Johnson County March 2015

Johnson County JohnsonCountyLifestyle.com

MARCH 2015

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A REGION OF ART RICHES THE ART OF LIVE COMEDY A WEEKEND IN SCENIC ARKANSAS SHAWNEE MISSION’S STROLLING STRINGS

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Editor's Letter

Lucky for Us, the Arts Surround Us Aren’t we fortunate to live in a community that values the arts? If one were to consult a metro-wide arts calendar, there’s no doubt in my mind that nearly every day of the year would offer multiple options. From high school productions that are so impressive they bear little resemblance to the high school productions of my youth, to community theaters, local symphonies, dance groups, community bands and choirs, art gallery events. Add this to the public art popping up around us and it is clear that our town has a flourishing art scene.

And this doesn’t even begin to include the professional, downtown Kansas City art and festival opportunities less than a 30-minute drive away.

I started this job nearly six years ago and at that time had no idea how many local art groups were in our community. And until we started spotlighting local artists in our publication, I was oblivious as to how many talented artists call our suburbs home.

And is it just me, or has the arrival of the Kauffman Center reignited our passion for great performances and attracted some really big names to KC? I doubt I’m alone when I say that if busy schedules weren’t an obstacle, I think I could find something to attract me to the Kauffman Center every month.

MARCH 2015 editor-in-chief Lisa Harrison | Lisa@LifestylePubs.com assistant editor Kendra Mathewson | KMathewson@LifestylePubs.com sales director Michael Arel | MArel@LifestylePubs.com advertising sales Mary Beth Stauch | MStauch@LifestylePubs.com Tim Carr | TCarr@LifestylePubs.com Dom Green | DGreen@LifestylePubs.com contributing writers Becky Blades, Ann Butenas, Judy Harper Goppert, Michael J. Searcy, Denise Snodell, Kimberly Winter Stern, Tom Strongman, Sheri Thompson, Jenny Wolff contributing photographers Alexis Cook, Bill Mathews, Jim Mathis, Tom Strongman

corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore

Just the other night, a friend and I went to see The Women Of Lockerbie at one of our local high schools. We called it dinner and a show on a dime and it was a great night.

If you aren’t aware of what’s being produced on the stages of our local high schools, community colleges and community theaters, I encourage you to start surfing the web and take a look.

And if you are out of ideas for gifts for those out-of-town family members who visit Kansas City regularly, might I suggest tickets to something at that amazing shellshaped performing arts center downtown. While that dinner and a show were more than a few dimes, the dinner and show we enjoyed with our visiting Chicago relatives, their Christmas gift from us, made for a most memorable night for all.

Bravo to the performers and artists who add color, music and culture to our community.

production director | Christina Sandberg director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Sara Minor ad coordinators | Cyndi Vreeland, Samantha Engel copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham application architect | Michael O’Connell it director | Randy Aufderheide

Published monthly, subscriptions are also available for $22 for 1 year, $39 for 2 years by visiting JohnsonCountyLifestyle.com

I’ll see you around town!

Lisa Harrison, Editor Lisa@LifestylePubs.com

by Community ™ Proverbs 3:5-6 Contact us at:

ON THE COVER The photography of Jim Mathis

can be seen all over Johnson County. Read more on page 24.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM MATHIS

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7373 West 107th Street Overland Park, KS 66212 913.599.4300 | JohnsonCountyLifestyle.com Johnson County Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Johnson County’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

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Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Johnson County Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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March 2015

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28 Shawnee Mission’s Strolling Strings

Departments

10

Good Times

32 The Outs and Ins of Southwest Arkansas

14

Around Town

The great outdoors and a rich past beckon sports enthusiasts

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Star Student

and history buffs.

SMN students bring magical music to events across our community.

20 Family Feature

42 A Region of Riches

How Kansas City’s arts scene adds wealth to your community

and your weekends.

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Hometown Hero

24

Artist's Palette

26

Open House

38

Field Trip

40 Driver's Notebook 42 Locals Only 44 Financial Fitness 46 Wedding Bells 49 Sold Properties 50 Lifestyle Calendar 58

Parting Thoughts

Lifestyle Publications Kansas | Missouri | Colorado | California | Arizona | Texas | Georgia | Illinois | Oklahoma | Idaho

Good Times

Kansas City Young Matrons Magic Ball

The Kansas City Downtown Marriott provided a beautiful backdrop for the event benefitting the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Kansas City. Guests enjoyed a raffle and cocktail hour, a live auction and entertainment by KOCOMO. PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID REMLEY

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Cooper’s Hawk Dinner and Wine Pairing Wine Club members enjoyed an exclusive evening hosted by one of America’s foremost wine experts who paired wines with spectacular South American-inspired dishes. PHOTOGRAPHY AMY CHINNERY VALMASSEI

Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein and Executive Chef Matt McMillin collaborated to create the amazing menu.

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Good Times

41st Annual Snow Ball

More than 1,750 guests, including many of Kansas City’s most influential leaders, attended this historic charitable event, raising a record-breaking $2,082,433 to support the work of Catholic Charities.

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Around Town UNDERWOOD HONORED WITH EAGLE AWARD Boy Scout Troop 92 recently hosted a Spirit of the Eagle Award ceremony for Reat Underwood. The Spirit of the Eagle award is a posthumous award to recognize the contributions of Scouting members who lost their lives in an untimely accident or illness. Underwood was an active Scout and a student at Blue Valley High School when he was killed in April 2013. The event was held in the Wesley Chapel at the Church of the Resurrection. Heart of America council member Kenn Miller presented the award.

LOCAL NAVY OFFICER SELECTED AS SAILOR OF THE QUARTER

Naval Aircrewman (Operator) Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon White, from Olathe and a 2001 graduate of Olathe East High School, was recently selected as Naval Air Technical Training Center of Pensacola, Fla. Sailor of the Quarter for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2015. When asked how he felt about this accomplishment White said, “I am extremely honored and thankful to my senior leadership for the guidance I have received, and I wouldn’t have been selected if it wasn’t for the amount of work my junior people do on a daily basis.”

White has been in the Navy for nine years and is currently serving as the Naval 14

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Aircrewman (Operator) and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Tactical Deployability Advisor. He was previously assigned to Patrol Squadron 9 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he earned a Navy Achievement Medal and two Air Medals for flights conducted out of Tallil Air Base, Iraq.

He is the son of 1st Sgt (Ret) Todd and Chris Sieleman of Olathe.

CHURCH DONATES $29,000 TO LOCAL YOUTH SHELTER Members of Rolling Hills Church in Overland Park reached deep into their pockets this holiday season and collected nearly $29,000 for this year’s Christmas offering. The beneficiary, PACES, which operates an emergency shelter in Wyandotte County, will use the donation to help fund their campaign “A Place to be Safe Because They’re Kids,” to build a larger and safer home environment for children and youth who are in crisis.

This donation will assist them in doubling their current size so they can help 10 children every day. These kids, who have been removed from their home because of neglect and/or abuse, will have a place to stay for the mandatory 72 hours before they are placed in the foster care system.

“Over the years, the generosity of Rolling Hills has been truly inspiring,” says Pastor Woody Brown. “We have a strong history of supporting children in the foster care system and helping those who are aging out.”

For more information on PACES and how you can contribute, visit PacesWC.org.

OLATHE CHAMBER HONORS LOCAL RESIDENTS A record crowd of 525 attendees at the Olathe Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting learned about major expansion plans for Olathe Medical Center and how Southwest Airlines became the area’s largest air carrier. Several special honors were made as well.

Dr. Robert Drummond was honored as the 2014 Citizen of the Year. Drummond is currently retired and is the volunteer CEO of Global Education Plus in Olathe. He retired

as president and CEO of KidsTLC in August of 2014 after serving in the position for 13 years. Prior to that he served for 30 years at MidAmerica Nazarene University, most of that time as a professor and administrator. He has served on many community and church boards and committees, including the Olathe Chamber of Commerce, the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees, and the United Way of Greater Kansas City Board of Trustees.

Sam Mansker was honored as the 2014 Volunteer of the Year. Mansker is one of the Dealer Principals at Olathe Ford Lincoln. He began in 1972 while still in the Air Force. In 2013 he was named one of four finalists for the TIME Dealer of the year award, one of the automotive industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. It is given to recipients who are among the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Mansker is active in numerous community activities, including events supporting KidsTLC and Olathe Medical Center’s Hospice House.

