☕️ Freeman's Missing Time Capsule?

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Good Morning, Joplin. If your plans tomorrow include “maybe I should leave the house,” the Joplin Business Expo has you covered. It’s an easy way to check out local businesses, connect with community organizations, and see what’s happening in Joplin. Think of it as speed-dating for your community—minus the awkward eye contact. JOMO Jive will be there, so make sure to swing by and say hi!

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Downtown Joplin Alliance Volunteer Expo

• RMHC St. Patrick’s Day 5K

• Proposed Data Center Annexation

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who thinks of business expos as trick-or-treating for adults.

Get ready to cruise into a century on Route 66 at the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce's 33rd annual Business Expo, powered by EaglePicher at Downstream Casino Resort Pavilion, sponsored by Downstream Casino Resort and Zimmer Marketing. 

Join us on January 21! Business-to-business hours are 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, where your business card is your entry. Community hours are from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Come interact with over 100 local businesses! Five dollars for adults, kids five and under are free. Don't miss it!

🤝 Downtown Joplin Alliance Volunteer Expo Set for January 22 at Empire Market

Downtown Joplin Alliance will host its annual Volunteer Expo on Thursday, January 22, from 5:30–7:00 PM at the Empire Market (931 E 4th St.). The event is open to both current volunteers and anyone interested in getting involved with downtown Joplin but unsure where to start. Snacks and drinks will be provided, and the dress code is casual.

Attendees will learn about Downtown Joplin Alliance’s mission, the Main Street Method, and its four focus areas: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotions, and Organization. The evening will also include an overview of Empire Market programming and breakout tables where guests can explore volunteer opportunities such as Clean Team, Third Thursday, Downtown Restaurant Week, WineShare, Night Markets, Market Gardens, the Endangered Properties Program, and more.

🍀 Run for a Cause: RMHC St. Patrick’s Day 5K

Saturday, March 14 | 9:00 AM | Downtown Joplin

Lace up your lucky shoes and join Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States for its St. Patrick’s Day 5K, presented by TAMKO Building Products. This free, family-friendly event is all about community, movement, and supporting families with seriously ill children in our area.

There’s no registration fee to participate. Instead, runners and walkers are encouraged to make a donation to RMHC to support its mission of keeping families close during medical crises. Whether you’re a competitive runner, a casual jogger, or just in it for the fun and green gear, everyone is welcome. Volunteers are also needed for setup, cleanup, and cheering runners across the finish line.

Every step — and every dollar — makes a real impact, helping provide lodging and support for families when they need it most. Registration, donations, and volunteer sign-ups are available online.

🎨 Creative January at Spiva: Classes, Workshops & Community Craft Nights

Spiva Center for the Arts is kicking off the new year with a full slate of hands-on classes and welcoming creative spaces for kids, young adults, and adults alike. From guided art instruction and sensory-friendly classes to cozy fiber workshops and free community craft nights, January’s lineup offers plenty of ways to learn something new, get creative, and connect with others. Here’s what’s coming up at Spiva:

🎨 Creation Station with Emily Cole - January 20 | 4:00–5:15 PM
Elementary-aged artists (ages 6–11) explore new materials and techniques each week in this guided, hands-on art class. The January 20 session focuses on watercolor birch trees, using resist, texture effects, and layered painting to create a winter-inspired scene. Cost is $10; pre-registration required.

🖍️ Mini Makers: Saturday Edition - January 24 | 10:15–11:15 AM
Designed for ages 2–5, this playful class introduces young artists to sensory-friendly, process-focused art activities that build confidence and fine motor skills. This Saturday session repeats a weekday project and is ideal for families who can’t attend during the week. Cost is $10.

🌈 Creativity Unlimited - January 24 | 11:45 AM–12:45 PM
A calm, open-ended art class for neurodivergent young adults, Creativity Unlimited emphasizes self-expression, exploration, and creative freedom over finished results. Participants work at their own pace with supportive guidance. All supplies included; cost is $15.

🧶 Needle Felted Throw Pillows - January 24 | 1:00–4:30 PM
Learn the basics of needle felting while creating a custom decorative throw pillow in this beginner-friendly fiber workshop. Choose your colors and designs and leave with a cozy, handmade piece. Ages 10+, cost is $45, with limited spots available and pre-registration required.

✂️ Community Craft Night with WEFT - January 26 | 6:30–8:30 PM
This free, adults-only community craft night invites participants to collage mood boards and intentions onto a one-page 2026 calendar. Hosted in collaboration with New Rules Art Club, WEFT provides a relaxed, no-pressure creative space. All supplies included; RSVP required.

