April 8, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

74º | 1% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. | Sunset 7:49 p.m.

On this episode of Antiques Roadshow...

The right development will make this neighborhood’s hundred-year history shine. | Photo by @mikedayphotography

If you’re the kind of Kansas Citian to hear “First Fridays” and think 8 a.m. antiquing in the West Bottoms, this edition of KCtoday is for you.

To celebrate the year’s first chance at temperate treasure hunting, Editor Maddie rolled into this weekend with a mission in mind: pick out five items from the rust and dust with a Kansas City story to tell.

Crossroads’ Film Row

KCtoday_film — KC’s status as a railroad hub made it an easy choice for Hollywood execs looking to stash their film. | Photo by KCtoday

These industrial reels look to be leftovers from the Crossroads’ former iteration — Film Row. When Hollywood needed distribution centers across the country in the early 20th century, railroad hub Kansas City was a no-brainer. Now, you can still find the remnants of these silver screen storage houses fluttering out a few blocks around Wyandotte Street and 18th Street.

Whizzo’s wonderland

KCtoday_clown — I’m glad he’s smiling... because I’m sure not. | Photo by KCtoday

Former circus member Frank Wizarde was a Kansas City celebrity from 1955 to 1987 as “Whizzo the Clown.” His after-school show on KMBC 9 featured plenty of classic clowning interspersed with cartoon shorts. His face was even used to advertise bread and other goods in the metro.

George Brett’s historic hit

KCtoday_newsstand — Wanna feel old? Hall of Famer George Brett retired in 1993... that’s over 30 years ago. | Photo by KCtoday

Take a look at this time machine. The Kansas City Star newsstand charged 35 cents a paper... but what about that sign? Hall of Famer George Brett was on his way to 3,000 hits — a history-making moment he achieved on Sept. 30, 1992.

2 more local legends

Events

Monday, April 8

2024 Solar Eclipse Watch Party | Monday, April 8 | 12-3 p.m. | The Lawn at Legends Outlets, 1865 Village West Pkwy., KCK | Free | Watch the “Great North American Eclipse” with glasses provided, while supplies last.
Chappell Roan | Monday, April 8 | 7 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main St., KCMO | $26-$46 | Catch the Missouri-born queen of camp — and bring clothes you don’t mind getting covered in glitter.
Kansas City Comets vs. Utica City FC | Monday, April 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence, MO | $20-$50 | Cheer on KC’s indoor soccer team in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Tuesday, April 9

Bar K Music Bingo: 2000’S | Tuesday, April 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Bar K, 501 Berkley Pkwy., KCMO | $10 | Rewind to the era of flip phones + frosted tips and compete in music bingo for some totally rad prizes.
Kansas City Italian Film Festival | Tuesday, April 9 | 6:30 p.m. | The Student Union @ UMKC, Rm. 103, 5100 Cherry St., KCMO | Free | Now in its 20th year, watch local premieres of award-winning Italian films.

Wednesday, April 10

stash: Out of the Box | Wednesday, April 10 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS | Free | Get creative with an art therapy activity + artist talk, and check out the stash3 exhibit.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Cause

Patrick Mahomes is hosting a rally on Friday, April 12 that will pack T-Mobile Center. What’s it all for? Reading. Nearly 3,000 students from metro Lead to Read KC partner schools will participate in chants, discussions, and a read-along with local author Kristen Heath.

Traffic

Streetcar construction will close a portion of Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard east of Main Street for four weeks starting Wednesday, April 10. Detours will direct traffic to Oak Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. You can check RideKC’s weekly construction updates.

Eat

A great cause never tasted so good. Prospect KC is kicking off its fundraising series with a southern-style brunch hosted by “Top Chef” alum Kenny Gilbert. Tickets are available now.

Open

Manor Records dropped the needle on its new digs. The nonprofit record label and vinyl shop opened a new storefront at 5540 Troost Avenue, next to High Hopes Ice Cream. It’ll host this year’s Manor Fest, a multi-day music festival, over two weekends next month. (KCUR)

Real Estate

Once vacant Westport High is now Residences at Park 39. The new apartment project is part of a larger plan to develop a 16-acre area, including the former Westport Middle and High Schools, into retail, entertainment, office, and living space. (FOX4)

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Family

🛝 Make the city your playground

A child's hair flies up from static electricity while touching a metal ball.

What would make your hair stick up like that? Only one way to know... | Photo via Science City

We’re not kidding around. From major attractions like Worlds of Fun to hidden gems like Yaya’s Alpaca Farm, there’s something in KC for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 36 kid-friendly activities around Kansas City.

🎳 Indoor adventures

The Rabbit hOle, 919 E. 14th Ave., North Kansas City, MO | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Classic children’s literature is brought to life with three floors of immersive, multi-sensory adventures.

Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO | 🎟️ Family memberships available
This interactive astronomy education experience puts on public shows + telescope viewing opportunities.

🎢 Thrill-seeking fun

Game Show Battle Rooms, 10520 Metcalf Ln., Overland Park, KS | 🎟️ $35 per person
Face-off with your family in an ultimate game show with live hosts.

BRKTHROUGH, 6403 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | 🎟️ $29-$39 per person
Test your skills and teamwork with 40 unique + immersive high-tech challenge rooms.

35+ more spots

The Buy

The lipstick that’s more like a phenomenon: Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. You can now buy Clinique on Amazon, and the black honey lipstick has skyrocketed to the No. 1 new release in beauty and personal care.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madison

From the editor

It looks like I tripped a few pupils up with my pop quiz last week — only 15% of you passed. The US saw a solar eclipse in 1979, 1991 + 2017, not 1943.

Fun Fact: 2017 was the first time Kansas City was in the path of totality for a solar eclipse in any of our lifetimes.

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