Blair Stover

Kansas City is home to fantastic people, great companies and amazing food. As the 29th largest city in the United States, this metropolitan area is a great place to live or visit. Did you know the following about Kansas City?

1.  It has more restaurants dedicated to barbecue per capita than any other American city.

2.  Kansas City originally ignored alcohol prohibition, giving rise to a unique culture of gambling halls and jazz clubs. Also, the jam session originated here.

3.  Russell Stover Candies, the largest maker of boxed chocolates, and Interstate Bakers, which makes Wonder Bread and Twinkies, are both based out of Kansas City.

4.  The Kansas City Chiefs Stadium, known as Arrowhead Stadium, had the first scoreboard to ever show instant replay.

5.  Kansas City is also known as The City of Fountains, because it claims to have the most fountains in the world, second only to Rome.

According to a recent analysis by Porfolio.com, Kansas City ranked 21st among the United States largest metropolitan cities. This quality of life survey analyzed 20 categories covering a wide variety of characteristics, including educational systems, living costs, economic health and traffic.

Within the analysis, Kansas City ranked fifth for rent affordability and 13th for overall commute time. For more information on Kansas City rankings visit Kansas City Biz Journal .

The presence of several great museums in Kansas City makes it a good place for art lovers looking for something new. To help you decide where to go, here’s a short list of must-see artworks you shouldn’t miss. These pieces will appeal to both art aficionados and casual viewers.

Guanyin of the Southern Sea (11th to 12th century) – located at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This fine piece is recognized worldwide as the best sculpture outside China. Acknowledged as the most magnificent sculpture representing Chinese Buddhist art, it is part of the Chinese collection at the museum.

Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1604-1605) – also found at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This is one of the museums greatest treasures. It forms part of the few original works by Caravaggio in America. The painter is credited with greatly influencing the development of the Italian Baroque.

Some/one by Do Ho Suh (2004) –  at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. You’ll find this meticulously crafted sculpture amazing. Its made up of thousands of stainless steel dog tags combined together to form a monumental robe with outstretched arms. Like many of Suhs works, this piece talks about individuality, collectivity, anonymity and identity.

Boulevard de Capucines by Claude Monet (1873-1874) – found at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This work gives viewers a glimpse of 19th-century Parisian life on a winter day. At first criticized for its loose brush work and ordinary subject matter, this piece has emerged as one of the most loved pieces in the museums European collection.

Microcosm by Leo Villareal (2007) – the lights are bright at the entrance to the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art thanks to this dazzling piece. Microcosm is made up of over 60,000 individual LED lights showing Villareals computer program.

For business tips and tricks, be sure to visit  Blair Stover.

Kansas City is a great place to visit due to its numerous attractions. These include several famous museums you should visit. To help you decide, here’s a rundown of some of the best museums in Kansas City:

For jazz aficionados, the American Jazz Museum is the place to be. Here you’ll learn about the history of jazz and the people who made it popular. Get to know jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Charlie “Bird” Parker. In addition to its great exhibits, the museum also features live performances by some of today’s hottest jazz stars in the Blue Room – its very own jazz club.

Not to be missed is the American Royal Museum and Visitors Center that boasts of interactive displays, memorabilia and hands-on exhibits. Discover the history of the livestock industry and how it has affected the growth and history of Kansas City. Other highlights are a kid-friendly reading corner, computer games and a gift shop. The museum also has livestock shows throughout the year.

Another famous museum is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art that houses a number of impressive collections. Be thrilled by ancient Egyptian sculptures and a Japanese collection with over 2,000 works of art. A day isn’t enough to view everything in this place. Admission is free but a small fee is charged for most special exhibits.

Last but not the least is the Liberty Memorial and the National WWI Museum that pays tribute to the people who served in the war. It has an interactive exhibit that chronicles the consequences of WWI and its impact on the United States. This is the leading educational center and resource of WWI. For a 360 view of Kansas City, dont forget to get to the top of the Liberty Memorial.

