Segment 1: Grassroots organization looks to bring legislative reform to Missouri statehouse.
When states fail to promote a culture of transparency, some organizations believe it falls on voters to bring about the needed change to their government. We learned about the Clean Missouri Initiative, which will appear on the state's November ballots, and calls for open records, a reduction of partisan gerrymandering and the elimination of lobbyist gifts in the General Assembly.
- Sean Soendker Nicholson, Clean Missouri campaign director
Segment 2, starting at 16:07: Kansas City's toy creator
Soft toys enjoyed a renaissance of popularity in the 1980s and 90s thanks in large part to Kansas City's Donna Moore. Some of the best creations of that period came from Moore, who garnered national attention for her designs of colorful dinosaurs, anthropomorphic vegetables, Mickey Mouse and The Beatles.
- Donna Moore, toy designer
"The Three-Dimensional Imagination of Donna Moore" continues through Sunday, June 3, at the National Museum of Toys/Miniatures, 5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64112. For more information, go to ToyandMiniatureMuseum.org.
Segment 3, starting at 29:52: Pop-Rock songwriter Mike Stoller
The American Jazz Museum Walk of Fame is inducting one of the great songwriters of classic pop-rock. We talked to the man who wrote songs for the likes of Elvis, Ben E. King, and The Coasters, about his monumental career, and the creative process which resulted in such classics as “Stand by Me” and “Kansas City.”
- Mike Stoller, songwriter and producer
The American Jazz Walk of Fame induction and concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at the Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108. For more information, visit AmericanJazzMuseum.org.
