KC Confidential http://www.kcconfidential.com/rss/ 2012-05-17T01:01:19+01:00 text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23787&full=yes&pbr=1 From the ever short annals of Groupon - the email discount biz I've long defended - comes an unusual proposition... Look, in spite of what some readers have groused and grumbled about, there are sound reasons for businesses such as restaurants and oil change artists to go the way of the Groupon. It's a great way to advertise and reach a ton of potential new customers. The discounts - when well thought out and properly structured - make total sense. As often as not, it's win-win deal for both the issuer and the customer buying it. And now that everyone under the sun is in the game, the question becomes, what won't they Groupon? text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23834&full=yes&pbr=1 For those that don't know, this week is American Craft Beer Week... Yeah, I know it sounds like it was made up by American craft brewers.  But it does have a few benefits, particularly if you're in the Larry neck of the woods this Thursday evening.  Free State is teaming up with local milk gurus Iwig's Dairy at the Farmer's Market near 19th and Mass.  Word on the street is that these two local favs will be combining their wares to make the famous Oatmeal Stout Ice Cream Floats. And that's just ONE of the benefits of American Craft Beer Week!  Trust me, there's lots more.  By the way, next week is KC Entertainment Blog Week, so you know what that means. Some good music this week, check it out... text/html Hearne Christopher jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23835&full=yes&pbr=1 What goes around comes around... Last year Jack Poessiger and I were talking to the head of one of Kansas City's biggest commercial real estate firms about a fancy-schmancy new retail development he was working on. One for which he'd procured Best Buy as an anchor tenant. Isn't that a little risky, I asked. Nah, he assured me, Best Buy was blue chip. A few days later I sent him a couple links to business stories suggesting otherwise. Now check out this graph from an Associated Press story earlier this week about an unrelated sex scandal that has cost Best Buy both its CEO and founder. "The latest revelations are part of a scandal that couldn't have come at a worse time for the 46-year-old retailer. The company, which has more than 1,400 U.S. locations, is struggling to regain its footing as it faces increased competition from online retailers and discounters. Customers have all but abandoned buying at so-called 'big box' stores like Best Buy." "All but abandoned" Sound familiar? It should. text/html Hearne Christopher jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23836&full=yes&pbr=1 About last weekend's RockFest at Liberty Memorial... The one where an estimated 55,000 head-bangers bellied up to 15 bands for nearly a dozen hours of drunken and disorderly debauchery. A politcally correct, freelance concert review in the Star glossed over the depravity by referring to "the antics of uninhibited women" and musicians who "actively encouraged...lewd behavior." Leaving to reader's imaginations the question, how lewd was it? "It was a great people watching crowd," says Westporter Bill Nigro, who worked the event. "Because you saw everybody from the beautiful people to the not-so-beautiful people. There were some stunning women there and there were some other ones that weren't." Diplomatically said - but let's take it a step farther - how stunning? "There was quite a bit of flashing," Nigro says. "I've never seen so many flashes. Ever."   text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23830&full=yes&pbr=1 So how bad is this Royals season thus far? We have an All Star game here in about a month and we don't even have a single All Star on the Royals!!! At least not now. Maybe one will pop up in time for the mid season classic, but I wouldn't bet on it. Before the season we thought we had about three or four. Eric Hosmer, for sure, maybe Mike Moustakas, Alex Gordon and possibly even Danny Duffy. It looks like this today: Hosmer is batting under .200 and has all year - there's even talk of sending him back to the minors. WOW! Mike, I mean Moose, is decent with an average just over .300 and a weak four homers. He's our best bet as of today. Moose is also an outstanding 3rd baseman. Alex Gordon has been average, batting in the mid .200's (.258 now) with just 4 home runs and 16 RBI's - very average. Now we get to the best - or is it worst - news. text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23831&full=yes&pbr=1 As we reach middle age we often find that we have or take very little time for ourselves... We're always saving for our futures - but guess what - if you're over 45, it's already here! It's time to enjoy life and your friends. Most of you have all worked hard and maybe raised a couple kids, now it's your turn. However, too many of us bought into the big lie. One of many, actually.  That when you grow up everything will be swell. You'll be able to drive and own a car and won't need your mom or the neighbor to give you a ride. You'll get married, have a great job and kids and everything will be aces. Oh yeah, and you'll have great and loyal friends - tons of 'em! What we eventually learn is that life is not too fair. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23791&full=yes&pbr=1 They've got a new mayor and a new lease on life... As Joplin preps for the onslaught of its one-year tornado anniversary, the untold tale is that the disaster has transformed the battered midwestern burg into something of a boom town. If you weren't hit or killed by the tornado (or left town), there's a good chance you're better off now than you would have been had the tornado not struck. The reason for the financial uptick? "We've had over 125,000 registered volunteers and that's not even counting the unregistered ones," says new mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean. "And it's helping out everybody. Our sales tax for the city is up. The stores are doing good. The hotels are doing good. The restaurants are doing good." In other words, a disaster boomlet? text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23792&full=yes&pbr=1 Younger people are fed up with Baby Boomers... Can you blame them? Boomers are spoiled, always want their way and think the world owes them. Doubters need look no further than the mirror. Take it from one of Baby Boomdom's most celebrated, underground pop culture icons, Bob Lefsetz... Two years ago the Huffington Post described the 58 year-old Lefsetz as "the most influential man you've never heard of," further describing him as "a reclusive, sardonic writer who has the ear of every exec in the (music) industry." One national blogger went as far as to suggest` Lefsetz was so cranky he might be auditioning for deceased 60 Minutes crankpot Andy Rooney's job. I offer up Lefsetz as proof that Boomers are a pain in the butt, as anyone under the age of 40 (47 technically) generally knows. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23788&full=yes&pbr=1 Dateline: Joplin... I come to you now from the land down under, Joplin, Missouri. Where in less than one month, this humble burg will commemorate a one-year anniversary of the brutal devastation visited upon it by an EF-5 tornado that took "at least" 161 lives and left key portions of the town in ruins. But first let me say this. To drive into Joplin today from Kansas City you would scarcely notice a thing out of order. While the well-documented damage was significant, you'd almost need a Tornado Damage Map to find the areas that were wiped out. Which if you recall, is exactly what the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau put out resulting in a wave of anti "tornado tourism" among locals. KCC covered that story in January. Make no mistake, the evidence is there, you just have to come upon it. Now let's take a look at a town probably most of you know little about, then I'll bring things up to date over the next day or two while I'm here looking over a little town that says it's proud of its past and is shaping its future. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23785&full=yes&pbr=1 The anonymous comments crowd can be harsh... And not just here, pretty much everywhere. Because for some reason or other, people feel compelled to weigh in, have their voices heard. Their uncaring voices too. Take the young man who was beaten outside of the Granada theater in downtown Lawrence early Thursday morning. Police were called just before 2 a.m. and found a man who'd been knocked to the ground then kicked by two "suspects." No one was arrested and the man was taken to the hospital with injuries to his face and head. Enter Lawrence Journal World comments section stalwarts bearing their feeble two-cents worths... "Was there a hip-hop performance there Wednesday night?" asked the first. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23781&full=yes&pbr=1 Let's talk about what's left of the once great, Kansas City institution known as the American Royal... When I was a kid I didn't have a clue about the American Royal outside of getting to hang out downtown and catch a really cool parade once a year. Needless to say, that didn't last long. As I grew older my awareness of the local annual Cow & Pony show grew and I was inculcated into the school of thinking that the American Royal was a very important component of the business and social fabric in Kansas City. After all, local giant-among-men, banker R. Crosby Kemper Jr. was its most ardent supporter. Plus people of my father's age with ties to what is sometimes referred to as KC's "agribusiness industry" gave it more than just lip service - they bought into it big time and backed it with bucks. Even high society types worshipped at the Royal's altar, offering their daughters as debutantes in the annual BOTAR Ball. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23778&full=yes&pbr=1 Think of it as a black eye for KC and another nail in former mayor Kay Barnes PR coffin... Yesterday's Wall Street Journal drilled Kansas City's Power & Light District and Cordish for the bad bet Barnes made that the taxes generated by the $850 million entertainment district would pay for itself or the city would pick up the tab. We all know what happened next. "Today, the project, which sits near the onetime headquarters of Kansas City Power & Light Co., generates less than one-third of what is needed to cover the debt service on the bonds," the Journal reports. "The city is setting aside $12.8 million in its budget for the fiscal year that starts next month to cover the gap, a notable hole in a $1.3 billion budget that calls for $7.6 million in cuts to the fire department." Worse yet, "Given the sluggish real-estate recovery, the city expects similar gaps to persist for years." the Journal adds. text/html Tony Botello http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22755&full=yes&pbr=1 I'm often comforted and frightened by the thought that so many of the words I've blogged on the Internets will remain archived until the end of recorded human history and for a short time thereafter. Either by way of The Wayback Machine or the secret dossier that Google and Facebook are keeping on all of us. The Web really is a lot more permanent than people realize. Despite the fact that local online publishing operations tend to have the lifespan of a June-bug. So, because I'm a generous and kind soul with a penchant for busty lingerie models, I'd like to share the keys to bloggy immortality. And while I can't promise any of my advice will earn gentle readers even pocket change to help with their electricity bill, it'll certainly delight potential employees who need an excuse to pass on your application. Now, on to the advice . . . text/html Tony Botello http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22708&full=yes&pbr=1 Not every day affords the opportunity to listen to a living legend. I was waiting to put a call into Marilyn Maye after making contact with Helen, her assistant, and browsing through a bunch of complimentary clippings about her recent stint of shows for Feinstein's at the Loews Regency Hotel in New York City. In the Big Apple Ms. Maye is undergoing a bit of a career renaissance and drawing some of the most influential and prized crowds in all of the world. But career success is nothing new for Marilyn Maye. By now we all know her resume: A record 72 appearances on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, collaborations with some of the greatest names in American Music and a catalog of hits and performances that span the modern era. But in this town, the name Marilyn Maye is about more than just music. text/html Tony Botello http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22336&full=yes&pbr=1 A recent shutdown of more than two dozen Kansas City, Missouri Public schools was called "right-sizing." Which is kind of ironic given that