Fantastic News From KCPT!

I am pleasantly, very, very pleasantly surprised to the point of shocked today.   Our local PBS station,  KCPT, made a terrific, even fantastic and very responsible decision. Here goes.

As a trusted source for public media in the Kansas City area, KCPT monitors community feedback and evaluates station programming, services and initiatives to ensure they effectively fulfill the needs of the audiences we serve. With our viewers, members and community in mind, we have made the decision to pause the production of the weekly roundtable debate program Ruckus.

KCPT will take some time to consider whether we might better use our station resources in support of another program, one that allows for differing opinions but maintains the standards expected of our organization.

The long and short of it is that they, KCPT, are dropping, have dropped their weekly "news" program "Ruckus."

I say again, this is fantastic. That is some great news right there. Obviously Right Wing, Republican host Mike Shanin and all his old, Right Wing, also Republican buddies like Woody "I'm a Fossil" Cozad were WAY out of line. KCPT viewers and supporters deserve far better.

The program frequently had a very Right Wing weighted--and bleached white--panel, time and again. And you would think the host would only be just that, the host, and not interject his opinions, again, in this case, very Right Wing opinions yet there he was, every week, spewing those Republican or Libertarian or whatever viewpoints. 

His counterpart on KCPT, Nick Haines, over at "Week in Review" always did and does just that--that is, kept his opinions to himself. He has also begun having regularly, dependably balanced guests, too, with, specifically, two white people, a Black or African-American and a Hispanic or LatinX guest, thereby giving full representation to the entire community.

I had written KCPT and asked them, a couple times, maybe a few, to make the programs more representative of the entire metropolitan area.  Naturally, I also wrote about this here on the blog. (Perhaps one of you two readers may have seen it).  I thought they could and would maybe tweak both programs so they were balanced and representative of more views. They did it with Mr. Haines' program, I noticed. Perhaps they tried to do the same with Mr. Shanin's program as well. And he wouldn't budge?  Only they, on the inside, know, I suppose.

It's a shame something couldn't have worked out that Mr. Shanin couldn't have stayed with and on the show, kept his very Right Wing opinions to himself and dependably had a truly representative panel on the show, from across the city, week after week but so it goes. Maybe they'll create a new program with a similar format, a new, much better, more responsible host and again, balanced, representative guests for each week's panel.

Anyway, yes sir and ma'am, great, great news! Thank you, KCPT! You did the right thing here! We look forward to your continued success and growth!

Links: 

Mo Rage: KCPT's Lily-White, Bleached-White "Ruckus"

Mo Rage: Clueless Mike Shanin, KCPT and "Ruckus"

Kudos, At Long Last, To KCPT, "Ruckus" and Mike Shanin

Mayor James on a Saturday Morning, for a Good Cause

Our own Mayor James was out and busy early this morning and for a good cause.

While the rest of us were relaxing or having coffee or sleeping late or just enjoying our Saturday morning, our Mayor was out, full suit and tie and all, in this warmth and humidity for a good cause. No Kid Hungry Kansas City held a fund-raising bake sale this morning in Brookside. To both support them as well as be available to we citizens of the city, there he was, Mayor James, talking with whomever came up and on whatever issue.

And for what it's worth, this same charity has another fund raiser tomorrow in case you'd like to support it and them and missed this morning.

Have a great weekend, y'all.

A great effort and foundation

You're familiar with the Playing For Change group maybe?



This organization has their own foundation and with it, they finance scholarships for young people's education, across the world.



If you're thinking about helping any organization this holiday season, you might consider them.

Happy holidays.

Links:   Playing for Change - Wikipedia

Playing for Change Foundation

Playing For Change Foundation - YouTube

JJ's Restaurant Benefit and Silent Auction

 

 

There is another fundraiser coming up this coming Tuesday evening at 7 pm at Uptown Hall (formerly Uptown Theater) at 3700 Broadway.

It is sponsored by the official "Friends of JJ's" group and is to be a  "a party with JJ’s Restaurant owners, staff, patrons and friends in support of JJ's employees impacted by a devastating fire Feb. 19, 2013. Hosted by former Chiefs player Eddie Kennison and KCTV5’s Kelly Jones, attendees will enjoy food and drink from area restaurants while listening to live music on multiple stages and browsing a silent auction with a number of items from local merchants."

