tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24857511435047325252024-03-05T15:25:13.764-06:00Life in SOJOCOMy musings about life in Johnson County Kansas. SoJoCo's best blogger since 2006JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.comBlogger422125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-79858811891855971672011-03-15T10:55:00.003-05:002011-03-15T11:01:50.660-05:00Spring Break!<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/874249870_5bc90a456f_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 1024px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 768px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/874249870_5bc90a456f_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Like all rich sojoco people........I forgot to tell you all that I'm on vacation....okay, not vacation because I am with my kids.........or that makes it a "family trip" which is more about their fun than mine which is cool enough in its own right. It is Spring Break and I'm in sojoco south. The beach.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway. I'm in a very nice, high end warm place. Heard you had snow. Sucks to be you. I'm drinking tons of good wine and these skinny margaritas which kinda kicked my ass. One thing I love is that I get to run on the beach every morning and feel like I'm in shape.......but I have to do it early because once the drinking starts well............not. gonna. happen.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Nice. Beautiful. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'll try to blog something before I get back. </div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-86725201968993872842011-03-07T09:43:00.006-06:002011-03-07T10:55:04.817-06:00Steven St. John hates the Gays.<a href="http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/100_0171.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 319px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/100_0171.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love Sports Radio 810 WHB.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I listen pretty much every day except when the racing boys are on and I get tired very quickly of stump the chumps. Otherwise.....all good. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>On Friday morning I was beyond uncomfortable with the gay innuendo and cheap jokes lead by Steven St. John on his show The Border Patrol.....mostly directed at Gary Lezak who does a weather call in on the show. It went on for an entire segment which seemed like about 15 minutes. I'm not sure how long it really went. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've heard from more than one person that Steven told them he is uncomfortable with Gary because he is gay and doesn't want him in the studio. He seems completely comfortable being uncomfortably degrading to gay people in this town.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I was you know like 13 years old my buddies and I were among the biggest homophobes in the world. The biggest insult you could hurl at somebody was that they were gay and called them a fag. Them were stone cold fightn words. If you called somebody a fag you better have felt pretty sure you could kick their ass because if not you were gonna get your ass kicked. Not only have times changed but we grew up. We grew up to understand that you don't have to be uncomfortable just because somebody is a little different than you. People are people first. Too bad Steven St. John still has the intellect of a 13 year old. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Steven St. John's attitude and comments were insulting and inappropriate. The rest of the boys quickly piled on with lots of sophomoric gay slurs and innuendo. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Everyone in Kansas City knows Gary Lezak is a gay man. So what? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Steven St. John is homophobic. He is scared of gay people. Gay men give him the creeps. I have news for Steven. I'll reach and speak for the gay man but as a short, fat, dude with more hair on your back than on your head you have nothing to worry about from the average gay man. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Gary Lezak.........who likely enjoys sucking a mean dick and anal sex........and yep probably rim jobs too.........is way more of a man than Steven St. John because if I was Gary I would act like a 13 year old and go down to the station and kick that fat little idiot's ass.</strong> Luckily, Gary is more of a man than both Steven and me. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.810whb.com/contact">I wonder if Chad Boeger, his boss, got any emails from people thought it was sad and wrong too? </a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-91178540988826919422011-03-03T15:00:00.000-06:002011-03-03T15:00:00.755-06:00Phillll Kline. Up the Ante<object height="390" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B3SjcR_U53I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B3SjcR_U53I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://kansas.watchdog.org/6451/kline-calls-for-recusals-by-justices-beier-and-nuss/">This is some excellent work by Kansas Watchdog.</a><br /><br />Kline ups the ante and if true is a game changer. While I've often wrote about my personal dislike for Philllll Kline everyone deserves to be treated fairly from a system and process that has integrity.<br /><br />If you are interested, read this post. I'll not try to improve on it with further commentary.JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-47771216919951529202011-03-03T10:19:00.005-06:002011-03-03T10:43:58.871-06:00Collins versus Rysavy. On Like Donkey Kong.<a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2008-05-14-images-boxing_girls_thumb.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2008-05-14-images-boxing_girls_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So it will be in this corner Rick Collins....the city hall insider who was faithfully served and waited his turn.......caring about all things Overland Park for decades.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>versus...........</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>John Rysavy........the upstart fiscal conservative/Tea Party politician who clearly is itching to make a difference. </div><div> </div><div>For.........a seat on the Overland Park City Council representing the 6th District. OP is the most important city in Johnson County and the area they will represent is the area that will have the most development and activity over the next 10 years. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think this race could be very interesting. Not like John Toplikar and Calvin Hayden interesting. I don't think anyone is getting arrested. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Collins is the OP insider having built alliances within City Hall by working from the ground up. He has worked quietly in the trenches for a long time on various boards and commissions in volunteer positions. You could never question his commitment to OP and to making it a great place to live and do business. He is endorsed by the guy who is vacating the seat, George Kandt, and by people like former mayor Ed Eilert. Kandt was popular enough that he ran unopposed 4 years ago. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Rysavy seems to have birthed from the new activism of the Tea Party and I think many, many people in south OP...me included....very much like and identify with his no nonsense, limited government approach. To that end his support is not from insiders. His support is from conservative stalwarts that hold state offices and higher like Lance Kinzer and Kris Kobach who might literally be the two most conservative people in Kansas. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Statistically, Collins has the upper hand. He got the majority of votes and even if Rysavy gets all of Ansley's votes (unlikely) it still isn't enough. Of course, there will be more voters in the general.........and they are open season. However, anyone dismissing the network of the Tea Party should do so at their peril. Can they get out the vote for their guy? Rysavy has lots of work to do and it could be fun to watch.</div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-31338947624344157102011-03-02T11:20:00.004-06:002011-03-02T11:49:13.099-06:00Homage to Tony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4hvYQnRbc1FDnFlfCDdVA_WQP0DjUuywXENRpWLlH_duJMs0trBqi10CwlqjsMacOqeypkcBp9vFoJxM-HZS3CIgNrcJMaSUAO0jvgl0TW__Cm2iSuUjCSZv7PIN79e3XjcOEsMHQV-H/s1600/tony.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579540814194645314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4hvYQnRbc1FDnFlfCDdVA_WQP0DjUuywXENRpWLlH_duJMs0trBqi10CwlqjsMacOqeypkcBp9vFoJxM-HZS3CIgNrcJMaSUAO0jvgl0TW__Cm2iSuUjCSZv7PIN79e3XjcOEsMHQV-H/s400/tony.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.pitch.com/2011-03-03/news/tonys-kansas-city/">I enjoyed the story in The Pitch on local hero blogger, Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Botello</span>.</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think they left an important paragraph out of the story.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Importantly, Tony supports and promotes other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bloggers</span>. We may not always agree......it seems like everybody who writes about Tony has to begin with that caveat.......but Tony has done tons to help people find my blog.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When Tony mentions the blog my hits go up dramatically. <strong>Tony is to a local blogger as Johnny Carson was to aspiring comedians. If you went on his show you had arrived. If he liked your set he and invited you over to sit for a moment your career was golden. </strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think this is a really good blogging town and most of that credit goes to Tony. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I completely agree that blogging about something can change the mainstream media's coverage of it. Tony brought down the Funk. No question. He should consider it his crowning gift to Kansas City. I've not brought down a Mayor but I know that the media reads my blog and stories and media attention have increased on issues as a result of things I've written. I'm not sure I like that but it is what it is. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>BTW, it reminds me, I owe everyone a post on what this blog is......and isn't.........as I have many new readers since the last time I did that. I promise. I just have to be in the right mood.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway..........sorry about the crappy digression......</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Congrats Tony on a good article and thanks for pimping local blogging.