners for 2012 are:

Gillis Spirit Awards Winner - Michael Brooks

Michael Brooks is a Kansas City Councilman in the 5th District and Pastor at Zion Grove Baptist Church. Pastor Brooks is known as a fair, no nonsense community leader and collaborator with the tenacity to get things done. As senior Pastor of the Zion Grove Baptist Church he began a food and clothing pantry ministry, feeds the homeless and founded Hope Ministries that focuses on the development of the community surrounding the church. He is the President of the Concerned Clergy Coalition, a faith based organization with a brand new initiative addressing the community and race. Pastor Brooks is also one of the founders of HOPE Academy, a Charter School that services high school dropouts.

- Kansas City News

Gillis Spirit Awards Winner -  Ann Carter

Ann is a devoted community volunteer. Two of her most significant commitments are to the youth of Wellborn Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas and Hope Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Ann’s emphasis in both educational venues is to help the children aggressively stretch their reading skills.

During the summer months Ann spends her time renovating and refreshing the six partner schools supported by the Church of the Resurrection. Ann has spent the last six years working with over 1,500 community volunteers to revitalize the playgrounds at each school. Ann also spends her time organizing community fundraisers to benefit those in need.

- Kansas City News

Gillis Spirit Awards Winner -  Mary Cohen

Mary Cohen served as chair of the Board of Overseers for the United States Coast Guard Academy receiving the Coast Guard medal for meritorious public series. In addition she served as president of the Overland Park Rotary Club and President of the Overland Park Rotary Club Foundation Board, Commissioner of the Kansas City Area transportation Authority, Overland Park Planning Commission and the Johnson County Community College Foundation Executive. Presently, Mary Cohen hosts a television program, “It’s our community” for the Johnson County Community College television stations and is the Executive Director of the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust. In addition, Dr. Cohen is the Chair of the World War I Museum Board of Trustees and serves on the state of Kansas Judicial Qualifications Committee.

- Kansas City News

Gillis Spirit Awards Winner -  Cliff Illig

Cliff is co-founder of Cerner and co-owner of Livestrong Park and Sporting KC. He is tirelessly committed to leaving a positive, forward-looking handprint on our region, intensely driven to make every idea and every innovation a real and measurable difference-maker in our community. Cliff’s passion for Kansas City spans an extraordinary array of issues, efforts and projects. A few of his many efforts include the breathtaking growth of Cerner, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, for which he serves on the Board of Directors, the evolution of Livestrong Park, which has infused thousands of jobs and economic development dollars, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, to which he has generously given his time and the Boy Scouts of America, for which he has served as a stellar regional leader.

- Kansas City News

Gillis Spirit Awards Winner -  Lon Lane

Lon Lane is President of Inspired Occasions and Chairmen-International Caterers Association Education Foundation. Lon has donated his services to literally hundreds of non-profit organizations in the Greater Kansas City area. This list is long and impressive and includes well-known Kansas City organizations such as City Union Mission, Wayside Waifs and Elmwood Cemetery. One of the less visible ways that Lon volunteers for organizations is by becoming part of their development team in creating an event. Through his guidance and ability to “think outside the box,” many events initially planned to raise much needed dollars turn into glorious affairs that raise more money and awareness for the sponsoring organizations.

- Kansas City News

Gillis and Kansas City News would like to thank all of the recipients of the Gillis Spirit Awards for their dedication to the Kansas City community.

Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.