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Good Morning, Joplin. Did you know that the Soviet Union was so dominant in the Olympics that if you sum all medals ever earned (summer and winter), it still ranks second even though it hasn’t competed since 1988? You already know who owns first 🇺🇸 

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Four States Finest

• Joplin Community Resource Guide for Youth

• Dress to Impress

• New indoor golf lounge

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who hasn’t yet entered Mutt Madness (unless you’re afraid their dog is cuter than yours).

SPONSORED BY GAMBINO’S PIZZA

🍕 Customer Appreciation Weekend

Gambino’s Pizza in Carl Junction is rolling out one of their biggest promos of the year with a Customer Appreciation Weekend packed with major pizza savings. Starting Thursday, enjoy 30% off large pizzas, 35% off on Friday, and a massive 50% off all large pizzas on Saturday and Sunday. It’s their way of saying thank you to the community that continues to support local.

Use code THANKYOU when ordering. Ordering online is recommended due to high demand.

📍 Carl Junction | 📞 (417) 649-7979
🔗 www.GambinosPizza.com

🎤 Storyteller Showcase: Song Wrapped in Story

Saturday, February 21 | 7:00–8:30 PM | Zinc Coffee, 1825 S Main St, Joplin
🎟️ FREE to attend

Experience live music in its most personal form at this intimate songwriter showcase presented by Club 1201, Zinc Coffee, and Palen Music. Each artist shares not just their songs—but the stories, inspiration, and meaning behind them.

Featuring a rotating lineup of regional talent including Trevor C. Smith (host), Caleb Miller (Vagabond Grove), Eric & Erica French, and Zane Grimes.

Expect a cozy, acoustic-style evening filled with heart, creativity, and community connection—perfect for music lovers who enjoy the story as much as the song.

🏆 Four States Finest Voting Now Open

The 2026 Four States Finest Viewer Choice Awards are officially underway, giving the community a chance to support their favorite local businesses, organizations, and favorites across the region. The top three nominees in each category (plus a fourth in the event of a tie) have advanced to the final voting round, and now it’s up to the public to decide the winners. Voting is open February 5 through February 22, 2026, so be sure to cast your votes and show some love to the local standouts that make the Four States area shine. Click here to vote!

💻 Joplin JAG Students Launch Website to Help Homeless Youth Find Resources

Students in Joplin’s Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program have created a new website designed to connect homeless youth with local resources after realizing how difficult that information was to find. The student-led project brings together listings from city leaders and local nonprofits into one easy-to-use hub, with details on services, eligibility, and transportation options—one of the biggest barriers they identified. Completed as a volunteer community service effort, the site aims to close information gaps and make it easier for vulnerable youth in Joplin to access support, housing help, and essential services when they need it most. Check out the site here.

👔 Volunteers Needed for MSSU’s “Dress to Impress”

Set-Up: Feb. 23–24 | Event Day: Wednesday, February 25 | Billingsly Student Center, Connor Ballroom

Missouri Southern State University is looking for volunteers to help with its annual Dress to Impress event, which provides free professional clothing to students preparing for career fairs and job opportunities. Volunteers are needed to sort and organize donated clothing on Monday and Tuesday, and again on Wednesday, February 25 to assist with setup, personal shopping, and mentoring students on workplace attire. Donations of gently used professional clothing, shoes, jewelry, and financial contributions are also being accepted through February 23 at Career Services in Hearnes Hall, Room 308.

🐶 Mutt Madness Update: Spots Still Open!

The bracket is filling up, but Mutt Madness still has spots available for this year’s competition. We’re only accepting 64 total dogs, with one entry per person and entries locked in on a first-come, first-served basis. We’ve already had some adorable pups enter (see above 👀), which begs the question… do you think your dog is cuter than these? It’s completely free to sign up, and once the bracket is full, registration closes—so don’t wait. Click below and get your pup in the running for Joplin’s cutest dog.

⛳ Grand Opening: The Green Standard Golf Lounge

Friday, February 20 | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | 410 E. 7th St., Ste D

Swing by for the Grand Opening of The Green Standard Golf Lounge, Joplin’s newest indoor golf destination, kicking off with a ribbon cutting alongside the Chamber of Commerce at 11:00 AM. Guests can enjoy free golf all day, plus food, giveaways, and prizes while exploring the new space and simulators. It’s an all-day celebration designed for golfers, beginners, and anyone curious to check out a fresh addition to downtown’s entertainment scene.

