Commentary | Harry Potter and the Democrats

Michelle T. Johnson on Anticipation

  I’m a big fan of the Harry Potter series. Not the movies, the books. I miss the pomp and circumstance of lining up outside the bookstore, at midnight, with my friends, making a party of it as we waited for the next story in the ongoing saga. For some folks, it’s sports or concerts,…

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Common Grounds | Brooksiders Dissect Campaign Advertisements

A group of five people seated over coffee at a restaurant

What happens when a regular coffee group gathers at a Brookside restaurant? Check out the latest episode of “Common Grounds” to find out. The hangout of choice for our coffee conversationalists is Bella Napoli Italian Restaurant, Deli, and Coffee Bar at 6229 Brookside Blvd. Sharon Grosshart, Fred Newman, Bob Miller, Nelson Maurice, and Jackie Allen…

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Common Grounds | Troost Avenue Group Contemplates Racial Issues

A group of people gather over coffee in prayer

Reconciliation Services hosted the “Common Grounds” team this week, where the conversation included discussions about race and the violence gripping the nation. The Rev. Justin Mathews, Turbo Qualls, Tonya Adams, and Rodney Hendrix met in the internet cafe at the organization’s offices, 3101 Troost Ave. Matthews is the executive director of Reconciliation Services, and Qualls…

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Common Grounds | Elections in a 24-Hour News Cycle

This week the “Common Grounds” team heads southeast to the Cass County town of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, to sit down with four locals at the New Town Bicycle and Coffee Shop. Dwight and Anita Widaman, Dave Moore, and Bob White met in the narrow, brick building at 115 Wyoming St. in the historic downtown. The bike…

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Common Grounds | Discussing Life After Orlando

This week’s episode of “Common Grounds” comes to you from our down-the-street neighbor, the Good Samaritan Project, where we visited with six members of Kansas City’s LGBT community.   Ash R. Allee, Gina Vidal, Greg Razer, Hugo Ximello-Salido, Matt Parker Green, and Stuart Hinds were the diverse coffee conversationalists who gathered at the project’s offices,…

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