05.16.2024

Today’s Forecast

75º | 38% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:03 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.

💸 Better your corner of KCMO

Better your corner of KCMO with the Neighborhood Empowerment Grant

Picture of a brick home in a neighborhood located in Hospital Hill near downtown Kansas City

The Hospital Hill neighborhood is lush with summer greenery. | Photo by KCtoday

Whether you’re hyped about sharing your neighborhood or banding together to build something better, we’ve got one more way for community members to take part in their corner of KC: the Neighborhood Empowerment Grant.

What is it?

The program offers funding to Kansas City, MO neighborhood groups for projects geared towards quality of life improvements. If it falls under repairs, upgrades, safety, or beautification, it’s probably eligible.

In the first round alone, the Neighborhood Services Department dispersed $260,000 between 26 neighborhoods. Now, the program is back for a second run... to the tune of $400,000.

Who can take part?

Not-for-profit neighborhood groups registered with the City of Kansas City + the State of Missouri.

“But I’m part of a neighborhood council, does that count?” As long as the group is registered with the proper entities, any manner of neighborhood association, homeowners association, community association, community council, and neighborhood council are eligible for up to $20,000.

How to apply

Determine what your community needs + submit an application between now and Friday, June 21. Need ideas? The Blue Valley Neighborhood Association used its $10,000 grant for crime reduction strategies, beautification for their neighborhood garden, and essential home repairs for elderly + underserved residents.

Locals looking for more info can join the city’s free virutal Lunch and Learn on Thursday, May 23 at 11 a.m.

Asked

If your neighborhood recieved money, what projects would you spend it on?

A. Community engagement initiatives
B. Public safety + crime reduction
C. Attracting neighborhood investment
D. Quality of life enhancements + beautification

Follow the money

Events

Thursday, May 16

Winnipeg Goldeyes vs. Kansas City Monarchs | Thursday, May 16 |6:30 p.m. | Legends Field, 1800 Village West Pkwy., KCK | $15 | The first 1,500 fans at this home opener get a free KC Monarchs hat.
An Evening of Jazz History | Thursday, May 16 | 6-8 p.m. | Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection, 1111 Grand Blvd., KCMO | $36 | Chuck Haddix, host of KCUR’s The Fish Fry, talks with Larry Tye about his new book on jazz legends Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Base.”
Moonlight Market | Thursday, May 16 | 4-8 p.m. | Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS | Free entry | Shop dozens of local vendors, swing by the beer garden, and don’t forget to bring the kids for all kinds of family-friendly fun.

Friday, May 17

Boulevard Dinner Party: Beers in Paradise | Friday, May 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Boulevard Tours & Rec Center, 2534 Madison Ave., KCMO | $60 | Take a seat on the Rec Deck for a multi-coursed meal featuring Boulevard beverages expertly paired with a delectable menu.
Kumar Sanu & Sadhna Sargam | Friday, May 17 | 7 p.m. | The Midland, 1228 Main St., KCMO | $29-$299 | Catch this duo of playback singers with credits in legendary Bollywood pictures + over a billion albums sold worldwide.

Saturday, May 18

Penguin March at the Zoo | Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19 | 11-11:15 a.m. | Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, 6800 Zoo Dr., KCMO | Price of admission | Catch these tuxedo-ed creatures as they prance about Helzberg Penguin Plaza for some fresh air.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Don’t be alarmed when your peaceful Sunday is interrupted with a BOOM. Controlled implosion is scheduled for the Weld Wheel building on Sunday, May 19 — an early step in SomeraRoad’s West Bottoms project. (FOX4)

Watch

Remember that wolf-costumed Chiefs fan who committed a series of bank robberies? You’ll soon get to see the true crime story unfold on-screen — Amazon recently greenlit a new documentary on Xaviar Babudar, aka ChiefsAholic. A release date is TBA. (FOX4)

Drink

Canada’s largest fast food chain is heading south to Blue Springs. Coffee spot Tim Hortons will take over a former Burger King at 1128 NW Woods Chapel Rd. Opening is expected later this year or early 2025. (FOX4)

Eat

A new offshoot of Mission’s Thai Orchid is springing up in the Northland. The longtime family-owned restaurant will open its second location on the ground floor space of Woodstone at Metro North Crossing. An opening date is TBA. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Announced

Changes are coming to Starlight this summer — namely, its menu. The theater tapped Levy as its new hospitality vendor (same as T-Mobile Center + Arrowhead), meaning new offerings at concession stands, new dining stations in the Applause Club + a grab-and-go “Starlight Express Market.” (Kansas City Business Journal)

Shop

Shine bright like a... crystal maker Swarovski opened a new concept on the Plaza (230 Nichols Rd.). The Wonderlux storefront features floor-to-ceiling blue fixtures and exclusive pieces not found in typical stores. (Kansas City Magazine)

List

Kansas resident with kiddos can experience 200+ free attractions this summer with the Sunflower Summer pass. Participating Kansas City area spots include the Amelia Earhart Hanger Museum, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, and the Overland Park Arboretum. (Kansas City Mom Collective)

Real Estate

Always wondering how to store your collection of luxury cars? First, we’re jealous. And second, we’ve found the perfect place for you — a $7.5 million, 10,000 sqft home in Stilwell, KS, complete with gym, pool, and perfect view of its eight car garage.

Holiday

🎄 Cozy Christmas vibes incoming

Experience Hallmark’s first IRL Christmas town square

A rendering of the proposed Hallmark Christmas Experience, lit with colored string lights and holiday vendors lining Crown Center.

You just know the hot chocolate will be life-changing. | Renderings via Hallmark

Yes, we know it’s May — but big news is here for any readers who keep a Christmas list year-round.

Hometown biz Hallmark is bringing its beloved movies to life with the first-ever Hallmark Christmas Experience, set to take over Kansas City from Friday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Dec. 23.

Here are a few of the announced attractions for the Crown Center event:

Holiday Hallmarket and Christmas market
Tree lighting, light shows + light walk
Card sending station and gift wrapping station
Crayola community mural
Skating at the Ice Terrace
Festive photo ops and food hall

Consider yourself a Hallmark Movies mega fan? Purchase a ticket or package experience to go behind the scenes with 35 Hallmark stars as they talk movie magic and compete in the Reindeer Games.

Those interested in experiencing the square can do so for free, but anyone interested in exclusive events like the Hallmark stars meetup can purchase tickets starting today at 10 a.m.

The Buy

The Buy 5.16.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Lululemon’s fan-favorite running shorts in newly dropped colors. The Hotty Hot shorts have a built-in liner for secure coverage, and they still feel light as air.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madison

From the editor

Driving up and down Main this week got me thinking... How can the city best support businesses directly affected by streetcar construction? Storefronts have “We’re still open” signs, but I’m curious about more effective options. What do you think?

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