</span></strong> I'm waiting for 435 South to contact me for a story........still waiting..........for picture in the shadows with my fake glasses and moustache :-)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-402123125554061512011-03-02T08:53:00.006-06:002011-03-02T09:32:29.210-06:00Kinko's is dead. to. me.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVglYL5JpLaTeG1DOnahgdXEsFEd66xJKfTSSJaY1E213480W5veBkXJZwsH8ephmYVpXYAMzHmr5mm3eAt2Kajl2CbVcbUU2Y2EcW3XszbpuL-taauYOqIrcdiIH3d7T1DMXYzUyEwaz/s1600/richmeister-87043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579504732577428322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVglYL5JpLaTeG1DOnahgdXEsFEd66xJKfTSSJaY1E213480W5veBkXJZwsH8ephmYVpXYAMzHmr5mm3eAt2Kajl2CbVcbUU2Y2EcW3XszbpuL-taauYOqIrcdiIH3d7T1DMXYzUyEwaz/s400/richmeister-87043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Break ups are hard. Especially long term relationships.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I remember when I first discovered Kinko's back in college. Except for a diner there weren't a ton of 24 hour anythings. Yes, even McDonald's drive thru closed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In college I learned of this place that was open all night. You could copy stuff. They had computers that you could stick your Mac disk into and do all kinds of cool stuff. You could put together cool projects. All. Night.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think many people like me left college and Kinko's was a sorta secret weapon. When we entered the workforce our older bosses didn't really know of such a place. I've used Kinko's for years as my go to place to get stuff ready for a meeting.........usually at the last minute or the middle of the night. We had a relationship that stuck....even when the staff started to change from AV club type guy to people with tons of piercing and tats. It endured. I was loyal. I knew I could count on them. Machines that worked. No hassles. If you needed help you could get it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Of course there have been changes. They were bought out by Fed Ex but really the basics didn't change. Fast copies anywhere you traveled. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Change is hard. I'm done with Kinko's and it seems like an end of an era. It isn't to say I'm pissed at Kinko's really but I don't feel like I can trust them like I used to back in the day.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It was very common for me these days to walk in with a thumb drive with my docs in .pdf format and they would stick them in their machine and print them. That was slick. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>They recently introduced all new machines that have the USB port right on the copier. I was impressed. I thought this would be great. I wouldn't have to go to the desk anymore. Really a great idea. In. theory. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>First, it "processed" my powerpoint for literally 15 minutes before deciding it was too big and kicked it back. It was only like 15 slides. So, I still had to take it up front and yes, was freaking out about being late and then she wanted to change me more because she printed it on "better paper" and I said knowing my colleagues it would be in the recycle bin in less than an hour. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Second, I thought I'd learned the new system and took in my trusty little thumb drive to print some generic black and whiteys........stapled into packets. The new machines are noticeably slower. I asked the desk guy and he confirmed.......oh, yes, the new machines are a little slower and mumbled something about something being wireless. What a pain in the ass. They are painfully slow. Don't ask me the stats. I'm not the Ricoh document solution guy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Upon a recommendation I recently visited a CopyMax which is you know attached to the OfficeMax. Simply, they were great. Stick my thumb drive in........nice service. Not too crowded. Easy. Now that is more like it. Excellent. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now, they aren't open 24 hours and they admittedly don't offer as many services but for lots of simple copy operations......they are my new home. Richmeister........my man.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm sure I'll have to make a late night stop to a Kinko's on occasion but make no mistake I have a new home for "making copies." Kinko's out. </div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-89390934724449777022011-02-28T10:25:00.005-06:002011-02-28T12:15:59.699-06:00Guess I should weigh in on the election tomorrow<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/production.mediajoint.prx.org/public/piece_images/73/287817604_384ced2e74_medium.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 346px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/production.mediajoint.prx.org/public/piece_images/73/287817604_384ced2e74_medium.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Getting all caught up in meaningless Leawood Park issues certainly has been fun....you should have seen the hate email......but there is an actual election tomorrow. <a href="http://midwestdemocracyproject.org/elections/KS/races/overland-park-city-council-ward-6/2011-03-01/">A primary election for OP City Council's 6th which is southland.</a> South of 135th from State line to like Pflumm-ish.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>I'll break down the highly contested 3 way race for Overland Park's Sixth District City Council.</strong></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>This is a simple story and a simple choice so pay attention because I'm sure you all haven't been so far. Top 2 go onto the general in April. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/22/2673888/overland-park-race-is-heated-in.html#">3 candidates. </a>One experienced person who has long served the community in a variety of ways, one newbie, and one person who seems hell bent on winning some kind of election someday but also lacks any real experience.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Don't get me wrong. I'm a big believer that experience is NOT the most important thing in local politics. Attitude and intellect are more important. These people serve you and I and get very little in return. So I look for attitude. What is their motivation for running? Then I put that together with intellect to see if they have the capacity to do the work in a thoughtful way. Mix in a look at ethics as a way to determine how they will behave and viola.....you can usually easily figure out who to vote for. So, let's jump in.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.collinsforcitycouncil.com">Rick Collins</a>.</strong> </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Attitude: Has served the city in many, many ways. Long time commitment to Overland Park. Chairman of the Planning Commission, Search committee for City Manager, Chairman of the Chamber, Past President of his HOA. This guy cares and gets involved. This is heart of a servant.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Intellect: Well, an attorney but don't hold that against him. I don't think he practices now but it does speak to his ability to think critically. Based on his past experience he has a history of being a leader.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Ethics: I can't find one bad thing about him...No stolen signs and he isn't a developer. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Intangibles: He was the only one of the three that had a working web link from the Democracy Project. It means something to me that people he has worked/volunteered with will endorse him. Especially Ed Eilert and George Kandt. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Rebecca Ansley. </strong></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Attitude: I love people that want to get involved. She has run for office before but I like to see people for a little in the trenches before they run for office. I think her heart is in the right place.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Intellect: I think she is certainly smart enough for the job. It is just a little hard to tell because it is hard to find much on her. She seems appropriately pragmatic on local issues like taxes and development. Her experience in Real Estate can certainly be a plus in understanding citizen issues on protecting property values.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Ethics: Looks like a Grandma and probably behaves like one too. No worries.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Intangibles: Well, she is the only chica in the race but her organization seems lacking so I kinda doubt her real drive for this election. I couldn't find a website or a campaign facebook account. Does she know about the internet? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong><a href="http://www.johnrysavy.com/">John Rysavy</a>.</strong></div><br /><br /><div>Attitude: John seems driven by this new breed of people who woke up and decided to get involved based on anger over taxes and government intrusion in our lives. Call them the Tea Party or Libertarians.........it is the new activism. But seeing how probably he had never been inside City Hall prior to a year or so ago......who knows maybe just to file for office. Anyway, anger can only carry you so far because most of time in this type of role is spent on much more mundane issues and I just think he will keep finding races to run until he finds one he can win. What job do you want? 3rd District, City Council, Dog Catcher....please tell us....or do you just want to be elected to something....anything?? Or are looking to find a way to launch a political career with higher aspirations? He is even using the same picture he used for the 3rd District beating he took. </div><br /><div>Intellect: I don't know. I guess I don't have any reason to think he is an idiot. He went to the prestigious South Dakota State. </div><br /><br /><div>Ethics: Seems like a fine person. I couldn't find any nude pictures of him on the internet. Seems like a good family man who is prolific in that regard. </div><br /><br /><div>Intangibles: John is the only candidate playing right at the no annexation crowd. You have the area he would represent right there in the south past 135th street and running to state line. He is against any new taxes. The question is does these positions so popular nationally trickle to uber local races? He is leveraging the conservative movement for this local election. I'm a hard core conservative. He boasts a strong list of local elected far right conservatives as endorsing his campaign like Lance Kinzer and Kris Kobach and the less right wing Jerry Moran however local elections are non partisan. Endorsements are great but how have you served your community?