Port KC is pushing for more river commerce as a lower-cost supply chain alternative to backed-up coastal train yards and snarled highways. They also see it as a possible moneymaker for the area. Barges loaded with goods aren’t something you see floating along the Big Muddy through downtown KCMO very often, but barge transportation of… Continue reading Is the Big Muddy a supply chain solution?
Wrapped Walk Ways A gift from the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, “Wrapped Walk Ways” is an exhibition of photographs and other pieces of memorabilia that tell the story of the Christos’ 1978 Loose Park art installation. For two weeks in October of 1978, the Bulgarian-born artist Christo and his partner, Jeanne-Claude, vividly transformed the park… Continue reading Visual Arts
Absinthe isn’t a common U.S. libation, and it’s even less so in Kansas City. In my extensive efforts to seek out places that serve the licorice-tasting spirit, I found only two spots offering a traditional absinthe cocktail: Lifted Spirits Distillery and J. Rieger & Co. Rooted in Paris’ Bohemian 19th century cafe culture, absinthe struggles… Continue reading Looking To Try Absinthe? Here Are 2 KC Distilleries Serving It Parisian-Style
After eight years of local and national acclaim, and multiple James Beard nominations, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room is embarking on a new chapter. Corvino owners Christina and Chef Michael Corvino have announced a new partnership with Kansas City-based hospitality group W. VinZant Restaurants. “An over eight-year run for an independent, fine dining restaurant—through… Continue reading Corvino Partners With W. VinZant Restaurant Group
Taking a fall color sightseeing trip headed southwest from KC? Why not time your travel to one last bite of great barbecue on your way out of town at Guy and Mae’s in Williamsburg, Kansas? This rural gem has been a haven for in-the-know barbecue fans for decades, and it’s still well worth a short… Continue reading This rural hot spot is worth a detour
When Carlos Mortera started his catering business last year, he was looking to wind down from the chaotic and arduous lifestyle that comes with being a restaurant owner. He closed his KCK restaurant, Poio Mexican BBQ, in 2023, hoping to spend more time with his family. Little did he know this pivot would provide him… Continue reading Chef Carlos Mortera reflects on lassoing the catering event of the year: Apple TV’s Ted Lasso show
Here are twelve things to do in KC this weekend, August 28—31 including Pete Fucinaro Little Window Album Release, Mimosas in the Park and Irish Fest.
Openings Arrow Dart Club (1817 Locust St., KCMO, arrowdartclub.com) Kansas City is about to welcome a new kind of sports bar. Arrow Dart Club, an entertainment venue centered around a high-tech approach to the usual game of pub darts, is set to open this fall in the Crossroads. To read more about what to expect… Continue reading Small Bites: Openings, Closings & Other Restaurant News
Kansas City is about to welcome a new kind of sports bar. Arrow Dart Club, an entertainment venue with a high-tech approach to pub darts, is set to open in the Crossroads this fall. “[Kansas City’s] got everything from pickleball to arcade bars to pool halls but no one has filled the gap for casual,… Continue reading Arrow Dart Club Opening In The Crossroads Is “Not Your Grandpa’s Darts”
Expat Krystle Warren loves her hometown—so much so that she thought she’d never leave. But she did. Now residing just outside of Paris, KC-born singer-songwriter Warren has built a thriving career abroad with an impressive list of collaborations, having shared the stage with Rufus Wainwright and Joan As Police Woman. But before Warren’s move to… Continue reading Singer-songwriter Krystle Warren returns to KC for a performance at Crossroads Music Fest
Despite looking like a crumbling romantic castle right out of a storybook, the origins of this iconic KC building are far from a fairytale. Just south of the 18th and Vine historic jazz district, the 1897 yellow limestone building known as the Workhouse Castle (2001 Vine St.) served as a jail until 1924, housing mostly… Continue reading Sleeping Beauty
