Sunflower Brew

SBTV Episode 24 - KFE Endorsement of Davis-Docking

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Fri, 3 Jan 2014 18:00:00 -0600

Kansas Families for Education (KFE) endorsed Paul Davis for Kansas Governor and Jill Docking for Lieutenant Governor.

The announcement took place on Friday, January 3, 2014 at the Irene B. French Community Center in Merriam, KS.

Thanks to Kathy Cook of KFE for making this video possible.

Update: Kathy has brought to my attention that at the 2:00 mark, she made a mistake. Here's the quote:

"Paul (Davis) worked to pull a bipartisan coalition together to craft and pass a budget that presented what would have been the seventh round of budget cuts for our schools."

The word "presented" in this quote should be "prevented." The statement should read:

"Paul (Davis) worked to pull a bipartisan coalition together to craft and pass a budget that prevented what would have been the seventh round of budget cuts for our schools."

A Brief Statement Regarding SBTV Episode 23

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 16:58:00 -0600

This afternoon, we received a cease and desist email in regards to the events depicted in SBTV Episode 23. As a result, that video has been taken down and will not be re-published.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 22 - Citizen Journalism Class

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Fri, 1 Nov 2013 08:52:00 -0500

On October 26, Mike taught a class in citizen journalism through the Communiversity program at UMKC. As a good citizen journalist, Mike brought his camera to the class, which resulted in this video. Thanks to Byron Dunn for operating the camera for this video.

Communiversity is an adult education program where participants can take classes in a variety of topics - most of which are fun in nature - at a very low cost (this class, for example, cost $10 to take). The teachers - Mike included - work on a volunteer basis.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 21 - Paul Davis Rally

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:46:00 -0500

Press Release from the Davis for Kansas campaign:

PRAIRIE VILLAGE - During a four-city tour today, House Minority Leader Paul Davis announced that he has named Wichita businesswoman Jill Docking to be his running mate in his bid for Kansas Governor in 2014.

"As a businesswoman, Jill is an expert in making wise investments for the future. As a former Chair of the Kansas Board of Regents, she shares my commitment to excellence in our schools," Davis said. "Jill is an outstanding addition to this team and together we will run a strong, Kansas-focused campaign."

Docking, 57, works as a financial adviser. She and her husband, Tom, reside in Wichita. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. Docking has been a longtime advocate for public schools and higher education, having served as the chair of the Kansas Board of Regents from 2009-2010.

Davis announced Docking as his running mate on a school bus tour that spanned Johnson County, Topeka, Salina and Wichita. They traveled by school bus to emphasize that Kansas public education will be the cornerstone of their campaign.

"I've known Paul Davis for 20 years," said Docking. "I know his commitment to Kansas, his commitment to our schools and his dedication to growing our economy. He is a moderate, commonsense leader willing to sit down and reason with anyone to solve problems and get Kansas back on the right track. I'm energized and ready to get to work making him our next Governor."

Update: Our friends at the Prairie Village Post have included our video in their article on this rally. Click here to read the article.

Episode 27 - Amber Versola

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 17:02:00 -0500

We are pleased to welcome community organizer and activist Amber Versola to the podcast. Today's discussion included groups that Amber is active in, including the Johnson County NAACP, Greater KC Women's Political Caucus, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and so on. Amber also organized the "Breaking the Chain" protest highlighted in SBTV Episode 20.

Today's beer is Blue Moon Belgian White - without the orange garnish.

Click here to download.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 20 - Breaking the Chain

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 6 Oct 2013 22:44:00 -0500

On October 6, a bunch of pro-life protesters formed a "prayer chain" that covered a seven-mile-long stretch of 95th Street in Overland Park.

So, a group of pro-choice demonstrators formed the 3rd Pro Choice Food Drive for the Living (and Prayer/Positive Thought Chain) - a counter-protest (thus "breaking the chain") and food drive (the argument: the pro-life movement only cares about a child while still in the womb; afterwards, they don't want to provide assistance to help raise the child).

This is a brief overview of the counter-protest.

Some facts from the counter-protest Facebook page:

More then 800 children in Kansas are currently in the foster care system, waiting to be adopted.
The Base State Aid Per Pupil in Kansas Schools has been cut by over $500 (again- PER PUPIL) because of our Governor.
The average age of a homeless person in Kansas City is 7 years old.
Nearly 5,000 disabled Kansans are currently on a waiting list to receive necessary services.
Kansas has changed it's requirements for food assistance, and an estimated 20,000 Kansans will soon find themselves ineligible for assistance. At the same time, nearly 35% of children in the Shawnee Mission School district alone qualify for free or reduced lunches.

