☕️ SNOWMO Jive

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Good Morning, Joplin. After a tense week of wondering if we would get snow, how much we’d get, and whether Walmart would run out of milk, eggs, and bread, the first real snowstorm of this winter rolled through. And it did not disappoint. We’d like to extend a special thanks to all the snowplow crews for clearing up the roads this weekend. Without you, my Ford Fusion wouldn’t stand a chance.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Emergency blood needed

• Vendors wanted for Third Thursday

• Business of the Year nominations

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who helped you shovel your driveway.

🎭 The Barricade Boys – Broadway Party

Thursday, January 29 | 7:00 PM | Beshore Performance Hall, Cornell Complex
🎟️ Tickets: $50–$55 | 212 W 7th St, Joplin

Four stars from Les Misérables take center stage for a high-octane night of powerhouse vocals, West End stories, and Broadway hits you’ll know by heart. The Barricade Boys blend songs from Phantom, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, and more—plus swing, Motown, and pop classics—in one slick, unforgettable show.

💃 West End charisma
🎤 Broadway favorites
🎉 A musical party like no other

It’s not just a concert—it’s a celebration of everything you love about live performance. Grab your tickets now!

🩸 Urgent Blood Shortage Across the Ozarks — Local Donors Needed Now

Severe winter weather combined with a tough flu season has pushed the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) into a critical blood supply emergency. Right now, there’s less than a one-day supply of blood available to support local hospitals and patients across Southwest Missouri, Northwest Arkansas, and Southeast Kansas.

CBCO is the only non-profit blood provider for hospitals in the Ozarks, which means this shortage directly impacts patients in our own community — friends, family, and neighbors who may need blood for surgeries, cancer treatment, trauma care, or emergencies. Holiday schedules, widespread illness, and weather-related cancellations have all contributed to the shortage, and donors are urgently needed.

If you’re able, please consider donating blood as soon as possible. You can find a nearby donation center or mobile blood drive, check eligibility, and schedule an appointment at cbco.org/blood-supply-emergency or by calling 417-227-5006. Donating locally means saving lives locally — and right now, the need couldn’t be more urgent.

🍷 WineShare Pops Into Royale Cinema Lounge

Friday, February 6 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Royale Cinema Lounge (715 E Broadway)

Downtown Joplin Alliance’s First February WineShare heads to one of downtown’s most eclectic spots—Royale Cinema Lounge—for an evening of casual networking, good conversation, and a little cinematic flair. Guests are invited to bring a bottle of wine or favorite craft beer to share, enjoy free movie-theater popcorn straight from the popper, browse Royale’s unique video collection, enter giveaways, and stick around for a surprise movie in the retrofitted theater. If wine isn’t your thing all night, the bar will be open for purchases. WineShare is free, open to anyone 21+, and is designed to be an easy, welcoming way to meet people and explore downtown businesses. The 2026 WineShare season is presented by Sparklight Internet.

🎶 Vendors Wanted for Third Thursday’s 19th Season

Downtown Joplin Alliance is now accepting applications for vendors, musicians, and volunteers for the 19th season of Third Thursday, Joplin’s only recurring street festival and one of its largest community gatherings. Applications for food vendors, artisans, businesses, nonprofits, musicians, and volunteers are open on a rolling, month-by-month basis, with each event’s deadline falling on the first Monday of that month (March applications close March 2). Held every third Thursday from March through October, Third Thursday draws thousands to Main Street from 5:30–8:30 PM for live music, local art, food, and entertainment. This year’s presenting support is from JoplinRecycles.com. The event is free and family-friendly!

🌿 Wildcat Glades Unveils February Program Lineup

Wildcat Glades Nature Group has released its February 2026 schedule, offering a mix of hands-on learning, family-friendly fun, and educational programs designed to connect the community with nature. From preschool discovery to wildlife education and myth-busting talks, here’s what’s coming up this month at the Wildcat Glades Education Cottage:

• Preschool Connections: Pine Cone’s Secret - Ages 3–7 (with an adult)
  A story-driven preschool class where children explore how pine cones help forests grow, meet animal friends through an interactive tale, and create a pinecone craft to take home. Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 AM and Saturday, February 14 at 1:00 PM

• Nature Explorers: Clever Corvids — Discovering the World of Crows -Ages 7–14
  A lively, hands-on program all about crows, featuring fun facts about their intelligence and social behavior, interactive games like crow call challenges, and a creative crow-themed art project. Thursday, February 19 at 6:00 PM

