It’s a beautiful winter wonderland, until you have to drive in it. | Photos by @sammiemedia_
There’s no getting around it: It’scold, KC.
Windchills are expected to dip as low as -15° this week, so we’re staying inside and looking back at some of the headlines on the coldest days we’ve had here in Kansas City.
The day the cold set records
The metro’s coldest day on record took place on December 23, 1989, when temperatures hit a record-breaking -23°.
That sure puts this weather in perspective, huh? The closest we’ve come to that temperature in the past few weeks was when temps dropped to 9° on Monday, Jan. 6.
So, what else was going on in Kansas City on the coldest day on record? Looking back, the city’s newspapers shared the aftermath of the Berlin Wall’s fall days earlier and reported on the start of KU Med’s liver transplant program in its “Metropolitan” section. Another sign of the times: the metro’s largest paper was still split into two editions, the morning Times and the afternoon Star.
The papers also covered the intense weather we were having at the time, saying “sub-freezing weather was not enough to keep people from crowding area stores for traditional last minute [holiday] shopping.”
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.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Hygiene Kit Drive | Wednesday, Jan. 8-Thursday, Jan. 16 | Open hours | Kansas City Public Library — all branches | Donation | Give travel-sized personal care items and help the library’s AmeriCorps Programs make our community more equitable.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Spirits Class: American Single Malt | 6-8 p.m. | Restless Spirits Distilling Company, NKC | $25 | Sip into the world of this bold, award-winning Kansas City tribute, with a behind-the-scenes distillery tour and guided tasting of Gullytown American Single Malt Whiskey.
New Year’s Fashion Mixer | 7 p.m. | 4808 Roanoke Pkwy., KCMO | $10 | Rub elbows with Kansas City’s fashion community for a night of cocktails, connection, and creativity to kick off 2025.
Friday, Jan. 10
KC Remodel + Garden Show | Friday, Jan. 10-Sunday, Jan. 12 | Times vary | American Royal Complex | $9.75+ | All educators and school staff can get free admission on Sunday, Jan. 12. to check out 300+ exhibitors and hear from Leslie Davis + Lyndsay Lamb from HGTV’s “Unsellable Houses” live.
Disney’s “The Sound of Magic” | Friday, Jan. 10-Sunday, Jan. 12 | Times vary | Helzberg Hall | $58+ | Be part of the magic as musical theatre stars join the KC Symphony to bring your favorite Disney film scores to life, featuring hits from “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” and more.
🤝 Imagine the impact if we all volunteered on January 20
Presented by AmeriCorps
Join AmeriCorps in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King by volunteering this MLK Day. | Photos provided by AmeriCorps
Did you know? Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 20) is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer.
For 30 years, the MLK Day of Service has grown as more people embrace the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving the communities where we live, work, and play.
Still waiting for your street to be plowed after last weekend’s record snowfall? Be sure to check your local government’s winter weather resources for real-time snow plow trackers and/or clearing progress updates. Also, trash + recycling pick-up will be delayed until next week for some KCMO residents. (FOX4)
Opening
Locally-owned coffee shop and cafe Mildred’s will open its third location at 5060 Main St. (formerly Mission Taco Joint) on Friday, Jan. 10. Fans of its made-from-scratch fare know its trendy Crossroads + downtown spots are almost always packed, so we recommend arriving bright and early for your breakfast hash. (KCBJ)
Award
Welcome to awards season... Kansas City Film Critics Circle — the second-oldest organization of its kind in the US — has released its own lineup of this year’s best flicks. “The Substance” stole the show, sweeping six titles of the 59th Annual James Loutzenhiser Awards. Check out the full list + add to your movie night must-sees. (The Pitch)
Development
After plans fell through twice, Lenexa’s Renner 87 project may soon see the light. The city council approved preliminary plans for the seven-acre development’s two buildings, featuring 215 multifamily units and 9,800 ft of commercial space, last month. Potential tenants include a gourmet pet food store, co-working space, or studio fitness center. (Johnson County Post)
Biz
Retail craft coffee, digital golf caddies, AI-powered mental health tools — these are just some of the ideas sprouting out of homegrown Kansas City enterprises. With Startland News’ “2025 Startups to Watch,” you can learn more about the future of local industry and how to get in on the ground floor.
Art
After a piece fell in October, KCI’s second most expensive art installation may be grounded forever. “The Air Up There” featured 2,800 colorful spinners — depicting local icons like fountains and native animals — suspended above the airport’s check-in hall. The $1 million work is now tucked in storage indefinitely due to a costly clip design failure. (Kansas City Star)
Announced
New year, same KCtoday. While we love a good New Year’s resolution, we love unbiased, fact-centric local news even more. Buy your KCtoday team coffee + support us in creating this free, daily newsletter.
Wellness
Simplify wellness with fast, convenient deliveries that fit your schedule: Thrive Market delivers organic groceries and family essentials straight to your door. (Members save an average of 30% on top brands.) Join today for 30% off your first purchase and a free gift valued at up to $60.*
The Buy
The Buy
A highly-rated hydroponic growing system, so you can still have fresh herbs and vegetables in winter. We like this self-misting version, which avoids root rot and helps plants grow quicker. Hello, fresh leafy greens, basil, and tomatoes.
Not sure about you all, but I am definitely getting antsy after three days of not leaving the house. While my car is still stranded in our yet-to-be-shoveled driveway, I’m breaking out of confinement with a long, slippery walk to The Roasterie as soon as possible.
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