Thursday, November 10, 2016

Poor homeless Mayor James: No Hillary to coattail Cleaver to WDC new cabinet job, thus Sly can't run to replace Cleaver in Congress! Time to actually BUY a home in KCMO?

The saddest clown in town is clearly Mayor Sly James.
Mayor Sly James tugs on his bow tie...
His secret plan to ride the glory train to Washington was thwarted by the election of Donald Trump.

When will voters and taxpayers demand their Mayor actually BUY a home here???
Did you ever wonder why your mayor does not OWN a home in KCMO???  (He rents, on Union Hill.  108 E. 30th St.--where there are often campaign signs for friendly Dems and his endless tax increases.)  He sold his famous home on Mannheim Road in Hyde Park, the one where he was then caught early this year during his re-election campaign, by Clay Chastain's campaign for being delinquent on paying property taxes on two beater cars.

You know about that.  The election board --and the media--simply ignored the clear violation.  Because Sly's opponents were The General, a homeless man with no phone number who slept on friends' extra beds or at the motel on The Paseo.  And Clay Chastain, who lived in Virginia, and slept at his sister's house when he occasionally visited KCMO.  (at least we hope it's a separate bed...)

The plan that fell apart:
Run for an easy re-election, since the 1000 other lawyers in town sat it out.  Check.  How hard was that?
Then support Hillary for President.
Congressman Cleaver was then hoping to be appointed to either a cabinet position OR some department head or a job with either the Clinton Foundation or the Obama Foundation.
He's already locked up HIS lifetime pension, having served more than two terms.
And when the appointment job would be over, Cleaver could then become a lobbyist, like Senator Blunt, and have Dianne Cleaver and a couple of kids also become lobbyists.  It's all still legal. And rotten.

Sly James then hoped and planned and prayed and EXPECTED to be APPOINTED by the Dem. Central Committee to replace Cleaver in Congress--from which he could then run in 23 months for re-election--as an incumbent.

He and his wife could then move to WDC!  Buy a home THERE!~!!
Better parties, more fun.  And a much longer mass transit train to ride for years--at taxpayer expense.

And, like Kansas' senior Senator, Pat Roberts has done for years, just RENT in his home district.  In fact, Roberts only rents a room and a Barcalounger in a sycophant's home in Garden City.  Not even a whole house!!
Sly James hoped to buy this Barcalounger to keep in a back badroom of a rented condo in KC when he went to Congress on Clinton's and Cleaver's generous coattails...

Well, as the Norwegians say, "Uffda!"  (Jews say "oy veh".    Same diff.)

So now Sly James is stuck in purgatory: KCMO--with a crumbling infrastructure, no sugar daddies or Queen Hillary to support him.  And worst of all--no big future ahead of him.  Mayor is generally the end of the line.

But hey--consider this!  If Sly James succeeds in somehow conning the public into extending his Toy Train down to the Plaza, then the fake paid protesters will be able to ride, for free, all the way from Nichols Fountain to 12th St!  Then they just have to manage to drag their bought-and-paid-for protest signs and their giant papier mache effigies of President Trump four blocks from Main to Oak.  (Nobody had time to make those artworks that fast.)

Because the truth is--KC is not a walking town.  And protesters really never walk very far.  It's too hard on the TV News crews to capture and edit that much footage.  Thepaid protesters were handed those signs.  They were handed those effigy artworks and the matches.  They were paid to walk.  By the mischief maker man who visited Obama's White House 342 times the past eight years.  It's all a fake.  Just like the Ferguson protests.  Paid by outside agitators.

OK.  If you "feel Sly's pain", send a sympathy card to your homeless hopeless mayor.  Or drop it off at 108 W. 30th St.  But don't bother to make it a Hallmark card.  You only do that 'When you care enough...to send the very best.'