NOW OPEN IN LENEXA: PARKER PAYNE Are you tired of cold weather and the winter blues? Then you need a destination for inspiration: plan a visit to Parker Payne Floral and Interiors. Located just off of I-35 and 87th Street in Lenexa’s Greystone Plaza, it’s easy drive from most locations in Johnson County. Upon entering the shop, enticing smells and beautiful surroundings entice the senses. Home accents and treasures, breath-taking florals and relaxing music create an inspiring shopping experience. The friendly staff will answer any questions or assist in your search for that something special.

Parker Payne is a master florist with FTD and provides innovative floral designs delivered anywhere in the metro area. Gift items, home accents, art from local artists, and heritage furniture are available for purchase.

Parker Payne offers a lush selection of tropical and green foliage plants complete with garden accessories. Enjoy a destination of

inspiration for your remaining weeks of winter. Parker Payne is located at 12932 W. 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa. 913.322.1300

SPORTS WRITER RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD Charles Redfield, a freelance writer for Lifestyle Publications, was recently notified by Kansas State High School Activities Association Executive Director Gary Musselman that he’d been chosen as their Sports Writer of the Year. Redfield, a well-known writer in Johnson County, has been a writer for publications such as KC Sports And Fitness, 435 South magazine, the Kansas City Star and the Johnson County Sun since 1970. Young Johnson County athletes used to look forward to reading about their Little League victories and their swim meet personal best times in the local newspaper thanks to Mr. Redfield. At Lifestyle Publications, he brings stories about our star student athletes to light and we congratulate him on this much-deserved award.

HEAD START OF SHAWNEE MISSION CELEBRATES NEW NAME

Community guests and public officials invited by the Growing Futures Early Education Center, formerly Head Start of Shawnee Mission, recently attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Overland Park-based early learning center. During this ceremony, the organization unveiled a new name and kicked-off a year-long celebration in support of the 50 years of service the center has provided to low-income children and families in Johnson County.

Since 1965, more than 31 million children nationally have benefitted from Head Start’s comprehensive services that provide the whole child with an opportunity for success in school and in life.

Growing Futures Early Education Center (l8155 Santa Fe Drive) will continue to provide a quality early childhood learning experience for children throughout the community, along with comprehensive child and family services for 206 low-income children (ages birth to 5) and their families to maximize their success.

For more information, visit GrowingFuturesEEC.org.

BEST REGARDS BAKERY NOW OFFERING CUSTOM CAKES Best Regards Bakery and Café in Overland Park has just added cakes to their repertoire of yummy baked goods, available by the slice or whole. The melt-in-your-mouth cakes are made from scratch using only premium ingredients like European butter, Madagascar bourbon vanilla and King Arthur flour. They are topped off with real butter cream frosting. The cake flavors currently offered are Chocolate Decadence, Madagascar Vanilla, Red March 2015 | Johnson County Lifestyle

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Around Town Velvet, Limoncello and Carrot. A master designer will work with you to create and decorate the perfect cake for your special occasion. (Hint: They are already taking orders for graduation parties, so get your order in soon!)

Best Regards Bakery and Café is located at 6759 W. 119th St., just west of the Cheesecake Factory, and is open Monday through Saturday. In addition to baked goods, the café offers sandwiches, salads and soups. (MakeThemSmile.com, 913.912.7238)

CITIES UNITE TO HELP SHAWNEE MISSION FAMILIES The Cities of Merriam and Prairie Village each made donations to the Shawnee Mission Community Cares Fund, housed at the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation, and challenge other Shawnee Mission area cities to do the same.

The Shawnee Mission Community Cares Fund, SM Cares, was started as a call to action by Superintendent Dr. Jim Hinson to stabilize family home situations of immediate and temporary financial hardship so that students can be in school and focused on learning.

After sharing poignant examples of families in need, Hinson asked local businesses and patrons of the community to say, “Not on our watch!” The initial first-day outpouring of generosity was just over $20,000 and to date the fund has received $42,817.

Since its beginning, the fund has provided $14,847 to those in need including everything from utility, transportation and rent assistance; crisis funding for victims of house fires; and winter coats and shoes.

Donations to the Shawnee Mission Community Cares Fund are accepted through the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation at SMEF.org.

SHAWNEE MISSION PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS The U.S. Department of Education has announced that five Shawnee Mission students are candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the most prestigious honors given to high school students. Candidates from the Shawnee Mission School District are Akshay Dinakar and Clara T. Ma, from Shawnee Mission East; Nicholas G. Leyden, from Shawnee Mission Northwest; Regina L. Yan, from Shawnee Mission South; and Elijah P. Bunde, from Shawnee Mission West.

OFF CENTER THEATRE TO BECOME MUSICAL THEATER HERITAGE Musical Theater Heritage (MTH), the Kansas City professional theater company specializing in Musical Theater productions, has signed an exclusive lease to occupy the 243-seat Off Center Theatre on Level 3 of the Crown Center Shops. MTH, with its large casts and live music has become a local theater favorite for its intimate and engaging concert-style productions of book musicals, and cabaret shows.

“We’ve enjoyed a tremendous relationship with MTH for many years,” says Zahid Nana, Crown Center’s vice president of marketing 16

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

and hospitality. “It’s been exciting to watch them grow, and we’re looking forward to the wonderful entertainment they’ll continue to bring to Crown Center.”

MTH is quite ready for this giant step.

Last year they provided employment for 289 actors, singers and theater technicians, bringing 11,500 theatergoers to Crown Center. Having a permanent home will certainly be a way for them to continue their phenomenal growth.

NELSON-ATKINS GIFTS TIPIS TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS The Nelson-Atkins Museum has chosen several local organizations to be recipients of the beautiful tipis that have served as complements to the Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky exhibition. The organizations recently gathered at the museum for a short ceremony and to personally de-install their own tipi. Organizations included Haskell Indian Nations University, Shawnee Indian Mission, BoysGrow and Heart of America Council Cub Scout Pack 3193 and Boy Scout Troop 10.

March 2015 | Johnson County Lifestyle

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Star Student

From Performer to Producer LOCAL STUDENT LEARNS TO SHINE OFF STAGE ARTICLE SHERI WILLS THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY ALEXIS COOK & PROVIDED

O

nce in a while, a single activity changes the course of our lives. Usually it occurs in adulthood, but sometimes it happens to children as well. For Ryan Beard this pivotal moment occurred when he was 11 years old.

Growing up, Beard was involved in soccer until he participated in a Christian Youth Theater (CYT) production of Annie. Since then, his life has been built around performing, music, scripts and rehearsals. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Beard, a homeschool student currently taking classes at Johnson County Community College, has performed in more than 20 shows produced by CYT. His favorite roles have been Mr. Bundles in Annie, Willy Wonka, the Lion in The Wizard Of Oz and most recently, Donkey in CYT’s production of Shrek.

An avid watcher of television, Beard is a fan of the show, The 18

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Office. Last year, theater and TV came together to create another turning point in his life when Beard wrote and produced a stage parody of The Office performed last June at Avila University’s Goppert Theater. He began writing A Day At The Office at age 15.

It was in production by the time he was 16.

Beard assembled a team to help him in this venture. Many were young adults, themselves. Cameron Pratte, assistant director and student at KU, worked on promotional materials. Brady Brock, an MU student, designed and built the sets. Abby Wolff, Christian Geil, Suz Melton, Lizzie Wade and Amanda Hinman worked on his artistic team. Many others came alongside to help, especially friends from Immeasurable Productions, another local theater company. However, Beard’s biggest fan and greatest help was his mom, Michelle. She managed the business side of A Day At The Office, booking the theater, communicating with both Avila University and parents, fundraising and managing the overall budget of $12,000--$3,000 of which was obtained online through Kickstarter.

Producing taught Beard a lot about himself. He believes in the power of young adults to aim high and create something truly professional.

“Just because you are young, doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish what you want to,” says Beard.

Beard worked to exceed his expectations regarding his own capa-

Elegant

bilities. He composed the music and produced the background tracks using the application Garage Band. During show week, the activity and pressure were constant, but Beard learned to focus and persevere.

Were there obstacles? Absolutely! Obtaining finances and staying on budget were always a concern. Beard also walked the unfamiliar line of directing a cast of his peers. He had to learn to lead with objectivity and integrity, keeping the end product as the goal.

Was producing a success? Yes! Besides being an incredible learning experience, A Day At The Office engaged a 30-person cast and 50 volunteers. The production sold 750 tickets and not only did they stay on budget, but also they donated approximately $2,500 back to CYT. Beard credits some significant mentors who encouraged his talent and dream to produce his own work. His youth pastor, Dennis Burd, is one. “He inspires me to live my life for God and try my best at anything I do,” Beard says of him. And Beard says CYT Artistic Director Gina Milbourn set the example of doing one’s best on stage and working with integrity.

