6AM City In-house

A bit of light reading 💡

Light pollution in Kansas City
KC_Moon over downtown skyline
When the moon hits your eyes over dark KC skies, that’s amore. | Photo by @jeffbiernbaum_photography
Who else saw the magnificent harvest moon over KC this past week? That got us thinking — what about the stars?

Did you know that the starry sky in Kansas City is one of a kind? Seriously, no two places in the world have the same view of the stars — talk about local.

The thing is, it’s likely you’ve never gotten to fully appreciate the night sky from downtown. For example, you probably won’t see:
  • Zodiacal lights, the cone of light above sunrise + sunset points
  • Meteor showers, like the Perseids in August or the Orionids in October.
  • The Milky Way, visible as a yellow-orange band of light in the night sky.
In fact, we’re betting the sky at night is light gray or orange, and (sometimes) bright enough to read by. So, are we psychic? Well, maybe — but these are all effects of light pollution.

Light?!

Light. You may not think of light as a pollutant, but 2 million people all pointing lights into the night sky can have a serious effect on natural cycles that rely on light + the stars. Think:
  • Birds that pathfind using constellations
  • Insects attracted to light (like a moth to a flame, you could say)
  • Plants that use light to know when to grow + shed leaves
  • All creatures (even humans) that rely on day-night cycles for sleep
Even setting aside the ecosystem, it’s hard to argue with the view. (For reference, the downtown core is an 8-9 on the Bortle scale.)
Close up of a full moon against solitary building

No stars, but at least the moon is pretty.

Photo by @jeffbiernbaum_photography

Here’s something you won’t expect…

This is really good news. Of all the pollution that feels out of our control, light pollution is actually completely reversible. The International Dark Sky Association has resources to help you use artificial light conscientiously. Here’s some tips to get you started:
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Today
  • Rhythm-N-Soul with After 7 | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | KC Live! Block | $25+ | The R&B group is joined by LeVelle, Da Truth Band, and DJ Hobo Tone.
Saturday
  • Doggie Dash | Sat., Sept. 17 | 9 p.m. | 7710 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS | $5+ | Run, walk, and wag your way through this pup-friendly 3k, with registration proceeds benefiting Great Plains SPCA. 🐶
Sunday
Monday
  • Brian Baggett Trio | Mon., Sept. 19 | 6-10 p.m. | Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO | Free entry | Celebrate a Monday well done with some live jazz + a cocktail (or two).
Last Minute Deal
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 85º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Open
  • Bye bye, Pirate’s Bone. Hello, Manila Bay. The popular Grandview-based Filipino restaurant is opening its second location in the Crossroads — at 2000 Main St., KCMO. The soft opening is ongoing with a grand opening Sun., Oct. 2. We’re excited for crispy pata + Filipino beer. 🍲 (CityScene KC)
Development
  • RideKC is backing a plan to raze The Well in Waldo + replace it with a 300-unit apartment project called Waldo74Broadway. Developers are reportedly working with the restaurant owners, who would reopen the popular spot within the new building. (CityScene KC)
Drink
  • New to the brew scene, Rizoma Liquid Creations launched its first beer out of Crane Brewing in Raytown. The brand is reportedly the first Hispanic brewing company in KC, and they launched the beer (a Latin American ale named “El Sol”) with a Hispanic Heritage Month event earlier this week. 🍻 (Startland News)
  • Nothing like some homegrown Missouri camel milk. DYK? The largest camel dairy in the US is located between Joplin and Springfield + supplies 10 halal markets in KC’s Northeast. Pick some up at Baraka Halal Market or Tawakal Halal Store. 🐪 (Startland News)
Coming Soon
  • For the stylish penny-pinchers, Goodwill plans to open a luxury brand thrift store — at at 12900 State Line Rd., Leawood, KS. Items will include donated high-end men’s and women’s clothing items + home decor. Expect open doors in October. (Blue Valley Post)
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Flashback to “Hit the Road”

Wheatfield Bakery: a go-to Lawrence lunch
KC_Wheatfield Bakery in Lawrence
Carrot + dill soup on the left, chocolate mousse torte on the right. | Photo by KCtoday
Just so you know, we take our own advice. Editor Dayten took a foodie foray to Lawrence last week (remember our travel guide?) and came back with more recommendations.

In particular, he visited WheatFields Bakery, a classic café with one counter for soups, sandwiches, and coffee + another for sweets, fresh-baked bread, and a selection of jams.

Don’t say we never put our money where our mouth is — or our sandwich recommendations. The Turkey & Cranberry Relish sandwich was so good, he gobbled it up.

(Editor Dayten here: as a bonus, stop in by Wonder Fair and say hi to Dave, the friendly in-store cat.)
THE WRAP
Today’s edition was written by Dayten + Travis.

Editor’s pick: Senior Editor Travis, here. I flew out to Austin, TX last night for a friend’s bachelor party weekend. I’ll still be working today from “Bat City,” so send me your favorite spot in Austin + say hey to ATXtoday. 👋

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Meet KCtoday’s newest editor.
Read More
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Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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