everything associated with the plan has gone wrong. It's really just the latest foible in the history of a School District that has become the biggest embarrassment and determent to KCMO growth. Recent headlines regarding The Southwest High School Campus have continued to scare white people from the suburbs and made it seem like the KCMSD is some kind of urban war zone. That's not too far from reality but doesn't take into account that this downward spiral has taken place over the course of a generation. Student arson, violence and administrative turmoil are the current buzzwords regarding the so many headlines this week. But I've found yet another piece of local school District fail that's worth identifying. text/html Tony Botello http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22325&full=yes&pbr=1 Mark Lowrey is one of the most talented musicians in Kansas City. It's no surprise that a Mayoral hopeful would want to be associated with his level of skill, versatility and -- as Charlie Sheen has been saying lately -- winning.  The musician/politician relationship is tenuous at best. They're two different fields but at the end of the day it's all about getting the public to dig what you're doing. So there's probably a bit of a natural kinship. Additionally, we should probably talk branding. It's a struggle for politicos to find the right fit given that their enemies will look to nitpick at every opportunity and entertainers can't risk alienating their audience. Luckily, this Kansas City Mayoral race is exceptionally polite, respectful, and non-partisan. Therefore, this is probably the perfect time for musician like Lowrey to get involved. text/html Tony Botello http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22318&full=yes&pbr=1 It's a fact of life that everyone wants something from City Hall. It's the place where people feel entitled to bring their pipe dreams and ask the taxpayers to foot the bill. In this setting, essential City Services like trash pickup and infrastructure must share time with even the most frivolous local demands. Now that we're heading into a new epoch of local government it's important to re-evaluate all of the people standing in line for City money and hope for a changing political climate that will make silly demands hard to meet. While we can all agree that cops need to be paid and streets must be maintained, over the past four years some of the demands on this town have just been stupid but embattled politicos felt obligated to meet them because of so much antipathy regarding all of their other work. So today, let's take a look at a few "feel-good" local constituencies and how they draw money from broke-ass KC only because some people perceive that their cause is just and not just another special interest. text/html Tony Botello http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22310&full=yes&pbr=1 I don't know if I'm up late or early but right now I'm listening to an online play list featuring the soulful sounds of Bill Withers and remembering that I owe Hearne another post this week. So since I'm in a retro kind of mood, I think it's appropriate to round up this week in Kansas City news. Mayor Mark Funkhouser is now a lame duck and is now a footnote in Kansas City history. I'm finished trying to come up with clever analogies to mark this not-so-noteworthy occasion.Instead, I'm surprised how much this DIDN'T change. The earth didn't split open, there weren's't mass celebration in the streets and no one even took a moment to halt from their respective campaigns to lament the one-time political giant's implosion.  There's talk that because The Star called the finalists in the General Election, that they now have more power and influence in Kansas City. This myth is easily busted by the fact that NOBODY voted and their coverage wasn't influential enough to draw anybody to the polls. For the record, my 87 year-old grandma also predicted the EXACT outcome of the race. She's also really good when it comes to bingo. But I digress. This week also offers some more recycled trends. Let's see: text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23789&full=yes&pbr=1 Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli has it all figured out... Make the play-offs here and there - even if you lose in Game One or game Two - and you'll have a job in Kansas City forever. Our top pro teams, the Chiefs and Royals, can't even spell the word "championship," so just makin the post season is totally swell. In fact, with the Royals, winning half their games is something worth considering having a parade over. Yes sir, we're Number Two!!! Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel see it this way: They've got nice jobs, why not keep 'em a few years? text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23784&full=yes&pbr=1 He was named after Hall of Famer Willie Mays… The man would become the hitting star of the 1980 World Series for the Kansas City Royals. He would also spend nearly a lifetime in prison for selling a small amount of cocaine. Willie Mays Aikens - mostly because he was not too bright - ended up getting run over by a truck. The truck's name: Federal Law Enforcement, in this case the D.E.A. Aikens just had a book written about his life titled, SAFE AT HOME. Reviews have been good. Willie was a solid hitter with the Kansas City Royals from 1980-83. He's best known for the four home runs hit in a losing cause against the Philly’s in the 1980 World Series. Yes sir, it was quite a year, maybe the best ever in Royals' history. text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23779&full=yes&pbr=1 In just two days it's here... The NFL Draft starts Thursday at 7 p.m. and it's something the Chiefs have generally not fared well at over the years. Case in point, we've never drafted a franchise or an elite quarterback. Not since the Chiefs forebears, the Dallas Texans stole Len Dawson from the old NFL have the Chiefs had a great quarterback. And even Dawson wasn't drafted by the Chiefs. So we're 0-fer for more than half a century. Not bad, huh? This year we can draft a quarterback if GM Scott Pioli wants to roll the dice. Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M is available, but maybe not at the 11th pick. So if we want him, we might have to trade up and that's unlikely. If he's still there at 11 maybe, but even that's not likely. Scott still loves Matt Cassel, thick or thin. So what to do? Here are my thoughts. text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23772&full=yes&pbr=1 Future baseball superstar Eric Hosmer better start staying home nights a little more... That is if he wants to sign a $25-30 million dollar contract from New York, Los Angeles or Texas somewhere down the road. Hey babe, they ain't paying that kinda dough for a .180 hitter with 10 hits in 60 at bats. Wake up Eric! Even though you're the new Tony Gonzalez of the night scene in this town, you still have to play like a star, ok? And you might want to avoid hitting into TRIPLE PLAYS. Jeez. Let's see, where do I begin in critiquing the Royals? text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23764&full=yes&pbr=1 The Royals Alex Gordon just signed his name to a contract that almost guarantees his post season failure... For more than a decade the team's only real star was Mike Sweeney. Yeah, we had Johnny Damon and Carlos Beltran, but they didn't stick around long. Sweeney was an excellent hitter - in fact he has the second best season batting average at .340 since Brett's .390. Mike banged that out in 2002 near the end of his Royals' career. Mike has many other Royals records, but the one he doesn't have is a post season anything. Not even one game as a Royal. Even in Kansas City, Sweeney is pretty much forgotten. Why? Nothing he did ended up mattering in the long run. text/html Craig Glazer http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23756&full=yes&pbr=1 Dick Clark died yesterday... He was 82. The ageless one is gone. Forever a teenager on American Bandstand, our DJ Hero Dick Clark has left the studio forever. Kansas City has its own forever-young idol - his name is Johnny Dare. Dare has no equal in local radio. Nobody has held his popularity in the KC radio biz. Sure there were some great names who were popular here. Names like Mike Murphy and Randy Miller. Even Max Floyd and Tanna Guthrie had their time. Yet nobody has captured this city like our man Johnny Dare. He is forever young. text/html Jack Poessiger http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22330&full=yes&pbr=1 Two new fantasy adventures on tap this weekend...   The first is a high concept romantic sci-fi fantasy thriller based on a short story by Philip K. Dick of TOTAL RECALL, MINORITY REPORT and BLADE RUNNER fame.   In THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU actor Matt Damon stars as an ambitious politician on the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate when he meets beautiful ballet dancer Emily Blunt. But the closer he gets to her the more interference he begins to experience from the forces of the Adjustment Bureau!   Who are these guys? text/html Jack Poessiger http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22331&full=yes&pbr=1 The second fantasy-adventure on the docket this weekend is RANGO... It's an animated fantasy tale of a displaced lizard-chameleon. A dude with a definite identity crisis who finds himself out of the restrictive confines of his terrarium and in a waterless western dessert (critter) town called Dirt. Got all that? There he discovers the hero inside him, becoming its new sheriff and trying to get to the bottom of the water shortage with all signs pointing to a corrupt local banker.  It's difficult to properly describe RANGO. Suffice it to say it's got both kid and adult appeal! text/html Jack Poessiger http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22299&full=yes&pbr=1 It's been a while since we've last heard from the Farrelly Brothers---the original pull-out-all-the stops writing, producing and directing team that hit it big with the cult classic THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY. And how can we forget DUMB AND DUMBER?   Well, they're back and this time with NO Filters!   In their latest over the top outing, HALL PASS, they team Owen Wilson with Kansas City's Jason Sudeikis. The pair play best friends with plenty in common and now pretty well past their days of wedded bliss. But they're convinced that IF they were single, they'd be able to pick up any woman they come in contact with. text/html Jack Poessiger http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22264&full=yes&pbr=1 For this extended President's Day weekend, the studios are serving up six new movies at area theatres, and I'm picking three of them: one wide release and two limited engagements. First - and citywide - the action-thriller Unknown starring Hollywood's "new Harrison Ford," Liam Neeson. Here, he plays American botanist scientist Dr. Martin Harris who, with his wife (played by January Jones), are flying to Berlin to address an international biotech conference at the swank Hotel Adlon. But when he accidentially leaves his briefcase at Tegel airport, he hails a cab to take him back to the arrival hall to find his lost luggage. Oops,then there's an accident! The cab ends up in the Spree river leaving Neeson hospitalized in a coma. When he eventually returns to the hotel his wife doesn't recognize him. Making matters worse, there's a new Dr. Martin Harris alongside the Mrs.! text/html Jack Poessiger http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22232&full=yes&pbr=1 JUST GO WITH IT is one of those high-concept romantic comedies that can easily be described in one sentence: The power of the wedding ring....(go ahead, you finish the sentence.) You don't have to be an Adam Sandler fan to get a kick out of it---but it helps. Here's the concept: It's 1988 and an often made-fun-of young boy with a Karl Malden-like dick-shaped nose eventually has it surgically altered. Now fast forward some 22 years and the boy is now a successful plastic surgeon spending his weekends bedding hotties. His schtick: Pretending to be unhappily married and about to get a divorce. text/html Jack Poessiger http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=22201&full=yes&pbr=1 Let's see now. With the SINGLE WHITE FEMALE-like psychological thriller THE ROOMMATE not screened for critics and the action thriller SANCTUM's screening snowed out this past Tuesday, my critical options were limited this week. THE COMPANY MEN is a star-studded low profile drama taking on today's new realities of American life. In THE COMPANY MEN, Ben Affleck is living the proverbial American dream. Great corporate job at the mighty GTX conglomerate. Beautiful family. Country club membership. And a Porsche in the garage. But all that is about to go down the drain. It's called downsizing and leaves Ben along with co-workers Chris Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones jobless. Three men at the top of their game now forced to re-define their lives as men, husbands and fathers. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23532&full=yes&pbr=1 Long time no Fiat column... Seems like only yesterday, KC Confidential was all over the triumphant return of Fiat to the United States. You may recall that in addition to covering the return of the Italian carmaker to America - as a result of Fiat's rescue of the now wildly successful Chrysler - I made an impulse buy and signed on to buy one of the first 500 "Prima Edizione" Fiat 500s, sight unseen, price unknown. Pretty smart, huh? As the months dragged on, I reported on the tiny car (seven inches shorter than a Mini Cooper) and defended the little bugger against all comers in KCC's caustic, few-holds-barred comments section. Was I totally gay? Didn't I know Fiat was short for "Fix it again Tony?" Why not do the right thing and buy a Mini? text/html Hearne Christopher jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23315&full=yes&pbr=1 Long time no affordable sports car... Even if you count the Mazda Miata - not the most manly ride known to man - it's been decades since a true, affordable sports car has been for sale in this country. Nissan's 370Z starts at $31,000 and change but the price rises pretty quick. We'll have to wait and see exactly how Subaru prices this one but with an expected sticker starting around $25,000 it beats the Z Car by a considerable amount. That said, knowing Subaru's penchant for offering an infinitesimal array of options and add-ons, it won't be hard to drive up the sticker price. The Subaru BRZ debuted today in production form at the Tokyo Motor Show. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23299&full=yes&pbr=1 This just in, the sky is not falling on the new Fiat 500... "Fiat's U.S. chief ousted after poor Fiat 500 sales start," reads the Nov. 21 USA Today headline. Unfortunately, as often is the case, the reporting on Fiat's slower than hoped for re-entry into the North American market has been accompanied with precious little perspective. With more than 20,000 Fiat 500 sales in the US and Canada, there's no arguing it will not achieve its overly-optimistic goal of selling 50,000 units this year. Now let's put that and the controversial ouster of Fiat 's North American head Laura Soave in proper perspective. text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23271&full=yes&pbr=1 Don't take this the wrong way, but... Between the rancor over Craig Glazer's new, sizzling hot Lotus Evora - and the thumping I've taken over trading my earth-saving Toyota Prius for an ever-so-humble Fiat 500 - it got me to thinking. Because ever since Fiat's J Lo TV spots began running during Chiefs games, all I've heard is how unmanly the little bugger is. And clearly, the dudes who like to knock the Fiat most are Mini Cooper worshippers. That despite the fact that the Mini lists for $5,000 more, has several inches less rear legroom and has 50 percent less trunk space. Yeah, the Fiat's a bit slower, but it rides better, handles about the same and gets better mileage. But back to the "manly man" stuff... If the Mini's so damn macho, why is it that nearly half its drivers are chicks? And who exactly is buying all those Union Jack decals atop the Mini's roof? Could it be women and gay car buyers? Which got me to thinking; am I driving a chick magnet - as some have implied - or a gay-mobile? Exactly which cars are considered "gay" and are most popular with gay car buyers? As Greg Hall likes to say, read on... text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23268&full=yes&pbr=1 Stand down Mini Cooper chauvinists, your Fiat 500 bashing days are numbered.... Make fun of the J Lo ad spots if you want, even though there's no arguing that the Mini has been a total chick car as well from the get-go. However, as of now the Fiat's "manhood" can no longer be questioned. Not after the "small-but-wicked" Fiat 500 Abarth is announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show. So read it and weep: text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23128&full=yes&pbr=1 Don't look now but everybone's favorite "humble scribe" is about to go James Bond... Stanford's comedy club main man Craig Glazer almost pulled the trigger on trading his  Porsche for a red hot new, red Lotus Evora sports car earlier this year, but the deal fell through. However the game is back afoot and Glazer's a phone call away from flat-bedding in a sleek black Evora from St. Louis Motorsports. "I like it a lot, it drives great and handles a step up from my Porsche because it's smaller and lower to the ground," Glazer says. "I think speed-wise it's about the same. The top speed is like 170." Glazer test drove the Evora yesterday in St. Louis and has an offer on the table.   text/html Kelly Urich http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23786&full=yes&pbr=1 The Kansas City Police Department experimented with LIVE TWEETING Thursday.  It was the department's attempt to explain to the public how busy and stressful their job is. TOP 5 SIGNS YOUR POLICE OFFICER HAS BEEN TWEETING: #5.  When the officer breaks off hot pursuit he calls it "unfollow." #4.  Refers to your mug shot as your avatar. #3.  Follows more cars on Friday for #FF. text/html Kelly Urich http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23775&full=yes&pbr=1 Hey Royals!  Robin Gibb was able to wake up from a coma! ******* Immediately after the STP 400 NASCAR race Sunday, officials began prep work to repave Kansas Speedway.  Unfortunately, it's being repaved by MODOT. text/html Kelly Urich http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23750&full=yes&pbr=1 The Royals are finally becoming the team we've been hoping for.  The team that breaks our hearts in April instead of teasing us through May. ******* Tornado watches were issued 48 hours before radar detected powerful rotation all over our region.  Now if the Royals could just get Dave Eiland to spot a powerful rotation... text/html Kelly Urich http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23740&full=yes&pbr=1 THE TOP 5 SIGNS YOU'RE A ROYALS FAN: #5. You're legally blind but you can still read the scoreboard. #4.  Every time you pass a fountain you stop and look for the other team's ball. #3.  You make fun of Cardinals fans for wearing camouflage while you're wearing powder blue. text/html Kelly Urich http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23737&full=yes&pbr=1 Rick Santorum drops his bid to become Republican nominee on the anniversary of the Titanic leaving Southampton.  