Using what he learned, Beard is currently composing background tracks and instrumentation for a local woman who has also written her own show. Further down the road, he dreams of working in the entertainment industry, perhaps in a television show or doing voice-over work. Regardless of where his talent takes him, Beard’s ultimate desire is to live out his faith and be a shining light in an industry that can be very difficult, but with all of the support he has had so far, he is well on his way.

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Family Feature

A Fairytale Come True

LOCAL COUPLE BEGAN LIFE TOGETHER AS CINDERELLA AND PRINCE CHARMING ARTICLE SHERI WILLS THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY SISTER ACT PHOTOGRAPHY

C

inderella meets Prince Charming and they live happily ever after….seems like a fairytale, but for Alicia and Cary Mock, this is real life.

Nineteen years ago, Cinderella met Prince Charming or rather, Alicia Brende met Cary Mock at a Topeka theater production of Into The Woods. They have been together ever since, performing in local theaters, touring the U.S. and Canada with the Continental Singers, running a bed and breakfast, leading worship at church, raising a musical and performing family, and most recently creating a childcare program with an emphasis on learning through the arts in their home.

Life certainly is an adventure for the Mocks.

Both grew up in musical families. Brende is from Topeka, where she participated in music through high school and even formed an award-winning band with her siblings. After earning radio and television and elementary education degrees from Kansas State University, she went on to teach 3rd and 4th grade. Mock’s dad was a music teacher, his mom an art teacher. Mock earned a music education degree from Emporia State University and was a music teacher for 11 years.

In 1997, the Mocks, newly married, moved to Abilene to own and operate a bed and breakfast. Cary taught high school music, and served as a music minister at a local church. Soon their growing family needed more space, so they moved to Prairie Village where Cary served for three years as Worship Pastor of Hillcrest Covenant Church.

Teaching and music go hand in hand for the Mocks. Alicia has worked as a teacher for Lawrence Virtual Schools, and Homeschool Christian Academy in Overland Park. She is a certified Kindermusik instructor and has taught at The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, where they both help lead Sunday morning worship. Cary, a vocal and acting coach, also performs professionally in the KC metro area. He has appeared at Chestnut Fine Arts Theater in Olathe, Quality Hill Playhouse and the Jewish Community Center. Alicia also performed at Chestnut Fine Arts Theater and will appear there later this summer in We’ve Only Just 20

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Begun: A Tribute To The Carpenters, a show Cary arranged and performed with Alicia last December.

Their most important students are their own children: Annelise, 13; Phoebe, 11; Curran, 9; and Delainey, 7, who have found their way onto the stage as well. The children joined their parents in Church of the Resurrection’s show, Children Of Eden, and in their own show: Broadway, Branson, And Blues at Chestnut. Cary’s oldest son, Mark, a woodworking major at Pittsburgh State, stays busy with campus ministry and missions, but is an avid fan of his performing family.

The Mock children continually develop their on-stage skills.

Phoebe and Delainey will appear in the upcoming performance of The Snow Queen with The Culture House, and Annelise is active in the theater program at California Trail Middle School.

The Mocks love to perform together. It is a great bonding experience and the children get to see their parents doing something they love. Cary and Alicia get a great sense of pride watching their kids perform, especially when they share the same stage. Quality shows are important; they won’t audition for shows that compromise their personal values or their faith. Being on stage is not just an act; it’s an expression of their passion for the arts.

Every day, they continue to share this passion for music, performing, color and words that invite imagination through their newly developed childcare program, Adventure Arts Academy.

The program is open to children ages 2 1/2 thru 5 and seeks to “nurture and teach the whole child - academically, socially, physically, musically, artistically and spiritually.” Open less than a year; the school is already a huge success.

Life for the Mocks may have started out like a fairytale, and although happily ever after hasn’t always been easy, it is rich, filled with creativity, children, adventure and faith.

For more information regarding the Mocks and Adventure Arts Academy visit AdventureArtsAcademy.com.

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Hometown Hero

Emergency Nurse Honored

by Former Patients’ Family AMY HOLY, R.N., RECEIVES HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD ARTICLE DON VOGT | PHOTOGRAPHY DEAN SHEPARD

D

ebbie Davis will be the first to tell you she shouldn’t be alive today. She doesn’t remember March 10, 2014. Debbie was close to death. Her organs were shutting down. A team of physicians gathered by her bedside to determine a diagnosis and treatment. Debbie’s husband, Kelly, remembers a young E.R. nurse providing the type of patient- and family-focused care that made a difference during a very tough time.

“I’ve been to other, bigger hospitals. It was different at Saint Luke’s South,” says Kelly. “Amy was compassionate. She took her time. We didn’t feel like a number. She helped turn a bad situation into a better situation right away.”

ROOKIE NURSE

Amy Holy, a 12-year employee of Saint Luke’s South Hospital, had worked nights and weekends as an admitting clerk. She had only recently become a nurse, drawn to patient care after her Emergency Department colleagues encouraged her to go back to school.

“I was fascinated by what they do,” says Holy. “And it seemed like a great opportunity. With a nursing degree, there are so many things you can do.”

Amy started taking prerequisites for nursing school. She became an E.R. tech while she worked on her degree. And in December 2012, she became–officially–Amy Holy, R.N. THE FIRST OF THREE ENCOUNTERS

Debbie spent 28 days in Saint Luke’s South Hospital. She made a full recovery and even went hiking with family last summer. Her journey back to good health culminated in a trip back to the hospital in January 2015. This time, there was no emergency.

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Amy Holy, R.N., is honored by Kelly and Debbie Davis during a surprise ceremony.

Kelly nominated nurse Amy for his company’s Humanitarian of the Year award, for providing care and encouragement to his loved ones – not once, but three times. Within the course of only a few months, Amy had somehow cared for three members of the same family. And each time, he was thoroughly impressed by the care she delivered.

“The consistent comfort and professionalism you provided us in multiple stressful times convinces me that you provide this level of care to every patient,” said Kelly, during a presentation in front of hospital staff, leadership, and Amy’s family.

The Davises presented a special award to Amy and a $500 gift to the Saint Luke’s Foundation in her name. The gift is earmarked to support continuing education for nurses and staff. As the Davis family sees it, an admitting clerk called to nursing made all the difference in their lives.

“I’m in complete shock,” Amy says. “I’m a new nurse. It’s nice to be recognized that I’m making a difference. It’s a great feeling.”

“If we had gone anywhere else, I’m convinced Debbie wouldn’t have made it,” Kelly says. “There’s a standing order in our family – if anyone goes down, no matter where they are, they need to get to Saint Luke’s.”

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Artist's Palette

The Photographic Art of Jim Mathis What brought you to the KC area?

I came to Kansas City not long after I left K-State. I had developed a habit of reading the Kansas City Star and Times every day and fell in love with the city as a result of feeling connected through the newspaper. I moved to KC when I was looking for a regular job and ended up working in a downtown camera store for three years.

Describe your art: I am a photographer first, but digital artist better describes my work.

My subjects are mainly music related since I am also a musician.

What inspires you?

Everything. I don’t see how a person cannot be inspired by just looking around and seeing and talking with people.

Where did you study art?

I have no formal art training, but I have been studying art all of my life. I enjoyed looking at pictures in magazines as a child and later got in the habit of going to art museums.

Where can people view your art?

I have art in several businesses around town including Scooter’s 24

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Coffee at College and Antioch in Overland Park. I also show at a number of art fairs in the area.

When is your next showing or exhibit?

I usually start in art festival circuit in April or May. As both a photographer and a musician, I love making images of musicians and musical instruments. Finding innovative ways to show musical themes using photography, I often employ light-painting, which uses a small moving light source in a darkened room and a long exposure. This technique produces unique and compelling images which appeal to both music fans and people who like strong visual images.

To learn more about Jim’s art, visit MathisPhoto.net.

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Trust your gut. If you experience a change in bowel habits, talk with your doctor. Early detection saves lives by identifying changes in the colon and rectum before they become cancerous, when they are easily treatable. If you’re 50 or over, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly and learn your risk factors. If you need treatment, NCI-designated Cancer Centers like The University of Kansas Cancer Center provide better outcomes than other centers.

Don’t rely on hindsight. Reduce your risk factors with: • Physical activity • Weight control • Reduced alcohol consumption • No smoking Learn more at kucancercenter.org/gutcheck or 913-588-1227.

