Laugh Your A$$ Off! Literally.

Just met @andienns on Twitter and she recognized the opportunity to have the PlazaBUZZ broadcast an event that is taking place this Friday, 12/19:

FREE LAUGHTER YOGA, 6pm
Plaza Wellspring, 49th & Main in US Bank building
Call 816-931-6533 for more info.

I'd go check it out if I didn't already have a function that evening! So, if you go, then let the BUZZ know how it went!

I Missed Out on FREE Hugs... BLAST!

"Walking the Black Dog" blogged about some peeps giving out FREE HUGS on the Plaza last weekend and I missed it.

Ohhhhh RUE!

Who's Got the Best Fish Tacos?

@alsamuelson wants to know... Fish Tacos at:

• McCormicks?
• Extra Virgin?
• Grand Street?

What say you, BUZZers?

Personally, I'm VERY partial to a lovely little place with an ocean pier view that rests at the end of Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach (OB), San Diego called "South Beach." But, that's just me.

The Reason for Little BUZZ...

I've not been doing much other than writing my book. A few days ago, after basically locking myself in the condo for two weeks, I was chin-scruffy, the dishes were stacked up, the bathroom needed cleaning and the trash was overflowing. I took the weekend off from the book and fixed most of that stuff.

I didn't know what book I was writing until I wrote it. When I finally read it from cover to cover, I realized how to strengthen the themes and bring fluidity to it. I realized what story I wanted to tell.

I'm currently through 100 pages of the rewrite. Book is 250 pages and just short of 80,000 words. I anticipate that it will grow to be no larger than 85,000 words after this rewrite. At that time, those of you on the edit list will be getting an email from the main character, Soupy Heller.

Soupy created a Twitter account last week. He's not active yet, but if you'd like to add him, feel free to follow @soupyheller.

Why Can't I (S)wipe at My Table?

I'm sure y'all heard about the waiter on the Plaza (Brio -- Oooo, That Smell!) let was convicted of credit card theft last week. If not, kansascity.com reports...

"John David Woody, 34, appeared in federal court Thursday on an indictment that a grand jury returned in secret on Nov. 18."

"Prosecutors alleged that while working at the Brio Tuscan Grille in July and August, Woody recorded the names and credit card numbers of five restaurant customers. He then used that information to purchase goods on the Internet, including thousands of dollars worth of DVD boxed sets."

Now America, in other parts of the world they bring the swipey credit card machine thingy to your table so that the card never leaves your sight. We're a country of innovators and we can't prevent this simple crime?

Funny what things we overly-control and what things we don't, ya know?

West Plaza coated in snow

Pictures from West Plaza on this blustery winter day. Yes my dog is wearing a coat.

West Plaza Bernstein Project Update

More info on the construction dealio on the Plaza West side... whatcha gonna get?

From GlobeSt.com's Robert Carr:

Bernstein says, "'My sons and daughters are starting to take over the business, and I want to have a legacy building, something that everyone in the area will be proud of,' he says."

This, my friends, is what will make them proud...

• 205,000 sq ft of office space
• 131 hotel rooms
• 6 levels of underground parking (1000 spaces)
• 9000 sqft restaurant
• 12,000 sqft advertising museum
• 270 seat theater
  
• Bernstein offspring & their ad agency
• TBD retail

That's kinda hot. We should have all of this by the Fall of '09 if work begins this week or next as stated in a PlazaBUZZ post last week (oddly enough, I never gave the FREE used ear plug away). I'm all tingly inside.

Any bets on whether any of this stuff will be local retail? I thought not.

A Quick Plaza History

Excellent article from William Worley and the KC Tribune about the history of the Country Club Plaza:

"What is not quite so clear is whether Nichols himself or his electrical and maintenance engineer, Charlie Pitrat, actually came up with the idea. The distinctive building that today houses M & S Steakhouse was quite remarkable in its early years. From the start, Nichols planned to get all he could out of his commercial buildings at the Plaza. When the Mill Creek Building opened as “the Suydam Building” in 1923, the 2nd floor housed no fewer than five boutique businesses—all operated by women."

A quick read and a must read.

TODAY: Plaza Photo Contest

From the NBC Action News web site, Mark Clegg reports:

Digital Labrador is hosting a challenge on the Country Club Plaza. Capture the beauty of the Plaza’s holiday lights – and you could win a great camera package.

Digital Labrador will host a photo workshop Saturday, December 6th. The event starts at their Crossroads District facility at 4:00pm to discuss shooting ideas. The contest then moves to the Plaza – where it’s game on. From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., contestants can roam the Plaza, capturing its splendor.

Digital Labrador staff will be staged in three locations to assist with questions.

The prizes include a Canon EOS 40D camera body, and a Canon EOS Rebel XS kit.

To register or to obtain more information, call Digital Labrador at 816-841-9624.

GOOD LUCK!

Fogo Almost Go Go!

Fogo de Chao has been under construction on the Country Club Plaza for quite some time (47th & Seville Way across from Houston's), but they've recently removed the big 10' walls surrounding the building.

From their web site:
Welcome to Fogo de Chão (fo-go dèe shoun), a dining experience like no other. Sit back, relax and enjoy the truly unique steakhouse atmosphere from Rio Grande do Sul in Southern Brazil.

Our featured meats are seasoned to perfection and slow-roasted over an open flame to capture their individual flavor. The savory cuts are presented on skewers and carved tableside by our authentic Gaúcho chefs, at the guests' request.

Sounds absolutely yummy and heart-stopping. Will keep you posted on progress!