According to the press release:

Proceeds will benefit the immediate needs of JJ’s staff and employees impacted by the Plaza fire, as well as create a fund in honor of Megan Cramer, a JJ’s colleague who died in the Feb. 19 fire.

Tickets to the March 5 Benefit go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.

And here's the great thing. Tickets to attend are only $10 for most of us working-class schmucks. It's an excellent way to be able to support this group affordably.

For those with more money and/or capabilities and for companies and corporations in town, there are yet more ways to help. Other ticket level groups are as follows:

Trésor Club - $500 – includes on-site event concierge, VIP door entry, secured parking, early access to silent auction at 6pm, access to private bar (complimentary food and beverages), super-premium seating, and commemorative poster.

Sabre Club - $200 – includes VIP door entry, access to private bar (complimentary food and beverages), premium seating, and commemorative poster.

The Locker Room - $100 – includes seating, two drink tickets, and commemorative poster.

So by all means, folks, let's be sure to put this on our calendars and get down to the Uptown to help these people.

And have a great time, at the same time.

For more information visit Friends of JJ's | Facebook, or contact Andrea Shores at friendsofjjs@gmail.com or 646.378.9885.

Thank you, in advance, for your contributions.

Additional links:  www.uptowntheater.com, index - Kansas City

Read more here: http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/release/messages/39652/#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/release/messages/39652/#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/release/messages/39652/#storylink=cpy

What will no doubt be a great, funny fundraiser tonight

Jon Stewart is having his "Night of Too Many Stars" fundraiser to benefit New York Collaborates for Autism and to help contribute to the development of autism schools, services and programs across the country. Tune in to "Night of Too Many Stars" live on Comedy Central and CC.com, tonight at 7 pm Central Time.

Night of Too Many Stars
Get More: Comedy Central,Funny Videos,Funny TV Shows

One out of every 110 children was diagnosed as autistic in 2010. This year, as Mr. Stewart says, "...just two years later, it's one in every 88."

Please watch, laugh and support, if you can.

Links: http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/night-of-too-many-stars/celebrity-auction?xrs=eml_stars

Save the date--for the Folly Theater

Bill Shapiro of KCUR and "Cyprus Avenue" fame, is sponsoring a fundraiser for our own Folly Theater again, God bless him. This time, he's having singer/songwriter Sam Baker Saturday, August 25 at 8 pm, in case you missed last evening's show. Besides being able to enjoy Mr. Baker's wonderful, soulful, heartfelt music--live, at that--you can help a terrific and very worthwhile cause, our own Folly Theater.

Finally, the tickets are extremely reasonable, beginning at only $10 each with the best seats in the house going for only $20 to $35, a real bargain.

They go on sale this Monday morning. You can find more information at the first link below, especially. Phone the Folly box office this Monday at 816-474-4444

It's Mr. Shapiro's goal to fill all 1,082 seats that night.

Let's help make it happen.

Links: http://www.follytheater.com/siteresources/apps/calendar/eventview.asp?id=315

http://www.sambakermusic.com/

Side/final note--if you absolutely have to, go here for tickets:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/Sam-Baker-tickets/artist/1392489

Our own Senator Blunt, tight with Mitt Romney--and the money, Part I

It seems our own Missouri Senator Roy Blunt has quite a talent and close relationship for himself and his political party for raising big money for both himself and the presumed Republican nominee for presidency this year, Mitt "Mittens" Romney. This from The Sunlight Foundation's blog just after St. Pat's Day: Romney and Blunt: The big Washington invitation this week is the Mitt Romney campaign's Thursday breakfast with the 80 members of Congress that have endorsed him. It could bring in at least $800,000, a welcome infusion of cash for a campaign that is burning it at a fast rate in a primary season that has gone on longer than expected. For the event, Romney's point man on Capitol Hill, Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, wrote a letter to the lawmakers asking them to raise $10,000 in exchange for a table of 10. That's an interesting Washington twist—typically it's the lobbyists and insiders bundling money for a campaign-fundraising dinner with a member of Congress but now it's the lawmaker bundling the special interest money. Conveniently for the lawmakers and lobbyists, the event is right by the Capitol, at the Hyatt Regency.