Independence, otherwise known as “Queen City” where the California, Santa Fe and Oregon wagon trails commenced, will be celebrating its storied history with a festival on Labor Day. The 53rd annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival—named for the three historic trails—draws around 200,000 visitors to Independence every year. This year’s festival will be headlined by country music… Continue reading Independence’s 53rd annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival celebrates local art, food and history
Kansas City is known for its vibrant entertainment scene, from jazz and barbecue to thrilling casino experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or just looking for a weekend escape, there are plenty of exciting casino getaways within a short drive. If you prefer the excitement of gaming from home, you can also check out High… Continue reading The Best Casino Getaways Near Kansas City: Where to Play and Stay
The elderly elite of Kansas City share their life journeys, what motivated them along the way, the lucky breaks and tough times, and advice for staying active and relevant in their later years. Written by David HodesInterviewed by David M. Block, David Hodes and Pete Mundo Judge Howard Sachs Birth date: September 13, 1925, Age:… Continue reading 9 Over 90: Judge Howard Sachs
Theodore Gary built his family’s fortune with the serendipitous purchase of a small Missouri town telephone exchange that had fallen on hard times. Little did Gary know, he was a telephone pioneer. It was considered a bit of a gamble: People weren’t quite sure if the telephone was going to take off. But Gary, a… Continue reading An early telephone pioneer built one of KC’s most coveted and iconic homes.
Here are thirteen things to do in KC this weekend, August 21—24 including Spotlight: Charlie Parker Celebration Concert, Melissa Ethridge and Hawthorne Plaza’s Home Opener.
Despite traveling the world playing jazz for more than 50 years, Kansas Citian Lonnie McFadden always seems to end up back home. Raised in the 18th & Vine Jazz District, he has been surrounded by music his entire life. His father, Jimmy “Pops” McFadden, performed with national jazz orchestras, and Lonnie and his brother, Ronald,… Continue reading Talking Bird, Kansas City and Beyond with Lonnie McFadden
Openings Pitchside (1819 Grand Blvd., KCMO, pitchsidekc.com) After a year of operating their mobile coffee trailer, Pitchside, six KC Current players are bringing their brews to a permanent home in the Crossroads. The coffee shop, also called Pitchside, will have its grand opening at the end of the month. To read more about what to… Continue reading Small Bites: Openings, Closings & Other Restaurant News
Nestled between the River Market and Power & Light District, 21c Museum Hotel is a 120-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, and historic restaurant all in one. Known for their sky blue penguins, outstanding exhibitions of contemporary art, and the newly reimagined Savoy restaurant, 21c is the ideal base to explore the City of Fountains.… Continue reading Eat, Play & Stay at 21c Museum Hotel
There’s nothing like a Kansas City backyard in the full swing of summer, and homeowners are leaning into it more than ever. Today’s outdoor living spaces feel like true extensions of the home, bringing all the comfort and style of the indoors out. Even better, they offer a sense of escape without needing to pack… Continue reading The Pool and Patio Playbook
The elderly elite of Kansas City share their life journeys, what motivated them along the way, the lucky breaks and tough times, and advice for staying active and relevant in their later years. Written by David HodesInterviewed by David M. Block, David Hodes and Pete Mundo George Toma Birth date: February 2, 1929, Age: 96… Continue reading 9 Over 90: George Toma
After a year of operating their mobile coffee trailer, Pitchside, six KC Current players are bringing their brews to a permanent home in the Crossroads. Their first brick-and-mortar café, also called Pitchside, will celebrate its grand opening August 31 (1819 Grand Blvd., KCMO). According to Pitchside co-owner and KC Current forward Kristen Hamilton, the new… Continue reading KC Current Players To Open Pitchside Coffee Shop In The Crossroads This Month
It may seem stressful to be responsible for the diet of a professional athlete, especially one that’s recently skyrocketed to celebrity status, but Kumar Ferguson doesn’t sweat it. He may be Travis Kelce’s personal chef, but the two go way back. The Cleveland, Ohio, natives have been friends since childhood. “Growing up, I would cook… Continue reading Travis Kelce’s childhood friend is now his personal chef.