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Open House

Overland Park Home Enjoys an Updated Interior Design MAINTAINING ORIGINAL SENSE OF STYLE WHILE PARTNERING WITH A 21ST CENTURY TOUCH ARTICLE ANN E. BUTENAS | PHOTOGRAPHY BILL MATHEWS

F

or one Overland Park couple, a hectic lifestyle kept getting in the way of bringing new design life to their master bedroom and kitchen. With furniture and décor still clinging to last century, this house was in need of an interior design makeover.

How do you make the transition from simply thinking about updating the look of your home to actually doing it? This homeowner simply contacted the interior design experts at Design Connection, Inc. and let them create a fabulously new and updated appeal to their home while still maintaining their own unique style.

“I had some new tile put into the master bathroom a few years ago, but didn’t know what to do next, so it just stayed that way un-

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

til I met with Arlene,” says the homeowner. “She was quickly able to assess what we could do without compromising our desire for a traditional and inviting ambiance within our home. We wanted something comfortable to make our bedroom feel like a retreat in which to relax at the end of the day.”

A big screen television was placed on the wall and two reading chairs were situated within the sitting area.

“We wanted to make changes, but we didn’t want them to be dramatic nor take away from our sense of style,” notes the homeowner.

The design team maintained a warm and cozy vibe to the room, coupled with a tailored and classic style.

“We didn’t want to outdate the furnishings,” notes designer Arlene Ladegaard.

The homeowner truly appreciates the relaxing appeal of her updated master bedroom and even noted that when she travels, some of the higher-end hotels cannot even compare to her blissful oasis at home.

On the main level, the kitchen is the heartbeat of this busy family, and even though the three children have moved out and are away at college, when they do come home, the kitchen is the central gathering spot.

Moderately sized and somewhat functional, the kitchen fumbled with its outdated look and design. Light colored cabinetry, minimal storage space, inefficient lighting, old appliances, and a clumsy island were soon transitioned into a very user-friendly space that now beckons one to relax and stay awhile, as Ladegaard focused her design efforts on the center island and worked around that focal point to truly maximize the space.

Among the many updates to the kitchen include former golden oak colored cabinets that were faux painted to darken the look; darkened hardwood floors; new back splash tile; the addition of under cabinet lighting; and additional lights placed in the ceiling. Old window treatments were removed and a wooden wove blind now covers the kitchen window, along with a black out to deflect the harsh mid-day sun.

“We took a portion of the cabinets and reinstalled that area with soft close drawers for better storage,” says Ladegaard. “We

then tore out the island and replaced it with a new one that now accommodates a Wolf cooktop and more soft close drawers.”

A portion of the island was also extended to provide a table area that functions well as a place to sit and relax.

“Arlene redesigned the kitchen to accommodate more people and provide more storage space, and she also addressed my desire to have an island that allowed more people to comfortably sit around it while I cook,” she says. “Now my family can sit and face each other without facing the sink. The island is a fabulous piece that really functions well in our kitchen.”

The new drawers have allowed the homeowner to maintain a greater sense of organization, too.

“These drawers serve me better and help me find stuff readily,” she says.

Of course, one of the other grand highlights of the kitchen is its rich and eye-popping wall color: Sedona red.

“I really like the warm and earthy tone to this color,” states the homeowner.

Other new features include a custom wine rack that is now located where the old microwave oven was, which was replaced by an Advantium oven and is now situated closer to the sink and island. A warming drawer completes that section.

In keeping pace with 21st century needs, a charging station hub was placed beneath the wine rack. This allows the homeowner to not only charge all cell phones, tablets and portable devices, but also provides a great storage place for them, as well.

“We updated the kitchen to this century,” says Ladegaard. “The warm and cozy environment it now portrays makes you want to stay and never leave.”

The homeowner is definitely pleased with the outcome.

“The kitchen is where we want people to gather, relax and be a part of our family,” she says, smiling.

Visit DesignConnectionInc.com. for more information about Design Connection Inc.,

March 2015 | Johnson County Lifestyle

27

STROLLING STRINGS

BRINGS MAGICAL MUSIC TO EVENTS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY ARTICLE JUDY HARPER GOPPERT | PHOTOGRAPHY JIM MATHIS

M

usic is the language of the soul, and can set the stage in any situation. It opens the heart and makes people smile, reduces tension and turns any event into a more pleasant gathering. The Strolling Strings of Shawnee Mission North High School have helped bring levity as they stroll around the room and play at a wide array of locales around the metro, including the last two governor inaugurations.

The Strolling Strings are a talented group of 50 young musicians who play violin, viola, cello, bass, piano and drums. They have performed throughout the Kansas City area over the past two decades.

“I started our group in 1989, and the students audition for the group every year,” says Karen McGhee-Hensel, director. “They meet to practice as an actual class during the school day and when we are not rehearsing strolling, we function as a regular orchestra. They participate in all regular orchestra activities.”

North’s group was inspired by Shawnee Mission West’s original Strolling Strings, which was conceived by Lelia Rodabaugh in the mid 80s. The concept was inspired by a group of professional strolling musicians in Minneapolis called the Golden Strings that performed for diners in one of the most popular venues in the Minneapolis area in the 60s and 70s.

“Students develop life skills such as independent playing, flexibility and thinking on their feet. They must not

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

only memorize and perform a 45-minute program of difficult music, they must be able to interact with audience members fluidly and with personality,” says McGhee-Hensel.

This group not only has a great time playing instruments and strolling to their music at school, but they also take their show on the road. Over the years, the Strollers have traveled to Europe on five occasions, as well as Australia, the Bahamas and Hawaii.

Their playlist ranges from Beatles to Big Band, including fiddle music, pop music and show tunes. Every year’s show is different.

Annie Sinsel has played violin with the Strolling Strings for four years. She hopes to attend Brigham Young University and graduate with a music education degree.

“My favorite part of Strolling Strings is that we are pretty much family,” Sinsel says. “My favorite place to play is at the Hyatt at Crown Center. There’s usually a lot more room to stroll and it’s super cool to see inside. Strolling Strings has helped me expand my memory for music, learn how to deal with different kinds of people and with different situations, and gain leadership qualities.”

Eva Roebuck is another talented young musician who played with the group, and is living proof that it inspires and influences young people. She started with the group as a freshman, and in fifth and sixth grade was in a group called Fiddle Sticks, which was very similar to Strolling Strings. The group was also run by McGhee-Hensel and Cecily Mahan and had the same concept, but wasn’t limited to just high school students.

“I play the cello. I started playing when I was nine years old and it was actually with Karen Hensel that I got started playing the instrument. Right now I am an undergraduate student at Kansas State University majoring in music performance,” says Roebuck. “I am the principal cellist in the Kansas State Symphony Orchestra and study under Dr. David Littrell. I have recently won the Kansas State Concerto Competition and will be performing the Saint-Saens cello concerto with the orchestra in Manhattan.”

She credits the group and the experience for her love of music and chosen path. “My favorite part of Strolling Strings was definitely the sense of family. I made so many great friends that I still keep in touch with. It’s such a unique group that being a member really fosters feelings of community. We performed on a cruise ship and for the governor’s inaugural ball. We shared good times and bad times and all grew together. I am so lucky to have had a teacher and friend like Karen.”

Amanda Petersen is another former member whose life was greatly impacted by her participation in the group.

“I am now an orchestra teacher because of Karen’s energy and passion for the profession,” says Peterson. “Strolling Strings taught me leadership and responsibility, and gave me confidence in myself, my playing, and my ability to socialize with complete strangers. She motivates, inspires, and pushes us, in order to bring out the best in each of us. I strive every day to make her as proud of me as I would my own mother.”

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:

March 30 Santa Marta Retirement Community, Olathe April 16 VA Medical Center Volunteer Luncheon, Kansas City, Mo. April 17 Mid America Regional Council Employee Dinner, Kansas City, Mo. April 23 Johnson County Parks & Recreation Senior Spring Event, Overland Park May 7 Shawnee Mission Medical Center Volunteer Luncheon, Overland Park May 14 Village Shalom Retirement Community, Overland Park

March 2015 | Johnson County Lifestyle

29

The OUTS and INS of Southwest Arkansas Lovely mountains and lakes, the great outdoors, and a rich past beckon sports enthusiasts and history buffs. outhwest Arkansas loves to show off its natural beauty and fabled heritage. Sandwiched between the Arkansas River in the north and the Red River in the south, the stunning Ouachita Mountains offer nonstop outdoor recreation for anyone with a penchant for exploration and leisure. And the area’s history—including the storied Old Southwest Trail, characters with the names of Bowie and Crockett, the 1920s Arkansas oil boom, and former military post Fort Smith—comes to life through tours, museums and interpreters.