• New Year, No Fear! Snake Perceptions - Ages 15+
  An educational evening focused on debunking common snake myths and explaining why snakes are vital to the ecosystem. Presenter Cameron Kruse will help attendees better understand—and maybe even appreciate—these often-misunderstood creatures. Monday, February 23 at 6:00 PM

🏆 Business of the Year Nominations Are Open

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with FORVIS, is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Business of the Year Awards—an annual honor recognizing outstanding businesses and nonprofits that help drive the local economy and strengthen the Joplin community. Awards will be presented at the Chamber’s annual banquet to three organizations: one business with 1–50 employees, one business with 51+ employees, and one nonprofit. Finalists will be evaluated on community impact, business philosophy, innovation, employee involvement, and how they’ve responded to challenges. Nominations must be submitted by Thursday, February 26, 2026. Click here for more information or to nominate a business.

🛎️ Online Auction House Announces Joplin Opening

According to a press release from Tri-State Auctions, the company has opened a new weekly, online-only consignment auction house in Joplin. The business says it will host new online auction catalogs each week, while offering local drop-off, viewing, and pickup at its West 10th Street location. Tri-State Auctions describes the model as a recurring alternative to one-time estate sales, allowing residents to consign items on an ongoing basis while bidders participate online. The company also states that items can be viewed nationally through its online platform while remaining available for local pickup. Tri-State Auctions says it is currently accepting consignments here.
Editor’s note: This information is based solely on a press release from Tri-State Auctions and has not been independently verified.

🚨 Correction & Clarification: Police and Fire Funding Proposition

What voters need to know about the April ballot

In a recent edition, we unintentionally created confusion around the Police and Fire funding proposition headed to the April ballot. We want to be clear and correct the record.

The Police and Fire proposition is not a tax increase.

Instead, it replaces an existing tax created by Proposition B once that tax completes its original purpose. One tax sunsets, and another takes its place—meaning the overall tax rate does not increase.

According to the Fraternal Order of Police Southwest Missouri Regional Lodge #27, the measure is designed to provide stable funding for competitive pay, recruitment, and retention for police officers and firefighters, resulting in increased public safety services without increasing taxes. See the agenda item here.

Tuesday: 🌡️ 17 | 31 ⛅️ 

Wednesday: 🌡️ 13 | 35 ☀️

Thursday: 🌡️ 20 | 33 ☁️ 

Recap:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (9-8)
Saturday 1/24 at Pittsburg State University | POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

🏀 Women’s Basketball (13-4)
Saturday 1/24 at Pittsburg State University | POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

👟Men’s & Women’s Track & Field 
Friday 1/23 at Rumble in the Jungle DII Challenge at Pittsburg State University | Results

Upcoming:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (9-8)
Thursday 1/29 at HOME vs University of Arkansas Fort Smith | 7:30 PM

🏀 Women’s Basketball (13-4)
Thursday 1/29 at HOME vs University of Arkansas Fort Smith | 5:30 PM

👟Men’s & Women’s Track & Field 
Friday 1/30 & Saturday 1/31 at Washburn Open in Topeka, KS

Thursday

🖼️ Galleries Open Late: An evening at the Cornell Complex with galleries open late for visitors to explore exhibitions at a relaxed pace. Make a night of it by strolling the second-floor galleries before Connect2Culture’s performance of The Barricade Boys – Broadway Party.

Friday

💃 Latin Night at Vino Noir: A laid-back Friday night filled with Latin music, easy movement, and a welcoming vibe for all experience levels. The evening starts with beginner-friendly dance lessons, then opens up to freestyle dancing—or relaxed people-watching with a drink in hand.

Saturday

💌 Valentine’s Boxes with Rachel: A creative kids’ workshop ensuring it’s never too early for Valentine’s Day fun by designing and decorating a personalized card box. With guided instruction, creative freedom, and themed options—from Mario and Sonic to puppies and rainbows—kids leave with a finished box ready for notes, cards, and treats.

🌱 Joplin Empire Market – National Seed Swap Day: A special market day celebrating gardening and community with a seed swap featuring native plants, pollinators, herbs, veggies, and fruits. Enjoy free seeds, gardening resources, local farmers and artisans, fresh coffee from Cottage Small Coffee Roasters, live music, and lunch in one of Joplin’s favorite gathering spots.

🍷 Bottled & Beautiful: A Wine Bottle Creation Workshop at Christine’s Vineyard: A relaxed, guided afternoon where guests transform an empty wine bottle into a unique piece of home décor. Perfect for a girls’ outing or creative date, this workshop offers a fun, hands-on way to unwind and make something beautiful.

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