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Call every cat lover you know. See "Feral Love" one time only, Wed. Nov.9 at 7:35 at KIFF Film Fest, Glenwood Arts/Ranchmart South

OK, I'm calling the race.  Alot of folks are howling and sad about Hillary Clinton's defeat.  Meow!!!  What is needed?  To change the channel in their heads--and there's no better way than watching an absorbing story of a so-called  "crazy cat lady" who is also a respected professional musician 'of note'!.  Followed by a free recital.
This devoted and loving cat lover takes pails of food into the underground tunnels of New York City every day, 
The Kansas International Film Festival is winding down at the Glenwood Arts--and still recovering from the HUGE turnout for Ed Asner's visit last Sunday.  (There were actually more fans who came to see Ed Asner and "My Friend, Ed", than turned out to see Hillary Clinton's rally in KCMO last month.  So that tells you everything you needed to know.)
CJ Scheppers, projectionist at Glenwood Arts for KIFF, filmed the line of fans who turned out Sunday to see Ed Asner and his documentary, "My Friend, Ed".  The line was hours long, far longer than the voters who showed up Tuesday  at the precinct voting location which was right behind that blue sign!  Or for Hillary's rally with the Baptist ministers a month ago in KCMO.
There are seven feature films left at KC's 16th annual film festival for independent movies and shorts and animations.  And the very best remaining film --in my opinion--is FERAL LOVE, which like all the KIFF indie films,  with the exception of two of the 35 features that won Jury Awards, are screened only once.

"Feral Love: the Documentary" screens Wednesday only, at 7:35pm--
*  the documentary is 71 minutes long--
*  and THEN there is a Q and A, with Director Markie Hancock and Dorian Rence--
*  and THEN Dorian Rence will play her viola!!!


Now I am biased.  I was a professional violist in the Wichita Symphony.  I won a four year full scholarship to Wichita State based on my playing and my scholastic and leadership activities.  The viola (larger than a violin, and smaller than a cello) has a gorgeous mellow soothing tone.  

Here's the IMDB description:
Crazy cat lady or world-class musician? Dorian Rence smashes our notions of what matters and who counts in 'Feral Love.' A violist with the New York Philharmonic for 40 years, Dorian also cares for a feral cat colony in the tunnels of New York City. You decide. 'Feral Love' follows world-class musician Dorian Rence who has performed with the New York Philharmonic for 40 years while caring for a feral colony of cats in the railroad tunnels of New York City.

'I frankly don't see a big difference between the life of a cat and the life of me' she states as we gradually come to understand and respect her work with ferals and her rise to the elite ranks of professional musicians. Born in Oklahoma to a father who was both a farmer and a clarinet player, Dorian started piano lessons at the age of five and then violin lessons. After acceptance to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music as a violist, she won her audition with the New York Philharmonic at age 21. 

Dorian was the seventh woman to enter the New York Philharmonic and has played with all the great conductors and soloists including Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Luciano Pavarotti, Isaac Stern, Yo Yo Ma, to name a few. "Feral Love" tracks Dorian as she cares for and ultimately rescues the cats in her colony during a particularly brutal winter. We are accompanied on this journey with the gorgeous music of a New York Philharmonic string ensemble featuring Dorian Rence on the viola.

If you would like two free tickets, leave a polite comment on www.kcmopost.com with your name, number and email--and I will try to get them for you.  (Must leave on my web site, not a Tony comment.  Since I screen all comments, I won't publish your name and number, just preview it to reach you.)   Tracy Thomas, publisher.  And KIFF volunteer.




Saturday, November 5, 2016

Update on free tickets: If you missed Rush BrothersMovie at KIFF Film Festival, Glenwood Arts/Ranchmart, come Tuesday 5pm:see the Best Doc and Best Narrative. Enter to win free tix to those.

Impt note:
As Tony says, sometimes Blogger does a hiccup.  So I didn't receive the free ticket request for The Rush Brothers Movie until 10 minutes before the Sat. night show.  And you are probably already there! so: "Pat", I left you a VM--and if you call me Sunday, I will get you two free tickets to ANY OTHER FILM--so sorry!  Select whatever you like--www.kansasfilm.com.

One suggestion is the 5pm shows on Tuesday--based on the Jury Awards this Sunday am at 11--for the best of the best.
5:05 will be Best Documentary (and who know, maybe Rush Brothers will win!!
or--
5:10pm will be Best Narrative.


Personally in that category I hope "Train Station" wins.  I saw it today, and it's amazing.
40 directors from 25 countries spent 3 years making (and financing) their own scenes.
Three of the directors flew in to KC for the week, including one from Dubai!!!