🏥 The Missing Freeman Time Capsule?

In February 1975 the cornerstone of the old Freeman Hospital on 20th and Sergeant was opened for the first time in 51 years by members of the Hospital Board. It was removed so that artifacts inside the stone could be placed in a time capsule at the new Freeman Hospital on 32nd Street.

A list of artifacts recovered from the Freeman Hospital’s cornerstone were…
Read the full article here.

🏗️ Joplin City Council Set to Vote on Proposed Data Center Annexation

Joplin City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to annex roughly 540 acres of land known as Wildwood Ranch, a move that could pave the way for a large data center development near West 20th Street and Central City Road. The proposal has sparked concern among some residents, who say they were caught off guard and want more transparency about the project and the developer involved.

While city officials have not commented publicly ahead of the vote, residents have raised questions about both the process and the type of development being considered, suggesting the area could be better suited for retail rather than industrial use. A special City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, at 5:00 PM, followed by a public hearing at 6:00 PM, where residents will have an opportunity to share feedback before a final decision is made.

Tuesday: 🌡️ 15 | 46 ☀️

Wednesday: 🌡️ 29 | 48 ☀️

Thursday: 🌡️ 26 | 48 ⛅️

Recap:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (9-8)
Saturday 1/17 at Rogers State University | L 68-55

🏀 Women’s Basketball (13-4)
Saturday 1/17 at Rogers State University | W 66-62

👟Men’s & Women’s Track & Field 
Friday 1/16 at Rust Buster @ Washburn University | See results

Upcoming:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (9-8)
Saturday 1/24 at Pittsburg State University | 3:30 PM

🏀 Women’s Basketball (13-4)
Saturday 1/24 at Pittsburg State University | 1:30 PM

👟Men’s & Women’s Track & Field 
Friday 1/23 at Rumble in the Jungle DII Challenge at Pittsburg State University
Saturday 1/24 at Bob Teel Invitational at Columbia, MO

Wednesday

☕ CrafTEA: A cozy midday craft meet-up inviting students and community members to bring a current project, sip tea, and relax together at the Spiva Library. This “New Year, New Project” gathering is an easy, low-key way to connect with fellow makers over lunch.

🔥 HUNKS The Show at Guitars Rock N’ Country: A high-energy, 21+ live entertainment show bringing the ultimate girls’ night out to Joplin with music, dancing, and big-stage performances. Grab your friends and enjoy an unforgettable night of fun, excitement, and crowd-favorite antics at Guitars Rock N’ Country.

🎶 Music Bingo at B&B Theatres: A free, all-ages music bingo night featuring songs from a wide variety of genres and decades. Play for prizes, enjoy food and drinks, and spend a relaxed evening with the community at B&B Theatres.

Thursday

🌮 Plant-Based Cooking Demo + Taco Dinner at Vino Noir: A relaxed evening featuring a plant-based taco dinner paired with an educational cooking talk on using soy curls as a protein alternative. Guests will enjoy a flavorful vegan meal while learning practical tips for incorporating plant-based ingredients into familiar dishes.

😂 Moms Unhinged Live at The Coleman Theatre: A wildly funny stand-up comedy show tackling motherhood, marriage, dating, and midlife chaos with a clean-ish, no-filter approach. Featuring a brand-new lineup of mom comedians, this 18+ night promises big laughs and a perfect girls’ night out in Miami, OK.

🖼️ Cragin Gallery Exhibition: Rupture: A solo exhibition by artist and cardiologist Dr. Nazanin Moghbeli exploring themes shaped by her experiences in medicine, migration, and personal history. The show runs January 19–February 13, with an artist talk and reception on January 22 at MSSU’s Cragin Art Gallery.

🖼️ Bill Stone: EVOLUTION at Urban Art Gallery: A solo January exhibition showcasing the work of longtime artist Bill Stone, whose creative journey spans drawing, sculpture, and acrylic painting. Join the community for the January 22 reception and help give this former New Yorker a warm Joplin welcome at Urban Art Gallery.

Friday

🍷 Bottled & Beautiful: A Wine Bottle Creation Night at Vino Noir: A relaxed, guided craft workshop where guests transform an empty wine bottle into a personalized piece of home décor. Perfect for a girls’ night or date night, this creative evening includes all supplies with optional add-ons and drinks available for purchase.

🦁 Lion Pride Luncheon: A mid-day gathering inviting the public to connect with MSSU Athletics through updates, coach and player Q&A, and community conversation. This January luncheon spotlights Men’s and Women’s Basketball and includes lunch at the Ron Richard Athletic Center for fans and supporters.

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