Even Defense Secretary Robert Gates got pulled into trying to convince the nutty pastor in Florida not to burn the Quran. The Wichita native called the pastor Thursday afternoon, shortly before the guy canceled the burning. But it wasn’t the appeals from Gates, Gen. David Petraeus and others that made the difference. It was a supposed pledge (which never was made) to move the ground zero mosque.
It’s the quirky nature of the Kansas State Fair that at 11 a.m. Saturday, fairgoers can choose to attend shows related to monkeys, chainsaw art or sheep shearing — or a gubernatorial debate between Republican Sen. Sam Brownback and Democratic state Sen. Tom Holland at Bretz Law Arena. WIBW Radio in Topeka and the Kansas Radio Networks will sponsor the debate, which coincides with Kansas Legislators Day at the fair and kicks off the fall campaign season of debates in the state. Fairgoers in search of more politics can find booths sponsored by political parties and politicians in the Meadowlark and Pride of Kansas buildings.
After six strong opening months, the Intrust Bank Arena’s $60,000 loss in July was predictable. Arena booking is a cyclical business that changes with the seasons and economy. The summer has been brutal for touring acts nationally, prompting even the biggest names to cancel or shuffle dates. The local numbers will be worse for September, which has no bookings. (Oklahoma City’s Ford Center also has no events this month, and Tulsa’s BOK Center and Kansas City’s Sprint Center only have two each.) The good news is that Sedgwick County’s unusual contract with SMG calls for the management firm to cover any losses. And though the monthly reports to the Sedgwick County Commission are useful and informative, the arena’s performance will be best assessed not month to month but year to year.