Director Kevin Rumley told me tonight, at the festival party near the sponsoring 816 Hotel, "None of the 40 filmmakers ever met the others.  We only wrote and produced this whole film using email on scripts, etc. And when any director dropped out, after the arduous 3 year process, we just had to pick up the slack, or re-shoot a few scenes, even if the actors had grown beards or moved across the world.   But meeting here today in Kansas City, now we are brothers."

Train Station is about the power of every choice we make, how it changes the trajectory of the rest of our lives.  So in Train Station, every time there is a "choice point" new actors take over for about five minutes.  It's WILD!  Here's a hint to watching it: The protagonist always wears brown, and carries a suitcase, but the actors and actresses change!

If you loved the 1991 movie, "Defending Your Life" with Meryl Streep and Rip Torn and Albert Brooks, you might love Train Station as well.

Tony woulda loved this moment:
During the Q&A, I told the three directors of Train Station--"Be sure to get someone to drive you down to OUR silly little train station--we have a stupid little train that basically goes NOWHERE!!! Two miles up, then back again!!!!

Wish I'd described it as our town's version of Groundhog Day.  Oh well, 20/20 hindsight.

---
ENTER TO WIN MORE FREE TICKETS TO KC's biggest independent FILM FESTIVAL--16th season:

ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE--
CHOOSE YOUR TITLE AT WWW.KANSASFILM.COM

Tony is helping me and my favorite local film festival give away free tickets to selected films this year.
To enter to win, send me a polite request via comment (not on Tonyskansascity-- but MUST BE ON WWW.KCMOPOST.BLOGSPOT.COM).
You may log on, or click the link Tony provides, or click this blog in the RH column of Tonys site.

I will need your name and email address and phone number--so you can't just be anonymous.  Since I screen all comments first, I won't publish it--just use the info to see if I can score you two free tix.

I will give away as many tickets as I can.

If you win, I will immediately send you the form, and notify the Will Call Desk at the Glenwood Arts.  I will also let you know if you did not win FREE tix, but encourage you to buy them early, as they are selling FAST.  As fast as a moving train that is not Sly James' toy train!

Winners will take your Confirmation Email (print out or just show your phone) to the Will Call in the vast underground theatre lobby Ranchmart South to pick up your tickets.  (You may park on the 95th St. side and walk down the 20 steps, or park in back, off 95th Ter. just east of Mission Rd.)
You may also buy extra tickets there --if it's not sold out.  Goin' fast!

Each of the 35 FULL LENGTH films at this year's KIFF film festival ONLY AIRS ONCE!!!
Tickets are not exchangeable for another film.  Five different indie films (docs, narratives or animations) are screened in the five auditoriums, one time only, at any given time.   Audience members vote on their favorites, to earn additional showings in the future.

This year a record number of filmmakers and performing artists are flying in for the festival.  It's a big deal in the independent film world.  The stars and producers will be partying in Westport, --except NOT at SunFresh in the middle of the night!!!!!!!!!!!!!   and mingling with fans and other movie producers at the Glenwood Arts, at the KIFF Cafe, where Kat Irons prepares gourmet food.  Paparazzi welcome.  So use your napkin when you're enjoying Kat's famous KIFF Carrot Cake, OK???!


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Win 2 free tickets to "The Rush Brothers" documentary movie, Sat. Nov. 7:40pm, 1x only showing at KIFF Film Festival, Glenwood Arts, Ranchmart South 95th/Mission. Q&A with Kareem Rush!



You may have followed the Rush brothers when they played basketball at PemDay private school in Kansas City.  Or maybe you were late to the game, when Kareem made it to playing for five NBA franchises--starting as the LA Lakers' 1st round Draft Pick, in 2002.

Whatever.  What happened then?  What's happening now?  Come hang with Kareem, for the one time only screening of his documentary movie, The Rush Brothers,
Sat. Nov. 5
7:40 pm prompt!!!
71 minute documentary, followed by Q and A.

KIFF, Kansas International Film Festival
Glenwood Arts Theatre, in the lower level of Ranchmart South, 95th & Mission

Tickets are $9 at the box office.