The Five Senses: Taste By Alex Zoellner KU Med Students Learn to Treat With Food, Not Just Prescriptions Most people only know one spaghetti recipe. Students at the University of Kansas School of Medicine know four. In the school’s week-long culinary medicine course, first- and second-year medical students trade their white coats for aprons and… Continue reading The Five Senses
Although the historic Boone Theater has been sitting empty since 1970, that’s all about to change. Located in the historic 18th and Vine jazz district (1701 E. 18th St., KCMO), the 1924 theater is undergoing an $8.7 million makeover, and as part of it, the theater will house the Black Movie Hall of Fame. Originally… Continue reading The Boone Is About to Boom
Here are twelve things to do in KC this weekend, August 14—17 including Grand Marquis, Art in the Loop’s 816 Day and Ethnic Enrichment Festival.
Internal medicine doctor Brent Beasley was working in a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he got a mild case of Covid in 2022 that triggered something more insidious: Alzheimer’s. It ended his 31-year career. “It changed my world,” he says. “One of the things we realize now is that a lot of Alzheimer’s might be… Continue reading Alzheimer’s Research Uncovers New Pathways to Early Diagnosis and Treatment
With over 30 years of experience researching, reviewing, and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible health care research and information company. Our mission is to help people find the best health care by connecting patients with best-in-class health care providers. Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process… Continue reading Top Doctors 2025
It doesn’t matter the time of day, what you’re craving, if you’re wrestling a toddler in the crook of your arm or if you’re on a Shawnee brew crawl from Friction Beer to Servaes Brew Co.—the town’s newest restaurant Hank’s Garage and Grill is probably for you. There’s a lot to love at this neighborhood… Continue reading With hot dogs, spam fries and cornhole, Hank’s Garage & Grill is here for a good time, and probably a long time
Openings Char Bar (200 W. Sante Fe St., Olathe, KS, charbarbbq.com) Char Bar isn’t just opening another restaurant in downtown Olathe. It’s also opening a pickleball complex. The Southern-style barbecue joint is renovating a former firehouse and turning it into an over 26,000 square-foot entertainment destination. In addition to a restaurant, the Olathe site will… Continue reading Small Bites: Openings, Closings & Other Restaurant News
Jeweler and textile artist Paulina Otero grew up making jewelry with her mom. “It has always felt very familiar to me,” she says. But it was as a fiber arts student at the Kansas City Art Institute that Otero began experimenting with unconventional materials to craft jewelry as a way to upcycle. In 2020, she… Continue reading Mesoamerican Motifs
The inaugural “river goal” kicked out of CPKC Stadium last summer by Kansas City Current superstar Temwa Chawinga marked a new type of interaction between the metro and the country’s longest waterway. The same day that Chawinga kicked the soccer ball out of the stadium and into the river, the Kansas Department of Health and… Continue reading Kansas City-area residents want to get closer to the Missouri River as a place to live, work and play. But are its extremes too unpredictable?
