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Tonight: Jimmy C’s Money Talks, HC’s Dart Throw Walks
Just how fast can a skinny white boy from the burbs eat a scarcely-cooked crow?
This fast!
It’s still early. However word that the polls south the of the river were slow – even with kickass weather -, combined with an early 69-31 lead up north for Mike Burke over Sly James have experts like Tony Botello and Larry Sells giving me the distinct impression that James goose is cooked.
If Sly pulls it out – and the concensus seems to be that he needs 40 percent of the vote up north – he will have to be on the receiving end of some sort of landslide later in the southland. But with a light turnout – the old guard white folks who live off Ward Parkway like Jim "Jimmy C" Fitzpatrick – will likely get their way.
Starbeams: Escaping Japan to KCI, Shrinking Sprint & Royals Opening Day Pitcher
A group of Japanese exchange students arrived at KCI Monday. The students were thrilled to be here, relieved to escape the radiation scare but a bit surprised to see our airports ceilings still covered with asbestos.
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The first-ever face transplant in this country was performed in Boston this week. A construction worker who had his face disfigured in a terrible power line accident received a new nose, lips, skin, muscles and nerves from a dead person. If all goes as hoped, the 25 year-old man should look more natural than Joan Rivers.
Hearne: The Story Behind Sporting Kansas City’s Bid to Book Concerts
Star sports scribe Sam Mellinger was on the right track…almost
Mellinger was high in pegging Sporting Kansas City’s stadium naming rights to Lance Armstrong’s cancer charity LIVESTRONG at a value of $2 million a year. SKC honcho Robb Heineman suggested only $1 million, possibly up to $2 million for the rights.
That said, Mellinger’s larger point being that "Livestrong’s “payment” — if you can call it that — was Armstrong’s "access to big-name performers who could help fill the stadium for high-dollar concerts," Mellinger writes. "Armstrong is close with Justin Timberlake, for instance. He shares a house in France with Bono. Jimmy Buffett rode in the pace car during one of Armstrong’s Tour de France races."
So will SKC be able to draw top drawer talent to its new outdoor soccer stadium despite competition from the myriad indoor and outdoor area concert venues, like the nearby, similarly-sized Sandstone?
Today: Has Claire McCaskill Used Up Her Nine Lives?
When it comes to dodging bullets, few have done it better than Claire McCaskill…
Long ago the Missouri senator’s political colleagues bestowed upon her the nickname "Blonde Ambition." And through the years McCaskill’s used her uncanny skills at charming members of the local media to navigate past any number of potentially career killing missteps.
Let’s look at McCaskill’s latest hot mess and review some of the ones she’s skittered past in the past.
Starbeams: KC Mayoral Tough Guy ‘Test, Buzzing Libya, KU Ripe for Upset & Tiger Woods Update
No one is sure who be elected Mayor of Kansas City today, but we’re pretty sure who would win if it came down to a boxing match.
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B-2 Stealth Bombers from Missouri’s Whiteman Air Force Base were involved in the attacks on Libya over the weekend. You could tell the pilots were from Knob Knoster when they asked permission to buzz the Tripoli Walmart.
Hearne: Sly James Victory Dance To Go Down at Negro Leagues Tonight
With all due respect for the political prognosticator known as Jimmy C….
The losers I talk to are forecasting a victory for Sly James in today’s KC mayoral contest. Not for Mike Burke, as my well-heeled colleague Jim Fitzpatrick (Fitz choked out a cool five grand to Burke) wishfully predicted earlier today.
The reason: For starters, the weather.
Today’s pleasing climes will turn out voters in parts of town and of an age that will likely countermand the waspy white, older voters to whom meaningless support of over-the-hill former mayors counts for something.
In other words, it will bring out younger, hipper voters, to whom staid endorsements from the old guard are more likely to be seen as a reason to vote against rather than for Mike Burke.
That’s what I’m hearing anyway…
Joe Miller: Why Temp Editor Joe Tone Won’t Be Missed at the Pitch
Editor Rule #1: Protect your reporters.
Even if you know you’re going to have to downsize them on Friday, protect them.
If someone attacks one of your reporters: lash out, fight. It’s your job to make reporters look good and feel happy. And no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE can make them feel bad, except YOU. Punish all extra-editorial transgressions immediately and severely.
If, say, some overweight, droopy-eyed blogger were to refer to one of your reporters as, say, a chickenhead, it is your obligation decree that said blogger “will never appear in the pages of MY FUCKING PAPER except in stories written for the sole purpose of DESTROYING him!” (Decree must be shouted.)
This is especially true for a publication such as the Pitch, where you have the freedom to write really nasty things about really nasty people.
OTC: Kansas Rolls Into Alamo Looking Like Santa Anna
“The Kansas Jayhawks are in the Final Four in Houston. Just pack your bags and get ready to go.”Frank Boal, on the number of upsets that have left Kansas a seemingly easy road to Houston, TV 41
GH: Kansas fans may cringe to hear such bold talk but almost everyone expects KU to roll through San Antonio this weekend like they were Santa Anna at the Alamo.
