Plus, a new shuffleboard spot opens in the West Bottoms.
 
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Today’s Forecast

90º | 15% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. | Sunset 7:41 p.m.
 

🏠 Metro spots to peep Mid-century Modern

The art behind Kansas City’s historic homes: Mid-century Modern
KCtoday_Midcentury Modern
Try before you buy an MCM with a little KC staycation. | Photo via Airbnb
Some things just never go out of style: red lipstick, martinis, The Beatles, minimalistic post-war architecture.

While Mid-century Modern design may not be the easiest to spot in Kansas City, it’s still one of the metro’s most notable architectural styles.

Where did it come from?

Like many trends in the mid-20th century (i.e. our Baby Boomer readers), this design style was birthed out of a post-war mindset. Soldiers returned home with a greater appreciation for family + nature, making way for entertaining-friendly open floor plans, oversized windows, and trendy indoor/outdoor spaces.

Most of Kansas City’s Mid-century Modern buildings were constructed from 1949 to 1969, largely inspired by Bauhaus and high-prairie design. Famous architects of the era who worked in and around KC include Don Drummond, Bruce Goff, Sam Symons, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Spot that style

You can find Mid-century Modern all across the metro, but a large concentration of it exists west of State Line Rd. Kansas’ Johnson County suburbs were building out prolifically at the time, and areas like OP’s Broadmoor Ranch Historic District are rife with MCM.

On the house hunt? Keep an eye out for the telltale signs of Mid-century Modern style:
  • Simple sloped or flat rooflines
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Changes in elevation (i.e. split-levels)
  • Minimal, geometric decoration
  • Access to the outdoors

Love it? Live it

If you like what you’re reading, check out this KC Mid-century Modern home on the market today.
  • Westwood MCM | $665,000 | 3BD, 3BA | Exposed beams, curved brick fireplace, heated floors — there’s a lot to see in this spacious State Line-adjacent home.
Not ready for the open house? Try out your HGTV fantasies with a self-guided tour around JoCo’s commercial and residential MCM gems instead.
Asked

When was the oldest, still-standing house in Kansas City built?
A. 1802
B. 1824
C. 1875
D.1900
Brick-by-brick
 
Events
Thursday, Sept. 5
  • KC Football Game Day Experience | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m. | KC Live! Block | Free entry | Cheer on the Chiefs at the largest screen in KC, complete with yard games, drink specials, and giveaways.
Friday, Sept. 6
  • Art Westport | Friday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 8 | Times vary | Westport | Free entry | Expect to rub elbows with 30,000+ art aficionados as you browse local art.
  • Lisa Frank Puff & Paint | Friday, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | 1313 Hickory St. | $65 | Your ticket includes all of your painting supplies, a preroll, edible treat, goodie bag, and munchie bar.
Saturday, Sept. 7
  • Dotteversity Parade | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m. | Bethany Park Central Avenue | Free entry | After puffing out your chest at at the parade, enjoy music, art, a car show + food festival.
  • Oktoberfest | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 12-6 p.m. | KC Pumpkin Patch | $14.95 | Adults 21+ only — imbibe on hard ciders, beers, festive drinks and play nostalgic games at the Pumpkin Patch.
  • Burton Bash | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 7-11:30 p.m. | ReRoll Tavern | $7 | What’s in store for you, my dear Jack and Sally? Enjoy Tim Burton trivia, a costume contest, themed cocktails + adult coloring pages as you enter the twisted wonderland.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Development
  • Ground has officially been broken for Cocina 47, the Plaza’s new three-story multi-restaurant building at 604 W. 47th St. — though demolition began last month. Tenants are nearly confirmed for its top two floors, with opening expected for summer 2026. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Opening
  • Something new is shuffling into the metro this weekend. Entertainment venue Larks is bringing shuffleboard to the West Bottoms, along with its food + cocktail options and arcade space. Hone your skills at its grand opening this Friday, Sept. 6 at 1527 W. 9th St, or join its weekend tournament for a chance to win $500.
Coming Soon
  • Your next movie theater experience might be out of this world, literally. Local biz Dimensional Innovations is experimenting with what happens when holographic tech goes wrong in a new immersive art exhibit, Atlas9, coming to the Legends next summer. (Kansas City Star)
Award
  • The KC Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2024 Athena Leadership Award recipients: Kamera Meaney and Qiana Thomason. The award honors locals who go above and beyond in the name of helping women achieve their professional goals. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Eat
  • Keep summer alive with a trip to the drive-in... at Heirloom Bakery & Hearth, that is. Stop by after hours on Wednesdays, Sept. 11, 18, or 25 for a Sonic-inspired menu, featuring a carhop service and yard games.
 
Outdoors

🌳 Can you be-leaf this?

Here’s how you can get free trees in Kansas City, MO
KCtoday_Canopy Cover KC
Snag your sapling before they’re gone. | Photo by City of Kansas City
What makes planting trees better? When they’re free.

The City of Kansas City, Missouri is committed to planting more trees to increase the city’s tree canopy, pledging $1 million to add 10,000 trees over three years.

In an extra effort to reach this goal, the City is giving away 1,000 free trees this spring. The Canopy Cover KC project is now taking reservations for up to two saplings, with six species to choose from (sorry, no Black Walnuts), including:
  • White Oak
  • Redbud
  • Allegheny Serviceberry
  • Ohio Buckeye
  • White Shield Osage Orange
  • Kentucky Coffeetree
A large group of tree saplings in pots

Help make next spring even more colorful. | Photo via @kansascity

Once selected, you can pick up your new foliage at a local distribution event, unless you’re one of the lucky few eligible for home drop-off.

It’s the first time tree planting will occur on private property with city-funded support — an effort made possible through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and Bridging the Gap, as well as measures like KC’s Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance and the Kansas City Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan.
The Buy

The Buy 9.05.24 (Affiliate)
A bottle of Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 76 Perfume. The limited edition fall scent features notes of jasmine, amber, and black currant.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Madison-McMillen.png

Today’s edition by:
Madison
From the editor
Over the holiday weekend, I met a former member of the Chiefs media team — who just happened to have his Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII ring on him. Needless to say, I fangirled a little.

KCtoday_Chiefs Ring
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