</div><br /><br /><div>The logical choice is Rick Collins. Hands down. He has earned it and would continue to serve the city thoughtfully and with passion. He has spent his adult life serving OP and has stayed focused on OP. He holds thoughtful and experienced positions that just aren't "no tax" or "no development" or "no annexation" OP is a growing and important city in Johnson County and it needs to be continued to be run well. OP impacts all of us in Johnson County regardless if you actually live in it or not. Is he a conservative? If so, spill it man. Don't make us guess.</div><br /><br /><div>Who will be his general election suitor? Probably John Rysavy. He is a better organization than Ansley and has at least some name recognition as well as all of the No Tax/Tea Party vote. From there it should be an interesting month of March to see if Rysavy can activate the conservative base for a non partisan position. </div><div></div><div>This primary election may have as few as 500 voters meaning everyone counts. I could be wrong in there maybe an interested electorate but history says it will be less than 500. Rysavy might be able to swing the election if only his kids were all old enough to vote. </div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-62773691064940124342011-02-25T08:45:00.000-06:002011-02-25T08:45:01.399-06:00Chilly Wine Friday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xs8fiNqaSdrteS_toq_r4vXrFWGvTf4GaF6aZ68XW_tULKiZvFk2SYO7SbM1yc2LrPajj4COJ_10FKTXK-PFf0gExnLRO71ttfJzk9H_miigzJNe1yOR8EWpd9M8hqnG8ARkSAjkK0XY/s1600/401645489_47b129559e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577477947796870210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xs8fiNqaSdrteS_toq_r4vXrFWGvTf4GaF6aZ68XW_tULKiZvFk2SYO7SbM1yc2LrPajj4COJ_10FKTXK-PFf0gExnLRO71ttfJzk9H_miigzJNe1yOR8EWpd9M8hqnG8ARkSAjkK0XY/s400/401645489_47b129559e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>There is a big wine deal coming up next week called ZAP down at the Union Station.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>ZAP is a pretty cool group of people who basically love Zinfandel. No, Tony, not the pink stuff. Red Zinfandel.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Red Zinfandel is cool stuff because it is uniquely American and as such it is really a lot like us. It is in your face, big, bold, a little spicy and many of them are high octane. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.yelp.com/events/kansas-city-zap---zinfandel-grand-tasting-kansas-city">You should check it out if you love to swirl and sniff with the best of KC's cork dorks.</a> It really marks the beginning of the Spring season of many, many local wine events. It is March 3rd.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm attending and I'll give you a full blown review of many Zins next week I'm guessing.....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But for this week I thought I'd prime the pump with a Zintastic review of a great Zinfandel I had this week.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My wine of the week was the <strong>2006 Amapola Creek Sonoma Monte Rosso Zinfandel.</strong> Wow. What a freakish wine. I've had several Monte Rosso Vineyard wines. It is a sought after high elevation vineyard in the Mayacamas and the vines are very, very old....like over a 100 years. Several wineries buy fruit from it. These guys made only 361 cases. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It tasted of wild berries and cloves and bing cherries and the normal vanilla from the oak. The spice was black pepper. It was a little more racy than I expected. It had some nice blueberry and along with that raciness would make me think cool climate or maybe a cooler than normal vintage in general. Now that I think about it I don't remember other Monte Rosso wines tasting "huge" and jammy. They seem to have an elegance and a restrained nature to them. Maybe that is the vineyard talking. Anyway, it doesn't have to big and high alcohol to be fantastic zin. This is a great wine.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>One quick note on my philosophy of Red Zinfandel. I like them relatively young meaning release to 6 years-ish. I don't think they age particularly great. The fruit goes away quickly and what is left in my opinion is prunish. So, the good news is there is no need to age too long. Just enjoy. Also, there are many very nice examples for a reasonable price. You can get some very nice Zinfandel for around $20.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This bottle was $45 which I would consider pretty upscale for Zinfandel but in this case worth it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Have a great weekend and enjoy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Vaya Con Dios.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-12250412961066341652011-02-24T22:43:00.005-06:002011-02-24T23:09:14.220-06:00Senate Bill 54 Moves to Floor of Senate!!! Yes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EkYVYDMQ4KUXkGLPDZCeLBUPEJUU-p35D_q5UIcp_nzIKThbSH_c7OU5fz7djjsYUaoknp1qI-TInS4QN1BISV1IS05XXPLIzv461MVRbFnr6HFDQfKGo3x7PBz87GaU8aCtT7PoVpdD/s1600/2260748745_68e39097d3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577487185553427698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EkYVYDMQ4KUXkGLPDZCeLBUPEJUU-p35D_q5UIcp_nzIKThbSH_c7OU5fz7djjsYUaoknp1qI-TInS4QN1BISV1IS05XXPLIzv461MVRbFnr6HFDQfKGo3x7PBz87GaU8aCtT7PoVpdD/s400/2260748745_68e39097d3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We have some momentum on this! Committee votes 8-1 to send Senate Bill 54 to the floor to support our economy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Again, free the wine. Free the wine. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There is a <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=xprnw.20110222.DC52535&show_article=1">great report in this story about how what I've been saying is true on breitbart.com.</a> It will bring more and better jobs. It will give grocery stores in rural Kansas a better chance when right now some towns are losing their only grocery store.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Did you know Kansas has the fourth highest amount of liquor stores per capita in the whole freaking country? <a href="http://www.jobsforkansas.com/wp-content/uploads/An-Economic-Case-for-Increased-Competition_web.pdf">This is a long read but I found it very interesting.</a> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/41631145">CNBC is among some reporting that opponents are using scare tactics </a>to keep us in the dark ages and to keep us buying wine in Missouri. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-Kansans-In-Business/190444304307752">While opponents have set up a Facebook page with a whole 62 fans. </a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I wish I owned a liquor store near a grocery store in Kansas today. I've heard that grocery stores will have to buy their license if they want to get in during the 3 year grace period and they will pay in six figures per. Not a bad little exit strategy when many of the these little mom and pops last year were worth little more than their dusty inventory. So old guy owner who sits in the store watching tv while you pick up Chardonnay for the old lady gets a much better payday and than he ever would. How's that for putting up with a little old man stink?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway.......it is getting closer to a big win for the Kansas consumer and for jobs and tax revenue. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>BTW, this whole notion all liquor stores going out of business is nonsense. Only the shitty ones that smell like old man stink will close. At the corner of 103rd and State line in Missouri there is a Price Chopper, a Berbiglia and Royal Liquor. All have been there for years. Over at 135th and State line Lukas seems to do pretty well with a Wal-Mart and a Target across the street.....all in Missouri. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Let's go. Write your Senator and tell them to Free Your Wine!</div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-65158231552567181532011-02-23T11:05:00.009-06:002011-02-24T23:54:32.062-06:00Leawood smacks down people that want Ironwoods Park to themselves.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeYvb_zH-FonWuXzOhdCG9YEbJAfjUMwu1Qvpvz4VE3mcTRJbYXxZcAC3wC0CpFe6IleuyXkJBSzJrpxIuL3mmec7HEH-3_ahBc4EZmy9ZYhp2f6klHGbj8G2mKBn6dPO8bkuPK2pLKwv/s1600/Protesters%252BOutside%252BG20%252BSummit%252BLondon%252BiH7U0YB9ZWKl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576953824852529122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeYvb_zH-FonWuXzOhdCG9YEbJAfjUMwu1Qvpvz4VE3mcTRJbYXxZcAC3wC0CpFe6IleuyXkJBSzJrpxIuL3mmec7HEH-3_ahBc4EZmy9ZYhp2f6klHGbj8G2mKBn6dPO8bkuPK2pLKwv/s400/Protesters%252BOutside%252BG20%252BSummit%252BLondon%252BiH7U0YB9ZWKl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I told you I'd keep an eye on this whole Ironwoods situation and that I'd look into it further.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>This whole thing proves that all politics is local. The whole world seems to be coming apart and in laconic little Leawood rich people got together to argue about what a bathroom means in a park.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The issue at hand was the Park Department wanting to build another bathroom in Ironwoods Park (and eventually a new amphitheater) and the residents of Steeplechase really, really hating the idea. </span></strong></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I snuck in to check it out cause from the looks of things a handful of Steeplechase residents along with a few Leabrooke people that they scared were looking to mix it up last night with Leawood staff and the Planning Commission.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Here were a few highlights. Full house.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>First, I thought it was very nice for them to put this issue first on the agenda so a bunch of rich assholes wouldn't have to be inconvenienced through a whole bunch of mundane city planning issues.</strong> They also allowed public comment which they said is unusual for this type of agenda item. It shoots down some conspiracy theories about people out to get them otherwise I would have thought that the issue would have been buried an hour and a half into the meeting and then they would have operated as usual without further public comment. <strong>The Planning Commission and City of Leawood get high credit for that gesture.</strong> Can you imagine how it would have been handled in a city like Chicago? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>But there was actual drama. The people against the bathroom and in reality an expanded amphitheater came prepared to hit the Planning Commission with not only emotional appeals but LEGAL ones. They claimed during public comment that the request was basically "out of date" because the process started too long ago and city ordinance says they only have 2 years in one case or 5 years in another but in either case too many since the original plan was proposed. <strong>It sounded compelling like the gotcha in Legally Blonde when Elle Woods points out that you can't wash your hair after a perm and therefore murdered your father. In fact, the Planning Commission.......nice ordinary neighborly appointed volunteers.......asked to abruptly go into executive session to seek legal clarification from the city attorney on the finer points of the claim. </strong></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>After that brief break they reappeared and explanation was given on definitions of many different kinds of plan approvals and the timing of such. Basically, the whole plan was given final approval when the park plan was approved back in 2001 and as such my interpretation is that they consider the whole thing a continuation of the original development....over time. As such, the Park Department was asking for approval of a revised final plan because they were changing some parts of it. Here is where it gets a little tricky. The Park Department deemed the changes minor so the Planning Commission called it a revision. The rich, angry, white, asshole Steeplechase people I guess wanted to consider the change major. The Planning Commission noted the revised plan is smaller and further away from neighbors than the original final approved plan and so they considered the changes minor and as such..........approved them. Unanimously. Big groans from the crowd.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The Planning Commission pinned down the director of Parks on moving forward if the amphitheater was also approved on a final plan in the 2001 plan and if she would have to come back for approval to proceed. She danced a bit and then confirmed the amphitheater had already received final approval. <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Game, set, match.</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Leawood Park and Artsy People.</span></strong> While they had played nice, they held all the cards and laid them down. Smackdown. Bigger groans and tsk, tsk from the crowd. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Steeplechase HOA determined they prepared to take legal action. I'm not sure if that is serious or if they thought it would scare the Planning Commission. They weren't scared. Lawyers always find a way to make money don't they?</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Interesting side topics of the meeting. The Steeplechase people paid for a property value study that suggested the closest properties would lose $60,000 in value if an expanded amphitheater were built even though comments about a theater were suppose to be off limits. I thought this was interesting. They paid someone to write a report that told them what they wanted to hear and as such seems to lack much credibility but as they asked it to be put in the record basically screwed themselves. In my mind they diminished their own home values when they go to sell it to any savy negotiator. I'd love to live backed up to that park and I'd gladly take it at a $60,000 discount.........first they would have to deal with those power lines though.....those look shitty. When one of those houses go up for sale I can't wait to see if it is actually at a $60K discount or if their tune will change........we live right on the awesome park....don't look at the power line though.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Also, it was fascinating to see some of the people and put a name with a face on some of the emails I've been getting on this issue......specifically Kerry Phillips. Apparently she is the ring leader of this group and was wearing a<strong> very tight sweater.</strong> (I've removed some comments because Mrs Phillips husband was pretty pissed at me and I can understand why.........I probably crossed the line) <a href="http://sojoco.blogspot.com/2010/03/yo-holmes-do-your-homework-about.html">Darren Holmes was there as well and I wrote a post about him as well way back when.</a> Guess I was right. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And all this brings me back to my original comments about rich people in half a million dollar homes not being smart enough to ask about a master plan for a park behind their home before they bought it.........but thinking enough of themselves that they could stomp their feet enough and throw a big enough tantrum to change it and essentially work to keep a park that is for all of Leawood just to themselves. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I guess onto City Council they march?</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-37356213003007788702011-02-22T09:22:00.005-06:002011-02-22T10:32:31.873-06:00Phillllllllll Kline back in the news!<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2850311960_ce871bbf17.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 437px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2850311960_ce871bbf17.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>If you've been a reader of this blog you know I'm a Libertarian leaning conservative and I abhor abortion. I believe every soul is precious and God-created for a purpose.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I also believe that the ends don't justify the means. I also believe that hand in hand with that notion if you consider yourself a Christian is that doing whatever you do must be done above reproach AND with excellence. A zealot is a zealot regardless if they do it in the name of Christ or Allah. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I get that there is a vendetta against Phillllll Kline but I also think he has brought much of this on himself and that he has SO sadly kidnapped the support of the Pro-Life crowd and continues to use it for his own gain. I have said repeatedly that he would take advantage of the Pro-Life crowd and become their sweetheart and use it to get as rich as possible. So far he has leveraged it into a teaching position at Liberty University when otherwise after losing several elections he would have been begging for a job as an assistant trim carpenter for John Toplikar.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If he hadn't been so slimy all along the way he wouldn't have given people ammunition and he could have stood on higher ground. He brings us all who believe life is precious down with him. For that he should be ashamed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The charges against Planned Parenthood deserve a fair and full hearing. Steve Howe's office is responsible to see that happens. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The problem for me is I like people like <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2011/02/21/the-persecution-of-phill-kline/">Jill Stanek </a>who have made it their life work to end abortion but I'm puzzled why someone like her would want to be connected with a person like Phill Kline. I do not. I think it is horrible that she use this to raise money. I'm disappointed in her. <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/18/2665172/commentary-phill-kline-planned.html#">Phill Kline is no martyr.</a> Phill has duped good people on the national pro-life scene and it makes me sick.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I don't believe that the current action against Kline is meant to scare and intimidate future prosecutors from action against Planned Parenthood as much as it is meant to keep the integrity in our legal process and the two shouldn't be confused by either side. I've got no problem with hardball but I have little tolerance for a lack of ethics.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We'll have to see how this current action with the Kansas Ethics hearings against him turns out. I don't care either way. He will make his money from the Pro-Life crowd speaking and teaching but thankfully his welcome in Kansas is effete. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Phill Kline is no martyr. <a href="http://www.examiner.com/religion-and-politics-in-kansas-city/jerry-johnston-s-first-family-church-is-foreclosure">Just like Jerry Johnston.......what comes around goes around.</a> The church I attend is debt free and lives within it's means. </div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-4750516816479272252011-02-18T12:16:00.004-06:002011-02-18T12:46:36.960-06:00Wine Friday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEQUiL-SE7AOt-GZHANAVadVeEZXhItXJOnXgwXuz7ew9CLkRhakVDZtJR_5wo_UtVfd_Ay3TmXJOc6qg532g6UOjST0lvg6P0AFG_AzX88-zyESPbf7sFmz6zC87xmIDfGRFu3J1Q9xc/s1600/2250503937_1bba9175a5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575101757017967106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEQUiL-SE7AOt-GZHANAVadVeEZXhItXJOnXgwXuz7ew9CLkRhakVDZtJR_5wo_UtVfd_Ay3TmXJOc6qg532g6UOjST0lvg6P0AFG_AzX88-zyESPbf7sFmz6zC87xmIDfGRFu3J1Q9xc/s400/2250503937_1bba9175a5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>With all this cold weather we had we've had the fireplace fired up and it has brought me back to one of my all time favorite wines. Port.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love it all the time but when it was so cold and you have the fire going you can't help but imagine yourself like some stuffy old rich English dude sitting by the fire at the lodge drinking me some port.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Port sales have been horrendous which is good news for those of us who love it. They still fetch a pretty penny but nothing like the rapidly escalating price of Bordeaux or cult cabs. Of all the wines Port ages the best, the most gracefully, and frankly in the most forgiving way. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There are great stories and traditions that go along with port. One of my favorites is the "Bishop of London". The English will tell you that tradition hold that a decanter of port is put in front of the host and then he pours first for the person on his right and then passes it his left. It should be passed continuously until it gone. If someone stops passing it the host will ask that person, "Do you know the Bishop of London?" and then proceed to say, "he was a nice old chap but he never passed the port." This was nice way of saying...Faux pas and pass the port jackwagon!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There are several styles of port and I could bore you to bloggy tears on the subject but today for my wine of the week I'll stick with one we've been drinking. <strong>Graham's 10 year Tawny Port.</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>One of the things I love about Tawny port is that they are stable and don't need to be finished in one night. Once opened they will last for at least a month and still taste the same. Unlike vintage port that get all the attention, tawny doesn't improve with further age. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Another thing is that they are versatile. In the summer you can put a little chill on them and they taste awesome....or room temp when it is a bit colder.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is potent stuff.....like 20% alcohol so small portions and better to consume at home or have a driver. I like having it instead of dessert when I go out. Expect like a 2-3 ounce serving.