“I think this year’s NIT bracket might be tougher than the road Kansas will face to the Final Four.”
Sean Callahan, of Rivals.com, Twitter
Sean Callahan, of Rivals.com, Twitter
“KU sure seems to play better against ‘name’ teams in the NCAAs which should prolly make KU fans worry a bit heading into this weekend.”
Gary Bedore, of LJW, Twitter
Gary Bedore, of LJW, Twitter
“Ohio St probably has to beat Kentucky, UNC & Duke to get to championship game. Kansas? Richmond, Florida State and Florida. What a difference!”
Dirk Chatelain, writer for Omaha World Herald, Twitter
Dirk Chatelain, writer for Omaha World Herald, Twitter
Hearne: Riding With The King; Jim Nutter & The 2011 Elections
Some people call him
king maker…
I look at him as a nice, older gentleman with a penchant for politics. Some people live for the Chiefs or KU basketball. Others collect stamps. My take on Jim Nutter is that politics is his game. And that’s the way he plays it, like a game. Naturally people who play games generally like to win.
But Nutter’s intentions are largely benign in my opinion. He values things like honesty and right versus wrong. Oh, he’s’s thrown his fair share of rabbit punches, but he’s several levels above the sleezy local political operatives we know all too well.
So I ask Nutter who he’s for?
Tracy: Burke to Kraske, Read My Lips, No New Negatives
KC mayoral wannabe Mike Burke said he recalled negative TV ads against Sly James – he did not.
TV spots are the deadliest missiles in a political arsenal for tomorrow’s race for a new Mayor. Burke backer Jim Nutter reportedly was behind the negative ads, placed ON BURKE’S BEHALF. The ads showed up last Friday, claiming that James “has no backbone."
Then in today’s final debate with Steve Kraske on KCUR-FM 89.3, Burke claimed he “requested the negative ads be pulled immediately–on Friday afternoon.”
Still those missiles continue to fly toward undecided voters.
Glazer: All Aboard; Humble Scribe Predicts KU National Championship
Get ready for the Final Four finale, KC…
Yep, it’s gonna be Kansas versus Ohio State. Even though the Prez picked KU, the rest of the predictions now favor Ohio State. Some like Duke, but not too many people are picking KU.
Why?
Because KU doesn’t seem to have that one KILLER player to go to when it matters. But the truth is they have TWO, the Morris Twins. They’re kinda like one player rolled into two. Most experts feel with the Twins and Thomas Robinson Kansas has the best three big man combo in the game.
I agree.
Glazer: Two Hot Ladies for City Council, Tracy Ward & Daina Kennedy
In the sixth district at large we have The Pink Lady Tracy Ward.
Believe it or not, this former waitress makes lots of sense. She believes the city council should amend many rules and laws that stand in the way of small businesses. She’s open minded to making positive changes downtown. And her youth and drive will go along way towards getting the council fired up again.
What’s not to like about any of that?
Plus her husband still plays in a rock band at age 35, ao they stay up on what’s going on with young adults in the area and Tracy believes in giving everyone a fair shake.
And with that pink hair, everyone will know who she is at a glance.
OTC: Frank Martin’s Need To Bully The Media Steps All Over Pullen’s Historic Night
“That’s what you wanted to see? Is that what you were trying to get outta him? Make him cry here in front of people?” Good question!”Frank Martin, to The Star’s Kellis Robinette, after Robinette asked Pullen to talk about his emotions after setting the all-time scoring record, tying his personal game high but being unable to win and advance, in K-State’s televised postgame presser following their loss to Wisconsin
GH: Frank the bully was front and center once again Saturday night. This time he couldn’t help steal the spotlight and moment from one of the greatest clutch players the Big 12 has ever known. Martin is either simply too immature to be the head of Kansas State basketball or simply too inexperienced in handling pressure in big-time sports. Saturday in Tucson he again looked very much like the out-of-control high school coach from which he so adamantly tries to distance himself.
“I think Frank Martin just overreacted. It was a good question. If Frank Martin wouldn’t have said anything, would people still be up in arms about it? I don’t think they would. I think Frank Martin saying something made an issue out of something that never should have been an issue.”
Robert Ford, who covered the K-State press conference in Tucson for 610 Sports
Glazer: Fight Narcolepsy, Vote For Sly James!
The election’s tomorrow – Sly James vs. Mike Burke…
Sly’s the wild card; an experienced lawyer who thus far has crushed Burke in their on-air clashes. That being said, Sly’s black with a white wife while Mike Burke is old guard – which means means status quo. Everything now is ALRIGHT. Which it’s not. And not just because of the Funk but all the tax giveaways doled out by former KC mayor Kay Barnes to people like…Mike Burke.