Hit the road for a playground of natural wonderment wrapped in mountains and picturesque lakes and rivers enhanced by fascinating history. Driving time from Kansas City is seven hours or fly into Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport and trek an hour west to Hot Springs; check into the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa for a bit of pampering before your adventure begins.

For anyone hankering to find a spring, summer or fall destination that seamlessly blends middle-of-nowhere tranquility with a dose of living history and modern day amenities, southwest Arkansas aims to please.

ARTICLE KIMBERLY WINTER STERN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

CONTINUED >

March 2015 | Johnson County Lifestyle

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ARKANSAS

(CONTINUED)

World-Class Fishing: Lake Ouachita

The Ouachita River is a tributary of the great Arkansas River; dam projects over the decades on the river and some of its tributaries have created lakes for boating and fishing. Deep, clear Lake Ouachita is Arkansas’s largest lake, with more than 40,000 acres of water and nearly 700 miles of pristine shoreline, completely surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest. Anglers come from all corners of the country for world-class fishing on this mighty lake, where largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and stripers abound. Named by Bassmaster Magazine as a Top 100 Bass Lake, Lake Ouachita challenges experienced fishermen and gives newcomers a fine taste of the popular sport. Hire a guide or go it alone.

Canoeing: Caddo River

Novice and experienced kayakers, canoeists and tube floaters are attracted to the scenic upper section of the Caddo River, a tributary of the Ouachita River, near Lake DeGray. Family-friendly, the

82-mile-long river is ideal for day trips along its sloping banks; gentle enough for beginners, the Caddo River is also dotted with Class I and Class II rapids along the way. The hot springs feeding the river between Caddo Gap and Glenwood are a rare sight on rivers. Rent equipment and hire an expert guide in Glenwood at Caddo River Camping and Canoe Rental—a convenient location for check-in, parking and access to river drop in.

Oil Boom: Smackover and El Dorado

It’s a made-for-Hollywood story: In 1921, the tiny towns of Smackover, population 93, and neighboring El Dorado, population 4,000, were minding their own business when wildcat oil wells were discovered. By 1925 both towns swelled to more than 25,000 residents each, most vying for a piece of the lucrative oil industry. The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover gives a well-curated glimpse into Arkansas’s fascinating role in America’s oil boom. Tour exhibits

Lake Ouachita

that recreate life in a boomtown, in addition to explaining timbering in Arkansas and the extraction of bromine from brine.

Down the road from the museum is El Dorado, originally a farming community in the midst of cotton plantations that was transformed when oil was struck. Take a walking tour of the quaint town and see its brick-and-mortar history.

Living History: Historic Washington State Park

Step back in time to the 19th century at Historic Washington on the Old Southwest Trail, where well-known historical figures such as Sam Houston and Davy Crockett stopped for a respite in this small town established on George Washington’s birthday in 1824. A premier historic village listed as a National Register of Historic Places site, visitors can stroll the streets of Historic Washington and encounter more than 30 painstakingly restored Arkansas landmarks and structures, including classic examples of Southern Greek Revival

Historic Washington State Park

Fort Smith Trolley

Caddo River 34

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Exhibit Found In Museum

Mount Magazine State Park

and Federal architecture and the state’s certified largest magnolia tree planted in 1839. Interpreters in period attire recount the area’s stories, and a blacksmith demonstrates forging knives, including the Bowie knife, which was originally made in the village of Washington for James Bowie in the early 1830s. Savor a meal in the Williams Tavern Restaurant, originally located 10 miles from Washington and moved to the village in the 1980s. Built in 1832, it was owned by John Williams and served as a local tavern for hungry and weary 19th century travelers.

History and Art: Fort Smith

Historic Fort Smith was instrumental in the relocation of Indian tribes from the Eastern United States to Oklahoma Indian Territory. The infamous Trail of Tears, where thousands of Native Americans were marched at gunpoint, ran by the Fort. Part of the Fort Smith National Historic Site, the Fort today is interpreted by the National Park Service. Another must-see historical attraction is the recreation of “Hanging Judge” Isaac Parker’s courtroom and a walking trail along the Arkansas River includes wayside exhibits on the Trail of Tears. Hop on Fort Smith’s 1926 restored electric trolley that once

served as the city’s principal means of public transportation, and get a front-row seat to historic buildings and a guide’s remarks.

Juxtaposed against the Fort Smith Trolley Museum is the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, which opened in an acclaimed expansion in 2013, offering robust programming and exhibitions.

Outdoor Paradise: Mount Magazine State Park

This area, which embodies 14.2 miles of trails, dramatically emulates Arkansas’s official tagline of “The Natural State.”

Hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, rock-climbing and rappelling, ATV tours, hang gliding, and more are popular activities in Arkansas’s designated highest point. Hikes along Signal Hill Trail, or the Greenfield, Benefield, Mossback Ridge, or Will Apple’s Road Trails afford striking views of Bear Hollow, the Arkansas River Valley, and Blue Mountain Lake.

The 34-mile-long Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail is Mount Magazine’s only multi-use trail that extends into the adjacent Ozark National Forest and considered the best for horseback riding in the state. Choose strenuous, multi-day hikes or day hikes along the rugged terrain to enjoy the area’s serenity and solitude.

INSIDER TIPS: WHERE TO STAY MOUNT IDA: Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa on Lake Ouachita is a quick 30-minute drive from Hot Springs. Situated on a wooded point on the Lake, this family-owned resort boasts spacious cottages and condos meticulously decorated and equipped with amenities. Suitable for a romantic couples getaway or a generational gather, the accommodations at Mountain Harbor are top-notch.

BISMARCK: Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains’ lush foothills, DeGray Lake Resort State Park wanders along the north shore of 13,800-acre DeGray Lake, one of the region’s five Diamond Lakes lauded for crystal-clear waters. Enjoy fishing and water sports, a round of golf, settle in to gaze at sweeping lake views or catch a spectacular sunset from this island-based lodge loaded with modern conveniences.

PARIS: Perched on the south bluff of Arkansas’s highest point, The Lodge at Mount Magazine is a 60-room, threewing, modern-rustic facility overlooking the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of the valley below and spend the day hiking one of the many trails or hop on an ATV for a guided tour of Huckleberry Mountain Trail.

For more information on planning a trip to southwest Arkansas, visit Arkansas.com.

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Field Trip

Laughing All the Way Home LOCAL LEGENDS BRING STANFORD’S TO JOHNSON COUNTY ARTICLE JENNY WOLFF | PHOTOGRAPHY ALEXIS COOK

“K

ansas City has witnessed it all. The good, the bad and the ugly,” says Craig Glazer, co-owner of Stanford’s Comedy Club, which recently relocated to Overland Park. Glazer is referring to the lawsuit his father filed against him and his brothers in 1998. Today, the family is at peace and the brothers are launching their fourth comedy and entertainment venture, this one at 119th and Metcalf.

This seasoned team of promoters is at the forefront of fun and laughs in the Midwest. They are home-grown entrepreneurs, all graduates of Shawnee Mission East. Craig, the spokesperson, is a little bit Elvis, a little bit mafia and a lot salesman with his smooth, gravely radio voice.

Last fall, the Glazers opened Stanford’s Comedy Club in Rosana Square. The club had operated for the past eight years at the Legends in Wyandotte County. In the beginning business was great, but when Stanford’s evolved into the only late night option, it was time to move back into the city. The development along 119th and the recent construction of Prairiefire on 135th Street captured their attention. “This is the future of Kansas City, says Craig.

“Being in Johnson County, it’s like a permanent high school reunion. We see people every night that we haven’t seen for years. It’s awesome!” The family business began in April of 1975, when Stanford Glazer and his three sons opened a restaurant in Westport. “Stanford’s was an overnight sensation! We modeled it after Houlihan’s on the Plaza. Back then, these were really the only places singles could go for a fun meal and a drink, with the hopes of meeting someone,” says Craig.

A few years later, Craig, his brother Jeff and Kansas City comic legend David Naster decided to offer comedy. “David suggested we be open on a Sunday night, and we did for $1 cover,” says Craig. That was the beginning of what became Stanford and Son’s Comedy Club, which played off the popularity of the TV sitcom Sanford and Son, starring Redd Foxx.

“Today, we are the second oldest comedy club in the world owned by the same family.”

The club exploded onto the national scene in 1981 when Glazer met Robin Williams in Los Angeles. The TV show “Mork and Mindy” had just been cancelled, and Williams wanted to use Stanford’s stage to polish his stand-up act. Variety published a 38

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Being in Johnson County, it’s like a permanent high school reunion. story about Williams working in Kansas City. “The phone started ringing off the hook. Every big star wanted to work here,” says Craig.

