Sourdough is soaring in popularity, according to Google Trends, and so is interest in making your own. And yes, it recently became more popular than it was in 2020.
If you’re among those baking some new habits into your life via flour and yeast, here are a few ways to get in on the action in Kansas City:
The Sourdough Spot hosts several classes per week for beginners who feel the knead to indulge their curiosity.
A. Yes, I’d win the Great British Baking Show B. Yes, but I’ve only made a few loaves C. No, but I’d like to get started D. No, I prefer to do the eating
Earth Day Clothing Drive | 3-8 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company | Free | Help yourself, help others, and help our planet by donating gently used clothes — an awaiting free beer token is an immediate reward for your altruism.
Native Plants & Gardening | 6-7:30 p.m. | Casual Animal Brewing Co. | Free with reservation | Get started on your gardening journey with a hands-on introduction to the plants that thrive in Kansas City’s temperamental climate.
Wednesday, April 23
Fountain Day | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Mill Creek Park | Free | Join the Mayor, KC Parks, and the City of Fountains Foundation for a performance by Strawberry Jam, marking the official start of fountain season in the City of Fountains.
KC Design Week: “Why Are There McMansions?” | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Kansas City Public Library | $22+ | Architecture critic Kate Wagner leads a talks on McMansions — the pastiche houses associated with American excess, now replicated globally.
Thursday, April 24
Selection Celebration | 4 p.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Free | Don’t miss this historic milestone when the museum unveils the winner chosen from its global architectural competition.
West Coast Swing Dance: Leveled Classes and Dance party | 7-11 p.m. | Cabaret Arts and Social Theatre, Overland Park | $5+ | Get on your feet for three levels of classes, learn the boogie, and then hit the dance floor with your new moves for its social hour.
Friday, April 25
Community Project: Keep Knitting | 4-8 p.m. | Englewood Arts, Independence | Free | Explore arm knitting — a technique that replaces traditional needles in favor of using one’s limbs — to collectively create a large-scale knitted textile.
Friday Night Smash | 8-11 p.m. | SERV, Overland Park | $10 | Start your weekend by sipping, snacking, and socializing with fellow pickleballers at this 21+ party.
The last place all of your broken or unwanted stuff should go is the landfill. Most of it can be recycled, reused, or donated to organizations that will give it a second life. Simply find a recycling location in the KC region to drop off old stuff and let others find a new use for it.
And for those hazardous household items that risk adding poisons to landfills and water, there are safe disposal options through local Household Hazardous Waste programs.
An overcluttered household is visually stressful, inefficient, and sometimes dangerous. So, green up the local environment during spring cleaning this year.
April madness. Former KU Jayhawk Sharon Lokedi set a new course record in her victory at the Boston Marathon yesterday. The Kenyan runner’s time of 2:17:22 crushed the previous best by nearly three minutes — with the old record set back in 2014.
Environment
“Our Power, Our Planet.” That’s this year’s theme for Earth Day. Celebrated every April 22 since 1970, Earth Day is an opportunity to promote environmental protection and raise awareness about the causes beneficial to our planet. Volunteering around KC is one way to honor the occasion and do your part.
Coming Soon
A high-flying zipline attraction is opening at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium this Friday, April 25. The Flying Flamingo will offer aerial views of both the zoo and Swope Park from 100 ft high, and will reach speeds of 30 mph, with enough space for four riders to take flight simultaneously. (KCTV5)
Trending
The 2025 NFL Draft begins later this week. The first round is on Thursday, April 24, when the Chiefs will look to add to their roster as the bid for another Lombardi Trophy begins. The Chiefs have the No. 31 pick, but they might try to get a better one, per ESPN sources. (ESPN)
Cause
Childhood cancer charity Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation needs volunteers for an upcoming event taking over Hy-Vee grocery stores across Missouri and Kansas. ALSF’s Midwest Lemonade Days event takes place on Saturday, June 7 and will bring stands to 23 Hy-Vee stores in our region. Learn more about how to get involved.
Legacy
Kansas City is mourning the loss of restaurateur and public official Vic Allred. After founding the first Jazz — A Louisiana Kitchen in Texas, Allred moved to KC in 1994, where two of the restaurant’s locations remain. He also spent time advocating for restaurant owners as a Missouri representative from 2019 to 2021. (Kansas City Star)
Quoted
“It sounds cliche, it’s a dream come true.” Those were words spoken by longtime local baker Maddie Callicot, who recently took over Connie’s Cookies in Overland Park — where she once worked behind the counter. Now named Maddie Rae’s Bakery, Callicot’s story is quite something. (Johnson County Post)
Stat
$10,000. If you owe that much in debt, this organization can reach out to credit card companies and potentially reduce what you owe. See how it works.*
The Buy
Save time and simplify your life with these must-have kitchen gadgets:
To put Lokedi’s Boston Marathon record into perspective, she ran at an average pace of roughly five minutes and 15 seconds per mile for 26.2 miles.
Think you can beat that? You have 179 days to train for the Kansas City Marathon. There’s also a 5K, 10K, and half marathon at the event on Saturday, Oct. 18.
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