01.11.2024

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Today’s Forecast

34º | Cloudy skies | 24% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:15 p.m.

Shining a light on Kansas City neon

Lumi Neon Museum — the next attraction lighting up Pennway Point

Though it wasn’t Lumi’s first sign (Crick Camera Shop holds that honor), this classic Katz recreation has a special spot in its collection. | Photo via the Lumi Neon Museum

It all started with a sign from above.

A neon sign, that is.

When Crick Camera Shop (formerly 7715 State Line Rd.) closed in 2017 after 70 years in service, local Nick Vedros — a well-known commercial and art photographer — worried it was leaving behind more than just old gear.

The shop’s 12-ft-wide neon sign (pictured below) was for purchase ... Vedros decided to rescue it. “I said, if you donate it to me, I promise I’ll do something for the community.”

Rusted parts and flashing lights

KCtoday_Lumi5 — The one that started it all. With the help of local biz Metalwork’s time + equipment, the Crick sign was saved.
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Photo via the Lumi Neon Museum

That first sign sent Vedros down a well-lit rabbit hole. In the seven years since, the nonprofit rescue effort, originally founded as Save the KC Neon Inc., has transformed from a one man team to a board of 21 that has recovered 88 signs and restored 51.

The signs are bought on online auction sites, donated by families who no longer have space, or sourced on rides around the city.

Some just wait for the perfect moment... like the “A” from the old Stuart Hall building. In the early 90s, Hallmark Cards lettering artist Jerry Lobato looked out from his office window and noticed the classic sign being dismantled. After racing across the street and up to the roof, he paid the workman for one of the letters — a beautiful serif-font “A” that has since been donated to the Lumi collection.

Enlightening Kansas City

KCtoday_Lumi4 — Fun fact: Neon only appears as red, meaning any other color signage is full of another elemental gas, argon.
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Photo by Nick Vedros

With help from donors, restoration shops, neon benders, business leaders and other local community members — these colorful markers from Kansas City’s past will be on display this summer.

The Lumi Neon Museum will have its public debut with an open-air alley and indoor space at the new Pennway Point entertainment district, showcasing anywhere from 75 to 100+ signs at one time. Each will have a didactic sharing the commercial + artistic history of the piece and those who helped make it happen.

Don’t want to wait to bask in the campfire glow? Check out their website to get involved and peep their gallery of rescued + restored signs.

Asked

💡 Do you have a favorite local neon sign? Perhaps one you want to see saved?

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Events

Thursday, Jan. 11

Women Inspiring Women “Vision Board Creating Party” | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 4-6 p.m. | Central Bank of the Midwest, 15100 W. 67th St. Ste. 202, Shawnee, KS | Free | Dream big for 2024 and create a vision board that will motivate you to stay on track.

Friday, Jan. 12

Pickup Pickleball | Friday, Jan. 12 | 6:30-8 a.m. | Hy-Vee Arena, 1800 Genessee St., KCMO | $10 | Looking to prep for KC’s inaugural PickleCon — meet new people and brush up your skills with pickup pickleball.
Trivia Night at the Copa Royale | Friday, Jan. 12 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Weston Wine Company, 500 Main St., Weston, MO | $7 | Breeze through this tropical test where Weston Wine Co. + the Royal Deluxe team up for a Tiki Trivia Championship.
Joyce DiDonato’s Sparkling Songs, and Strauss’ Die Fledermaus | Friday, Jan. 12-Sunday, Jan. 14 | Times vary | The Kansas City Symphony, 1703 Wyandotte St. Ste 200, KCMO | $29-$85 | Listen in on a night of dazzling music featuring superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and the Kansas City Symphony.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Beginner Sewing: Sweater Blanket | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Rightfully Sewn, 7501 Prospect Ave., KCMO | $85 | Learn sewing vocabulary, how to use a conventional sewing machine, and cut + sew your own blanket.
Monster Jam | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 1 p.m. | T-Mobile Center, KCMO | $25-$95 | World champion athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Google has acquired another ~500 acres in the Northland for a second potential data center campus. This comes after the tech giant filed plans last fall to start development on a ~300-acre multi-phase data center campus northeast of Parvin Road + Arlington Avenue. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Sports

Miami Dolphins fans have been sharing their concerns over the frigid temperatures expected at Arrowhead’s Wild Card match this Saturday, Jan. 13. Here’s what Kansas Citians + the Chiefs had to say: The cold never bothered us anyway. (FOX4)

Civic

Edit: It bothers us a little. KCMO trash and recycling collection was suspended due to winter conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday. Regular collection resumes today, with affected houses being allowed four bags for pick-up on Tuesday, Jan. 16 + Wednesday, Jan. 17. (FOX4)

Eat

Platte City deli Fetterman’s is offering more than just cold cuts behind its counter. Sixteen flavors of Kansas City-based Betty Rae’s Ice Cream are now available in store, the first collaboration of its kind for the sweet cream connoisseur. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Award

A $25,000 prize has local start-up BestyBnB wagging its tail. The organization, which helps clients undergoing crisis secure safe housing for their pets, competed with 150 other companies to become a finalist for Purina’s 2024 Pet Care Innovation Prize. (Startland News)

Opening

Live action gaming experience Activate Games is gearing up to open its first metro location in April. The 11,565-sqft Overland Park spot (6900 W. 119th St.) will feature multiple climb, grid, trench or laser themed rooms challenging players with interactive games. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Announced

Coffee in the morning and stiff drinks at night — new Overland Park bar, Entity, promises an atmospheric experience at any time. Enjoy specialty drinks at its CityPlace (11216 Switzer Rd.) location after its expected March opening. (Kansas City Star)

Fun Fact

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City Guide

15 places to get your pizza fix in Kansas City

20+ pizza shops in Kansas City

Thin crust for the win. | Photo via Pizza 51

If you’re on the quest for the perfect pizza in Kansas City, we’ve pie-oneered a list of 15 places to grab some za that are definitely worth the dough.

Fun combos

Grinders KC, Crossroads
Nosh + mosh at this live music venue known for its fantastic fare.

Up-Down KC, Crossroads
Mario Kart and Mac-n-Cheese pizza. Yes, you heard us right — this arcade bar specializes in crafting cheesy slices to fuel your evening of classic gaming.

Fancier fare

Il Lazzarone, Rivermarket
Forgo greasy fare and step into a Neapolitan dream — this Rivermarket joint is more divine than dive. Try its Margherita made traditional with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, extra-virgin olive oil + sea salt. Simple, just as the Italians intended.

Clay and Fire, Westside
Crispy, cheesy, delicious — what more could you want from a brick-oven fired pizza? Exceptional spices and fresh produce from nearby farms? They’ve got that too.

Unbox 11 more local pizzas

The Buy

The Buy 1.11.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A candle warmer lamp. It slowly heats your candle from the top down, giving you all the fragrance without an open flame and making candles last longer.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madison

From the editor

I’ve written the story and now I can’t hold it in any longer — Waldo Pizza is the best slice in town, bar none.

As a southside girl am I perhaps being sentimental + nostalgic? Absolutely. Can anyone change my mind that the thin-crust pepperoni dipped in its amazing salad bar ranch dressing is anything short of breathtaking? No.

Pizza is no joke, so I’m expecting to hear your saucy opinions in our inbox.

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