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Seg. 1: Suburban Housing Woes| Seg. 2: Painting The Ozarks

Segment 1: Finding affordable housing in the suburbs can be a challenge.

Gladstone, Missouri, plays host this weekend to a summit aimed at exchanging ideas and solutions to affordable housing problems in first-ring suburbs. Cities around the country are attacking the issue proactively, and some of what they've learned could help ease things in the Kansas City region. 

Segment 2, beginning at 27:20: How the Ozarks influenced a Missouri native's world-famous art

Missouri-native artist Thomas Hart Benton painted murals of urban and rural landscapes and life. Many of his works portrayed an isolated life in the Ozarks, where he spent time hiking and in solitude. His works resonated with people so much that the Environmental Protection Agency created a film about a particular painting, "A Man and a River."

Steve Sitton will discuss works inspired by Thomas Hart Benton's experiences in the Ozarks at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 21 at the Kansas City Public Library's central location, 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Missouri 64105. RSVP at KCLibrary.org.

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
As culture editor, I help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.