Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Sample Ballot

You know when you go to vote, as you will if you haven't already this year, and somebody hands you a helpful sample ballot so you don't have to actually, you know, think when you cast your vote? I think that's a great idea. Especially if you're one of those out-of-town visitors who unlike me are eligible to vote in the Visitor's Choice Awards, where the Kansas City Irish Fest is once again nominated as Favorite Festival or Special Event. If you live elsewhere and only come to Kansas City for Irish Fest weekend, you might need some suggestions as to which of these other nominees are deserving of your vote. Happy to help.

If I was voting, here's my ballot. I encourage you to copy. I know what I'm doing.

1. Favorite Restaurant: Strouds. It closed and was torn down a couple years ago, though it's supposed to reopen soon. At least it's not a damn chain. T-Rex Café? Cheesecake Factory? Are you kidding me?

2. Favorite Steak House: Golden Ox. Legendary.

3. Favorite Barbecue Restaurant: The best in town isn't on here. It's L.C.'s. In this bunch, flip a coin between Gates and Bryants. If you vote for the non-local Oklahoma's Joe's, I will hunt you down and kill you.

4. Favorite Performing Arts Venue or Organization: Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Again, the best choices aren't here. Missouri Valley Folklife. The Unicorn Theatre. They need a write-in option.

5. Favorite Jazz Venue: Jardine's. No other place is as dedicated to jazz and nothing but jazz.

6. Favorite Nightlife Spot: Kelly's Westport Inn. Kyle Kelly is a founder of the Kansas City Irish Fest and Kelly's is a landmark.

7. Favorite Shopping Center or District: Crown Center, home of The Kansas City Irish Fest. Oak Park Mall??? Seriously?

8. Favorite Shop or Store: The choices here make me so mad I can't stand it. Nell Hill’s or Hall's. Don't even read the other ones.

9. Favorite Hotel or Bed & Breakfast: Two Irish Fest hotels here. Pick the one you stay at.

10. Favorite Attraction: Kansas City Zoo. I would have said "Dan Regan Birthplace" but they torn down St. Mary's a few years ago. Yes, I know the zoo has issues. Yes, I know it's not as new or flashy as some of the other choices. But come on. Who doesn't like a zoo?

11. Favorite Casino or Gaming Venue: Never set foot in any of 'em. You pick.

12. Favorite Museum or Historical Site: Again, "Dan Regan Birthplace" would have been a natural. Some strong choices here and we're lucky to have all of them. I'd go with The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. Absolutely incredible place. If you haven't been, go.

13. Favorite Art Museum or Gallery: Dolphin. Owner John O'Brien, more than anybody else in town is responsible for the visual arts resurgence downtown. Plus he's a friend of mine.

14. Favorite Professional Sports Team: The Royals, God help me. One of these days, they'll stop breaking my heart.

15. Favorite Kids Attraction: Kaleidoscope, provided your kids are under 10. Interactive, creative and fun. Oh, hey I can see it from my window!

16. Favorite Festival or Special Event: I think you know this one.

17. Favorite Holiday Experience: Ice Terrace. When the Mayor's Christmas Tree is lit and there's snow on the ground and you're skating around the rink, there's no place better to escape all the holiday stress. If they had a rinkside beer tent, it would be perfect.

18. Favorite Day Trip from Kansas City: I don't get it. Why would anybody want to leave Kansas City? Lawrence, if you must go. Have a beer at Free State.

19. What business or attraction goes the extra mile to provide the Best Midwestern Hospitality? A no brainer: Gates. Where else do have uniformed people yelling "Hi, may I help you?" at you the minute you walk in the door?

20. What business or attraction would you consider the Best of Kansas City? Why Irish Fest isn't on this list is beyond me. Let's go with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. I know Crown Center is listed again, but we already voted for them.

So there you go. My picks and mine alone. Agree? Disagree? I would have nominated completely different choices on most of these, but they didn't ask me. Now go vote! Do number 16 first so you don't forget.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

#14: CHIEFS!!!
And your profile is especially nice today.

Anonymous said...

Are there enough hours in the day? How do you do it? Obviously that big greeting card company is hanging on to you after that profile AND the blog!!!!!

Us poor regular people, well we are sooo beige.

Anonymous said...

I think you are offending too many businesses, Dan. We need sponsors of all types. You could have flattered everyone and them called them up to get some of their money. Think, man, think!

Danny Regan said...

Flattering people just to get their money...hmmm, that sounds a little, oh, unethical maybe? Dishonest maybe? Sleazy, maybe? Besides, you'll notice I said this was my ballot. Me, Uncle Bloggy. This isn't the Kansas City Irish Fest Ballot. Here's the Irish Fest ballot:

1.-15. We vote for everybody. You're all winners!
16. Kansas City Irish Fest. But you other events are great, too. You're all winners!
17.-20. We vote for everybody. You're all winners!

Anonymous said...

"And them called them up"? Think, man think!

Anonymous said...

Uncle Bloggy,
Be careful. That ethical highground for you can be slippery slope.



Patti Solis Doyle

Anonymous said...

You're a rookie, Patti. Come over to dark side and I'll give you lessons.

Karl Rove

Anonymous said...

I am sure that everyone Brett Gibson votes for will win.

Anonymous said...

good god, anonymous! whoever you are, leave it alone! I grow weary of your Brett problem.