Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with kansas

Looking for some fun things to do in Kansas City tomorrow evening (Wednesday Nov 25th).

ISeemToBeAVerb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:02:52 -0800

I'm from out of town (Chicago), but I met a girl here in KC the other day and we've decided to go out tomorrow evening. We're both artsy types with a fondness for adventure and off-the-beaten-path entertainment. I know I could easily defer to her for suggestions, but I'd like to have a few ideas to throw out. I'm up for anything really. It doesn't have to be a proper event or anything- someplace cool to wander around or explore is fine too. Just toss it all out there!! Food suggestions are good too (she's vegetarian). Thanks!!

Kansas or Bust

JuiceBoxHero — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:57:27 -0800

We're visiting the in-laws in the Lawrence/Kansas City area for Thanksgiving and are looking for some activities to keep us busy. What are the must-see museums, events, and other such places that we can squeeze into our trip?

Assume 2-4 adults, no kids, money not a factor, anywhere within a couple of hours drive from the Lawrence area is eligible. Sports, arts, theater, and train-related experiences are all welcome!

What are the areas around Olathe, KS like?

The Pusher Robot — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:40:42 -0800

Posting on behalf of my parents: they're moving to the Kansas City area and are looking for some information about what some of the areas around there are like. "We are moving to the Olathe, Kansas area. Can you tell me the character of the different areas around there? We are looking to buy a 3 bedroom house in the 150,000-250,000 range within a 20 minute commute to Garmin [near I-35 and 151st in Oleth]. Overland Park is out due to their pit bull regulation."

Relative-in-jail filter

soelo — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:01:41 -0800

I need to know if I am doing the right things to help a relative get out of jail in another state. My sister just got a call from a bail bondsmen in Burlington, Kansas. My Brother-in-Law was pulled over and arrested for having a suspended license. B-i-L is a resident of Minnesota and his license is from Minnesota as well. I honestly don't know if his license is valid here or not, he was just driving through Kansas.

I called the jail and verified that he is there. But we have two problems: A)the bondsman needs $600 or so by 6 pm so he can be released and B)he can't drive the car back to Minnesota.

For A) I have the money and am willing to put it up for him (don't need advice about that). We both bank at Wells Fargo, so I am thinking it would be best to transfer the money to her account (or get it in cash myself) and have her Western Union it to the BB. I have googled the BB and he seems legit, and he says they will get $500 back when BiL shows up for court.

For B) my sister is planning to take a bus down to pick him and the car up, but the title to the car is in our mother's name. I will make sure she verifies with the police that she can take possession of the car.

Basically I want to make sure we are doing everything right. Any advice to make this go smoother or anything we haven't thought of?

Tea anyone?

melangell — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:58:38 -0800

Where can I buy calamus root tea in Kansas City? I just moved to Overland Park and am still learning my way around, so please limit responses to places in or around OP (or easy to find from there). Thank you.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

j1950 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:19:57 -0800

Can I use Kansas football student tickets if I'm not a KU student? A friend of mine and I want to buy 2 tickets to Kansas' game next week against Oklahoma. Problem is, they're student tickets, and we're not tickets. I've been told there's an upgrade fee, but it's unclear from the website.

Can we use these tickets? I don't want to buy them if I can't.

Thanks!

vegan junction city KS - "No results found"

mezzanayne — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:24:45 -0800

Vegan eats in Junction City, KS? I'll be in Junction City, KS today around 10am. I'm looking for a place with vegan options. So far (via Google) I've found 2 coffee shops that aren't open on Sundays, a Mexican restaurant that no longer exists, and a Chinese restaurant that doesn't open until 11:30am. I won't be in town long and I'll want to eat shortly after arriving. Fast food is always an option (I know that I can easily eat at Subway or Taco Bell) but a local sit-down place is preferred. Bonus points if it's got good coffee and/or is close to I-70 highway.

Happycow.net has nothing. Google is failing me. Please help me to find a decent vegan meal.

Thank you!

I'm as helpless as a vegitarian at a Kansas City barbecue

ochenk — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:44:09 -0800

I'll be heading to Kansas City in a week or two for just a few nights. It's on business, so I won't have any time to see the sights. But my colleagues are already talking about spending all night trolling for barbecue, because apparently, that's what you do in KC. But of course, I'm a vegetarian. I'd like to hang out with my workmates, but it's going to be a drag for me and for them if I'm eating dinner roles and water all night. So is it a lost cause, or is there usually enough non-meat fare that I won't be too conspicuous? Is there anywhere you suggest? I don't think I'll be able to talk them into marginal barbecue just because I'll have options. If I'm to hang for the night, the meat will have to be outstanding, as well as non-exclusive. And not that I'd be so lucky, but there isn't any good tofu/mock-barbecue, is there? Does that even exist? Is it worth the time?

