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Further proof: There will be no streetcars, no convention hotel

The Star evaluates Kansas City's past, present and, really, future, given our spending and lack of leadership and vision. It's a good article, really, a great interpretation:

KC is paying a big price for falling behind

It's a good, smart, brief read:

"Kansas City’s overall outstanding government debt of $2.32 billion works out to $5,028 owed by every resident. That’s the second highest load when stacked up against 10 other peer cities (see chart on link, below).

Could the Mayor's streetcar line and the convention hotel happen?

Sure, I guess. It could. Possibly.

Is it likely?

Given the lack or weakness of leadership locally (and even nationally), I wouldn't put money on it.

Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/05/3594782/the-stars-editorial-kc-is-paying.html

I hope the Star has a reporter to spare for this story...

...because this is, I think, a rather significant one for us to all know about: Power Woes Shut Down Wolf Creek Nuke Plant And what's the power company's and government's first response to us, the public? Wait for it: Low-Level Emergency Didn't Threaten Public Safety No, they never do, do they? Just ask the people in Japan after the Fukushima disaster--not that this is remotely like that. It's just that the first thing you always hear in these things is that "all is well." Right. A bit of the story: BURLINGTON, Kan. -- The operators of the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant said a loss of off-site power prompted an automatic shutdown at the northeast Kansas facility. The shutdown happened Friday afternoon. Wolf Creek officials say the plant's two emergency diesel generators automatically started, supplying power to all safety-related equipment. Plant officials declared a "notification of unusual event," which is the lowest of four emergency classifications defined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I just hope the Star can, as I said, spare a reporter for this. I hope we can know what's going and that it really is inconsequential. There was the initial report, last year, about the flooding near the nuclear reactor in Nebraska but the Star didn't give that any additional coverage after that, I don't believe. Link: http://www.kmbc.com/news/30211372/detail.html

First over at TKC and now this

First I see and read racist rants over at Tony's KC Blog in the comments section (racist, knuckle-dragging morons using the "n" word, for lack of a better description) and now this:

Anger, shock over cross burning in Calif community

By ROBERT JABLON, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES – Anger and shock have penetrated a prosperous, mostly white Central California community where an 11-foot cross was stolen from a church and set on fire next to the home of a black family.

The cross was stolen from a garden at Saint John's Lutheran Church weeks ago and set ablaze Friday in a lot behind the house where the family lived, police Cmdr. John Hough said.

Whoever did this falls under the categories of thief, coward, racist and moron.

I point this out because first, we should be beyond racism and secondly, because pointing it out and bringing it to light should, hopefully, see to it that one day we rid ourselves of this kind of ignorance.  

It can't be tolerated.

It bears repeating:  we should be way beyond this.

Link to original story:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_calif_cross_burning

Kansas City on Yahoo's "10 Most Underrated Cities"

Yeehaw!

Check out what they had to say:

You may not know that Kansas City is teeming with fountains and fresh off a downtown renovation.

With downtown's multi-billion dollar face-lift, pedestrian-friendly boulevards, and claim to having the most fountains of any city outside of Rome, Kansas City is definitely deserving of buzz. Plus, history buffs can learn about the underrated city's pioneer roots at the Arabia Steamboat Museum, while sports fans can visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a tribute to the excellent athletes forced to play in segregated leagues. Blues and jazz clubs also abound in this city where musicians like Count Basie and Charlie Parker got their start, particularly in the historic 18th and Vine District, where the American Jazz Museum is located. For some summertime family fun, head to mega-water park Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, which debuted in July 2009 as the brand’s first venture outside of Texas. Once you've worked up an appetite, you're also in for a treat, as this Midwestern city also boasts some of the country's best barbecue.

And they didn't even say anything about the world class Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

So anyone bitching about how it sucks to live here, check it out. (Tony?)

And this is before we add the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

I guess I have to change my response to "Yahoo!"

Have a great weekend, y'all.

Link to original post:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-34348516

They want the KC P and L District to be successful?

I took my daughter last evening to Cosentino's for dinner, for a change of pace and WTF?! I couldn't believe you can't park on Main Street.

Tons of room.

"No Parking Allowed."

There used to be parking meters along Main, before the revamp of downtown.

They paid money to have them ripped out.

Then they paid money to have "No Parking" signs put up.

Let me get this straight--they want P and L to be successful?

They want us to come downtown?

Right?

But you can't park on the wide street?

(Oh, and don't eat the "Veggie Pasta" dish off the salad bar at Cosentino's, either. That was some kinda nasty. Dry. I think it had been recooked a few days, anyway. And "Veggie"--you thought that meant "vegetables", right? Well, at Cosentino's it means "without meat", that's all. It was dry, dry, dry, overcooked cheese and equally dry and overcooked pasta. Really nasty--and nearly $25.00 for 2 people. Easy advice: stay away.)