Beginning January 1, residents of Clay and Jackson counties began paying a one-eighth-cent sales tax to help fund the Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Drive, 816-513-5800). Though the measure got 64 percent approval, 100 percent of the residents in those counties now enjoy, over the next 10 years, a reduced zoo-admission price (down from $11.50 to $5), four free-admission days each calendar year, and the promised expansion of the Kansas City Zoological Park. The zoo is already stepping up its game with the construction of a tram spanning the African savannah and renovations to the tiger enclosure. Next on the zoo's to-do list: getting some penguins, the most waddly of flightless birds, which no proper zoo should be without. Do your part at the zoo's
Pancakes for Penguins, where $13 ($8 if you're a Friends of the Zoo member) gets you juice, Roasterie coffee, sausage and pancakes from Chris Cakes' super-speed pancake machine (featured on the Food Network). Zoo admission for the day is also included, so you can look at the new digs and the twin newborn golden lion tamarins. Pancakes for Penguins runs from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, see
kansascityzoo.org.
— April Fleming
816-871-5700