The REAL Kansas State Seal?

ThomThomThomThom — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:00:53 -0800

...whatever happened to Joe Ingalls' original sketch? So Joseph Ingalls, way back in 1861, designed a preliminary sketch for the seal of the great state of Kansas.... Whatever happened to that sketch? It sounds way cooler than the 'final' current one and no amount of googling can seem to pull it up. What gives? Does anyone know where to find this (or any version thereof), short of stopping in Topeka and digging through old documents there?

----

"I was secretary of the Kansas state senate at its first session after our admission in 1861. A joint committee was appointed to present a design for the great seal of the state and I suggested a sketch embracing a single star rising from the clouds at the base of a field, with the constellation (representing the number of states then in the Union) above, accompanied by the motto, "Ad astra per aspera." If you will examine the seal as it now exists you will see that my idea was adopted, but in addition thereto the committee incorporated a mountain scene, a river view, a herd of buffalo chased by Indians on horseback, a log cabin with a settler plowing in the foreground, together with a number of other incongruous, allegorical and metaphorical augmentations which destroyed the beauty and simplicity of my design.

The clouds at the base were intended to represent the perils and troubles of our territorial history; the star emerging therefrom, the new state; the constellation, like that on the flag, the Union, to which, after a stormy struggle, it had been admitted." - Joseph Ingalls
[Biographical record prepared by G. H. Meixell]
(accessed via:: http://www.netstate.com/states/mottoes/ks_motto.htm)

KC show us your Kitch (and where is the DDR?)

hworth — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:25:21 -0800

Kansas City - what's kitchy, what's fun, what's happening next week, and where are the arcades with DDR, ITG, or Pump? The boyfriend and I are going to Kansas City for 4 or 5 days next week. I have been to KC a few times and have seen a number of the usual suspects: Art Museum, Crown Plaza, Union Station, etc. He has not been to KC before, so we will probably include all of those in this trip. This post is specifically looking for the campy/kitchy things as well as arcade locations that are not as easy to find online.

Things we both like include: art museums/galleries, kitchy or campy fun places, tasty BBQ (which is part of the reason KC was chosen), arcades (pinball for me; DDR and its derivatives for him), fountains, and tour guides who take themselves too seriously.

You can't hold the hand of a rock & roll man...

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:16:12 -0800

We have a kid. We never married. We've just broken up. Now what? My boyfriend and I recently broke up. We have a son. My now-ex-boyfriend is the father of our son and his name is on the birth certificate. Paternity is not in question, but I've received some informal legal advice that suggests that I should file a paternity action anyway. I have Googled until I can Google no more. I have read about the Kansas Parentage Act but because the paternity is not being contested I don't understand what value there would be in filing a paternity act. My ideal end result would be for 50/50 custody between both of us parents with no child support necessary. Does this really need to go to the courts? Why can't we continue just sharing our son as we request visitation from the other parent? Do I need to put in writing that 50/50 visitation with no support is what is being requested?

tl;dr: Do I need to file a paternity action, and if so, how do I do that? (By which I mean what form do I fill out and where can I find said form?).

We all reside in the state of Kansas, if that hasn't already been made obvious. And of course I know that you are not a lawyer, or at least are not MY lawyer, and no responses are to be considered legal advice, yada yada...

What do you think about Kansans?

metricfan — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:38:34 -0800

What do you think about Kansans? What are the stereotypes? I teach a public speaking gen ed at a state university in Kansas, and at 9:30 I'm going to lecture about how some in the country perceive them and why that is motivation to learn to communicate well. I want to show them the consequences of not being informed about their opinions as well as not being able to argue for them. In the process of motivating them to represent their opinions well, I hope they begin to question where they got their ideas and why they have them. So, using the outrage/indignation they'll likely have when hearing the stereotypes of Kansans will hopefully drive them to become better informed and more reflective.

Obviously one potential problem is perpetuating a Midwestern distrust of the coasts, so I will be taking care to emphasize how it's only some people. But since I've identified myself as a Democrat, I am aiming to avoid the GOP v. Dems/conservative v. liberal trope.

