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Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Oh My!

The KC Zoo is upgrading its giraffe complex. Plus: Christmas at Crown Center, finalists for the Nelson-Atkins redesign, and Chiefs popularity.

Together With

This holiday season, head to Crown Center to create new traditions and relive cherished moments. From Santa’s Gingerbread Station to the new Hallmark Christmas Experience, there are endless ways to make everlasting Christmas memories at Crown Center. 🎅🏻 Plan your visit today! 

Development

Kansas City Zoo Announces Plans for New Giraffe Complex

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium announced a new giraffe complex coming to the zoo in May of 2026.

  • New “Spot”: The new project for our long-necked friends will update the 30-year-old Africa section. The complex promises to be better for guests, enhancing the feeding and viewing experience, and for the giraffes, who will have a more natural environment and easier access between indoor and outdoor spaces.

  • Tall Task: TESSERE is designing the complex, which will be built by JE Dunn Construction and its trade partners. Upgrades will also include ADA-accessible restrooms, a mother’s room, toddler seats, and a new concession area within the Africa Section.

The zoo has a $10 million fundraising goal. Find out how you can contribute to the new giraffe complex HERE. 

The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Returns to Crown Center! 🎄

Crown Center

Illuminate your holiday season with the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting event on November 29th at 6:30 pm.

  • All of the Lights: See Crown Center Square sparkle with an all-new lighting event that’s too good to miss! As a part of the new Hallmark Christmas Experience, join Mayor Quinton Lucas and Hallmark Stars for a night filled with fireworks and festive fun! 

  • Local Ornaments: Then, pick up the 2024 Mayor’s Christmas Tree ornament when it goes on sale November 29th for $18.95 (plus tax)! Made in Kansas City from the wood of the 2023 Mayor’s Christmas Tree, all proceeds benefit Kansas Citians in need to ensure a merrier holiday and Christmas season.

Learn more about the 2024 Ornament HERE. 🎅

Arts and Culture

Nelson-Atkins Names Finalists for International Design Competition

KC Daily

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art officially announced the shortlist of finalists for its upcoming international design competition. After 182 teams entered the competition to lead the $170 million redesign, these six were named to the shortlist:

An Architectural Finalists Showcase is scheduled for December 12th and is open to the public. Tickets can be found HERE. 

Sports

Chiefs Dominate NFL Viewership Statistics

Kansas City Chiefs/IG

This may not come as a surprise to anyone in Kansas City, but people really love watching the Kansas City Chiefs.

  • Dominate the Field: The NFL released viewership statistics last week, showing an average of 17.5 million viewers tuning into games, the highest since 2015. Of the five most-watched games this season (through week 11), the Chiefs have played in four of them.

  • Dominate The TV: The Chiefs vs. Bills game on November 17th was the highest-viewed regular season game since 2007 (excluding Christmas and Thanksgiving day games). 31.2 million people tuned in to watch the Bills hand the Chiefs their first loss of the 2024 season.

Fun fact: the most-watched NFL game in history was Super Bowl LVIII which featured, you guessed it, the Kansas City Chiefs.

KC Daily Picks

In Other News…

  • 🪐 Stars at Comicon: Planet Comicon Kansas City announced a star-studded lineup for the event, which will take place March 21-23. Guests include Mario Lopez (Saved By The Bell) and Tori Spelling (Beverly Hills 90210).

  • 📺 Locals on Stage: Heidi Gardner is once again putting her hometown on the map with her new HBO Max show Second Chance Stage. The show is executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines and was filmed at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City.

  • 🛫 Across the Pond: Leaders at the Kansas City International Airport say a transatlantic flight is still in the works. KCI had a direct flight to Iceland in 2018, but that route ceased in 2019.

  • 👷 Bridge Builders: Kansas City leaders announced two local construction companies will build the $217.2 million South Loop Project over I-670: JE Dunn Construction and Clarkson Construction Co.

  • 🎓 Google Gives: Kansas City Public Schools were selected for a $120,000 partnership with Google to boost KCPS’ STEM programs. Google will also be building a $1 billion data center in Kansas City’s Northland.

  • 🎁 Gift of Growth: The holidays are coming, so let us help you reach new customers in Kansas City before they get here! Learn about our sponsorship opportunities to showcase your business or event with 20,631 (and counting) readers every weekday morning.

Meme Monday

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