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>The Graham 10 Year Tawny has wonderful fruit aromas of ripe raspberry and some dried fruits as well. It has a beautiful florals as well. Then you get into the cocoa and vanilla bean richness and actually a creaminess. It is rich and pure pleasure to drink and the alcohol gives you that warm feeling all over your love when it is cold out. With food, I love a creme brulee with some fresh fruit on it. I also like walnuts, figs, strong cheeses. Delish.</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Expect to pay about $30 for a bottle but again since you should....he he.....drink smaller servings it should last a while. I tend to over consume going back 2 or 3 times for refills. Port hangovers are brutal so be careful.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you never have tried it I highly recommend it. Cheers. By the way....don't be tempted to try and save a couple bucks on domestic ports or even Australian ports. The best port still comes from Portugal. Period. My favorite producers are Dow, Warre, Graham, Taylor, Fonseca.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Vaya Con Dios.</div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-16351186225870141912011-02-16T10:58:00.006-06:002011-02-16T11:36:29.195-06:00Ironwoods Park Hub Bub<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8AFEFTJgfwL_JQZebfz0mR8VWEcqfNqgmzELeKrPxi6MWiDSPM2kBpX0hy1gHB51tuYHkGY-9ZcfeMM8kyn0SB9FnVqZcOeIEb6KJTqKWVMx4hvxpq2csApGYN3vyZ1oH4VcMOLYMDVq/s1600/parks_and_rec.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574337884303112066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8AFEFTJgfwL_JQZebfz0mR8VWEcqfNqgmzELeKrPxi6MWiDSPM2kBpX0hy1gHB51tuYHkGY-9ZcfeMM8kyn0SB9FnVqZcOeIEb6KJTqKWVMx4hvxpq2csApGYN3vyZ1oH4VcMOLYMDVq/s400/parks_and_rec.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>There is big trouble brewing in laconic Leawood.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Leawood is this extremely well run little affluent city. They have few problems. People are generally satisfied. Amenities and property values are high....crime is low. It have everything except excellent water slides (bad reference to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I've been watching, getting emails, and following this issue regarding a proposed expansion of Ironwoods Park now for a little while. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>The plan in a one line summary is expanding a outdoor theater that is currently there into a bigger one.</strong> There seems to be disagreement on some of the facts based on who you talk with about the size, the cost, who will pay, how many events, and how much it intrudes on the people living closest etc. Neighbors suggest big like Sandstone and Leawood Park and Rec says just a little bigger with bathrooms, dressing rooms and more parking.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>For the issue for me has always been that this park belongs to all the residents of Leawood and not just the people who live directly around it. Generally, what I find is that people who live near parks prefer as much as possible to keep other people out of it so they can enjoy the green space to themselves. So, you can imagine that the reasonable debate is how to manage those two things. So we have a conflict. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I have been in favor of this new theater expansion and <a href="http://sojoco.blogspot.com/2010/03/yo-holmes-do-your-homework-about.html">have written as such on this blog in the past.</a> I've received nasty emails from Steeplechase people as a result. My impression from them so far is they are kinda assholes who want the park to themselves. One guy complained in an email about a school having a walk-a-thon in the park on a Saturday morning as ruining his day. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I was reviewing this <a href="http://www.saveironwoodspark.org/">website</a> they put up and it does give me some questions. They suggest it might be a little bigger than I thought. Some of it is bullshit and clear exaggeration but of course I get where they are coming from to a point. Are they just frantic JOCO assholes with conspiracy delusions or is the City of Leawood really trying to pull a fast one on them. Good questions. The current residents already seem to think the events that are going on now out o line and would like them to stop. I've been out there and they seem reasonable to me. The man with the fake glasses and moustache plans to find out. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I need to research this more to understand it. If it is what I originally thought then I am still for it. I love the idea of having a venue like that to take my family to. However, how much bigger does it need to be? If they want to put a Shawnee Mission "Theater in the Park" in Ironwoods then I am not for it. Will there be basically just musicals and David Basse concerts and such or will they also have rock concerts? I'd say no to rock concerts, yes to the others. I'd say good if all shows are free, no if they plan selling tickets, using a management company, etc. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I think we deserve better information on this and details, details, details. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-90297959450620502322011-02-09T10:37:00.007-06:002011-02-09T10:58:06.435-06:00Support Senate Bill 54: Free the Wine!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FAn5e5y4hN8jnUPDTxaTbnbSqRiqAX_rA_dg8tJyjdxuCge-NdF_EF2Qzwbc1sgOfdZ5WDeNT52qYOUNZTw1XythnvJaHrX88TwDpAyPViAkr9SN8Wv20owA8JV1MOB9UZqtjtO3tP0z/s1600/shopping-store-m-m.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571734969484826642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FAn5e5y4hN8jnUPDTxaTbnbSqRiqAX_rA_dg8tJyjdxuCge-NdF_EF2Qzwbc1sgOfdZ5WDeNT52qYOUNZTw1XythnvJaHrX88TwDpAyPViAkr9SN8Wv20owA8JV1MOB9UZqtjtO3tP0z/s400/shopping-store-m-m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It is stupid to make arguments about access and the like when we have other states to look at as a model. Missouri operates just fine with wine in grocery stores.<br /><br />The simple fact is that we would be more competitive, there would be better selection of goods, we wouldn't have to make extra stops to get a bottle of wine and there simply would be more revenue from sales tax because a good percentage of grocery store sales are impulse sales....meaning you buy what isn't on your list......and sales would increase versus having to make a special trip to a dirty ass Kansas mom and pop store or a trip over to Missouri. There would be at least a 15-20% increase in sales in the first year alone!</div><br /><div><br /><br />Finally, there would be real, decent paying jobs created by all the additional sales people it would take to visit all these stores and the drivers to deliver it and yes, people working in the grocery stores as well. Also, think about Trader Joe's and Dean and Deluca with a nice wine offering. Ever seen the great prices and selection at a Costco wine section? Holy shit please, please pass.<br /><br />The talk of underage drinking, access and all that is tired. The only reason not to do it is because it will cause some mom and pop stores to go out of business. That sucks but it isn't a good enough reason to do for the Kansas consumer what should have been done 75 years ago. Plus, by phasing it in....they allow an opportunity for current stores to adjust and they will also be able to offer non liquor items which they can't do now. </div><div> </div><div>Here is a story in the McPherson Sentinel. Write your Senator and tell them you want this bill.<br /><br /><br />Senate bill proponents, opponents clash over liquor sales<br /><br /><br />Source: McPherson Sentinel<br /><br />By Chad Frey and Sean Wardwell<br /><br /><br />There is a fight brewing in Topeka, one about who is selling alcohol, and what kinds of alcohol they are selling.<br />The "Jobs and Consumer Choice" coalition is pushing Senate Bill 54, which would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell full-strength alcoholic beverages - the kind currently only available in liquor stores.<br />Stores like Eric Kraisinger's Trail's End Liquor on Meridan in Newton.<br />"I think this will happen eventually," Kraisinger said. "Depending on how close you are to how close to those facilities, it will hurt you."<br />Currently grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations in Kansas are allowed to sell only wine coolers and cereal-malt beverages. The bill would allow those stores to sell liquor and full-strength beer and wine.<br />The coalition, made up of retailers Casey's, Kroger/Dillons/Kwik Shop, Wal-Mart, Quick Trip, Hy-Vee, Henhouse, Price Chopper and Balls & Cosentio's, claims passing the bill would mean more jobs and economic growth for the state of Kansas.<br />It's a claim that does not ring true with Kraisinger, or liquor store owners and the "Keep Kansans in Business" coalition.<br />"For every job it creates there, it will eliminate one at liquor stores," Kraisinger said. "It just spreads sales out more to more vendors. Just because Wal-Mart gets into the business does not mean there will be a 10 percent increase in sales."<br />Still, legislators will debate a bill with the following numbers backing it: 15,367 jobs, $343.6 million in wages and $72.5 million in revenue, according to the Jobs and Consumer Choice Coalition Web site.<br />Those numbers are disputed, and ring hollow for Rep. Don Schroeder (R-Inman) who represents House District 74, which contains portions of Harvey and McPherson counties.<br />"While sales of liquor may increase, mostly near the state borders, I seriously doubt the number of jobs, and revenues, will increase nearly as much as the study says," Schroeder said. "Some stores will be put out of business, and the large grocers are very good at making the best use of existing employees."<br />Schroeder said he has other questions as well, like how close the state is to saturation for liquor sales - if there is really room for sales to go up - and if there really will be more revenue generated for the state.<br />"Two reasons for doubting the study are that bordering states already have more liberal liquor laws, and the Kansas sales tax is higher than the border states," Schroeder said.<br />The state currently has 766 liquor stores. According to a study by Art Hall of The University of Kansas, about 341 of those would go out of business if the bill passes. The same study concluded there would be 116 new grocery stores open.<br />In McPherson County, support for the bill among grocers is lukewarm at best, and has provoked outrage among liquor store owners.<br />"I don't think I'd be interested at all. I know there is probably money to be made there but I'm not inclined to," said Orville Koehn, owner of Canton Grocery.