Episode 26d - Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:10:00 -0500

Today's podcast is part 4 of a four-parter with KC Barbeque Society judges Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent.

In Part 4, we judge barbeque beef brisket as prepared by Ryan Walsh.

Today's beer is Free State's seasonal Octoberfest.

Click here to download.

Episode 26c - Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 08:33:00 -0500

Today's podcast is part 3 of a four-parter with KC Barbeque Society judges Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent.

In Part 3, we judge barbeque pulled pork as prepared by Nathan Victor.

Today's beer is Free State's seasonal Octoberfest.

Click here to download.

Episode 26b - Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:03:00 -0500

Today's podcast is part 2 of a four-parter with KC Barbeque Society judges Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent.

In Part 2, we judge barbeque ribs as prepared by Mathew "Doc" Love.

Today's beer is Free State's seasonal Octoberfest.

Click here to download.

Episode 26a - Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 23:45:00 -0500

Today's podcast is part 1 of a four-parter with KC Barbeque Society judges Jeremy Schliesman and Charlie Vincent.

In Part 1, we judge barbeque chicken as prepared by Jeremy Smith.

Today's beer is Free State's seasonal Octoberfest.

Click here to download.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 19 - Race to the Bottom

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Fri, 6 Sep 2013 07:00:00 -0500

Do lower income tax rates REALLY translate to economic prosperity? Or do they put more undue pressure on the lower and working class and wreck public services?

On September 4 on the UMKC campus, there was a forum on economic and tax issues in both Kansas and Missouri that directly affect the entire Kansas City metropolitan area (which is split roughly equally between both states). Speakers include (in order of appearance):

Tom Kruckemeyer, Director of Fiscal Policy and Chief Economist at the Missouri Budget Project
Kansas State Senator Tom Holland (D-Baldwin City) (who appeared in the very first SBTV installment)
Annie McKay, Executive Director of the Kansas Center for Economic Growth
Missouri State Senator Paul LeVota (D-Independence)

The forum was co-sponsored by Jobs Now Coalition and the UMKC Economics Club.

This event also attracted local media attention. A crew from KCTV Channel 5 (the CBS station in Kansas City and the only Kansas-based TV station in the metropolitan area) was there and put together their own package, which you can find by clicking here.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 18 - Yoder Townhall

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 23:24:00 -0500

On August 27, Congressman Kevin Yoder hosted a town hall meeting in south Overland Park, and SBTV was there to record the proceedings.

A couple of notes before we get to the video:

1. Due to some of the language, which can get graphic and very disturbing, viewer discretion is advised.
2. To protect the identities of citizens asking questions, we did our best to keep them out of our shots.
3. We had to work with a lot of back-lighting, so to compensate the brightness is adjusted throughout the video.

Episode 25 - Nate Bukaty

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 09:31:00 -0500

On our 25th episode, our guest is Nate Bukaty of Sports Radio 810. The discussion is about sports economics and how sports teams - college and pro - affect their communities.

There's even some Premier League discussion, how that has had an impact on the Kansas City sports scene, and a shout-out to the KC Gooners, a local group of supporters of Arsenal FC.

Our beer is Karma Belgian Pale Ale, brewed by Avery Brewing in Boulder, Colorado.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 17 - Brett Limer

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:00:00 -0500

While SBTV was at the Johnson County Fair in Gardner, we had a chance to interview Brett Limer of the Gardner-Edgerton Democrats. Sunflower Brew Contributor Jon Parton conducted the interview.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 16 - Johnson County Fair

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 15:19:00 -0500

This past weekend was the Johnson County Fair in Gardner, and SBTV was there to give a brief overview of some of the activities at the fair, from the parade to the fair food to the livestock on display.

Stay tuned tomorrow for another edition of SBTV from the County Fair.

Episode 24 - Al Frisby

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 19:51:00 -0500

Today's guest is Al Frisby, Merriam City Councilmember and MoveOn.org Organizer. We discussed what MoveOn does, from activism to petition drives, and how you can get involved.

