Hangar One Steakhouse named top aviation site in USA Today

WICHITA — In a recent USA Today story, Aviation Week deputy managing editor Jennifer Michels shared “her top places for flights of fancy,” as the newspaper put it.

Her top 10 choices include some naturals like the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Wichita makes the list too, but not because it’s the Air Capital.

It’s because of Hangar One Steakhouse.

“What else would you do in Wichita — home of Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and Spirit AeroSystems, as well as excellent beef — but eat a steak at an aviation-themed restaurant facing the airport?” Michels said.

She also mentioned Hangar One’s Control Tower lounge.

In addition to being extremely excited, owner Greg Hiser says, “Actually, we were very honored.”

He just had a meeting with restaurant employees to say the bar has been raised and, “Let’s make sure we stay there.”

You don’t say

“It’s all about feeding the animals, and they eat a lot from what I understand.”

Spirit AeroSystems public affairs manager Brian Black, talking about the actual animals at Zoobilee, though visitors to the Spirit tent took his comment as a reference to the partygoers

Spirit exec has fun but strikes out on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”

randyWICHITA — He’s not richer by a million — or even just a few hundred dollars — but Randy Davis had fun being on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

The vice president and controller for Spirit AeroSystems was on the show Thursday.

“I hit a foul ball, and then I struck out,” Davis says.

He was playing the old style of the game, which has 10 contestants competing to get to the big chair.

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Spirit AeroSystems exec to be on “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire”

WICHITA — Since he’s vice president and controller for Spirit AeroSystems, surely Randy Davis is a pretty smart fellow.

But is he smart enough to win on a game show?

We’ll see when “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” airs Aug. 13. Davis is a contestant.

Davis taped the show last week but can’t talk about it until after it airs.

Check out his post-show interview on my “Have You Heard?” blog Aug. 14.

You don’t say

WICHITA — “I’m still stunned at the pending loss of such a treasured tradition.”

Beth Chiles Hershberger of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America on how as of July 31 the American Red Cross will no longer serve sloppy joes at the Wichita Blood Center (where it has for more than 30 years) and Spirit AeroSystems (where it has for 11 years) because of cutbacks

You don’t say

“I’m a rookie at bill signing ceremonies. So any mistakes that I make you can just chalk it up to I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Spirit AeroSystem’s chief executive Jeff Turner during a ceremony at which Gov. Mark Parkinson signed a bill to extend unemployment benefits for employees who are taking approved training courses while on shortened work schedules

Red Cross tests west Wichita branch

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The American Red Cross is considering adding a satellite branch in west Wichita and will have monthly blood drives to determine the interest.

“We just want to try to bring in donors,” says Jennifer Keller, communications manager for the Central Plains Region Blood Services division.

Keller says donations are down at the Red Cross’ main branch at 707 N. Main in downtown Wichita.

“We’re going to have to find ways to boost those numbers,” she says.

“Convenience is what people want,” Keller says. “That comes down to finding a place that’s close to their house.”

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