Or--enter to win two free tix:

Tony is helping me and my favorite local film festival give away free tickets to selected films this year.
To enter to win, send me a polite request via comment (not on Tonyskansascity-- but MUST BE ON WWW.KCMOPOST.BLOGSPOT.COM).
You may log on, or click the link Tony provides, or click this blog in the RH column of Tonys site.

I will need your name and email address and phone number--so you can't just be anonymous.  Since I screen all comments first, I won't publish it--just use the info to see if I can score you two free tix.

I will give away as many tickets as I can.

If you win, I will immediately send you the form, and notify the Will Call Desk at the Glenwood Arts.  I will also let you know if you did not win FREE tix, but encourage you to buy them early, as they are selling FAST.  As fast as a lethal 3-point shot!
Winners will take your Confirmation Email (print out or just show your phone) to the Will Call in the vast underground theatre lobby Ranchmart South to pick up your tickets.  (You may park on the 95th St. side and walk down the 20 steps, or park in back, off 95th Ter. just east of Mission Rd.)
You may also buy extra tickets there --if it's not sold out.  Goin' fast!

Each of the 35 FULL LENGTH films at this year's KIFF film festival ONLY AIRS ONCE!!!
Tickets are not exchangeable for another film.  Five different indie films (docs, narratives or animations) are screened in the five auditoriums, one time only, at any given time.   Audience members vote on their favorites, to earn additional showings in the future.  The Rush Brothers Film is a Jury Award Nominee--in the running to win extra screenings--IF you give it 4 stars!

This year a record number of filmmakers and performing artists are flying in for the festival.  It's a big deal in the independent film world.  The stars and producers will be partying in Westport, and mingling with fans and other movie producers at the Glenwood Arts, at the KIFF Cafe, where Kat Irons prepares gourmet food.  Paparazzi welcome.  So use your napkin when you're slurping up some of Kat's vegetarian chili, or eating her curried chicken salad on croissant, OK???!



Kareem Rush, Athlete/Artist – THE RUSH BROTHERS will attend.  SAT. NIGHT ONLY, 7:40PM.  71 MIN. DOC.  JURY AWARD NOMINEE!

Kareem is a retired basketball star who played for five NBA franchises: L.A. Lakers (1st Round Draft Pick 2002), Charlotte Bobcats, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and L.A. Clipper.  He became known for what has been called his "lethal" 3-point shot.  He is also an R&B recording artist and an entrepreneur with a long track record of community activism.  As a founding executive of Kid Friendly Sports, he is committed in the areas of anti-bullying, youth sports, affordable health care in underserved communities, and the healthy psychosocial development of young athletes.  His charitable work in Black philanthropy (The Give Black Foundation), is dedicated to the long-term financial viability of retired pro athletes.


Here are all the filmmakers and stars attending KIFF Film Festival this next week

For details about the KIFF Film Festival, click here.


For more free ticket offers, and to read about other events and films see our sister site, www.JocoPost.com

----
Impt note:
As Tony says, sometimes Blogger does a hiccup.  So I didn't receive the free ticket request until 10 minutes before the Sat. night show.  And you are probably already there! so: Pat, I left you a VM--and if you call me Sunday, I will get you two free tickets to ANY OTHER FILM--so sorry!  Select whatever you like--kansasfilm.com.

One suggestion is the 5pm shows on Tuesday--based on the Jury Awards this Sunday am at 11--for the best of the best.
5:05 will be Best documentary (and who know, maybe Rush Brothers will win!!
or--
5:10pm will be Best Narrative.
Personally in that category I hope "Train Station" wins.  I saw it today, and it's amazing.
40 directors from 25 countries spent 3 years making (and financing) their own scenes.
Three of the directors flew in to KC for the week, including one from Bahrain!!!
None of the 40 filmmakers ever met the others.  They wrote and produced this whole film using email on scripts, etc.  It's about the power of every choice we make, how it changes the trajectory of the rest of our lives.  So in Train Station, every time there is a "choice point" new actors take over for five minutes.  It's WILD!  The protagonist always wears brown, and carries a suitcase, but the actors and actresses change!

During the Q&A, I told the three directors--"Be sure to get someone to drive you down to OUR silly little train station--we have a stupid little train that basically goes NOWHERE!!!  Two miles up, then back again!!!!