For the past week, I have searched and called liquor stores citywide trying to find one that had Boulevard's newest beer, Two Jokers, in stock. I heard a lot of "nope" and "never heard of it" and "we're supposed to get it sometime soon." Yesterday, three stores suddenly had it. There's plenty for the taking now all over the city.
That week of effort just makes the next sentence all the more disappointing. I do not care for Two Jokers.
Thursday was day two of community activist Rachel Riley's three-day camp out in front of City Hall. About a dozen people held signs, grilled food and talked about the city's violent, crime-infested east side.
Dimestore Hemingway is the awesome name of the new album from twangy Kansas roots rockers True North. The clever name nails the intelligent, everyman spirit of this band.
TN sent me an advance copy of the album last week. The songs -- many of which I've been enjoying at live shows for a long time -- are full of frontman Gary McKnight's playful songwriting. The mournful "Near Mrs" is a personal favorite. "Three Chords and the Truth" is a fun little country rocker. And "Sideways" is one of TN's classic odes to hard-drinking.
Elsewhere on the album, the band pays references Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, both lyrically and musically.
Grab a free MP3 from Dimestore Hemingway after the jump.
As he is every other Friday, Charles will be on Walt's show today at 10 a.m. to discuss restaurants and food. The last discussion on hot dogs seemed to generate quite a stir. Suddenly it seems as if every blog is talking about franks.
Today's episode should be no different as the critics examine dips. Hummus, avocado, cheese and maybe even the wearisome spinach-artichoke dip.
The show is on KCUR 89.3 FM, and remember, office workers, that you can stream it live from the station's Web site.
Image via Flickr: Hazy Jenius
College and high school students, here's an addendum to the Fat City post on interning at farms. This went up on KC Food Circle's blog yesterday: "Greater KC Area Students, if you are looking for summer work on a local organic or free-range farmstead or in an urban/community garden, post your work wanted ad by e-mail to HarvestHotline@KCFoodCircle.org."
Four rules for healthier eating include stopping a habit I'd never heard of -- people gorging on unhealthy food while watching healthy meals prepared on the Food Network. [CNN]
Coffee is dirt-cheap considering that it has to be hand-picked, shipped, processed and roasted. But with a spate of foul weather messing up coffee crops all over the world that might change soon. [Time]
There may be a recession and you can probably get a table on the same night you call, but damn it, Thomas Keller's wunder-restaurant Per Se refuses to skimp on any item in the kitchen. [NYT]
Kansas City police say 23-year-old Takiya Love was the woman shot and killed inside a home in the 2000 block of Walrond Thursday afternoon.
Officers were called to Truman Medical Center after Lane showed up at the hospital suffering from gunshot wounds around 3:18 p.m. Lane was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police have yet to release any suspect information. If you have any info, call the TIPS Hotline at 816.474.8477.
1. Go to the library -- but not to read! Check out the Art of Improvisation, a musical event featuring Mark Southerland, Jeff Harshbarger and Allison Moore, happening at 8:30 Friday at the Central Branch of the Kansas City, Missouri, Public Library.
2. See some art in the Crossroads. It's not First Friday, but what the heck? Rhythmized Textiles from the African Diaspora opens with a 6-9 p.m. reception Friday at Pi Gallery.
3. Shop for cheap vintage threads and affordable art. KC's Art Flea Market happens every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the corner of 16th Street and Holmes.
4. Find out why the Kansas City Zoo is among the top 60 zoos in the nation -- and number one in at least one category. The co-author of a book ranking American zoos will be at the zoo on Sunday from noon until 2 p.m.
5. Rock out for a guy with lung cancer. DiCarlo's Mustard Seed is hosting the Jammin' for Chuck Benefit at 2 p.m. Sunday, a concert of about a half-dozen bands who want to help raise money for Chuck Chubb, who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.
6. For more weekend distractions, see The Pitch calendar.
A woman was shot and killed Thursday afternoon inside a home in the 2000 block of Walrond.
Around 3:18 p.m., officers responded to a shooting victim call at Truman Medical Center. The woman, whose age isn't yet known, was pronounced dead a short time after the officers arrived.
Kansas City police are on the scene, and detectives are waiting on a search warrant to enter the residence.
The police do not have any suspect information at this time.
Got a tip? Call 816-474-8477.
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Dwayne E. Smith, KSHB Channel 41 reports.
Smith, 47, was found beaten and run over in the intersection of 10th and Grand on April 1. Surveillance video showed someone beating Smith and knocking him into the street. Later, a car driven by a woman ran him over. Smith died at a hospital.
The teen's name hasn't been released, and KSHB says it's not clear whether he'll be tried as an adult.
As promised we're continuing our Brown Bombers videos from this week's feature story, "Spit Happens." Here's Taylor Brown, 17, spitting like a woman possessed at the Blue Room:
The Gaf has closed in Waldo
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