6AM City In-house

Awkward silence? Not on our watch.

Kansas City-themed table topics for the holiday season
Photo of a dining table with a KCtoday phone on it
Set the table with us this holiday season. | Photo by KCtoday
We know the holidays can be stressful (as illustrated in the song “The Twelve Pains of Christmas”). Here’s our attempt to make things a little easier on you using KC-themed conversation starters.

🍽 What is the perfect KC side dish?

As the Barbecue Capital of the World, we know that sides are just as important as the main meat (or veggie substitute). Here’s a list to get the conversation going:

🍸 If Kansas and Missouri were cocktails...

What would they be? Some of our top-read stories this year were holiday pop-ups, top cocktail spots, and local bars as zodiac signs — by now, you’re quite learned in libations.

If you had to pick (or craft) a drink describing our states, what would they be? We’ll get you started with the ones that call KC home.

⛽️ What’s your favorite gas station?

This may sound like a joke. We’re being serious though. Kansas Citians love their gas stations — and no, this isn’t normal. Editor Travis has never seen anyone get as pumped about gas stations as folks do here.

Between QuikTrip (QT), Love’s, and 7-Eleven, there are plenty of convenient ways to get gassed up. What’s your spot and why? Tell us, and we might feature your answer.

🏟 Sports

With so much action happening in the Heartland, we’d be dropping the ball if if we didn’t mention sports. If the topic by itself is too broad, here’s a playbook:
  • Football: Are the Chiefs Super Bowl-bound? Also, how about that 2023 draft?
  • Soccer: Who’s ready for the KC Current’s new stadium in 2024 + the World Cup in 2026?
  • Hockey? Indoor soccer? It could be your New Year’s resolution to get out to Cable Dahmer Arena more often.
Speaking of sports...

⚾️ Downtown baseball: yes or no?

Well... maybe not. This hot topic is a sure-fire way to start a debate, so approach with caution.

Our readers had plenty to say, and I’m sure your family + friends will too.
The Folly Theater

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Dec. 15
  • Panel Discussion: Collecting Contemporary Art | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6 p.m. | Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO | Free | Join a discussion with professional curators and collectors in conjunction with the exhibit, “Five Years and Counting: Expanding the Permanent Collection.” 🖼
  • Hollywood Holidays | Thursday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Alumni Hall, Park University Cir., Parkville, MO | $12 | Laugh your way through this annual playwright festival, featuring parodies of your favorite holiday movies and TV specials. 📺
Friday, Dec. 16
Saturday, Dec. 17
Sunday, Dec. 18
  • Final Match Watch Party | Sunday, Dec. 18 | 8:30 a.m. | Kansas City Bier Company, 310 W. 79th St., Kansas City, MO | $0+ | Watch the World Cup final while enjoying the Bavarian Breakfast special — who says beer can’t be for breakfast? ⚽️
Plan Ahead
  • Noon Year’s Eve at Science City | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 12-6:30 p.m. | Science City at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO | $14.50 | Ring in the New Year during this family-friendly, daytime event, which features a full day of STEAM activities and Science City’s signature 6 p.m. balloon drop.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 35º | Cloudy | 10% chance of rain
  • Thanks a lot, Elsa. The cold is going to be bothering us for the next couple weeks, according to the National Weather Service. The metro will likely experience below-average temperatures through Christmas as part of a Midwest-wide freeze. Temps could drop below 20 degrees this weekend. 🥶
Development
  • The Mid-Contenent Public Library plans to build a new branch on the east side of Independence (the city’s third location). The 12,500-sqft building will include a room for events, a children’s area, and outdoor seating. Construction is slated to start next year with the opening in 2024. 📚
Coming Soon
  • Baxeter’s Coffee + Donuts is nearly ready to open its first standalone location in Lee’s Summit — at 1729 E. Langsford Rd. Currently providing local baked goods to Temp-Stop shops, the new spot will offer pastries, sandwiches, and specialty drinks. 🍩 (Kansas City Business Journal)
Announced
  • Adam Sandler is coming to Kansas City on Saturday, Feb. 11. The T-Mobile Center was one of 11 new destinations announced by his live tour — a mix of comedy and song. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 16 at 12 p.m.
Tech
  • Community Groceries — at 640 E. 18th St., KCMO — is the first non-Amazon company in the US to install new payment tech. The “Just Walk Out” system bills shoppers by watching what they take off the shelves, and Amazon One uses a hand scanner connected to a card. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Featured
Biz
  • Overland Park-based MMC Corp just surpassed $1 billion in revenue. The nation-wide construction firm has 15 offices and 1,895 employees — 866 of those employees are local. Projects in the metro alone have profited the company $440 million. (MetroWire Media)
Shop
  • G.I.F.T.'s Holiday Black Business Market Pop-Up is this Saturday, Dec. 17 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. — 5008 Prospect Ave., KCMO. Featuring 30+ local vendors, shoppers can get their last-minute holiday gifts and say ho-ho-hello to Black Santa. 🛍
Sports
  • The Royals signed lefty pitcher Ryan Yarbrou to a one-year contract. The former Tampa Bay Ray won a career-best 16 games in 2018, finishing as the fifth-best rookie in the American League. Pitcher Wyatt Mills was removed from KC’s 40-man roster. ⚾️
Eat
  • If holiday cooking isn’t your thing (but celebratory eating is), here’s a list of local restaurants open for dine-in or carry-out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We’re eyeing the chicken spiedini, which was invented in Kansas City. (Kansas City Star)
Edu
  • Calling all parents: Don’t wait to plan your child’s next school year. The Barstow School is hosting an Admission Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 9-11 a.m. for future preschool-upper school families. Bonus: It includes a tour of IDEA Space and the innovative new STEAM learning center. Register here.*
Seasonal
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Calling all volunteers

Volunteer opportunities in and around Kansas City
Photo of Parks employees and KCtoday team
KCtoday + KC Parks = The Honeysuckle Destroyers. | Photo by KCtoday
Finding yourself in the giving spirit? There are plenty of great causes in KC to support with something invaluable — your time. Here are a few ways to get involved + give back to your Kansas City community.

🐶 For the animal lovers
Great Plains SPCA | Its on-site retail store uses funds to support the animals, and you can also sponsor a kennel, donate, volunteer, or buy from a wishlist. The shelter also has a pet food pantry and behavioral training.

✏️ Natural-born teachers and mentors
Big Brothers Big Sisters KC | Volunteers can become a big to a little in need, or there are opportunities to donate clothes and give financially.

🌿 For the outdoorsy type
KCMO Parks Department | The parks department has the Parks Ambassadors program, which provides special training, exclusive events, and a free T-shirt. Another way to volunteer is through curated individual + group experiences.
13 MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
POLL
 

The causes I feel most passionate about are…

A. Arts and cultural institutions
B. People experiencing homelessness
C. Minority and disadvantaged groups
D. Pets and animals
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Travis.


Editor’s pick: Anyone notice the little blue ball in the first photo today? Yes, that belongs to my dog, Ollie. Hey, the holidays can be a little messy. Also, shoutout to my fiancée Sarah for all of the interior design elements you see in that picture (and the decades-old dining table passed down from her grandparents).


Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Surprise your holiday guests with this pasta recipe from James Beard-winning Chef Michael Smith.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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