Ugh, Christmas tree 🎄

Recycling your Christmas tree in Kansas City

A large pile of 15 or more recycled Christmas trees laying on their sides in the snow.

Fir or pine, if it’s dropping needles on your living room carpet — they’ll take it. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Sure, the holidays are all fun and games — but if you celebrate Christmas, you know that sooner or later you have to deal with that “Night of the Living Dead” tree in the corner. That doesn’t mean it’s dumpster-bound. Instead, we have some tips on how to put an old tree to good use.

Drop-off recycling

Maybe you just can’t wait for curbside pickup. Drop the tree off yourself at yard waste drop-offs and organic recycling centers across the metro.

In KCMO, drop off your tree for $5 with proof of residency (free on Saturday, Jan. 11) at Missouri Organic Recycling:

11660 N. Main St.
10301 Raytown Rd.

Regardless of residency, folks can drop off their trees for free in Johnson County through Friday, Jan. 31 at:

Theatre in the Park
Heritage Park
Kill Creek Park
Big Bull Creek Park

Be sure to properly secure the tree to your car if you opt for this route. Find additional, city-specific resources and curbside pickups via Mid-America Regional Council’s extensive list.

Bonus: Drop off lights, gift boxes, and paper at city recycling centers.

Natural feeders

Give back to Mother Nature by making a natural bird feeder. Get creative with edible ornaments (think: orange-apple garlands and peanut butter pine cones), then set the tree out for birds to eat + take shelter. If your property includes a pond or lake, you can toss in the tree to make a natural reef, giving local fish a home.

Make your own mulch

When you take a tree to a recycling center, they turn it into mulch anyway. So, why not use it for your own yard + spring garden? Ideally, you could shred the tree (for example, Home Depot has mulchers for rent), but usually by the time the holidays are over, the needles will already be falling off. You can spread them in garden beds or over the lawn.

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Monday, January 9

Craft: Ferris Bag | Mon., Jan. 9 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | KC Maker Studio and Fabrics, 5327 Johnson Dr., Mission | $25.00 | Learn how to make a useful fanny pack at this beginner-level class.

Tuesday, January 10

Emily Dix Duo at Chaz | Tue., Jan. 10 | 6-10 p.m. | Chaz Restaurant and Lounge, 325 Ward Pkwy., Kansas City | Free entry | Listen to smooth tunes from local artist Emily Dix.

Wednesday, January 11

Energy Market Forum | Wed., Jan. 11-Thu., Jan. 12 | Hampton Inn & Conference Center, 151 S. Cedar Niles Rd., Gardner | $20.00 | Learn from area energy sources how they will be affecting your local community.
Wizarding Wine Flight | Wed., Jan. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | Weston Wine Company, 540 Main St., Weston | $16.00 | Enjoy Hogsmeade-inspired treats, and check out bingo and trivia as the Wizarding World visits Weston for two weeks.

Thursday, January 12

Baby its Cold Outside! Soup & Chili Cookoff | Thu., Jan. 12 | 5-8 p.m. | Downtown, 416 Cherokee St., Leavenworth | $15.00 | You be the judge of who has the best soup or chili downtown Leavenworth.
Women Inspiring Women: Vision Board Party | Thu., Jan. 12-Fri., Jan. 13 | Country Club Bank, 21911 W. 66th St., Shawnee | Free | Learn how to create a way to visualize your goals and then make your own for 2023 alongside like-minded individuals.

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

Weather

54º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
From Jan. 12 to Feb. 1, a comet will pass over Kansas and Missouri that hasn’t been seen for 50,000 years. The new moon on Saturday, Jan. 21 will likely be your best opportunity to see this once-in-a-lifetime event with the naked eye. (FOX4)

Sports

Current defender Alex Loera signed a new contract through the 2025 season. After playing all seven Challenge Cup matches, appearing on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top Plays, and helping KC lead the league in corner kicks with 69 of her own — we’re happy to have her.

Arts

The artist application deadline for the 2023 Brookside Art Annual is right around the corner: Sunday, Jan. 15. 165 selected artists will get to display their work at the art show in May. Sign up through Brookside’s website.

Opening

A new restaurant in OP will serve up pasta, calamari, tiramisu, and other Italian classics. Nico & Ana’s Italian Street Food is set to open in The Fountain shopping district by the end of the month. (Kansas City Star)

Biz

KC-based real estate agent David Van Noy launched a new brokerage, Van Noy Real Estate. With six sales agents and four full-time staff members, the firm plans to leverage David’s $500 million career to grow into the Heartland’s property market. (Real Trends)

Trending

A JoCo resident last week claimed the $92.9 million Powerball jackpot. The winner, who claimed the prize anonymously, took the lump sum — that’s $47.3 million, enough to buy 50,000+ signed Mahomes helmets. (FOX4)

Eat

Swap bland trail mix for a nutrient-dense, tasty snack from KIND. If you’re a chocolate lover, try the Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond and Dark Chocolate Cocoa. If you want to add more protein to your diet, the Crunchy Peanut Butter is a must. Wanna try an assortment? Build your own box.*

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The best week in local food 🙌

Grab your plates — Kansas City Restaurant Week is here

A cross-section of a sandwich with brisket, sausage, cheese, and jalapeños.

Pigwich is one of 151 participating restaurants, and will offer cheese curds and bread pudding. | Photo by KCtoday

And before you know it, it’s that time of year again. We’re talking about KC Restaurant Week, a delicious 10-day dining event in which your favorite local restaurants will offer prix fixe, multicourse menus.

Delectable details

Consider your meals prepped starting this Friday, Jan. 10 through next Sunday, Jan. 29. Diners can dig in to 245 participating restaurants — the event’s largest selection yet — with lunch, brunch + dinner menus priced at either $20, $40, or $55.

Reservations can be made through the KCRW website, or on the event’s free mobile app. Carryout and delivery options are also available for those who prefer to chow from the comfort of their couch (no judgement here).
Curious what sort of meal deals you can expect? Consider this an appetizer:

Banksia Bistro | 1183 Main St. | While its bakery is best known for brunch + lunch bites, the new downtown digs are primed for a four course dinner, featuring options like Australian lamb cutlets and chili prawn linguine.
Char Bar | Multiple locations | Start with biscuits and gravy or banana fritters for your morning meal, before moving on to a delicious selection of salmon benny, brunch burrito, pastrami hash, or a blackberry waffle.
Zero Zero Handmade Pasta | 1702 Summit St. | Sandwich the titular main course with an appetizer of focaccia (served with whipped ricotta, olives, and calabrian chili crunch) and a dessert of either tiramisu or Basque cheesecake topped with blackberry compote and vanilla whipped cream.

Before you dig in

As in years past, dining during Restaurant Week benefits more than just local eateries. For every meal, 10% of the proceeds will go to House of Hope, the Visit KC Foundation, and the GKCRA Educational Foundation.

A few final reminders: Always chew with your mouth closed, tip generously, and share any pro tips + recommendations with your favorite daily newsletter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Dayten.

Editor’s pick: I’m finally back in KC with a public service announcement: now is the perfect time to line up your reservations for Valentine’s Day dinner. I’ll tell you mine — just as soon as I remember to go put it in.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? We chatted with DIY influencer Liz Fenwick.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Amanda Munsey | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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