Just days after Diane Sawyer served up a much needed grilling to Kansas City Mayor, Mark Funkhouser and his wife Gloria whats-her-face on Good Morning America--the morning show will be in Kansas City on 12/4 to show the sights of the KC holiday season.

It's no doubt they'll be showcasing our world famous Plaza Lights, Crown Center Ice Terrace, and who knows what else, but the spot promotes the unveilings of GMA's holiday decorated Time Square Studio Windows. Kansas City, Atlanta, and Denver were chosen as this years holiday window themes.

What's your favorite KC holiday tradition?

This is pretty much the best news I've heard all day...breaking first via TKC.

A little Black Friday stroll down to the Plaza today had us stuck in traffic right in front of the now closed Frondizi's (next to The Salon) on Main. If you recall, Frondizi's owner was unable to negotiate their lease with owner, American Century in 2007 and has been empty ever since.

The sign in the window announces that fave midtown spot, Cafe Trio will occupy it soon.

Frondizi's occupied one of our Top Kansas City Romantic Restaurants with their amazing atomosphere and great view of the Country Club Plaza's horse fountain.

No word of an opening date...

Kansas City, it's time to put on your shopping boots. Or at least, comfortable shoes. The busiest shopping day of the year happens to hit this Friday with sales, deals, and doorbusters galore. With people tightening their budgets more than ever this year, I have a feeling holiday shoppers will be out in full force looking for a deal.

Kansas City Black Friday Info:

• Zona Rosa --opens at Midnight and hands out $25 gift card to those 16 and older (with ID).
• Legends at Village West --Some stores open at Midnight, the rest 7am.
• Oak Park Mall --Penny's (4am), Macy's (5am), Dillard's (7am)
• Cabela's Opens at 6am

  See the entire list of Black Friday openings.
  Top 10 Places to Shop in Kansas City
  Kansas City Outlet Malls and Stores

With tough economic times and small budgets, local organizations are more desperate than ever to find volunteers for those in need. It doesn't cost a dime in most instances to volunteer, all you need to do is donate a little bit of your time and a warm spirit. So reach out to those in need this holiday season and give something back to your community.

Many local charities/organizations are in need this holiday season:

• Catholic Charities-numerous opportunities
• Crittenton Children's Center-adopt a family in need or organize their holiday party
• Care Alternatives Northland Hospice-stuff stockings and decorate for hospice patients.
• Rose Brooks Center for Domestic Violence- donate items or volunteer at their Ward Parkway Mall holiday shop.
• Salvation Army - metrowide opportunities

For info on these great Holiday Volunteer Opportunities, read our article.

Know of a great volunteering opportunity? Feel free to post in our comments or in our About KC Forum.

I'm sitting here this afternoon, trying to figure out the greatest gifts of the season for my loved ones. I'm on-line, I'm looking through cataloges, I'm looking at my favorite magazines.

Flipping through 'Real Simple's' list of the top gifts $50 and under, KC's very own Original Juan hot sauce takes up a whole page. I'm one step ahead of 'Real Simple'--I've listed them as one of my 'Top Things to Put in a KC Gift Basket'.

What's your Kansas City holiday gift item to give?

It promises to be super chilly this weekend, time to grab your winter gear and get out and about!

Top Picks for the Weekend:

• Nativities from Around the World at World's Window in Brookside
• Marillac Enchanted Forest and Holiday Model Train exhibit at Union Station
• Hall of Fame Weekend Events at the College Basketball Experience
• 'Seussical' at the Coterie

  For these and all other things big and small, read the KC Weekend Guide.

The Northland's newest resident, 'KC Star' columnist Jeneé Osterheldt, gives props to the Northland today and proves that living 'way up there' really isn't that far (15 minutes) and actually has it's perks.

Read it here....

I have to give props to my girls of the Park Hill graduating class of 1995. Three of them are named KC's Sexiest Singles 2008, one of the biggest charity events of the season that just so happens to help Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Rachel Hack (President of KC Ad Club and a million other things), Gina Edwards (CPA and Accountant Firm owner) and Holly Starr Eckley (model/TV personality extraordinaire) are the top picks for 2008's auction. Way to go ladies!

This year's auction dates are bigger and better than ever before, so head to the Uptown on December 5th at 7pm to bid on KC's Sexiest Singles...or just take part in the fun.

Tickets are $25 in advance midwestluxe.com or $35 at the door.

See KC's other Sexy Singles here.

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next Thursday and the Plaza Lights are about to turn on. For those of you who don't already know, the Plaza Lights are one of Kansas City's most favorite traditions and marks the official kick off of the holiday season. The famous ceremony, which began as 16 lights hung over a doorway, now includes over 80 miles of lights with 280,000 multi-colored bulbs outlining and illuminating the buildings and towers of Kansas City's famed Country Club Plaza.

2008 Plaza Lights
Ceremony Time: Show starts at 6pm, lights at 6:30.
Honorees: American Idol Winner David Cook will flip the switch.
Fireworks: Following the lights above the Intercontinental Hotel and Cheesecake Factory
Watch it on TV: OnKCTV Channel 5