Burke has 30 years of experience downtown with City Hall. He helped dole out the corporate big buck deals, few of which have worked out thus far. Mike seems to be a decent sort, but just more of the same. Again, like Barnes.
So Mike will go to the meetings, hand out plaques, shake a lot of hands and likely be kinda forgotten.
Face it, he’s no fireball.
Starbeams: Plato’s Retreat, ‘Dear John’ & Gen X Radio to the Rescue
The new population center of the United States is Plato, Missouri.
If you took the entire population of the country and found the centermost point, you’d be right in the middle of southern Missouri just south of Ft. Leonard Wood.
Come to ink of it, Ft. Leonard Wood would have been a better name for the movie "Winter’s BONE."
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TAYLOR SWIFT has joined the cast of "The Lorax" based on the classic Dr. Seuss book.
This time around the Lorax speaks for the trees…and for all the women who had their hearts broken by John Mayer.
Today: Life After KC Confidential, The Tony Botello Story
What’s next for former KC Confidential hit man Tony Botello now that he’s parted ways with KCC?
Plenty. But first a few words about the year and a half-long journalistic honeymoon that ended two weeks ago. Early on in the brief two year history of KCC I met with Tony with the idea of writing a story for a local print publication measuring his six year odyssey to the top of the local blogosphere.
It was a story largely untold – until somewhat weakly two weeks back in the Pitch. One that warranted telling.
We met for coffee at Broadway Cafe in Westport and four hours later I departed with way more news and information about Tony than Pitch editor Joe Tone was able to amass two years later.
Just one problem…
The story was never written, I hired Tony instead.
Tracy: Sly James Cleans Burke’s Clock in Final Great Debate
KCUR FM’s Steve Kraske finally found a sweet spot…
He set off a few fireworks in an otherwise boring campaign with his final question in today’s mayoral debate. In the form of a loaded softball; “Where do you take visitors when your friends come to visit KC?”
Despite months of coaching from consultant Mary O’Halloran, candidate Mike Burke swung limply with an answer straight out of a – yawn – Chamber of Commerce video.
“Well…the Plaza and the stadiums," Burke mumbled. "And I’m looking forward to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.”
Next came attorney Sly James.
Donnelly: Sporting’s Matt Besler Steps Up, SKC Defeats Chivas USA 3-2 in Opener
It’s no secret. Last year’s version of Sporting KC (something called the Wizards) had issues at the center back position. 
In what was Peter Vermes’ first full season as coach, the team picked up the bad habit of giving up “soft goals.”
How did this happen?
A day or so before the first game of the 2010 campaign, longtime captain and veteran central defender Jimmy Conrad was stripped of the captaincy in favor of midfielder Davy Arnaud. Obviously, Vermes and Conrad had some issues. Many sensed that Conrad’s days in KC were numbered.
Despite the demotion, Conrad continued to start at the center defender position.
As the soft goals continued to mount, Vermes scrambled to shore up the back line with a variety of players – Pablo Escobar (later cut), Shavar Thomas, Matt Besler, Nick Kounenakis (later cut) – but nothing seemed to work, and the Wizards missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
Disappointing and unacceptable by the standards of the new ownership group, OnGoal.
Hearne: The Rise & Fall of the KC Pitch, Part 1
First Pennylane, now the Pitch…
It’s been a rough year for aging, local pop culture icons. First the closing of Streetside Records (successor to Pennylane) and then the continuing long, slow demise and sale of KC’s first true alternative paper. For those inclined to take notice of such things, my ties to both the Pitch and the music store extend well beyond my 16 year run as a columnist at the Star .
The affiliation with the two began in the mid 1980s when, after trying in vain to buy an ad in the Pitch for a concert I was promoting, I pitched the owner to let me take over its advertising and promotion. And to a lesser extent contribute to its editorial content. There wasn’t a whole lot to the Pitch in those days, LeRoi‘s music reviews, Joe Bob’s Drive-In movies, record store staff contributuions, and every once in a while someone like Jack Cashill would step in and take a swing.
The Pitch was little more than a device Pennylane’s owner used to pocket co-op ad dollars from small music labels.
Joe Miller: Joe Rolls a 7 at the Expense of Sly James, Jim Nutter, Oh & Ken Bacchus
1. First, a full disclosure: I’m going to vote for Mike Burke.
2. The troglodyte spewed all-caps glee all over his blog Saturday morning about how the Kansas City mayor’s race had “finally, thankfully” gone negative. He posted a YouTube video of an “attack ad” paid for by King Maker James B. Nutter, Sr., on behalf of Burke.
I watched it.
It’s not an attack ad. It’s a simple debate argument leadership style — the only issue the two too-friendly candidates have agreed to debate about.
The pro-Burke video offers a couple of examples of Sly James’s apparent indecisiveness and juxtaposes them to examples of Burke’s supposed decisiveness. Debate 101. All extremely fair.
Of course, it’s no surprise that the sickly cave dweller has sensationalized it.