Over the years, Stanford’s has helped launch dozens of careers, including Jerry Seinfeld, Louie Anderson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Walker, Eddie Griffin, Louis Black, TJ Miller and Roseanne Barr. Leno and Letterman have joked on Stanford’s stage. This spring the club will host Tom Arnold, Nikki Glaser and Tommy Chong. The Glazers are also planning a Midwest Comedy Hall of Fame event to honor David Naster, Calvin Coolidge and Sinbad, among others.

For the first time since the Westport years, Stanford’s is back in the restaurant business. “We are re-introducing our famous flower pot bread, served with hand-whipped honey butter,” says Craig.

“Thursday is crab leg night; Friday is steak and lobster at low prices.” More is ahead. Stanford’s will add outdoor seating and a music venue, where baby boomers will hear the songs they grew up with.

The 1990s news stories that left Kansas Citians looking askance at the flamboyant family can be forgotten. What can be remembered is the excitement and enthusiasm this group of iconic renegades continues to bring to the area. As we witness box stores, canned dining and franchise pop-ups, you can count on this unconventional band of brothers to always create something different.

They are Kansas City’s local franchise, selling the fun and the unexpected. “It’s been a long journey. A lot has happened,” says Craig.

“Now, we’ve come back to where we grew up.”

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Driver's Notebook

Chrysler’s 200S is a Big Step Forward ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY TOM STRONGMAN

M

idsize sedans may not be the sexiest cars on the road but they’re getting sleeker and more stylish as car companies look to put some zing into everyday cars. Family four-doors are important because manufacturers sell them by the hundreds of thousands and competition between brands is keen.

Until recently, Chrysler’s 200 sedan was not quite up to challenging the mainstay cars from Chevy, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Honda and Toyota. Now it is. The 200 has been redesigned from the ground up. It rides on underpinnings whose roots trace from the Italian AlfaRomeo to the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee. Compared to the Dart, the 200’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer and it is 8 inches longer overall.

The 200’s handsome fastback styling gives it street cred when compared to the others in the segment, many of which also have similar profiles. The Chrysler pulls off the look more successfully than most.

The only negative is that the sloping roofline makes it harder to get into the back seat.

Styling is only one part of the equation, although it is an important one. Drivability reigns supreme. The allure of a pretty face may wane over the years, but the joy that comes every time you twist the key will last the life of the car.

To that end, the 200 is on solid ground. It is available in front-

wheel or all-wheel drive, with a 2.4-liter, 184-horsepower four-cylinder for the thrifty or a 3.6-liter, 295-horsepower V-6 for the enthusiast. Base prices start at $21,700. I drove an all-wheel-drive 200S with the V-6, and its base price was $28,695.

Make no doubt about it, the V-6 is the sweeter choice. The engine is not only robust, with nearly 300 horsepower, but it delivers its goods with the subtlety of a silent butler. You needn’t mash the throttle to move briskly away from a stop, and the slight rumble of the exhaust is pleasant.

The nine-speed automatic transmission is a first for a car in this segment.

It offers a gear for every occasion, and helps fuel economy.

Slip behind the wheel and you’re greeted with supportive seats and a sloping center console that houses a round gear selector knob as well as round knobs for radio and climate fan.

The round gear selector knob is similar to that used in Jaguars, and it’s easier than moving a shift lever.

The seating position seemed to be more sports car and less upright than some other sedans and that made it hard for me to find a comfortable driving position.

The choice of interior materials and design is much better than Chryslers of old. The instrument panel is dominated by blue gauges surrounded by a blue glow. A small LCD screen between the

Family four-doors are important because manufacturers sell them by the hundreds of thousands and competition between brands is keen.

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

gauges displays various information that the driver selects.

The optional 8.4-inch navigation screen also has touch controls for audio and climate control. The interface is simple and easy to use.

The Uconnect Bluetooth system is operated by voice or the in-dash touch screen. A USB port is available, as is iPod control. The backup camera delivers an excellent view.

Getting into the back seat required care so as not to bump heads, and the space between the seat and door opening often snagged an adult’s shoe when getting out.

The 200S rides reasonably well but it seems the rear suspension could be a bit firmer because it felt too bouncy over freeway humps.

Price: The base price of the test car was $28,695. Options included dual-zone climate control, rear air conditioning ducts, backup camera, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, navigation system, Alpine audio system, Sirius satellite radio and high-intensity headlights.

The sticker price was $32,775.

Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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Counterpoint: A low seating position made it harder for me to find a comfortable driving position, and I would prefer a firmer rear suspension.

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913.780.6060 www.LegacyFlooring1.com March 2015 | Johnson County Lifestyle

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Locals Only

A Region of Riches HOW KANSAS CITY’S ARTS SCENE CAN ADD WEALTH TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR WEEKENDS

Keep adding up the artsy treasures Kansas City has to offer and you ARTICLE BECKY BLADES get a combination of diverse PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED cow town, one weekend at a time riches unmatched by hat are we doing tothe word is getting out about Kan“W night?” asked my out-ofsas City. It’s making news and making any city under town guests. some great lists: The Coolest Cities in The Phoenix couple had made their first America, 20 Cities You Must Visit in Your four million trip to Kansas City to see the internationally 20s, and America’s Most Underrated Cities for people. Millennials, to name a few. But to get the true piccelebrated Plains Indian exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. I could tell they thought they had seen the best Kansas City had to offer.

“What kind of a mood are you in?” I asked. We had already walked for hours around the museum, through its sculpture gardens and on to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. They were in the mood for sitting.

“Choose a seat,” I said. “Will it be the Kauffman Performing Arts Center with our world-class symphony or the corner table in the Blue Room jazz club in the 18th & Vine historic district? Or we could settle into an old sofa and watch an edgy new play at the Living Room Theater.”

My husband piped in, “How about watching Hands On A Hardbody?” at the Unicorn Theater?” The fun musical won out over Tchaikovsky and jazz, and we ended a dazzling day with smiles on our faces.

Driving our friends to the airport on Sunday, they gushed about our weekend and debated their favorite parts. Our favorite part was easy: the surprise of our guests as they discovered our city’s cultural riches – and their promise to never again call Kansas City a “flyover town.”

While some still come here expecting a sleepy, backwards 42

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

ture of this arty, five-county metro, look at some other less-hyped lists.

For example, did you know Kansas City shows up on the SOB list? It’s not what you think: SOB stands for Symphony, Opera and Ballet. Sustaining resident companies of just one or two of these classic arts institutions requires serious cultural muscle. While other cities struggle to keep their SOB institutions alive, ours are financially stable, collaborative and at the top of their games. Cities that have all three, as Kansas City does, are on a very short list of only about 15 cities.

Big-league arts assets are uncommon for a city our size. Consider this: The five-county area that makes up the Kansas City metropolitan market has a population of nearly two million people, making our metro the 30th size market. So to be one of 15 SOB cities means we support arts with smaller audiences and fewer financial resources than others on the list.

But these highbrow riches are only part of what thrives here.

Look at the opposite end of the spectrum, the edgy, innovative side of performance art, and you’ll again see our metro playing at the top. For example, Kansas City is on a growing list of U.S. cities with Fringe Festivals. In the KC Fringe, hundreds of independent,

unjuried performances over 10 days in July range from Shakespeare, to comedy, to campy burlesque. Kansas City was one of the first and smallest cities to launch a Fringe Festival, and today it’s a leader, growing at more than15 percent a year.

If you overlay SOB cities with Fringe Festival cities, you’ll get a list of only nine or ten. But don’t stop there. Overlay that list with Shakespeare festivals, jazz and blues festivals, folk and contemporary music festivals.

Did you know K.C.’s exploding Middle of the Map Fest is being compared to the early days of Austin’s South by Southwest? And that we are home to the International Folk Alliance?

Keep going. Overlay our world-class visual arts venues, arts education institutions, and professional theater companies. Overlay thousands of individual artists, galleries, and the ecosystem they create in dozens of cities within our city.

Keep adding up the artsy treasures and you get a combination of diverse riches unmatched by any city under four million peo-

ple. If only there were a balance sheet to tally and value such things, many believe Kansas City would best even the largest cities in America.

This is why we can dare to call the Kansas City region ‘America’s Creative Crossroads.’

It’s why civic leaders are working together to make sure our arts riches benefit the entire five-county region. It’s why ArtsKC, the regional arts council, is leading the creation of the Regional Cultural Plan, OneArtsKC, to map an even more arts-rich future.

