Shawnee Magazine Spring 09

spring 2009

sHawnee People, places and style defined

magazine

An artist’s touch at Lake Quivira $3.00

Picturing black and white

Dodgeball: Girls’ throwing and guys’ out diabetes night out

Dear

Reader

Some could say Shawnee Magazine is going against all odds.

Katy

editor

spring 09

sHawnee People, places and style defined

magazine

Publisher/Art Director Darby Oppold

Editor Katy Ibsen

Copy Editor Susie Fagan

Advertising Sales Mary Hay (913) 631-1611

Manager Bert Hull

Designer Tamra Rolf

Ad Designers Shelly Kemph Tamra Rolf

Photographers Jason Dailey Tim Andersen

Contributing Writers Kim Antisdel Gloria Gale Bob Luder Vince Meserko Jaime Netzer Kimberly Stern Richelle Tremaine

Marketing Assistant Faryle Scott

_____________________

Subscriptions $20 (plus tax) for a one-year subscription to Shawnee Magazine.

For subscription information, please contact: Christopher J. Bell 609 New Hampshire St., P.O. Box 888 Lawrence, KS 66044 (800) 578-8748 | Fax (785) 843-1922 Or e-mail comments to shawneemagazine@sunflowerpub.com

_____________________

Shawnee Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of The World Company. www.sunflowerpub.com

sHawneemagazine

After all, you don’t need to be an insider to know that the print media industry is … well … faltering. Newspapers are downsizing, magazines are folding, advertisers are diminishing. And while there is light at the end of this economic-recession tunnel, the future of print media is yet to be determined.

But at Shawnee Magazine and Sunflower Publishing, we are optimistically moving forward. The release of our spring issue marks some exciting happenings for this publication, beyond of course the everinspiring and informative stories.

This issue kick-starts a joint effort with the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. A big supporter of the magazine since its inception, the chamber is helping us to offer a complimentary issue to all members; it’s a great way to further spread our timeless stories, business profiles and features.

In addition to greater readership of the magazine, we have launched an online version of the spring issue at our Sunflower Publishing website (www.sunflowerpub.com). Here you can share what you have read with others, or learn about our other magazines that are progressing across Kansas.

Aside from our latest efforts of promoting this valuable community publication, we give a nod to all those we’ve featured in the magazine.

They, in turn, are giving us acclaim on their own business sites. Ultimately, we grow together and appreciate their support.

Of course, our optimism comes with good reason: We keep company with other Shawnee residents who defy the odds this spring.

At the Operation WildLife receiving center in Shawnee, many helpless and frightened animals are retrieved and nursed back to health.

OWL Director Diane Johnson and her army of volunteers give these hardened animals a second chance day after day. In a similar vein, Shawnee’s Flamin’ Hotties aid in the recovery of friends, family and colleagues who are battling cancer. This following has exploded into a support network for those enduring this trying fight.

We take some time to talk with second-term Mayor Jeff Meyers.

He gives us some food for thought amid today’s tough budgets, weak economy and growing city in need of attention. Meanwhile, we get the inside scoop at the Dodge for a Cause dodgeball tournament in Shawnee.

Helping to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, participants recognize the importance surrounding the competition and, more importantly, the young children who know too much about odds as it is.

We also escape the gloom and doom with a look at the artistic and whimsical Lake Quivira home of Chip and Julie Wood. And with a showing of Mike McMullen’s original black and white photographs and his creative career, we discover that old actually can be new.

Some might say spring offers us a time to discard the grim outlooks and predicted great outcomes. So we are delighted that others in the community are teaming with us to do just that and tell stories that are at the heart of Shawnee.

Vol. 2 / No. 3

1

Departments Contents

2009

spring

shawnee living

Touchable and handcrafted, this lakeside retreat offers an escape from the ordinary

04

08

In Every Issue

01 Dear Reader 40 Q&A 48 best bets

Chef confidential

Scott Chang’s kitchen is the proving ground for his family’s restaurants

shawnee Businesses

Michelle Harris serves networking opportunities on a silver platter

18

Features

Artistic revival

What women want

Local profiles 28

32

36

On fire against cancer

The Flamin’ Hotties raise awareness, hope and love

Into the wild

Operation WildLife heals injured and orphaned animals

Life support

Moms help each other raise their families

health & fitness 38

Dodge for a cause

One local tournament continues to score for diabetes awareness and research

For the Family 42

A night on the town

Girls and guys can make the most of an evening out

45 shawnee chamber annual dinner

12

Housing worldly treasures

An interior designer’s home celebrates art and well-chosen decor

BY Kimberly Stern

22

Touch of gray

BY Vince Meserko

sHawneemagazine

46

Mike McMullen captures the power of black and white photography

2

get away

on the cover

Julie Wood’s sun-drenched porch is peppered with her artistic decor at her Lake Quivira home. {Photography by Jason Dailey} 04 an artistic touch at lake quivira 22 picturing black and white 38 dodge ball: throwing out diabetes 42 girls’ and guys’ night out

Weekend tour of Dublin

Experience a city rich with history and pubs

Shawnee

living

art house

story by

Gloria Gale

photography by

Jason Dailey

Artistic

revival

Touchable and handcrafted, this lakeside retreat offers an escape from the ordinary

sHawneemagazine

Sometimes you never know what’s over the next hill.

4

For Chip and Julie Wood, it proved to be more than they could have imagined

when they decided to drive around Lake Quivira more than 16 years ago.

“We’re not buying anything,” Chip firmly established as the family started

meandering up and down the community’s hilly terrain.

“Honestly, we weren’t expecting to stumble on this home,” Julie recalls.

“We had no intention of moving until we spotted a ‘for sale’ sign in front of an

intriguing stone house perched on a point high above the lake.”

Once Chip got out of the car to measure various rooms, Julie and their

three children realized they soon would be living in a 1940s cottage. She

remembers thinking, “It’s definitely charming, but in a very frumpy sort of way.”

Julie Wood used her playful and creative eye to decorate her family’s Lake Quivira home. As an artist, she wanted her home to be whimsical and inviting. Her living room reflects that.

Shawnee

living

Glancing around, Julie reflects now on her hilltop renovation. “Despite the dowdy interior, the house had good bones. Our inspiration was the home’s strong layout and great views.”

With her knack for design coupled with an artistic perspective, Julie envisioned the home’s transformation. “I’m a visual artist, so the house would, in a sense, become my canvas.”

Freshened with color

sHawneemagazine

Little by little over nearly two decades, the house has evolved under Chip’s steady hand and Julie’s creative eye.

6

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP left

An Old World theme blends with Julie’s original tiles in the kitchen.

The stone house was a surprise find for the Woods, who were not in the market to buy at the time.

Subtle details, such as vases of fresh bright flowers, are found all over the house.

The lakeside mural surrounding the staircase displays Julie’s painted city and landscape scenes.

“‘Wow’ is a common expression we frequently hear when guests step into the main entry,” says Julie. “I decided that this two-story area needed something different.”

Because Julie has painted city scenes, she decided to paint a pictorial of Lake Quivira on the walls. The ongoing result—a work in progress—is a lively depiction of lakeside activities complete with inner tubes, docks, hills and houses.

Work on the mural continues, unlike the adjacent living room that is finally finished. Julie admits, “I’m not into a lot of stuff. I take the less-is-more approach, preferring instead color and texture to make a statement.”

The living room, for example, showcases an eclectic mix of furnishings. Tweed intersects with leather and carved wood mingles next to linen or ceramic tile. It’s a favorite spot of Julie’s.

“Perhaps because Chip finally built bookcases across an entire wall, rendering this room even more inviting to curl up and read in,” she says. “Then again, I think the main reason is I was an art major and wanted the house to reflect my attention to

Shawnee

living

posely designed to look weathered, as if they came out of a rural English farmhouse.

Behind the sink, Julie fashioned a wall made of 99 tiles. “I decided this space needed personalizing, so over the years, everyone and everything I consider near and dear is memorialized by a ceramic tile.”

Friends and family find the living area particularly comfortable. So much so, they often roost right here in front of the fireplace or gravitate into the dining room, which is a seamless step from the kitchen.

Little pleasures abound

Julie and Chip have fallen in love with their little abode. It may still be a work in progress, but it will never be short of colorful character.

color and detail. That’s why I painted the walls a mellow wheat color and the ceiling a watery shade of blue … a great contrast with the red patterned chair, red-andwhite checkerboard hearth and the black-painted pine cabinet.”

She strolls into the kitchen, “I think the coffee’s ready.”

Julie determined almost immediately after moving in that she wanted to accentuate the Old World feel in the kitchen. Enhanced with a low ceiling, wood beams and carefully chosen antiques, the cook’s room is truly a gathering place. “No matter how many public rooms there are, everyone still prefers to gather in the kitchen.

I think it’s because this room, more than others, has a cozy English feel,” she says.

Julie mulls over her domain. “It’s amazing what happens when I changed the cabinets.” Because the original cabinetry seemed too contemporary, Julie replaced it with buttermilk-colored custom wood cabinets, pur-

Coffee in hand, she motions to a small foyer at the opposite end of the house.