<br />Terry Culver, owner of Culver's Wine and Spirits, said that he and his family opened the first liquor store in the county 35 years ago and doesn't appreciate the state changing the rules his store has operated under.<br />"There's a lot of reasons the state set this up and kept it separate from grocery stores," Culver said. "It seems to me like they're changing the rules. It makes no sense at all."<br />Culver also pointed out that allowing hard liquor in grocery stores would make it more accessible to minors.<br />No matter what numbers, or how many numbers, get thrown at Topeka in the coming weeks, there is another aspect of the proposal that has some legislators concerned.<br />"I find it very difficult to allow grocery stores and other similar retailers to sell liquor because I do not support making alcoholic beverages more available," Schroeder said. "In terms of social significance, alcohol has a much bigger impact for problems like domestic violence and poverty than does tobacco, so why should we make alcohol more available than it already is?"<br />If retailers are successful, Kraisinger said it will not be a death knoll for his store, but there will be changes to how liquor stores do business.<br />"What I have studied is in other states that allow it, there are still liquor stores, but they handle more specialty items," Kraisinger said. "You have to get more into the craft beers and high-end liquors and wines."<br />The bill would freeze the number of liquor licenses allowed in the state for three years to allow liquor stores to adjust to the new competition.<br />Under the bill liquor stores could add gasoline. The bill contains language that would allow liquor stores to expand their offerings, becoming more like a convience store or the old-time community grocery store.<br />That is a change Kraisinger would support.<br />"If they allow them to get into that, they should allow us to sell other things to allow us to be more of a convience stop for people," Kraisinger said. "The only downfall I see is it will cause the state to hire more agents to police it all and they will not bring in more income from the increased number of vendors." </div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-86057248330368493162011-02-08T11:09:00.006-06:002011-02-08T12:18:45.716-06:00The Other Guys.......sucks.The frigid cold and well, this lag between the NFL and March Madness have brought me back to movies.<br /><br />I really have been woeful at watching them even though I love them. It might be kids. If I want to watch something I actually want to watch I have to wait until the kids go to sleep so I usually haven't bothered. <br /><br />The wife and kids have always embraced Redbox. Me? Had never tried it until a few weeks ago. Pretty cool overall.<br /><br />So anyway, I have been watching a few and I gotta tell you about prolly the worst movie I've seen......maybe ever with the exception of The Madness of King George which rates as the all time worst movie I've ever seen....The Other Guys.<br /><br />I am a Will Ferrell freak. I love his movies. I think he is one of the greatest sketch actors we have. To say I didn't like something he made I thought was impossible.<br /><br />The Other Guys. Horrible. The premise looked like a typical Will movie like Blades of Glory, Old School, Wedding Crashers, Talledega Nights......Anchorman. Hell, I even liked Kicking and Screaming. But no.....it was right up there with The Madness of King George. Not even a part by Eva Mendes could keep my attention though even that bit with a good premise (dorky guy with the hot wife) was poorly written and executed.<br /><br />See the thing is when you read a review of a Will movie you expect the review to be bad and then love it.....and feel a little guilty for loving it so I don't even pay attention.<br /><br />This movie sucked BIG time. I'm just saying.<br /><br />I've always liked this little sketch though......<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pedpJ6PdkCE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-50480634125839664742011-02-03T10:03:00.005-06:002011-02-03T10:44:53.472-06:00We need legislation!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMUT2OCFQ9oN1cRC9zUU9L7kMkGSJoLGVxOBPGaQYtBoE5wOlaVaYOcpTE_lDr5LgX7eZbzAYlp3Oy9FLZuGWDS8nxdE7sBnmxyF3DYK07VFqdoHrzgRzbt8Gh7IUXr8ecVX7v_AqaRZ3/s1600/tv_addiction.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569499108480552082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMUT2OCFQ9oN1cRC9zUU9L7kMkGSJoLGVxOBPGaQYtBoE5wOlaVaYOcpTE_lDr5LgX7eZbzAYlp3Oy9FLZuGWDS8nxdE7sBnmxyF3DYK07VFqdoHrzgRzbt8Gh7IUXr8ecVX7v_AqaRZ3/s400/tv_addiction.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Freaking Egypt is coming apart at the seams. Blah, blah. I'm kinda tired of hearing about it. I mean can't they get that thing resolved in a like an hour?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Government is huge and while I can't sleep last night I'm watching idiot Senators discuss adding a VAT tax and holding up Canada as a model of success. Start by finding ways to spend less before you talk about taking more. Mostly Senators ask questions of experts and then interrupt them and argue with them if they don't get the answer they like. Why bother.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But I've been super pissed off for awhile now about something really important to all people with like 9 DVD players in their house and car so their kids and constantly be entertained.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A good majority of the children's DVDs and rentals are set up so you can't bypass all the effing previews. I'm not kidding we have some that have like 15 plus minutes of previews other stuff they want to sell you. We put in a movie in the car and when we get across town they movie hasn't even started yet. Now, on like the 20th snow day of the year and I'm trying to digitally babysit my kids so I can get some work done and I've got these DVD issues. If we paid for a movie we should be able to skip that crap if we want. I'm serious. It is complete bullshit. Protect my liberty to skip all that crap. Maybe pass a law that says they can't do that? Simple. A one sentence law. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now that would be progress. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/how-to/how-to-skip-dvd-previews-and-get-straight-to-the-movie-114466">I did see this as something to try.</a> I'll give it a try next time. Still, you shouldn't have to call the Geek Squad and find a secret code to get right to the movie.</div><div></div><div>Yo, Tom.....maybe this is a good outlet for your activitism.......</div><div></div><div></div><div>By the way in case Congress forgot this is how a bill becomes a law...........</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mEJL2Uuv-oQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-26572020398741947082011-01-31T07:57:00.001-06:002011-01-31T08:59:38.825-06:00Falls under "In case you missed it": Tom Scherer weirdness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH4fzYA4UXDBu-jWW5JuN0sqFxhyohP4N0CwGkozLHJotQT1TGv4l5JcVLn9glLJlPmUjSICA6KSYODsY0xLNniXgMoCI2QLL-NtWMmU6KTZcrbQvoH0YduTIO-WyUqlLsDqKsAOqDacp/s1600/tomscherer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567299528540909730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH4fzYA4UXDBu-jWW5JuN0sqFxhyohP4N0CwGkozLHJotQT1TGv4l5JcVLn9glLJlPmUjSICA6KSYODsY0xLNniXgMoCI2QLL-NtWMmU6KTZcrbQvoH0YduTIO-WyUqlLsDqKsAOqDacp/s400/tomscherer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I really had put Tom Scherer away into a dark corner of my brain. </div><div></div><div>To catch you up our little mental friend, Tom is living down in Florida where he is doing basically what he was doing up here. Writing hilarious stuff, suing everyone, talking about how he was supposed to go to Harvard, and continuing to be obsessed with running for Congress.....except now in Florida. One of my favorite things is reading about Tom's trips to the institutions of power and government and his utter surprise at their lack of cooperation and understanding. I hadn't checked up on him lately.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>However, I was a little bored and clicking around and saw this little tid bit. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Tom Scherer is engaged.</span></strong> Now this news alone would beg for further investigation but I'm thinking Tom is reading and answering email from his SPAM folder again and still eating lead paint.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://schererforyourcongressman.blogspot.com/2011/01/scherer-finally-bites-bullet.html">You have to read about it for yourself. </a>I can't wait to get my invite. Please, please Tom, can I come to your wedding??????? Congratulations Tom. Now, will you have time to see me when I'm down in Florida for Spring Break messing with all you "locals" like all the rest of us rich sojoco people?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-62111223923924872862011-01-28T10:56:00.003-06:002011-01-28T11:41:17.581-06:00Is it Wine Friday already?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJq-J0rWWtkx0vxXe9FGeSponXJzqil4aIw9QLuzGM_T41TQvIQ4BcQuSOGW2b4Wcg78N_L-EJ5q8b763ZLvwPmxkn7OuGzM9-LZj6s_oBk8zAUiaK1IZN0_kJapeqvoYQ5ZeUYveJAeH/s1600/395146389_9e2a38105b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567292562312589634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJq-J0rWWtkx0vxXe9FGeSponXJzqil4aIw9QLuzGM_T41TQvIQ4BcQuSOGW2b4Wcg78N_L-EJ5q8b763ZLvwPmxkn7OuGzM9-LZj6s_oBk8zAUiaK1IZN0_kJapeqvoYQ5ZeUYveJAeH/s400/395146389_9e2a38105b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It is wine Friday already.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It seemed like the week flew by so quickly. Didn't get much posted. Sorry.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But that doesn't mean you should go the weekend without knowing what jocoeveryman has been drinking and thus.....what you should be drinking :-)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I went to <a href="http://extravirginkc.com/">Extra Virgin </a>this week to nosh a little bit on some tapas and such and have a couple glasses of wine. What a hip place. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>First, Extra Virgin is doing a pretty nice job with these small plates. One of them that was really spectacular is the brussel sprouts. When brussel sprouts are done well they are so delicious. They had some other vegetables mixed in but they were so tasty. Everything was good. Check it out. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>They have a reasonable list of wines by the glass. Because of the food I decided to roll with Rose.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, because I had such a nice time and because Rose doesn't begin to get enough attention I'm picking <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Borsao Rose from Spain</span></strong> as my wine of the week.