KC area DUers: meetup in 2 weeks

[proud2BlibKansan]

I was contacted by a meetup member who is suggesting that we meet at the Westport Flea Market instead of Chili's. The owner of the Flea Market is apparently more Dem friendly than Chili's.

The Flea Market is only a block or two west of Chili's so it's not a major change in location. It also has great burgers.

Let me know what you think. If a majority want to change to the Flea Market, I will change the location on the meetup website.

The date and time is Wed, April 20 at 7:00 PM.

[Mabus]

1. And my car is fixed!

I can finally travel out of town. I'll finally get to see everyone.
:woohoo:

(I love that emoticon!)

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. That's great Mabus

How are you feeling? I was sorry to see you were under the weather.

[Mabus]

5. Hanging in there

and getting stronger all the time. Thanks for asking. I took today off to rest. I've already got about ten hours of sleep in today alone. I hate the inhaler but it is helping me breathe. The downside is it makes me hungry so I'm snacking constantly when I'm awake (fruits, veggies and some Vermont St. BBQ!). I suppose that's good since I've lost close to ten pounds in the past week.

Right now I'm trying to be good and rest as much as possible so I can go see the bopaphonics Friday night at the Solidarity building downtown. Oh yeah, the hubby has left down until Saturday. Since he's been gone I've been getting a lot of time to kick up my feet and rest.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Stay well

We want you there.

Did you say you live in East Lawrence? I have a very good friend who works at a nursery (sorry can't remember the name) I think it's in East Lawrence. It's on a teen street - 15th I think.

[Mabus]

9. It used to be Pence's now it is Sunrise Garden

Yep, that's my area of town. It is located at 15th and Learnard (the street to the east) or 15th and New York (the street that runs into it from the north). It is a hop, skip and a jump from my hovel.

I'm actually hoping to get some plants there in the next couple of weeks for my garden. I've always had better luck with plants from there then almost anywhere else (but Pines in North Lawrence). I got hooked on the store when I was a student and Pence's used to have coupons for free starter plants. I still have a pothos from the early 80's. How it has survived all these years is a testament to the stock they use because it is NOT attributable to my non-existent green thumb.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Yes, that's it

My friend is also an artist. Here is her website:
http://www.blairpottery.com/index.shtml

[Mabus]

14. Her pottery is great

I threw pots in high school. My dad even taught the class for a period during a teacher strike. I come from a family full of artists and pottery was the only medium I ever felt good about working with. Her pots look great. I can't wait to have extra money again so I can buy quality stuff for the house. I've bookmarked the page and will probably talk to your friend when I go to the greenhouse (assuming she's working).

I was kinda hoping it was my friend Laura. She works there and does some bartending at Stu's Midtown. She keeps me appraised of the band scene at Stu's and lets me know when I should get over there.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. She has pieces at The Phoenix Gallery

and a reporter from the KC Star saw them and did a story about her work for the Sunday paper a couple weeks ago.

She isn't on site at the nursery all the time; she drives around town a lot of the time. But I will be glad to hook you up with her. She lives south of town - out by Clinton Lake - and does all her pottery at home. She has a house full of pots. I'll bet you would love it. And where she lives is just beautiful.

[MuseRider]

16. I am glad you

posted your friends site her pottery is wonderful. I was looking for something specific so I am going to look her up. Her pottery looks like just what I want. Our architect lives in Lawrence, he is also an artist and I think I may have met her at one of the art walks. When we build many of the special touches, if we can afford them, will come from Lawrence craftsmen.

[atommom]

17. That's great pottery. I always try to stop in at the Phoenix Gallery

when I'm in Lawrence.

[MuseRider]

2. I am planning to meet you there

this time. Yipee! Could you post directions for those of us who get terribly lost in KC? Please?

Any Topeka or Lawrence DUers who would like a ride I would love to pick you up. I have a pick up truck so if some of you are short I can take 4 comfortably, if not I can take one very comfortably. Let me know.

I am so excited to finally meet you all.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Yea Muse!!

I am really excited about meeting YOU. :woohoo:

The Flea Market is very easy to find. I will post more specific directions and a map later. But it is generally at the intersection of SW Trafficway and Westport Road, just a few miles south of downtown. If you come I-70, it's very easy to get to once you get to town. And Chili's is just right down the street from The Flea Market.

I will even PM you my cell phone number so we can come rescue you if you get lost.

[MuseRider]

6. Ahhhh.

You are the best. I may need that cell phone number. I have a very good sense of direction but getting into KC when the traffic is heavy has always just been a problem for me. I don't know why I can't drive in KC, I can do Houston. :shrug:

I am terribly excited.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. There won't be much traffic

if you plan on getting into town after 6:00. Rush hour traffic going from MO into KS is pretty much over by then. SW Trafficway is the route that carries much of that traffic.

This is so cool. I hope Catmandu from Savannah, MO comes again. And we have a regular from Lawrence and another guy who came last month from Leavenworth. You out of towners may outnumber those of us who live here.

Please spread the word. Our goal is to double attendance every month. We had 7 in March, so that means 14 is our goal for April.

