Wednesday, April 30, 2025

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Want to sponsor your business in JOMO Jive? Send your inquiry to [email protected]

Good Morning, Joplin. On this day in 1993, the World Wide Web was released into the public domain. That’s right — the thing that powers your TikToks, conspiracy theory videos, Googled symptoms, and yes, even this very newsletter — officially became everyone’s playground.

Fast forward 31 years, and here you are using that same web to find out where the best events, live music, and thrifted treasures are hiding in Joplin this weekend. Sir Tim Berners-Lee would be proud. Probably.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Mother Road Mayhem 2025

• First Thursday ArtWalk

• Rod Smith Golf Classic at MSSU

• Storm Clean-Up Help

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with Mayor Keenan Cortez.

It’s storm season. Know Where to Go. 🌪️ 

We don’t normally like to repeat content, but there were a lot of hits on this Monday. And with active storms the next few days, we thought it would be a good idea to show this again.

We’ve put together a full guide to every public storm shelter in Joplin — plus a few tips you might not know about shelter registration.

Stay safe, stay smart... and maybe bookmark this page or share with a friend before the next round of storms. 👀

SPONSORED BY THE FLANAGAN GROUP

The Flanagan Group has over 40 years of real estate experience, and has consistently been the top performing group in the Joplin area since 2016. Their group specializes in both residential and commercial property, and has a team dedicated to making every part of the transaction a success.

Creating lifelong relationships with their clientele is a priority, and they strive to achieve this through a business model of integrity, hard work, and keeping the clients best interest at the forefront of each and every deal. “We are thankful to live and work in such an amazing community.”

THE DIGEST

Mother Road Mayhem 2025🛻 

Start your engines, Joplin—Mother Road Mayhem 2025 is shifting into high gear at its massive new home: the old Route 66 Speedway (3980 W Birdsong Rd). With dozens of acres of space and custom upgrades underway, this year’s event promises more power, more space, and way more mayhem.

Here’s what to expect:

• 🔥 A massive burnout pad

• 🎤 A Saturday night concert (included with admission!)

• 🏁 Live DYNO testing by Blessed Performance

• 🏍️ Wild stunt bike shows

• 🎈 Hot air balloon rides

• 🍻 Adult beverages + food galore

• ⛺ On-site dry camping for RVs and tent campers

🎟️ Spectator Passes:

• $20 Friday or Sunday

• $25 Saturday

• $30 Weekend Pass (best deal)
  Kids 12 & under FREE!

Whether you roll up in a lifted truck, low-slung Jeep, or just want to take in the action—Mother Road Mayhem is the wildest automotive weekend on Route 66.

👉 Tickets, schedule, and golf cart rentals available now at motherroadmayhem.com

First Thursday ArtWalk 🧑‍🎨 

The 18th annual ArtWalk returns to downtown Joplin on Thursday, May 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM—and this month’s lineup is packed with fresh art, new locations, and local talent you won’t want to miss.

Here’s what’s on the stroll:

🖼️ Cornell Complex (212 W. 7th St.)
Explore PhotosSpiva 2025, the 49th Annual Photographic Competition, featuring just 105 images selected from over 833 entries. Don’t miss “Monochrome,” a sleek exhibit on black-and-white photography. Reception starts at 5:30.

☕ Joplin Avenue Coffee Co. (506 S. Joplin Ave.)
See vibrant Japanese ink paintings by Briea Bickford and photography by Todd Galloway. Enjoy a live DJ set and snacks while you browse.

📸 Ron Erwin and Thao Nguyen Photography (409 S. Main St.)
Showcasing stunning travel and international photo work from two nationally recognized artists.

🖌️ Urban Art Gallery (511 S. Main St.)
Browse “Convergent Symbolism,” a new show exploring surrealist and dreamlike work by artists Linda Teeter and George A. Teeter.

🎶 Club 609 (609 Main St.)
See works by Megan Dollar, whose visual art journey started just three years ago. Plus, enjoy cocktails, food, and downtown buzz.

