Plus, see if you qualify for a one-time tax refund.
 
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Today’s Forecast

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

🎥 The House of Mouse’s first home

Laugh-O-Gram Studio and the start of Walt Disney’s animation career in Kansas City
A mural on the side of the Laugh-O-Gram building. Walt Disney produces pages of drawings under the words, "Thank You Walt Disney Inc."
This mural marks the preservation of the Laugh-O-Gram building — and symbolizes its future. | Photo by Smuckola via Wikimedia Commons
Picture a Hollywood sign over Midtown. You’d need a hill tall enough to see it — but when Kansas City became the focal point for Walt Disney’s career in the 1920s, it almost became a reality.

Disney’s first (failed) studio

After returning from World War I, Walt Disney opened Laugh-O-Gram Studio.

Laugh-O-Gram lasted only two years, but in that time, Disney became a known name in local entertainment. The entrepreneur often told the story of a mouse that lived in his desk drawer at the KC studio. He fed it and taught it tricks, eventually growing so fond of the pet mouse that he immortalized it in the studio’s iconic character.

Though Walt Disney was a visionary in entertainment, he didn’t draw many of his legendary cartoons. For that, he relied on his friend Ub Iwerks — co-founder of Laugh-O-Gram, and the KC-born artist who invented Mickey Mouse.

Disney and associates stand under a banner reading "Walt Disney's Full-Length Feature" at a business luncheon.

Disney revisited KC in 1942 for a South Central Business Association luncheon. | Photo via Kansas City Public Library

Preserving KC’s legacy in animation

The city planned to demolish the Laugh-O-Gram building near 31st Street and Troost Avenue in early 2000. A local nonprofit, Thank You Walt Disney Inc., managed to save it, initiating a decades-long project to restore and transform the building.

Modern developments have largely paved over Disney’s KC history. The ad agency where he and Ub Iwerks met is now a parking lot, and the theater where he showed his first animations became the Lightwell Building. Laugh-O-Gram Studio fell into such disrepair that the first few years of restoration meant simply stabilizing the crumbling structure.

In February 2023, the nonprofit secured $2 million in federal funding to begin its work in earnest. The project will transform the building into a hybrid historical site, educational center, and working space. Board member Gary Sage describes the nonprofit’s vision to create “Not just a museum of the past. It’s now going to be a museum for the future.”
Take a local tour of Disney history
Events
Tuesday, June 13
Wednesday, June 14
  • River of Refuge Annual Night at the Drive-In | Wednesday, June 14 | 6-9 p.m. | Boulevard Drive-In Theatre, 1051 Merriam Ln., Kansas City, KS | $200 per carload | Join River of Refuge as they raise money to support their transitional living program focused on homeless, working families.
  • KC Speed Dating | Wednesday, June 14 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Jacob L. Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO | $10 | Take a chance and meet new people at this speed dating night.
  • Gardens Cocktail Class | Wednesday, June 14 | 7-9 p.m. | misc., 1447 Gentry St., North Kansas City, MO | $40 | Get your garden on with cocktail recipes like Laid Back Thyme and Patio Pouder Sangria.
Thursday, June 15
  • The Fishtank Cabaret | Thursday, June 15 | 8-10 p.m. | The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave., Kansas City, MO | $25-$125 | Celebrate Pride Month with songs from LGBTQ+ characters and icons.
  • Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival | Thursday, June 15 | Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | $15-$30 | Let Kansas City’s strong history of quilting inspire your next project, be it traditional or contemporary.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Health

Wellness

🩺 When was the last time you went to the doctor for a check-up?
a doctor crosses his arms and holds a stethoscope
AdventHealth is helping to build a healthier Kansas City. | Photo via Unsplash
Behind on your doctor’s appointments? You’re not alone — in 2022, nearly 40% of Americans skipped or delayed necessary healthcare. However, it’s never too late to get back on track with your health journey.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission offers Kansas Citians whole-person care with experienced staff and a variety of services, including:
  • Behavioral Health
  • Emergency Care
  • Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Women’s Healthcare
  • And so much more
Whether you’re looking for a primary care physician or orthopedic specialist, AdventHealth has a vast network of providers who are equipped with the latest technology and innovative treatments that meet everyone’s individual needs.

Explore services at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, find a doctor near you, and request an appointment. ^
Learn more
News Notes
Kansas Citian
  • Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant was selected as one of 18 entrepreneurs to take part in a nationwide accelerator for employment social enterprises like Shanita’s own The Prospect KC. The REDF Accelerator provides leaders with tools they can bring back to spur growth in their own communities. (Startland News)
Open
  • District Pour House + Kitchen is now open in Shawnee. The modern American restaurant served Waldo for a decade before closing earlier this year. Now, its popular fried risotto, gumbo, and craft cocktails have found a new home in the metro. (Shawnee Mission Post)
Development
  • A planned mixed-use development on Prospect Avenue will include eight retail storefronts and 78 apartment units. The mostly studio and one-bedroom apartments aim to cost between $750 and $1,300 monthly in rent, catering to students and young professionals. (Northeast News)
Civic
  • The City of Kansas City, MO is offering a one-time earnings tax refund for the years 2018 through 2022. Eligible parties include non-residents of KC employers and residents whose employers withheld the Kansas City ETAX. See if you qualify.
Coming Soon
  • The Wild West-themed burger chain Beef-A-Roo will open its first Kansas location on Friday, June 16 in Overland Park. As a way to say “howdy, partner,” the first 100 customers will receive free junior cheese fries for a year. (Blue Valley Post)
Seasonal
  • It’s grilling season — AKA the season of your dad actually volunteering to make dinner. Help him show off by gifting him some of KC’s most notable BBQ sauces for Father’s Day to really get the party started.*
Featured Deal
  • If your dad is where the sun rises and sets in your eyes, here’s a Father’s Day gift idea: RYSE is offering 10% off their entire store with code FATHER10 now through Sunday, June 18. Snag the deal.*
For Family
  • Hey, moms + dads — we know having kids can impact your savings. This card is extra helpful to on-the-go families, offering 2% flat-rate cash rewards and a generous welcome bonus. Learn more.*
Sports

🎮 Player one online, seeking player two

A week in the Kansas City esports scene
A crowd cheering behind an esports setup mid-tournament.
Pro gaming: yet another activity that’s more fun with friends. | Photo by @leveluparenagg
The Kansas City esports scene continues to grow with the popularity of competition video games like Rocket League and Apex Legends worldwide. Right now, the future of esports is looking local.

Teams like the Kansas City Pioneers continue to pour into local events, bringing players together for regional tournaments and events that cater to hardcore gamers and casual fans alike. Upcoming at LEVELUP Arena (located conveniently within Hy-Vee Arena), look forward to:
  • Midwest Fest 2023, an inaugural tournament, showcase, festival, and streamer meet-and-greet taking place Friday, June 16-Saturday, June 17.
  • MarioKart Mondays, an ongoing free-entry MarioKart tournament on Monday, June 19.
  • Weekly Midweek Madness sessions offering $10 day passes.
  • Weekly Ladies Nights with $2 soda, energy drinks, and Starbucks.
  • Training camps for esports, streaming, and Fortnite starting as early as this week.
 
The Wrap
 
Dayten Rose

Today’s edition by:
Dayten
From the editor
Another Disney legend with Kansas City ties is a personal favorite of mine: Clarence Nash, aka the voice of Donald Duck. For a card-carrying language nerd like myself, Clarence Nash is remembered as the king of buccal speech — in fact, the technical term is now “Donald Duck talk.”
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