Coincidence? ******* New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said the U.S. is full of people "sitting on the couch, waiting for their next government check." Then his belt buckle exploded and injured a reporter on the front row....who went home and waited for a government check. text/html Kelly Urich http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23724&full=yes&pbr=1 Coaches from the New Orleans Saints have been suspended for encouraging players to injure players on other teams for money.  Basically, they got in trouble for saying what I'm yelling at my TV every Sunday! ******** Google has strung over 100 miles of cable in Kansas City and promises speeds 100 times faster than broadband and 1,000 times faster for uploads.  I'm going to miss the slow downloads for the sites I visit because I've always considered it to be foreplay. text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23803&full=yes&pbr=1 We've got lots and lots going on this weekend. There's plenty of music to go around, which I'll get to in a sec.  But there's also some other stuff to keep you out of trouble. Or get you into it. For example, starting Thursday the team everyone loves to hate- the New York Yankees- roll into town to throttle our young Royals.  Sporting KC plays Saturday at home against expansion Montreal after their much needed week off.  Then there's First Friday in the Crossroads, which is featuring free music and some art by a pro skateboarder. And by the time Sunday rolls around I suggest you get your ass to Lawrence's Burcham Park (it's by the river) for a free show from some hipster bands like Robocopter, Johnny Booth, Ask an Adult, and Bloody Knives.  It's BYOD (dog) and it's also BYOB (beverages?) so long as it's not in glass bottles.  Starts at 4:00. Now on to my awesome and well-informed picks...  text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23774&full=yes&pbr=1   The summer concert season is heating up… Artists heading into KC include Phish, The Avett Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Van Halen, Chicago, the Doobie Brothers, Taj Mahal, Pat Green, M83, and many, many more. And despite the few curmudgeonly commenters that think otherwise, for my money there’s still no better way to see a show than outside underneath the stars. To that end the Crossroads has the first offering of the season this weekend, with a gritty double bill of Shooter Jennings and Cody Canada & the Departed (more on them after the jump). On to the picks!... text/html Hearne Christopher Jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23765&full=yes&pbr=1 There's little doubt that few in Lawrence, Kansas loom larger than businessman John Kieffer... From humble beginnings on the wrong side of the tracks on Kansas City's East Side, Kieffer built both an audio/video and commerical real estate empire in the Land of the Jayhawk by being in the exact right place at the exact right time. For 53 years and counting, no less. Not to mention he's lived to tell the story. Kieffer's take on the ongoing free fall of audio/video giant Best Buy, which recently ousted it's 50-something, married CEO over a sex scandal with a 20-something woman subordinate, after days earlier announcing the closing of 50 stores, hundreds of layoffs and a plan to downsize its box store biz by opening 100 smaller, Best Buy Mobile stores? text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23753&full=yes&pbr=1 Don't say I never gave you anything... Evanescence took a break after their somewhat surprise Grammy winning debut album Fallen and subsequent sophomore slump The Open Door.  But they put out a self titled album in late 2011 that was more warmly received, and they're coming to the Midland next week on April 24th in support.  And... KCC just so happens to have a couple tickets to pass along to a deserving KC Con.  All we ask is that at the show you don't do anything Hearne wouldn't do, and definitely don't do anything Glazer would do.  We have an image to protect.   So tell me in the comments section why you deserve the tickets and I'll pick someone.  I'll email the winner with the lurid details... and requirements. Or buy your own here. text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23736&full=yes&pbr=1 I know I've said it before, but this week's Sounds Good has something for everyone. OK, maybe not the sluts and motorheads. But the jocks, geeks, dweebies and dickheads are all covered. First up is a nice happy Thursday night show in Lawrence to get your weekend off right, featuring a storied band that plays what the kids call "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass." They've been on an extended break since the death of their banjo player and founding member Mark Vann at way too young an age - 39. But they're back and rejuvinated with a youngster, Andy Thorn, filling in admirably and providing some new life to the band.... text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23733&full=yes&pbr=1 After an epic headlining set by My Morning Jacket at 2011’s Wakarusa Festival, I stumbled my way onto a local wine booth. The wine guy was super friendly, offering liberal tastes to parched campers. He explained that Arkansas wine is pretty good, and that the market is up and coming. It all tasted great to me, and so I lingered to get a photo and the guy’s info for inclusion in my story. As I was telling him about KC Confidential, I think a bomb went off somewhere behind me. Except instead of fleeing, people were running toward the furious sound. I squinted through the starlight. Is that stage on fire? Turns out, it kind of was. text/html David Scott Whinery, Esquire http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23782&full=yes&pbr=1 Right now in US House of Representatives some of the most sinister legislation ever is working its way through Committee... It's called “The Cyber Intelligence and Protection Act” (CISPA). And at least the fine Reverend and distinguished Member of Congress- Emanuel Cleaver- is not a co-sponsor of this Orwellian Bill… Wish I could say the same about Congressman Yoder… But put the label “National Security” on a piece of legislation and Republicans can be counted on to blindly vote for it. So what does CISPA do?  