Despite Vietnam being the second largest exporter of coffee, Vietnamese coffee houses only recently gaining traction in the U.S., and they’re quite rare here in KC. In fact, there are currently just two. The first, the beloved Cafe Cà Phê in the River Market, opened in 2022 and quickly became a KC coffee scene mainstay.… Continue reading Coffee Culture
A trip to visit friends competing in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in the early 2000s convinced a team of Olathe metal fabricators that they could build a better smoker that would make the process easier, more precise and more versatile. So that’s what they set out to do. Led by Mark Hillman,… Continue reading American Barbecue Systems builds the best-performing smokers
There’s a lot to explore at the World Fresh Market, a locally owned Overland Park grocer filled with products from across the globe. It’s worth visiting just to cruise the aisles brimming with imported goods, many of which are not available anywhere else in KC, like Tao Qi’s social media sensation, peach ice cream pops.… Continue reading Peachy Keen
In a city that’s referred to as a “cow town” and sports no shortage of bar and grill chains, it may be difficult to view KC as a bustling cultural hub, but Ethnic Enrichment Commission Chair Andrea Khan couldn’t disagree more. “The world is here in Kansas City,” says Khan. A lot of people just… Continue reading Ethnic Enrichment Commission Chair Andrea Khan says the nonprofit is “one of the best-kept secrets in Kansas City,” but she doesn’t want it to stay that way
Dan Meers is an unassuming gent from St. Charles, Missouri. He has a wife, three kids and two grandkids. He has a quiet kind of charm, one of those folksy wisdom types of fellows. But something in him—maybe boredom, maybe the itch for something strange—led him to a world of wearing big furry suits and… Continue reading Dan Meers’ KC Wolf era comes to an end
As we get deeper into August – we’re hitting the dog days of summer—the hottest stretch of the year. Often temperatures are inching towards double digits, and the heat may have you itching to stay home, but your four-legged friend probably wants to get out and celebrate their namesake season. Fortunately (for your dog), there… Continue reading Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer in KC
Here are ten things to do in KC this weekend, August 7—10 including Cyndi Lauper, Frozen The Musical and Heart of America Hot Dog Festival.
When Carlos Mortera started his catering business last year, he was looking to wind down from the chaotic and arduous lifestyle that comes with being a restaurant owner. He closed his KCK restaurant Poio Mexican BBQ in 2023, hoping to spend more time with his family. Little did he know, this pivot would provide him… Continue reading Chef Carlos Mortera Reflects On Lassoing The Catering Event Of The Year: Apple TV’s Ted Lasso Show
In the small town of Lucas, Kansas, there sits a house that even the sculptor called “the most unique home for anyone living or dead in the state of Kansas.” With three-story concrete sculptures surrounding a cabin home, Samuel Perry Dinsmoor, who passed away in 1932, left a lasting legacy in his art and house,… Continue reading How one Kansas man created his very own Garden of Eden
Openings Imo’s Pizza & Feng Cha Boba Tea (Metro North Crossing at 169 Hwy & Barry Road) Metro North Crossing has announced that Imo’s Pizza and Feng Cha Boba Tea will both open this fall in the 106-acre mixed use development. The new Imo’s (8502 N. Jefferson St.) is the third of the franchise. It… Continue reading Small Bites: Openings, Closings & Other Restaurant News
Fan Fare Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice announced a partnership with Blind Box BBQ (13214 W. 62nd Terrace, Shawnee). “Blind Box BBQ is my go-to spot in KC,” says Rice. “Their food is fire, and the vibe feels like home. I respect what they’ve built and how they show up for the city.… Continue reading What’s new in Kansas City food and drink: August 2025
Skyline Showings: An open-air rooftop movie theaterjust opened in KC Rooftop Cinema Club has officially arrived. Located at the corner of Broadway and 21st Street, the open-air movie theater—known for its skyline views in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, London and more—opened its Crossroads’ locale in July. “The idea is to revitalize the movie… Continue reading The best things to do this month in KC: August 2025
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is leading the revitalization efforts in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. “This is the perfect time for us, as I like to say, to dream out loud, to think about what this organization can continue to aspire to be” says Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball… Continue reading Time to Dream Big
The elderly elite of Kansas City share their life journeys, what motivated them along the way, the lucky breaks and tough times, and advice for staying active and relevant in their later years. Written by David HodesInterviewed by David M. Block, David Hodes and Pete Mundo Myron Wang Birth date: August 18, 1933, Age: 91… Continue reading 9 Over 90: Myron Wang
After a few years on the down-low, actor-producer-writer Dane Cook has stepped back into the limelight as both a standup comedian and serious actor. He currently stars as Derek, a struggling actor and waiter, in the locally shot and produced film, the comedy thriller “Boris is Dead,” slated for release in the fall. And he’ll… Continue reading Dane Cook: The (Kansas City) Sequel
