801 Chophouse
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
The guests all enjoyed looking at one another. At a major restaurant opening where the crowd doesn’t belong to a particular movement or following, judgments based on appearance are precisely the point.
Last night was my second restaurant opening – also the second for me in the Power & Light District. Both came in the autumn and were tied to Urban Times in some way. The first was last October at Vinino for the magazine’s launch party. The second was yesterday – drinks and dessert at 801 Chophouse in the Power & Light District courtesy of free passes handed down by Publisher Christina Boveri. (more…)
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Tags: Business, On the Town, Power & Light
Falling Star
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
When its glorious new press pavillion was complete with aqua-colored glass nearly overhanging Interstate 70, it appeared as though The Kansas City Star had finally achieved invincibility. Already the city’s most prominent news publication, it finally had the digs to flaunt its status. But on Monday the staff weathered a third round of layoffs not unlike the recent cutbacks at other metropolitan dailies, including The Los Angeles Times.
The Star has been struck by the down economy and the accompanying decline in advertising sales. This time a close friend of mine lost his job. His dismissal is evidence that the cuts are reaching far deeper into the newsroom than anyone anticipated and that talented people are being let go. I think I speak for most local journalists in wishing the more than 200 individuals who have been impacted the best of luck in finding positions that keep them in the journalism profession or at least their passion alive for telling stories.
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Tags: Business, Clients
Helix Architecture’s Rebekah Kingsley is a goddess! I owe her for connecting me with Review editor Tracy Abeln. My piece titled “Solid Crossing” appeared in the essay section of the magazine’s October edition. I haven’t requested a print copy. I’ll just take Rebekah’s word that it looked spectacular. (more…)
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Tags: Business, Clients, Review
Out Today
Friday, November 7th, 2008
The latest edition of Urban Times is circulating at First Friday gallery showings in the Crossroads tonight. This month, I wrote the cover story about Julia Irene Kauffman and Tom Bloch, the heirs to two of Kansas City’s most prominent families. Be sure to pick up a copy if you’re downtown this weekend.
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Tags: Business, Urban Times
Ah, the life of a magazine writer. I am already living a month ahead of everyone. Tonight, working on deadline for November, at my desk probably into the early hours of tomorrow morning to finish a piece that won’t be read for three weeks. Steady rain, overcast skies and cool temperatures (i.e. perfect sleeping weather) don’t make it any easier.
I wish I were a football player that could walk out into the brisk autumn afternoon and lay it on the line during a few hours of pain and discomfort, the fate of my teammates and I decided by the bounce of an oblong pigskin. My life would be simpler then. I could spend the night on the couch, wrapped in blankets and nursing raw skin and fresh bruises rather than a damaged ego.
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Tags: Business