In a nutshell- it ends anything vaguely resembling privacy and the free flow of communication on the Internet. Am I paranoid? No way! text/html David Scott Whinery, Esquire http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23776&full=yes&pbr=1 You heard about Ted Nugent being investigated by the Secret Service for giving a fiery speech at the National Rifle Association’s yearly meeting, right? The one where he said stuff that could be construed as “threatening” to President Obama. That is if you have no sense of humor. Now I hear Susan Sarandon was denied a security clearance to go to the White House and insists her phone is being tapped by the Government. For what? Unless it's deemed that her movies are a threat to National Security (which outside of her role as “Janet” in the Rocky Horror Picture Shadow and a scene with Catherine Deneuve in The Hunger - is entirely plausible). Why would an arch liberal like Ms. Sarandon be deemed too risky to go to the White House? text/html Brandon Leftridge http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23767&full=yes&pbr=1 If you’re like me, you like booze. It doesn’t matter what kind—we can get into that at another time. And if you’re even MORE like me than I’d care to admit, you enjoy getting on the Internet once you’re drunk and buying stuff. But what to buy?! Man, there’s an open cesspool of goods to be had. Maybe you had your eye on that thatch of Elvis Presley’s pubic hair. Perhaps your collection will be complete once you’ve obtained a shot-glass full of Patrick Duffy’s saliva. Maybe you just can’t make it another day without a piece of French toast that looks as though Jesus was burned into its grainy surface. Or maybe, if you’re like me (30 and slightly retarded), you won’t make it without 85 MAD Magazines spanning from 1988-1997. And yeah, your wife will probably be PISSED—you’ve got nowhere to keep them, that money was better suited for a down payment on a wheelchair (don’t ask)—but you can’t help it. You’ve had 14 beers, goddamnit, and $140 seems WAY reasonable. text/html Brandon Leftridge http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23771&full=yes&pbr=1 Look, I'm sorry that you're gone; really, I am. You had a lot of family members probably and this is inevitable at 82 years old and I'm sure that a handful of them are sorry that you're gone (except those that stood to inherit something. I'm sure they're probably pretty stoked, and why not?). Point being, you're dead. But what did you add, really? Oh sure, I remember Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve throughout my youth. I remember a man aesthetically youthful beyond his years, a virtual teen foraging deep into his 60's, as it were and then a 70 year old, and then, unsurprisingly, an octogenarian riddled uncomfortable by a stroke and the damage of time. You kept giving it your best, however, whether you were under pressure from the Stroke League of America (I've seriously heard that this was an issue) or from simple vanity. text/html David Scott Whinery, Esquire http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23749&full=yes&pbr=1 Had the privilege of attending Saturday’s Sporting KC game with one of the owners, Patrick Curran, and got some insight into why they are undefeated and the BEST professional team in Kansas City. “Sporting starts and ends with the fans” Curran says. And after touring the facility, I agree. More money was spent per seat at Livestrong Sporting Park than Dallas' Cowboys Stadium and it shows. This fan-centered philosophy of the ownership is what sets Livestrong apart from say, Arrowhead. text/html David Scott Whinery, Esquire http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23717&full=yes&pbr=1 “But the most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly and with unflagging attention. It must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over.” --Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf In a smear campaign normally reserved for Republican candidates for President, George Zimmerman, the “alleged murderer” of Trayvon Martin, appears to have been thoroughly vilified by a vindictive media. The “official” story goes as follows: racist white guy, without provocation and with malice aforethought, shoots and kills a defenseless black child… And for all I know- that may very well be the case…  But there are some distortions I would like to point out. text/html Hearne Christopher jr. http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23780&full=yes&pbr=1 You read it right... The verdict is in on Lawrence Journal World foodie Sarah Henning's assertion Tuesday that Anthony Bourdain "should've made 'Reservations' in Lawrence." That in reference to the irreverant Travel Channel personality's recent episode about KC barbecue, Stroud's fried chicken, the Savoy Grill, Town Topic hamburgers and other local esoteric, edible delights. But alas, no Lawrence BBQ, Henning lamented. text/html Reid Jolly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23763&full=yes&pbr=1 My Easter Sunday brunch nightmare started on Good Friday around 9 pm... I'd planned earlier to join about 15 friends at the new Swagger in Martin City. I knew a couple of the people that were opening this new hot spot, but then they told me they might not have a brunch available on Easter. Dang. So I told my friends we needed a new Easter plan. Unfortunately, by that time it was way too late to make a reservation at Nick and Jake's, the Bristol, or anywhere halfway impressive. But hey, I wanted to try a new brunch anyway. So I made a reservation for four at Seventy Seven South for 11:00 am. This is where.on the the day Christ rose from the grave, my day took a turn for the worst. text/html Reid Jolly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23708&full=yes&pbr=1 Mission Farms in Leawood is something of a recluse -  kinda like a mini-Park Place hidden off Mission Road among six-figure condos... And among some of the coolest, most diverse restaurant concepts in the burbs, Lakeside Tavern at 10551 Mission Road is the latest addition to the Farms hidden next to a man made pond. Although it's not really a lake, it is a tavern and has one of the more impressive patios in town. Tons of space and a couple of fire pits set a casual party atmosphere which fits in nicely with the view. Let's just say it beats the hell out of sitting on the patio at the Blue Moose on 135th and staring at your car. text/html Reid Jolly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23641&full=yes&pbr=1 Burgers and beers have been a staple in KC since the dawn of time... Or something like that. And in recent years as burger-meisters have