Kansas City Thursday Link Dump: Christmas Countdown Starts

Yes, we've been a bit preoccupied but we're planning something fun for the holidays that needs a bit of work. Still, we want to keep our blog community up-to-date and, very much like our favorite iconic image of classic hottie Jenny, this link list is worth a peek given our love for pop culture, community news and top headlines.

Check-it . . .

Time Of The Season . . . 

The mayor's larger than life Christmas tree has officially arrived in Kansas City

Merry Christmas Kansas City, from Oregon. Specifically, Sweet Home, Oregon. Crown Center is the new home for a 100-foot-tall Douglas fir tree. A yearly tradition known as the mayor's Christmas tree.A focal point of the Christmas season in KC is the mayor's Christmas tree.

Bureaucrat Seyz Bye-Bye

Kansas City Land Bank chair departs amid oversight failures

The Kansas City Land Bank board of directors will vote to approve a replacement for interim chair Julie Anderson this week.

Kansas City COVID Cash Shift

Kansas City nonprofits adapt to fundraising during a pandemic

Two Kansas City area nonprofits, Head for the Cure and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, had to adapt their fundraising strategies when the pandemic hit. Now, the nonprofits are moving forward with their first in-person events in over 18 months, but they will still offer virtual options.

Golden Ghetto Head Check Coming Soon . . . 

Shawnee considering proposal for new mental health center

by: Sydnie Holzfaster Posted: / Updated: SHAWNEE, Kan. - New development could bring additional mental health services to Shawnee. On Monday, the Shawnee Planning Commission hosted a public hearing to get feedback on a project that could redevelop 105 acres of land into an outpatient mental health treatment center.

Search For Justice Cont'd

KMBC 9 Investigates: 30 years later, daughter searches for answers about father's death

Tanya Clemens-Holdsworth visits her father's gravesite at the Pleasant Ridge cemetery often.

Kansas City Feeding Time 

Two Americas: Urban farmer aims to find solutions to food deserts

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An urban farm in Kansas City, Missouri, is working to provide fresh and healthy food to people who don't have access to a grocery store. La'Trice Murray also known as "Black Farmer Jane," converted a small portion of land outside her home into an urban farm during the pandemic.

Golden Ghetto Election Postscript

Johnson County school board election results show intense partisan divide

OVERLAND PARK, KS (KCTV) -- Hot-button national debates about masks and racial equity figured into a lot of votes for school board candidates in Johnson County. Voter turnout for Tuesday's local elections there was higher than usual. As of Wednesday evening, there were more than 110,000 ballots counted.

Classic Hottie Redux

The Masked Singer's Jenny McCarthy thrills fans with brutally honest before-and-after makeover

Jenny McCarthy went the extra mile on Thursday to prove to fans it's not easy looking as great as she does. panelist, 48, loves switching up her appearance and always manages to look amazing on the show, but she wanted her social media followers to see exactly how it's done.

Progressives Share Regret

This Democrat thinks Joe Biden fundamentally misunderstood his mandate

There's been a lot of grumbling and finger-pointing among Democrats in the wake of the loss of the Virginia governor's race and a razor-thin win in New Jersey's gubernatorial contest.

MAGA Moves Contested

Judge seems skeptical of Trump request to block House committee from Jan. 6 documents

WASHINGTON- A federal judge appeared unwilling Thursday to block the release of scores of White House documents from the National Archives sought by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Former President Donald Trump sued the committee and the National Archives, seeking to stop the process of handing over documents.

DON'T DISCOUNT REPUBLICAN PUSH BACK!!!

New Jersey truck driver Edward Durr defeats state Senate president, longtime Dem

The Associated Press has officially called a state Senate race in southern in favor of Republican candidate and commercial truck driver Edward Durr, who spent only $153 on his primary campaign. Durr took the election over the longest-serving legislative leader in state history and current New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat.

McCruelty Sparks Controversy

Outrage as McDonald's CEO appears to blame parents of slain Chicago children

McDonald's chief executive, Chris Kempczinski, has sparked outrage after the emergence of a text exchange with the Chicago mayor, Lori Lightfoot, in which he appears to blame two Chicago parents whose children were fatally shot. In the newly publicized texts between Kempczinski and Lightfoot from April, Kempczinski blamed the parents of 13-year-old Adam Toledo and seven-year-old Jaslyn Adams for their deaths.

WHO Seyz COVID Restarting?!?

WHO warns that Europe is once again at the epicenter of the Covid pandemic

LONDON - Europe is facing a worrying resurgence in Covid-19 cases, according to the WHO's Dr. Hans Kluge, who warned that the region was once again "at the epicenter of the pandemic." Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, which comprises 53 countries across Europe and central Asia, said the number of new daily cases was nearing record levels.

Hottie Shares Deadly Hindsight

Angelina Jolie comments on Alec Baldwin shooting incident: 'There are certain procedures'

Angelina Jolie spoke out about the recent accidental shooting involving Alec Baldwin that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The " Eternals" actress has worked with guns on many different movies, including the "Tomb Raider" franchise as well as "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

Epic Spud Found Down Under

A potato the size of a small dog is found in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Colin and Donna Craig-Brown were weeding their garden in New Zealand when Colin's hoe struck something huge just beneath the soil's surface. As the couple knelt down and began digging around the object, Colin wondered if it was some kind of strange fungal growth, a giant puffball.

Broken Hip Season Begins

Crown Center Ice Terrace set to open to public for 49th season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Crown Center Ice Terrace will open to the public on Friday, November 5, for their 49th season. To celebrate the start of the season, a free skate session will be available on Friday morning from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Skaters will also receive complimentary hot chocolate and coffee.

Doggie Style In Abundance

Wayside Waifs takes in dogs from Iowa breeding facility

Wayside Waifs took in 46 dogs and puppies Tuesday from an Iowa breeding facility that was shut down. So far, the shelter has taken in more than 80 animals with dozens more expected. Shelter staff said that the facility had more than 500 dogs living in deplorable conditions.

Alcoholism For The Holidays

Boulevard Brewing Company plans holiday popup serving craft cocktails

by: Heidi Schmidt Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City staple is feeling festive as the holiday season begins. Boulevard Brewing Company announced plans to turn its Beer Hall and Rec Deck into a holiday popup called " Rec Deck the Halls. " The popup opens to the public Dec.

Hipsters Have Ideas

8 local gifts for anyone on your list this holiday season

Making a list and checking it over and over? Check out our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Katie's Forecast For Now . . . 

Cold Start To Thursday

Today: Frosty & Foggy Start then Mostly cloudy, cool and calm. Winds: South 5 mph. High 53.Friday: Partly cloudy Low 38/High 57. Breezy S 10-20 mph.Saturday: Sunny & Calm Low 43/High 65Sunday: Mostly Sunny, Breezy S 10-20 mph. Low 46/High 68 Today: Frosty & Foggy Start then Mostly cloudy, cool and calm.

Theme from Shaft Billboard #1 in 1971 is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.