I have found in the past semesters pushing them to voice their opinions on social issues and making them research and write good arguments leads them to a healthy reflection period they rarely have. The class is definitly focused on audience analysis, thus forcing them to connect their opinions with how others will understand and feel about them. It's a very valuable process I think avoids judgments about the student's opinions, but rather repeatedly asks "why?" and "what does it mean for others?"

So anyway, I'm basically asking fire fuel, but any other constructive comments about the above is welcome. I also like hearing about other people's experiences in public speaking classes, especially considering how many people loath it. My students think discussing politics or social issues almost always leads to fighting, and I think it's terribly important to help with that fear. We need constructive dialogue in this country, and we can't do that if everyone is afraid.

Fun things to do in Kansas City?

damn dirty ape — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:35:57 -0800

Fun things to do in Kansas City? I'm spending the weekend in KC and have a couple of things planned, but wouldnt mind hearing some other recommendations. What shoudlnt we miss? Where should we eat? What are some off-the-beaten path activities? Thanks.

Could my Great-Grandfather Have Used this Saw?

hworth — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:00:42 -0800

Is there a way to determine the date range that this saw might have been made? I got this saw at a thrift store in South Eastern Kansas. I was wondering if anyone has any idea about the earliest and latest it might have been made. Just a general sense, like what decade a saw like this might have first been produced, and at what point a saw like this might no longer be manufactured.

Here are three pictures.
Side One
Side Two
Handle

Alternatively, does anyone know a better site I could use to date a piece of equipment like this? Thanks!

Dog Friendly Vacation Spot

pieoverdone — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:31:41 -0800

Your recommendations for dog-friendly vacation spots in the midwest! We're looking to take a local, driveable, weekend trip with one of our dogs this summer. She's a mellow Bluetick Hound and loves the outdoors. This would just be a camping/sightseeing/chillout excursion 0-8 hours by car from St. Louis, Missouri. If you know of any camping spots or hotels or just small towns in general that are dog friendly, please tell us.

Discussions about taking dogs on vacation or dogs as family members or dogs in public places are for some other question, not this one. We're looking for places that already specifically accept dogs, not 'maybe I can bring dog here and they're cool with it we hope'.

Road trip! Wisconsin to Arizona

charmston — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:24:05 -0800

From Thursday-Saturday, I'll be moving from Eau Claire, WI to Mesa, AZ. I have to drive. Money-saving tips? Day 1: Eau Claire, WI to Wichita, KS
Day 2: Wichita, KS to Albuquerque, NM
Day 3: Albuquerque, NM to Mesa, AZ

I have family to stay with in Wichita, but will have to get a hotel in Albuquerque. I'm open to tips ranging from gas station rewards programs to driving tips.

RoadTrip TipS!

madmamasmith — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:26:27 -0800

I'm going to Yellowstone in May , traveling from Austin TX via New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming then back through Kansas and Oklhoma. I would really appreciate recomendations for any cool places to stop along the way. Cool museums, cheap flea markets, places to buy cool jewelry, cool parks, places to camp, vegetarian resteraunts etc. And also the best places to stay in Yellowstone as thAT's where we'll be spending most of our time.

Can anyone recommend a great screen printer in the Kansas City metro area?

wmeredith — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:02:32 -0800

Can anyone recommend a great screen printer in the Kansas City metro area? (Lawrence is probably too far, but not out of the question.) Looking to do several small, high-quality, runs of 50 to 100 shirts. Willing to pay for great service and product.

Tower....to the moon!

ryecatcher — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:02:22 -0800

Math Question Kinda: I realize it's not possible. But if it was....how tall would the structure need to be if it were to be seen from both US coasts. Or is it impossible because of the curvature of the earth or whatever else I'm not thinking about it. Let's suggest we're erecting it in Kansas...pretty damn near the center of the country.

Further, how wide would it have to be....? But I guess that's a bit of a curve-ball so let's not attempt that one just yet. Or let's. It's up to you, really.

Cause I got nothin'.

Thanks.

Drunk Driver Totalled My Car & My Neck!