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It was super cold and the snow was frozen hard and crispy and well, nothing makes me think of a nice warm summer day like rose. The color was beyond like costco salmon and more like Sockeye Salmon. It had very nice expressive strawberry flavors and maybe even a little more toward cranberry with a bright, clean acidity. I picked up a tiny bit of spice and it makes sense as it is made from Grenache or Granacha. The spice was definitely in the background and was like baking spices. For a rose it had a nice long finish. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I thought it could have been a little more aggressively priced but hey......a filthy rich joco guy shouldn't really complain when he gets the chance to dump some alms to the city poor. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, remember. Rose isn't sweet and people in the know won't think you are drinking white zinfandel and if they do they are probably the same idiots who think Rolex is the best watch made in the world too......... Delicious and great with food rose is definitely hip with the real wine intelligentsia. It doesn't age well sooooo.....drink it up young. Mostly 2009 at this point and the best part is you can really nice rose for $12 and under. Enjoy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Vaya con dios.</div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-45459006004480583882011-01-24T10:30:00.004-06:002011-01-24T11:28:39.681-06:00Culture of Saving $$ seems to be spreading<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_mlDLQLpVs9yhAevpIWHSwIeBTdqRCsk8H4vqU9y8Il0VhODKTu0wc_5JfkczeF3RxlNgz8jNu60lGBkQQa7FNY0PcdTcOPb8siWgU-iM1P25Rw-_r29rWyJxWbzZbzrxUKWsdTVrzLq/s1600/frugalityVillage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565805473562431778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_mlDLQLpVs9yhAevpIWHSwIeBTdqRCsk8H4vqU9y8Il0VhODKTu0wc_5JfkczeF3RxlNgz8jNu60lGBkQQa7FNY0PcdTcOPb8siWgU-iM1P25Rw-_r29rWyJxWbzZbzrxUKWsdTVrzLq/s400/frugalityVillage.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Isn't it great to see all these signs that maybe, just maybe our government is starting to hear us? I know, I'm being super optimistic but hear me out.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Things like Johnson County deciding to get out of the housing business thanks to great reporting from Steve Rose (btw, proving that the paper can still be important) and saving us the taxpayer real money.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Other small things like Kansas NOT spending $20 million like Oklahoma did on a meaningless anniversary and the Governor NOT spending tons on an inauguration bash.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I read today how Jackson County....even democrats.......are upset they got a pay raise against their wishes and are figuring out how to give it back. Well done. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Talk in Washington is about pushing back discretionary spending to 2008 levels and some are pushing for 2006 levels. It can be done. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Jay Nixon however still believes that government should give every Missouri high school student a free 2 year college education. While admirable.....it isn't a right. Thank God I don't live in Missouri. People are squawking about how much he travels around on the state's dime....finally. There is too much of that from all politicians. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Also on the "still needs work side" of the ledger was the closing of a KCK post office. On one hand a good thing if because poor people no longer write letters or get 10 credit card offers a day we can close a government office but a little weird the report was quick to point out that nobody who works there was losing their jobs but being transferred to other locations. And we wonder why the post office loses money. How about we end postal service on Saturdays and maybe even Wednesdays? Shit, I haven't received much meaningful in the mail in years! How much could we save? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There was another article this weekend about the decline of union membership in the private sector and that the largest membership now exists with teachers and the government. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm telling you. There are signs they are starting to hear us. We aren't crazy. Not every good and worthy thing means it is something that should be government supported and funded. I'm convinced that the best displays of compassion are not corporate but individual. The sad thing about a big government is that people tend to stop looking at their family, friends and neighbors with responsibility toward each other and start expecting the compassion and aid to come collectively. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There is the great quote that goes something like "individuals with vision and purpose change the world while committees exist to share blame". </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I had a professor in college teach that if a politician ever tells you they can find significant savings by eliminating waste they are lying or ignorant. I used to believe this. I think government has gotten big enough this is no longer true. How about this though....let's try. Let's freaking try it. It is an attitude and a culture. We need to cultivate this new attitude. Instead of saying every little savings is insignificant or symbolic let's see how many we can find? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What do you say?</div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-34918303447099853132011-01-21T12:08:00.004-06:002011-01-21T13:27:09.751-06:00Jayhawks are laughing....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKw0txCJgeRp3Fe9nODMXl0gFmy0i6ONX8GT4TxDb3mRmSpX0wstyJo5iaUx35u31hwq8Ak3GmvFc0DRLFohWaZRJyXv9JqNm8oyTGTAGfCUxTY-6ljadQcElIDx-yyyEIWJj8Exvtiw2/s1600/frank-martin-k-state.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564722387669381906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKw0txCJgeRp3Fe9nODMXl0gFmy0i6ONX8GT4TxDb3mRmSpX0wstyJo5iaUx35u31hwq8Ak3GmvFc0DRLFohWaZRJyXv9JqNm8oyTGTAGfCUxTY-6ljadQcElIDx-yyyEIWJj8Exvtiw2/s400/frank-martin-k-state.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have to admit I was a little frustrated at the out start of the season to see K-State ranked above KU. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A couple of my friends in purple certainly pointed it out to me......I uncharacteristically kept quiet.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/20/2599084/k-states-tumble-sparks-questions.html#">Now the are appropriately UNRANKED. </a>Now, it looks like Frank is feeling the pressure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I said and wrote from the beginning I hoped they would hire Frank Martin as their head coach because I thought he would fail. <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">He is failing. Badly.</span></strong> His kids are tiring quickly of his lunatic emotional and tough coaching style. People will tolerate it when you win. When you don't...........?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I didn't see him telling people they were overrated when they were number 3. How does it feel to play with a bullseye on your back? Kansas does it every year. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I predict this guy will be gone within 2 years. I hope not. He is the key to keeping K-State where they belong. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Dude is crazy.</div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-67056248954977131252011-01-21T09:14:00.007-06:002011-01-21T10:59:32.163-06:00Snuggle up for a Winter Wine Friday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ygbeFpjreAsxYLZTUHOMfr1CtMuxoqQNOe54AneQdIngy_x8Z5c1-vmCEdMXudkYU6ri0LCDhgn0vxfDRK9-CzMRmD1xbsbB6pUT2ehJz8Xd7vsIBJHkPDr80VYKUgsThWocz_WNU64Y/s1600/2331239367_e13de72bd9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564683713824095970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ygbeFpjreAsxYLZTUHOMfr1CtMuxoqQNOe54AneQdIngy_x8Z5c1-vmCEdMXudkYU6ri0LCDhgn0vxfDRK9-CzMRmD1xbsbB6pUT2ehJz8Xd7vsIBJHkPDr80VYKUgsThWocz_WNU64Y/s400/2331239367_e13de72bd9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div>It was a good week to stay inside and drink some wine from the cellar but I did also make it to the wine shop earlier in the week.</div><br /><br /><div>Malbec madness continues. Everyone is crazy for Malbec like Snookie for clothes that don't fit and vodka on a Wednesday night. </div><br /><br /><div>Malbec is hot like Natalie Portman's career right now. </div><br /><br /><div>Digression: I have always thought Natalie Portman was smoking hot but it seems like everyone else is figuring it out all at once. I tweeted about a month ago that this will the year of Natalie Portman. It will be. She looks like fun but if you read her Wiki you'll find we don't have much in common other than we are both really smart people! At least wine is acceptable to her vegan lifestyle...... Let's see I'd have to give up meat, leather shoes, become a Jew, support Democrats to have a chance........ way too hard. Sometimes better just to admire from afar.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564679891986992770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy79ceX7p6kTt6bcztTv-BCrO7Xx463Uid5NK2JSh0sbTZUYFvZVwE85BQYAFya-imXczlXSH6_M8L6nI03atMQ52FnYagdlCR50Jmkn5DK1dH5MqISFOy7WU3IfXryz2_vRWYhNd7Tbjp/s400/Natalie-Portman.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564680258065928962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8SMTqm7v0f5GUmXPBxCOL0GD-mAlcIr96iqkrvme20i2M83wX8lljLcLxdWAC-VOKsBhKZhxoTlVJAbz8ShNU0cYym9HeT4OZrTJbouOOhVq3_1r6490bEKhCjUH544SGEvZu-Y_RODo/s400/Natalie-Portman-64.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564680746938110914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzewOfFKOkx41713jQujOFZmIsVE9ThYXg1D2iWPdLTXItql-3lNAMPjIZoAgtYw3_kgefiV8ayj4zvAlE_u20QsCKgoCSWYSvO_3TWgG2KLCUr2Xs0t8R8-HCCZsSLK75pwTnXdX7t2Z_/s400/natalie-portman-10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>Anyway, back to Malbec. For the most part affordable. Fat, juicy, rich, firm tannins are a recipe irresistible to most red wine lovers. </div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">So, I've been drinking quite a few and the Alamos Seleccion Malbec is my favorite for this week.</span></strong> I'm sure you are mostly familiar with the regular bottling from Alamos if you like Malbec from Argentina at all. It is probably the most popular winery from that country and is in wide distribution. The Seleccion would be considered their reserve bottling and it is far and away a different bottle of wine. This is Peyton Manning compared to Eli Manning. Same family completely different player. This wine is much bigger and richer than the regular bottling. It shows Blackberry and Blueberry with some dark mocha flavors and just a little leather and for me the signature "meaty" quality I find in good Malbec. It also exhibits pretty hints of violet. It is rich and voluptuous and the tannins are nice, not too bitter but pleasingly integrated and long. The wine finishes long. Finally, at the end of the bottle as I'm squeezing out the last little bit I notice something that always pleases me just a little bit. Sediment. While wine doesn't have to have it to be good I've often noticed in many bottles of red, even younger big reds, that I've really enjoyed that it isn't unusual to see a little sediment in that last glass. It tells me that the wine hasn't been over processed. Not over filtered. I like to see this. I like to see this especially on a fine at this price.