This little area surrounded by windows and, rather unexpectedly, dressed with a comfy daybed is the epitome of charming. On the second level, two bedrooms and a music room get a boost from Julie’s creativity. One lucky grandchild’s bedroom is painted with oversize polka dots. Julie’s rendition of one of the couple’s black Labs loping across one wall adorns a hallway.

It seems there’s inventiveness at every turn in the Woods’ cottage.

Julie’s studio, splashed in sunlight from three sets of French doors, is part of the addition built underneath the dining room. Once a potter, until the dust became too much, these days Julie delves into mixed-media art.

When she emerges from the lower level, there’s always the garden, just outside the kitchen door, that she can draw on for inspiration.

“This is still a house in progress, even after all these years. The kids and grandkids still love to come here and so do dear friends. It’s a very good house … we’re quite lucky to call it home,” Julie admits. sm

Shawnee

living

blue koi

story by

Kimberly Stern

confidential

Chef

Scott Chang’s kitchen is the proving ground for his family’s restaurants

photography by

sHawneemagazine

Tim Andersen

8

Scott Chang’s bustling personal kitchen in his Shawnee home has

the components of the carefully chosen ingredients from one of his mother or

father’s generational recipes. The kitchen is part gathering place, a pinch

experimental laboratory and a dash of creativity with a large dose of

inspiration.

This formula is normal for the co-owner of Blue Koi restaurant. Chang,

his wife, Emily, and his sisters Jane, Ling and Mindy own the flagship Blue Koi

on 39th Street in Kansas City and its outpost at the swanky Mission Farms

development in Leawood. The restaurants serve modern Chinese comfort food

in a hip bistro setting featuring a popular menu created in Chang’s kitchen.

Scott Chang, right, of Shawnee, has worked with his sisters, from left, Ling, Mindy and Jane, in making Blue Koi restaurants a family success.

Shawnee

living

Cooks in the kitchen

Chang, a resident of Shawnee since 2005, regularly hosts Iron Chef-like cookoffs in his home kitchen. The judges include his siblings, their father, restaurateur Fong Chang, and his discerning friends.

“All of my dad’s friends owned restaurants or still operate them,” says Chang.

“While it’s good-natured competition, our main goal is to develop a delightful surprise for our restaurants’ guests.”

Most of Blue Koi’s signature dishes come from Chang’s mother, Luan Shu, who at one time was a well-respected chef in Washington, D.C.; some are handed down by patriarch Fong. Today these dishes get modern and unexpected twists during the family’s cooking affairs at Chang’s kitchen.

The critics

sHawneemagazine

left Knowing no boundaries,

10

his custom-made items include, from top, a music stand, a canoe and a two-tone cutting board cabinet accessory.

Photos courtesy Russ Amos

right Amos works with a variety

of woods, including walnut, red oak, white oak and cherry. He is also a member of the Kansas City Woodworkers Guild, which can provide help and support on large projects.

“We never want to foul up one of mom or dad’s treasured recipes,” notes Chang.

“Our father doesn’t hesitate in immediately telling us if we’re not on track or a recipe isn’t consistent.”

When the Changs gather for a cook-off in one of the family’s home kitchens, they’re prepared to give their most honest thumbs-up or thumbs-down assessments of new items that someday may appear on the Blue Koi menu.

In fact the 80-year-old Fong, now retired, pops in at the restaurants several times a week, just to ensure his children maintain the high standards he and his wife painstakingly developed over the past two decades. Chang likens his dad to the ultimate “secret shopper” that many retailers use to gauge their customer satisfaction.

a day off

When Chang isn’t tending to Blue Koi customers and the daily restaurant grind, he and Emily like to roll up their sleeves in their own kitchen to prepare delicacies— and some traditional kid-pleasing food—for their family of four.

Shawnee

living

“Emily and I make things like seviche and couscous,” says Chang. “Food to us is not only cooking and eating, it’s also experimenting with the culture of the world.”

Chang says their son and daughter are culinary adventurers and often taste the more unusual fare he and Emily whip up. “But they’re kids, too, so they like stuff like mac and cheese.”

Chang’s well-stocked pantry brims with an eclectic variety of American and ethnic foods, including the ubiquitous kid-friendly items for their young critics. Aside from the famous blue macaroni box, the pantry overflows with exotic Chinese herbs, spices, European sauces, sun-dried tomatoes, spaghetti, linguine, Indian curry and sea salt. His refrigerator keeps go-to-fundamentals of traditional Asian cuisine, including Asian basil, seaweed, lemongrass, fresh tuna and salmon, plus a few surprises like plump Italian sausages tucked in among staples of milk, eggs and butter.

As for specialties, there is always a jar in Chang’s cooler containing his mother’s sweet plum sauce, a straightforward, heavenly reduction of plums that’s also served at Blue Koi with the China Moon, a type of Asian quesadilla.

Family ties

Chang attributes after-hours creations to his family, which has been entrenched in the restaurant business for generations. He grew up in a family immersed in, and passionate about, the process of creating memorable food. “My parents wanted to find a safe place to raise the kids and to open a small restaurant,” recalls Chang. “Everyone except me worked in different restaurants in K.C. to save money, familiarize themselves with the market and formulate a business plan.”

The first Chang restaurant opened in 1985 in Lenexa. With great success, it was followed by Westport staple Genghis Khan, a Mongolian barbecue restaurant that opened in 1993. The first Blue Koi opened in 2002 with the second following in 2006.

Today, Chang greets customers and wanders through the dining room intent on ensuring they have the best experience possible. It’s a trait that comes home with him when he and Emily entertain guests in their kitchen.

A cook’s tip

Chang encourages people to discard their cooking intimidations when they enter their kitchen. “It’s OK to prepare a dish that’s not perfect,” he stresses. “It’s all about experimenting.”

When it comes to choosing the ingredients for any recipe, fresh is paramount. “We grew up in Taiwan learning how to select the best of the best from their open markets. Cooks here can do the same thing—fresh meat, fish, vegetables in their season and good spices all contribute to a positive outcome.”

Chang likens the joy of cooking to the pleasure of living a happy life.

“It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey,” says Chang, who has equal parts passion, creativity and imagination in his handed-down recipes for his restaurants and his life. sm

With locations in Kansas City and Leawood, Blue Koi features a menu with some of the family’s handed-down recipes.

worldly

Housing

treasures

Story by Kimberly Stern Photography by Jason Dailey

art well-chosen

An

interior designer’s

home celebrates

g

and

decor

ail Morse’s intimate Shawnee home is a personification of that ageless adage, “Home is where the heart is.”

The interior is a treasure trove of rich, thoughtful design punctuated by ethnic and fanciful objects acquired during decades of globetrotting. The home’s energy is discernable; upon entering, guests get a palpable feeling that each room holds a delicious and unexpected surprise.

Indeed, Morse’s four-bedroom, twoand-a-half-bath home displays an array of magnificent pieces from Africa, Spain and Eastern Europe, mixed with heirlooms, garage sale treasures and accessories found during various shopping excursions. Its interior is a triumph of synergy.

“My design inspiration is as natural as a bird dog’s instinct,” says Morse, who has lived in the home for 24 years.

Gail Morse’s dining room is an eclectic mix of modern and exotic details. As an interior decorator and world traveler, she designs spaces with depth and texture.

A renowned decorator, Morse stages model-home interiors for award-winning Kansas City builder Don Julian and consults with private clients. She compares design with pantomime: “It’s one of the world’s great unspoken languages,” she reflects.

“As expressive as drama, the art of the interior is one of the most interesting areas of self-expression. Most often an interior fails because someone plays it safe.”

Roominations A striking first impression of Morse’s home is the calculated risks she takes in adorning the interior—risks signified by the captivating play of new against old.

The structure is contemporary, with a soaring oak tongue-and-groove ceiling in the great-room (dubbed the gathering room), a vaulted ceiling and skylight in the master bathroom, and a loft area on the second floor. The interior is Morse’s dazzling trademark combination of antiques and accessories that reflect a life well-lived.

Morse is attracted to different kinds of lighting, especially natural light. “It’s glorious to sit in the gathering room with a cup of coffee and look out at the garden,” she says. Large windows flank the room’s limestone fireplace and offer views of the spectacular grounds. The cozy space features a chest that Morse and her late husband purchased on their honeymoon in Sintra, Portugal, years ago, and a contemporary cream sectional.

Morse, who also speaks to groups on decorating, says one of the most common mistakes made when styling a home is using furniture that’s too small for a large room with high ceilings. The gathering room in her home features a traditional entertainment center with shelves displaying unique accessories and books.

“I was a flight attendant for 11 years and we traveled extensively, always bringing back items that spoke to us,” explains Morse, pointing to an African ceremonial mask and a museum-worthy American Indian belt. A chandelier, an antique Yugoslavian poster, a large “M” from an English billboard, an architectural salvage piece from an old Kansas City building, a modern glass-topped iron coffee table filled with candles and other objets d’art express Morse’s innate artistic decorating style.

The master bathroom’s burnished color and swirls of gold exude an unexpected slice of high style in the small space—it’s Morse’s favorite.

opposite page top The master bedroom features a

handmade log bed, which was crafted by a friend in Wyoming. bottom The tiled shower and cathedrallike architecture create a futuristic feel in the master bath.

"Most often an interior fails because someone plays it safe.�

Morse layers items for effect such as the antique chest, art from Italy, a golden M and a small oil painting of the painter Frida Kahlo.

Revolving decor

Proving her point that a home is never “done,” she swaps out accessories to reflect the seasons and holidays while constantly shifting pieces from room to room. “A home should always grow and change with the owner,” says Morse.

“The surroundings are a journey, not a destination, and should tell a story.”

The dining room exemplifies her attention to the fluidity of interior items.

She acquired the leopard rug, a permanent fixture on the oak wood floors, while her husband was in a Zimbabwe village.

During the winter Morse adds ethnic rugs and leaves the animal rug to lighten the space in the summer. Chairs around the table are dressed with seasonal pillows and the centerpiece changes from a winter motif with feathers to seashells for spring and summer. An authentic Victorian fan with a light fixture hangs above the table.

The room’s walls are painted in earthy tones, a look inspired by a tour of London’s Buckingham Palace. “I loved the walls in the palace,” she recalls.

“Many of the rooms had been meticulously faux painted.”

The dining room’s faux pressed tin ceiling is an example of Morse’s practical side. “I purchased this paper at Home Depot for $2.55 a roll and had it painted a chocolate brown,” she says. The heavy, silk dark brown drapes pool gracefully on the floor, adding to the room’s sumptuous nature.

A one-of-a-kind cabinet from Belgium, once housed in a St. Louis cathedral, holds stemware and commands a corner. “I use this piece as a buffet now, but it once masqueraded as a dresser,” says Morse.

She repurposes many pieces in her home. A first-floor bathroom is the heart room containing a portion of Morse’s large collection of hearts: pictures, frames, posters and even heart-shaped seashells her daughter found.

As she tells clients, interior design doesn’t have to be trendy or gimmicky, and her house speaks to this philosophy.

“You don’t have to be afraid of investing in a piece these days and have it go out of style,” stresses Morse.

Fashion of function

The bilevel kitchen and breakfast room features two kinds of granite, a distressed black wood island, dark stained cabinetry and an enormous pine chest spanning the room’s lower level. Morse, an avid cook and entertainer, uses the piece as a pantry to stash foodstuffs on the bottom enclosed shelves and as a display unit for serving pieces and dishware.

The master bedroom has a custom four-poster log bed handmade in Wyoming by a friend of her husband’s. The master bathroom’s burnished color and swirls of gold exude an unexpected slice of high style in the small space—it’s Morse’s favorite. A screen porch off the master suite is outfitted with wicker furniture and a chair Morse purchased years ago in Costa Rica for $11. “The airlines stashed it in the cargo hold of the plane,” laughs Morse. “That would never happen today.”

The upper level’s office pièce de résistance is the wall painting depicting an American Indian cave dwelling. “I traveled to Santa Fe 11 consecutive years to attend the Indian markets,” says Morse. “I connect with their peace and serenity.”

A guest bedroom has feminine overtones with lacy pillows and bedcover; a collection of china plates hangs by satin ribbons for a unique headboard. Another guest bedroom has Morse’s signature blend of family heirlooms, antiques, ethnic art and storied artifacts.

Morse contends a home must reflect the owner’s style and personality. “When you walk into my home, you know that I like to travel, cook and read,” she says.

When working with clients on their interior space, Morse says ultimately she wants to create a sanctuary. “I want them to walk in the front door and kiss the walls, they’re so happy to be home.” sm

opposite page top Morse relaxes in her living room. She believes in changing décor with the

changing seasons to refresh a home. bottom A view of her Shawnee home suggests its unique design that complements Morse’s taste.

Shawnee

businesses Here’s to You! 12480 W. 62nd Terrace (913) 232-6432 www.herestoyouweekly.com

What women

Michelle Harris serves networking opportunities

want

on a silver platter

story by

Kimberly Stern

photography by

jason dailey

sHawneemagazine

After seven years as a successful sales

director for health and beauty

powerhouse Mary Kay,

Michelle Harris wanted to

find a way to continue the

makeup leader’s mantra on

her own: enrich women’s lives

in a women-centric

environment.

“I spent years running

weekly meetings and building

units of consultants,” says

Harris, a Shawnee resident.

18

“I taught women how to run their own business, set goals and feel empowered. I wanted to bring the concept of weekly meetings and a positive energy to a different market of women.”

Harris embarked on a year of intense research and focus groups.

She wanted to discover what elements women hoped to add to their busy mix of family, work and personal growth in order to achieve a modicum of balance. She collect-

left Michelle Harris, creator of Here’s To You!, women’s network, welcomes new members to the Shawnee studio, where they gather to escape the weekly grind.

right Brenda Longe sips on some tea and listens to the group discussion. Harris’ group offers an environment for women to meet and share ideas.

ed stacks of questionnaires, made notes from individual and group interviews, and designed a business model while attending the Kauffman Foundation’s well-respected FastTrac entrepreneurial business program.

After 12 months of dissecting materials and data, the enterprising Harris concluded that women crave social networking that is framed differently from other women’s business organizations and the ubiquitous online chat groups. Harris calls her

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Downtown Shawnee Unique Shops | Dining | Personal Services Check out www.CityofShawnee.org/downtown/sdp.html for a listing of downtown events, concerts, parks, museums and other local activities.

Sponsored by the Shawnee Downtown Partnership

Shawnee

businesses

Here’s to You! has gathered a clientele roster brimming with women enthusiastic to discover how to develop a five-year plan, carve out personal time, boost self-esteem, be of service to others and pursue lifelong ambitions.

Carla Dare, left, and Shannyn Tinberg share a laugh during a Monday night gathering at the Here’s to You! studio.

Here’s to You! brainchild a “life network� that targets any woman who wants to enhance her life through networking with other women and developing specific areas of their lives. She opened the doors on September 1, 2008, and has received an overwhelming thumbs up.

“I wanted to launch a place where a community or small group of friends develops,� explains Harris. “Ideally Here’s to You! is a place where women gather and look forward to seeing each other weekly.�

Membership includes a diverse group of women: moms looking for a quiet place to escape, women seeking an energetic social venue, women who work at home, empty nesters, business women in need of a self-development forum and busy women committing to personal time.

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Shannyn Tinberg is a Here’s to You! member from Bonner Springs who was part of the inaugural focus group in August 2008. She enjoys collaborating with other women facing similar issues.

“I have two children and work outside the home,� says Tinberg, a certified professional medical coder. “I wanted to be able to find out what other women experience when it comes to juggling home, family and work.� She says Here’s to You! has offered strategies to help cope with everyday life scenarios.

Harris mirrors her demographic as she has four children ranging in age from 2 to 9 years old. Her husband Jason, an associate professor at Avila University, is Harris’ biggest supporter. “He participates in raising our children, too, so I can pursue my career and interests,� she notes.

Here’s to You! provides a 1,000-square-foot studio near Shawnee Mission Parkway and Long Street.

The studio is designed to be an oasis from the bustling and jostling world. It’s outfitted with comfortable club chairs, ambient lighting, bold red walls, a complimentary coffee/tea bar and Wi-Fi—Harris’ riff on a sophisticated Starbucks-meets-living-room atmosphere. Women can drop in for conversation, schedule a meeting or attend Here’s to You! live events.

“The studio is the member’s place to come to meetings, stop in for relaxation or for a quiet place to accomplish work,� says Harris. “I want every woman who spends time here to feel like it’s her own.�

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Harris formerly sold Mary Kay cosmetics and found its mission to be motivating. Here’s to You! is her way of sharing the knowledge of networking and selfadvancement with others.

The studio’s weekly programming is taken directly from the demographic Harris carefully cultivated. “The goal of the weekly facilitated meeting is to provide a sense of renewal and empowerment through discussion and a formulated agenda,” says Harris. Members become acquainted with one another and develop camaraderie, ultimately meeting Harris’ goal of proactively building relationships and learning more about themselves.

“I always tell members that you don’t have to leave relationships in the waiting room,” says Harris.

Here’s to You! has gathered a clientele roster brimming with women enthusiastic to discover how to develop a five-year plan, carve out personal time, boost self-esteem, be of service to others and pursue lifelong ambitions. Harris incorporates speaker meetings, where members receive encouragement from mentors and other test-driven women who have succinct messages.

The first Saturday of each month Harris conducts strategic surveys that provide input for future meetings and events for the Here’s to You! calendar. Each Monday and Tuesday night a business collaboration group meets at the studio to brainstorm and share resources.

As Harris sees the relevance of her business concept come to fruition, she’s excited about the possibilities of establishing Here’s to You! in other markets. After all, she knows from experience there will always be a need for women to gather and grow in a positive social environment. sm

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Touchof

gray Mike McMullen captures the power of black and white photography

Photograph by Jason Dailey

Story by Vince Meserko

Photography provided by mike mcmullen

18th and Vine

Mike McMullen considers himself a dinosaur. Not because he’s older, but because the way that he creates his photographs seems reminiscent of a longdeparted era. To him, it’s simply part of the charm; it helps preserve the authenticity of his work.

In fact, McMullen’s handcrafted black and white fine art is steeped in

traditional processes that are as much a part of the finished product as the images themselves.

“I shoot film. My camera doesn’t even have a battery, just a lens and a shutter. I develop my prints by hand in a wet darkroom. There’s very little technology between me and the finished piece,” he says. “It’s kind of cathartic to just use your head, your heart and your hands.”

He was introduced to photography, in the same cathartic setting, as he worked on photographs in his neighbor’s darkroom as an early teen.

“When the print came out of the developer, it just seemed magical to me. It seemed really intriguing,” he remembers. “The process and opportunity for creative impulse was really compelling.”

McMullen’s work was primarily journalistic in his formative years. He edited and contributed to his yearbook at Shawnee Mission East High School and later was a staff photographer for The Stanford Daily, the student newspaper at Stanford University, where he was a history major.

One of McMullen’s college instructors was an acquaintance of celebrated black and white photographer Ansel Adams, whom McMullen spent an afternoon with just a few years before Adams’ death in 1984. McMullen still draws inspiration from Adams’ understated kindness, technical mastery and utter joy for the craft. That afternoon also helped McMullen solidify the arc of his career in black and white photography.

“Black and white takes advantage of patterns, shadows and shapes and contrast to bring out the primal character of things,” he says.

McMullen uses an apple to demonstrate how black and white images often can capture the “essence” of a seemingly pedestrian object. Black and white photos, he says, reveal ridges and textures of the apple that would go unnoticed in a color image.

Miss Liberty from Ellis Island

It was the moody emotional undercurrent of the black and white photographs by Adams, Minor White and Edward Weston that motivated McMullen to use it exclusively in his work.

In 2000 he also adopted Adams’ “zone system” technique, a pioneering method of controlling the exposure of a photograph that allows McMullen to experiment with light, tonal range and contrast control.

“I learned that it just opened up all kinds of doors,” he says.

Complicated techniques aside, McMullen acknowledges there are certain factors that are beyond his control. “Once in a great while you get incredibly lucky,” he says.

One of McMullen’s most arresting pieces is the result of a lot of luck. While photographing in Kansas City’s 18th and Vine district, a jazz musician pulled up to the Blue Room in a fully restored 1954 Cadillac to

drop off a demo CD. The musician’s door blocked McMullen’s view of the other, more modern, vehicles lining the road.

“So now the whole neighborhood is 1954 for about 30 seconds,” McMullen recalls. It’s a particular image that lends itself well to black and white fine art. “Black and white is most powerful at either ends of the time spectrum,” McMullen says, referencing its ability to capture both timeless images like oceans and deserts and the more fleeting nature of the 18th and Vine image.

“I think the image needs to be an authentic representation of how it felt when you were there,” he says. McMullen has tried to carry this ethos with him across the country from Fort Worth, Texas, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he and his wife, Bonnie, display his work at fine art shows and galleries.

“Because of my wife’s help with the business expertise, we were able to make it a successful business. … Without her marketing skills, I never would have had that opportunity,” he says. Ironically, some of McMullen’s success also can be attributed to the pure anachronism of his traditional processes.

“There’s a market for [traditional darkroom images] because people who collect black and white, that’s what they want. They want original hand-printed stuff,” he says.

Radiator Art

McMullen is working on photographing architecture and old mining and ghost towns. For his art, he is content to let his future unfold in the same spur-of-the-moment climate that has created his most memorable work.

“I’m not sure where it’ll take me, but it’s at much about the experience of being there as it is about the art.” sm Design Matrix

Tips and advice for the aspiring DIY black and white photographer Go to art shows or surf websites and find photos and photographers you like Get to know that person Use trial and error in the darkroom Use black and white images to add romanticism and elegance Realize that unremarkable color shots can become remarkable black and white shots, and overcast skies and cloud formations make great black and white photos Avoid mistakes by talking with someone whose work you like Get used to using the trash can frequently Meet other artists and become a part of their community

— www.betterphoto.com

Local

profiles flamin’ hotties

story by

Kimberly Stern photography by

jason dailey

On fireagainst cancer sHawneemagazine

The Flamin’ Hotties raise awareness, hope and love

28

There’s a group of women in Shawnee who witness the fragility of life daily. Their husbands are firefighters and called into danger’s way to save people, sometimes from cataclysmic situations.

These mothers and wives—young and old—are dedicated to family and pray for their husband’s safe return and the well-being of those they protect.

They are the Flamin’ Hotties, and their common mission goes beyond the inherent stress of being married to a firefighter. These 25 women have created a fellowship that is stronger than they ever expected.

One of the larger cancer support groups in the Kansas City area is the Flamin’ Hotties. These women, many of whom are spouses or family of Shawnee firefighters, have continued to support those fighting cancer.

Top photo courtesy of P-Tn.com

Local

profiles

It’s a fierce band of sisters who support families in the Shawnee Fire Department and members of the community experiencing the gut-wrenching trials and tribulations of cancer, terminal disease and other health challenges.

Simply, the Flamin’ Hotties are a tribute to the positive and farreaching power of compassion.

Inspiration

Charlene Hartley, wife of retired Shawnee Fire Chief Buck Hartley, is the impetus for the group’s origin. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, the spunky redhead’s humbling “Why NOT me?” attitude while contemplating her disease caught the attention of Kami Muehlberger and Lori Vielhauer, whose husbands serve on the Shawnee firefighting force.

In 2005 Muehlberger and Vielhauer gathered their fellow energetic firefighter wives and hatched the idea for a support group aiding those facing cancer. The catchy moniker, Flamin’ Hotties, was coined and a volunteer grass-roots effort caught on like wildfire among the women.

“There’s nothing more important than time,” says Muehlberger.

“And it’s so simple to give.”

Creating a following

Angela Epperson, who handles public relations for the group, notes people within the fire department rarely mingled before the formation of Flamin’ Hotties. “There are three different shifts, almost 65 full-time and volunteer firefighters, and everyone has busy lives,”

To find out more about the Flamin’ Hotties or to donate to their American Cancer Society Relay team or annual auction, visit

www.flaminhotties.blogspot.com.

says Epperson. “This volunteer tour de force has brought everyone together in one way or another.”

The Flamin’ Hotties’ initial focus was gathering a team for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, which sponsors annual walks in cities across the country to raise money for cancer research and awareness. The 12-hour walks generate millions of dollars for the effort in helping find a cure for cancer. In 2008 the Flamin’ Hotties relay team collected more than $18,375.

Among the accomplishments, the group is proud of its power in sheer numbers. “Our relay team has one of the largest numbers of cancer survivors in the country,” says Epperson.

The Flamin’ Hotties will have 15 teams of husband/wife walkers for the 2009 American Cancer Society event, including breast cancer survivor Hartley and her husband; testicular cancer survivor Justin Verbenec and wife Shirley; ­­­­­­­­Liz Hunt, thyroid cancer survivor, and husband Josh; Louanne Hartman, breast cancer survivor, and husband John; and Vielhauer, skin cancer survivor, and husband Jimmy.

Reaching goals

Charlene Hartley was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005.

sHawneemagazine

In addition to bringing cohesiveness to the now close-knit Shawnee Fire Department, the Flamin’ Hotties continue to build on the group’s original goals.

The women stage popular live and silent auctions every March to drum up additional funds, regularly deliver personalized baskets to help patients get through unpleasant chemotherapy and radiation treatments, send cards to families that have lost loved ones and make hospital visits and attend cancer events, even funerals.

The annual auction, in its third year, continues to surpass the Flamin’ Hotties

29

Local

profiles

wildest expectations. “The first year we totaled $8,700 and organized it in three weeks,” recalls Muehlberger. “The second year McCarthy Auto Group donated a car and we had almost $5,000 in donations for that drawing and raised another $10,000.”

The involvement has even become a family affair. Children of the Flamin’ Hotties, known as the Firecrackers, set up lemonade stands during the annual walk while significant others show support by walking with their wives in relay teams.

Hottie Lisa Sinkler says everyone loves getting involved: “The enthusiasm generated by the Flamin’ Hotties is infectious.”

The Flamin’ Hotties channel their collective gregarious nature to lend solace and hope to people in the darkness and crisis of cancer. The group’s

official motto, “A Ladder to Lean on When Your Strength is All Gone,” personifies its genuine efforts.

“Most of us have been touched by cancer somehow,” says Muehlberger. “We find the positive impact the Flamin’ Hotties has on people is sometimes because of our sheer strength in numbers.”

Beyond giving

The group has been a constant source of comfort for one of its own in recent years. Vicki Lamb, her husband and firefighter Tige and their young daughter Amelia are recipients of the group’s good will. Amelia was diagnosed in 2005 with a rare bone marrow disorder, Diamond Blackfan anemia, requiring the 5-year-old to endure blood transfusions every three weeks.

The Hotties make baskets for Amelia, call her an honorary Hottie and deliver the biggest gift of all— blood donors. Flamin’ Hottie Kristene Gemsky and Hottie Dierdre Chaney’s husband Josh give blood to help Amelia combat her disease.

Muehlberger also has experienced firsthand the Flamin’ Hotties power after her beloved aunt lost a courageous battle with breast cancer. “The group gave me a necklace, a card and was there for me in every way. It was a blessing to know they deeply cared,” she says.

Epperson says being a Flamin’ Hottie carries with it a responsibility to care and respond when someone is in need of support. “And once a Hottie, always a Hottie,” she adds. “It always comes full circle.” sm

sHawneemagazine

Kami Muehlberger, left, Lisa Sinkler, both wives of firefighters, were inspired by Charlene Hartley and initiated the idea of a support group to aid women like her.

30

Weddings, births, big family events, hobbies, milestones, histories.

That’s what makes us a community.

It’s easy to submit your stories.

Online: www.shawneedispatch.com/submit Fax: (913) 962-3004 Or stop by our office: 10314 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 260

HELPING BUILD COMMUNITY.

Local

profiles operation wildlife

story by

Vince Meserko photography by

Jason Dailey

Into the wild Operation WildLife heals injured and orphaned animals

sHawneemagazine

Perhaps no other animal is more emblematic of

32

the success of animal conservation efforts than the bald eagle.

The eagle that adorns our presidential seal was once on the verge of extinction. But thanks to a national conservation effort, the birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s status moved from endangered to threatened before the bird was removed

This Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hawk arrives at Operation WildLife with a broken wing.

Local

profiles

from the list in 2007. Perhaps it is fitting that a bald eagle is part of one of the most memorable experiences for Diane Johnson, an animal rehabilitator.

In 1989 Johnson founded Operation WildLife (OWL), Kansas’s largest publicly funded animal rehabilitation and education facility. Even after 20 years of helping injured and orphaned wild animals, Johnson remembers the day a group of hunters brought an iconic bald eagle into the main OWL facility in Linwood.

“It was so powerful and so breathtaking, especially up close and personal,” Johnson says of the eagle, which had a broken wing. Johnson remembers an especially arduous recovery process that saw the bird endure surgery and rigorous physical therapy.

“To be able to release back and give it a second chance was awesome.

You have to understand, I didn’t grow up with [bald eagles] like kids now because they were so rare at that point in time,” says Johnson.

For more information about Operation WildLife or to volunteer, visit

www.owl-online.org

High rate of success

Johnson is working with a great horned owl that was hit by a car and

suffered head trauma, damage to its third eyelid and a lesion on its cornea.

The animal was transported to Overland Park, where a team of animal ophthalmologists brushed off some of the scar tissue while trying to rehabilitate the owl’s eyelid. At first Johnson said it looked like the injury would be permanent, but she now sees the animal as releasable.

Because no animal’s injury and recovery are the same, OWL tries its best to meet individual needs. The Linwood facility is housing a turtle that was kept as pet, which Johnson says presents a new set of challenges.

“People take [wild animals] home and they have no knowledge of diet, stresses that are posed to the animal, so they end up in a situation where they can’t handle the animal,” Johnson says.

The turtle is just now learning to eat regular pond food after weeks of eating pet store food.

A small percentage of animals that have permanent but nonlife-threaten-

Main Facility

Receiving Center

23375 Guthrie Road Linwood

11218 W. 75th St. Shawnee

(785) 542-3625

(913) 631-6566

OWL boasts a 69 percent release rate—the percentage of treated animals released into the wild—a number estimated to be 20 percent above the national average for animal rehabilitation programs.

The receiving facility in Shawnee takes in more than 2,300 injured, orphaned and displaced animals each year and is used primarily for emergency triage and as an information center.

Johnson says volunteers field around 25,000 phone calls each year and will treat “anything wild that walks, crawls or flies across Kansas,” with the exception of adult skunks and whitetail deer.

Volunteers from Kansas and Missouri help with operations and transport animals from the Shawnee facility to Linwood every day at 5 p.m. except Sundays.

Labor of love

sHawneemagazine left A recovering bald eagle. above Red-tailed hawk, coping with an injured eye.

33

Local

profiles

ing injuries are used in the organization’s educational programs; some act as foster parents for other injured animals.

“What our purpose is with [the injured animals] is to teach people, especially children, how they live in the wild, what their role is in the wild, predator-prey relations—what their job is basically,” Johnson says.

Despite OWL’s high success rate, Johnson acknowledges her work as a veterinary technician and executive director can be emotionally taxing when the animals in her care are in poor shape and cannot be released back into the wild.

“It kills me. There are days when I feel like Dr. Death,” says Johnson. If an animal is not releasable and cannot be put into an educational facility, it must be euthanized in accordance with state and federal law. It is a part of Johnson’s job she tries to forget.

“You have to look at the reward. You have to look at the hawk that you tossed up in the sky and as he flies away he lets out a scream of exhilaration because he’s free again,” she says. “I try to focus on those kind of things and not the bad end of my job.” sm

Diane Johnson treats the Cooper’s hawk for his broken wing as seen in its x-ray at left.

What should you do when …

Diane Johnson says the first thing to do if confronted with a squirrel in the chimney, a fox under the deck or a bobcat in the bushes is call Operation WildLife. Avoid trying to trap the animal yourself. Here are some helpful tips to help avoid injuring yourself or your wild animal friends.

Rap music Johnson recommends placing a boom box next to your chimney and cranking up some of your favorite windowshattering hip-hop singles. “Animals hate that. The mothers will get so annoyed by it they will take their babies and relocate them,” Johnson says of loud music’s influence on wildlife. After the animal is cleared from the chimney, call a contractor to install a chimney cap.

sHawneemagazine

Burrowing animals

34

Johnson says January and February are mating and courting months for foxes and March and April are the months the babies are born. To discourage burrowing animals, Johnson recommends placing mothballs where animals might burrow, because they have the same effect as tear gas, or fill in the hole each day with cinder blocks, shrinking the space, until the animal relocates.

Baby birds Johnson says baby birds usually spend seven to 10 days on the ground learning to fly. “They are basically just using your yard as a runway,” Johnson says. People often observe the birds alone and worry the parents have abandoned their babies. She recommends leaving the babies alone and watching them from indoors. Within 20 minutes the parents should return with a bug or a worm.

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Local

profiles moms of multiples exchange

story by

Katy Ibsen

photography by

Tim Andersen

We begin a series of articles focusing on community support groups in Shawnee.

These various organizations offer encouragement, assistance or advice in the time of illness, emotional distress or loss. Our first installment focuses on the Moms of Multiples Exchange at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Life support sHawneemagazine

Moms help each other raise their families

36

Three kids, two of them twins, did their job of keeping Anne Berning on her toes.

She knew the kind of damage that could be done. Likely suffering from mommy exhaustion, she was trying to keep her family and household in check as the kids spun circles around herâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ever fueling their frenetic, family fun.

Twins Emily and Ellie accompany their mom, Brittany Brown, to the Moms of Multiples Exchange support group at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Local

profiles

So just like that she began to laugh when she caught her three darlings unraveling rolls of paper towels throughout the first floor of their Shawnee home. “I just thought, ‘What in the world?’” says Berning. “They unrolled all six rolls in a matter of minutes.”

Berning had only one option.

“I was really upset at the time, but I just had to laugh because it was hilarious,” she says.

Learning to laugh at domestic escapades is always a good trick for any mother to have in her bag, but it often does double duty for mothers of twins. Fortunately, Berning has been able to share these experiences at the Moms of Multiples Exchange, a group of mothers with twins, triplets or other multiple sets of children.

Group creation

This support group, sponsored

by Shawnee Mission Medical Center, has gathered for at least 15 years, and Berning has been the leader for the last four years after attending herself.

Anne Berning, a mother of twins, leads the monthly group.

Leslie Mackey, manager of life dynamics health and wellness, notes that Shawnee Mission Medical Center support groups often are developed based on community need. “We kind of just look at what the needs are,” she says. “Like if we have a class and it looks like out of that class there is a need to form a support group, then we look at that.”

Such is the case with Moms of Multiples Exchange and Berning. “I kind of inherited this group from another mom who used to be a consultant here. When she left, she knew I already worked here and came to the group regularly and just wanted to know if I would start filling in for her,” she says.

“That’s kind of how I got started.”

As Mackey notes, “That’s the beauty of support groups. The reason they continue on is that you’ve got people that stay in them and then they are part of supporting each other. It’s then educating and helping other people along.”

Group foundation

Berning, who works at Shawnee Mission Medical Center as a part-time registered nurse, realized her interest in the group early. “It was an excuse every other week to get out of the house,” she says. “Frankly, I needed to practice getting out. With kids, it takes a long time to get them ready. I could come to the group and be OK if the kids’ outfits weren’t fixed. You could feed them, you could bring their bottles and their diapers. It’s not like going to the mall and having to worry about changing a dirty diaper.”

Expectant and new mothers of multiples face different challenges than mothers who give birth to a single child

at one time. They are more likely to feel overwhelmed, which often places them at greater risk for postpartum blues or depression. Their children’s health also can be a concern. “Twins are more likely to be premature, so there is more risk for developmental delays,” says Berning.

Berning draws on her medical background to inform and calm other mothers. Part of her goal is to provide a relaxed atmosphere. “It’s laid back. I don’t have an agenda,” she says. “Basically it’s whoever comes in, what they need to talk about, shooting ideas back and forth about what works with parenting and coping. A lot of it is coping.”

Berning says expectant mothers benefit simply from being around other women who are pregnant with multiples—and whose bodies show that.

“People worry about getting that big and how they’re going to get around,” she says. Fortunately, she and other moms in similar situations help answer their questions and ease their concerns.

An experienced mother of twins, Berning still finds insights for herself in the regular meetings. “I’ve realized I probably need a lot more organization in my life,” she says, giggling.

Organized or not, Berning knows how to recognize life’s little blunders as just that—blunders. “Enjoy it. It seems overwhelming. You know, you just have to go with the flow. Don’t sweat the small stuff, because you won’t enjoy yourself,” says Berning.

And what if those blunders are rolled across your home?

“Pick your battles,” says Berning, “especially when they get older.”

Other times you just roll with the punches … or the towels. sm

sHawneemagazine

The Moms of Multiples group offers mothers and expectant mothers a chance to open up and talk about their growing families.

37

Health &

fitness story by

Bob Luder

photography by

tim andersen

Dodge

for a cause One local tournament continues to score for diabetes awareness and research Steve Ferencz dearly loves his daughter Rachel.

So when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 5, he naturally took great pride in doing whatever he could to support her in this battle.

sHawneemagazine

He just never guessed that would include throwing his body all around a 60- by 30-foot court, trying to avoid being hit by a rubber ball flying at high speeds.

“I try to do a lot of stuff with the local chapter” of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), says Ferencz, who works for an industrial roofing contractor and lives in Shawnee. “But this is absolutely unique.”

The unusual sport is dodgeball. Typically, the activity is limited to grade-school playgrounds during recess.

But for two weekends a year, Ferencz and hundreds like him come together in the spirit of competition and good will for a worthy cause.

The fourth annual Dodge for a Cause, which benefits JDRF, is scheduled for March 28-29 and April 4-5 at Perceptive Software headquarters in western Shawnee.

The tournament comprises a 64-team bracket with more than 500 players, hundreds more spectators, supporters, volunteers and sponsors. Last year the event raised $18,550 for JDRF. Since its inception in 2006, Dodge for a Cause has collected more than $42,000.

“There’s always been a real sense of giving among our people here, and this adds to that culture,” says Scott Coons, Perceptive Software’s president and chief executive officer. “We really enjoy doing this. It’s a good outlet for our people and a good way for the company to give something back to the community.

“Generally speaking, the fun, spirit and level of competition are just amazing to me,” says Coons.

38

“There’s no break from diabetes. You’re constantly checking blood sugar and watching what you eat. Anytime we can go to an event like this, she just comes home and her spirits are lifted.”

Birth of an idea

It might seem a bit odd holding a dodgeball tournament at a software company office. But anyone who’s

– steve ferencz

Teams compete in the Dodge for a Cause dodgeball tournament hosted by Perceptive Software in Shawnee. Proceeds go to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Health &

fitness

The tournament has grown a great deal since its start in 2006. Many players and their families are affected by juvenile diabetes.

walked through the doors of Perceptive Software immediately recognizes there’s little that’s ordinary about this innovative company.

Passing modern décor, a spiral slide, trendy office spaces and a fitness center, one approaches the basement dodgeball court.

Inside is the blue rubber-surface court—certified official by the National Amateur Dodgeball Association (NADA)—surrounded in red trim. Nets hang from the ceiling at both ends to protect spectators in the bleachers.

A scoreboard on one sidewall features two Jayhawks emblems on each side, signifying Coons’ college allegiance. Banners of all the other Big 12 Conference schools line the wall, as do banners for the NADA and JDRF.

“We knew we were going to have this space open,” says Paul Arnhold, communications program manager at Perceptive. “There was talk of adding a basketball court, but the ceiling was too low.

“Dodgeball the movie (Dodgeball—A True Underdog Story) was extremely popular. That’s where the thought came from.” From there, the idea sprang up of hosting a unique competition to raise money for a worthy cause.

“We had a couple people working here who had kids with juvenile diabetes,” Arnhold says. “The tournament offered a great way to showcase our building and raise money for a worthy cause.

“My goal is to just make it as much fun as it can be,” says Arnhold, who has created several contests within the event itself, such as best team costumes, best team song and best spirit.

High stakes

Nevertheless, it can’t be fun all the time. Sports tend to get competitive and the stakes are high. The winning team, made up of 6-8 players, receives an invitation to play in the 2009 NADA Outdoor National Championships in Chicago, round-trip airfare and $1,000.

Jon Bakalar serves as captain of the Klown Punchers, winners of the first two tournaments. “We put together a team not knowing what to expect. It was a whole other world,” he says. “When we got to the final 16, there were literally hundreds of people down there cheering.

It was unbelievable.”

The first year that Klown Punchers competed at nationals, they finished fourth. The next year, they placed sixth.

Of course, the big winner always is JDRF and the rewards are more than just monetary.

“It’s been great for JDRF,” says Megan Connor, communications coordinator of the Kansas City chapter of JDRF, who’s vol-

sHawneemagazine

A worthy cause

unteered at the tournament the past three years.

“It’s something we look forward to, because it’s such a fun event,” adds Connor. “It’s hilarious.

Teams get so into it, but it’s also laid back and people just have a great time.”

Although the standard entry fee is $250 per team, Ferencz’s company has donated $7,500 over the last two years and will fork over a minimum of $2,500 this year. It’s worth it, he says, because he knows as well as anyone that the joy felt during the tournament even lasts a bit longer.

“The best thing about the whole deal is that, whenever [Rachel] gets involved in an event it’s uplifting for her,” says Ferencz. “There’s no break from diabetes. You’re constantly checking blood sugar and watching what you eat. Anytime we can go to an event like this, she just comes home and her spirits are lifted.

“If I can go out and throw my body around for a couple hours one or two weekends a year, I’ll gladly do it,” Ferencz says. sm

39

Q& A with

Jeff Meyers

You wear a number of hats. How do you

balance them all?

It’s the personality I have. I like being a person that is constantly having to think and move.

I don’t like sitting around being bored. I’m a person that enjoys being active, and there are several things that allow me to do it.

I’m very used to long hours and late nights, so that kind of works well with me.

It sometimes is very trying. But again, if you enjoy something enough, you make it work.

sHawneemagazine

Mayor of Shawnee

40

Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers is, without a doubt, the community’s coach.

While he actually does call plays on the sidelines to young football players and shapes young minds as a physical education and health teacher at Olathe East High School, he also is helping Shawnee’s foundation as the loveable mayor who roots for us all.

He and his wife Susie met at Kansas State University. “After I graduated, she told me where we were going to live,” says Meyers.

“Of course she said, ‘We are going to live in Shawnee.’ And I said, ‘Wonderful.’”

While raising their two daughters, Caitlin, 24 and Brenna, 19, in Shawnee, Meyers’ arm was twisted to join the Zoning Board of Appeals, where he started to see his inner politician emerge. “I said, ‘I don’t know a thing about city business or politics. I’ve never really thought about it,” he says.

After nine years in city government, and a nudge from Jim Allen, he began to think about mayor. “Never would have thought in a million years this is where I would be,” he says.

What is one characteristic about Mayor Jeff Meyers that people may not expect?

The first thing that came to mind is that they probably don’t know how sentimental I am. Sometimes when you’re a leader and in charge, and as a football coach, they think you are always that mean, tough guy—hardnosed.

I’m very sentimental.

To date, what is one of your fondest memories

while working as mayor?

What’s your favorite thing about Shawnee?

The community small-town feel.

You know, there are some strong … deeprooted families from years and years ago. I think that helps. It always tries to keep that historical feel to it.

There’s an awful lot of community activities that remind us of how we started and where we came from. I think just in general as years have progressed the community has liked having that identity and has fostered that even with new residents moving in. … It just kind of keeps manufacturing itself as being that type of community.

You teach and coach football at Olathe East High School. How does this translate into your duties as mayor?

I say this all the time: There are all kinds of colorations. From one standpoint, you have to have a game plan and strategy. There is a lot of strategy involved, there is that game plan and there is the team concept. You have to work with the chamber and the residents, the city staff and the city council. You better be highly motivated and energetic.

Those are required in both situations.

I’ve got so many, but if you want to know that from an accomplishment side, I think the hiring of Carol Gonzales as our city manager.

It was probably one of the biggest steps and important choices that I had to make with the council because the city manager position is so vitally important to the city.

What’s the secret to being mayor? Surely there is one!

There’s several secrets. I guess what I say is, it’s important for me to be a good facilitator. I’m not a micromanager at all. I believe that professionals should be able to handle their jobs and do their jobs. … It’s more my job to help facilitate them to put them into positions to have success. sm Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Katy Ibsen.

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Martin Family Dentistry, P.A.

For the

family

a night on the town

story by

Kim Antisdel

photography by

Tim Andersen

E

verybody needs a night out on the town. More specifically, busy folks deserve an entire night away from work, bills, PTA meetings, e-mails and, yes, even spouses. Fortunately, the city of Shawnee has more to offer than most people think.

Ladies, call the babysitter and grab your girlfriends. Gentlemen, unplug your laptops and call your best buds. It’s time for a girls’ or guys’ night out, and this is your guide on where to go and what to do.

No need to whine

The stereotypical Girls’ Night Out isn’t difficult to imagine: a predictable dinner where stressed women discuss family and workplace promotions,

A night

on the town

sHawneemagazine

Girls and guys can make the most of an evening

42

right? Not anymore. In 2009, GNO is anything but humdrum.

Jennifer Machal, manager of Matchette Liquor, isn’t even sure going out is the best avenue for a gals’ night.

“Creating your very own wine and cheese tasting at home is easy and inexpensive,” Machal says.

“A combination of great red and white wines will last you all night.” Among her favorite recommendations: Barefoot Pinot Grigio, Meridian Chardonnay, Razor’s Edge Shiraz and Jargon Pinot Noir.

Shawnee interior designer Judy Ladera makes it a point to host a wine night with her lady colleagues once a month. “After a few glasses, the hesitations lighten and the conversation gets really good,” she laughs.

Belt it out

If wine and cheese night seems too laid back, take a walk on the adventurous side. Freshen up your vocal cords, gather your courage and head to Jake’s Place on Wednesday nights.

From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. the bar is alive with amateur singers. “Karaoke night is a pretty even mix of guys and girls,” employee Chris Meyers says. “Girls have certainly been known to take over, though.”

It’s guys’ night out for, from left, Kelly Taylor, Jay Manning, Lee Cunningham, Don Korte and Mike Korte at Johnny’s Tavern in Shawnee.

For the

family

Jake’s Place wants to make sure everyone has a good time, even those who sing off-key. On Friday nights the bar offers a DJ, and live bands keep the crowd hopping on Saturdays. It’s a chance to check your inhibitions at the door and show some dance moves only your mirror has seen.

After all, if you can’t sing and dance to ABBA’s Dancing Queen with your best girlfriends, when can you?

Breathe in … breathe out

Sometimes you just want to be pampered. With gentle music and cushy robes, La Vita Bella Day Spa turns relaxation into a true art. Owner Stacy Raether knows how to melt the worries away.

“We have many treatments for stressed ladies to choose from,” Raether says.

For a nice variety in your relaxation options, try Raether’s favorite recommendation, the Bellisimo!

“The Bellisimo! includes a mini facial, 30-minute Swedish massage and cucumber pedi-treatment,” Raether explains. “It’s the most all-inclusive service, providing several treatments in just one package.”

For this girls’ night, guests provide the tense muscles and maybe a bottle of wine, and La Vita will take care of the rest. With its ambiance of exclusivity, the spa will help you and your girlfriends feel like royalty and leave your cares, husbands and families behind for the evening.

Boys will be boys Girls aren’t the only ones who need a night away from it all. Men are seeing the benefit of Guys’ Night Out as something they can participate in too, minus the fluffy spa robes and Cosmopolitans.

Tom Brown, manager of Shark’s Billiards, has more than enough manly activities to keep a guys’ night running into the wee hours of the morning.

“We have pool, poker, foosball, and poker and dart tournaments here all week.

Just come by any night and something will be going on,” he says. “Tons of guys come by to play pool and kick back a few beers. We have great drink specials, and on Saturdays we usually have a live band.”

With 21 billiards tables and pulsing music to drown out the dreariness of the day, Shark’s is the answer for stressed guys who just want to kick back with their friends and make a little noise.

Let the Madness begin

Football season is over. So for the guys who spell relax E-S-P-N, Johnny’s Tavern is on it. As Shawnee’s official Kansas University watch spot, Johnny’s knows how to help the sports nut take a much-deserved load off.

Regardless of which team they root for, gentlemen can count on endless hours of pure sports action. “On basketball nights, it gets packed here,” says manager Stephanie Carver. “We have basketball bracket tournaments and great finger foods, and there’s always a game on.”

If guys are looking for a way to put their feet up and toss back a few brews, Johnny’s Tavern is the place to be any night of the week this spring.

Bring home the (pizza) dough

top Macee Wilson, Andrea Butler, Angie Lemmons and Kelly Griffith enjoy a girls’ night at La Vita Bella Day Spa. middle Brandie Shepherd gets her karaoke on at Jake’s Place on a Wednesday night. bottom A game of pool is common at Shark’s Billiards. Lee Noble plays to win, even on a guys’ night out.

sHawneemagazine

Sometimes guys don’t feel like leaving the house, either. But as much as they love their wives, men probably aren’t going to sip wine and share stories. They’d rather play poker.

For a great at-home poker night, Old Shawnee Pizza has the winning hand.

Gents can order as much pizza as their insides can handle. With countless pizza cre-

Shawnee interior designer Judy Ladera makes it a point to host a wine night with her lady colleagues once a month.

43

For the

family

ations, men are sure to get their mouths smoking and testosterone flowing. Throw in a deck of cards, some poker chips and case of brew and you’ve got a guys’ night to remember.

On the off chance that the poker chips run low or provisions disappear, the boys needn’t worry. They can head over to Old Shawnee Pizza for another slice and Monster Mug. “The wildlife themed room is a unique place for guys to have drinks and a pie,” explains manager Will Walker. Ample manly decorations such as stuffed animals–not the girly kind–and a wood-burning fireplace are featured throughout the space.

There are plenty of ways to get your night out in Shawnee this spring. From poker to massages and karaoke to basketball, there’s something for everyone to try with their best friends and colleagues. So what do you want to do first? sm

If guys are looking for a way to put their feet up and toss back a few brews, Johnny’s Tavern is the place to be any night of the week this spring.

Matchette Liquor

Jake’s Place

La Vita Bella Day Spa

5566 Hedge Lane Terrace

12001 Johnson Drive

5416 Roberts St.

(913) 441-1946

(913) 962-5253

(913) 441-9090

www.matchetteliquor.com

www.jakesplacebarandgrill.com

www.lavitabelladayspa.com

Shark’s Billiards

Johnny’s Tavern

old shawnee pizza

10320 Shawnee Mission Parkway

13410 W. 62nd Terrace

6000 rogers drive

(913) 268-4006

(913) 962-5777

(913) 631-5716

www.sharkskc.com

www.johnnystavern.com

www.shawneepizza.com

Shawnee Chamber Annual Dinner

La

fiesta

1. The welcoming mariachi band. 2. Steve Hale of Brotherhood Bank & Trust bids in the live auction. 3. Devran Brower of the Halcyon Group helps auction off a barrel of libations. 4. Auctioneer Tanna Guthrie. 5. 2008 Board Chairman Phil McAnany, Johnson County Commissioner Jim Allen and Mayor Jeff Meyers present Gene Amos with a Lifetime Achievement Award. 6. The banquet hall at the Sheraton Hotel, Overland Park. 7. Shawnee Mayor Jeff Meyers and wife Susie, celebrate his 50th birthday at the Chamber Dinner. 8. 2008 Board Chairman Phil McAnany and Chamber President Linda Leeper present Ron Rigdon of Commerce Bank with a plaque marking his retirement from the Chamber Board. 9. 2009 Board Chairman John Miller of Lake Quivira Country Club perusing items in the silent auction. 10. Deb Settle, Intrust Bank and Mayor Steve Petrehn, City of Roeland Park.

2.

1.

3.

8.

9.

4.

10.

7.

photography by

Tim Andersen

6.

5.

Get

away dublin

story and photography by

richelle tremaine

Weekend tour

of Dublin Experience a city rich with history and pubs

As the afternoon

dwindles, fading

sunlight casts a warm

sHawneemagazine

glow upon Dublin.

The Irish port city unfolds like a dream to those walking its narrow streets.

You can’t help but notice the distinct juxtaposition flowing through the city.

History looms large, yet there’s an undeniable feeling of energy and prosperity that’s nothing short of wondrous.

The warmth and the mix of people bring about the palpable vibe. Much of the population is under 25, fueling Dublin with contemporary flair.

One perennial pastime that’s never in short supply here is talk. You’ll see an intense level of conversation going on throughout the city, wherever you are on a weekend’s tour.

46

Malahide Castle is a popular attraction. It has remained in the Talbot family for nearly 800 years.

FRIDAY

3 p.m. Hoof it

To fully experience the city, walk a while.

Georgian Dublin, built by 18th century craftsmen, boasts well-adorned facades punctuated by entryways crowned with elegant fanlight windows. College Green (a main thoroughfare) is a fine starting point; wander along the boulevard and make your way to Merrion Square.

Grafton Street offers some of the best shopping.

For a breather, head to the refuge of St. Stephens Green, one of Europe’s grandest garden squares.

7 p.m. Fire House

Dining at Fire Restaurant, at the Mansion House, is elevated to an unexpected level. Culi-

nary arts in Dublin have moved beyond traditional Irish fare. Signature dishes include woodfired jumbo tiger prawns, fire-style caprese and chargrilled monkfish.

10 p.m. Pub crawl

Dublin basks in its reputation for an abundance of pubs—there are more than 900—some fresh and modern, others Victorian and intimate. Dublin pubs differ from American bars as people connect on an entirely different personal level. Most are full of levity, good tempers and music, but some can be edgy; you’ll know the difference. The Brazen Head claims to be Ireland’s eldest pub for serving pints and lively conversation since 1198.

Get

away SATURDAY

9 a.m. Morning sunshine

Start the day with a traditional Irish breakfast at Bewley’s, known for excellent coffee and a relaxed atmosphere.

We suggest the full Irish breakfast featuring potato farl, grilled bacon, sausage, tomato and a poached egg.

10 a.m. Write stuff

An intimate Dublin Writers Museum readily captures the history and splendor of Irish literature, of which the Irish are quite proud. Books, letters, journals and personal items are displayed throughout the beautiful space. Lovers of literature will want to linger.

Noon National treasure

A cultural icon, the National Gallery of Ireland offers the works of 17th to 20th century Irish artists as well as a nice collection of European works dating from the 14th to 20th century. Italian Renaissance artists, French Impressionists and 17th century Dutch masters are represented.

1 p.m. Pint size

There’s no escaping Dublin’s favorite beer, Guinness.

Visit the Guinness Storehouse, which has been creating the stout since 1759. One key to the taste emerges from the waters of the Wicklow Mountains. Countrywide, the dark beverage is touted by virtually everyone: “Have a drink, it’s good for you,” reverberates. At the tour’s conclusion, you’ll wind up on the seventh-floor Gravity Bar for a free pint.

Fire Restaurant at the Mansion House, Dawson Street www.mansionhouse.ie/fire.aspx The Brazen Head www.brazenhead.com Bewley’s www.bewleys.com Dublin Writers Museum www.writersmuseum.com The National Gallery of Ireland www.nationalgallery.ie Guinness Storehouse www.guinness-storehouse.com The Winding Stair Restaurant and Bookshop www.winding-stair.com Davy Byrnes Pub www.davybyrnes.com Malahide Castle

7:30 Winding up

The Winding Stair Restaurant and Bookshop is one of Dublin’s long-standing gems. Chefs use organic ingredients to create Irish classics mingled with contemporary flair. A sampling from the much-loved establishment offers Irish seafood chowder, duck liver pate, Kerry prawns and corned beef with crispy cabbage.

9 p.m. Drinking with Joyce

The beloved Irish writer James Joyce frequented Davy Byrnes Pub, one of his favorite places. Today it’s known as Dublin’s most famous pub, at least in the literary sense.

Décor is pre-World War II and filled with murals. Food options include a classic evening meal of oysters and Guinness, or braised pheasant.

SUNDAY

11 a.m. This Old House

top Brazen Hea NMM

d is one of Ireland’s better-known pubs, in existence since 1198. bottom The National Gallery is one of Dublin’s cultural icons featuring various works of European art.

sHawneemagazine

Noted as the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland, Malahide Castle was home and fortress for the Talbot family from 1185 to 1976. Situated on 250 parklike acres, it feels a bit dreamlike—little seems to have changed in 800 years.

A quaint restaurant and tearoom are on site. The country’s stormy history is illustrated in the Great Hall, where in 1690, on the morning of the Battle of the Boyne, 14 members of the family shared breakfast. None returned, as all were killed in battle. sm

47

Mar - June 09 March 28

Motivational Morning.

Here’s To You! Women’s Network will host “Be the Hero(ine) in Your Own Story,” presented by guest speaker Lidia Young. 10 a.m. Register online at www.herestoyouweekly. com or call (913) 232-6432.

March 28-29 and April 4-5

Dodge for a Cause.

Perceptive Software’s fourth annual benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Teams compete on the regulation-size dodgeball court for a chance to attend the National Amateur Dodgeball Association Outdoor National Tournament. www. dodgeforacause.com.

This means we’re among a select group that demonstrated the ability to consistently deliver “An Outstanding Customer Experience.” We’re proud of this honor, and we want to show you our ongoing commitment to serving your needs. Contact us today for a personal insurance review or to purchase a policy.

Paul Ridgway Agency, Inc. 17206 Midland Dr. (I-435 and Midland Dr.) Shawnee, KS 66217 (913) 962-1410 Bus (913) 962-1444 Fax paulridgwayagency.com

Jennifer Showers Licensed Office Manager Paul Ridgway Agency, Inc. (913) 962-1410 Bus Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm

American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries Home Office – Madison, WI 53783 © 2006 001781 – 5/05

Monte Koenigs Licensed Agent Paul Ridgway Agency, Inc. 17206 Midland Dr. Shawnee, KS 66217 (913) 962-1410 Bus (913) 962-1444 Fax

Michele Brotherton Licensed Staff Assistant Paul Ridgway Agency, Inc. (913) 962-1410 Bus Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm Tuesday until 6:00pm

April 3-4

Just Between Friends Spring Shopping Event.

This two-day shopping event is an opportunity to bargain shop for high-quality, gently used children’s and maternity items. Volunteers who choose to consign will receive 70 percent of their sales. Kansas Speedway, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. www.shawnee. jbfsale.com.

April 14

The German Heritage of Kansas. Shawnee

Town’s Speaker Series presents William Keel.

He will share the history of the German ancestors who settled in Shawnee and the legacies they left. Town Hall in Shawnee Town, 7 p.m. (913) 248-2360. www.shawneetown.org.

April 18

Run for Mercy. Join

Oceans of Mercy’s 10K run and 5K run-walk to support HIV/AIDS victims in South Africa.

Registration available online. Race starts at the Mill Valley High School main entrance, 8 a.m. www.oceansofmercy. com.

BEST BETS

May 23

Public pools open.

May 30

2009 Shawnee Garden Tour. Hosted by

the Garden Club of Shawnee. Enjoy the beautiful landscaping and premier gardens in the area. Tickets are $8 before and $10 on tour date. www.shawneegarden. homestead.com.

April 25

Personal Presentation Skills. Hosted by Here’s

To You! Women’s Network. Polish your presentation and speaking skills with “Have Your Voice Heard … Effectively.”

Presented by Lois Harger. 10 a.m. Register online at www. herestoyouweekly.com or call (913) 232-6432.

June 4-7

Old Shawnee Days.

A free community celebration for the entire family featuring live music, carnival rides, games, contests and a parade at Shawnee Town. www. oldshawneedays.org.

May 2

Farmers’ Market opens. Purchase fresh

produce, arts and crafts, jellies and jams, baked goods and desserts at the Shawnee Farmers’ Market in the City Hall parking lot. The market is open beginning at 7 a.m. Saturdays through October 31. (913) 248-2360.

June 9

Las Voces del Pasado: Mexican Americans Tell Stories of Their Past. Shawnee Town’s

Speaker Series presents Gene Chavez President of Chavez & Associates.

He will discuss the experiences of Mexican immigrants coming into the neighborhoods of Kansas City, Kansas.

Town Hall in Shawnee Town, 7 p.m.

(913) 248-2360. www.shawneetown.org.

May 2

May Day at Lanesfield.

Celebrate spring by visiting the decorated 1904 school, make a May Day basket and dance around the maypole. Live music and refreshments provided. This free event is for all ages. 18745 S. Dillie Road, Edgerton.

(913) 893-6645. www. jocomuseum.org.

June 13

Ande Parks: Comic Book Inker. Meet

renowned comic book inker Ande Parks at the Johnson County Museum of History. He has inked artwork for popular comics such as Wonder Woman, Superman, Spider-Man and Daredevil. Event is free. (913) 715-2550. www.jocomuseum.org.

May 12

Growing Food & Feeding People: From the Past to the Present. Shawnee

Town’s Speaker Series presents Katherine Kelly, farmer and executive director of the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture. She will use old photographs and production data to illustrate the history of vegetable production in the Kaw River Valley and surrounding area.

Town Hall in Shawnee Town, 7 p.m.

(913) 248-2360. www.shawneetown.org.

June 20

All events are subject to change.

Third Annual Garden Party. Fashionable

young ladies and their dolls will gather at Shawnee Town for an old-fashioned afternoon of lemonade and tea cakes, a garden tour, craft project and doll parade. (913) 248-2360. www. shawneetown.org.

E-mail your upcoming events for the calendar to shawneemagazine@sunflowerpub.com