Today's episode was recorded during Second Saturday, so no beer was consumed.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Episode 23 - Larry Meeker

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 19:29:00 -0500

Today's guest is Dr. Larry Meeker, who sits on a number of arts organizations in the Kansas City area. Today's discussion was on public funding for the arts in Kansas - or, more accurately, the lack thereof - and why the arts are important to the citizens of Kansas.

Today's beer comes from Montana's Big Sky Brewery - Moose Drool Brown Ale and Trout Slayer Wheat Ale.

Note: Mike had some car trouble before today's recording and could not be there.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Episode 22 - Justin Nichols and Jeff Vaught

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 20:56:00 -0500

Today's guests are Justin Nichols, chairman of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, and Jeff Vaught, Shawnee City Councilman. Our discussion was on business and economic issues as they apply to Shawnee and the Kansas City metro area as a whole.

We had three beers available today, marking two firsts for the podcast - first gluten-free beers and first international beer. In addition to Boulevard Wheat, we had on hand Lakefront Brewery's New Grist (a gluten-free beer made without wheat or barley) and Estrella Damm Daura, a gluten-free beer produced in Barcelona, Spain.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 15 - July 4 Parade

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Thu, 4 Jul 2013 14:51:00 -0500

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

This morning the Johnson County Democratic Women and the Northeast Johnson County Democratic Club both hosted floats in the Lenexa July 4 Parade. Here's a brief overview of their preparations.

Episode 20 - Mark Jessup and Robin Miller

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 21:38:00 -0500

For our 20th episode, we talk guns with Mark Jessup and Robin Miller of UT Arms in Kansas City, KS. The discussion covers everything from gun laws to the process of purchasing a gun, including the background check.

Today's beer is Schlafly's Pale Ale, brewed in St. Louis.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Episode 19 - Dan Blom and Jay Senter

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:05:00 -0500

Today's podcast guests are Dan Blom and Jay Senter from the Prairie Village Post, a hyper-local online newspaper serving Northeast Johnson County. The discussion is on media - the rise of hyper-local online media, the fall of mainstream media (especially newspapers), and the Brownback administration's treatment of media that even remotely question his policies.

Today's beer is Freestyle Pilsner by Santa Fe Brewing Company.

Due to a major scheduling conflict, Mike was unable to be at today's recording.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Sunflower Brew TV Episode 14 - Moderate Party of Kansas

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 9 Jun 2013 15:18:00 -0500

SBTV is back - and this time Mike is on camera!

Mike has a few thoughts - and comments from Friends of the Podcast to read - about an online effort to start a moderate third party in Kansas. The problem: there already exists a moderate party in Kansas - it's called the Kansas Democratic Party.

Episode 18 - James Harrington, Brad Shultz and Jason Leib

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Sun, 19 May 2013 22:01:00 -0500

Our resident beer guru Jason Leib returns for another beer discussion, and joining us this time is James Harrington of Rimann Liquors and Brad Shultz of WorldWide Wine and Spirits.

Today we sampled six different beers. They are, in order of sampling:

Tow Head American blonde from Mother's Brewing in Springfield, MO
Golden Frau Honey Wheat from Thunderhead Brewing in Kearney, NE
Watermelon Wheat from Horny Goat Brewing in Wisconsin
Good JuJu from Left Hand Brewing in Longmont, CO
Cropduster Mid-American IPA, also from Thunderhead Brewing
Fleur de Houblon from Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Episode 17 - Emily Perry and Stephanie Clayton

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Thu, 2 May 2013 18:41:00 -0500

Episode 17 is truly bipartisan as we host Kansas State Representatives Emily Perry (D-Mission) and Stephanie Clayton (R-Overland Park). We once again discuss with our elected officials the goings-on in Topeka.

The beer for this episode is Tallgrass Brewery's Halcyon Unfiltered Wheat.

It is worth noting that Rep. Clayton was Zach's opponent in the 2012 election for the 19th State House District seat.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.

Episode 16 - Pat Pettey and Nancy Lusk

zach@zachluea.com (mczerniewski) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:10:00 -0500

Our guests for Episode 16 are State Senator Pat Pettey (D-Kansas City) and State Representative Nancy Lusk (D-Overland Park). The topic of discussion was what's going on in Topeka from an insider's perspective.

The beer was Boulevard's Boss Tom's Golden Bock.

Side note: Mike (who lives in Rep. Lusk's district) was unavailable for this episode due to his photojournalism class - which he still managed to miss because of an incident requiring police involvement. He's fine at the moment.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Click here to download.