Wednesday, December 20

Substance abuse recovery
A substance abuse recovery meeting will take place at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at New Beginning Apostolic Church. Contact Frederick Wilson (816-786-1981) for more information.

Hy-Vee and KCPD to give away holiday hams
On Wednesday, December 20, Hy-Vee and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department will partner to distribute 500 free hams to the area families. From 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., one ham per family will be handed out to the first 500 that come to East Patrol Division (2640 Prospect). There is no need to register in advance, and families do not need to provide any personal information to qualify.

Thursday, December 21

Youth R.I.S.E. McTeacher’s Night at McDonald’s
Youth R.I.S.E. will be holding a youth fundraiser in partnership with the McDonald’s at 5347 Independence Avenue on Thursday, December 21, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local students will be at the restaurant with a few other volunteers helping clean the dining area. A certain percentage of proceeds gained during that time will be donated to support Youth R.I.S.E kids so that they can play in a tournament scheduled in March in St. Louis (as long as their grades in school are up). Anyone interested in helping toward the cause is encouraged to get dinner at that McDonalds and say hi to the kids.

Mattie Rhodes Center health clinic
The Northeast location of the Mattie Rhodes Center (148 N. Topping) opens its evening health clinic, named La Clinica, every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. No appointments needed, but care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Suiting Up: Tailored Menswear in KC, 1900-2017

The Kansas City Museum at the Historic Garment District Museum (800 Broadway) has opened a new exhibit focusing on historical menswear. The Suiting Up: Tailored Menswear in Kansas City, 1900-2017 exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays until February 24. The exhibit explores the history and evolution of tailored menswear in Kansas City from the 20th century to the present, and highlights some of Kansas City’s gentlemen of style throughout the last century. The cost to view the special exhibit is $5.

Friday, December 22

Chair Fitness
The North-East Public Library Branch (6000 Wilson Rd.) will host a chair fitness class on Friday, December 22, beginning at 9:30 a.m. No matter what your limitations, you can still reap the physical, mental and emotional benefits of exercise. This class is designed to offer a total body workout. Cardio, strength and flexibility exercises are all performed from a seated position.

Saturday, December 23

Coat Drive and basketball games at Gregg/Klice
Head out to Gregg/Klice Community Center on Saturday, December 23 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for a winter clothing drive. In addition to coats, donations of hats, gloves, socks and toiletries will also be collected. The Director’s Cut barber shop will also provide free haircuts during the event. Basketball games will be played from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and participants must donate a coat to play. Each team must donate five coats. Spectators must bring a coat, socks or toiletries to enter. For more information, call 816-513-0651.

Downtown Dazzle
The dazzling light installation at Washington Square Park (Pershing Road and Grand Boulevard) was turned on after the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting in Crown Center on November 24. The lights will be on nightly through January 1, 2018, and Downtown Dazzle trolley rides will be held every Saturday through December 23, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Sunday, December 24

KCMO Libraries closed for the holidays
All Kansas City, Missouri public libraries will be closed on Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25 in recognition of the holidays. Additionally, KCMO community centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and will be closed on Christmas Day.

Monday, December 25

Merry Christmas!
The Northeast News will be closed on Monday, December 25 in recognition of Christmas Day. Publication of the paper will be pushed back one day as a result. Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 26

Cult Christmas at Central Library – Ghostbusters 2
Head out to the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library for some Cult Christmas Cinema on Tuesday, December 26, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. There are all sorts of holiday movies, celebrating the season with lessons about love, togetherness, and caring for one another. These are not those movies. Join the Central Library for screening of Ghostbusters 2.

Graphic Novel Book Club
Head out to the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library for story time on Tuesday, December 26, from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Join the library each Tuesday on the Children’s floor for stories, crafts and a lot of imagination. Graphic novel fans (ages 7-15) enjoy meeting up with each other to talk about books, as well as to get first hand illustrative instruction on how to create, design and illustrate your own comics. Parking is free.

Upcoming 

KCMO Community Centers to close on New Year’s
Kansas City community centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve), and will be closed all day on Monday, January 1 (New Year’s Day).