Kansas City Community Highlights: Holiday Events & Resources

Tonight we share nicer news links, info and community-focused stories from across the metro for late night denizens of the discourse, night owls, insomniacs & early birds.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to stop at Union Station for special event featuring the Kansas City Current this weekend

Take in the lights and sights of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train for one night only at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.The CP Holiday Train entertains thousands of people across North America every year, and works to raise money for area food banks.VIDEO ABOVE: See the train's stop in Wisconsin in 2019The CP Holiday Train will roll into Union Station at 6:45 p.m.

The Soul of Santa lights up 18th and Vine in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - One of the city's newer tree lightings lit up the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District Friday night. Tucker Lott doesn't sport a Santa hat or beard. He comes to the celebration sporting a red fedora and white silk scarf tucked into his dress coat.

This weekend only: Festive balloon wonderland inflates holiday spirit at 18th and Vine

More than 125,000 biodegradable balloons are lifting holiday spirits this weekend in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The Big Balloon Build - an international festival - is popping up Dec. 2-4 at the Gregg/Klice Community Center.

Christmas in the Park turns 35-here's how it came to be

The paved road of the Longview Lake Campground in southeast Kansas City welcomes visitors down a path of captivating animated light displays including enthusiastic elves, a jolly Santa Clause, his radiant reindeer, and much more.

Kansas City nonprofit sees uptick in utility requests, worries winter will intensify demand

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City nonprofit says it's worried that as temperatures continue to drop, people won't be able to pay off their utility bills. The Redemptorist Center is a nonprofit that helps low income, homeless and aging populations in Kansas City, Missouri.

Houseless warming center makes policy changes ahead of incoming winter

Photo courtesy of Unity Southeast "Will you be open tonight?" asks a woman desperate to establish any kind of routine in a houseless situation, which is utter chaos on the best of days, especially when it's below freezing. "No, sorry," a volunteer says. "The forecast says it will be in the mid-20s until later in the weekend.

Lenexa homeless shelter opens for winter season

A new homeless shelter in Johnson County is welcoming people in for the first time this season. For the 8th winter in a row, the beds at Project 1020 in Lenexa will be full with people in need of a warm place to stay. "I feel a relief today in a lot of ways.

Kansas City artist paints for Chiefs players as part of My Cause My Cleats Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Craig Greco garage is his office. "This all started with, kind of a hobby and I started by painting my sons room before he was born and the hobby has turned into very much a career," he said. "This is a blast, I love painting."

Prairie Village students help deliver Christmas to those in need

Hide Transcript Show Transcript PACKING HUNDREDS OF RED BAGS. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ALAN: THAT'S THE SCHOOL THEME THIS YEAR AT ST ANN IN PRAIRIE VILLAGE, DRIVING THAT POINT HOME, NEARLY 200 RED BAGS FULL OF HOLIDAY JOY. ONE PERSON WOULD GET THEM A STOCKING, ONE PERSON WOULD GET THEM A COAT.

Pending sale offers hope for neighbors on East 11th Street in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Neighbors on East 11th Street in Kansas City, Missouri are hoping that help is on the way in the form of a new owner of a property that's been an eyesore for nearly six months.

Operation Homefront makes home improvements, repairs for US Navy veteran in Kansas City

Operation Homefront and Home Depot teamed up Thursday to do home repairs for a United States Navy veteran."It's amazing what can be accomplished in a short period of time when you get a bunch of people," said Andrew Ormond, a community captain with Home Depot."This is definitely one of those moments that you will not forget," said homeowner and U.S.

New KC Scholars program helping combat underemployment, labor shortages

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Great Jobs KC, a new KC Scholars program, is helping connect adults living in the Kansas City area to better-paying jobs to elevate their lifestyle. "It is so important for adults to have stronger economic jobs, jobs that pay $45,000- $85,000, jobs that give opportunities for advancement, jobs that allow their families to have health care," said Earl Martin Phalen, KC Scholars CEO.

Mother-daughter duo carry on legacy of late husband and father through basketball at Blue Valley Northwest

Friday was an emotional return to the court for a family who has lost so much. Josh Dirks was a football coach at Olathe North when he died last November.

Main Street Theater's going "Borderline Crazy" for the holidays

In December, Belton's Main Street Theatre will not only be premiering a new version of a play, but will be having a special guest as well: the show's playwright. Borderline Crazies: Christmas Edition is a new version of Leo W.

Santa Visits NICU at AdventHealth in Shawnee Mission

Jessica Bridgewater Photography SOURCE: Jessica Bridgewater Photography AdventHealth in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, got some special holiday cheer on Wednesday. Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to spread holiday cheer to families.

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Paulie's Penguin Playground in Olathe to close on Christmas

OLATHE, Ks - Children explored every corner of Paulie's Penguin Playground Friday morning, searching for this year's new inflatables. "And [you] just see the pure joy," said Kaitlyn Arnold. "That's always the fun part." Twenty years of penguin fun will end in a few short weeks on Christmas night.

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