12.14.2023

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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.

✈️ We’re breaking free

Kansas City kids become aviators at RedTail Academy

All cleared for take off. | Photo by Redtails Academy

We’re soaring, flying. (That one is for those of you from the original High School Musical era.) If you know a kid that wants to literally soar + fly, you should check out RedTail Academy.

Started in 2020, RedTail Academy is a local nonprofit that helps underrepresented youths become certified pilots — and it’s the first of its kind in the country.

The school’s name comes from the Tuskegee Airmen. They were the first African-American fighter pilots and are regarded as the most successful flight team during World War II. Their planes’ painted-on, bright red tails earned them the nickname “the redtails.”

It’s extra fitting that the school’s flight lessons are held at the Charles E. McGee terminal at the downtown airport, which is named to honor Kansas City’s own Tuskegee Airman.

How it works

Students complete both bookwork and flightwork (including flight simulations + flying a real airplane) in preparation for written, oral, and practical certification exams.

flight simulator 2 .jpeg — Here a student and their teacher grace the cockpit of a flight simulator.
|
Photo by Redtails Academy

To enroll, future fliers should:

Be between ages 16-19
Have a minimum high school G.P.A. of 2.5
Submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or coach
Write a 500+ word essay on why they want to fly
Complete a 30-minute interview

Ways to get involved

Want to support the mission? Here are four flight paths you can take:

Mentor | The school is always searching for people with aviation backgrounds to mentor students.
Ambassador | Teachers, youth workers, parents, and anyone else involved in the community can help spread the word.
Sponsor | Cover the costs for a kid to become a pilot.
Donor | Donate money, time, or resources like fuel + equipment. Pro tip: The school is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit so all donations are tax deductible.

Asked

When did the first commercial flight take off?

A. 1952
B. 1885
C. 1914
D. 1907

Radio In

Events

Thursday, Dec. 14

Adults-Only Candlelight Stroll | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 5-9 p.m. | Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS | $16 | Leave the kids at home and experience the quiet and serenity of the Arboretum after dark.

Friday, Dec. 15

MidCoast LIVE! | Friday, Dec. 1-Friday, Dec. 29 | 12-1 p.m. | KKFI 90.1 FM, Kansas City, MO | Free | Each week, a rotating crew of KKFI programmers will present different artists from Kansas City and the surrounding areas live from KKFI’s studio.*
Knights Of Lights | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Kansas City Renaissance Festival, 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, KS | $9-$17 | Stroll through the lighted KC Renaissance Festival grounds and take pictures with Santa while shopping the many handmade crafts.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Hearthside Christmas Story Time | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 10-11:30 a.m. | John Wornall House Museum, 6115 Wornall Rd., KCMO | Free | In addition to other holiday stories, enjoy the 1987 Little Golden Book version of “The Night Before Christmas” which was illustrated using the Wornall House as inspiration.
Krampusnacht & Macabre Market | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 12-5 p.m. | Big RIP Brewery, 219 E. 9th Ave., North Kansas City, MO | Free | Enjoy a holiday shopping experience and snap a photo with Krampus.
Port and Chocolate Pairing: Holiday Christopher Elbow special | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 7-10 p.m. | TerraVox Winery, 19310 NW Farley Hampton Rd., KCMO | $65 | Learn the science behind what makes the combination of chocolate + wine so irresistible, and introduce your palate to unexpected combinations.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

It’s wheely happening. The KC Wheel is officially open today. Opening was delayed after its food + beverage building, Wheel House, failed inspection. The ferris wheel itself passed all tests. Enjoy rides from 12-10 p.m. Get tickets.

Eat

I scream you scream...Plans for The Golden Scoop’s second location (10460 W. 103rd St.) were approved by Overland Park’s planning commission. That means the inclusive ice cream parlor is on track for its target opening date of May 2024. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Coming Soon

Cardboard Corner Cafe is getting a sequel. The tabletop gaming bar is set to open a second location in Lenexa at 8750 Penrose Ln. Preview the space at Public Market’s Noon’s Year Eve Pajama Party Countdown on Sunday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Eat

Get your forks ready — Los Gallitos Fresh Mexican Grill officially opened at 6508 Martway St., Mission, KS. Enjoy dishes such as fish tacos and parrilladas. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Sports

Hope you caught the current. KC Current announced it sold out of all season ticket memberships for the 2024 season — the first season to be played in the CPKC Stadium. Join the waitlist.

Trending

What’s in the box? After this Instagram post, fans wondered what the Chiefs’ Hunt family gave Taylor Swift for her birthday. Turns out, it was a Judith Leiber handbag. Which one? That mystery is yet to be unwrapped. (Kansas City Star)

Feel Good

Holly Goucher and baby Benjamin’s lives were in jeopardy after Goucher was diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Watch as the two are reunited with the helicopter operators that saved them. (KMBC)

Wellness

This FDA-registered, doctor-recommended vibrator is clinically proven to heighten arousal and help alleviate dryness, thanks to its ultra-flexible shape designed to hit all the right spots. (Even better? Our readers get 30% off.)*

Sports

🍽️ CPKC Stadium’s food + beverage forecast

All of KC Current’s food and beverage partners so far

Teal Rising Sign at KC Current Groundbreaking

Teal is definitely our color. | Photo by KCtoday

Every “Teal Tuesday,” KC Current has revealed a local biz that will be featured at CPKC stadium.

Here are all eight of its delicious partners so far:

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Billie’s Grocery
Yoli Tortilleria
Local Pig
Waldo Thai
Martin City Brewing Co.
Room 39
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Ruby Jean’s Juicery
High Hopes Ice Cream

What other local food + beverage businesses do you think KC Current will announce? Let us know your best guesses.

The Buy

The Buy 12.14.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A tried-and-true gift recommended by our editors. Think: cozy slippers, cordless vacuums, and weighted blankets.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine

From the editor

Does bacon make everything better? I’m not sure but I’m willing to test the theory — for science.

I recently came across this recipe for bacon cinnamon rolls and they look delicious to me. I think I’ll add them to the Christmas morning menu.

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