🌟 Blacklist Ink (610 S. Main St.)
Check out macrame, resin art, and paintings by Morgan Smith, handmade home goods by Sienna Hope, and illustrations by Tiffany Taylor.

📍 Maps and more info: facebook.com/firstthursdayArtWalkjoplin

Rod Smith Golf Classic at MSSU ⛳️ 

Mark your calendars! The Rod Smith Golf Classic, presented by Crossland Construction, returns Friday, July 18 at Eagle Creek Golf Course—and it's kicking off a new era for Southernfest.

Instead of packing everything into one summer weekend, Southernfest is now evolving into a year-long series of events, designed to better engage Lion fans and supporters all year long. The Green and Gold Gala won't be held this summer, but MSSU promises even more chances to connect with coaches, student-athletes, and staff.

🏌️‍♂️ Here’s the quick rundown for the Rod Smith Golf Classic:

• 📍 Location: Eagle Creek Golf Course, Joplin

• 🕖 Driving range opens at 7:00 AM; shotgun start at 8:30 AM

• 🍽️ Lunch served after the round

💵 Pricing:

• Individual Golfer: $175

• Golf Team (4 players): $600

• Hole Sponsorship: $125

🏆 New this year: a Championship Flight—team scores counted without stroke deductions from on-course games!

Sponsorships are available now, and registration opens May 1.
For details or sponsorship info, email Markie McCoy at [email protected].

Dust off your clubs—it’s going to be a great day to support the Lions! 🦁

WEATHER

Wednesday: 🌡️ 60 | 69 ⛈️ 100%

Thursday: 🌡️ 59 | 74 🌧️ 75%

Friday: 🌡️ 53 | 69 ⛈️ 65%

Upcoming:

🥎 Softball (36-16)
5/1 vs Central Missouri (MIAA Championships) | 1:30 PM
Live Video | Live Stats

⚾️ Baseball (25-22)
5/1 at Northeastern State University | 6:00 PM
5/2 at Northeastern State University | 6:00 PM
5/3 at Northeastern State University | 2:00 PM

What’s Happening

Wednesday | April 30

✂️ Boomerangs Beauty Bar Ribbon Cutting | 10:00 AM
Location: Boomerangs Beauty Bar

🎨 Mini Makers | 10:15 AM
Location: Spiva Center for the Arts

🏍️ Cathouse Leather Bike Night | 6:30 PM
Location: Cathouse Leather

❓️ Trivia Night | 6:45 PM
Location: Chaos Brewing Company

Thursday | May 1

🥯 May Power Breakfast by CJACC | 7:30 AM
Location: Carl Junction Community Center

🏆️ Joplin Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony | 4:00 PM
Location: Frisco Station Lofts Lobby

Neosho Annual FFA Plant Sale | 4:00 PM
Location: Neosho School District Ag Center

😺 Paint a Pet Portrait | 6:30 PM
Location: Chaos Brewing Company

🎺 Concert Band Spring Concert | 7:30 PM
Location MSSU Taylor Auditorium

Friday | May 2

♨️ Morning Brew by JACC | 7:30 AM
Location: College View Manor

📚️ Carthage Public Library Ribbon Cutting | 10:30 AM
Location: Carthage Public Library

☕️ Brewed Two Eleven Grand Opening | 3:00 PM
Location: Main Street in Joplin

🎤 Josh Turner Spring Concert | 4:00 PM
Location: MSSU Fred G. Hughes Stadium

🪓 The Foundry Men’s Retreat | 6:00 PM
Location: Camp Childress

🐮 Cowtown Days 2025 | 6:00 PM
Location: Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce

🏎️ Friday Fun Drags | 7:00 PM
Location: MO-KAN Dragway

🖼️ Couples Paint - Galactic Love | 7:00 PM
Location: Create N Sip Studios

🎭️ Darci Lynne and Friends: Up Close & Personal | 7:30 PM
Location: Coleman Theatre