Coney Island (of the mind)

Even if you do not know Lawrence Ferlinghetti (who changed his name at the age of 36 back to the surname that his Italian immigrant father had changed to the more "English" Ferling), perhaps you envision hot dogs, wooden roller coasters and tawdry, beach-front entertainment.

For, I apparently pay "no attention" to things as they develop, despite my unreturned phone call, and outside of so many hours spent with all four (now) of the groups concerned.

Thank you, fellow Hermit Crab, for alerting me to the Star's breaking news such as I plagiarize 'eretoforthwith:

KC, Union Station reach temporary agreement on Kansas City Museum

KCMuseum is second fell swoop for doing-good-job Union Station. No offense to anyone who can't, but I enjoy being able to walk to that palatial and free space sunny indoor space. I drive there from time to time, to go to the post office, too.

Anyway, just as Christopher Leitch had told the faithful attending members of the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association this month, the Corinthian Hall-based portion of the Kansas City Museum civic-dino-casa "will remain open while Kansas City and Union Station officials continue to negotiate a new contract" (it was announced Wednesday, but I have no idea where or when. I was at the e-mail until after 5 p.m. today.)

Spider frown!!

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"The city" (who the blazes is "the city?" Did I miss a bellowing announcement from my local pavement?) "had said it would terminate its contract with Union Station to operate the museum next Tuesday in a dispute over ownership of the collection. Both the city and the station claim ownership."

Because, you know, "cuidad del Kansas redundant Cuidad" knows a lot about running museums.

When I came to live here about nine puny years ago, the Liberty Memorial was a crumbling, roped-off oddity. Now, even though it requires still some tax crutches flung at it by a benevolent city council, it is doing much better. Yes, having to repair a substructure again is a bit of a drag, but they do have a museum they tout as unique. It's an interesting bunker-place, and one that I hear has a great experience of a museum. And, I was able to go and stand and see the view.

And there has been the Zoo, now also under control of a "Friends" group. But the official Friends of the Kansas City Museum is "siding" with Union Station and its decent management thus far, despite reported deficits, towards more exhibits, better maintenance and brainier programs, for adults and children. At any rate, "the city" is not quite qualified to run any museum.

Even mini museums, threatened albeit by encroaching city "development," such as the Fire Brigade one, in a quaint brick building, no less, are casting their lots with the train station in faith that it's going places.

So, the good news is that Union Station's good job is acknowledged legally for the next six months by a contract hammered out in front of some reporters.

Glad they agreed to "try to reach a resolution in two months, however, so as not to interfere with the renewal of Union Station’s professional accreditation."