Good word out on our fair city

Out today from Travel & Leisure Magazine and now, the Kansas City Star:

Travel + Leisure ranks KC as nation's most affordable getaway

Not only that but we rank No. 1.

What they have to say:

No. 1 Kansas City, MO

It’s one of the few cities where hotel prices have stayed the same or even dropped in the past year (the average summer rate is $137, according to Kayak). Sightseeing also remains a great value: you’ll get in free at three of Kansas City’s main art museums, as well as two fun factory-style tours (the Hallmark Visitors Center and the Boulevard Brewing Company). The savings continue at dinnertime. KC won the survey for its budget-minded, slow-smoked barbecue: a classic “burnt ends” sandwich at Danny Edwards’ Boulevard BBQ is just $5.99.

So kudos, Kansas City. If anything, let's just make it better.

Link to the Star's coverage of it:  Travel + Leisure ranks KC as nation's most affordable getaway

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/05/21/4246261/kansas-city-offers-nations-most.html#storylink=cpy

KCMO: One of "10 best cities for new graduates"

Well, in spite of all the naysayers and negative bloggers, our own Kansas City, Missouri hit yet another big, national list of good things about us.

We are, in fact, listed as one of the best cities in the nation for new graduates by CNBC. It's also being blared out on Yahoo! right now, too.

Their stats on us:

Unemployment rate: 7.6%

Cost of living index: 97.8

Mean annual income: $45,050

Top industries: business, agriculture

Followed by this little blurb about us:

"K.C. is well known for its contributions in the categories of barbecue, jazz, and blues, but it continues to evolve. 'Healthy living and an eco-friendly lifestyle are just one part of the booming downtown of Kansas City,' says Christina Aragon, director of strategy and customer insights at Rent.com.

So there you go. Yet one more feather in our cap, so to speak.

Fact is, there are a lot worse places to live in the world and country, folks, by a long shot.

Enjoy.

Links: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10-best-cities-for-new-graduates.html; http://www.cnbc.com/id/47376598?__source=yahoorealestate%7Ccitiesforgraduates%7C&par=yahoorealestate

Lest we forget the Nelson-Atkins Museum

It seems the city has--rightfully, I think--gone so ga-ga (not to be confused with the singer) over our new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, we have to keep in mind the treasure and treasures over at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. And to do so here, now, it seems a good idea to point out their upcoming exhibit on "Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs, 1851-1939." It opens to the public April 14. It should be another outstanding exhibit, for sure. Hopefully this exhibit will get the kind of exposure they did a few years ago with their one on trains in art. That one got covered by CBS' "Sunday Morning" in its last week. I think a lot more people in the region came to it the last weekend because of that coverage. Link: http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/exhibitions/WorldsFairs/

Our own Henry Bloch says he's willing to pay higher taxes, too

Yes sir, our very own Henry Bloch of H & R Block, of course, says he, too--like Warren Buffett--would be, no, is in favor of him and other millionaires paying more in higher taxes, for the good of his--our--country. Check it out: In an interview with Fox 4 News, Mr. Bloch⁠said that “the wealthy have a debt to this country. They can afford to pay it and they should.” He then added that the Republican push to protect tax breaks for millionaires in order to create jobs is “baloney”: “That’s so baloney,” Bloch said. “Rich people don’t create jobs. Companies create jobs. You probably pay a higher rate than I do… and yet my income is probably many times what yours is.” Keeping in mind that, as the article points out, Mr. Bloch is also a lifelong Republican, too. So, to all of that, I say, first, thank you, Mr. Bloch, for your statements, honesty and truth. Second and finally, I have to say it makes me even more proud to be a Kansas Citian. Have a great weekend, y'all. Go to a 50th birthday party or something. Link to original story: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/08/27/millionaire-owner-of-hr-block-wants-to-pay-more-taxes/

KCMO HAS ONE OF "WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS!!!"

Dang!  How cool is that?!

This morning, on Yahoo! News is an article with, as said above, "The World's Most Beautiful Buildings" and lo and behold, our own Nelson-Atkins Art Museum's Bloch Gallery of Contemporary Art!

Right behind Mont St. Michel, in the South of France.

This is what they have to say about it:

Unlike many modern additions to historic museums, Steven Holl’s 21st-century companion doesn’t overwhelm the 1933 Beaux Arts original. His string of iridescent frosted-glass boxes pop out of the grassy lawn—they are absolutely magical at dusk when they begin to glow—and filter sunlight into a series of dramatic underground galleries.

Special Attraction: Check out the Noguchi Sculpture Court, a minimalist space created by the famed Japanese-American artist that cleverly blurs the line between indoors and out.

Yeehaw!

Not a total cowtown, eh?

Now, for the 90% of the people in the metropolitan area who haven't been over there yet to see it, get off your sofa and check it out, now that you know it's "legit".

Additionally, let me make a recommendation to you on it.  That is, go into the Bloch Gallery straight from outside--don't go in through the main, older gallery.  Go check it out, look around and enjoy.  Then, once back at the main lobby, THEN go into the original Nelson;  go up the stairs and enjoy that entrance.  Walk slowly, taking it all in, past the lion sculpture, etc.  Then, on your left, as you're walking through, look into the adjacent room, at an angle, and see the St. John the Baptist piece by Caravaggio.  Not only is the work itself magnificent but the placing of it here, where they have it, is very nearly breathtaking.

Now let's wait until November, when we get our 2nd extremely cool architectural wonder, when the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opens.  More great headlines for our burg.

Have a great weekend, y'all.

Links:  http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-38095356
http://www.nelson-atkins.org/
http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/CollectionDatabase.cfm?id=1130&theme=euro
http://blog.ericbowersphoto.com/2011/03/brandmeyer-great-hall-at-the-kauffman-center-under-construction/

An exciting Kansas City development

 

I have to tell you, I've been so looking forward to this new Performing Arts Center here in town, I can barely wait until it opens.

When the new Bloch Gallery of Contemporary Art opened at the Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery, that was incredibly exciting itself. It's such a beautiful building, even if it is just at night. For everything from its position on the site to the same lighting at night, the views from within the gallery, the natural light inside the gallery and so much more, it's been a stunner since it opened.

Since that opening, I've looked forward to this additional addition to the Kansas City landscape. With the Moshe Safdie design--which is going to be brilliant both figuratively and literally--and what it will mean to Kansas City in terms of live art performances, it will be a huge, historic and important addition to the city and, really, the region.

We're a lucky, lucky people here in Kansas City.

(In spite of what Tony says on his blog).

(Just having fun, Tony).

I'd like to start thanking the Kauffman Foundation and all the people who have contributed to this facility we will have soon, now.

More Photography, less rants

 

I've decided I haven't put enough pictures on my site so here goes. This is another of the Bloch Gallery of Contemporary Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, here in Kansas City. It's stunning at night. I think most of the city has never ventured over in this neighborhood to see this. It's too bad because it's a knockout. Anyway, I love the building and really enjoy this set of pictures, but that's me. I'll get back to ranting about the Bush Administration next entry.

Also, be sure to look at the bottom of this front page as I added more pictures I haven't shown before there, too.