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>This is a Malbec worth seeking out. <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">At $15 it is a real bargain.</span></strong> I mean a great buy. I'm sure it gets regularly overlooked by premium Malbec buyers because they associate the less expensive regular bottling with the name. Don't make that mistake. This stuff rocks and is worth seeking out. I found it at Lukas. </div><br /><br /><div>I drank this while watching movie night with the kids and while it certainly went down all too well that way it made me really made me wish for a slow roasted pork shank or a hearty beef stew. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Enjoy and Vaya Con Dios!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-11444428599579898022011-01-20T10:43:00.003-06:002011-01-20T11:01:02.525-06:00SOJOCO business kids<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhb4GvKFSPnmIUXeWvk4HrbRWprqUy6maho9C-c0yn62YQR8MSwp25hLkykvrM1aW-VY6MA8LaRL2AnXQWJa-eiBz52FB8yC8gS7MhWdEb0Wx4qaTmQPIsyDjQ0R_JKpZgIlwXXgG61YG/s1600/snow-blower-with-kid.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564314066405777346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhb4GvKFSPnmIUXeWvk4HrbRWprqUy6maho9C-c0yn62YQR8MSwp25hLkykvrM1aW-VY6MA8LaRL2AnXQWJa-eiBz52FB8yC8gS7MhWdEb0Wx4qaTmQPIsyDjQ0R_JKpZgIlwXXgG61YG/s400/snow-blower-with-kid.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I read in the paper some kid in Olathe earns a patent for a chair with a blankie built in and then this morning another sign kids in sojoco do things a bit differently than the old paper route and lemonade stand.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>By contrast this morning sojoco kids were DRIVING around the neighborhood with daddy's snow blower in the back of a pickup truck soliciting driveway clearing.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I was a kid we got up early on a snow day, bundled up and took shovels to hand. First, we had to do our own drive (for no pay) and then it was off the knock on doors of neighbors looking to earn $10 per drive. There was an old couple down the road that told me some sad story about their fixed income but I knew they were too old to do it themselves so I wasted a couple hours doing theirs for free......well, I got some hot chocolate, old stories and the experience of old people stink because they insisted I take breaks and come and sit down with them in the living room. Old people stink is the combination of body odor and death with maybe a little Ben Gay mixed in. Never forget it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Of course, now the sojoco kids want $40 to clear your drive in about 30 minutes using their pop's $800 snow blower. Nice. If you say no, you will probably get tee peed in the spring.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our kids don't have side jobs. They start small business. They don't mow lawns. They start a lawn service. They file patents. They drive nicer cars than I do. Not because I can't afford it but it isn't freaking necessary. They will never know what a real day of work is in their life. Remind me not to hire kids from sojoco. </div><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-23449958776026783242011-01-19T08:52:00.007-06:002011-01-19T10:07:35.310-06:00Giffords Walks on Water and Performs Miracles.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85H86Xb_C-WSZCPkQWgZ9XKuBGKNePd0WnvaIpBX7OxGRB2te8oZKpEkHQf0fLnbYDdAPLlzo1GYTMjvq8n0Hfpu4jYnSd1CFmarJ939D1GPj6aoZ8AIdX-gcCN28tfVLaA_a2wugkX9u/s1600/Gabrielle_giffords_320.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563928719123238578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85H86Xb_C-WSZCPkQWgZ9XKuBGKNePd0WnvaIpBX7OxGRB2te8oZKpEkHQf0fLnbYDdAPLlzo1GYTMjvq8n0Hfpu4jYnSd1CFmarJ939D1GPj6aoZ8AIdX-gcCN28tfVLaA_a2wugkX9u/s400/Gabrielle_giffords_320.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I'll start off at the outset by acknowledging that this post might make some angry. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Okay, I admit it I understand it in advance and I'm still willingly posting it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A woman gets shot for doing her job and the liberal press is deifying her. Okay. I said it. Did you see that Diane Sawyer piece last night? I'm as sorry as anyone that a lunatic shot her. I wish it hadn't happened and I wish her a speedy recovery.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But seriously. Nobody in the liberal media had much to say about this perfect public servant before she was shot although some called her a rising star in the democratic party. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Why do we do this? Why do we take someone who did a bad thing and turn them into Hitler reincarnate and turn people like Gabrielle Giffords into the second coming of Jesus Christ?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>They are creating a folk hero right in front of our eyes. It makes my stomach turn. She is just a person. A person who very sadly along with some other innocent people got shot by a lunatic. Why is she the hero? Seriously. Why is Diane Sawyer doing an hour turning her into a hero?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Let's review the liberal (Diane Sawyer) notion of a storybook romance. One married and the other in a relationship. They meet on a government paid junket to Asia. They become really "good friends". Next time they see each other one of them is divorced. Was she a quiet home wrecker? A couple years later they are married to each other. I'm just saying. I haven't researched it but it seems like the timing is a finely crafted story that everyone is sticking too. Oh....and the continuation of the storybook romance and marriage in liberal terms is that they live in different parts of the country but have a great marriage. Isn't that the model marriage? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She calls herself a Blue Dog Democrat but Nancy Pelosi loves her. I don't get it. Her husband says she was warm and nice even to people who said tough things about her.....never once getting mad or upset yet she ran an incredibly negative campaign in the last election. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She seems like a reasonable person with a very complex life and it just got more complex. I don't blame her for all this.......she can't control it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I hope she has a full and wonderful recovery. I can't wait to see her walk on water. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-71624102947735742852011-01-14T00:20:00.005-06:002011-01-14T08:49:56.563-06:00Freaky Friday Wine Post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8QE_w0EyuCBxpoqHhRFK65NwQj6BlCmw8S-_2Y5umFo7rWj4l3JSWPd-X2vjzRUSFbRST1NBt5wzhyphenhyphen6PjRIzRAKCzZrJeglRVAw4D-RVy928wPZXBHST8e3FDixtsPPvoEP9SR_PbkaN/s1600/woman_drinking_lead_gallery__546x400-420x0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562053672436571442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8QE_w0EyuCBxpoqHhRFK65NwQj6BlCmw8S-_2Y5umFo7rWj4l3JSWPd-X2vjzRUSFbRST1NBt5wzhyphenhyphen6PjRIzRAKCzZrJeglRVAw4D-RVy928wPZXBHST8e3FDixtsPPvoEP9SR_PbkaN/s400/woman_drinking_lead_gallery__546x400-420x0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Let's see. It was fine week in wine drinking.<br /><br />I think I had wine pretty much every day this week. That is a fine week.<br /><br />And there was some mighty fine drink.<br /><br />Further, it was shared with some mighty fine friends.<br /><br />Laughs had.<br /><br />Hard mornings endured. Thank you Excederin.<br /><br />All good.<br /><br />I think I had the hottest wine ever from Chile.<br /><br />2006 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta.<br /><br />For everyone who thinks wine from Chile was going to be limited to the $3.99 end at the grocery store I give you the awesome Clos Apalta.<br /><br />While most of the big boy blends are based in Cabernet, Clos Apalta is based on Carmenere at about 40% and then backed up with Cabernet, Merlot and some Petit Verdot.<br /><br />Carmenere is awesome. This is what Chile should be promoting. Dark color. Black fruits and mocha. A tad wild. Extracted yet elegant. Nicely integrated vanilla and spice from the oak aging. This is some big wine. Worthy of decanting to give this bitch a little air. It is big. firm. elegant. This is serious wine. Worthy of your best piece of meat whether you like docile grain fed and or the call of wild game. Dare I say, drinking Carmenere of this quality....really discovering Carmenere of this quality is like going out for simple cup of coffee in a shitty road side cafe in a mid Missouri town, meeting the hottest Peruvian woman in your life, spending the day and the night with her.........this most incredible day of your life. You wake up with a spent and tired look on your face but holding a winning lottery ticket worth 100 million. Okay, perhaps over stated and a little weird but I'm serious. This wine was stone cold bad ass.<br /><br />It is a little pricey but in my opinion the best of what Chile has to offer. At $70 bucks it costs more than a typical Chilean worker makes in a month......but if you can drink it and not feel like you need to make a donation to "Save the Chilean children".....then by all means go ahead. </div><div> </div><div>That's it. Come back to see what I drank next Friday.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Enjoy. Vaya Con Dios.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div>JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2485751143504732525.post-13514694528065181032011-01-12T17:42:00.004-06:002011-01-12T17:50:11.977-06:00Cutie CrazyWhat is deal with Cuties aka Clementines?<br /><br /><br /><br />This is the "it" fruit snack of SOJOCO.<br /><br /><br /><br />When I was little it was simply the huge and hard to peel Navel orange. We even had a special little tool to peel it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Is the Cutie the same as a the "mandarin orange" we used to eat from the can and that Grandma used to put in jello?<br /><br /><br /><br />All I know is somebody did a freaking great marketing job because my kids don't even call them oranges anymore. They just say, "Can I have a cutie?"JOCOeverymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344165919926285047noreply@blogger.com2