Plus, KC’s first women’s sports bar.
 
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Today’s Forecast

80º | 4% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. | Sunset 8:02 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. Picture via KCtoday Team
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, Missouri 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. This time around, they upped the ante big-time... to the tune of ~$600,000.

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 homeowners association, community association, and community council are eligible for up to $20,000.

KCtoday_Confluence

Imagine your West Bottoms art walk with a bit more green. | Photo by KCtoday

Which groups were funded?

This latest round of funding split $607,620 between 35 recipients, covering all corners of the city and addressing a range of concerns.

“Neighborhood Improvement” was the most popular category with 13 projects, “safety” was next at five — the Historic West Bottoms Association was the only group who earmarked its $20,000 grant for “trees.”

“We’re working to eliminate blight, areas that are prone to dumping or other things not favorable to property owners, residents, and businesses.” Tom Esselman, President of the Historic West Bottoms Association, told KCtoday.

As the brick-laden landscape evolves from its industrial origins, the neighborhood’s status as an urban oasis hinges on a return to nature.

What exactly does that mean for the West Bottoms? A serious green space makeover around 9th and Mulberry, particularly the park near Forrester Viaduct + the walking path by public sculpture Confluence.

Know how you want to improve your community? Stay tuned, we’ll be sure to share when the next round of grant applications go live.
 
Events
Thursday, Aug. 22
  • Happy Hour at Saddle Creek Stables | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Saddle Creek Stables & Vineyard | Menu price | Pair your scenic view of the vineyard with a cocktail from the open bar.
  • Small Biz Sip + Shop | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | 1004 E. Armour Blvd. | Free | Shop local businesses + vendors like Vine Street Brewery and MO Truckers Hats.
  • Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 7:20 p.m. | Arrowhead Stadium | $13-$500 | It’s the Chiefs’ last preseason game of the season and you’ll bearly know the other team was even there.
Friday, Aug. 23
  • Sunflower Festival | Friday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 25 | Times vary | KC Pumpkin Patch | $16 | It’s your last chance to catch the Kansas scenery’s changing colors for selfies + sweet treats among the sunflowers.
Saturday, Aug. 24
  • Crossroads and Westside Urban Hike | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 8:30-9:45 a.m. | National WWI Museum and Memorial | $49 | Uncover the city’s rich history and street art gems in this 5-mile trek that promises steep hills, staircases, and sun-soaked paths.
  • KC Retro | Saturday, Aug. 24-Sunday, Aug. 25 | Times vary | Overland Park Convention Center | $6-$45 | Fans of retro and modern video games, vintage toys, Pokémon, and all things nerdy will descend on Overland Park.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Announced
  • The world’s first purpose-built women’s sports stadium and now, the city’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports. The Dub has officially signed a lease to its new location, which looks to be the former Banksia space near 9th and Baltimore. An opening date is TBA.
Active
  • Demolition has tee’d off at Kansas City’s Hillcrest Golf Club. Once a country club-turned-public course, the spot shuttered in March for renovations. Hillcrest is expected to officially open as a private golf-only club by spring 2026. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Trending
  • It’s been a summer for renovations in the metro — take the Melting Pot for example. The fondue staple spent $500,000 to upgrade its digs, its first major revamp since opening on the Plaza in 2001. Take a peek inside. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Eat
  • If you remember Bannister Mall, you probably remember Bennigan’s. The Irish-themed bar and grill is back in the metro, this time as Bennigan’s On The Fly inside KC Craft & Co. (8787 Reeder St.) in Overland Park. Taste 14 of your old favorites at the new spot, including Hogan’s Egg Rolls + the Monte Cristo. (Kansas City Star)
Kansas Citian
  • He may not have cameo’ed for Hallmark (or our own flick), but Travis Kelce has been busy with on-screen appearances. Don’t be surprised when you see the tight end featured in upcoming action-comedy “Loose Cannons” + Adam Sandler reboot “Happy Gilmore 2.” (KMBC9)
Pets
  • Here’s the best news ever for man’s best friend: Bar K is now open at 9 a.m. daily. Whether you’re checking off our ultimate dog-friendly list or it’s simply part of the routine, kick off your mornings in pooch paradise (with a 16 oz. Dog Dayz, of course).
Health
  • Did you hear that? Most hearing aids have one processor. These bad boys have two. They process speech and noise separately, so speech gets clearer and crisper. No wonder 385,000+ customers love them.*
Eat
 
History

🔎 Solving a KCMO mystery

Solving the mystery of this Kansas City ghost sign
KCtoday
You’ve probably seen it when you’ve gone to park for 12th Street Post or First Fridays. | Photo via Google
We speak of it in whispers, a mystery that has plagued KCtoday for ages (ahem, 2022)...

“Calling all historians with 20/20 vision. Can you make out what this sign says? Layers of faded paint have obscured what may be many names. We can see “Miller & Co.” but it appears incomplete [...]”

Thanks to a little research by reader Steven S., we finally have a new lead on this faded West Bottoms relic.

“The sign saids Aultman-Miller & Co. Before the windows were added, you can see it says “man.” I was looking closely and noticed the A, U + L.”

Aultman, Miller & Co. was a farm implement manufacturing company that ran from 1863 until 1904. Perhaps the Kansas River flood of 1903, which killed 19 people and caused $22 million+ in damages, was the beginning of the end for this tenant’s residency at 1400 W. 13th St.
Asked

Before the iconic Western Auto sign, what brand’s logo sat atop this building?
A. Coca-Cola
B. General Motors
C. H&R Block
D. Emery, Bird, Thayer (EBT)
Give us a sign
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Madison
From the editor
Need a great spot to eat family-style with friends? Two former City Editors, our partners, and I met up for dinner + drinks last night at Westport’s Chingu.

The food is delicious (try the Buldak “fire chicken”), its drinks are spectacular (share a soju mixer), and its happy hour blows everything else out of the water. Bring a bib.
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