Fir or pine, if it’s dropping needles on your living room carpet — they’ll take it. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Sure, the holidays are all fun and games — but if you celebrate Christmas, you know that sooner or later you have to deal with that “Night of the Living Dead” tree in the corner. That doesn’t mean it’s dumpster-bound. Instead, we have some tips on how to put an old tree to good use.
Drop-off recycling
Maybe you just can’t wait for curbside pickup. Drop the tree off yourself at yard waste drop-offs and organic recycling centers across the metro.
In KCMO, drop off your tree for $5 with proof of residency (free on Saturday, Jan. 11) at Missouri Organic Recycling:
11660 N. Main St.
10301 Raytown Rd.
Regardless of residency, folks can drop off their trees for free in Johnson County through Friday, Jan. 31 at:
Theatre in the Park
Heritage Park
Kill Creek Park
Big Bull Creek Park
Be sure to properly secure the tree to your car if you opt for this route. Find additional, city-specific resources and curbside pickups via Mid-America Regional Council’s extensive list.
Portrait of a City | Monday, Jan. 6-Tuesday, Feb. 11 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Box Gallery | Free | This Nelson-Atkins project brought together 49 photographers from across Kansas City for a collaborative portrait of the place we call home.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Variety KC x Mavericks Family Skate Night | 4-5:30 p.m. | Independence Community Ice | Free, RSVP | Lace up your skates and hit the ice with the Kansas City Mavericks as they teach you how to navigate hockey on skates and accessible sleds.
“Chicago” the Musical | Tuesday, Jan. 7-Thursday, Jan. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $66+ | See Broadway’s longest-running musical on this quintessentially KC stage as two murderesses compete for headlines in a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Karaoke Night | 9 p.m. | The Ship | Free | Whether you’re more Dolly Parton or death metal, there’s a spot on this West Bottoms’ sing-along lineup for your pipes to shine.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Battle of the “Carne Asada” Championship | 5:30-8 p.m. | 333 N. 6th St., KCK| $31 | Destiny, fate, delicious tacos... no matter what brought you here, this KCK Taco Trail event is sure to delight your senses as you to judge the best carne asada spots in the city.
The Book Club, Truly Madly Depot’s boozier sister concept is set to open in early 2025. The libation-friendly bookstore cafe will turn the page in downtown Mission’s former Paulie D’s Pizza spot, sporting shelves of various genres on the right and a counter serving food, coffee drinks, and cocktails on the left. (Johnson County Post)
Read
Speaking of reading... “Romantasy” has been dethroned by historical fiction as Johnson County Library’s most checked-out adult fiction genre in 2024. Top books across genres included “The Women” by Kristin Hannah, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins, and Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. Browse the full list. (Johnson County Post)
Civic
While we rang in 2025, a few new rules went into full effect — like Missouri’s hands-free law, prohibiting drivers from holding/supporting a phone while on the road. Read what other changes to state law Kansas City residents should be aware of. (FOX4)
Trending
New year, new digs. If you’re looking to refresh your interior decor in 2025, there’s a few trends to keep in mind: rich colors, eco-friendly materials, outdoor living spaces, and timeless antiques. Need more inspiration? Drool over IN Kansas City’s full list of the hottest metro-area home trends.
Sports
Curious how much it would cost to see Super Bowl LIX IRL? Airfare alone could run you anywhere from $212 to $1,134 for a roundtrip flight to The Big Easy. While there’s no guarantee which teams will face off, we’re pretty confident the Red Kingdom will be just as content celebrating a win at home. (Kansas City Star)
Try This
Think you know wine? (Or just know you drink it?) Put your skills to the test with Sail Away Wine’s Sommelier Showdown 2025 for a chance at $1,000 and the title of “Kansas City’s Sage of Wine.” Stop by the North KC self-serve wine bar now through Friday, Jan. 31 for a four-minute blind tasting — the top 32 contestants will get to move on to the championship round in March.
Transit
Independence now offers only one bus route connecting residents to downtown Kansas City, in favor of paid on-demand rideshare service IRIS. The city expects to save up to $2 million a year after shuttering five routes that serviced, in part, 220,200 annual riders. Schedule a ride on the IRIS app, website, or over the phone at 816-205-8221.
Closed
One month after Strang Chef Collective’s closure downtown, its sister concept inside the Plaza’s Cascade Hotel has followed suit. The food hall’s owner cited slow foot traffic and delayed openings as major factors in both decisions. Diners can still feast on its chef-driven concepts at its sole remaining location: Overland Park’s Strang Hall. (Startland News)
Biz
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Travel
Make 2025 your year of travel when you sign up for a Going membership and secure unmatched airfare deals. For a limited time, Premium + Elite memberships are 25% with code GOING2025.*
The Buy
The Buy
The Goddess app. Made for women, by women, this comprehensive well-being library includes meditations, yoga sessions, breathing exercises, and podcasts. Right now, Premium subscriptions are 75% off — you’ll get lifetime access, plus unlock your Archetype Personality Analysis.
Kansas City Restaurant Week is almost here and my stomach is already rumbling. I’ve been invited to a sneak peek tasting experience this week and I’ll be sure to share my favorite bites with you all. In the meantime, I recommend making your reservations ASAP — some spots are already booked up.
Answered
Answered
Which of our “25 Questions for 2025" do you want answered first?
Looks like getting or staying active is at the top of our readers’ New Year resolutions. “Best places for indoor walks around the metro” was the top choice for 63% of you, with “Where to find authentic international cuisine” far behind at 19%.
In the meantime, kick off your wellness journey by finding the right fit at a local gym or fantasize of warmer days with our run club guide.
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