Fall leaf and brush collection begins next week

The City of Kansas City, Missouri, reminds residents that its first curbside leaf and brush collection of the season begins Monday, Oct. 27. On their regularly designated trash pickup day, residents may place up to 20 bags or bundles of leaf and brush at the curb by 7 a.m.

Residents who live in the City's Central Zone will receive collection the weeks of Oct. 27 and Dec. 1. The Central Zone includes all residents who live between the Missouri River south to 63rd Street, not including residents who live east of the Blue Ridge Cutoff.

Residents who live in the City's South Zone will receive collection the weeks of Nov. 3 and Dec. 8. The South Zone includes all residents who live between 63rd Street south to the southern City limit, as well as all residents who live east of the Blue Ridge Cutoff.

Residents who live in the City's North Zone will receive collection the weeks of Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. The North Zone includes all residents who live between the Missouri River north to the City's northern city limit.

Please follow the collection rules:
• Sacks and bundles must not weigh more than 40 pounds each.
• Use only paper lawn debris sacks. No plastic bags.
• If you seal sacks, use masking tape only; do not use plastic or duct tape.
• No grass clippings. No trash.
• All branches must be bundled. Branches must not be more than 3 inches in diameter, and bundles of branches must not be more than 2 by 4 feet.
• Use twine or jute rope to tie bundles; do not use wire or plastic tape.
• If wet weather is forecast, cover sacks/bundles with clear plastic.

Residents may also use the City's three leaf and brush drop-off sites, which are located at 11660 N. Main St., 1815 N. Chouteau Trafficway and 10301 Raytown Road. All three sites are open and free for residents to use on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, residents may drop off leaf and brush at the Chouteau and Cookingham sites on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a small fee.

In addition to dropping off leaves and brush, residents may also pick up mulch at the drop-off sites. Residents may pick up first ground mulch for free at any of the sites, or they may purchase natural darkwood, red and brown mulch and natural compost from the Chouteau and Cookingham sites for a discounted fee.

For more information about the curbside leaf and brush collections, please visit https://www.kcwaterservices.org/leaf-brush/. For more information about trash, recycling and solid waste collections, visit www.kcmo.gov/trash or call the 311 Call Center at 816-513-1313 or 311.

City urges residents to show Kansas City pride

One of the largest marathons in Missouri will become a river of blue this Saturday, Oct. 18, as organizers of the Kansas City Marathon and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, urge runners and observers to wear Royals-blue gear to cheer the team as it advances to the World Series.

When the race kicks off at 7 a.m. at Washington Square Park near Crown Center, the crowd is encouraged to chant "Let's go, Royals!" to match the message at Kauffman Stadium next week when the home team faces the San Francisco Giants.

Additional ways to show Kansas City pride include:
• Enter the City's contest for creative decorations combining Kansas City icons and Royals pride. Post photos or videos on Twitter using #kctrueblue @kcmo, Facebook (Facebook.com/kcmogov) or Instagram at instagram.com/kcmogov. Prizes will be awarded in various categories.
• Stroll through downtown and enjoy the Royals banners that are going up around the area, courtesy of VisitKC.
• Visit eight major fountains flowing blue, thanks to the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department. Royals fans soon may be able to buy commemorative bottles of blue fountain water.
• Join the fun and light up your homes and businesses to glow blue like the City Hall and the top of the Kansas City Power & Light Building.
• Remember that everyone is an ambassador. As the world focuses attention on Kansas City, let people know how much we love sports and barbecue, and that we're also a city of art, music, technology and entrepreneurs.