Friday: 🌡️ 25 | 45 ☀️

Saturday: 🌡️ 29 | 44 ☀️

Sunday: 🌡️ 24 | 42 ☀️ 

Recap:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (15-10)
Thursday 2/19 at HOME vs Fort Hays State University | W 64-60

🏀 Women’s Basketball (18-7)
Thursday 2/19 at HOME vs Fort Hays State University | W 78-67

⛳️ Men’s Golf
Monday 2/16 and Tuesday 2/17 at Men’s Rattler Invitational | Recap | Final Results

Upcoming:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (15-10)
Saturday 2/21 at HOME vs University of Nebraska at Kearney | 3:30 PM

🏀 Women’s Basketball (18-7)
Saturday 2/21 at HOME vs University of Nebraska at Kearney | 1:30 PM

⚾️ Baseball (4-5)
Friday 2/20 at Rogers State University | 2:00 PM
Saturday 2/21 at Rogers State University | 2:00 PM
Sunday 2/22 at Rogers State University | 1:00 PM

🥎 Softball (15-1) MIAA/GLVC Crossover @ Joplin High School
Friday 2/20 at Joplin HS vs University of Missouri - St. Louis | 3:00 PM
Friday 2/20 at Joplin HS vs University of Missouri - St. Louis | 5:00 PM
Saturday 2/21 at Joplin HS vs McKendree University | 1:00 PM
Saturday 2/21 at Joplin HS vs McKendree University | 3:00 PM

👟 Men’s and Women’s Track & Field @ Arkansas Qualifier
Friday 2/20 and Saturday 2/21 at Fayetteville, AR

Saturday

🧠 Boys & Girls Club Trivia Night: Gather your team and head to the BGC Gym for a fun night of trivia, friendly competition, and community support, with doors at 6:30 PM and games starting at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person (up to 8 per team), and guests can enjoy a nacho bar, drinks for purchase, raffles, and a lively atmosphere benefiting a great local cause.

🎶 Matt Mason Live at Buffalo Run: Country artist Matt Mason takes the stage at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort at 8:00 PM, bringing his authentic heartland sound and Nashville-honed storytelling to the Peoria Showplace. Doors open at 7:00 PM, with tickets starting around $13, making it an easy night out for fans of classic and modern country.

🛍️ Handmade & Vintage Market (Indoor Swap Meet): Browse a wide mix of vintage finds, handmade crafts, and unique goods from local vendors at Carthage Memorial Hall, with free admission from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This winter market runs November through March and is a great way to shop local, connect with the community, and discover one-of-a-kind treasures indoors.

🧠 Trivia Night at Joplin Greenhouse: Trivia is back with doors opening at 5:00 PM and games kicking off at 5:30 PM at Joplin Greenhouse & The Coffee Shop. Expect drinks, treats, friendly competition, and prizes for the top teams in a cozy, community-focused setting.

Sunday

🎨 Paint & Sip: Moonlight Margarita: Enjoy a relaxing and creative afternoon at Christine’s Vineyard from 1:00–3:00 PM as you paint a “Moonlight Margarita” design with all supplies included. Sip your favorite drinks (available for purchase), bring your friends, and enjoy a beginner-friendly art experience in a cozy vineyard setting.

Monday

🐍 New Year, No Fear: Join Wildcat Glades for an educational presentation that explores common myths about snakes and their important role in the ecosystem, led by conservationist and snake enthusiast Cameron Kruse. Best suited for ages 15 and up, this thoughtful talk aims to replace fear with understanding through science, discussion, and real ecological insight.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

Robbi Bell
HoneyPop’s Bar & Grill | 5:00 PM

Drew Baxter
Beard Engine Brewing Co | 6:30 PM

Low Compatibility
Gusano’s | 7:00 PM

Big Smitty
Bricks & Brews | 7:00 PM

Lyal Strickland
Osage Spring | 8:00 PM

Left of Center
HoneyPop’s Bar & Grill | 8:00 PM

Incognito
Kansas Crossing Casino | 8:00 PM

Mix Tape 918
Downstream Casino | 8:30 PM

Red Letters
Indigo Sky Casino | 9:00 PM

Basset Hound
Blackthorn Pizza & Pub | 10:00 PM

Saturday

Grace & Gravy
Joplin Empire Market | 10:00 AM

The Forget-Me-Nots
Joplin Empire Market | 12:00 PM

Steel Horizon
Keltoi Winery | 6:00 PM

Wilkie Jay
Gravy’s Place | 7:00 PM

Analog Frogs
Bricks & Brews | 7:00 PM

Chris Bassett
The Living Room | 8:00 PM

The Blue Underground
Osage Spring | 8:00 PM

Red Letters
Downstream Casino | 8:30 PM

Sound the Alarm
Indigo Sky Casino | 9:00 PM

Here, Now and Lemonade Crush
Blackthorn Pizza & Pub | 10:00 PM

Sunday

Zane Grimes Band
Rumors Cocktail Lounge | 2:00 PM

We’d love to hear your feedback! Reply to this newsletter or take the poll to let us know how we’re doing!