Blunt warms up: On Tuesday, Blunt himself will be holding a $1,000-per-plate breakfast for his own campaign, and if he hasn't secured his ten $1,000 donors for Romney's big event already, it's a good bet that he'll make the pitch over eggs. Blunt is no stranger to these exclusive fundraisers—in fact, Sunlight and National Public Radio tried to enter one last year but were turned away. This one is at a favorite senatorial saloon, The Monocle. Link: http://politicalpartytime.org/blog/2012/03/18/this-weeks-fundraisers-blunt-greases-the-wheels-for-romney-hatch-reloads-and-belated-st-paddys-day-gold/

Rose Brooks bigger Oscar night...

A much more important, local show was going on across town for our own Rose Brooks with Kristen Chenoweth hosting their big, annual fundraiser for them.

Hopefully it was a huge, huge, very successful and fun evening for all involved. The Rose Brooks Center does such terrific, helpful, important work. Here's hoping.

KCPT hits a new low

I know they've been doing it for some time at KCPT--I don't know how long--but the fund raising they now do, DURING "The News Hour" is more than a bit galling. Somebody needed to say something about it, somewhere, even if nothing happens on it. I mentioned, earlier in the week here how bad it's gotten watching so many of their shows here lately. If you see that a singer is performing and you're familiar with their MO, you know you're going to get bombarded with requests to support them by buying some DVD or group of DVD's. If you like, need or want breaks from the TV for computer time or food or bathroom breaks, these shows and KCPT is the station for you. Link: http://kcpt.org

Don't forget--Restaurant Week starts tomorrow!

That's right, tomorrow begins Kansas City's second year of "Restaurant Week", benefiting Harvesters, the Community Food Network.

From their website:

10% of the cost of each meal purchased from KC Restaurant Week menus will be donated to Harvesters in an effort to fight hunger in the Kansas City area. In 2010, this event raised more than $55,000, providing some 275,000 meals to our neighbors in need.

Diners can enjoy delcious and budget-friendly meals at 100 participating restaurants during the 10-day event. Select from multiple course prix-fixe menus, with lunch for $15 and dinner for $30.

So if you're going to eat out anyway, please do what you can over the next week to patronize one of the 100 restaurants in town that are participating in this very worthy project.

You can check on your favorite participating restaurant here:  http://www.kansascityrestaurantweek.com/restaurants/

Links:  http://www.kansascityrestaurantweek.com/;  http://www.visitkc.com/;  http://www.inkkc.com/;  http://www.morestaurants.org/;  http://www.harvesters.org/;  http://www.kj.com/;  http://www.discover.com/;  http://www.boulevard.com/;  http://www.kansascity.com/;  http://www.spaceskc.com/;  http://www.pepsirefreshproject.com/; 
http://kansascity.usfoodservice.com/SitePages/Home.aspx;  http://www.theroasterie.com/; 
http://www.kcoriginals.com/;  http://nightlifekc.com/dining;  http://www.opentable.com/home.aspx; 
http://airealmobile.com/

Ain't dat just a danged shame?

Posted by stevebenen at 12:44 pm on "Crooks and Liars"

May 24, 2010

Republican National Committee Very, Very Low on Cash

This post originally appeared on Washington Monthly.

Since Michael Steele took over as chairman of the Republican National Committee, the party’s budgetary decisions have been the subject of widespread consternation, intensified by the fact that RNC fundraising has fallen far short of expectations.

These concerns have escalated in recent months, in light of expense reports pointing to unnecessary spending on private planes, limousines, catering, flowers, softball equipment, and an outing at lesbian-themed bondage nightclub.

A CNN report this afternoon will likely raise the anxiety levels among Republicans to new heights.

An internal Republican National Committee document obtained by CNN paints a damning picture of the committee’s financial standing compared to the past five election cycles.

The document, pulled together during a recent review sparked by concerns over RNC spending practices, said the committee had $12.5 million in cash on hand at the end of April.

By comparison, the average cash on hand at the end of April from 2002-2009 was $40.4 million. And that average includes the odd numbered years when there are fewer election contests.