To an Independence Day past

Independence Day (yes - Independence Day...not the Fourth of July) was the holiday, other than Christmas, that I always anticipated more than any other when I was growing up.

Independence Day with the Goff family in Leavenworth, Kansas meant fireworks, burgers, hot dogs, heat (with likely accompanying humidity), a radio broadcasting baseball, watermelon and way too much sugared water of some sort. My daytime activity revolved around fireworks purchased the day before from one of the many local firework stands. Black Cat firecrackers, lady fingers, bottle rockets, snakes and smoke bombs were the menu of pyrotechnics that I would light and shoot for hours on end during the day. My mother would call me in for a respite of sandwich and Kool Aid but I quickly was back at it given the joys of smoke, sound, fire and flash.

The evening of Independence Day was spent with my uncle and aunt, cousins, and paternal grandparents. My grandfather ran the American Ice Company in downtown Leavenworth - a place where local residents went to get their block ice (back in the pre-refrigerator days of the true "ice box") and bulk purchases of soda and beer, with the latter being the 3.2 variety given our Kansas residence. Grandpa would also sell watermelon off of the loading dock at "the ice plant" (as we called it) along with other fruits and vegetables brought in for sale by local farmers and gardeners. He would work late, given the importance of this day with the above items, and show up at our family gathering toting two enormous watermelons that were always the juiciest, sweetest taste my young mouth experienced.

One year, my dad and uncle bought a mega-assortment of fireworks via a mail order house. (For you youngsters out there, eCommerce in those days consisted of a print ad seen in the local newspaper or magazine, complete with cut-out form to return, with check, to receive said items.) We all anticipated the show we'd see on that particular evening given the wide array of "night works" and assorted combustible goodies that came via the U.S. Postal Service.

Alas, my dad and uncle reached the point where they were lighting multiple items at once given the number of combustibles in the package. Their audience - my cousins, aunt, mother, grandparents and I - were fading fast given the post-burger/hot dog/chip/watermelon food coma. Their zeal for a huge fireworks show did not factor in said time and effort expended to light all of the package's fireworks.

On this Independence Day, I can't help but reminisce of that charming family scene of the 1960's - of a time no less turbulent than now given widespread discord about war and race relations but that on this particular evening was put aside to focus on family, food, fun and a country where we had the freedom to speak and do and act. It's a scene that is as clear now as it was as a young boy then. I wish that I could experience it all over again.

Have a great holiday, my friends...

Welcome hoops fans!

To: Kentucky, North Carolina, Houston and Auburn hoops fans coming to Kansas City

From: A Kansas Citian, a fellow hoops fanatic...and someone who has spent more than his fair share of time at Sprint Center and downtown KCMO

Greetings, hoops visitors! I'm sending this open letter to y'all in hopes that we can make your visit to Kansas City as productive and impactful as possible. If you hadn't heard, you're visiting a city that has become a hip destination, as evidenced by profile pieces from outlets as diverse as the New York Times to National Geographic. (And, you're welcome that Big 12 brethren Kansas and Iowa State didn't make it to the Sweet 16 as that would have made this ticket an absolute bitch to buy on the secondary market.)

First off, let's get two things straight. One, all or the majority of your time will be spent in Missouri. (Yes, I'm aware that the name of the city it KANSAS City.) And, two, please don't form an immediate opinion of our bi-state community based upon our airport - we're working on that one. (Groundbreaking on a new airport took place earlier this week.)

The area where you'll watch the games at Sprint Center is in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The P&L District is across the street, chock full of bars and restaurants. The good news is that it's a convenient place to go grab a beer; the bad news is that it's sort of feels like a liquor-fueled Dave-and-Busters. My advice is to head south before or after the games to the Crossroads section of town where you'll find the following:

Manifesto - The best cocktail bar in the city is a speakeasy associated with The Rieger, which is a restaurant at street level. Enter from the alley behind the restaurant, punch the button and you are then escorted into a darkened downstairs that stirs and shakes up the best cocktails Kansas City has to offer. (Location: 1924 Main Street. Call for reservations.)

Messenger Coffee - If you're looking for a place to hang in the afternoon in advance of adult beverages, hit up Messenger Coffee. (Location: 1624 Grand Boulevard, just a couple of blocks south of Sprint Center.)

Brewery Emperial - This brewery serves up tasty fare and has a beer garden, provided our springtime weather isn't too wet and cold for lounging outside. (Location: 1829 Oak Street.)

Anton's - The service and food is inconsistent but it's a great place to go that's close to Sprint Center and not overcrowded like the P&L District. This is a red meat joint that also boasts a patio in back. And, the street car loads/unloads in front of the restaurant. (Location: 1610 Main Street.)

The Belfry - A hipster hangout that serves up good chow coupled with an outstanding whiskey and craft beer selection. The Belfry is two blocks from Sprint Center. (Location: 1532 Grand Boulevard.)

Town Topic - If your Friday evening ends with your team on the wrong end of the score, look no further than Town Topic for flattened burgers, abundant fries, traditional malts and shakes, and late night breakfast. The space is tiny - be prepared to absorb some local charm when visiting with those seated at the counter with you. (Locations: 2021 Broadway and 1900 Baltimore Avenue.)

Restaurants worth visiting in the Crossroads - The Jacobson (American cuisine), Lulu's (Thai), Lidia's (Italian), Extra Virgin (tapas), and Novel (American.)

What's that? You've heard that Kansas City has some decent barbecue? Why yes, we do...and we know you North Carolinians will want to sample the fare in order to compare and understand why Kansas City is the barbecue mecca of the world.

If you only have time for a visit to one local BBQ establishment, go to Joe's Kansas City (3002 West 47th Avenue) - the best in town if your desire is to sample a cross-section of meats, burnt ends, sausage and ribs. If you're willing to give it a go with more than one visit, here are the others you should check out with an emphasis on those that are closest to downtown/the Crossroads:

Q39 - The best brisket in town. (Location: 1000 W. 39th Street.)

Char Bar - Located in Westport, which provides plenty of dining and drinking options for the adult crowd. Sit on the patio at Char Bar, play yard games, and pick from a solid, eclectic menu. (Location: 4050 Pennsylvania Avenue.)

Jack's Stack - There are numerous Jack's Stack locations across the city with the closest being at 101 West 22nd Street for those attending the games.

We not only take our barbecue seriously here but our college basketball too - if you get the time, head to the College Basketball Experience and College Basketball Hall of Fame, which is attached to Sprint Center. Be prepared - you'll hear several times this week that more Final Fours have been played in Kansas City than any other city in the U.S. And, there are plenty of connections for those of you coming into town - Dean Smith played ball at Kansas before heading to Chapel Hill and his protege, Roy Williams, led KU's program to four Final Fours and two championship games; for Kentuckians, Adolph Rupp (yep - that Rupp) was born in Halstead, Kansas and learned the game under the legendary Phog Allen at Kansas; and Kelvin Sampson, Houston's coach, has coached plenty of games in Kansas City given his 12 years leading the University of Oklahoma program of the Big Eight/Big 12.

Enjoy your time in Kansas City. We do know how to run a basketball tournament. Unfortunately, what we don't know how to do is control the weather - be ready for rain and temperatures that will be anything but spring-like.

Good luck!