[Mabus]

10. What's the street address?

I don't get into the City much so I always have to mapquest everything or I get lost. I'll drag the husband along and I'll try to get a few others to come along too. I'm looking forward to finally making it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. 817 Westport Road

here's a map

http://mq-mapgend.websys.aol.com:80/mqmapgend?MQMapGenRequest=FDR2dmwjDE%3byt29%26FDJnci4Jkqj%2cMMCJ%3aHOEvq%3ba12dua%3a%29frsh4t%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40y%3aqyb%3al4b%3aTD%15JFE%3aHOHQJ%3ba12dua%3a%29frsh4t%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40%24x9%40

And another little tidbit my Google search turned up:

And now for something completely different, an indoor flea market with craft beer! Fitting in perfectly with this eclectic neighborhood, the Westport Flea Market houses rows of shops that surround a bar and lounge. Exhausted shoppers can build up their strength to continue by sampling from the 23 taps pouring micro and imported beers. West coast micros dominate the lineup but a few locals are also featured. Once energized you can take on the shuffleboard table, fusbol game, dartboards or video arcade games. On Sunday only you can even get bottled beer "to go."

http://realbeer.com/nmvbp/kctaps.htm

[Mabus]

13. Go for the Dem friendly place

We will see you there. We're looking forward to it.
:hi:

[atommom]

18. Sounds like a great meeting spot! See you there...

:hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. Hooray Atommom!

We Kansans rock. I posted this same message on the MO board and have had only ONE response so far. If this keeps up, we'll have to set up a whole new group for the Sunflower state DUers.

[scratchtasia]

20. A slight clarification

I'm the DU member who wrote to proud2Blib to suggest the Flea Market. I'll come out in the open to say it isn't so much that Westport Flea Market is Dem-friendly as that Chili's (like most national chain restaurants) is remarkably Dem-unfriendly.

The parent company of Chili's, Brinker, has a political action committee (PAC) that gave 84% of their contributions to the Thugs during the 2004 election cycle. That includes $2000 to Kit Bond and $1000 to Sam Brownback. Additionally, Brinker's CEO and COO donated to the Bush-Cheney campaign. I found this information at buyblue.org and opensecrets.org.

Westport Flea Market is locally owned. A search of the owner's name at opensecrets.org turned up no political contributions. It seemed like a good alternative to me. I love their burgers!

[Mabus]

21. Hey sounds like a good enough reason to me

We've got to stop supporting businesses that are big GOP contributors but we've also got to let them know about it. Otherwise they don't get the message. To that end, Chili's website lists a toll free number 1-800-983-4637 (Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Standard Time, excluding holidays) or you can fill out a form at http://www.chilis.com/contact/

Let's call them and/or e-mail them to let them know that they are losing business because of their political donations. As Steve Earle sings, "The revolution starts - NOW!"

Hmmm, burgers! :loveya:

[Mabus]

22. My e-mail submission to Chili's

After learning your parent company, Brink's, gave 84% of its political contributions to Republicans, and more specifically the $2000 to Kit Bond and $1000 to Sam Brownback during the 2004 election cycle I can no longer, in good conscience, eat at your establishments. I am a member of an active Democratic group that was to meet at your restaurant. Since learning of your political contributions we have changed our venue.

Please let Brink's know that their choice of political contributions to rightwing polticians was the sole factor in the group's decision to stop using Chili's.

Respectfully submitted,

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Great letter

Could I ask you to print it out and bring it to the meetup? We can get everyone to sign it and then I will send it on to Chili's management.

Oh and maybe change it to say we have been meeting at their establishment.

[Mabus]

26. Can do.

I'll bring it with the correction. At least my e-mail went to corporate. I put one in the mail today and I've got it on my calendar to call them later this month. Hopefully this will register as three complaints. I'm learning to act like a freeper.

[put out]

23. Westport Flea Market...SWEET!

I haven't been there in years, and I hope it hasn't changed much. Doesn't sound like it. That place was a favorite hangout of mine when I was younger and lived pretty close. Do they still sell steamed artichokes? Wonderful choice.

Probably, you had to be there, but a funny story. I'll try.

A friend and I were sitting having food and such, and we heard a sound like a cracking baseball bat. And again and again, and heads were swiveling trying to figure out where it was coming from.

Two fellows seated at a table fifteen feet away or so. One of the dudes' chair was breaking apart underneath him as he sat, and he was not a real big guy. First one leg, then another, and then the chair just disintegrated slowly and loudly, the back of it and one of the arms. And these two friends never stopped their conversation or acted as though anything unusual was happening, although the guy's friend did take the beers from the table and stand up. Gotta save the beer. The guy in the imploding chair rode it all the way to the floor, with only the seat and one arm remaining joined.

When it had completely fallen apart and he was sitting on the floor with the chair seat and one chair arm, he got up and nonchalantly scooted the mess aside with his foot, pulled up a nearby chair, sat, and continued talking to his friend. The rest of us in this joint had our mouths hanging open.

Hope you got a good visual. My friend and I looked at each other like, "Did that just happen?".

I hope to make it that night. I live in Lenexa and would like to see some of you in real life.

