As a business owner, I do my very best to push local businesses. I brag to others about what a wonderful community of small business owners we have and how we all network to help build one another up. But recently, there seems to be a rash of stone throwing going around. And for what purpose? If this person is so terrible, why have a party in his honor? This establishment obviously feels his name will pull in a crowd. And apparently, they are not confident enough in their own product to put it out there, naked, without the need for mud slinging. That’s for dirty politicians, not small business owners. I don’t know about you all, but for me, a flag of insecurity is being waved proudly above this establishment. And for the record, a smear such as this has lawsuit written all over it. We aren’t talking business to business slams people…this is a business to an individual. Regardless of what happened, we all have a duty as small business owners to keep things professional.

Owning a business in Wichita is a privilege. As business owners, we should be thankful every day that we live in the best country in the world and that we are able to start our own businesses and grow them with our entrepreneurial spirit. We are so fortunate to have a caring community surrounding us. Things are blossoming in Wichita. Let’s build each other up, not tear each other down. Don’t let competition breed hatred. Let it drive us each to create a better business and product for our community.

We have all been on the receiving end of a slam like this, but unless laws were broken, or someone has been raped, tortured or has died, no matter what the circumstances, no one deserves to have their name personally smeared. You never know what is going on in the life of someone on a personal level. I’m asking you to consider this as you continue on with your day. Do the right thing. Make ethical decisions. Do what’s right for your fellow Wichitan. Everything you do and say every day has an effect on others.

I’m looking for a response folks…please tell me I’m not alone on my views of this community. You know…Jared Brickman and I parted ways a while back, but I still tell people RokICT.com has the best calendar of events in town. Looking for the best resource for hip hop? Check out ICTHipHop.com. Are you looking to check out some new, up and coming music? Get out on First Friday…Adam Hartke is doing and incredible job promoting local music. Looking to book a band…we’ve got so many talented folks booking in town…what genre would you like? There’s someone for you. Rise above it folks. Support each other and stop the BS already. There’s room in this sandbox for everyone.

A slim physique, I like to keep, but ethnic food gets me out of the diet mood. A single guy I do not cook, so to local restaurants I daily book. Now to you I do divulge, the places where my appetite is indulged.

Red curry carried from Thai House; Mike It Up’s boba tea, your thirst it will douse.  If Salvadorian pupusas are what you crave, Usuluteco is the all rave. When falafel’s on your mind, at Byblos a fix you’ll find. One gyro at LeMonde Café, with two sides of tabouli and you’re on your way! For an after-dinner dessert, Larkspur’s tiramisu will get your mouth alert.

Mongolian grills are all around; at Kwan Court, sushi happy hour does daily abound. Saigon serves noodles in a snap. At the Artichoke, try Paddy’s pickled pepper wrap. If a bierock you’ve never had, a trip to The Riverside Perk will make you glad. Sabor’s fish tacos are a prize—Chef Paul-Febres is easy on the eyes.

La Galette has yummy tomato bisque; for an Indian newby, Maharaja’s buffet is worth the risk. For a sandwich twist, a torta from Laura’s you’ll want in your fist. When looking for good Italian, De Fazio’s spaghetti and meatballs is your culinary stallion. Beijing Bistro is the place to go for Chinese, with lemon chicken that will always please. If a burger’s what you want, to TJ’s you need to jaunt.

Where to go for Sunday Brunch? Yia Yia’s, it has lots for you to munch. What about those late night munchies? The Donut Whole’s cakes of Fruity Pebble crunchies! Where’s a bar that has good eats? The Anchor, it surely competes. The morning-after drinks are over? To the Beacon, you’ll soon get sober.

The ICT has lots of food, to suit just about every mood. Hole in the wall, carry out if you call. Some will have a daily special, other’s menus will make your mind wrestle. There’s no need to diet. Eating out is a riot! Sans corporate chain, it’s all about local gain.

Sibling rivalry is not a new idea. Brothers have fought and competed since the dawn of time. Some grow closer as they get older, and others just talk at holidays. For Justin and Chad McClure, their common passion and skill has brought them together, not only as family members, but also as creative collaborators and business partners.

Justin, 32, and Chad, 29, are family men, tireless workers, and insanely talented motion graphic artists. Growing up, they always had a creative bug that would find them making their own movies with their parents’ camcorder. “We had to have dropped that thing 30 times,” Justin recalled. “By the end of its life it was covered in duct tape.” Ever resourceful, they both recalled their lo-fi techniques to get the job done—taping audio equipment to their camera, or cheesy feet-shooting techniques for their horror flicks. It probably hints at their creative process today.

Both brothers are, in a sense, self-taught. Both graduated from Fort Hays State with BFA’s in graphic design and headed into the field. Justin took a job in Chicago and fell into motion graphics when he was working as an art director, making presentations that would wow the client. Chad seemed to take his cue from Justin and followed down the same path. They both cultivated their natural knack, and its seen them work with clients at a national level.

Coming home seems to have been important to them. They’ve both been back in Wichita for a while. Justin, who has been on his own for 2 years, and Chad, who most recently worked for Intake Studios, now sit across from each other in the same office. “I called my mom right before it all went down, and she cried a little,” Chad said.

What mother wouldn’t be proud to hear her boys are working together. Though not the official brand yet, The Rivalry as they call their new structure or business model is still a work in progress. I don’t know if they have a good way to explain it, but the work is rolling in and there is plenty to do.

Both are perfectionists. They want to make work that is stellar and not merely okay. If they can’t do it, they will find the right person to work with, and the result is going to be worth the effort. Working with each other and with others offers something few brothers crave. Criticism. Getting the feedback they need to accomplish their joint goal.

The McClure brothers work long hours, but when they have time to get away, they fish. Though their rivalry isn’t as prevalent as when they were younger, I’m sure they both still have their own fish stories to tell about each other when they get home.

You can check out the McClure borthers’ work at justinmcclure.tv and chadmcclure.tv.