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March is a merry month in Kansas City thanks to these exciting events that will delight everybody. Here’s whats in store for you at this time:

If you love sausages, come to the Sausage Shiraz Wine Reception at Bentons atop the Westin Crown Center on March 26, 2010. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. and will give you the chance to taste more than 20 different Shiraz/Syrah wines with sausage hors doeuvres hand made by German born Executive Chef Martin Heuse. Live music starts at 7:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m.

Awaken the child inside you by attending Disney On Ice: Worlds of Fantasy that features four of your favorite Disney stories. Race along with Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/Pixar’s Cars. Explore the undersea world of The Little Mermaid and see the Circle of Life with The Lion King. Finally, enter the magical realm of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and her fairy friends as they make their world premiere.

Youll marvel at the skating and special effects. Plus create a lifetime of memories with your favorite Disney characters. It all happens at the Sprint Center along Grand Boulevard from Mach 17 – 21, 2010. Get your tickets now!

Last but not the least is the ongoing “Magnificent Gifts for the 75th” at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art along Oak Street. This event celebrates Nelson-Atkins’ 75th Anniversary and features 130 of the nearly 400 gifts and promised gifts made in honor of this special occasion. Youll love the collection of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures, new media art, masks, furniture and rare books. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for students.

The exhibit runs till April. For more business tips and tricks, be sure to visit http://www.blairstover.com/.

Just a quick update this week.

Kansas State is heading to the Big 12 Semifinals . The game will take place tomorrow 3/12/10. They will face the winners of the Tyler/Baylor match.

Go Wildcats!

http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=204906522

Kansas City is famous for its beauty, magnificent jazz culture and culinary delights. Mostly famous for its steak and barbecue, Kansas City offers visitors world famous eateries and a variety of delightful cuisine. Fit for any budget, Kansas City is a great place to visit and dine.

Known as the Barbecue Capital of the World, Kansas City is home to very famous barbecue restaurants. For example, Arthur Bryans and Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q are two of the cities most famous eateries. Both specialize in a variety of meats such as chicken, pulled pork, ribs and brisket. Kansas City barbecue is notorious for its sweet and tangy flavored sauces. Most barbecue comes with sides including home style fries, coleslaw or baked beans.

In addition to its barbecue, Kansas City is also home to appetizing Italian meals. If you love pizza, why not drop by at Pizza Bella? Here you’ll savor Italian meals cooked over a wood-fueled oven. This gives its famous pizza a chewy crust that is filled with succulent toppings. Another irresistible dish is roasted brussels sprouts with pancetta vinaigrette. Others must try meals include lamb shanks, skirt steak, and short ribs. Likewise you cant go wrong with calamari tossed with white beans, arugula and lemon vinaigrette. The laid-back atmosphere at Pizza Bella will enhance your dining experience.

If you like jugglers, be sure to visit the local Hibachi restaurants. Their chefs will amaze you with their creativity and dexterity in juggling knives, creating an onion volcano or throwing shrimp into someones mouth. Three places stand out, namely, Gojo Japanese Steakhouse, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and Shogun Japanese Steakhouse.

For wine lovers, the American Restaurant is the place to be. This 35-year-old establishment has an extensive selection of fine wines as well as the best regional dishes. These include Wagyu beef with potato cake and green-bean casserole, soft-shell crab with shrimp sausage, and fiddlehead fern gumbo. This contemporary restaurant gives diners a good view of the downtown skyline.

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Kansas City Jazz began in Kansas City, Missouri and the nearby Kansas City Metropolitan Area in the 1930s. It marked the change from the structured big band style to the musical improvisation style of Bebop. The hard-swinging, bluesy transition style is bracketed by Count Basie who in 1929 joined Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra and Kansas City native Charlie Parker who ushered the Bebop style in the 1940s.

The first band from Kansas City to acquire national fame was the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra, a white group which broadcast nationally in the 1920s. But the Kansas City jazz school is known for the black bands of the 1920s and 1930s.

