A Noble Beginning
On most mornings, I awaken to the voice of Carl Castle or David Mattingly telling me about recessions, pestilence or death. It’s a pretty terrible way to begin one’s day, I suppose, but my wife runs – like most things that work well in my life – the bedside clock radio. And, I further suppose, that while it’s a bit extreme, hearing about the bad news somewhere on the opposite side of the globe gives you the feeling that hey, it could be worse.
On a good morning, the first voice I hear is that of Kim Noble’s, KCUR’s morning drive time host. Kansas Citians are lucky in that they don’t have to constantly listen to traffic updates during their commutes. We all know where we’re going and we know there’s not going to be any traffic, but in the event of an accident, it is the calm, reassuring English voice of Ms. Noble’s that turns our would-be road rage into earnest concern for those in the accident. Hers is the voice of altruism and graciousness.
No matter the news, Kim Noble’s even, steadfast Plymouth demeanor lends ballast to your own emotions. Unlike that condescending smile television anchors give, even when they’re reporting on a murder, whenever Ms. Noble weaves her way into the broadcast, it’s like a breath of fresh air (and I love the way she says “Fresh Air,” too…like “freshhhh ayer!”) or as if she’s arrived right in the middle of a burgeoning argument with a tray of brisk Darjeeling Tea and fresh baked snacks. She reminds us, with a polite smile, to remain well-mannerd. Chastened, we end our dispute and sit down to play a nice game of cards instead. (Kim Noble wins every hand.)
While other weathermen are frantically predicting the rapture, sending countless thousands to the stores to fight over milk ( because that’s what we do when it snows in Kansas City, we barricade ourselves inside our home and horde our precious cow juice), when Kim Noble tells you there is a “wintry mix” in the forecast, her warm Janner inflection practically shimmers in the ears of the listener. She makes it sound as if it’s a “good thing,” and you can almost see her, luxuriating on a divan with a smart, wool sweater on, cuddling up next to a warm fire with a good book and glass of homemade hot cocoa where should read, sip the cocoa and occasionally offer a “mmm…that’s great cocoa,” to anyone and nobody in particular.
I may be projecting a bit here – or conflating her with Martha Steward. Nonetheless, thanks for the morning cheer, Ms. Noble. The Luminary salutes you!
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It’s a shortened production week here at The Luminary, but I did want to reveal the names of our semi-regular columnists for the 2009 calender year in December, as teased in previous editions of the paper.
There are a lot of people who like to e-mail the newspaper or call us with their opinions, but blanche when it comes to signing their name to their sentiments and joining the fray. Until those people start signing their names to their work, we will often have some room left on the opinion page.
So, without further ado, the newest contributors, whose columns will appear to the right on a monthly basis, are as follows:
Pastor Brian Ellison – Ellison is the pastor of Parkville Presbyterian, a longstanding institution, and a former editor of the Harvard Crimson. I suspect he will be adding a touch of religion to these pages. Whatever it is, we’re sure it will be great.
Bill Gresham – Son of the Greshams, his father the longtime mayor and mother one of the foremost community volunteers, Gresham offers what some would call “radical left” take on consumer affairs, but a radically important take on environmental issues facing Parkville right now. One of The Luminary’s first real “fans,” he’s been sending in submissions for years and now we’ve decided to give him his button.
Bill Kornitzer – A successful fund manager and “Homes of Note” host, Kornitzer is our Iron Chef business. The familiar face at The National and member of a secret society, Kornitzer will surely lead us all to great wealth and prosperity, as he is wont to do. (If not, ask him for a cigar, or something.)
Bill Quitmeier – Chronically soft-spoken and shy, Parkville’s former mayor and I have had some electrifying jousts in our day. He’s been a community volunteer for decades and he speaks to a lot of the land-use issues people care about in Platte County. Whether or not I agree with him (although, on many issues, I do) he deserves a voice and he should make for some interesting reading.
In addition to these gentlemen, we’ll still feature the legendary Bill Grigsby (because a newspaper cannot have enough guys named Bill on their masthead), brainy Steven Youngblood, features from Carolyn Elwess and more uncannily accurate observations from yours truly about evildoers and the enemies of justice, freedom and sarcasm each week, ready or not.
I hope everyone had a warm and safe Christmas. Now hear’s wishing that everyone has a safe and sane New Years Eve.