We all know that assets are no fun sitting on a list or a balance sheet. Engaging in the arts is fun, but it also impacts other assets like education, cross-community collaboration and business innovation. As the world is starting to get the word about Kansas City, let’s make sure we enjoy the treasures in our own back yard. Take your guests, take your kids, and take yourself out for the weekend.

The arts are among those powerful assets that grow by using them.

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43

Financial Fitness

6 Habits for Smart Money Management I

f you’ve reached the month of March and your New Year’s Resolutions have completely flown out the window, you’re not alone. A Journal Of Clinical Psychology report found that only eight percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutions. They also noted the number of money related resolutions was near 34 percent, so the low success rate is troubling because failing at smart money management can impact your future. Let the following six habits for smart money management serve as a guideline to help you get your finances in order and make life-long, healthy financial choices: 1. KNOW WHERE YOU STAND – The first step in getting started is understanding your starting location so you can track your progress.

This includes taking an inventory of your assets and liabilities (what you currently own and currently owe) and determining your net worth. It is helpful to track your living expenses so you can determine where you spend money and better organize your spending habits.

2. SET A BUDGET – Some people think “budget” is a scary word. A budget should incorporate your monthly expenses and those that come up on occasion. It should also be a tool to help you pay down debt. If it makes you feel better, just call it your “Planned Spending” report.

3. ELIMINATE DEBT – Debt can hold you back from achieving your goals, so you should take immediate steps to get out of debt. Include paying down debt in your monthly budget so you don’t overlook the action. There are different opinions as to the best plan to get rid of debt (for example, paying off loans in order from smallest to largest, or paying debt off in order of highest interest or lowest), but the point is to develop a plan and stick to it.

44

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

4. BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND – A great defense against accruing more debt is developing an emergency fund. Determine how much it costs your family to live each month. Then, think about how secure your job is and how long it might take to find a new one if you lost your job. This can help determine how many months’ worth of an emergency fund you should set aside for a rainy day. Most advisors suggest having at least 3-6 months of normal living expenses set aside.

5. PREFUND MAJOR PURCHASES – Some future purchases are inevitable, and can be planned for to help reduce the need for taking on debt when you’re ready to buy. By using this formula (Total $ Needed/Number of Months Before $ is Needed = $ to Save Each Month), you can determine how much you should save each month before the purchase to be able to pay without credit.

6. SYSTEMATICALLY SAVE AND INVEST – It is never too early to begin saving for the future, and the longer you save, the longer compounding interest has the power to work for you. Consider investing 10 percent of every dollar you make, minimizing expenses, diversifying your investments, and sticking with a long-term savings/investment plan. If you are able, maximize your retirement plan to benefit from this pre-tax savings vehicle.

To receive a free digital copy of our Financial Tracking workbook which will help walk you through many of these financial steps, email your request to Cali@SearcyFinancial.com.

Michael J. Searcy, ChFC, CFP®, AIFA®, is president of Searcy Financial Services Inc., a registered investment advisory and financial planning firm located in Overland Park. For additional information, visit SearcyFinancial.com.

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Wedding Bells

AN ACT OF HONOR AND LOVE ARTICLE EVELYN MAXEY | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK WELCH & PROVIDED

O

n October 24, 2014, a perfect fall day, our grandson, Garrett Maxey, of Raintree Lake, and Miss Emma Fritts of Prairie Village, were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Locust Grove in Weston.

The changing color of the trees made a lovely backdrop for the ceremony, as well as a carpet of colorful leaves on the ground.

My husband David and I were married 61 years ago on March 15, 1953. My two aunts, Catherine Fulton and Jean Allen and my mother, Ida Martin, designed and made my wedding gown. I requested scallops around the neck and around the peplum. It was not an easy task and I remember them on the living room floor, cutting scallops using a tea cup for a pattern. It was a labor of love, including the 50 fabric-covered buttons and fastening loops.

We recently moved to John Knox from our home in Blue Springs. Many of our belongings had to go because of the downsizing. Unknown to us, our son, Don and his wife, Pam, Garrett’s parents, found my wedding gown and moved it to a closet in their home.

Emma and Garrett met at the University of Missouri and graduated in May. On a visit to the Maxey home, Emma saw my wedding gown and asked about it. She told herself that if Garrett proposed to her, she would wear that gown. Happily, he proposed and she began the restoration of the gown, with the Maxey’s blessings. But it was a kept secret between her parents, Theresa Hecht and Don and Mary Lou Fritts, her grandmother Nadine Kenney and the Maxeys and Garrett’s other grandpar46

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

ents, Marilyn and Delmar Watts. Neither Garrett, nor my husband and I, knew about it until the wedding day. They were all so excited to finally reveal their secret!

The gown was cleaned beautifully and altered for a perfect fit.

When we arrived at the wedding, there was Emma, looking so lovely, in my wedding gown! I was so amazed, I was speechless.

What a sweet act of love and honor for her new family.

We knew then that our new granddaughter-in-love, Emma, would always hold a special place in our hearts.

To share your wedding news, email Lisa@LifestylePubs.com. There is no charge for this service.

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8th Annual Luncheon PLEASE JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING OUR

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Tuesday, April 14, 2015 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (CST) Sheraton Crown Center – Regency Ballroom 2345 McGee, Kansas City, Missouri 64108

The 2015 luncheon will continue to celebrate and honor the women who have made a lasting mark on the fabric of our city through their tireless dedication.

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

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UNDER THE CANOPY

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Recently SOLD Johnson County Properties neighborhood

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Lions Gate By The Green

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Whitehorse

%sp to lp

dom*

bdrms

f/h ba

98%

15

4

5.1

$690,000

99%

68

5

5.1

$525,000

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7

4

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Leawood Meadows

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41

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Oxford Mills

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4

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Hawthorne Valley

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23

4

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Prairie Village

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$279,500

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1

4

2

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1

3

2

Nall Hills

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Bluejacket

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5

3

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49

Lifestyle Calendar

March MARCH 6

MARCH 15

FULL MOON WALK

33RD ANNUAL SHAWNEE

OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM

ST. PATRICK’S PARADE

The full moon will light the paths of the Arboretum. Enjoy stargazing, nighttime sights and sounds. Bring the family and flashlights.

Great event for Cub Scouts and Brownies. No pre-registration necessary. Regular admission applies. 5-10 p.m. OPABG.org

SHAWNEE

MARCH 7 PJ5K RUN/WALK

Celebrate the Irish spirit. Parade starts at 1 p.m. Parade route begins at Johnson Drive and Monrovia proceeds east on Johnson Drive to Nieman Road.

CityOfShawnee.org

THROUGH MARCH 15

OVERLAND PARK

Roll out of bed and sport your favorite pair of pajama pants at the PJ5Krun/walk. This pajama-themed 5K will take place at 9 a.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church. Following the 5K, kids 12 and under are encouraged to participate in the Junior Jammie Jog. Registered participants will receive a Haitian-made GO Tee race shirt courtesy of the Global Orphan Project. Proceeds will be used for orphan prevention by allowing Haitian kids the opportunity to receive an education. PJ5K.org

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN MISSION

This high-flying musical follows the adventures of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who ran away from home in search of the good life.

He forged millions of dollars in bad checks, posed as a pilot, lawyer and even a doctor; lived the good life and won the girl of his dreams.

6219 Martway, Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. TheBarnPlayers.com

MARCH 14

MARCH 17

THE MOSAIC PROJECT

AUSTRALIA & THE ABORIGINE CULTURE

GEM THEATER

KAUFFMAN CENTER

The American Jazz Museum’s “Jammin’ at the Gem” series continues with Grammy Award-winning drummer, composer and bandleader, Terri Lyne Carrington and some of the most celebrated female instrumentalists and vocalists. 816.474.8463 or AmericanJazzMuseum.org.

Amy Toensing, an American photojournalist committed to telling stories with sensitivity and depth, is known for her intimate essays about the lives of ordinary people. She’s covered cultures around the world including the last cave dwelling tribe of Papua New Guinea. KauffmanCenter.org

MARCH 14

MARCH 17 43RD ANNUAL KANSAS CITY ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE MIDTOWN KANSAS CITY

A long-time Kansas City tradition, the parade takes place in Midtown from Linwood to 43rd St. Starts at 11 a.m. Admission is free.

SPRING LUNCHEON & FASHION SHOW BINGHAM-WAGGONER ESTATE

Enjoy a fun filled afternoon including lunch served with wine and a preview of the latest spring fashions from Alissa’s as well as clothing from the past on loan from Vintage Vogue. This event is a fundraiser for the continued preservation and presentation of the beautiful Bingham-Waggoner Estate.