become emboldened the competition has errupted into citywide, full scale Burger Wars. One serious contender in this ongoing struggle is BRGR. Area diners have been chowing down at fast, casual restaurants like Smash Burger or Five Guys, dining at Nick and Jake's for a great burger, or merely buying the ground chuck and making their own. Enter BRGR at Corinth Square in Prairie Village. This new badass boasts 41 different beers...in CANS. That's right cans, as well as many on tap.  text/html Reid Jolly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23640&full=yes&pbr=1 Face it, none of the really excellent food in Kansas City is delivered... So if you want great pizza you'll need to put down the phone, get off your ass, grab some friends and head to Spin Neapolitan Pizza. Tucked away in the ominous corporate shadow of Overland Park's Cheesecake Factory lies the small in size but huge in flavor pizza cafe. Spin's the partial creation of James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael Smith. Yes, that Michael Smith of American Restaurant and 40 Sardines fame. Little known fact: Smith is a minority owner is the fast casual concept here in Kansas City.   text/html Reid Jolly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23598&full=yes&pbr=1 Carlo's Copa Room is hidden away near the corner of 87th and Lackman in Lenexa...  That's right, Lenexa. This tiny Italian gem is easy to miss because it's jammed between the Hen House Market and a nail salon. And it's not like Lenexa, Kansas is well known for nice restaurants, let alone anything approaching fine dining. Mostly what you'll find are pizza buffets, fast food eateries, and maybe an Applebee’s. Lenexa does have great schools, nice parks and is a good place to live and raise rugrats, but it's a wasteland for palate pleasing restaurants. Until, that is, in 2004 when Carlo's family moved to this little family-based city and opened a restaurant that is UNBELIEVABLE. text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23770&full=yes&pbr=1 It was a quick turnaround for Sporting KC. They played at Vancouver on Wednesday night, and then finished their Pacific Northwest road trip Saturday night at Portland. Playing this away game at JELD-WEN Field felt big. The atmosphere there is similar to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park- it was packed to the gills and loud. However the stadium is a fair amount bigger with a capacity of just over 22,000. KC seemed to thrive on the vibe, rising to the occasion and settling in after a dodgy first 10 minutes. After 90 minutes, though, the boys in blue were no longer perfect on the season, even though Portland's only goal came via a charity own goal. More on that in a sec. text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23758&full=yes&pbr=1 The debate about Sporting Kansas City's streak of not allowing a shot on goal was firmly put to bed Wednesday in Vancouver as the Whitecaps peppered Jimmy Nielsen and the KC defense...   “The big difference for us tonight was the play of Jimmy,” KC coach Peter Vermes said after the game. “His saves at the end were tremendous and I think at the end of the day that’s what saved us…” The home side tallied 17 shots with 7 of them on target, while KC managed only 2 on target for the night.  text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23745&full=yes&pbr=1   It's official. Sporting Kansas City is killing it. No, we don't need to get into the whole "Sporting is the best pro team rght now in Kansas City" thing,  because that undermines the legitmacy of MLS soccer. Let's just call it like it is. SKC are 6-0, have sold out 3 of 4 home games, and have allowed one goal this whole season- and that was off a set piece as a result of a horrible call from the ref. This past Saturday's game at LIVESTRONG against Real Salt Lake was one that most considered a likely preview of the MLS Cup Final. Fittingly, the atmosphere was electric, as everyone's now come to expect. When it was all said and done, Sporting Kansas City remained perfect at 6-0, though they did finally allow a shot on goal for the first time in 335 minutes. Allegedly. text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23727&full=yes&pbr=1 The sun finally poked through the clouds Saturday right before kickoff of the standing-room-only Sporting KC-LA Galaxy game which, to the dismay of many females in attendance, did not feature David Beckham. In fact, Beckham didn't even make the trip to KC as he is currently sidelined with an injury. Straight away KC was looking to get forward, creating a half chance in the first minute. It became apparent quickly that LA, just like Chivas and Dallas, have taken notice of physical KC striker CJ Sapong and decided to do the only thing they can to slow him down. Namely, grab him, hold him, and generally foul the shit out of him early and often. text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23711&full=yes&pbr=1 Is Sporting Kansas City the best team in the MLS right now? Many knowledgeable observers think so. KC is red hot right now, and they made history on Sunday with their 1-0 win at Chivas USA. Sporting moved to 4-0 on the season, the best start ever for the KC club. Was it pretty? No, especially the first half that saw both teams engage in some physical play while creating few real chances. But an away win is huge, no matter what it looks like and Chivas’ 0-3-1 record belies their talent, which includes speedy former KC winger Ryan Smith. Smith left Sporting early last season citing "family issues." In fact, the home side looked like the most dangerous team Sporting has faced yet this season, though luck wasn’t on their side as several near-chances missed the mark, including one off the post that should have been a goal. text/html Matthew Donnelly http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23694&full=yes&pbr=1  Despite beating FC Dallas by but a single one goal, Sporting Kansas City was dominant on Sunday... “They are much further ahead than any other team in the league and they have a lot of weapons,” said losing coach Schellas Hyndman after the match.  “They play a style of soccer that is very disruptive, both going forward and defending. I don’t think there is another team in the league playing at the level they're playing at.” That’s high praise considering the game was knotted at 1-1 going into the 88th minute.  If not for several top notch saves by former KC keeper Kevin Hartman, Sporting could have easily scored 4 or 5 goals. Sound familiar?