Kim

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. That is hilarious

and sounds like something that would happen at The Flea Market.

Hope you can make it. We always have a good time. No agenda, just good conversation. And lots of laughs.

[Mabus]

27. That must have been one interesting conversation

How funny.

I'm wanting to meet other DUers too. One of the things I liked about MoveOn events was meeting other people who were interested in the same things I was. I learned so much and I've made a lot of great friends and co-workers for the cause.

[atommom]

28. Sounds like a guy I knew in college...

He was penniless at the time and drove a rattly old car with a disintegrating muffler. He was on a road trip with a friend when the heat from the exhaust leaking from his muffler ignited the carpet under the back seat of his car. His friend looked back and said, "Uh, Rog, your carpet's on fire." He nonchalantly handed his drink to his friend and said, "Ah, poor a little Pepsi on it."

(Yeah, probably the fumes had gotten to him. But it was a good story at the time...)

[givemebackmycountry]

29. What's up peeps?

I will absolutely, positively, TRY to make this meeting.
I went to my first DU meet-up at the River Market Brewery, and I had a great time.

I think it's so cool that you can feel comfortable with a bunch of people that you've never met before.

I ambled up to the table, asked if this was the DU group, pulled up a chair and started to run my mouth.
Something I'm good at.
I think it's genetic being from New York City!

The River Market Brewery had live music that night too.
Turns out, it was Bob Harvey of the Bob Harvey Band.
I went back the following Wednesday night and bought all three of Bob's CD's and he was right when he said "buy my CD's because they don't suck"!
And they don't.
This guy can flat out play some guitar, and he wails on all three CD's.

It's been awhile since I've been to the Westport Flea Market.
Every time I've been there I had a great time.

I used to like to go during the day on Saturday and rummage through the shops inside looking for hidden treasure.

With all that's gone on since our last meet-up, you may actually see my head explode during the first hour!

That alone will be worth the trip.

Plus, this meet-up is a mere 9 days before my 50th birthday.
So, if I start weeping, everyone will understand.

I look forward to seeing you guys again and meeting new friends I have yet to meet!

See ya!

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. Hey peeps!!

I am so glad you are coming. We had a good time and some great conversation. I enjoyed hearing you run your mouth. :) As I recall, you made us laugh a lot too.

I was going to PM you to plead with you to come. I'm glad you saw the thread.

I was just thinking about you today. I was down in the market area and found myself wondering how you were doing.

Hey 50 ain't so bad. It hit me 18 months ago and so far, I kinda like it.

[ComerPerro]

31. I haven't heard of that group. But I had a feeling his CDs would not suck

From what I saw at the last meetup, he was pretty good.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. Hey Comer

I hope you are coming to the meetup. :hi:

[catmandu57]

33. Parking????

If we come down how far away do I have to gimp along?, you guys saw my best locomotion.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. Ample free parking

right by the door. Shouldn't be a problem. I hope you can come. We may have to start renting a hall I am getting so many RSVPs.

I will post directions in another thread.

[ComerPerro]

37. I hope you can make it

It was nice meeting you last time, and I was glad you made the drive.

[greymattermom]

34. can i come too?

A newbie,sorta. I work nearby.

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. Most definitely

welcome to DU :hi:

[atommom]

38. Rats, it looks as if I may not be able to come after all.

There's an illness in DH's family, he's gone out of town, and I haven't found childcare for Wednesday night. (My kids are Dems, but I think they're a little young/noisy for Westport. ;) ) I'll still come if I can work things out!

[proud2BlibKansan]

39. The Flea Market is a great place for kids

They have video games for kids. It's not a typical Westport bar. More like a burger joint. I hope you reconsider. Your kids are most welcome.

Our meetups have been very informal so far. No agenda, just socializing. And lots of laughter. I am sure we will be lots louder than your kids :)

[atommom]

41. If they're in a good mood that evening, I'll consider it.

Video games make very good bribes (I mean, positive reinforcements...) :dilemma:

[proud2BlibKansan]

42. How old are they?

I teach elem school and can manage kids fairly well. Heck, I have years of experience in positively reinforcing (bribing) children. So if I can help in any way, I am there for you.

[atommom]

43. They're 4 and 6. Both are capable of being angelic when they feel

like it. ;)

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. As someone told me when mine were young

and ornery, you will miss these days when they grow up and move away.

[proud2BlibKansan]

40. Bring your cameras

I will bring mine but I am still trying to figure out how to post pictures here on DU. So please everyone who knows how to do this - bring your camera.

The photo shy DUers will not be forced to pose for pictures. I just made that rule up, I hope no one objects. But not everyone wants their picture posted on the internet, right?

[atommom]

45. Well, obviously, I wasn't there tonight ...

But I'm thinking of you all, and wishing you the best. This has been a long day, and I'm afraid that bringing my kids with me to a restaurant would be just about the same as dumping a barrel of rabid monkeys on the table. They're going to bed early. I can't wait. :woohoo:

Now, NEXT month, I'll have childcare, dammit! :beer:

[MuseRider]

46. Missed you

but yes, we will have another and we will meet then.

[hatrack]

47. Any word on the next round?

I gots to know!!!! :hi: