KC RELO Magazine Issue 7

ISSUE 7

| 2018

kcrelomag.com

GUIDE

Your to Making the

MOVE to Kansas

City!

Q U A L I T Y. S T Y L E . D I S T I N C T I O N . S I N C E 1 9 7 8 .

8712 West 151st Street | Overland Park, Kansas 66221 | 913-897-0040 Lambiecustom.com

DA SROL TRODUC RODRO CM K UCNOM E E WRODRO H Y OV EC R K3 5I,N 00 0 FA M I L IEESS THE C A L L NE 8 0WE R O ST DRO C K CO M I T I EMUNI S H O MTI E ES

NOW OPEN PHASE ONE

VISIT THE NEW MODEL HOMES HOMES FROM THE $900s-1Mil+

HOMES FROM THE $650s-$900s

HOMES FROM THE $400s-$650s

Overland Park address / Blue valley schools

CELEBRATE Where You Live!

THE OPENING o of PHA PHASE SE ONE

NEW MODEL HOMES

• Quiet, Secluded Neighborhood • Award Winning Blue Valley Schools • Beautiful and Uniquely Designed Clubhouse • Workout Facilities & Community Pool • 2 Acre Lake / Nature Trails • Walkout & Daylight Lots Available • Moms Council & Scholarship Program • Variety of Award Winning 1.5 Story, Reverse & 2 Story Plans • Premier Builders

Overland Park address Blue valley schools Single family homes from the $500s

LOCATED BETWEEN MISSION ROAD & STATE LINE AT 175TH ST., OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS

(913) 991-8095

Located at 183rd Street & Quivira Overland Park, Kansas (913) 333-8852

There’s Something For Everyone In A Rodrock Community!

Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Stilwell

odrock.com

RODROCK DEVELOPMENT Building Better Communities

The New Home Experts

Visit Today Enjoy For A Lifetime!

New Phase – Large Wooded Estate Home Sites Late 2018 from $130,000 to $255,000 Homes from Upper $600s to $1 Mil+

Last Home Sites On Golf Course New Furnished Models Spring 2018 Best Views in Cedar Creek Next to City Park & Grade School Lots Priced from $75,000 to $225,000 Homes from Low $500s to Upper $800s

Lots Priced from $72,500 to $125,000 Homes from Mid $400s to Low $600s

Contact Ken Rosberg - Jeff Sheppard - Linda Cahow-Stanton at 913-829-6500

CedarCreek-KC.com

K-10 Highway to the Cedar Creek Parkway Exit

this is home.

1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66111 • 913-288-6200 Mon-Sat: 10am to 9pm • Sun: 11am to 8pm

nfm.com WE DELIVER ANYWHERE IN THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS AREA ©2018 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.

G E T LO S T I N T H E LU X U R Y O F N AT U R E ’ S S P L E N D O R

Upper $400s to $600s

Anything But Ordinary.

Uncomplicated. Unexpected. Unforgettable.

A Variety of Award Winning Floor Plans • Community Pool Award Winning DeSoto School District • Nature Trails

OPEN Monday - Saturday 12-5, Sunday 1-5 / 913-298-9296

BEST KEPT SECRET IN SHAWNEE

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Ridgestone Meadows Final Phase-Now OPEN! Secluded Wooded Lots Nestled Among Rolling Terrain!

Approved builders welcomed

Model Builders

B R E AT H TA K I N G V I S TA S A W A I T YO U

Directions: Shawnee Msn Pkwy To Martindale

RidgestoneMeadowsKC.com

ReloMalfer.com 913.562.6703

Your Lifestyle by Design

Designed to make the everyday extraordinary.

NEW AND RESALE HOMES $350,000 TO $1.2 MILLION

Winterset Valley is the latest addition to the (5) neighborhoods within Winterset, encompassing over 1200 acres in total. Built with a mission to preserve the natural environment, this award winning master development boasts the coveted designation of “Global ReLeaf Community”, the first in the Midwest!

Something for everyone.

Winterset neighborhoods offer residents a variety of amenities, featuring several outdoor activities designed to make the most of the beautiful, wooded surroundings.

• Three neighborhood pools • Community center • Tennis courts • Over 5 miles of walking trails • Fishing lakes

On the west-side of Lee’s Summit: I-470 to View High, south to 3rd St., east 1/4 mile to Winterset Valley entrance.

YOUR NEW HOME AWAITS. Winterset Valley offers several options for families looking to join the neighborhood, including premier home sites, approximately half overlooking treed nature areas, on walk-out, daylight, and flat lots for construction of homes.

Model Office: 3104 SW Muir Drive Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 U.S.NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS LEE’S SUMMIT BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS.

Susie Zammar Gale 816-520-0409 Kurt Lutz (816) 313-7674 Leslie Silveira Marshall 816-500-5087

• Several designated parks • Numerous ”pocket parks” including several butterfly parks • Four children’s playgrounds • 100 Acre Wood old growth forest And more!

wintersetvalley.com

N U M B E R O N E R E A L E S TAT E OFFICE IN KANSAS CITY!

Average is Unacceptable

“

L E T U S S H O W Y O U why we love Kansas City, and you will too!

We streamline your relocation process, catering to your every need. From education to special needs, activities and lifestyles, we customize your experience alleviating the stress of moving, while providing a sense of community.

Our philosophy is simple, “Average is unacceptable,” which is why we provide a boutique one-of-a-kind experience.

We know relocation and understand it’s much more than just real estate.

“

www.kathrynthomas.com 5 0 0 0 W. 1 3 5 T H S T R E E T | L E AW O O D , K S 6 6 2 2 4 | 9 1 3 . 2 6 6 . 5 4 2 2

usbank.com/mortgage

Mortgage options for physicians Take advantage of today’s competitive interest rates and help your customers purchase a home with our loan option for physicians. This mortgage is especially designed for physicians with six months left in their residency program or who have completed their residency program within the past ten years.

– Income from permanent position used in loan approval – Low down payment options

– Gift funds may be used for down payment – Mortgage insurance not required

Apply for preapproval today.

Kent Hayes Mortgage Sales Manager Overland Park 913.323.5334 kent.hayes@usbank.com NMLS#: 488999

Deborah Hannon Mortgage Sales Manager Kansas City 816.460.3673 deborah.hannon@usbank.com NMLS#: 653811

Applicants must be Doctors of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) that have accepted a permanent position, have six months left in their residency or physicians who have completed their residency within the past ten years.

Income from permanent position will be used in loan approval. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products and services. Mortgage and Home Equity Products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit Products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2017 U.S. Bank 170006C 3/17

For 20+ years, we’ve homeowners in Hallb

helped brook

Gamble Group Continues to Grow with Its New Plaza Location Keller Williams grows and grows‌ and then it grows some more! Choosing the historic Country Club Plaza, Keller Williams Plaza Partners recently opened another full service, energetic Real Estate office. The office is located in The Belltower at 4700 Belleview, Suite 210 is home to more than 50 real estate professionals, real estate teams and administrative staff.

Jim Gamble of the Gamble Group, took an even more focused ownership of his business and his team by opening Keller Williams Plaza Partners.

After a successful 30 year career at a large Kansas City brokerage firm, Gamble joined Keller Williams in 2016. It is here that Jim realized his dream of pursuing and creating a lasting legacy. A Real Estate professional since 1985, Jim served as the president of the Missouri Realtors in 2014 and is currently Regional Vice President of the National Association of Realtors.

As a top producing agent, Jim continues to recruit and mentor agents helping to boost them to their own successful careers in Real Estate.

The Gamble Group is an active residential real estate team with over 50 years experience who have an excellent command of the entire Kansas City metropolitan real estate market. The client-focused team with a strong work ethic, has built a business on a foundation of honesty and integrity. The team works together to draw on each other’s experience resulting in a proven track record of sound pricing strategies, an innovative marketing approach and professional negotiation skills.

The Gamble Group looks forward to assisting you with all of your real estate needs and providing you with a smooth listing and/or purchasing.

Call or Email Us Today! gamblegroupkc.com 816-768-8116 or GambleGroup@KW.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

In business since 2011, Tran Thomas will help make your new house a home that reflects your family's style and needs.Whether you’ve bought a new home or you’re renovating an older home, Tran + Thomas Interior Design is the first call you will want to make to get the process started.

THE CONTEMPORARY STYLING FOR THE WAY WE LIVE

We’ve transformed from traditional to contemporary. If you’re looking for a refreshing, cleaner style and want to make a statement, reach out to us.

Our new motivation has transitioned in a more modern style, incorporating new and fresh ideas that are expanding into the housing market today and Suma Design is at it’s forefront.

Building in the finest communities in the greater Kansas City area.

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Canyon C PRIME DEVELOPMENT

MAIN: Canyon Creek boasts one of the largest and most diverse model rows in the Kansas City metro. Consisting of nine furnished models with varying plans, styles and finishes; Canyon Creek is sure to meet buyer’s expectations. Model homes are open daily from 11-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm.

L A N D C O M PA N Y, L LC

To learn more about Prime Development and information about any of their communities, visit www.PrimeKC.com or call (913)831-3388

Creek TOP RIGHT: Canyon Creek Point’s newest addition, a red-tail hawk sculpture, greets residents and visitors at the community’s entrance.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Canyon Creek Highlands features nine highly decorated furnished models from a lengthy repertoire of award-winning KC builders. Homes range from the $400,000s to over $1 million, with plans including two-story, 1-1/2 story, and reverse 1-1/2 story plans.

CANYON CREEK - LENEXA After a roaring 2017 season, Canyon Creek managed to finish out the year with a record number of sales, and countless satisfied homeowners. As if the overwhelming response to new offerings wasn’t enough, scheduled to break ground in early 2018, Canyon Creek Highlands will also soon be home to one of Olathe’s newest, state-of-the-art elementary schools. Visit CanyonCreekKS.com for a full list of available homesites.

Located off Kansas 10 highway, one mile west of Kansas 7, this master-planned residential community has been thoughtfully planned with an eye for natural beauty. Comprised of five distinctive enclaves, Canyon Creek by the Lake, Park, Highlands, Shores, and Point; each fosters their own unique ambiance with wooded or lakeside homesites, large private common areas, curving streets and private cul-de-sacs carefully designed to respect the contours of the land.

Homeowners who make Canyon Creek their home are afforded a vibrant lifestyle and a remarkable living environment. In addition to the paved walking and biking trails along the forested shoreline of Mize Park Lake, residents can enjoy the community’s pools, cabanas, playgrounds, basketball courts, and large, open recreational sports fields*. Canyon Creek’s proximity to major highway networks, shopping, and dining also affords homeowners convenient access to many area parks and amenities.

Complementing the Highlands offerings, a new maintenance-provided villa phase, Canyon Creek Point, opened this past fall with an additional 44 premium homesites with a mix of walkout, daylight, and level options, backing to either greenspace, or dense trees. Furnished models and spec homes by JFE Construction, James Engle Custom Homes, Roeser Homes, and Hilmann Homes, are expected early spring 2018.

Visit today and see why so many call Canyon Creek home!

* Amenities are unique to each neighborhood.

www.CanyonCreekKS.com 913.441.8998

www.CanyonCreekPointKS.com 913.271.4455

We’ll Help You Find Your Dream Home at Lake Lotawana

Runkle Realty Realty Executives of Kansas City

Gayle, Dayton, Laurie & Noel Runkle Lotawana.com • 816.213.4757 office : 816.246.7500

105%

PRICE MATCH

GUARANTEE!

Indoor & Outdoor Living

OUTDOOR FURNITURE SALE LARGEST INVENTORY, LOWEST PRICES THE BIGGEST SELECTION IN THE ST. LOUIS & KANSAS CITY AREAS

SECTIONAL SEATING

DINING

DEEP SEATING

Villa Living With a View Introducing The Fairway Villas at City Center – Luxury Villas for Lease

Nestled between the 11th and 17th holes of the Canyon Farms Golf Club and steps away from Lenexa City Center.

Only 80 residences are available for lease - with a limited number available for Summer 2018! Enjoy maintenance-provided, main level living with premium finishes, and a covered veranda to soak in the views.

Live the way you want - without the hassle of home ownership.

Call 913.283.9958 or visit our furnished model and leasing center at 8891 Mill Creek Road.

fairwayvillascitycenter.com

Hunt Midwest communities simplify the relocating experience Whether moving to a new part of town or relocating to an entirely different part of the country, finding the perfect neighborhood for your family can be tough. Hunt Midwest is proud to offer a series of master planned, new home communities that take the guesswork out of deciding where to buy a home in the Kansas City metro.

Staley Hills Surrounded by trees and greenspace, Staley Hills offers residents a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with two dramatic water features bordering the community’s entrance, a crystal clear swimming pool, scenic walking trails and beautiful, stone-clad homes lining the streets.

While it’s easy for those who live there to get lost in the serenity that comes with being tucked off North Woodland Avenue and Shoal Creek Parkway, just north of M-152, Staley Hills is close to many conveniences such as Zona Rosa and has excellent access to major highways, Kansas City International Airport and downtown Kansas City. It is located within the highly acclaimed North Kansas City School District.

Homes start in the mid $300,000s.

Benson Place Drive slowly through Benson Place on any given Saturday in the summer and you’ll quickly spot kids wobbling on bikes along the sidewalk and neighbors gathering for an impromptu party in the driveway.

“All of new home communities are built within the area’s top-performing school districts,” said Jenni Mann, marketing manager for Hunt Midwest. “In addition to good schools, our neighborhoods offer a wide array of family-friendly amenities and are conveniently located for a quick commute to work or local attractions.

The only thing left to do is find your new home!”

Hunt Midwest has teamed up with the area’s finest home builders, providing future residents with a wide variety of floorplans and styles to choose from.

The sense of community in Benson Place is just one of many attributes that have led to its popularity. Others include rolling hills, abundant parkland, and close proximity to the Shoal Creek Golf Course and Hodge Park. Benson Place is within the boundaries of the highly rated Liberty school district and just minutes from excellent shopping, downtown Kansas City and Kansas City International Airport.

to family oriented hotspots such as the Tiffany Springs Sports Complex, Springs Water Park and one of the city’s premier shopping districts, Zona Rosa, make The Reserve at Riverstone a top choice for families desiring luxury and convenience.

Family-friendly amenities include a competition-sized swimming pool and cabana, a second lazy-L shaped swimming pool with underwater benches and bubbler fountains, children’s spray ground, playground, five acre lake, picnic area, walking trails and more than 40 acres of parkland and natural areas.

Homes begin in the upper $200,000s.

The Reserve at Riverstone High-end amenities, including a brand new swimming pool, stone entrance monument and extensive landscaping, and location within the award-winning Park Hill School District add to the laundry list of pluses for The Reserve at Riverstone. In addition, its nearness

“Move-in ready homes are available in all of our communities, allowing homebuyers to move within 60 days or less. Our experienced onsite community managers are knowledgeable about the relocation process and can offer new residents a positive home buying experience.”

Homes start in the upper $300,000s.

Woodneath Farms Woodneath Farms has long been a destination community with rolling hills, larger homesites and grand residences all located in the Liberty School District on Flintlock Road north of Missouri 152.

Amenities include a competition-size swimming pool, lake and fountain, walking trails, playground, nature areas, tennis court, picnic pavilion, recreation area, nature area, generous landscaping and brick entrance monuments. The Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath branch and Shoal Creek Elementary are situated on either side of the community’s entrance, adding additional conveniences within walking distance of home.

Homes start in the mid $300,000s.

For more information about Hunt Midwest’s family of new home communities, visit HuntMidwestKC.com.

SPONSORED CONTENT

kcrelomag.com PROTECTION FOR A

President/Publisher Dave Leathers spublishingco@msn.com

PLACE CALLED HOME.

Home – it's where life happens and dreams are brought to life. Let me help you protect what matters most with the customizable coverage you need and the support you deserve – all at an affordable rate. Let's talk today.

Terri Diehl, Agent 500 Sw Market St Ste B Lees Summit, MO 64063 Bus: (816) 524-2627 tdiehl@amfam.com

American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I., American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 011760 – Rev. 2/16 ©2016 – 7194138

The Art in your Home is a Reflection of Your Style LET US MAKE YOUR CUSTOM FRAMING EXPERIENCE FUN We're dedicated to everything art and offer the best in framing.

Art Director Louise Scopelitis Contributing Writers Nate Bechtold • Lonny Cohen Connie Griffin • Tia Keene Reggie Harris • Dave Leathers • Erin Orrick Julie Puckett • Joan Nieman Photographers Aaron Dougherty • Al Griffin Photography American Jazz Museum • American Royal Association David Bickley • Bluebird • Bluestem Brookside Business Association • Cedar Creek Children’s Mercy • Cottonwood Canyon Creekmoor • Extra Virgin • Fountain City Studios Gameface Media • Visit KC • FunLake.com James Maidhof Photography • Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Streetcar Authority • Kansas City Zoo Kansas Speedway • Liberty Hospital Mark McDonald • Dave Leathers • Paul Crosby North Kansas City Hospital • Olathe Medical Center Downtown Lee’s Summit • Brian Paulette Shawnee Mission Health • Sporting KC The American Heart Association • Donny Larsen Saint Luke’s Health System • St. Mary’s Medical Center Truman Medical Centers • The National University of Kansas Hospital • Wright Studio 3G Controller/Billing Marcia Myers spublishingoffice@hotmail.com Accounting Jay Power Showcase Publishing President—Dave Leathers Secretary—Marcia Myers Treasurer—Megan Leathers

SHOWCASE PUBLISHING, INC. CELEBRATING 34 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE. KC RELO MAGAZINE IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING...

913-897-3200 14549 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66223

lionsgate.thegreatframeup.com 32

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kcrelomag.com KC Relo magazine is proudly published biannually by Showcase Publishing, Inc., an awardwinning 34-year old magazine media corporation ©2018. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication, in any form, is strictly prohibited.

For permission to use anything within these pages, please write the publisher at the below address. Issue 7. Dave Leathers, President, Corporate Offices: Showcase Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 26326, Overland Park, Kansas 66225, email: spublishingco@msn.com.

Advertising Information: Looking to reach future residents to KC Metro through a highly targeted print and digital format? KC Relo delivers that and much more in the highest quality, low cost format. To be included in the Issue 8, 2018 edition, please contact Publisher Dave Leathers at spublishingco@msn.com, or Robin Atkins at 913.752.7221 or robin@kansascityrelomag.com.

KC Relo is distributed through KC Metro area real estate offices, new home sub-divisions, relocation services, area chamber of commerce, extended stay hotels and other locations specific to those moving to the KC Metro area. For additional copies of KC Relo for your business or non-profit organization email robin@kansascityrelomag.com.

Ready to buy your dream home?

Call us for our expert Buyer Representation services!

www.KChomes.House | Broker in KS & MO

5000 W. 135th St. | Leawood KS 66224 | 913-568-3253

Let’s prepare for the future of your business, together.

Whether you are just starting out, or getting ready to pass your business down to your children, our financial professionals will provide expertise and guidance to help you plan for your business’s financial future. We’re committed to helping you get to where you want to go with your business.

Learn more about how we can help you carry out your long term vision.

John S. Sight, MSFS, CLU®, ChFC® Financial Representative HighPointe Financial Group 10975 Benson Drive, Suite 350 Overland Park, KS 66210 913-234-4805 jsight@financialguide.com www.highpointefinancialgroup.com On the cover: Resort Style Living at Stay-at-Home-Prices!

Creekmoor is a master-planned community anchored & designed around two Main centerpieces. Lake Creekmoor, a private 108 acre fishing and boating lake. And the Creekmoor 18 hole Championship Golf Course.

Creekmoor is truly an excellent investment in lifestyle & living!

Creekmoor@reecenichols.com, Linda Martin Community Manager, 816-331-0754.

Photography provided by: Donny Larsen

Insurance Representative of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001, and its affiliated US insurance companies. MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for MassMutual and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. Insurance products issued

by MassMutual, Springfield, MA 01111, and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Co. and MML Bay State Life Insurance Co., Enfield, CT 06082. John S. Sight is a registered representative of and offers securities through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC and a MassMutual subsidiary. 10975 Benson Drive, Suite 350, Overland Park, KS 66210. 913-234-0300. CRN201910-220680 KC RELO

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CONTENTS 42

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Message from the President/Publisher

BY DAVE LEATHERS

It’s all about the people!

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Moving with Your Pets

BY JOAN NIEMAN

Kansas City Welcomes You & Your Family, Including the Extended Family

Distinctive Neighborhoods

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Relocating to the Kansas City Area is One of The Best Moves You’ll Ever Make

Live Your Green Lifestyle

BY LONNY COHEN

Golf and Lifestyle Communities Offering You Perks that Go Well Beyond Your Property Line

Rich in History. Rich in Tradition.

BY LONNY COHEN

Kansas City’s Rich History

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The Ins & Outs of Getting Around

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Explore Your New City on the KC Streetcar

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E Oz

arks

The Ease of Getting Around Kansas City is Another Great Perk that You Will Enjoy

There’s Nothing Like Parking Your Car and Boarding the New Kansas City Streetcar

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Lake of the Ozarks The Best Recreational Lake

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kcrelomag.com

Special

Section

L E N E X A ’ S

B E S T

C O M M U N I T Y Upper $500s to $700s

It Just Keeps Getting Better!

Model Builders

Enter at 83rd Street and Deer Run

• • • • •

Close to Shawnee Mission Park Close to Lake Lenexa DeSoto Award Winning Schools Proven Builders Pool, Clubhouse & Nature Trails

JSRobinson.com / Rodrockhomes.com

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Creekmoor offers you the Lifestyle You’re Looking For

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BY MEREDITH TOLLIVER

The Level of Academic Excellence Available in Kansas and Missouri Area Schools is in a Class by Itself

Discover a life you had only imagined.

Highlighting Primary and Secondary Education

Another Financial Option

172

BY LONNY COHEN

Credit Unions Offer Relationship Options in the Kansas City Metro Area

132 144

Kansas City Loves Its Sports

Restaurants with Strong Kansas City Roots

Many Hospitals and the Most Advanced Healthcare Options

Finding a Home for Your Faith

BY LONNY COHEN

No matter what your faith or beliefs, you will soon find that home.

Foodies Delight – Kansas City’s Iconic Restaurants

BY LONNY COHEN

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Spotlight the Importance of Higher Education and Its Presence in Kansas City

176

Big League Sports

Kansas City is the Ideal Place to Realize Your Dream of Higher Education

184

Kansas City is the Definition of Giving…in Many, Many Genres Kansas City’s Giving Community

Healthcare Readily Available in the Kansas City Metro

kcrelomag.com

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BANKS OOL & PA P

S DESIGNS

MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

My

Favorite Room IN THE HOUSE

My version of a man cave is simple & clean.

Y

ou see all sorts of stories and photos everywhere of these overthe-top man caves. Yeah, the ones that are chock full of silly stuff accumulated from years attending sporting events and all other types of noteworthy places, concerts, etc. They are concocted and put together in ways that only the man who built the cave knows what the heck everything is. Even his spouse or significant other has no idea why and when all this stuff happened and was important.

Fast forward to my version in 2018. It is a 4-car garage, simple and easy to clean. Not a lot of clutter, if any clutter. Not a lot of stuff period. It is a place that you use all the time and usually take for granted. Not any more. Once I found Granite Garage Floors my life has improved more than you would know. For a couple of weeks of inconvenience, these folks transformed an ugly concrete garage floor into a thing of beauty! It stays clean, looks fabulous, cleans up with a squeegee, and is overall the nicest part of the daily life of using your garage as the entrance to your home. When was the last time you or your family used your front door?

So, before you spend $50,000 trying to make the lower level into something it will NEVER be, consider some love for your garage. It will be the nicest thing you have ever done to your home! n Sincerely,

Dave Leathers President, Showcase Publishing, Inc. 42

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P.S. www.granitegaragefloors.com ISSUE 7 2018

B E S T. D E C I S I O N . E V E R .

When it comes to your dream home – making sure it is perfect means tons of tough decisions. Let our knowledgeable product experts relieve the stress and restore the fun while introducing you and your design team to our extensive collection of products from the most sought after brands. Request your appointment today at fergusonshowrooms.com

Pivotal™ Collection FE RGUSONSHOWROOM S.COM

We’ve been your choice for appliances. Now shop with us for your bath and lighting too.

At Factory Direct Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, we help make selections for your new home or remodel easy and seamless. We are confident our team can bring the vision for your home to life, and you will find the difference as soon as you step into one of our locations.

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Explore! .COM

Discover events plus artists, musicians and other local creators.

Get involved in our local arts scene! Find arts & cultural events and check out local creators in the ArtsKCGo.com Artist Directory.

ArtsKC | 106 Southwest Blvd. | Kansas City, MO 64108 | 816.221.1777

Imagine the Possibilities

Renovation Home Loans Benefits of Renovation Loan Program: • Up to 95% Financing • Receive funds to cover the costs of repairs, remodeling, or renovation improvements to the property • Up to $250,000 available to remodel your new or current home • One to four unit primary residence or one unit secondary residences are eligible

Apply today at fsbfinancial.com Overland Park

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All loans subject to approval. Maximum loan amounts apply. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions, terms and conditions may apply. Contact your First State Bank Mortgage Loan Officer for more details or to see if you qualify.

Distinctive

Neighborhoods

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PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

R

elocating to the Kansas City area is one of the best moves you’ll make. There are many different faces of our city to choose from, each offering a variety of unique options and features. Whether you want to live in our thriving Downtown area with a streetcar and plethora of eateries all within walking distance, or out on an estate in a family neighborhood, with excellent education options. The best part is every niche and corner is within driving distance of entertainment options and amenities.

We have touched on a few of the areas in the most demand for your consideration.

Welcome to Kansas City! t

KC RELO

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Distinctive Neighborhoods

Continued

PHOTO BY BROOKSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Family living in Brookside and Waldo is a community tradition The Brookside Neighborhood is a sought after eclectic metropolitan jewel, with lovely historic homes, unique shops, trendy restaurants and cultural attractions. Home to some of Kansas City’s hippest residents and urban professionals, Brookside was this city’s first suburban shopping area. It now boasts over 70 proprietors and offices which have elegantly preserved the original architecture and kept the neighborhood appeal.

Located just a few short blocks south of the Country Club Plaza, this residential neighborhood begins at 51st and Wornall Road, while the retail area is further south and bounded by Wornall Road on the west, Meyer Boulevard to the south, 61st Terrace to the north and Main Street to the east. The year is dotted with events including the Brookside Art Fair, a nationally recognized Art Fair in its 21st

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year. It features over 185 local, national and international artists and draws over 80,000 plus each year. The Annual St. Patrick Warm-up Parade is held the Saturday before St. Pat’s Day is a festive, family friendly event where everyone is “Irish” for a day.

Brookside’s delightful neighboring city, Waldo, stretches from Gregory Boulevard on the north to 91st Street on the south, and Troost Avenue on the east to State Line Road on the west. This vibrant neighborhood and business district began in 1841 as the farm of Dr. David Waldo, and soon became a bustling neighborhood on the edge of the city.

Waldo has never lost its flavor as a fun, little family neighborhood on the edge of a big city. Today, you’ll find more than 600 businesses in Waldo, most locally owned, surrounded by a family-oriented neighborhood. This walkable, tree-lined area of our city is truly a wonderful place t to work, shop, live and play.

Welcome

HOME

WWW.THEHAYHOWGROUP.C OM WWW.THEHAYHOWGROUP.COM

Georgiane Hayhow REALTOR & Team Leader (913) 915-3186 G@TheHayhowGroup.com

THE HAYHOW GROUP KANSAS CITY RELOCATION SPECIALISTS (913) 915-3186 We love our city and we’d love to show you around. Let us take you on a tour to introduce the neighborhoods, cultural attractions and icons of this great city. We’re here to help make your move smooth and seamless.

Continued PHOTOS BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Distinctive Neighborhoods

Suburban treats await in Lee’s Summit, Lakewood, and Lake Lotawana Located just east of the metro, the city of Lake Lotawana surrounds the largest private lake in Missouri. With 600 acres of surface water and 27 miles of shoreline, it is populated by every style, size and shape of home, from cozy log cabins to million dollar estates, and private docks that hold pontoons, PWCs, ski boats, fishing boats, sailboats and more. Residents can take advantage of the Missouri Yacht Club on the lake and lakeside dining at Marina Grog and Galley. Sailing and ski clubs connect residents for a family feeling throughout the neighborhood.

Such events as Lotawana Day, with many activities including ski shows and swimming contests, and the 4th of July, with brilliant fireworks, always attract large crowds.

Another community located east of KC ideal for lake lovers is the Lakewood subdivision, boasting two lakes with a total surface area of 365 acres. This prestigious 2,200-acre neighborhood features the Lakewood Oaks Golf course, a championship course, with pro shop, restaurant and bar onsite. Condominiums and homes dot the neighborhood, with 54

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many amenities including four swimming pools and a neighborhood swim team, fitness center, tennis courts, ball fields and play areas. Sunset cruises on the lakes are priceless.

The suburb of Lee’s Summit, southeast of the metro, is renowned for educational excellence, diversity of neighborhood options and a downtown brimming with “small town” ambiance, with over 40 specialty local retail shops, restaurants and many annual events. Free Wi-Fi and

a new electric vehicle charging station further enhance the downtown amenities, and the summer concert series draws lawn chairs and families gathered near the quaint train car which houses the Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Days, weekly events and Fourth Fridays create a nostalgic, neighborhood feel. The Magic Tree, which greets drivers entering the city just off 470 Highway, has become somewhat of a city icon during the Christmas season.

History is alive and well in the Hyde Park, Valentine and Plaza districts

PHOTOS BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Since the 1800s, the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, situated near Armour and Gillham near Westport, has seen a revival over the past years. This tree-lined neighborhood offers homes reminiscent

of times gone by, featuring architectural styles predominately of three kinds: modifications of Colonial revival in brick, stone, and occasionally all-frame; the Kansas City “Shirtwaist� Style house with stone or brick lower story and frame upper, often with a bellcast gable roof; and bungalows. Other styles represented are Victorian Romanesque, Queen Anne, Shingle Style, and Prairie School Style.

Its close proximity to the Country Club Plaza, built by famed real estate developer J.C. Nichols, makes it ideal for city dwellers who want to live the true Kansas City lifestyle. With 15 blocks lined with over 150 of the most exclusive shops in the world, and dozens of fine restaurants, The Plaza is world renowned. Such events as the Plaza Art Fair, the spectacular Plaza lights that shine through the holiday season, and the Plaza bunnies that dot the streets each spring for Easter make this locale unmatched. Apartments and homes in and around the area are some of the most prized pieces of real estate in the city.

The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is a short few blocks away, where over 500,000 visitors annually are greeted by the famed giant shuttlecock on the front lawn scape, and entranced by the over 35,000 works of art within.

The Plaza is also bordered by the Valentine neighborhood, which is also steeped in historic value. These homes bring families of all ages who treasure the woodwork and etched glass, not to mention the close neighborhood feeling that prevails from front porch t to front porch.

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Continued

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Distinctive Neighborhoods

Westward HO

Overland Park and downtown Overland Park offer impressive neighborhoods Overland Park, Kansas, is home to an excellent school district, and a suburb with plenty to offer. Downtown Overland Park is the natural choice for maintenance-free, urban-style living in a trendy suburban community. Just minutes from both I-35 and I-435, it combines the area’s most unique and eclectic mix of shopping, dining, entertainment and services - just steps away from your front door.Whether you’re looking for a penthouse suite or rooftop patio overlooking the farmers market and 56

Olathe, Kansas, the second largest of the 21 communities in prosperous Johnson County, is the fourth largest city in the state. Just 20 miles southwest of downtown KC, it offers an exceptional lifestyle. Attractive neighborhoods and a pleasing community complement one of the best school systems in the nation. Popular for hot-air ballooning and sailboarding, Olathe has two public lakes, Olathe Lake and Cedar Lake. A quality lifestyle is inviting to anyone desiring a lovely city close to the metro.

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

Going west in the Kansas City surrounding area offers a wellspring of rich experiences, with many activities, sights and welcoming neighborhoods.

The town of Shawnee, Kansas, is a short drive, and is not only a nice suburban area, with museums and shopping, but features Shawnee Town. This is an interactive place where visitors of all ages learn what it was like to live in Shawnee in 1929. Engaging and thoughtful tours, exhibits and programs will allow visitors to experience a typical day in and around the farm town of Shawnee in 1929.

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clock tower concert venue or a townhome with courtyard, you’ll find the ultimate downtown living. Historic downtown Overland Park features the quaint Clock Tower Plaza, and over 300 locally owned shops, a farmer’s market and events like 3rd Fridays.

The Corporate Woods business district, Oak Park Mall and Metcalf South Shopping Center are hubs of activity in Overland Park. The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead draws visitors of all ages to tour the 1900s turn-of-the-century farm with petting zoo and activities. And parks and green spaces make this city an t ideal suburb.

Calling all NASCAR fans! Kansas City, Kansas, is home to one of the most popular racetracks in the nation, the Kansas Speedway. This world class racing track, just 15 miles west of downtown, opened in 2001. Since then, millions of fans have had the time of their life in the over 73,000 seats surrounding the 1.5 mile track. RV camping makes the experience even more memorable, as does the Hollywood Casino that overlooks turn two of the track. Village West, adjacent to the Speedway, is a 400-acre retail, dining and entertainment district that happens to be the most visited tourist destination in the state of Kansas, with 10 million visitors annually.

Lawrence, Kansas, west down K10 Highway, is home to the champion Kansas University Jayhawks, and offers the best of what a college town is about. Restaurants, concerts, events and outdoor activities abound. The Free State Brewery and the historic Eldridge Hotel are just two of the many landmarks in this storied town. It’s definitely worth a day trip or even could be your ideal home.

The Downtown areas of Kansas City rival any city in our United States with art, mixed use neighborhoods, a blend of venues and styles and a city pride that spans generations. Its emergence in entrepreneurial growth and smart city technology are making the news and the momentum is gathering.Venues such as the Sprint Center, the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts and the Power and Light District have made for quite a renaissance.

Living here means walking or jogging to work, to the grocery store or to any number of restaurants.

One Light Apartments, the first new apartment complex built downtown since 1978, offers spectacular downtown views through floor-to-ceiling glass walls in all 307 apartments. Hundreds of residents have moved into the tower at 50 E. 13th Street, enamored by the luxury amenities, including a spectacular rooftop pool and many common areas, including a theater and game room. Plans are already underway to build Two Light.

fully functioning neighborhood with small-scale grocers, bakeries, home décor, dentists, pet stores, yoga studios, banks, movie theaters, printing services and coffee shops.

The new streetcar provides easy access to Downtown, the Crossroads and the River Market. The monthly 1st Fridays event has become a regional favorite, drawing up to 10,000 for the evening of food trucks, street performers, art gallery exhibits and music.

The River Market is a riverfront neighborhood in Kansas City that comprises the first and oldest incorporated district in Kansas City, officially named a Historical District by the US Department of Interior in the late 70s. Over the years, the River Market

has also been coined Westport Landing, the City Market and River Quay.

This vigorous and exciting neighborhood, has large riverfront warehouses being developed into residential lofts, with restaurants, bars, shops, cafés and ethnic markets. Several firms have recently relocated into the district, including Populous, one of the world’s leading sports architecture firms. Major attractions here are The City Market’s Farmers’ Market, the largest farmers’ market in the region, which brings “Farm to Table” right to the heart of the city with fresh produce and goods on Saturday and Sunday. The Arabia Steamboat Museum displays thousands of artifacts from a steamboat and its cargo that sunk nearby in 1856 t and was recovered in 1987-88.

PHOTOS BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Experience Downtown KC, with the creative Crossroads and River Market

The Crossroads district, centrally located near Downtown, Crown Center, Union Station and the River Market, features everything from live music to performance art. Now home to over 2,000 residents, the Crossroads is a

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Continued PHOTOS BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Distinctive Neighborhoods

The Country Club District offers unmatched living options in Mission Hills, Prairie Village, Leawood, Westwood and Fairway The group of neighborhoods comprising a historic upscale residential district in Kansas City, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas, is known fondly as the Country Club District. The district, also the brain child of J.C. Nichols, was developed in stages between 1906 and 1950, and today is home to approximately 60,000 and includes such well-known Kansas City neighborhoods as Sunset Hill and Brookside in Missouri, Mission Hills, Fairway, and the oldest parts of Prairie Village in Kansas, making it the largest planned community built by a single developer in the United States. Ward Parkway, a wide, manicured boulevard, is the main thoroughfare through the district, running south from the Country Club Plaza, the first suburban shopping district in the United States.

Mission Hills, Kansas, has been a neighborhood of high distinction since J.C. Nichols developed it in the 1920s as a part of his Country Club district plan.

Located on the Kansas/Missouri State Line, 58

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homeowners here enjoy membership in the three country clubs and golf courses.Together, the three clubs, Kansas City, Mission Hills and Indian Hills, have become the most prestigious in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Mission Hills is ranked third by Forbes list of America’s most affluent neighborhoods, and is home to some of the most opulent homes on large lots. George Brett,Tom Watson and Kevin Harlan make this their home.

Another richly storied neighborhood envisioned by J.C. Nichols is Prairie Village, Kansas, another planned community neighboring the Country Club Plaza. These quaint homes line treed streets, with easy access to everything Kansas City has to offer. The school systems in these Johnson County subdivisions are the top in the nation, and Prairie Village has been named one of the best subdivisions in the region by the Kansas City Star. There is plenty to do, with a large neighborhood pool complex, art galleries, restaurants and

events throughout the year that bring community spirit to life.

Leawood, Kansas, is a bit further into Kansas, offering the sought-after Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission School districts to families. Residents can enjoy the aquatic center, lovely parks, Ironhorse Championship Golf Course and events planned by the Leawood Arts Council.

The Westwood and Fairway communities in Kansas are also neighborhoods of distinction that draw every age of resident who enjoys suburban living in a delightfully interactive setting. The City of Fairway, incorporated in 1949, is a beautiful residential community in Northeast Johnson County. With nearly 4,000 residents and nearly 1800 homes and 100 businesses, Fairway is a small, but significant city. Westwood is a quaint community also nestled in the far northeast corner of Johnson County. Near Rainbow Boulevard and Mission Road, its homes are reminiscent of the cultural ideals of the mid 1900’s.

Eastward HO A quick jaunt east of the city offers rolling landscapes, horses, quaint country communities and sports.

Of course, this means the Missouri Mavericks championship hockey team in Independence. They play at the Independence Events Center, which is also home to a number of events through the year. The Missouri Mavericks, owned by Lamar Hunt Jr., son of Kansas City Chiefs founder, Lamar Hunt, are entering into their seventh season as a professional hockey franchise in Independence, and made the playoffs appearances in each of their first five seasons, including winning the 2014 Bud Poile Governor’s Cup, capping off a season of franchise record regular-season wins (44).

Now as part of the ECHL, the Mavericks compete in the “Central Division” of the ECHL for a spot in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The I-70/470 corridor has become a central part of the suburb of Independence. This area is conveniently located and has expanded with the Stoney Creek development, featuring the popular Bass Pro Shops and a wide variety of restaurants. Golf courses, including Stone Canyon and Shoal Creek, provide quantities of green space in this historic suburb. Many apartment complexes, office complexes, subdivisions and office parks make Independence a viable living area near the city. Events such as Santi Cali Gon Days are renowned.

Blue Springs is renowned for its Adams Dairy Parkway commercial area, with a plethora of restaurant options, Home Depot, Walmart, Kohl’s and other shopping offerings.

Its excellent education options and high school sports teams have earned state honors yearly. Close to the metro and a coveted address, city pride is alive and well in historic downtown Blue Springs. Annual events include the Fall Funfest and others.

Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, is steeped in tradition This ethnic neighborhood draws on its European influence and tradition, with generations of families living in historic, majestic homes handed down through years past. Immigrants from Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Sweden settled the Strawberry Hill neighborhood in the late 19th Century. The community remains rooted in its Slavic heritage even today.The area, on the bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, continues to thrive and grow.The Strawberry Hill Fall Festival draws folks who wish to experience the flavor, music and crafts of this rich suburban enclave.The museum and cultural center is located in a sprawling building ready to explore, and unique restaurants

draw daily visitors wishing to learn and enjoy the cultural influence.

Once such beloved place to find unique treats is Strawberry Hill Povitica Company, located in the heart of Strawberry Hill. In 1984, with the written recipe of his beloved mother, and her “secrets,” Harley opened the shop. Povitica has been a staple at holiday and family gatherings for generations. When given as a gift to people outside your family, it was meant as a sign of respect. As time has gone on, the tradition of baking Povitica has become a dying art form. Here, that tradition lives on with the help of a few dedicated people who still use their Grandmother’s recipe. This Povitica is shipped around the world. Free tours of the bakery are available, and include a free t sample and free cup of coffee.

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North Kansas City has a variety of areas, each unique, including Parkville, Weston, Liberty, Smithville and Gladstone In the heart of the greater metropolitan area, North Kansas City possesses an atmosphere of small town hospitality and tradition coupled with access to high-tech services and a wealth of recreational and cultural activities. Chappelle’s Restaurant and Sports Museum is something to experience. Not to mention proximity to KCI Airport and North Kansas City Hospital. Growth has been phenomenal in this area, which expands to Parkville.

Historic Downtown Parkville, overlooking the Missouri River, is a haven for shops, each offering a unique shopping experience.

Whether you’re looking for art, antiques, one of a kind boutiques, gadgets, home decor, fashion, embellishments, or collectibles, you’ll find it. Such events as the Annual Parkville River Jam and Parkville Microbrew Fest at English Landing Park are huge draws of all ages.

In Weston, locally produced wine, beer, and distilled spirits, and a pub in the underground vaults of an 1840’s brewery are sights to behold. There’s a state park on the bluffs of the Missouri River where Lewis and Clark walked, with beautiful views, trails, picnic and camping sites.

Liberty, as do all of the North KC neighborhoods, offers an excellent school system, with restaurants, a historic downtown and restaurants aplenty.

Smithville and Gladstone each possess a personality, with Richville’s familyfriendly community on the shores of the 7,200 acre Smithville Lake with its boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming opportunities. Alongside the lake is the Paradise Pointe Golf Complex with its two challenging 18-hole courses.

Gladstone’s suburban community is known for excellent proximity 10 miles from the airport, and schools and art and community events that make life peaceful n and eventful.

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Continued PHOTOS BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Distinctive Neighborhoods

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Have Chimneys Inspected Before You Buy TIPS: • All flues should be inspected annually and swept as necessary by a professional chimney sweep • All types of wood, including hardwood, create flammable creosote • Wood-burning stove and insert flues should be swept twice during the season • Cut and split wood at least 6 months prior to using to assure that it is dried properly • Most chimney fires go unnoticed, with damages found later during inspection. Chimney fires usually cause costly damages • A second chimney fire is more likely to escape a flue and chimney and ignite nearby combustibles • Don’t allow sellers to exclude chimneys from inspections! To do so can be very costly.

Chimneys are one of the most important parts of a home to have inspected. Chimneys vent toxic and heated flue gasses out of the home, and if not properly maintained and sized, they fail to do the job correctly. Unfortunately, over 80% of chimneys are not in working order, yet continue to be used, leaving the occupants at risk for Carbon Monoxide poisoning or house fire.

The National Fire Protection 211 Standard requires a Level II internal camera inspection of chimney flues serving fireplaces, stoves or inserts, and venting gas or wood at the time of sale or transfer of a home. A camera is inserted into the flue and run the entire length in order to check for voids, missing mortar, cracked flue tiles, or other issues. A Level I visual inspection is required for furnace, boiler, or water heater flues, or manufactured chimneys where it is not possible to insert a camera.

Chimney repair can be costly, so it is best to know what the expense will be before purchase.

The most common problems are: Water heater and furnace flues in masonry chimneys are often oversized for the appliance and need a smaller flue liner; flammable bird and squirrel nests; leaves and twigs in the flue; blockages; damaged flue liners; flammable creosote on flue walls, and unparged smoke chambers (no coating of insulating mortar). HVAC technicians and home inspectors do not get training on chimneys and do not normally install flue liners or do chimney repair. Chimney technicians do this type of work.

A Chimney Safety Institute of America Certified technician is qualified to evaluate chimneys; however, any repair work must be completed by a Class DM Licensed Contractor in the greater Kansas City area.

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PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Rich in HISTORY. Rich in

F PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

rom Kansas City barbecue to a livestock event spanning an entire month, and from a visionary land developer to Kansas City melodious jazz sounds, Kansas City’s history is rich and colorful. Thanks to the many visionaries who gave their special gifts to the area, you will soon discover just a few reasons why Kansas City is such a vibrant place to live.

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PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

n BY LONNY COHEN

Tradition.

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

The Taste…the smell – Kansas City Barbecue Two of the oldest barbecue restaurants in the area can be traced back to Henry Perry, known as the “father of Kansas City barbecue.”

KANSAS CITY CONTINUES TO BE THE MECCA FOR GOOD BARBECUE.

PHOTO BY AMERICAN ROYAL ASSOCIATION

After a stint in the steamboat business, Perry moved to Kansas City in 1907, and that move put Kansas City on the map to become the ‘Barbecue Capitol of the World.” Landing a job as a porter in a local saloon, Porter started selling smoked meats to workers in the alley close to the saloon where he worked.With a following and a confidence in his abilities, Perry opened a restaurant in a trolley car near 10th & Vine, in 1910. His menu included twentyfive cent slabs of ribs and other beef specialties along with possum, woodchuck and raccoon.

Charlie Bryant worked for Perry as a cook.When Perry died in 1946, he left his restaurant to Bryant who sold the business to his brother Arthur who renamed the restaurant Arthur Bryant’s and moved it to 17th and Brooklyn. The restaurant is still in its original location and continues to host celebrities, sport figures and politicians when visiting the City.

Following Perry’s death, former cook Arthur Pinkhard joined forces with his friend George Gates to open Gates and Son’s Bar-B-Que. Today their restaurant has locations throughout the city.

Kansas City continues to be the mecca for good barbecue. As a newcomer to the area, you will talk to many people who will tell you that they know who has the best barbecue. The fun of being a newcomer is t finding out for yourself.

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PHOTO BY AMERICAN ROYAL ASSOCIATION

PHOTO BY AMERICAN ROYAL ASSOCIATION

Rich in History. Rich in Tradition. Continued

THE AMERICAN ROYAL DRAWS THOUSANDS EACH YEAR TO THE MONTH-LONG EVENT.

From its humble beginnings to today – The American Royal What was once the hub of cattle trading in the area is now the home to one of the biggest events in the City – The American Royal.

PHOTO BY AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM

Originally called the National Hereford Show in 1899, the show was designed to move livestock. The American Royal draws thousands each year to the month-long event.

Through the years The American Royal has grown and today includes a horse show that attracts the top riders from around the country competing in major competitions. Additionally, the American Pro Rodeo and, the World Series of Barbecue Competition were added to the festivities. Events are centered around the whole family drawing tens of thousands to the annual American Royal Parade. For those who like to tap their toes to country music, top country musical entertainers rock the house at sold-out

concerts. Whether you are a cowboy or not, The American Royal, as it has been for many years, is a time to get your cowboy on.

And all that jazz.

Bill “Count” Basie, Mary Lou Williams, Charlie Parker, Pat Metheny, and Sonny Kenner are just a few of the people who have been part of the Kansas City Jazz scene.

While New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz, Kansas City put its special spin on jazz when it was first heard in the 1920s. It surged during the 1930s when Kansas City was run by political boss Tom Pendergast.

Under Pendergast, the city was in an economic boom and musicians moved to Kansas City to find work.While prohibition was a sign of the times throughout the t

WHILE NEW ORLEANS WAS THE BIRTHPLACE OF JAZZ, KANSAS CITY PUT ITS SPECIAL SPIN ON JAZZ WHEN IT WAS FIRST HEARD IN THE 1920S.

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Be a part of our award-winning publications in 2018

Lake of the Ozarks Second Home Living Published quarterly

Official Shootout Program Guide Published once a year

Lake Relo Published twice a year

KC Relo Published twice a year

Cabo Living Published three times a year

KC Options Published once a year

For more information about our luxury periodicals, please check out any of our websites.

PHOTO BY AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM

PHOTO BY AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM

Rich in History. Rich in Tradition. Continued

country, it did not exist in Kansas City and this phenomenon allowed jazz clubs to open and prosper in the area.

While this golden age of Jazz no longer exists today, Kansas City Jazz continues to be heard throughout the city. Kansas City is home to the American Jazz Museum, which opened in 1997. The museum, located in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, has done an exceptional job of highlighting the sights and sounds of the jazz legends as well as modern-day jazz.

Let’s go shopping!

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Besides the shopping at the many unique stores and eating at the extraordinary restaurants, plan to take a walking tour to see the architecture, statues and fountains that make this shopping area as unique today as it was nearly 100 years ago. n

Finally...

No history is complete without looking at some of the Kansas Citians who have left their mark on Kansas City and the rest of the country! Thank you Harry S. Truman, Amelia Earhart, Don Cheadle, Walt Disney, Richard and Henry Block, Robert Altman, Thomas Hart Benton, Joan Crawford, Donald Hall, Buck O’Neil, Ernest Hemmingway, George Brett, Tom Watson, Ginger Rogers, Paul Rudd, Eric Stonestree, Bob Riggle, Jason Sudeikis, Jesse James, George Caleb Bingham, Dee Wallace, Chris Cooper, Kate Spade, John Kander plus many, many more.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Today, shopping centers are the norm, but in 1922, Kansas City was the home to the first shopping center in the world – The Country Club Plaza.

Designed to accommodate visitors who arrived by automobile, The Country Club Plaza was developed by Kansas City visionary developer Jesse Clyde Nichols, (Known as JC Nichols) and was patterned after the high-end shopping districts in Seville, Spain. Encompassing about 55 acres, during planning,the project met extreme criticism, but when it opened, the area was an immediate success and has continued that success.

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Brightons Landing, Olathe, KS | Canyon Ridge Villas, Lenexa, KS | Dayton Creek, Spring Hill, KS Hazelwood Villas, Kansas City, KS | Melrose Reserve, Overland Park , KS Praire View at Creekside Woods, Lenexa, KS | Stonebridge Meadows, Olathe, KS

913.897.5287

WynneHomesKC.com

Tim Laman for National Geographic

The state of magazines is sticky, 43 minutes per issue sticky.

Media continue to proliferate. Attention spans continue to shrink. And free content is available everywhere, from the Internet to the insides of elevators.

Why then are 93% of American adults still so attached to magazines? Why do so many people, young and old, spend so much time with a medium that’s paper and ink, a medium you actually have to pay for in order to read?

In a word, engagement. Reading a magazine remains a uniquely intimate and immersive experience. Not only is magazine readership up, readers spend an average of 43 minutes per issue.

Further, those 43 minutes of attention are typically undivided.

Among all media–––digital or analog–––magazine readers are least likely to engage in another activity while reading.

(Advertisers, take note.)

Stickiness. Another demonstration of the power of magazines.

KANSAS CITY’S # 1 PURCHASE LENDER 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017* LEE’S SUMMIT NMLS # 1143082 3540 NE Ralph Powell Road Suite A

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*As listed by Marketrac® for purchase units Jan. 2014-Dec. 2017. All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and fees subject to change. Mortgage financing provided by PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. Equal Housing Lender. © 2018 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. PrimeLending Company (NMLS : 13649) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and an exempt lender in KS, MO. V021216.

Picture the Possibilities with a PrimeLending Renovation Loan Is your current home livable, but not lovable? Or is the house you want to buy in need of a little TLC? We can help – with PrimeLending, the perfect updates are just a renovation loan away.

Our loan programs can help you transform spaces that tend to need the most improvements, like the kitchen and bathrooms. With upgrades like modern appliances, cabinets and countertops, and more, your home can feel like new in no time. Our process is simple: you can roll the costs of repairs or upgrades into your mortgage, meaning you can make repairs immediately after closing.

You deserve to work with a lender who puts your needs first. As your local home loan experts, you can trust us to find the right loan that works best for you. We make each step of the entire process simple and hassle-free.

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Visit us at whyprimelendingkc.com

Ins& Outs OF GETTING AROUND

I

f you are moving from an area with long commutes, do not expect them here. As a newcomer, the ease of getting around Kansas City is another great perk that you will enjoy. Highways and city streets are prominently marked so you will not miss your highway exit and you will easily find the street you are looking for.

At first glance, you may notice a lot of highway and road construction, but you do not need to worry. Delays through these areas are minimal and will usually only increase your commute by a matter of minutes.

Kansas City has a highway that encircles the city. Thanks to Interstate 435, an 83-mile two state beltway encircling the Kansas City metropolitan area, you will find that you will be able to get from Independence to Overland Park and from Parkville to Lee’s Summit using this loop. t

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PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

TO HELP TAKE SOME OF THE STRESS OUT OF YOUR COMMUTE IS THE KANSAS CITY AREA’S BI-STATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, KC SCOUT.

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Ins & outs OF GETTING AROUND Continued PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

NEW UPSCALE LIVING IN

PRAIRIE VILLAGE What was once a 136-acre golf course and country club is now Meadowbrook Park, a new vision for a community blending luxury, privacy and classic architecture within the setting of an 84-acre public park, centrally located lakes and meandering trails.

Featuring mature trees, courtyards and parklettes, Meadowbrook Park, is located in the heart of Prairie Village, Kansas between Somerset Drive and 95th Street and between Roe and Nall.

Meadowbrook’s two upscale maintenance-provided residential neighborhoods are a mix of single-family homes and twin villa homes by five of Kansas City’s finest builders.

The single-family homes in Meadowbrook Park feature modern interpretations of classic architecture. Each home is designed and built for exclusive upscale living with first floor master suites, quality craftsmanship and the highest attention to detail. The singlefamily homes in Meadowbrook Park are custom designed by Ambassador Construction, Holthaus Building, Inc., Lambie Custom Homes and RM Standard Construction.

Exclusively built by Tom French Construction, the Twin Villas are luxury residences with courtyards allowing living space to flow into beautifully landscaped terraces and outdoor spaces.

For more information:

Helping you get from your new home to your new job, school or entertainment destination are the highways that intersect with I-435 including I-35, 1-29, I-470, I-635,K-10, 350 Highway, US 69, US 50 and US 40. Once you have lived here for a while, you will soon realize that these highways are great ways to get to your destination whether it’s just a few miles away or it is across the city.

To help take some of the stress out of your commute is the Kansas City Area’s bi-state management system, KC Scout. Developed by the Kansas and Missouri departments of transportation (KDOT, MoDOT) , KC Scout is designed to lessen traffic jams by improving rush-hour speeds, to increase safety by decreasing the number of rush-hour accidents, and to improve emergency response to traffic situations.

Using cameras and sensors to monitor the more than 125 miles of continuous t

Single Family Homes 913-800-0232 Twin Villas 913-333-1313

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE IN KANSAS, VISIT WWW. KSREVENUE.ORG AND IN MISSOURI, VISIT WWW.DOR.MO.GOV.

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SINSIGLE NSIGLE NGLE FAMIFAMIFAMI LMEADOWBROOK YLMEADOWBROOK HOMES YLMEADOWBROOK HOMES Y HOMES TWITWINTWINVILNVILALVILALHOMES LAHOMES HOMES EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE LIFE LIFE AT LIFE AT AT

PARK PARK PARK WWW W.LIVE WW W.LIVE W LIVE IN W.LIVE MEADOWBROOK.COM IN MEADOWBROOK.COM MEADOWBROOK IN MEADOWBROOK.COM COM

UPSCALE UPSCALE UPSCALE LIVING LIVING LIVING IN IN THE IN THE THE HEART HEART HEART OFOF PRAIRIE OF PRAIRIE PRAIRIE VILLAGE VILLAGE VILLAGE SURROUNDED SURROUNDED SURROUNDED BYBY 84-ACRE BY 84-ACRE 84-ACRE MEADOWBROOK MEADOWBROOK MEADOWBROOK PARK PARK PARK Ideally Ideally Ideally Located Located Located Near Near Near 95th 95th & 95th Nall & Nall & Nall

For more For more Forinformati more informati ionn,formati contact on, contact on,Communi contact Communi Communi ty Manager ty Manager ty ManagerFor more For more Forinformati more informati ionnformati contact on contact onSharon contact Sharon Barry Sharon BarryBarry and Sheri andDyer-Shaw Sheri Dyer-Shaw Dyer-Shaw at (9at13)(9333-1313. at13)(9333-1313.

13) 333-1313.

TeresaTeresa Hoffman Teresa Hoffman Hoffman at (9at13)(9800-0232. at13)(9800-0232.

13) 800-0232. and Sheri

SINGLE SINGLE SINGLE FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY HOMES HOMES HOMES A DEVELOPMENT A DEVELOPMENT OFA DEVELOPMENT OF TWIN OF TWIN TWIN VILLA VILLA VILLA HOMES HOMES HOMES

For more For more For information, more information, information, contact contact Community contact Community Community Manager Manager ManagerFor more For more For information more information information contact contact Sharon contact Sharon Barry Sharon BarryBarry and Sheri and Sheri and Dyer-Shaw Sheri Dyer-Shaw Dyer-Shaw at (913) at (913) 333-1313. at (913) 333-1313.

333-1313.

Teresa Teresa Hoffman Teresa Hoffman Hoffman at (913) at (913) 800-0232. at (913) 800-0232.

800-0232.

A DEVELOPMENT A DEVELOPMENT OF A DEVELOPMENT OF OF

Ins & outs OF GETTING AROUND Continued

TO HELP TAKE SOME OF THE STRESS OUT OF YOUR COMMUTE IS THE KANSAS CITY AREA’S BI-STATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, KC SCOUT.

highways in the Greater Kansas City Area, KC Scout uses large electronic message boards to send urgent traffic notices to drivers along the freeways, and activates a Highway Advisory Radio system that motorists in Missouri can tune to in the event of a highway incident. For more information about KC Scout or to download the app, visit, www.kcscout.net.

If you would like to let someone else do the driving, there are numerous options in the area. Buses in both the Missouri and Kansas sides of the state line are clean and dependable; and you will find that 82

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riding a bus can be extremely economical and will take you to almost everywhere you want to go.

Riding with Uber is one of the Kansas City area’s newest transportation options. With a smart phone app, users can book their requests; and know that within minutes their ride is available. Using the Uber service is a perfect option for your daily life or a night on the town.

Finally, if you enjoy using a bicycle as a mode of transportation, you are in luck as the area is very bike friendly with many

BKC Information Center is NOW OPEN! BKC is an information center for all things Kansas City!

Information includes flyers, brochures and packets on all that KC has to offer including: Dining | Arts | Entertainment | Shopping | Transportation | Places to Live

1817 Wyandotte St. | Kansas City, MO 64108 | 816.333.4545

BoveriRealty.com

It’s Your City. Live In It.

cities throughout the area developing bicycle master plans: and bike lanes are the norm in many neighborhoods.

Kansas City’s B-Cycle Bike Share is a new great way to maneuver through the area. With more stations planned, presently, there are 27 bike rental stations serving Downtown KC, Westport, The Country Club Plaza, 18th and Vine and the Trolley Track Trail. Costs for the Bike Share include a membership and a usage fee. For more information, visit www.kansascity.bicycle.com. n

Buying, Selling, and Leasing Condos, Lofts, and Homes

BoveriRealty.com Sales: 816-333-4545 | Leasing: 816-333-4040 PHOTO BY J&K LANGER PHOTOGRAPHY

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‘‘

In 2018, existing-home sales are projected to be unchanged from 2017, at about 5.5 million sales nationwide, and the median home price is expected to edge up only about 2 percent.

Kansas City Real Estate Data Provides Valuable Market Insight

SPONSORED CONTENT

kcrar.com

REALTORS® Offer Insight on 2018 Housing Market Landscape The start of the new year is a time when many people reflect on their goals and pledge personal resolutions for the next 365 days.

Whether optimistic about or hoping for changes in the year to come, switching over the calendar also allows an opportunity to reassess one’s housing situation.

In 2018, existing-home sales are projected to be unchanged from 2017, at about 5.5 million sales nationwide, and the median home price is expected to edge up only about 2 percent. One of the biggest challenges in 2018 will continue to be the low levels of homes available for sale.

This time of year has potential buyers and sellers reflecting on last year’s housing market data and examining the outlook for the next 12 months to better prepare themselves for entering the market and buying or selling a home.

Supply of new and existing homes on the market for the Kansas City region began the new year down more than 16 percent compared to the same time the previous year with just under 6,500 listings in the Heartland Multiple Listing Service.

2017 was another strong year for real estate. Nationwide, home sales prices increased in 2017, and Kansas City was no exception, with the average sales price up nearly 6 percent for the year.

Home affordability in the Kansas City region remains positive, with an average sale price for existing homes at $210,000 and new homes at $381,000. The number of closed sales in the Kansas City region for 2017 was nearly even with 2016 numbers.

“REALTORS® continue to provide the best tools and resources to overcome the challenge of the short supply and our fast-paced local market through their access to the most current inventory, experience in transaction management strategies, and insight into market trends,” said Andrea Sheridan, president of the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS®.

The National Association of REALTORS’® Housing Opportunities

and Market Experience (HOME) survey tracks topical real estate trends and renters and homeowners’ views and aspirations regarding homeownership. Released in December, the quarterly survey showed that at the end of 2017, 76 percent of homeowners think now is a good time to list their home for sale, which is up from a year ago. This data should help potential buyers and sellers better understand the market environment and know what to expect in 2018.

“The takeaways from this national survey, combined with local market statistics, should help buyers and sellers who are heading into the market,” Sheridan said. “Armed with this information and the partnership with a local REALTOR®, they can better strategize to achieve their home buying and selling goals.”

For the latest information on the Kansas City market, connect with a local REALTOR® who can provide the best advice on getting started. To find a REALTOR® in the Kansas City area visit www.WhichRole.com.

SPONSORED CONTENT

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE PARKING YOUR CAR AND BOARDING THE NEW KANSAS CITY STREETCAR...

Explore Your New City

ON THE

KC Streetcar

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PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY STREETCAR AUTHORITY PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY STREETCAR AUTHORITY

Then take in the sights along the way and come back to Crown Center for delights at the American Restaurant, Milano Italian Restaurant, d’Bronx Deli, The Crayola Cafe and more. The Mayor’s Christmas tree lighting is a must see, and an ideal time to ride the Streetcar.

PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY STREETCAR AUTHORITY

Make a day of it! Begin at Crown Center with excellent shopping and Lego Land, plus Hall’s Kansas City, and some delights from Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery, and then board the street car and head to City Market to the Farmer’s Market for your fresh veggies. Open Saturday and Sunday mornings, fresh foods from our area are showcased in a big way.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

When you board, you can load your bicycle, wheelchair or stroller into the middle car if need be. It is free to ride, and travels the two miles through the heart of downtown and connects to Ride KC buses at either end of the route, and at the 10th and Main Transit Center. A wellspring of discovery awaits you.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY STREETCAR AUTHORITY

T

here’s nothing like parking your car and boarding the new Kansas City Streetcar, which took to the rails in 2016. It is a vision that has come to creative fruition by city leaders to help draw people to the vibrant downtown areas overflowing with food, fun, shopping and entertainment.

Or, begin your trip at Union Station, where you can either spend a couple hours watching a 3D movie, or grab a treat at Pierponts or Rocky Mount Chocolate Factory. Parisi Coffee is a perfect pair to any of this, and Science City brings in popular exhibits to peruse for ages one to 101.

The Power & Light District will be a visit you’ll not want to miss. Be sure and check ahead for all the many free concerts and events that take place throughout the year.

Then, ride a little further down the line and land in the Crossroads Arts District, where you can visit any one of the number of fooderies along the path, such as Torn Label Brewing t

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Explore Your New City ON THE KC Streetcar

City icon. Lidia Bastianich is a best-selling cookbook author and Emmy awardwinning public television host.

Make a night of it and enrich your cultural aura with KC Ballet at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, or the Kansas City Symphony and any number of attractions drawn to our downtown. First Fridays, a popular artist gathering and

PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY STREETCAR AUTHORITY

Company, or Tom’s Town Distilling Company, or Extra Virgin KC, or Café Gratitude for libations and enticing fare.

And don’t miss Grinders, which draws and eclectic mix of artist and musicians to its stage and more. Coffee has taken on infamous status in Kansas City, and Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters does not disappoint. Smokestack barbecue is mouthwatering, and Lidia’s is a Kansas

Continued

entertainment event that draws thousands the first Friday of each month, is a fun time to ride the Streetcar, where you’ll meet other creative spirits and adventurers.

Patti Meier recently moved to the Olde Westport area in midtown Kansas City, and while she works from home, her work has often involved travel to other cities across the country. She has ridden the streetcar on several occasions, initially to just see what it was like and how it compares to streetcars in other cities and more recently to avoid downtown or river market parking.

“The streetcar is a great way to quickly travel from Union Station or the Crossroads to the River Market. Along the way my husband and I have seen and tried out coffee shops, Brioche Pastry Shop and Tom’s Town Distillery,” Patty says.

“We’ve also found shops unique to Kansas City that we love, especially Gallup Map! We’re Airbnb hosts and encourage our out-of-town guests to ride the streetcar.

Guests have really enjoyed the free transportation and the ability to hop on

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and off as they explore Kansas City from Union Station to the River Market and everywhere in between.”

Plan your trip and write your own story about your Streetcar adventure! It is one you’ll want to add to again and again.

PHOTOS BY KANSAS CITY STREETCAR AUTHORITY

Visit kcstreetcar.org for all the information to help you plan your Streetcar experience. n

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Moving your n B Y J OA N N I E M A N

I

f you are moving to the Kansas City area with your family pets, you will be happy to know that this is a very petfriendly area with wonderful animal care in the form of great veterinary care, pet boarding and spas, dog parks, pet-focused fairs and events, pet bakeries and retail and dog-friendly restaurants with outside patio dining.

Moving can be a very disruptive experience for your household and this includes your pet family. Because pets have an instinctive fear of new surroundings, as pet parents, we want to help them adjust easily. Pre-planning for the transfer of your pets should begin as soon as you know you are going to move.

Pre-Planning for your pet includes a veterinary visit for a checkup and interstate health certificate (which is typically valid for 30 days). The checkup should be done well in advance of your departure date in case there are treatments or vaccinations recommended.

If your pet is excitable or prone to motion sickness when traveling, you may ask the veterinarian about medication for it. Also, ask if a veterinarian in your new area can be recommended.

According to the KS Department of Agriculture, dogs and cats require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health

Pets

Certificate) to enter Kansas by car or plane.

Animals over three months of age must have proof of current rabies vaccination.

The majority of communities in Kansas have enacted pet control and licensing ordinances. Local laws may limit the number of dogs or cats permitted in one household. License fees and the length of time a new resident has in which to obtain a license for a pet vary from place to place.

Contact the city clerk at your destination city or town for specific information.

On the day of the packing and loading, take your pet to a friend’s house or a day-care facility. During this time, doors are open and workers are going in and out. If your pet is safely tucked away, you will be able to avoid pets slipping out.

If you are transporting your pet by car, a portable kennel is one of the most useful items you can have. It becomes the pet’s home away from home. Your pet should be conditioned to the restraint of a leash.

In addition, when traveling with your pet,

Dog parks in the area: Help Your Dog Make New Friends

92

KANSAS Heritage Dog Park Kill Creek Park Shawnee Mission Park Thomas Stoll Dog Park

159th & Pflumm Road 33460 West 95th 7900 Renner Road 12500 West 119th

Olathe, Kansas DeSoto, Kansas Shawnee, Kansas Overland Park, Kansas

MISSOURI Blue Springs Dog Park Elkhound Ranch Dog Park Fairmount Park Off Leash Happy Trails Off Leash James A Reed Off Leash Liberty Dog Park Longview Lake Dog Park Penn Valley Off Leash

20th North of Jefferson Street 9205 N. Brooklyn Avenue 300 North Home Avenue 1251 SE Ranson Road 13101 SE Ranson Road 901 S. La Frenz 11100 View High Drive 29th & Wyandotte

Blue Springs, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri Independence, Missouri Lee’s Summit, Missouri Lee’s Summit, Missouri Liberty, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri

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both dogs and cats should be provided with travel identification tags in which you have written your phone number (and an alternative number in case you cannot be reached). For convenience, pack a travel kit for your pet with essential items.

Do not feed or water your pet just before starting your travel. Feed only once a day, preferably in the evening. A few treats will do during the day. Plan stops at regular intervals to give your pet a drink. Take a container of fresh water along.

Never let your dog or cat loose in a strange place. Always attach the leash before opening the car door and detach it after the pet is back inside and the door is closed. DO NOT leave your pet in a car unattended.

If you are transporting your pet by air, you will want to get ready for the flight at least two months ahead. Airlines have specific rules and regulations (see airline websites for instructions).

Once you are in your new home, your pets must become used to a new house and neighborhood and unfamiliar sounds.

Keep the pet confined until it realizes that this is the new home and that the family is going to stay or it may wander off and try to return to the old home. This is especially true of cats; they should be confined for several weeks.

To accelerate the “at home” atmosphere, use the pet’s familiar food and water dishes, bed, blanket, toys, etc. Try to place them in a location similar to the old home. Once the family settles in, your pets take the cue and settle-in as well.

After all, they are happy wherever the family resides and love and trust you unconditionally. n

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Recognized as the strongest large bank in Kansas City and an SBA Preferred Lender, CrossFirst Bank is proud to serve some of the area’s most notable clients. Here you will find all of the banking services to meet your business and private banking needs, and enjoy an extraordinary level of personal service.

At CrossFirst Bank, you will experience extraordinary through authentic relationships, valuable services, and our willingness to search beyond standard answers in accomplishing your goals.

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HOME IS WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE.

From first steps and birthday parties to graduation and grandchildren. At Hearthside Homes, we work with you in creating that very important backdrop of your life. Today, over 1500 Kansas City area residents are creating those memories in a new Hearthside Home.

Hearthside Homes builds homes that fit. Our floor plans range from 1200 to over 3000 square feet. We consistently update our designs to reflect the latest styles and innovations, with a focus on how people actually live and utilize the features of their homes.

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CUSTOM HOMES We also build custom homes on your lot or land in the Northland.

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PHOTO BY COTTONWOOD CANYON PHOTO BY COTTONWOOD CANYON PHOTO BY CEDAR CREEK

Live YOUR

Green

Lifestyle

n BY LONNY COHEN

D

o you enjoy playing golf but does the long drive to the golf course take the fun out of your golf game?

If you answered yes to these and other questions about your lifestyle, then it might be time to look for a home in a lifestyle community. These communities offer you the perks that go well beyond your property line.

Describing Cedar Creek, a lifestyle community in Olathe, Len Boxler says that living in the community offers residents the opportunity to come home to a vacation every day.With sprawling acres of rolling hills, limestone bluffs, treed valleys, tranquil lakes and undisturbed greenspace, Cedar Creek offers residents swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor t

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AT T HE N ATION AL

From the upper $300s

Parkville’s Premier Answer To A Resort-Lifestyle!

Award Winning Park Hill School District / Close to Shopping, Downtown & KCI Airport Nature Trails / Park / Pool / Activity Center / Trash & Recycling Pick-Up / Several Builders to Choose From Open Floor Plans • Disc Golf & The National Golf Courses • Stunning Homesite Views

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Live YOUR Green Lifestyle Continued PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

gymnasium, jogging and walking trails along with an 18-hole award-winning golf course.

Your vacationing at home can also be found North of the River at Cider Mill Ridge at the National in Parkville, Missouri, which offers lifestyle options for families as well as empty-nesters who are finding their new homes in the development that was designed to utilize the green space with a park in the middle of the community, says Dale Brouk, “We stress the importance of a happier, healthier lifestyle.”

Residents can join the National Golf Club or its sister Club, The National II or take advantage of the many community amenities including swimming, walking and exercise trails, children’s playground and much more.

PHOTO BY CREEKMOOR PHOTO BY CEDAR CREEK

PHOTO BY CREEKMOOR

There are many factors to consider when choosing your new home community – near your job, quality schools, nearby t

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Be a part of something special.

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ThinkBordner.com (816)358-2102

American Dream Grand Prize Winner!

Award Winning Custom Home Builder Designing and building custom new homes.

American Dream Award Grand Prize Winner, The Addison!

Custom new home communities are located in Raymore, Lee’s Summit and Johnson County, Kansas (KS).

Our custom homes are priced competitively with superior upgrades throughout the home.

Award-Winning Custom Builder and member of Kansas City Home Builders Association.

Lifestyle Design Approach Our approach to building a new home brings together professional design, construction expertise and you. One stop handles both the design and construction which means you enjoy greater continuity of service. The joining of these functions can save you time, money and help us better design the custom new home that fits your Lifestyle.

816.215.1200 www.KingBldg.com | Randy@KingBldg.com | 1550 SW Market St, Ste 100, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

PHOTO BY CREEKMOOR

Live YOUR Green Lifestyle Continued

If you are looking for tranquility, many of the lifestyle communities throughout the area offer you the dream you are looking for.

For example, Cottonwood Canyon in Lenexa, a golf course community offers the tranquility that many homebuyers are looking for according to development manager, Steve Hughes. Like other lifestyle communities in the area, Hughes explains that their development offers residents the feeling of living in the 106

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Looking for a home in a luxury golf community with a private course?

CHECK OUT THESE COMMUNITIES! Cedar Creek Hallbrook Lake Quivira Lions Gate Loch Lloyd The National

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

For this reason, many lifestyle communities offer amenities that will appeal to you, no matter what stage of life you are in. Creekmoor in Raymore is a lifestyle community which offers amenities that will appeal to every stage of your life.“This unique, friendly, thriving community offers golf and lake living as well as a state of the art clubhouse and fitness center, pool, tennis and trails.

There is truly something for everyone,� explains Rosemary Vitale, Reece and Nichols Real Estate.

PHOTO BY CEDAR CREEK

shopping but there are other things to consider. It is also important to take a look at how you live. If you are an emptynester, you are going to look for different lifestyle offerings that the young family will find important.

country while still physically living in the city. The open spaces and the physical layout offers residents the tranquility they are looking for.

PHOTO BY CEDAR CREEK

PHOTO BY THE NATIONAL

PHOTO BY CREEKMOOR

PHOTO BY COTTONWOOD CANYON

Finally, there is a strong social aspect of living in a community that offers lifestyle amenities including golf, swimming, clubhouse, fitness centers, tennis walking trails and more. As a newcomer to the area, making social connections for you and your family is an added perk you will enjoy for years to come. n

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Creekmoor

OFFERS YOU THE

Lifestyle

YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

CREEKMOOR OFFERS A VARIETY OF DISTINCT AND DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS

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PHOTOS BY DONNY LARSEN

Discover a life you had only imagined

n B Y M E R E D I T H TO L L I V E R

W

ith so much to do and everything the community has to offer residents of all ages, Creekmoor is the community that those relocating to the area are seeking out.

Nestled in the heart of Raymore, the master-planned Creekmoor development spans nearly 1,000 acres and offers residents resort-style living coupled with one of the most comprehensive residential amenity packages available in the Kansas City area.

Creekmoor is designed around its signature amenities; Lake Creekmoor, a private 108-acre fishing and boating lake, and the 18-hole Creekmoor Championship Golf Course. The community’s featured amenities continue with a newly renovated and expanded clubhouse including a casual restaurant, licensed bar and grill, outdoor patio, pro shop, swimming pool and tennis courts. Creekmoor also offers miles of trails for hiking, jogging and biking. “It’s not a surprise that when you go home to t KC RELO

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Creekmoor, your stress level goes down”, says Rosemary Vitale, Director of New Homes for ReeceNichols Real Estate.

“Creekmoor‘s residential amenity package is unrivaled in the Kansas City Area.”

“Homebuyers drawn to Creekmoor for its impressive amenity package fall in love with its beautiful homes and are pleased to find HOA dues and lot prices are extremely affordable,“explains Vitale.“For these reasons, Creekmoor continues to open new phases of homesites to meet the continued demand of its brisk sales pace.”

Located southeast of I-49 and 155th Street on Foxridge Drive in Raymore, Creekmoor’s location offers easy highway access to the 135th street corridor, Town Center, the Country Club Plaza and anywhere else within the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. An abundance of shopping and dining options are within t minutes of the community.

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PHOTOS BY DONNY LARSEN

Creekmoor OFFERS YOU THE Lifestyle YOUR LOOKING FOR Continued

Your Creekmoor Bennington Pontoon Boat Connection.

PHOTOS BY DONNY LARSEN

Creekmoor OFFERS YOU THE Lifestyle YOUR LOOKING FOR Continued

“Creekmoor offers a variety of distinct and diverse neighborhoods,” explains Linda Martin, Creekmoor Community Manager.

“While each neighborhood has its own character, each offers an extremely high quality of life its residents at every price point.” With home prices from the $350’s to $900’s, Creekmoor has something for everyone from growing families to empty nesters.

In keeping with their high standards, developer Cooper Land Development has assembled an impressive team of some of Kansas City’s finest builders. Creekmoor’s neighborhoods currently offer a variety of single family and villa homes by Bryant Ratliff Building, C&M Builders, JFE Construction, King Builders, SAB Homes and Signature Builders. Its award-winning model homes draw buyers who appreciate our builders’ attention to details.

“The school district is another big draw for many relocating to the area,” says Martin.

“Creekmoor is located within the AAARated Raymore-Peculiar School and the Creekmoor Elementary School is located within the Community.”

Whether buyers want a family home or a maintenance-provided villa, a home on the lake or a home on the golf course, Creekmoor will exceed their n expectations.

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home.

It’s a simple word.

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Sometimes it’s four walls, or sometimes it has four floors.

It can be full of people, or a peaceful space for one.

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Your pad.

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For everything that makes it so, Home is where the Mart is.

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1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66111 Mon-Sat: 10am to 9pm • Sun: 11am to 8pm 913-288-6200 We deliver anywhere in the lake of the ozarks area ©2018 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.

Lake OF THE Ozarks

Special Section

Best RecreationalLake PHOTOS BY FUNLAKE.COM

THE

Just 2½ hours from KC, The Lake of the Ozarks offers the ideal getaway from the city. n BY LONNY COHEN

T CENTRAL MISSOURI’S LAKE OF THE OZARKS WAS VOTED THE “BEST RECREATIONAL LAKE.”

he announcement by USA Today came as no surprise to those who frequent the Lake of the Ozarks. The newspaper’s readers’ poll voted that the Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks was voted the “Best Recreational Lake.”

Beating out Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada, Big Bear Lake in California, West Okoboji Lake in Iowa, Lake Cumberland in Kentucky to win this coveted recognition, The Lake of the Ozarks which covers 54,000 beautiful acres with 64 billion gallons of water and 1,150 scenic miles of shoreline, is the premier year-round playground attracting people from all around the country.

The family-friendly Lake of the Ozarks offers activities for the water enthusiast, and for the foodie. The Lake does not disappoint with fabulous restaurants that will delight all. Highlighting the wonders of the Lake are the many activities that visitors of all ages will enjoy.

The following are highlights of some of the events scheduled in the next few months that will show you why the Lake of the Ozarks is the Best Recreational Lake in the Country.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.FUNLAKE.COM

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LOMDA St. Charles Boat Show March 8-11, 2018 www.stcharlesboatshow.com The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers hosts this premier show for all boating enthusiasts in the St. Louis Area.

Lake West Business Expo March 3, 2018 Lake Christian Academy, Sunrise Beach, MO www.lakewestchamber.com The 17th Annual Business Expo is the premier product and services show on the West side of the Lake.

Liverpool Legends at the Lake March 9 -10, 2018 Main Street Music Hall, Osage Beach, MO The Premier Beatles tribute Band will delight both the nostalgic and those new to the Beatles.

St. Patrick’s Water Parade March 17, 2018 Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill, Sunrise Beach, MO www.lakewestchamber.com The Parade is a fun day trip on the water and a perfect way to kick off the boating season. Decorate your boat and join the fleet.

St. Patrick’s Short Bus Shuffle March 17, 2018 Multiple Venues, Sunrise Beach, MO www.facebook.com/shortbusshuffle Safe shuttles will run beginning at 4 p.m.

Each stop will feature live entertainment, drink specials and St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Bridge and Dam Marathon, 5K and 10K March 24, 2018 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Lake Ozark, MO www.bridgeanddammarathon.com This beautiful scenic course is not to be missed. The Lake of the Ozarks Fellowship of Christian Athletes is the host of this event. Proceeds from the event go to LOTO FCA. Alhonna Early Bird Open Buddy Bass Tournament March 24-25, 2018 Alhonna Resort, Lake Ozark, MO www.thealhonnaresort.com This two-day Bass tournament features great fishing and tournament prizes.

4th Annual Osage Beach Easter Egg Hunt March 31, 2018 Osage Beach City Park, Osage Beach, MO www.osagebeach-mo.gov This community event offers an Easter Egg Hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting, a balloon artist, bounce house and more.

Omega Help-a-Child Charity Bass Fishing March 31, 2018 The Club at Porto Cima, Sunrise Beach, MO With a $15,000 Grand Prize Payout, this 16th Annual Tournament offers a lot of fun while supporting the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home and Kids Against Hunger. t KC RELO

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The Ultimate Lake-Living Experience The Ultimate Lake-Living Experience The The The Ultimate Ultimate Ultimate Lake-Living Lake-Living Lake-Living Experience Experience Experience The Ultimate Lake-Living Experience The Ultimate Lake-Living Experience The Ultimate Lake-Living Experience The Ultimate Lake-Living Experience

AA Lifestyle Above the Rest A Lifestyle Lifestyle Lifestyle Above Above Above the the the Rest Rest Rest AA Lifestyle Above A Lifestyle Above the Rest A Lifestyle Above the Rest Situated on one of the most prominent points on the main Situated Situated Situated on on one on one one of of the of the the most most most prominent prominent prominent points points points on on the on the the main main main A Lifestyle Above the Rest Situated on one of the most prominent points on the main Situated on one of the most prominent points on the main A Lifestyle Above the Rest Situated on in one ofLake the most prominent points on12. the main channel ininLake Lake the Ozarks at mile marker 12. channel channel channel in Lake ofof ofthe of the the Ozarks Ozarks Ozarks atat mile atmile mile marker marker marker 12.

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Situated on one of the most prominent points on the main channel in Lake of the Ozarks at mile marker 12. channel in Lake of the Ozarks at mile marker 12.

Best Best Best In Class In Class Class Facilities Facilities Facilities Best InIn Class Facilities In Facilities BestBest In Class Facilities Best In Class Class Facilities Best In Class Facilities

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THE Best

Recreational Lake Continued

Bass Pro Shop’s Crappie Masters Tournament April 14, 2018 Captain Ron’s Bar & Grille, Sunrise Beach, MO www.crappiemasters.net This one-day tournament is a national qualifier for the 2018 National Championship and the first leg of the Missouri State Championship.

68th Annual Dogwood Festival April 18-21, 2018 Camdenton, Middle School, Camdenton, MO www.camdentonchamber.com The Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing April 4-7, 2018 Main Street Music Hall, Osage Beach, MO www.facebook.com/lakeozarzozargospelsing In its 30th year, the Lake Ozark Gospel Sing features the finest and favorites of Southern Gospel Music. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better with an additional show and an array of singers.

In its 68th year, offers fun for the entire family with crafts, entertainment, pageant, parade, food and much more.

LOMDA Spring In Water Boat Show April 20-22, 2018 Dog Days Bar & Grill, Osage Beach, MO www.ozarkboatshow.com April is the perfect time to view the inwater Boat Show. Sponsored by the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association, the show will feature a variety of boats

including new cruisers, performance, runabouts and personal watercraft.

Spring Big Bass Bash April 21-22, 2018 Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Osage Beach, MO www.facebook.comanglersinaction This tournament is designed for amateursonly and offers the weekend angler the opportunity to win big money.

Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals May 4-6, 2018 Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark, MO www.magicdragoncarshow.com The 30th Annual Dragon Street Meet is a show for all makes, models and years of show vehicles, trucks and motorcycles. It’s like being on the set of American Graffiti.

Lake Regional 11th Annual Fun Run/Walk May 5, 2018 Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach, MO www.lakeregional.com/events

www.summersetboatlifts.com Osage Beach

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Camdenton

573-873-5073

t

COME SEE OUR NEW 2017 MODELS AT THE KANSAS CITY BOAT & SPORTSHOW

JANUARY 19– 22

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JANUARY 19– 22

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Open 11am daily | Daily lunch specials Extended Happy Hour | 1/2 Price Appetizers and Drink Features | Live Music

THE Best

Recreational Lake Continued www.lakerace.com

In its 11th year, the Lake Regional Fun Walk /Run offers fun, prizes and an all-youcan eat pancake breakfast.

Enjoy five days of action packed powerboat and racing-themed events.

This is one of the Lake’s most popular and anticipated events.

Spring 27-Acre Yard Sale May 5, 2018 Laurie Fairgrounds, Laurie, MO www.cityoflaurie.com Twenty-seven acres of bargains and fun is a must for the bargain-hunter.

Hot Summer Nights June 8, 2018 Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark, MO www.facebook.com/cruisehotsummernights

21st Annual Spring Harbor Hop May 5, 2018 Like Wide Event, Osage Beach, Missouri www.funlake.com/harborhop

The classic vehicle cruise and family night featuring all makes and models will line the Bagnell Dam strip and cruise around. The family event features games, entertainment, activities and more.

Kick off the Lake boating season with more than 40 of the Lake’s best waterfront restaurants and Marinas. Each location is set up as checkpoints to pick up a card to win the best and the worst poker cards.

Hot Summer Nights May 11, 2018 Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark, MO www.facebook.com/cruisehotsummernights

The classic vehicle cruise and family night featuring all makes and models will line the Bagnell Dam strip and cruise around. The family event features games, entertainment, activities and more.

Support our Troops Poker Run June 22-24, 2018 Multiple Locations on the Lake, Osage Beach, MO www.lakecharitypokerrun.com

Lake Race 2018 May 30-June 3, 2018 Beavers at the Dam, Lake Ozark, MO

This lake event features a poker run with all of the proceeds benefitting the n H.E.R.O.E.S Care.

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ENJOY HOT WATER AND

LOWER YOUR ENERGY COSTS UP TO 20 PERCENT WITH A PROPANE WATER HEATER.

PROPANE GIVES EVERYONE SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT. Your old water heater could be costing you money; age, use, and other factors make water heaters less efficient every year. By switching to a high-efficiency propane water heater, you can cut your annual water heating costs by up to 20 percent compared with electric water heaters. Find out if it’s time to pull the plug on your old water heater by taking the quiz at KnowYourWaterHeater.com.

Call your local Missouri propane supplier who can help you make the switch to propane, for the savings and performance you deserve.

For a limited time, participating Missouri propane suppliers are offering up to $300 in rebates when you install a new high-efficiency propane water heater.

For more information, visit PropaneMissouri.com.

Credit Unions

Financial Another

Option

Credit Unions Offer Relationship Options in the Kansas City Metro Area n BY LONNY COHEN

D

eveloping new relationships is what the relocation process is all about. On the list of new relationships you will soon need to develop is with financial institutions whether it is with a traditional bank or a credit union. While many know the wonderful options that traditional banks offer, many people are not aware that they can take advantage of the options that are available to them through credit unions.

Membership in credit unions is available to groups with common bonds such as employee groups of specific companies, groups of public service, school employees or an area of residence.

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According to Mark Thompson, Mazuma Credit Union,“The biggest difference between a bank and a credit union is that Credit Unions are not-for-profits that exist to serve its members.” Like other financial institutions, the federal government stands behind credit unions and deposits are insured up to $250,000. Like banks, credit unions accept deposits, make loans and offer an array of other financial services.

According to Letha Higgins, Frontier Community Credit Union, selecting a Credit Union is not difficult. She explains that it is important to research their membership requirements. “Develop a list of credit unions in the area,” said Higgins.“Then narrow your search by researching eligibility, services offered and fees charged by credit unions.

She goes on to say that if you are in the market for a specific loan, research to see if the loan is issued by the credit union.

As with anything you are researching, once you have nailed down your results,

narrow the list down by comparing interest rates and specials to see who has the best deal.

Other things to keep in mind when doing your research is the availability of online services, weekday and weekend hours, branch, along with ATM locations.“Some credit unions belong to a nationwide network of credit unions for shared services,” explains Higgins.“It might mean more access to ATMs and other services while traveling or if you have children attending college in other cities.”

Like most of the banks in the area, credit unions in the area are heavily involved in the communities they serve. Mazuma Credit Union calls their involvement “Corporate Social Responsibility.”

Thompson explains that it is their way to make Kansas City a better place to live.

“This is our commitment to contribute to the social and economic development of the communities we serve.” Mazuma Credit Union focuses on financial education, the Arts and Community t

WHILE MANY KNOW THE WONDERFUL OPTIONS THAT TRADITIONAL BANKS OFFER, MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH CREDIT UNIONS.

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Financial Option

Continued

Development. He proudly says that their employees have volunteered 4,663 hours.

Like Mazuma, Frontier Community Credit Union is heavily involved in the community including funding for the Leavenworth Public Schools for their band programs.

The credit union is committed to the area by offering financial education and has a program that contributes $100 for each new mortgage the credit union originates to the Leavenworth Shelter of Hope, to help with their efforts to improve the quality of life for the homeless in the community.

Community America Credit Union For over 75 years, we’ve been providing financial peace of mind to Kansas Citians.

We offer a full-suite of financial products and services including our member favorites like Cashback Free Checking, High-Interest Savings and an awesome mobile banking app. Above all else, we share our profits with our members through great rates, lower fees and our Profit Payout. So if you live or work in Kansas City, you can become a member too.Visit CommunityAmerica.com to get started.

Frontier Community Credit Union Frontier Community Credit Union opened in 1954 to serve civil service personnel.

In 2005 the Credit Union expanded their reach to the entire Leavenworth area and surrounding communities. Anyone living or working in Leavenworth, Atchison, Jefferson, Douglas, Johnson and Wyandotte counties, as well as military and Federal Civil Service personnel, who reside within a 100-mile radius of Fort Leavenworth, is eligible to join. Frontier Community Credit Union offers services you would expect to find at a bank – mobile/online banking, competitive loans, thousands of branches and ATMs – without the fees. Being deeply committed to the overall well-being of the community is “The Frontier Community Credit Union Difference.”

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DEVELOPING NEW RELATIONSHIPS IS WHAT THE RELOCATION PROCESS IS ALL ABOUT.

United Consumers Credit Union For more than 70 years, United Consumers Credit Union has provided services to our community members as a cooperative, not-for-profit financial institution. We offer the same accounts you would find at a traditional bank, but instead of focusing on profits, the credit union promotes thrift and financial stability.

UCCU serves anyone who lives in Jackson, Buchanan, Cass, or Clay Counties or the city of Cameron, Missouri, as well as those who live, work or worship in Johnson County, Kansas.

Becoming a member of UCCU means you n are an Owner not just a number.

Welcome

To Your

New Home Frontier Community Credit Union wants to help you put down roots in your new neighborhood. We can provide financing for the home of your dreams, and our experienced staff will guide you through every step, advising you the whole way.

Get preapproved today!

(913) 651-6575

Federally insured by NCUA

frontierccu.org

Scan this QR code to go directly to our online loan application.

Participating credit union

Integrity. Dedicated Service. Financial Solutions.

Anytime, Anywhere.

NMLS #832436

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Kansas City

LOVES ITS

Sports

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W

ho can resist the pull of the loudest stadium in the NFL, Arrowhead Stadium, or the crack of the bat when Gordon hits a home run for the Royals at the K, or the excitement of Sporting KC? Whether you choose to back them all, or focus on one, there is no end to the magic.

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

IT IS HARD NOT TO BE A

PHOTO BY SPORTING KC

SPORTS FAN IN KANSAS CITY.

You cannot go anywhere in the city without seeing Kansas City Royal blue on someone’s shirt, hat, car or house.

This team warmed the collective heart of the city when they pulled together and won the World Series in 2015. The parade held to celebrate the championship drew 800,000 plus, an event that turned the area near Union Station into a sea of blue, screaming fans. Since then, players have become household names and though the wins have not been as plentiful, fans of all ages continue to flock to games at Kauffman Stadium in record numbers.

Let’s go Royals!

Do you know how to do the tomahawk chop? It’s much more fun with thousands of other Kansas City Chiefs fans at Arrowhead Stadium. And this past season saw the team make a good run and play in the playoffs. Alex Smith, quarterback, was nominated this year for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for his Alex Smith Foundation, which provides foster teens with support and assistance in Kansas t KC RELO

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Sports

Continued

PHOTO BY KANSAS SPEEDWAY

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Kansas City LOVES ITS

BEING A SPORTS FAN IS CONTAGIOUS IF YOU LIVE IN

City. Chiefs players raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthwhile charities every year. And make hearts beat faster on the field!

Are you ready for some football? Indoor football, that is. The Kansas City Phantoms are bringing this action-packed sport to fans. The newest professional arena football team in Kansas City took the field this year at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, where the Missouri Mavericks play. The home opener is March 17 and the season runs through June 9. In its second season, the team plays in the Champions

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PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY MAVERICKS

KANSAS CITY.

PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY MAVERICKS

Indoor Football (CIF) Conference, which houses 17 teams. Many local athletes comprise the team and excitement is contagious. To keep up with this new team, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Gentlemen, and women, start your engines! The Kansas Speedway brings professional NASCAR to our area.

The track seats over 63,000, and a unique ground level concourse that allows fans to walk down 30 rows or up 35 rows. Parking is free, and the 1.5-mile track is strategically located at the intersection of I-435 in Kansas City, Kansas, about 15 miles west of downtown Kansas City. Coolers are welcome, and there’s no better place to camp and tailgate than the Speedway during race season.

The Missouri Mavericks are in their eighth season as a professional hockey franchise serving the greater Kansas City metro. Last season, the Mavericks t

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Kansas City LOVES ITS

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of Independence, and claiming CHL Franchise of the Year in four consecutive seasons. As the AA affiliate of the NHL’s New York Islanders, fans see some amazing talent at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, off I70 and 470.

Sporting Kansas City is one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United States, winning six major championships since joining Major League Soccer as a charter member in 1996. Home to several national team players including t

BEING A DIEHARD FAN IS A WAY OF LIFE IN KANSAS CITY.

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

PHOTO BY SPORTING KC

made a historic run winning the Brabham Cup leading the ECHL with 52 regular season wins before losing in the second round to the eventual league champion Allen Americans. The Mavs have made playoff appearances in six of their first seven seasons, and received such awards as the 2014 Bud Poile Governor’s Cup with 44 regular season wins, and numerous community and league awards over the years, including the Harry S. Truman Special Community Service Recognition Award by the City

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PHOTO BY KANSAS SPEEDWAY

Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber, Sporting KC most recently hosted the 2013 MLS Cup and the 2015 U.S. Open Cup. The club plays its home matches at state-of-the-art Children’s Mercy Park, one of the premier soccer-specific stadiums in North America. Sporting Kansas City’s game day experience is unparalleled, offering fans premier sports entertainment in an electric atmosphere.

PHOTO BY KANSAS SPEEDWAY

PHOTO BY KANSAS CITY MAVERICKS

If your kiddos want to get involved with soccer, make sure you look into the many

venues available to them. The Heartland Soccer Association has over 30,000 players kicking the soccer ball around local fields across the area and the United States.

Heartland plays at two world class turf facilities, Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex and Swope Soccer Village, as well as grass fields at Heritage Soccer Park and Legacy Soccer Park. Gateway Village is another soccer destination in Grandview, Missouri, and there are 14 fields in the new soccer complex and entertainment village coming to 470 and View High Drive

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in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Find one for you and your kiddos and get involved.

Kansas City is such a sports town with all the local and nearby schools.Visit the University of Missouri Tigers just up the road in Columbia, the world-renowned Kansas University Jayhawks in Lawrence and K-State Wildcats, both just a jaunt into Kansas.

University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is located downtown, and the Kangaroos draw crowds for basketball and volleyball. In addition, our local high schools have a strong following and you won’t be disappointed in the passion of fans and players.

Whoever you root for, there are amazing games to choose from.

Suffice it to say that the area has something for everyone, no matter what sport they choose. Being a diehard fan is a way of life in Kansas City. So be ready to let your voice be heard! n

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EXTRAORDINARY

Foodies

Delight

KANSAS CITY’S Iconic RESTAURANTS n BY LONNY COHEN

K

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

ansas Citians have always supported local restaurateurs and these restaurateurs have supported Kansas Citians with great food.You will soon discover why these are some of Kansas City’s iconic restaurants.

Dixon’s Famous Chili, located on Highway 40 in Independence gained exposure to the rest of the world when Life magazine featured a story about frequent customer President Harry Truman and his secret service men’s trip to the restaurant.

Dixon ‘s unique Chili is served the same way it was served in 1915 on a plate with beans on the bottom, then the homemade specially seasoned chili meat. Your t

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THESE ARE SOME OF

KANSAS CITY’S ICONIC RESTAURANTS

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Foodies Delight

creativity comes into play next as an array of “chili fixins” including onions; ketchup: cheese and sour cream are available.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

While you will visit Dixon’s Famous Chili for its unique chili, burgers or all-you-can eat tacos, you will also be impressed with their fast and friendly atmosphere where you can grab a seat at the counter in front of the chili being dished or at a table.

Walking in the door of a Gates Bar-BQue restaurant, you are immediately greeted by a person behind the counter saying “Hi, may I help you?” With three locations in Kansas City, Missouri; one in Kansas, Kansas and one in Leawood, Kansas, your craving for Gates Bar-B-Que can be easily satisfied.

Gate’s menu offers barbeques lovers a wide assortment of choices from its sandwiches to its ribs and from its chicken to its beef and sausages that will make you come back for more. Make sure you try all three of Gates’ Bar-B-Que sauce flavors and you will find out why Gates Barbeque is a favorite place for Kansas City barbeque.

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Garozzo’s Ristorante has been the Italian restaurant of choice since Michael Garozzo moved to Kansas City in 1989 and opened its first restaurant in Columbus Park, Kansas City’s historic Italian neighborhood. Today, in addition to that the Columbus Park location, there are locations in Lee’s Summit and Overland Park.

A trip to Garozzo’s would not be complete without trying the restaurant’s signature dish, chicken spiedini. The marinated chicken breast that is rolled

KANSAS CITIANS HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED LOCAL RESTAURATEURS.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

in bread crumbs, skewed and grilled has become a Kansas City staple.

Since opening in 1975, Ponak’s Mexican Kitchen has served more than 280,000 gallons of margaritas and 6 million tacos. Ponak’s Mexican Kitchens recipes are influenced by the Sonora region of Mexico, steeped in tradition and flavor for hundreds of years.

With margaritas on tap, an extensive menu and its friendly casual atmosphere, Ponak’s is as authentic as it gets. On your first visit, you will discover why Ponak’s has been the recipient of many local media awards including the Best Ethnic Restaurant, Best Margarita, Best Tacos and Best Tamales.

Well-known restaurant critic Calvin Trillin’s article about Jess and Jim’s Steak House in Playboy magazine in 1972 brought national fame to the restaurant that had been the “go to” restaurant for Kansas Citians since 1938. t

Connect to KC Many of our clients are interested in connecting with social, civic or charitable activities in the Kansas City region. Our Connect to KC program can help you find the best fit your passion and talents. From arts and sports to charitable and civic organizations, Kansas City offers an extraordinary array of enjoyable and satisfying opportunities.

For more information, contact Georgiane Hayhow and she’ll put you in touch with one of our connectors.

Georgiane Hayhow (913) 915-3186 G@TheHayhowGroup.com

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KC RELO | PM 147 4/2/2017 4:44:44

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While customer service is the backbone of this family-owned business, the prime aged beef steaks that are cut fresh daily continue to be one of Kansas City’s choices for steak.

Paying homage to Playboy magazine for honoring them in 2001 as one of the twelve Steakhouses in America, Jess and Jim’s features the Playboy Strip, which is 25 ounces of pure beef goodness. A 30 ounce porterhouse also entices heartier appetites, but for those with smaller apetities try the tender filet mignon, ribeye, sirloin, T-bone, porterhouse or the KC Strip. No matter what you choose, you will soon realize why Jess and Jim’s is known for its steaks.

Coffee roasting is the art of unlocking the quality and flavor of each coffee bean and you soon realize this art has been perfected when you visit the Roasterie Cafes found in Brookside, Leawood and the Factory Café in downtown Kansas City.

For the fifth year, the Roasterie Cafes have

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been voted as the City’s Best Coffee House.

Coffee connoisseurs will taste the difference with their first cup of airroasted coffee from the Roasterie. The cafes’ knowledgeable and customer service-focused staff make you feel like you found a home. Pastries, bagels and cookies complement the vast array of coffee, teas and other specialty drink selections. It will be love at first sip.

For more than 80 years, Kansas Citians have flocked to Stroud’s Restaurant & Bar who coined the phrase,“We choke our own chickens.”With locations in Fairway, Overland Park, Independence and North of the River, Stroud’s Restaurant & Bar has been a Kansas City favorite since 1933.

Still locally owned, their vision continues with home cooked family meals in a fun friendly atmosphere. Through the years, Stroud’s has received numerous national awards including the James Beard Award for Excellence and the Zagat Award and t

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Continued

LOCAL RESTAURATEURS HAVE SUPPORTED KANSAS CITIANS WITH GREAT FOOD.

has been featured on numerous national television appearances. After your first visit, you will be hooked on the pan fried chicken along with the cottage-fries, green beans, gravy and their mouth-watering cinnamon rolls which accompany all dinner menu items.

When many Kansas Citians think of hamburgers, they think of Winstead’s.

A quote in the Wall Street Journal says it all – “They do not sell hamburgers by the billion.You cannot “supersize” your meal.

They are a household word only in Kansas City. But Calvin Trillin was right: Winstead’s has the world’s best hamburgers.

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Thin freshly ground steak burgers, courteous fast service are the reason Kansas Citians have continued to be loyal customers along with the French fries, onion rings, chocolate frosty are the reasons you will soon be a Winstead’s devotee.

Whether you crave a burger, coffee, Italian food, barbeque, fried chicken, chili or a steak, unbutton the top button of your slacks and get ready to enjoy Kansas City’s n iconic restaurants.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

In addition to Winstead’s original location on the Country Club Plaza, there are

locations in Overland Park, Lenexa, Blue Springs, Merriam, Leawood and North Kansas City.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Many Hospitals and the Most Advanced

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Readily Available

IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO

T

he Kansas City area is home to upto-date, top notch healthcare and professionals.This helpful listing will aid you in finding what you need in your new community.Whether you need excellent care for your children, elderly care, family emergency care or health advice, the helpful mentality of these professionals and the consistent improvements and research being done will never let you down. And they will always make you feel better!

HCA Midwest Health is the Kansas City area’s largest network and recognized leader in healthcare, consisting of seven hospitals, 10 emergency rooms, 11 urgent cares, outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers and an array of other services with more than 150 convenient access points. HCA Midwest Health facilities serving the Kansas City area include Belton Regional Medical

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Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Research Medical Center and Research Psychiatric Center.

Known throughout the region for comprehensive care and advanced

THE KANSAS CITY AREA IS HOME TO UP-TO-DATE, TOP NOTCH HEALTHCARE AND PROFESSIONALS.

treatments for cancers of all types, HCA Midwest Health is proud to partner with the Sarah Cannon cancer network, the cancer service line of HCA, and a leader in world-class cancer care. The Sarah Cannon HCA Midwest Health cancer network is anchored by our four accredited hospitals: Belton Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Research Medical Center, and complemented by numerous cancer care outreach sites located in communities throughout metropolitan Kansas City and the surrounding areas.

HCA Midwest Health offers the area’s only network of award-winning, accredited chest pain centers, which improves the survival of a heart attack by 37 percent.

In addition, HCA Midwest Health offers leading-edge services in neonatal care, neurosciences, pediatrics, rehabilitation, robotic surgery, sleep disorders, spine care,

PHOTO BY SAINT LUKE’S HEALTH SYSTEM

sports medicine, trauma care, weight loss surgery and women’s care, among others.

HCA Midwest Health’s medical staff of more than 2000 doctors represents 60 medical specialties, ensuring you and your family receives high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care. Above all else, as the premier healthcare destination in the Kansas City area, HCA Midwest Health is committed to the care and improvement of human life.

For more than half a century, North Kansas City Hospital (NCKH) has been the Northland’s preferred healthcare provider. NKCH is an acute-care facility with 451 licensed beds and 550 physicians representing 49 medical specialties. From a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, to award-winning cardiovascular and orthopedic programs, to home health and hospice, NKCH provides a lifetime of care.

NCKH offers advanced treatment options, including world class cancer care through a partnership with the region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated program.

Through its Meritas Health subsidiary, NKCH offers the largest network of healthcare providers in the Northland, with more than 110 primary and specialty care physicians in 30 convenient locations, including an express care clinic in the Liberty Hy-Vee store.

PHOTO BY NORTH KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL

The hospital’s mission, vision and values reflect a strong commitment to the health and well-being of the Northland community and beyond. Last year, NKCH sponsored 60 charitable and community organizations and served more than 24,000 people through its dynamic

Community Health & Wellness programs.

And, it recently became the first hospital in Kansas City to offer a zero-percent financing option to help patients manage their medical services.

Saint Luke’s Health System consists of 10 area hospitals and several primary and specialty care practices.They provide a range of inpatient, outpatient, home care and hospice services. Founded as a faith-based, not-for-profit organization, their mission includes a commitment to the highest levels of excellence in health care and the advancement of medical research and education.

Saint Luke’s Hospital ranks among the nation’s best in seven specialties, as recognized in 2015 by U.S. News and

World Report. Saint Luke’s is a regional pioneer in health care innovation.They offer four acute-care hospitals throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, including: Saint Luke’s Hospital, Midtown and Country Club Plaza; Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit and Eastern Jackson County; Saint Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park and Johnson County, Kansas; Saint Luke’s North Hospital, Kansas City North.

One of the nation’s leading cardiovascular disease outcome research programs is at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute.

Its legacy of innovation began more than 25 years ago when it opened as the nation’s first heart hospital. Since then, the Heart Institute has earned a world-wide reputation for excellence in the treatment of heart disease, including interventional cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, imaging, heart failure, transplant, heart disease prevention, women’s heart disease, electrophysiology, outcomes research, and health economics.With more than 50 full-time board certified cardiovascular specialists on staff, the Heart Institute offers one of the largest heart failure/heart transplant programs in the country, has the largest experience with transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the Midwest, and is a global teaching site for the newest approaches to opening challenging blocked arteries using minimally invasive techniques.

Treatment for complex brain and spinal cord diseases at the city’s only dedicated t KC RELO

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PHOTO BY CHILDREN’S MERCY

PHOTO BY THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HOSPITAL

Many Hospitals and the most Advanced Healthcare Options

neuroscience hospital, Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute. SLMBNI offers neurologists dedicated to treating a full range of neurological conditions including stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, memory disorders, migraine headaches and more.

Our minimally invasive spine surgery team and our subspecialty-trained neurosurgeons utilize leading edge interventions for stroke, trauma, aneurysms, tremor and other brain disorders.

Their Comprehensive Stroke Center, with one of the nation’s leading stroke reversal programs, uses leading-edge neurointervention techniques. Saint Luke’s programs, community outreach and education, stroke research and rehabilitation are dedicated to preventing and treating stroke.

The Cancer Institute offers access to leading edge clinical trials for cancer treatment, including National Cancer Institute (NCI) and industry trials, as well as the region’s largest network of 3-D mammography centers. SLCI also offers innovative surgeries for brain tumors and the STAR® Program for cancer rehabilitation to help patients overcome the physical and emotional challenges that accompany cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Advanced surgical care, liver and kidney transplantation programs, and a Level IIIb Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with high-risk obstetrics program are available.

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Crittenton Children’s Center is a nationally recognized children’s behavioral health center, and Saint Luke’s Convenient Care Clinics are designed to provide high quality care close to home, with locations in Kansas City area Hy-Vee grocery stores.

Saint Luke’s Concierge service offers physician referrals, class registration, and general information about their health system, and customer service specialists are available M-F to answer questions and guide people to the right physicians and right places. Saint Luke’s Concierge service is available by calling 816-932-5100, or outside of Kansas City at 855-932-5100. For mornie information, visit saintlukeskc.org.

With 700 specialists in more than 40 specialty areas, Children’s Mercy brings exceptional experience to the most complex pediatric cases, as well as to the everyday needs of children’s health.Their pediatric nursing care is second to none, having earned Magnet® recognition – the highest designation of excellence in nursing – three times in a row.

Every day, the specialists at Children’s Mercy provide expert care to hundreds of children.They are the only free-standing children’s hospital between St. Louis and Denver. Every year, their research advances and redefines pediatric medicine. And every moment, the staff does everything possible to care for and support the families they serve.This dedication and commitment, along with generous community support, lets Children’s Mercy offer the best possible care for your child, while helping transform the lives of children across Kansas City and around the world.

With family-centered care, Children’s Mercy provides a unique, family-centered environment that understands and provides for the needs of both pediatric patients and their families.Their Child Life program is one of the largest in the country.

It eases stress and worry through programs that help kids and parents understand their medical care; allow kids to play, learn and grow while in the hospital; and provide emotional support and resources for the whole family.

Their unparalleled expertise is evident.

Children’s Mercy is consistently recognized as one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report – a reflection of the dedication and expertise of each and every one of our staff.

The Elizabeth J. Ferrell Fetal Health Center is one of only a few of its kind in the nation, delivering babies with high risks and complications right here at the hospital so that they can get the immediate care they need.

The University of Kansas Hospital is one of the nation’s leading hospitals, delivering comprehensive care, surgery and diagnostics for people with the most complex conditions. As a premier academic medical center, the hospital serves as a resource for other hospitals and care providers throughout the Midwest and treats patients from across

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PHOTO BY OLATHE MEDICAL CENTER

Many Hospitals and the most Advanced Healthcare Options

the country. Exceptional care is provided through collaboration among physicians who represent more than 200 specialties, as well as nurses, researchers and other professionals.Together, they deliver exciting discoveries and life-changing treatments.

The hospital’s work has consistently earned recognition in many areas: U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2015-16 named The University of Kansas Hospital among the nation’s 50 best for adult care in 12 data-driven medical and surgical specialties.The hospital is one of only 16 in the nation to achieve this status. It has also been ranked on the Best Hospitals list every year since 2007.

The hospital provides patient care for The University of Kansas Cancer Center, one of only 69 National Cancer Institutedesignated Cancer Centers nationwide.

Patients have better access to clinical trials, the latest therapies and more personalized care closer to home in facilities throughout the region.

Since 2006, the hospital has been designated as a Magnet facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.The designation is awarded to only about 7 percent of U.S. hospitals.

The hospital is one of only 13 academic medical centers to receive the 2015 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Award from University HealthSystem Consortium.The study is given to those who provide high-quality, safe, efficient, patient-centered, equitable care.

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University of Kansas Hospital earned the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award for Kansas City.The award recognizes a hospital’s overall quality, image and reputation, physicians and nurses.

For more than four decades, Liberty Hospital, 2525 Glenn Hendren Drive, Liberty, has been dedicated to providing our community with high-quality healthcare close to home. In today’s healthcare environment, Liberty Hospital is in the midst of great change; diversifying for the future, while being true to their mission – to improve the healthcare delivery system and offer lower cost and convenient options to those they serve.

This year brought the openings of a new urgent care facility and specialty clinic on the west side of Interstate 35.

Liberty Hospital Urgent Care Shoal Creek offers extended hours with easy access located across from Walmart on North Church Road. Liberty Hospital Specialty Clinic Shoal Creek now offers cardiologists, orthopedic and spinal surgeons, obstetricians/gynecologists and dermatologists.

Liberty Hospital also announced a new clinical affiliation with Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute to provide comprehensive oncology services on their campus. By teaming up, they now can combine the latest in technology, pharmaceuticals and clinical trials with Liberty Hospital’s awardwinning quality and personal care.

Also this year, Liberty Hospital became the first provider in the Kansas City area – and the only one in this region – to offer

MAKOplasty, a surgical procedure for hip and partial-knee replacements.They are only the second hospital in Missouri to acquire this technology. MAKOplasty is less invasive than traditional total replacement surgery and is performed using a surgeoncontrolled robotic arm that allows for more precise movements and a custom fit for the replacement joint.

While continuing to expand services, Liberty Hospital also is undergoing extensive renovations to make their campus more welcoming and comforting.The new main entrance and lobby, along with the gift shop, patient registration and patient rooms on 3 East recently opened. After a makeover completed last spring, the Emergency Department opened with the addition of a patient fast-track to decrease the wait times and length of stay for patients with less serious injuries and illnesses.

The Olathe Health System includes Olathe Medical Center (OMC) – located at Olathe Medical Park, one of the largest hospital campuses in the Midwest – a nearly 250-acre campus at 151st Street and I-35 in southern Johnson County.The five-story acute-care medical center is licensed for 300 beds and averages more than 44,000 patient care days per year.

Its emergency care center is one of the busiest in the region, with more than 42,000 patients treated annually.

The not-for-profit medical center and its network of practicing physicians specialize in nearly every area of medicine. OMC services include orthopedics, obstetrics, oncology, cardiology, vein care, emergency care and more. t

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PHOTO BY SHAWNEE MISSION HEALTH

PHOTO BY ST. MARY’S MEDICAL CENTER

Many Hospitals and the most Advanced Healthcare Options

For more than 62 years, OMC has lived up to its promise - to meet the community’s need for compassionate, high-quality healthcare spanning every stage of life.

From a single, 30-bed hospital in 1953 to a thriving regional health system today, OMC has grown with the community, responding to its needs.

OMC is currently undergoing the largest expansion in its history. Four significant construction projects are underway across OMC’s 250-acre campus: a new four-story obstetrics wing with a level II neonatal intensive care unit; a free-standing cancer center; an expanded cardiovascular center; and the addition of a memory care neighborhood at Cedar Lake Village.

Through OMC’s dedication to quality care, the hospital has received many awards and accreditations, including: Best Hospitals by US News and World Report; Women’s Choice Award, America’s Best Hospitals for Breast Center, Cancer Care and Orthopedics; Safest Hospital in the KC Metro Area by Consumer Reports; Newsweek Top Cancer Docs; Certified Chest Pain Center; Certified Primary Stroke Center; Accredited by the Commission on Cancer with commendation in the Community Hospital Cancer program category (only one in four hospitals nationwide receives this approval) and Accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.

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Shawnee Mission Health (SMH) is a network of health care facilities and services located throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area and surrounding communities.The network includes Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC) in Merriam, Kan., a 504-bed facility with more than 20,000 inpatient admissions and more than 200,000 outpatient admissions annually; SMH – Prairie Star, a comprehensive health care facility located in western Lenexa; physician practices located throughout Johnson and Leavenworth Counties and Centra Care Shawnee Mission Urgent Care locations in Overland Park and Lenexa. SMH’s newest facility, SMH – Blue Valley, will open in early 2017 and will feature an emergency department, laboratory, imaging center and an approximately 75,000 square foot medical office building for physicians in a variety of specialties.

largest medical staff of any full-service hospital in Kansas City. SMH has served the Johnson County community since 1962.

SMH serves more than 70,000 patients in its emergency departments annually, has the area’s first accredited Chest Pain Emergency Center and delivers more babies each year at SMMC than any other hospital in the metropolitan area.

St. Mary’s is among an elite group of providers in treatment for time critical diagnosis and has earned several quality awards, including Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission and Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. It is also recognized by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and is a Certified Chest Pain Center.

SMH also has some of the highest customer service or HCAHPS scores in the Kansas City metro.The network employs more than 3,000 local residents and supports an exceptional staff of 700 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, the

St. Mary’s Medical Center, founded by the Sisters of St. Mary, relocated from downtown Kansas City to Blue Springs, Mo., in 1981. In 2015, the hospital was purchased

by Prime Healthcare Services, operating 38 hospitals in 11 states. Its Catholic heritage and the spirit of our founding Sisters continue today in our mission of caring for the community.

The medical center has provided highquality compassionate care to the residents of Blue Springs and Eastern Jackson County for more than 30 years. St. Mary’s is active in the community, offering patients the best of both worlds – a warm, caring environment, close to home, providing the range of services and expertise typically found in much larger facilities.

The Breast Center has earned recognition by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation from the American College of Radiology (ACR). It has also earned recognition by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation from the American College of Radiology.

In 2015, the medical center was recognized with the Women’s Choice Award® among America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics and America’s Best Breast Centers.The Women’s Choice Award identifies hospitals women can choose with confidence knowing they excel at clinical care and patient experience.

St. Mary’s is a faith-based, Joint Commission accredited, 146-bed acute care facility providing a wide range of services, including Emergency Department, Joint and Spine Institute, Surgical Services, Breast Center and outpatient services.

Conveniently located at I-435 and State Line, St. Joseph is a faith-based, Joint Commission accredited, 310-bed acute care facility providing a wide range of services, including Emergency Department, Joint and Spine Institute, Surgical Services, Sleep Center, Birthing Center and outpatient services.

St. Joseph has proven it is among an elite group of providers in the treatment for time critical diagnosis and has earned the American College of Cardiology’s Get with the Guidelines Platinum Performance Award.The medical center has received full accreditation with percutaneous coronary intervention from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. It is also an Accredited Chest Pain Center.The medical center has earned Stroke Center Level II designation from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Hospital Standards.

The Breast Center at St. Joseph has earned recognition by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation from the American College of Radiology.

In 2015, the medical center was recognized with the Women’s Choice Award® among America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics and America’s Best Breast Centers.The Women’s Choice Award identifies hospitals women can choose with confidence knowing they excel at clinical care and patient experience.

St. Joseph has attained Magnet® recognition for three straight times. This program recognizes excellence in nursing and it is the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice.

Truman Medical Centers is Kansas City’s essential, two acute-care safety net hospital health system.The TMC Health System includes TMC Hospital Hill,TMC Lakewood,TMC Behavioral Health, the Jackson County Health Department and a number of primary care practices throughout Eastern Jackson County.TMC is the primary community teaching hospital for the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, and specializes in chronic disease management, orthopedics, family medicine, women’s health, and n trauma services.

PHOTO BY ST. JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER

Founded in 1874 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Joseph Medical Center has a long tradition of providing quality, compassionate care. In 2015, the hospital was purchased by Prime Healthcare Services, operating 38 hospitals

in 11 states. Its Catholic heritage and the spirit of our founding Sisters continue today in our mission of caring for the community.

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move to the Kansas City Metro area is a smart one if you have or plan to have children. Whether you plan to enroll your children in one of the excellent public schools in the area or the private schools and online learning options, you will find educational choices are bountiful.

Preparing students for their future are the school districts in Johnson County.

In the Blue Valley School District, 2015 Graduates posted the highest ACT and SAT scores of Kansas City Area metropolitan districts. The Shawnee Mission School District has a 91 percent graduation rate, and in 2015,

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graduating seniors received more than $32 million in scholarship offers. Like its other two Johnson County counterparts, the growing Olathe School District offers advanced courses and excellent educational opportunities.

Helping to develop a career path for students, the North Kansas City School District has partnered with the Metropolitan Community College for students to build skills in Engineering and Industrial Technology.

Accolades came to several eastern Jackson County school districts in 2015.

SCHOOLS IN EACH DISTRICT ARE SOME OF THE MOST ACCREDITED IN THE NATION.

We Invite You to Discover the Best Fit for Your Family!

The Blue Springs School District recently received the highest annual Performance Report score among large school districts in the State of Missouri.

Three high schools in the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District were among the top 25 high schools in Missouri to receive recognition in U.S. News and World Report’s annual “America’s Best High Schools” in the spring of 2015.

As with other schools in the area, college prep classes are a big part of school curriculum. The private schools in the area including The Barstow School, Pembroke Hill School, Rockhurst High School, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, St. Teresa’s Academy, Notre

Dame de Sion School, St. Thomas Aquinas and many more.

Finding the best fit for your child‘s educational needs and the environment that he or she excels is an important part of your relocation. The following is a sampling of you and your child’s choices.

ABC Preschool A Better Choice (ABC) Preschool, LLC in downtown Lee’s Summit is a private esteemed academic preschool that prepares children academically and socially for kindergarten, and life-long learning. ABC Preschool’s innovative curriculum is based on current brain research. t KC RELO

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Katy Lautzenhiser, Director and Lead Teacher, explains,“Elementary educators are finding far too many students are entering Kindergarten unprepared, which leads to children falling further behind.

ABC Preschool targets how a child develops – mentally, emotionally, and socially – during a child’s crucial early years of growth, and invests in your child’s success beyond the preschool walls.”

Johnson County, Kansas, this 91-square mile school district serves more than 22,000 students at its five high schools, nine middle schools and 20 elementary schools. Blue Valley consistently ranks among the top school districts in the nation, striving to provide each student with the opportunity to experience unprecedented academic success and unparalleled personal growth through personalized student learning.

All ABC Preschool teachers are certified educators, and the early childhood facility maintains the latest education practices.

“As the industry has grown and expanded, we continue to keep current with the fast growing exploration and development in brain research, and the way children learn. We only hire the best teachers who receive ongoing training and education throughout each school year. We are more than a school: we are an extension of families and a part of our community.”

ABC Preschool offers flexible options to meet an individual family’s needs regarding budget, education goals, and schedules.“We trust families are important partners in what we do, and ensure parents are actively involved through participation in school events.

We encourage volunteering in our school, providing parents with daily electronic journals, bi-monthly progress reports, an interactive web page, and more.”

ABC Preschool 8 SE 5th Street, Lee’s Summit, MO (816) 246-6562 www.abcpreschoolpage.com The Barstow School The Barstow Show, located 11511 State Line, is a co-educational school where students in preschool through twelfth grade develop a challenging educational community. The goal of the Barstow School is to graduate well-rounded selfconfident individuals, offer a rigorous and challenging college preparatory curriculum and provide opportunities to develop leadership and enhance for lifelong learning.

The Barstow School 11511 State Line, Kansas City, MO (816) 942-3227 www.barstowschool.org

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The district offers many special programs including the Blue Valley Academy, a non-traditional program for high school students; ACCESS, a program teaching independent living skills for students with moderate to severe disabilities; and the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), an innovative program for high school juniors and seniors, providing realworld, hands-on learning experience.

EDUCATIONAL CHOICES ARE BOUNTIFUL.

Blue Springs School District The Blue Springs School District covers a total of 58 square miles and includes students from the communities of Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Independence, Lake Tapawingo and Lee’s Summit. Enrollment for the 2016-17 school year is more than 14,800 students. Within our boundaries, we have more than 80,000 residents. Our district has a rich tradition of academic excellence. This tradition continues with major advancements in our curriculum and efforts through technology placing materials in student hands wherever they might be. The district has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 16 consecutive years.

Blue Springs School District (816) 874-3200 www.bssd.net Blue Valley School District Blue Valley Schools is committed to providing students an Education Beyond Expectations—an education filled with opportunities. Located in suburban Kansas City, in the heart of

For more about Blue Valley Schools, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org.

Blue Valley School District (913) 239-4000 www.bluevalleyk12.org Maranatha Christian Academy Maranatha Christian Academy (MCA) has been providing excellence in Christian education in the Shawnee, Kansas, area for over 40 years. The mission of MCA is to train and equip students for life and for service to Jesus Christ through a biblical worldview, character development, and academic excellence.

To accomplish these goals, MCA works with Christian parents and their students to provide a consistently solid biblical foundation on which their college preparatory foundation is built. That foundation is strengthened by having biblically integrated curriculum in every subject and by enabling students to meet or exceed state and national academic standards.

Maranatha Christian Academy 6826 Lackman Road, Shawnee, KS (913) 631-0637 www.mca-eagles.org North Kansas City Schools Just north of Kansas City’s vibrant downtown, North Kansas City Schools is a district of nearly 19,500 learners who benefit daily from an academically rigorous curriculum for grades Pre-K to 12. The district has earned both state t and national accreditation and is

Academic Excellence

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recognized throughout Missouri as a leader in academic innovation.

inner

2017 Horizon Award W

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the 2015 Co-Champion of Bee ng elli Sp nal tio Na s Scripp sidential Award Winners of the 2015 Pre ce and for Excellence in Scien ing ach Te s tic ma Mathe rships offered to $51.5 million in schola 2017 graduates tpace national ACT and SAT scores ou and state averages st Innovative 21 Century High School Academies

(913) 780-7000 • www.olatheschools.com

North Kansas City Schools is among the largest districts in the Kansas City metropolitan area with 21 elementary schools, five middle schools and four high schools. In addition, the school district offers optional Pre-K and before/ after school programs, expansive gifted/ honors opportunities, career and professional academics, A+ certified high schools, as well as nationally recognized adult and community education programs for learners of all ages.

In North Kansas City Schools, every student achieves his or her unique potential through extraordinary educational experiences provided by exceptional educators who are supported by an engaged, diverse community.

North Kansas City Schools (816) 321-5000 www.nkcschools.org Notre Dame de Sion Notre Dame de Sion schools offer a premier education at two locations in the Kansas City metro.

Sion’s High School has a strong commitment to educating minds, expanding hearts, and empowering lives. Young women grow spiritually, emotionally and socially, while being challenged academically with our college preparatory curriculum.

Sion’s Grade School offers Preschool-8th grade classes in a co-ed environment.

Students are challenged to think outside the box by infusing core classes with our STEAM program, community garden and indoor swimming pool. Who says you can’t learn math in the pool?

Two campuses + One Mission = SION. Learn more www.ndsion.edu Notre Dame de Sion High School Campus 10631 Wornall Road Kansas City Missouri 64114 (816) 942-3282 Grade School Campus 3823 Locust Kansas City, Missouri 64109 (816) 753-3810 www.mdsion.com

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Oakhill Day School Oakhill Day School is the Northland’s premier independent school for students entering grades Toddler (age 2) through Eighth. Our mission is to provide your children with excellence in education through child-centered learning in a supportive, challenging, and rewarding environment that provides students with self-confidence, values, knowledge, and the foundation for leadership through emotional, physical, and social development. Oakhill students receive a foundation for learning that stays with them through high school, college, and beyond. Learn more about our academics, athletics, farm-to-school lunches, and more online at www. oakhilldayschool.org. or call Leah Gipe, Director of Admissions, Leah.gipe@ oakhilldayschool.org Oakhill Day School 7019 N Cherry Street Gladstone, MO 64118 (816) 436-6228 www.oakhilldayschool.org Olathe Public Schools The Olathe School District is the second largest school district in

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The Pembroke Hill School An independent, college preparatory school serving 1,200 students, 2 years - 12th grade; near the Country Club Plaza!

A Caring Community Inspired By Excellence.

• Small classes (11:1 student:teacher ratio) • Challenging curriculum • Excellent faculty • Personalized college counseling • Reggio Emilia-inspired early child• Transportation service from the hood school Northland and Johnson County • Leader in student • Financial aid available technology/iLab For Info: 816-936-1231 • Extensive extracurricular/athletic www.pembrokehill.org program RESPECT COMPASSION SCHOLARSHIP INTEGRITY

“W

E HAD THE CONVERSATION

long before our kids started school. What kind of education do we want for them? We want them to thrive in a school community that values their talents and inspires them to gain knowledge and self-confidence. We found that at Barstow.”

Tiffany and Ken PARENTS OF A SECOND GRADER AND A THIRD GRADER

THE BARSTOW SCHOOL

A Barstow education is worth it.

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Kansas. Students’ test scores consistently rank among the top 10 percent in the nation with ACT and SAT scores above state and national averages. Olathe has earned 18 National Blue Ribbon School Awards from the US Department of Education. The district has received national awards for outstanding professional development for teachers, and is home to two 2016 Horizon Award winners, the 2013 Kansas Superintendent of the Year, a 2014 Master Teacher, the 2012 Kansas Teacher of the Year and the student co-champion of the 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

A place to grow academically and spiritually...join our community!

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish 14201 Nall Avenue, Leawood, KS 66223

For information about our church, preschool or K-8 grade school,

www.stmichaelcp.org or 913-402-3900

The district offers innovative 21st Century High School Programs, including aerospace and engineering, biosciences, geosciences and e-communication.

Total enrollment is 29,567 students.

Facilities – 35 Elementary schools, eight middle schools and four high schools. For more information visit ww.olatheschools.com.

Olathe Public Schools (913) 780-7000 www.olatheschools.com

At Oakhill Day School, success begins with: - A safe environment that promotes leadership - Building character through life skills - Cultivating curiosity that leads to innovation - Developing resilience that lasts a lifetime

A balanced approach to learning for every child.

Tour one or both of our campuses located in the heart of Gladstone, Missouri.

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Find us on Facebook facebook.com/oakhilldayschool

Park Hill School District Park Hill schools are top-ranking, highperforming and committed to preparing all students for their future college and career goals. Park Hill was the first district to receive the Missouri Quality Award and the only district to earn it twice for its commitment to continuous improvement.

U.S. World and News Report ranked our high schools among the top 20 in Missouri, and the district consistently earns the state’s top honors and some of the highest MAP scores. Our district also earned the highest ACT composite scores in the Kansas City, Missouri, area, and our students earn national recognition for academics and extracurriculars.

Park Hill School Districs 7703 NW Barry Road Kansas City, MO 64153 (816) 359-4000 www.parkhill.k12.mo.us Pembroke Hill Pembroke Hill is an independent college prep school near the Country Club Plaza.

Enrolling nearly 1,200 students 2 years through 12th grade, the school offers small classes (11:1 student: teacher ratio), exciting and challenging curriculum,

outstanding teachers and an extensive extracurricular program. Nearly 80 percent of upper schoolers are involved in a club while 82 percent are on an athletic team.

Wornall Campus Early Childhood & Lower Schools 400 West 51st Street 816-936-1200 www.pembrokehill.org

Pembroke Hill offers transportation from the Northland and Johnson County and provides 22 percent of students $2.9 million in financial aid. Students live in 73 zip codes in Missouri and Kansas.

Approximately 25 percent of students are students of color.

Rockhurst High School Rockhurst High School is a place of formation, where students are committed to a deeper experience, empowered by the Spirit. For more than 100 years, Rockhurst has been a place where boys become young men, with minds, bodies and souls prepared for the challenges of college and life beyond.

Students and families receive personalized college counseling. All graduates attend a four-year college/ university; 22 percent of the Class of 2016 received National Merit recognition.

Community service is an important aspect at Pembroke Hill. Students must volunteer at least 60 hours; most exceed this requirement. The school promotes character development through its core values: scholarship, compassion, respect and integrity.

Ward Parkway Campus Middle & Upper Schools 5121 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 816-936-1200

Located on State Line Road, Rockhurst welcomes 9-12 grade boys from both Kansas and Missouri. A leader in academics, athletics and co-curricular activities, Rockhurst draws a student body that is ethnically and socio-economically diverse from 95 different zip codes. The entire student body represents more than 127 elementary and junior high schools from the metropolitan area.

First and foremost at Rockhurst are academics. The school is proud of its growing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and Robotics programs. t

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North Kansas City Schools A Champion for Students Educating KC’s Northland since 1913

99% of graduates attend a 4-year college or university, and the Class of 2016 includes 13 National Merit Semifinalists and three perfect ACT scores.

Rockhurst High School 9301 State Line, Kansas City, MO (816) 363-2036 www.rockhurst.edu St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School is the first Catholic high school to open in the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese in over 50 years! We are now open and are currently the home to over 300 students who join us from all over the metro.

SMA is a 21st century learning environment rooted in the traditions and values of our faith. Students are given the tools to grow in faith in virtue with theology curriculum, daily communal prayer, sacraments, class retreats, service opportunities, and more. SMA also offers a wide range of academic offerings including inclusive special education and AP/dual credit offerings.

Learning academies including aviation, engineering and computer science help our students discover and discern their gifts in a college prep environment.

www.nkcschools.org

St. Michaels the Archangel Catholic High School 2901 NW Lee’s Summit Rd Lee’s Summit, MO 64064 816) 763-4800 www.smacatholic.org

Amplify your academics at STA

HEALTH SCIENCE Pre-Allied Health Academy Medical Interventions/ Biomedical Innovations Pre-Professional Nursing

COMPUTER SCIENCE Network Engineering I & II Software Development I & II Cyber Security

ENGINEERING

Our pathways provide a framework to guide student passions and academics into high-demand careers...

Digital Electronics Computer Integrated Manufacturing Aerospace Engineering Engineering Design & Development

STA provides high school juniors and seniors an accelerated academic experience. Working in a college environment, students deeply experience an industry-aligned curriculum meeting both industry and university standards. Industry-recognized faculty provide an applied curriculum that is developed, supported, and updated by industry and university partners.

CREATIVE SCIENCE

launching their professions.

Digital Media Technology Summit International Studies Academy Teacher Educator Academy Hospitality & Tourism Management Program

For more information, a course listing and prerequisites, visit: sta.lsr7.org, http://ucmo.edu/mic, www.ceckc.org or contact your guidance counselor.

1101 NW Innovation Pkwy | Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 | 816.986.3410 |

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@STAdirector or @STAexcels |

facebook.com/sta.lsr7

St. Theresa’s Academy St. Teresa’s Academy, a rigorous collegeprep school for young women, was founded over 150 years ago by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Located on a beautiful, college-like campus in the heart of the Brookside and south Plaza neighborhoods, St. Teresa’s promotes excellence in education. The wireless campus, oneto-one tablet program and distance learning classrooms enhance our global education initiatives.

Accredited by the North Central Association/AdvancED since 1923, St. Teresa’s molds students into confident, skilled, and caring young women through a challenging curriculum, an all-female environment, a diverse student body, Christian values, a community service program, and personal responsibility.

St. Theresa’s Academy (816) 501-4011 www.stteresasacademy.org

Shawnee Mission School District (913) 993-6200 www.smsd.org

Shawnee Mission School District The Shawnee Mission School District is consistently ranked among the finest school districts nationwide for its high student performance. Its cornerstone Signature Programs include Biotechnology, Engineering (Project Lead The Way), Medical Health Science, and Culinary Arts and Hospitality. Two new programs are Global Systems, allowing students to explore careers in sustainable food systems, and Project Blue Eagle, which provides training for careers in law enforcement, firefighting and EMT.

Summit Christian Academy Summit Christian Academy is a Top 5 Private School in the Kansas City area.

Since 1989, Summit Christian Academy (SCA) has grown from 32 students to 800, has been selected a top five private school in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, and has been recognized as one of the top 100 “large and effective schools” by the Association of Christian Schools International. With its strong mission of inspiring students to achieve their God-given potential through excellent academics and Christian training in a compassionate environment, SCA has earned a reputation as a topnotch school with stellar academics, excellent performing arts and athletics all in a fun, family-friendly environment.

The district boasts high graduation rates and achievement scores. The 1:1 initiative provides each student with a tablet or laptop to support learning. New stateof-the-art facilities offer safe, secure, and creative learning environments.

The Shawnee Mission District is in northeast Johnson County, Kansas, ten miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. It serves 14 cities within t he county.

SCA is situated on a 36-acre campus near 50 Highway and 291 South. We welcome your family to be part of the SCA family! Call 816-525-1480 today for more information or visit the summitchristian-academy.org website.

Summit Christian Academy 1450 SW Jefferson (816) 524-0185 www.summit-christian-academy.org Summit Technology Academy The Lee’s Summit School District’s new Summit Technology Academy / Missouri Innovation Campus is taking shape thanks to a no-tax-increase bond issue.

The MIC program is a one-of-a-kind endeavor offering the most accelerated degree path in the country. STA is an offcampus opportunity for area high school students seriously interested in computer science, engineering, health sciences or creative sciences. College credit is attached to all of the programs. The typical student at STA is usually focused on a specific career path and has the determination to explore that field through in-depth studies and practical application. For more information, visit http://sta.lsr7.org or http://ucmo.edu/mic.

Summit Technology Academy (816) 986-3410 www.sta.ls7.org

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Ranked a Top 5 Private School in the Kansas City Area I

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Higher Education

hether you are moving to the Kansas City area to take advantage of a new job adventure or you want to be closer to your family, at some point you are going to start thinking of higher education options for you or your family.You will find that there is a wide array of junior colleges, four-year universities along with other graduate programs.

Full time students as well as working adults will find a home at Baker University at their main campus in Baldwin, Kansas as well as Overland Park, Lee’s Summit and the Northland. The college recently added an advance degree in Sports Management to their many graduate and undergraduate degree programs.

Most of these schools cater to the working professional as well as the full time student. In Johnson County, the KU Edwards Campus in Southern Johnson County offers 30 undergraduate and graduate degree completion programs including the MBA program from KU’s business school as well as doctorial programs. In Olathe, Kansas State opened a campus several years ago focusing on animal health and food security at the graduate level.

Rich in history, Ottawa University offers classes at its Overland Park location as well as online. Understanding that many students have unusual schedules, they offer support to students through their 24/7 helpline.

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Combining academics with an authentically Christian perspective is the mission of the MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe. With more than 40 undergraduate programs and 6 graduate degrees, students find

Those in need of Certificate programs will find many options in the area.

University of Central Missouri in Lee’s Summit offers a number of complete certificate and degree programs in child and family development, criminal justice, management, nursing and social work as well as numerous graduate programs.

New residents in the area can also take advantage of exceptional Junior Colleges including Johnson County Community College, which is ranked as the third largest educational institution in the state of Kansas; Johnson County Community College offers a full range of undergraduate credit courses and 150 career and certificate programs that prepare students for employment. JCCC’s noncredit workforce development program is the largest most comprehensive in the Kansas City Area. In Missouri, the Metropolitan Community College, a group of five campuses throughout the Greater Kansas City Area, offers extensive workforce training and general academics.

As you begin to investigate your higher education options, take a look at the following sampling of colleges that are located in your new backyard.

Avila University Excellence. Faith-based. Suburban. Do these things that matter to you? Avila University understands. Avila graduate study programs in business, healthcare, education, psychology and management are designed to inspire. Avila offers affordable, graduate programs with flexible schedules to fit your lifestyle, with professional, real-world instructors. Avila serves busy adults wanting to enhance their lives, both personally and professionally.

Avila University is a non-profit university, inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet that prepares students for responsible, lifelong contributions to the global community. An excellent education inspires the best in Avila students, while they bring out the best in others.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

With the distinction of being one of the top providers of education courses of the military, Park University offers accelerated eight week sessions online and face-to-face in Parkville, Kansas City and Independence.

Be Inspired. Earn your graduate degree at Avila University in south suburban Kansas City.

For more information and inspiration, visit www.avila.edu/gradstudies Baker University Baker is a private, liberal arts university that educates traditional and nontraditional students through small classes, innovative instructors and rigorous coursework. At Baker University, education is personal. Our community is the bond that will connect you to lifelong friends and associates, to professors that mentor and inspire and to supportive staff ready to help at any hour of the day.

Enriching campus activities, productive internships, career opportunities and international experiences are all a part of your education. In addition to the main campus in Baldwin, Kansas, Baker has campuses in Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita.

At each of Baker’s four schools – College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Professional and Graduate Studies and School of Education – the school’s faculty provides creative learning experiences while challenging students to analyze issues with depth and clarity.

Students fully engage in their education and connect with peers, faculty and staff.

BE SURE TO CHECK ONLINE FOR OTHER EDUCATIONAL POSSIBILITIES.

Johnson County Community College With more than 46,000 students enrolled in credit and noncredit classes each year, Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. Known for excellence in programming and teaching, JCCC provides resources of a large-university with the feel of a small college where students take center stage.

Explore all that JCCC offers.Visit www. jccc.edu, call (913)469-3803 or schedule a campus tour. Know the value.

PHOTO BY AL GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

that the average class size of 16 students is extremely beneficial to their learning experience. The MidAmerica Nazarene University attracts students from 35 states and 5 countries.

Kansas State University – K-State Olathe Campus The goal of this K-State Olathe campus is to teach students but also be a place where professionals come to continue their learning. It is home to graduate level students as they prepare for careers in the biosciences and biotechnology, with opportunities to work with faculty from Kansas State as well as industry scientists.

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latest industry technology and keep it informed of the most recent developments by holding seminars and workshops. It also houses collaborations between researchers and companies, both public and private, so that the technology being developed is what the businesses in the industry are demanding.

K-State Olathe offers master’s degree and graduate certificate options that are in-demand in the Kansas City metro area. With academic programs focusing on animal health and nutrition, food safety and security, and education and leadership dynamics, our students are able to hone their scientific and technical skills while mastering business and leadership practices that will advance their careers and their organizations.

Ottawa University Established in 1865, Ottawa University (OU) is a private, nonprofit, liberal arts institution dedicated to preparing students for a lifetime of enlightened faith, exemplary service, inspired leadership and personal significance.

Ottawa University has a residential campus in Ottawa, KS, adult campuses in four states and a robust online program.Today, more than 90 percent of our student body consists of working adults who are benefiting from a rich history and life-friendly undergraduate and graduate programs with accelerated 8-week courses online or at our Overland Park, KS, adult campus.

Park University One visit to Park University’s charming flagship campus in Parkville – or to our conveniently-located campus centers in downtown Kansas City and Independence – and you’ll discover what we’ve known for 140 years and counting: there’s no place like Park!

Ranked among the nation’s top schools for academic quality, accessibility, military friendliness and return on investment, Park has helped advance the careers of thousands, including many of Kansas City’s business, health care, public affairs and technology leaders.

If inclusion in a global community of excellence sounds appealing, we have

BE INSPIRED.

On campus. Online.

Evenings. Weekends.

Master’s in Business Administration Master’s in Counseling Psychology Master’s in Organizational Development

Master’s in Education Master’s in Management Master’s in Psychology

Graduate Certificates in business, psychology, education and management 11901 Wornall Rd. KCMO 64145

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that covered, too. Park serves 18,000 students worldwide with an extended campus system that helps individuals in practically every walk of life achieve their full potential. Whether entering college from high school, transferring from another institution, returning to finish a degree, or pursuing a master’s degree to advance your career, Park has options to meet your needs, both faceto-face and online – and we continually evaluate our programs, with an eye on employment trends, to keep our offerings current and relevant.

Call (877) 505-1059 or visit Park.edu to chat! You’ve chosen a great place to live.

Now, choose a great place to learn.

Park University. Close to home … far from ordinary.

University of Central Missouri – Lee’s Summit (UCM) UCM – Lee’s Summit, serves as the university’s residence center for educational opportunities and workforce development in the Kansas City region. The facility offers a number of complete certificate and degree programs, as well as programs consisting of online coursework or courses on the main campus in Warrensburg. Evening and weekend courses allow students to advance their careers while balancing their education with work and family.

University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) The University of Missouri-Kansas City is recognized for the quality of its faculty, students, research and community leadership. Located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, the University of Missouri-Kansas City is a public research university focused on urban issues. At UMKC, your mind will be opened to knowledge, diverse people and outstanding experiences, allowing you to further explore those areas of your life in which you are already engaged. Named one of the Best Midwestern Colleges by Princeton Review, UMKC boasts a 12-1 student faculty ratio. The nationally and internationally recognized Henry W. Bloch School of Management is among the more than 120 majors and programs that draw students to UMKC each year. n

YOU PROVIDE THE BRAINS. WE’LL REMOVE THE BARRIERS.

PARK. YOU.

Achieving your goals takes a lot of smarts

and a little boost from Park University. You’re ready for the next step: enhancing your education with an advanced degree. Park University has affordable, accredited and flexible degree programs that fit your schedule and learning needs. That’s a powerful combination.

WWW.PARK.EDU

FINDING A

Home

FOR YOUR

Faith n BY LONNY COHEN

A

n important piece of your move to the Kansas City Area is finding a home for your religious faith and spirituality. No matter what your faith or beliefs, you will soon find that home. The Kansas City area’s diverse population means that there are an abundance of choices that will meet the criteria you and your family are looking for.

Church of the Nativity Church of the Nativity is a thriving Catholic parish located at 3800 W 119th Street in the heart of Leawood.

The Nativity family prides itself on service to others, whether in our parish or surrounding community. On a daily basis, our parishioners visit the sick and take communion to homes,

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AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF YOUR MOVE TO THE KANSAS CITY AREA IS FINDING A HOME FOR YOUR RELIGIOUS FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY.

There is a place for everyone at Nativity.

We encourage you to come and worship with us soon. See our website for more information on our parish activities and ministry in Leawood and beyond.

Congregation Beth Torah Congregation Beth Torah is a modern, Reform Jewish congregation dedicated to creating an inclusive, caring community and providing opportunities for Lifelong Learning through both formal and informal education and meaningful worship every Friday night, Shabbat morning and all Holy Days. We strive to encourage and promote ethical Jewish living, spiritual and personal growth, social justice and the continuity of the Jewish people.

Church of the Nativity 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, KS 66209 913.491.5017 www.kcnativity.org

Congregation Beth Torah 6100 West 127, Overland Park, KS (913) 498-2212 www.beth-torah.org

nursing facilities and hospitals. We serve meals at St. Mary’s Food Kitchen, bring in thousands of pounds of food in quarterly food drives, distribute thousands of dollars to ministries locally and worldwide, and participate in countless other service projects each year. At Nativity we believe in being the hands and feet of Christ here on earth.

First Presbyterian Church of Lee’s Summit First Presbyterian Church of Lee’s Summit offers Christ-(FPCLS) centered and relationship based worship services and programming for all ages. Sunday mornings begin with a Contemporary Worship Service at 9:00 am with our Praise Band,“Carbon Copy” leading worship. Our 11:00 am service is for those who prefer a more Traditional Worship experience and includes our adult “Chancel” Choir, special music and on many Sundays, one of our two Bell Choirs. At 10:00 am each Sunday we have a time of Faith and Fellowship with a relaxed coffee fellowship. t

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WELCOME HOME TO THE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from or what you’ve been through, we welcome you to join us for a journey of hope, meaning and purpose.

WWW.COR.ORG

A UNIQUE AND DIVERSE CONGREGATION

A BIG CHURCH WITH AN EVEN BIGGER HEART

With four locations thoroughout the metro area and 15 different worship services each weekend, we have a place, time and worship style just for you! But Resurrection is much more than just weekend worship. Through small groups and classes for all ages, we offer unique opportunities for care and support, study and growth, connection and community, and service. Whatever your background, life stage, interest or needs, we have a place for you!

We are an integral part of our community. Our members serve thousands of hours in the Kansas City area donating food, tutoring in schools, serving in shelters, building and remodeling houses and much more. We are committed to making Kansas City a better community for all of us and to making a difference in communities around the world. Ready to be part of something bigger than yourself? Check us out!

S

RESURRECTION LEAWOOD

RESURRECTION DOWNTOWN

Saturdays at 5 pm Sundays at 7:30, 9:15, 11 am and 5 pm

Sundays at 9, 10:45 am and 5 pm

13720 Roe Avenue (137th & Roe) | Leawood, KS 66224

RESURRECTION WEST

24000 W. Valley Pkwy (K10 and K7) | Olathe, KS 66061

Sundays at 8, 9:30, 11 am and 5 pm

1522 McGee St. & 1601 Grand Ave. (Opens June 2) Kansas City, MO 64108

RESURRECTION BLUE SPRINGS 601 NE Jefferson Street (I-70 and Adams Dairy Parkway) Blue Springs, MO 64014

Sundays at 9 and 10:45 am

FINDING A

Home FOR YOUR Faith

During the school year, we offer engaging, inclusive programming for our children and youth. Small groups abound at FPCLS for our older adults and young adults, women’s Bible study and a popular men’s breakfast group that does much more around the church than just eat breakfast!

We celebrate the love of Christ, have fun and enjoy fellowship at FPCLS and we hope you will join us one Sunday in the near future. For more information, you may call the church office at (816) 524-3933 or log onto firstchurchls.org.You may also look for us on Facebook.

First Presbyterian Church of Lee’s Summit 1625 NW O’Brien Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 (816) 524-3933 www.firstchurchls.org

PHOTO BY AARON DOUGHERTY

Grace Church Our vision here at Grace Church is to help everyone become an outward-focused follower of Jesus. Our mission is to love, learn, and lead with God, household, and church. We would love to have you and your family join us as our guests for any one of our five weekend services on

Continued

Saturday evenings at 4 and 5:30pm, and Sunday mornings at 8, 9:30, and 11am. We are located on the corner of 159th St. & Antioch. We will see you this weekend!

Grace Church 8500 West 159th, Overland Park, KS (913) 7814- 7223 www.visitgracechurch.org St. Andrews Episcopal Church At St. Andrew’s, we combine rich tradition and modern messages for a fresh spiritual experience. St. Andrews wants to support you through all phases of your faith journey and helps you rediscover Christ’s love through ritual, reason and meaningful connections. At St. Andrew’s, we invite you to live a life-long and life-wide faith.

We believe we are called not simply to believe in Christ, but also to serve Christ in our Parish, our city and our world. St. Andrew’s serves by holding in tandem rich tradition and fresh spiritual expression with diverse ways to worship, connect and grow. We believe that contributions of “all sorts” of people help us better know the

mind of God. Our rich and proud history of personal connections reminds us that by only loving openly can we truly know healing. We invite you for a tour of our weekly services or to learn more, visit www.standrewwkc.org.

St. Andrews Episcopal Church 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO (816) 523-1603 www.standrewkc.org The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is an integral part of the greater Kansas City community, with locations in Leawood, Olathe, Downtown and Blue Springs. The church’s impact extends well beyond the walls of the church, as members give their time and resources to help meet the needs of their neighbors.

Resurrection is the largest United Methodist Church in the United States, with 22,000 members and 16 worship services each weekend, including online services at rezonline.org.

In 2017, the church opened a new sanctuary building in Leawood with architectural features and a stained-glass window gaining national attention. In May, the church will open a new church building in downtown Kansas City. The church is committed to creating spaces for future generations to see how the Christian faith can change their lives and how they in turn can help transform the world.

United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Leawood 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS (913) 897-0120

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West 2400 Valley Parkway, Olathe, KS (913) 538-7800 Downtown 1522 McGee, Kansas City, MO (816) 979-1330 Blue Springs 601 NE Jefferson, Blue Springs, MO (816) 389-8900 www.cor.org ISSUE 7 2018

Unity Church of Overland Park 10300 Antioch, Overland Park, KS (913) 649-1750 www.ucop.org

PHOTO BY PAUL CROSBY

Unity Church of Overland Park Unity Church of Overland Park welcomes you just as you are and recognizes that each person is on their own unique spiritual journey.

There are many paths to God and we honor all faiths, backgrounds, ethnicities and diverse expressions of individuals and families.There is a place for you in our spiritual community and we hope you’ll join us for our Sunday celebration services, classes, workshops and events offered seven days a week. At Unity you can connect with like-minded people in an inclusive environment, allowing you to grow spiritually, have fun and experience a fulfilled life of abundance and meaning.We have a diverse ministerial team led by Rev. Bob Barth.

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Our core values may lead you here, but our people will make it feel like HOME! Inclusiveness - Spirit-Led - Love - Abundance - Joy Sunday Services at 9am & 11am

10am “Community Sunday” on the last Sunday each month. www.ucop.org 10300 Antioch Road - Overland Park, KS Followed by a community POTLUCK! KC RELO

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PHOTO BY MARK MCDONALD

WE HAVE AN OPEN HEART AND EXEMPLIFY THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME OF GENEROSITY AND NEIGHBORLY LOVE.

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KANSAS CITY

IS THE

Definition

Giving OF

...in Many, Many Genres

T

he city of Kansas City has long been touted as a Midwestern mecca on many levels. We have an open heart and exemplify the crème de la crème of generosity and neighborly love.

To back up my comments, here is the meat of the story. Read on and see t what a great community we are!

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Definition OF Giving

Continued

PHOTO BY DAVE LEATHERS

KANSAS CITY IS THE

Gentlemen, and women, start your engines! Talk about a party with a purpose, Treads & Threads fills that bill and then some. This event benefits The University of Kansas Hospital, and has become one of the most anticipated philanthropic events in the city. Sponsors, patrons and guests of this annual gala have contributed more than $8 million to further expand and improve cancer care. At a venue like no other, under the stars, inside the oval at the Kansas Speedway, the event features top entertainment and delights from KC’s top restaurants, caterers and dessert specialists, with wine and specialty drinks concocted especially for this event. What’s more, attendees can experience the Kansas Speedway up close and personal by taking a victory lap around the track. It is truly an extraordinary party with an even more extraordinary purpose of providing more options, and more hope, to patients battling cancer.

Visit treadsandthreads.org for more information.

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PHOTO BY THE KANSAS CITY ZOO

PHOTO BY BLUESTEM

Jazzoo is a premier event in Kansas City each summer, drawing up to 5,000 creative black tie clad attendees each year who enjoy samplings from over 70 area restaurants, live music performed by local artists and all the animal attractions.

Founded in 1990 by the Junior League, this festive event has become a roaring success, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to feed the more than 1,100 animals who make the Kansas City Zoo their home. It also supports the Zoo Learning t

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Building Bridges of Hope

For Teens Transitioning Out of Foster Care

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Proud Partner of KC Royals

Follow Us!

D a r o l R o d r o c k Fo u n d a t i o n . o r g Darol Rodrock Foundation • P.O. Box 25390 • Overland Park, Kansas 66225 Phone: 913-293-8177

PHOTO BY EXTRA VIRGIN

Fund, which creates educational programs for children throughout the Kansas City area. The 250 dedicated volunteers are proud of the some 275 sponsors and many amazing auction items that further exemplify the amazing caring spirit alive and “purring” in our city.

Visit jazzoo.com for more information.

Eat to give! That is the idea behind the scrumptious Kansas City Restaurant Week, held each winter. Over 150 restaurants participate, and include a who’s who of diverse dining options, including old favorites and new delights. This event supports local causes, and in this its seventh year, partnered with three worthwhile, local charitable partners as beneficiaries. The donations raised during the 2016 event benefited BoysGrow, Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired and Cultivate Kansas City. Additionally, the Kansas City Regional Destination Development Foundation and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association Education Foundation again received a portion of the donations.

Visit kansascityrestaurantweek.com for more information.

The 21st Annual JDRF Dream Gala will be held in May, chaired

by Clark and Tavia Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs owners. This event draws many caring attendees for an evening at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott, with cocktail reception, dinner and live auction. Last year’s gala raised $2,000,328 to help end this childhood disease.Visit jdrf.com for more information.

The 43rd Hospital Hill Run, which winds through the Country Club Plaza, Brookside and Crown Center area, will be held this summer, and it is truly one of the most storied races in Missouri history. Ninety-nine runners participated in the first race in 1973, and now, some 9,000 run each year. In 2008 the Run team created a new charity program that allowed organizations of all sizes and interests to raise funds in a fun and exciting way, by taking part in one of three amazing events.

Sixteen charities joined the inaugural year bringing over 200 participants to the event and raising over $50,000 for their respective causes. In the past five years there have been 2,188 charity participants, 1,283 charity volunteers who have raised $808,818 for their respective causes. Through this Run, dogs have been rescued, kids have gone to camp, people with spinal cord injuries have receive therapy, Alzheimer’s families have received respite care, research has been forwarded and much more.Visit hospitalhillrun.com for more information.

PHOTO BY GAMEFACE MEDIA

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is making strides to help cure this disease, and Kansas City has a lot to do with it.

Continued PHOTO BY EXTRA VIRGIN

Definition OF Giving PHOTO BY THE KANSAS CITY ZOO

KANSAS CITY IS THE

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PHOTO BY AMERICAN ROYAL ASSOCIATION

PHOTO BY MARK MCDONALD

SPONSORED CONTENT

economic impact, $4.4 million in local tax revenues, and supports 450 jobs.

Be sure to find your niche and join in the giving spirit of Kansas City.

The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has been a beloved Kansas City tradition since 1899. This organization celebrates the region’s rich agricultural heritage through competition, education and entertainment. As a not-for-profit community volunteer based organization, the American Royal raises funds to fulfill its vision and mission though endowments, contributions, sponsorships and event revenues.

The American Royal annually hosts the World’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest and oldest livestock exhibitions and professional rodeos, prestigious horse shows and is home of the National Championship Saddlebred horse competition. During the year more than 270,000 people attend events at the American Royal Complex. In addition to its educational mission, the American Royal generates some $60 million of

For more information, visit www.americanroyal.com.

The American Heart Association’s 30th Kansas City Heart & Stroke Ball will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the Kansas City Convention Center. This is always an unforgettable evening with life-saving significance. The dollars raised stay right here in our community. Last year alone, American Heart Association supporters in the Kansas City metro made the following possible: $3.8 million in research funding in the Kansas City area including meritorious studies at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas State University, The Stowers Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Missouri and University of Missouri-Kansas City. Last year they reduced teenage tobacco usage in Kansas by supporting the American Heart Association’s advocacy for reduced cigarette taxes, resulting in a $.50 tobacco tax increase in Kansas and also empowered 81,000 local individuals to be CPR-trained by the American Heart Association.

From 2010-2014, the American Heart Association has funded 21 studies in Kansas at a cost of over $2.6 million and 136 studies in Missouri at $15.86 million.

More than $2.7 million was awarded to Kansas City institutions.

Visit www.heart.org/KC for more information.

Giving Back to the Community.

We run on a philosophy of S.E.E: Service Exceeding Expectations. We see how good Kansas City residents are to one another, and we’ve been blessed to experience this first-hand.

Kansas Citians are the only reason we’re still here today, 30 years later.

We cannot thank you enough for the kindness you’ve shown us, and for allowing us to grow with you. We are proud to be Kansas City’s local home improvement company, and it is our honor to reciprocate by giving back to the community in any way we can.

We’ve participated in projects with: • Extreme Home Makeover • Habitat for Humanity • Christmas in October • No Roof Left Behind • Hillcrest Transitional Housing There’s been countless other projects over the years, and we’re always looking for new ways to give back to the amazing residents of Kansas City.

You inspire us to be the very best, exceeding expectations for all the home remodeling services we provide.

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Relocating?

We have over 1500 homes for rent in the Kansas City Metro Area!

The Rost Group will help you select a home anywhere you want to live; choosing from the best neighborhoods in the metro. Try out an area before committing to buying. Rent one year at a time, for up to five years.

Love it? Rent

to own. You may buy the home at the end of your lease if you desire.

Start your search today. Contact one of our Rental Specialists, or visit our website.

11005 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66210 913- 451- 4 888 | www.The Rost Group. com

PARTNERS

SET YOURSELF APART

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