When the fountains flow, you know it’s spring in Kansas City

People across the Midwest know spring has arrived when the crocuses pop up, birds start chirping and baseball returns to the radio. In Kansas City, there’s an even surer sign: The fountains start flowing again. The City of Fountains has dozens of statuesque spurts across the metro area, and they’re scheduled to emerge from their… Continue reading When the fountains flow, you know it’s spring in Kansas City

KC is home to one of the oldest and most respected black newspapers in America

A century is a long time in any business—doubly so in publishing. But that’s the milestone soon to be celebrated by The Call, the newspaper of record for Kansas City’s black community. The first edition of The Call rolled off the presses on May 6, 1919. Those presses were run by founder and longtime publisher… Continue reading KC is home to one of the oldest and most respected black newspapers in America

What readers are saying about the Blue Valley Northwest racism scandal

Remember Choreographed Racism?  The February issue of 435 featured a story about Camille Sturdivant, a black student at Blue Valley Northwest High School, who came forward to file a lawsuit alleging extensive racial discrimination while on the school’s dance team. Among the unsettling details were an exchange in which the dance team’s choreographer told Sturdivant… Continue reading What readers are saying about the Blue Valley Northwest racism scandal

How rolling my truck on an icy road made me love Kansas City even more

You never want to see your car on the TV news, especially if it’s wrapped in police tape. But that’s exactly the situation I found myself in one icy late February morning. I was driving west on Ward Parkway when I hit a sheet of ice and started fishtailing. My tires wouldn’t catch — I… Continue reading How rolling my truck on an icy road made me love Kansas City even more

This secret climbing cliff is hidden right by downtown KC

Photography by Chase Castor

Cliff Drive is the shortest scenic byway in the United States. The 4.5-mile road that runs east of downtown Kansas City was originally built by a settler named Nathan Scarritt as a driveway of sorts. Today, it’s beloved by runners and cyclists for its car-free weekends. The 35-foot cliffs along Cliff Drive are also the… Continue reading This secret climbing cliff is hidden right by downtown KC

An expert’s guide to indoor rock climbing gyms of Kansas City

Ibex Climbing Gym Kansas City’s original plastic crag. Despite changing hands several times, this suburban destination continues to thrive. Great route setting and a large overhung arch are the highlights. There’s also an active annual competition scene. Scene: Birthday parties, scout groups, the diehard Regulars known as: Ibexercisers 801 N.W. South Outer Rd., Blue Springs,… Continue reading An expert’s guide to indoor rock climbing gyms of Kansas City

The Katy Trail’s perfect weekend route for riders coming from Kansas City

The Katy Trail/Photo by Kim Horgan

The Katy Trail is a big ride. Built on the bones of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, this dedicated bike trail is 240 miles long and nearly spans the state of Missouri. There are no bad places to ride the Katy Trail, but for Kansas Citians who don’t have a full week to ride the entire route,… Continue reading The Katy Trail’s perfect weekend route for riders coming from Kansas City