Fisherkitty — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:19:30 -0800

I was rear-ended pretty hard by a drunk driver while I was driving. I will have medical bills that are pretty high, and my neck will probably be messed up for months (at least). Will the insurance companies pick this up sufficiently, or should I seek legal counsel, who wants 1/3 of the recovery? This happened in Kansas. Anyone who has been through this type of situation, please help!! I was driving my 1991 Volvo down a 1-way street, late at night in a light rain when I slowed & signalled to drop off my friend at her apartment. Neither of us had been drinking. We did not see the car approaching us before it hit us so hard my car was thrown over the curb, 20 feet into someone's yard. Both the driver and the passenger of the other car were very drunk. Both of our cars were totalled--hers is completely fucked, but mine is drivable...there is body panel damage and the trunk is no longer operational. She drove a 1998 Ford, belonging to her father, as does her car insurance.

She tried to lie to the officer, saying that I slowed down really quickly and then hit her with my car, but instead of asking her to elaborate on how that would be possible, the officer took her to do field sobriety tests, which she failed. She went away in handcuffs and I went to the hospital.

The guy who was her passenger seemed pretty unattatched to her--he basically just walked away when the police released him from the scene. There were beer cans and an open bottle of whiskey in her car. Anyway, she had no idea what happened. The next day she was with her mother at the towing lot, insisting that the towers caused the damage to her vehicle because she had just "bumped" my car a tiny bit.

Anyway, my neck is pretty fucked and I have had a lousy New Year's because of this. Kansas being a no-fault state, I need $2000 in medical bills to sue, which I'm rather sure I already have. I am wondering if representation would really help me here, or if I should just accept whatever settlement I am going to get from the insurance companies involved. Bonus question: my car is still perfectly drivable. I intend to keep driving it. The trunk is fucked...anyone know how to get Volvo panels for cheap and/or how to work with the insurance companies to get maximum damages for a totalled car that I will be keeping?

How do you get there from here?

asuprenant — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:36:04 -0800

Route/restaurant/attraction recommendations for a mid-20s couple on their first mini-road trip, which will be from home in Chicago to a wedding in Kansas City? The trip might be a straight shot, though we're also considering doing it in two days. Bonus points to off-the-beaten-path curiosities.

I've never been in Kansas, toto.

maxwelton — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 20:39:27 -0800

What was Scott City, Kansas like in 1962? Or any part of the deeply rural mid-west, really. I'm an old car anorak, and one of my grubby piles of parts started life as an exotic, relatively expensive and highly desirable (among people who typically find such things interesting, anyway) imported sports car whose first owner lived in Scott City, Kansas. This has always fascinated me, and I'm curious what the town was like and what if any effect such an alluring object might have had.

The original owner was still alive eight years ago, but was uninterested in communicating about the car...oh, well. In any case, maybe someone can help me color in the line drawings I have in my head when I imagine the time.

picnic at night?

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 10:50:15 -0800

Anyone from Lawrence, KS know of good places (outdoors) where a small group of people can go (at night) to drink wine, smoke cigarettes, and not be bothered by police or other people? [fields? tops of buildings?]

Are they going to think I'm a terrorist?

ubernostrum — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 07:32:32 -0800

Help me figure out whether I can fly in spite of the crazy Kansas DMV. So I recently moved cross-country from Virginia to Kansas and started a new job, and getting all the assorted bureaucracy done has been a nightmare. Auto insurance, a prerequisite for getting my driver's license and car registration here, took multiple months to transfer thanks to the ball getting dropped somewhere in the process, but finally went through.

So I went to the DMV to get my Kansas driver's license, and after filling out all the paperwork and posing for my picture, they gave me a printed paper receipt with my new license information, photo and signature in lovely blurry black-and-white, and said "your permanent license will be mailed to you in one to three weeks".

I'm flying back East twice in the next three weeks, including once this weekend, and while I do have my old Virginia license, it's now invalid; the Kansas DMV guy cut the corner off it, and it didn't match the address on my ticket anyway.

Should I plan on arriving at the airport twelve hours early to deal with the interrogation and body-cavity search they'll give me when they see that my only "valid" ID is this piece of paper? Has anyone got a relevant experience to reassure me that I won't be automatically treated like a terrorist?

Is there somewhere near Kansas City which is inexpensive, fairly hip, and not moncultural?

pomegranate — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 13:59:31 -0800

Looks like we might be moving to Kansas City. We've already read lots of tourist guides, local media, and real estate web sites, but now I need some actual advice. The company I'll work for is in Overland Park, and we want to live someplace a) relatively inexpensive, b) with a good racial and class mixture, and c) moderately hip. Is there such a neighborhood? I'm not interested in an hour-long commute and we have three dogs so a yard is a necessity. We don't know a soul in the area, but that's another problem for another day. Anyone here from that area, or know anything about it?