Today’s Forecast

40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.

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👋 Say hello to 5 local game changers

Urban Hero Awards honor 5 people making a difference downtown KC

Photo of Lisa Peña accepting Urban Hero award

Lisa Peña of Urban Hikes KC. | Photo by KCtoday

Behind every community initiative (big and small) is a person. Five of these individuals were named the Downtown Council’s 2023 Urban Heroes — people making strides toward a more vibrant and resilient place to live, work, and play.

“It’s about the honoring of the spirit and drive of the 22 neighborhoods that make up downtown Kansas City,” Pat Contreras, chair of the Urban Hero Committee, said.

Lisa Peña

Founder of Urban Hikes Kansas City | Growing up hiking around KCK, Lisa combines the outdoors with the city, exploring downtown through art and local businesses (like this).

“Kansas City is going through a renaissance,” Lisa said. “Thank you to Kansas City for your support, for waving at our groups as we walk around.”

Brian Williams

Director of Development for the Folly Theater | Brian led the effort to raise more than $10 million to renovate the Folly, KC’s only remaining 19th century theater.

“This recognition is I think an acknowledgment of the vital role the Folly plays in providing vibrancy and creative energy and cultural tourism,” Brian said.

Rebecca Koop

Owner of Back Door Pottery | A resident of the Historic Northeast since 1986, Rebecca works with diverse residents and artists to develop a welcoming urban environment (spearheading 50+ events a year).

“There are close to 50 murals just in the Northeast area,” Rebecca said. “Kansas City is an arts place.”

Edgar Palacios

President & CEO of Latinx Education Collaborative | Edgar works to increase the representation of Latino educators in K-12.

“The beauty of downtown is the ability to be diverse and to really demonstrate the community wealth that is in Kansas City,” Edgar said.

Shanita McAfee-Bryant

Photo of Shanita accepting award — Shanita McAfee-Bryant of The Prospect KC.
|
Photo by KCtoday

Founder/Executive Director of The Prospect KC | Chef Shanita (a “Cutthroat Kitchen” winner) is focusing on workforce development, nutrition literacy, and food access.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” Shanita said. “The Prospect KC is an opportunity for me to share my blessings with the community in an impactful and meaningful way.”

Events

Monday, April 17

Families Eating Smart and Moving More | Monday, April 17-Monday, June 26 | 6-7:30 p.m. | West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82 St., Kansas City, KS | Free | Learn simple solutions and skills to eat more meals at home, eat healthily when eating out, and move more.
Writers’ Roundtable | Monday, Apr. 17 | 6-9:30 p.m. | KC Art Club, 920 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO | $0-$10 | Local writers, authors, poets, and creative are encouraged to come discuss ideas and ongoing projects.
Royals vs. Rangers | Monday, Apr. 17 | 6:40 p.m. | Kauffman Stadium | $6-$340 | Watch Kansas City take on Texas on our home diamond.

Tuesday, April 18

Annie | Tuesday, April 18-Sunday, April 23 | 7:30-6:30 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $57-$127 | PNC Broadway in Kansas City presents a classic musical about a hard-knocked orphan and her hopes for the future.
Noahfinnce | Tuesday, Apr. 18 | 7 p.m. | Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $20 | This multi-instrumental musician is joined by special guests Bears in Trees and Action Adventure.

Wednesday, April 19

Garment District Grooves | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Garment District Place, 8th Street + Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, MO | $0+ | Grab a bite to eat while listening to lunchtime live music in this quaint downtown park.
Rebuild Honestly: Black Women in Sports | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7-8 p.m. | Keystone CoLabs, 800 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Hear from this panel of local sports industry leaders sharing their insights on the growth and impact of women’s sports.

Thursday, April 20

Girls Night Out | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 4-8 p.m. | Historic Downtown Liberty, 118 N. Main St., Liberty, MO | $0+ | Grab your gal pals and shop until you drop on the historic square with a chance to win gift cards.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

🌱 Spring into health this year

Athletic Greens replaces multiple supplements with one packet. | Photo by Athletic Greens

Spring cleaning? Here’s a storage solution: Replace nine supplement bottles with one product.

AG1 by Athletic Greens contains 75 vitamins, minerals and whole-food sourced nutrients, replacing nine other products like your probiotic, multivitamin, daily supplement and more. Hint: It’s the best thing you could do to improve your gut health.

Bonus: Receive a free one year supply of vitamin D and five free travel packs with your first purchase.*

Snag some AG1 this spring

News Notes

Development

Canadian Pacific Kansas City wants to expand its headquarters as part of a three-phase development — at 12th Street + Broadway Boulevard. The project depends on rebuilding Barney Allis Plaza; it would include a pocket park and a 225-unit apartment tower. (Flatland KC)
AdventHealth officially broke ground on its Lenexa City Center campus — at 87th Street Parkway + Renner Boulevard. Planners expect to build a five-story hospital and a three-story office building in two years, with the rest of the campus coming later. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Read

The Johnson County Library Board unanimously voted to remove late fees, saying that fines actually cause people to avoid returning items. Libraries that make this switch reportedly tend to see an increased use + more returned material. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Biz

Serve up, Colorado. North Kansas City-based Chicken N Pickle is expanding to its first Denver-area location (and 14th companywide). Leaders are planning the new Thornton restaurant specifically with views of the Rockies. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Sports

Kansas City Current signed defender Croix Soto through the end of the 2023 season. The former Oregon Fighting Duck joined the team for the weekend match in Chicago. The next home game is against Orlando on Sunday, April 23.

Travel

Planning on going to the inaugural Sporting KC match against St. Louis CITY SC? Talk about a Show Me State showdown. Fans can get discounted Amtrak fare to St. Louis (15% off) using promo code V333 when booking Missouri River Runner tickets.

Finance

Now may be a good time to transfer your balance. This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for 21 months and no annual fee. Eliminating interest payments? A no-brainer.*

Drink

Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof Spirits. The award-winning brand makes non-alcoholic rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey so you can enjoy the ritual of having a drink without feeling icky the following day. Psst — check out Ritual’s collection of cocktail recipes.

Eat

This Big Biscuit just got bigger

The Big Biscuit renovates the Prairie Village location next to its headquarters

In case you forget where you are, there’s signage. | Photo by KCtoday

The Big Biscuit in Prairie Village has a fresh look and new amenities after closing for a remodel. We went to check out the ribbon cutting over a cup of coffee.

New additions

40-seat covered patio (just in time for the warm season)
30-seat meeting/party room available for reservation

Other details we loved include:

Chalk board art by local illustrator and chalk artist Amy Lynn Studios
Custom to-go shelves for pickup orders
A merch corner with Big Biscuit swag

The Big Biscuit fun facts

Did you know? The Big Biscuit started here in the KC metro, and its headquarters are in Prairie Village (just around the corner from the this re-opened location).

The company started in 2000 — it now has 20 locations in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Company leaders plan an expansion in Northwest Arkansas later this year.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Travis

From the editor

Here’s a Travis springtime vignette — picture this: I’m working with City Editor Bella at Café Corazón in the Crossroads. We’re planning out our busy next couple weeks (NFL Draft anyone?) while soaking up the sun and the glorious mid-70s weather. The garage doors are open, the breeze tickles the skin, and the spicy tiramisu latte delights the palate. Ahhh, spring in Kansas City.

Missed Friday’s Newsletter? It’s fountain time in the city.

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