Indeed, while New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz, America’s music grew up in Kansas City which is considered one of the most popular “cradles of jazz”. Only in Kansas City did jazz continue to flourish. At a certain time, there were over 100 night clubs, dance halls and vaudeville houses in Kansas City that featured jazz music. Legends like Count Basie, Andy Kirk, Joe Turner, Hot Lips Page and Jay McShann all played there. .

Kansas City’s 12th Street became nationally known for its jazz clubs, gambling parlors and brothels, earning the city the moniker, The Paris of the Plains. At its height, 12th Street was the home of over 50 jazz clubs. A mere six blocks to the north, jazz likewise blossomed at 18th Vine that evolved as the epicenter of the cities African-American community.

Another great product of Kansas City jazz was the jam session. After performances, musicians would come together to exchange ideas and experiment with new methods of playing. This contributed to Kansas Citys unique and popular jazz flavor that is enjoyed by many people. For more business tips and tricks, be sure to visit http://www.blairstover.com/.

The Kansas City Royals’ minor league system is quite a number of years away from disseminating players around the diamond. But the presence of fill-in talent like Scott Podsednik can make the team better than they were last year especially if you consider the state of the American League Central division.

While a lot has been made of Scott Podsednik’s inferior defensive statistics, his speed and ability to bat lead off will improve what the Royals experienced the previous year. While he isnt the most proficient base stealer, he will draw more attention on the base paths – attention that will move away from pitching to David DeJesus.

So will this be the year the Royals can get over .500 and even contend? Many believe it is. The Royals haven’t won anything since 1985 and they haven’t been over .500 since 2003. The American League Central is balanced but Minnesota should have the edge this year. Its probably going to be another big year for Zack Greinke with the support of Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Joakim Soria.

The defense should be better with Chris Getz at second and Jason Kendall catching. Speed has arrived with Chris Getz. It’ll be a breakout year for Alex Gordon like Billy Butler in 2009, a career rebirth for Yuniesky Betancourt at shortstop and a David DeJesus season to get things going. .

Others are asking if Greinke can have another Cy Young-type season. That was definitely no fluke. His style and maturity have coincided with his natural talents and in-born baseball instincts so he will get better. He may not match his 2.16 ERA, but with more offensive help, Greinke could emerge as a 20-game winner. He’s a rare breed who only wants to play baseball and win. For more interesting stories, be sure to visit http://www.blairstover.com/.

Wondering whats new in Kansas City this February? Stay up to date by reading this short article that features big events you shouldnt miss!

On February 19, be sure to visit the American Royal Center for the Western Farm Show. This event features over 500 exhibitors occupying more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space. Youll see tractors and farm equipment, trailers, trucks, tools, seed, feed, buildings, chemicals, irrigation systems and other agribusiness products and services. The show starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. An adult ticket is $8 or just $5 if you have a discount coupon that you can get at any participating SouthWestern Association dealer and retailer. Admission is free for children 12 and under.

The Remodeling Show kicks off earlier at the same venue on February 12. This is Kansas City’s only consumer show dedicated to the remodeling and home improvement business. For over 20 years, hundreds of thousands of consumers attend the Remodeling Show to meet leading contractors, product suppliers and home service providers.

With an emphasis on quality, variety, and new products and services, this event is a melting pot for project-minded consumers who want to improve their homes and lifestyles. More than 300 exhibitors will be there with the latest products, services and ideas for transforming your house into your dream home. Admission is $8.50 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

Also on that date is the Metropolitan Lawn Garden Show. This is Kansas City’s top consumer show dedicated to the green industry. Featured products and services include landscaping, power equipment, statuary, lawn maintenance, water gardens, decks, seeds, plants and bulbs, patio furniture, mulch, bird houses and baths, trees, shrubbery, fountains, gazebos, fencing, driveways, stonework, pottery, garden tools, fertilizer, water garden accessories, and ornamental outdoor decor. For more interesting events, be sure to visit http://www.blairstover.com/.