Senator Harry S. Truman meets with Tom Pendergast (second from left) and others at the Democratic National Convention in 1936. | Photo via Harry S. Truman Library
Yesterday was President Harry S. Truman’s 141st birthday, and we’re ready to celebrate the KC local with a very special lesson on crime, corruption, and the former president’s personal friend, “Boss” Tom Pendergast.
The origins of Tom’s Town
In 1910, following the death of his brother, Thomas Joseph Pendergast took over the family’s West Bottoms tavern and discovered that politics kept the money flowing better than liquor did.
Pendergast never held office, preferring to utilize his large network to swing elections in his favor. The businessman, who went on to found both a liquor + a concrete company, would award city contracts to allies. And thus, Missouri’s most powerful political machine was born.
Prohibition dragged on — and as the Irish and Italian mobs of the 1920s + ‘30s operated speakeasies, gambling dens, and brothels — Kansas City’s streets were controlled by Pendergast money.
Which phrase did President Truman famously have on his desk?
A. “The truth is all I want for history.” B. “There is no indispensable man in a democracy.” C. “The truth is all I want for history.” D. “The buck stops here.”
Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals | Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11 | Times vary | Kauffman Stadium | $32+ | Join the team for Fireworks Friday, or get in on the “Bring Out the Blue” t-shirt giveaway for the first 10,000 fans on Saturday.
Spring Parade of Homes | Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City | Free | It’s the final weekend of this annual celebration highlighting hundreds of newly built homes across the metro.
Saturday, May 10
Kansas City Water Lantern Festival | 5:30 p.m. | Theis Park | $37+ | Join throngs of fellow Kansas Citians from all walks of life as you witness the eco-friendly lanterns light up the water.
Sunday, May 11
NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 | 2 p.m. | Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS | $57+ | Watch these drivers go bumper-to-bumper in a thrilling display of speed and skill, plus rent personal scanners to hear real-time audio from drivers and the crew.
Magdalena Bay | 8 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $40+ | Sam Austins will open for the duo comprised of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin.
Monday, May 12
Book Discussion | 7-8 p.m. | Unity Temple on the Plaza | $47 | The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author joins David Von Drehle to talk about his second volume, “The Fate of the Day.”
Bella, Buddy, and Milo. Those are the three most-popular dog names in Missouri, and we bet you’ll meet a few pups with those names while exploring dog-friendly spots around the metro. (U.S. News & World Report)
Outdoors
Looking for a spot to soak up the sun (or laze in the shade)? This tool allows users to find cafes in the sun or in the shade at different times of day — simply type in an address and look around. We think it’s the perfect supplement to our outdoor dining guide.
The Word
Ailurophile. According to linguists, the word that means “cat lover” is one of the most beautiful in the English language. If you’re an ailurophile yourself, check out adoptable cats at The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. (Word Smarts)
Drink
Budweiser. That’s the most popular big beer brand in Missouri, according to a Google Trends study conducted by Wine Enthusiast. No surprises here. If that’s not your preferred drink, you can always find more ways to fill your glass in Kansas City by exploring happy hour deals at local bars.
Announced
Spots in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide are full ahead of Mother’s Day. Luckily for you, we’ve added a few more for Father’s Day. Hurry — save 20% with code PGG2025 when you secure your spot now.
Tech
AI won’t take over the world — people who know how to use AI will. Subscribe to Superhuman AI for free and learn AI skills in just three minutes a day.*
City Guide
City Guide
Big on brunch?
Say hello to Mr. Moonlight at Westport Cafe. | Photo by KCtoday
We’ve got a guide for that. If digging into Kansas City’s food scene is on the agenda this Mother’s Day weekend, drop these spots into the family group chat.
Brown & Loe | Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. + Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Make it a two-for-one girls day parlay with a round of mimosas on the patio before shopping fresh produce and artisan products at the farmers market next door.
The Phoenix | Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | One of the city’s oldest jazz and blues clubs serves up breakfast burritos, chicken and waffles, and unlimited coffee with a live music spectacle.
Westport Cafe | Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | At this French cafe, no one will look at you sideways for ordering your omelette with a side of fries.
Support small businesses and artisans across the country when you shop Amazon Handmade. The marketplace features thousands of unique products and gifts, like this etched rolling pin that can transform your homemade baked goods into genuine works of art.
Hey, KC — remember me? OG subscribers might recognize my face as one of the two editors who helped launch KCtoday back in 2021. I just couldn’t stay away, so you’ll be seeing my photo at the bottom of the newsletter from time to time as I help Madison out. It’s been a minute, so drop me a line on some of your new favorite spots around town, and I’ll share them in my next newsletter.
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