by Sharm | Feb 17, 2014 | Articles
I was recently loaned out the Mini Jambox by Jawbone to review from Verizon Wireless and have to say it is quite nifty.
This tiny wireless Bluetooth enabled speaker has a trendy design with a single aluminum enclosure and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
I had a blast trying out and thought it sounded great! The Bluetooth capability allows it to pair with a smart phone, tablet, iPhone and other Bluetooth enabled devices and becomes a speakerphone that will receive and make calls all with the touch of a button.
With not being much bigger than a cell phone, the Mini Jambox is easy to take along anywhere you go or sit seamlessly anywhere in the house. It can play music and audio that is already on your device or if you prefer using one of the many music apps, those will play as well. It can be connected to gaming units, laptops and televisions and enhance the sound of anything you may want.
If Bluetooth is not available, a speaker cord comes with the Mini Jambox that can be connected to any device that has a speaker output. I tend to watch a lot of Netflix and found connecting the speaker wire to the laptop while watching gave me much better volume control and clarity.
Connecting the Mini Jambox to a computer via the USB cord and installing the Jawbone updater allows the speakers firmware to be updated and allows a number of voices and languages to be used for the voice prompts that notify you of the amount of battery life left, incoming and outgoing calls and more.
Speaking of battery life, the website claims to have 10 hours of continuous play. I never tested it or ran the speaker that long as it seemed my phone needed charging before then. The Jawbone app available in both iTunes and Android format allows users to control the Jambox’s options.
Although, the Jambox was only on loan and I have to give it back, I wish to thank Verizon Wireless for allowing me to test it out. I did not think I was in the market for a wireless speaker, but after using this Mini Jambox, I may reconsider. I will admit I am not as tech savvy as some others out there and with the Mini Jambox; you do not need to be! It was easy and simple to use, had great sound and the sleek designs will fit any personality.
Additional information on size, specs, compatibility and any other questions you may have can be found at Jawbone.com or Verizonwireless.com.
by Sharm | Feb 15, 2014 | Articles
Chaz on the Plaza is using a new technology developed by a medical apparatus inventor to launch a new Wine Exploration Initiative that will open a new world to wine aficionados.
Chaz’s new Coravin Wine Access System allows enthusiasts to experience top tier reserve wines without having to purchase an entire bottle. The new system allows wine to be extracted from a bottle without breaking the seal or allowing oxidation of the wine.
Beginning February 6, guests may order wines from a new Coravin Wine List at prices from $12 – $26 per two-ounce pour. The world of wine exploration is expanded when you can experience an exemplary wine without spending $300 for an entire bottle.
Through February participants in The Wine Exploration Initiative receive an appropriately paired cheese plate with a minimum four-ounce purchase by presenting a coupon available at raphaelkc.com.
About The Coravin Wine Access System: The Coravin system is the most advanced wine preservation system to date. It was conceived by Greg Lambrecht, an MIT educated nuclear engineer best known as inventor and patent-holder of medical apparatuses. The Coravin System allows wine to be transferred from the bottle to glass without a cork ever being removed. It works by a surgical procedure in which a thin, hollow needle is plunged down through the cork, keeping the seal functionally intact. As wine is transferred into the glass, it is replaced with Argon gas that prevents the wine from interacting with oxygen. The wine can be preserved and consumed over a period of months or more. The system only works with real cork due to cork’s physical property of expandability, thereby allowing it to reseal itself.
About Chaz on the Plaza: Chaz on the Plaza is the signature restaurant of the historic Raphael Hotel located at 325 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, MO. It is a destination restaurant that embodies its city’s unique culture, history and spirit. Chaz is a 2013 recipient of Forbes Travel Guide Recommended award, TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and Ingram’s Most Romantic Restaurant Silver. Signature items include a hand-cut, wet-aged prime beef tenderloin with brie stuffed potato croquette and grilled asparagus, locally sourced lamb chops and fried green tomatoes. Chaz Lounge presents live music nightly and from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays during Weekend Jazz Brunch. Happy Hour drink specials and half-price appetizers are offered from 4 – 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Information, menus, wine lists, and reservations are available online or by calling 816.802.2152.
by Sharm | Feb 15, 2014 | Articles
Kansas City Power & Light District’s annual winter restaurant week, Dine Downtown, is back, Feb. 21 – March 1, 2014. 11 restaurants will feature value priced, multiple-course lunch menus for $10-15 and three-course dinner menus for $25-30. Dine Downtown Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to try a new restaurant and experience all that Downtown Kansas City has to offer.
Guests will receive complimentary gift cards when they order from the exclusive Dine Downtown Menus. In addition to the already value-priced, multi-course menus, guests will receive gift cards or vouchers up to $10 for future use.
To view the participating Dine Downtown restaurants and menus, visit www.districtrestaurantweek.com. Make a reservation from the Yelp icon next to each participating restaurant.
Dine Downtown 2014 Participating Restaurants
- Bar Louie
- Bristol Seafood Grill
- Drunken Fish Sushi Restaurant & Lounge
- Flying Sauce Draught Emporium
- Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
- Johnny’s Tavern
- Maker’s Mark
- McFadden’s Sports Saloon
- Pizza Bar
- Tengo Sed Cantina
About the Kansas City Power & Light District (www.powerandlightdistrict.com)
The Kansas City Power & Light District is a vibrant, new eight-block neighborhood in the heart of downtown Kansas City that is redefining the City from its skyline to its sidewalks. The District links together the renovated Bartle Hall Convention Center, the new Sprint Center, offices, hotels, entertainment, cultural destinations and residential developments. The $850 million mixed-use District anchors $5 billion of complimentary development efforts in downtown Kansas City. The combination of entertainment, retail, nightlife and residential with the District’s imaginative and innovative design, has created an intriguing 24/7 neighborhood.
by Sharm | Jan 11, 2014 | Articles
Kansas City Restaurant Week features an array of restaurant participants so diners can visit old favorites and also try the many new restaurants that have opened recently in the Kansas City metro area.
KC Restaurant Week runs January17 – 26 and is a delicious way to benefit the local charities involved with KC Restaurant Week.
KC Restaurant Week diners order from special prix-fixe menus at participating restaurants. Multi-course lunches are $15 and dinners are $33.
For more information about KC Restaurant Week or to view a list of participating restaurants go to visitkc.com.
by Sharm | Jan 9, 2014 | Articles
The cool folks over at Verizon lent me the Ellipsis 7 tablet to try out and I have to say it was quite nifty. I currently have an android phone and an out of date laptop that weighs a ton so having to send this tablet back makes me a bit sad. If Verizon’s goal of letting me borrow this tablet would convince me to buy one they have succeeded.
In compared to my phone the android operating system is similar but the features are much better. I loved the larger screen, the faster surfing and the pre-installed apps such as iHeartRadio and Redbox Instant by Verizon. 
The Flipboard feature is great. The 7-inch screen is clear and makes it much more enjoyable to read on, play on or watch content while still being small enough to take it on the run. I am avid Daily Plate user on Livestrong.com and this tablet made it easy to log my food on the go!
The Google Maps system is up to date and since it is small enough to take along anywhere, I enjoyed using the navigation system on it separately from the one on my phone, as it does not interfere if a text or call comes in.
At home, when I was in the need of a quick Google search or email check the tablet easily became a replacement for my laptop. I am also an avid cook and using it in the kitchen with all the amazing food apps was a dream!
For me this tablet far exceeds anything I already own and has more features than I will probably every use. As far as specifications go, I am not tech savvy enough to give you the pros and cons of the operating system so you can get all the details of that here if you in need of certain information on features or specifications.
The price on the tablet varies on whether you get a contract or not but is still affordable for a tablet these days. For more information on pricing and plans for the Ellipsis 7 check out Verizon’s website.
by Sharm | Jan 9, 2014 | Articles
Chef Michael Foust of the Farmhouse has designed a wonderful 3-course dinner using mostly local ingredients:
1st course: roasted acorn squash bisque with pickled apples
2nd course: braised short rib, creamy polenta, smoked mushrooms, crispy leeks, and winter herb gremolata
3rd course: warm sweet potato and pecan pie with honey ice cream.
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Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014
The Farmhouse
The River Market
300 Delaware KCMO
5:30 p.m. Reception
6 p.m.
3-Course Dinner only $25* per person members, non-members and friends of AIWF Kansas CityLes Dames d’Escoffier Kansas CitySlow Food Kansas City
*Cash Bar
Bring a nonperishable food item for donation to Harvesters Community Food Network
Go online to purchase tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/544578
*Small handling fee applies