Reservations 816.461.3491.

50

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

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Lifestyle Calendar ic music has jigged its way into music halls all over the world – to perform with the likes of James Taylor, Joan Baez, the Boston Pops Symphony – and into the hearts of thousands of fans. JCCC.edu

THROUGH MARCH 22 “PAINTING THROUGH ADVERSITY” OVERLAND PARK

Local artist Gil Rumsey is featured in a one-man show, “Painting through Adversity,” in the Overland Park Art at the Center Invitational.

A First Friday reception will be held on March 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The show is at the Tomahawk Community Center, 11902 Lowell Ave.

MARCH 24 STATE OF THE COUNTY LUNCHEON OVERLAND PARK

Join the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce to hear the State of the County address by Johnson County Commission Chair Ed Eilert.

11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Ritz Charles. $30 members. OPKS.org

MARCH 28 PRAIRIE VILLAGE EARTH FAIR SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

The 14th annual Prairie Village Earth Fair is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SME Gymnasium. With more than 50 exhibitors each year, the fair features a mix of environmental resources, earth-friendly

52

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

products, youth-friendly craft activities and live animals. The SME Used Book Sale returns again offering a great selection of used books, CDs and DVDs, with your purchases benefiting the school’s library. Earth-Fair.org

APRIL 2 MAUNDY THURSDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE OVERLAND PARK

You are invited to The Presbyterian Church of Stanley at 7 p.m.

Seven passages of scripture and traditional choral music create the setting for Christ’s impending crucifixion. Join us as we prepare for the ultimate sacrifice and anticipated resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Childcare is provided for this community event. StanleyPres.org

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53

Lifestyle Calendar Acceptance month with a fun event for both families and dog lovers alike. There will be two egg-hunting fields, one for kids with special needs and their ‘buddy,’ and a separate field for our four legged friends. Paws4Autism.com/events

APRIL 11 STEPPING STONES GALA OVERLAND PARK

APRIL 4 EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT SCIENCE CITY UNION STATION

Science City is hosting their second annual Easter Eggstravaganza from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Guests will be invited to hunt more than 3,000 eggs, color Easter eggs, make Easter projects in the Maker Studio, participate in an Easter egg drop, take their photo with the Easter Bunny and more. Price includes all day Science City admission $13.50 Adults / $11.50 Child. ScienceCity.com

APRIL 4 FUNNY BUNNY 5K & AUTISM EGG HUNTS UNITY VILLAGE

Friends of Infant Toddler Services of Johnson County invites you to the 13th Annual Stepping Stones Benefit Gala at the Overland Park Sheraton. The event includes live and silent auctions, cocktails and dinner.

Sponsorship opportunities available. All proceeds benefit early intervention therapy services for the children served by Infant Toddler Services of Johnson County. Reserve your seats or sponsorship by visiting our website or call 913.432.2900x124. ITSJC.org

APRIL 18 MASKS FOR AID NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM

The visual and performing arts come together to raise funds to support Kansas City area head and neck cancer patients in financial need. The event features an original performance by Quixotic Fusion, unique works of art created by artists Lisa Lala, Peregrine Honig, Matt Dehaemers, Emily Connell and others, and lavish hors d’oeuvres buffet. Benefits HNC Living Foundation. 6:30-10:30 p.m. HNCLiving.org. Tickets $150. 913.402.6028

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

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business directory ANIMALS & ANIMAL CARE

Two Dogs And A Cat Pet Club (913) 274-3900 twodogsandacatpetclub.com

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

Art & Frame Warehouse (Overland Park) (913) 385-9199 afwkc.com Paper Planes Photography (816) 519-0928 redcouchphotos@gmail.com

AUTOMOTIVE

Kings Quality Auto Sales (913) 851-7400 kingsqualityautosales.com Santa Fe Tow Service (913) 894-5201 santafetowservice.com

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ORGANIZATIONS

Lees Summit Chamber of Commerce (816) 969-1220 lsmeansbusiness.net

DENTISTS & ORTHODONTICS H2O Orthodontics (913) 782-7223 h2orthodontics.com

DRY CLEANERS Tide Dry Cleaners (913) 534-4569 tidedrycleaners.com

EDUCATION

Park University (816) 584-6200 park.edu/ballyhoo The Barstow School (816) 277-0413 barstowschool.org/summer

Canyon Farms Golf Club (913) 529-2235 canyonfarmsgolfclub.com CenterFire (913) 782-4900 centerfiress.com Kansas City Zoo (816) 595-1234 kansascityzoo.org Legoland Discovery Center (SeaLife) (816) 556-3234 visitsealife.com/kansascity Reno’s Power Sports KC (816) 942-8900 renoscanam.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES & PLANNING

56

A&M Home Furnishings (913) 438-3868 amhomefinishings.com Design Connection Inc (913) 851-8776 designconnectioninc.com Seasonal Concepts (913) 642-4999 seasonalconceptsonline.com

HOME SERVICES

Granite Garage Floors (913) 752-9906 granitegaragefloors.com Johnston Contracting (913) 956-7663 johnstonroofs.com

Retirement Solutions Group (855) 474-7872 incomenowkc.com

Legacy Flooring Gallery (913) 780-6060 legacyflooring1.com

Searcy Financial Services (913) 814-3800 searcyfinancial.com

LuLu & Mimi’s Cleaning (913) 649-6022 luluandmimis.com

Waddell & Reed (913) 491-9202 donnatilden.wfra.com

Midwest Lifetime Roof Systems (913) 393-3008 lifetimeroofsystems.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Summit Flooring and Turf (816) 886-2747 summitflooringandturf.com

Healthy Meals Inc (816) 587-6325 healthymealsinc.com

Reflections Body Solutions Body Contouring and Medical Spa (913) 322-3433 reflectionsbodysolutions.com

HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS

Larson Building Company (913) 221-0880 Blue Valley Recreation Com- larsonbc.com mission Tabernacle Homes, LLC (913) 685-6000 (913) 706-4500 bluevalleyrec.org tabernaclehomes.com

ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION

HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

Tile & Stone Warehouse (913) 432-7900 tileandstonewarehouse.com

INSURANCE

American Family Insurance Cole Wilson (913) 681-3000

MEDICAL CLINICS & FACILITIES Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado (303) 738-5319 conceptionsrepro.com

University of Kansas Hospital (913) 588-1227 kucancercenter.org/gutcheck

OTHER

Antioch Church (913) 432-4300 antiochchurch.com City Union Mission (816) 931-0050 cityunionmission.org The Amos Family Funeral Home (913) 631-5566 amosfamily.com

PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE Coldwell Banker - Thesa Alsobrook (913) 636-8118 goodlifekc.com

Gail G. Dicus Keller Williams Realty (913) 709-1060 gaildicus.com RE MAX Heartland - 360 Partners (816) 373-8400 360lifestyleproperties.com The Communities at River Ridge (816) 898-5477 lettinann.com The Rob Ellerman Team Reece & Nichols Realtors (816) 304-4434 therobellermanteam.com

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE Gaslight Grill (913) 897-3540 gaslightgrill.com

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57

Parting Thoughts

Working Through A Painting Hang-Up WORDS DENISE SNODELL

I

t was a line from an old Woody Allen movie that caused my drawn-out art dilemma. I had a blank wall in my house for ages, thanks to a few characters in Hannah And Her Sisters.

In the movie, rising rock star Dusty Frye wanted art for his sprawling place in the Hamptons. He preferred something “big” because he had “a lotta wall space.” When artist Frederick overheard Dusty’s requirement, he shot back in disgust, “I don’t sell my work by the yard.”

I remember snickering at that line so many years ago, but it also gave me pause. I decided I’d never default to buying art just because it fit my décor. My policy would be to embrace only the pieces that spoke to me.

This is why I agonized over a blank wall in my home office for too many years. I never found anything worthy of that one expansive sea of drywall. The rest of the vertical space in my house had never been a problem. Most walls are disrupted by windows or stairs or bookshelves, leaving just cozy areas to frame normal-sized paintings.

The original pieces I’ve displayed through the years came to me as gifts from painterly relatives.

The rest I acquired by dumb luck—at estate sales, art fairs and even a few poorly attended silent auctions. Though nothing I have is worthy of an Antiques Roadshow appraisal bonanza, my art has always been special to me.

Still. After a while, the home office seemed destined to have floor-to-ceiling-nothingness. Frederick’s comment continued to haunt. I felt the wall of blankness was begging for a “by the yard” piece of canvas, but I noticed larger paintings tended to have “by the yard” price tags as well. And breaking news—I never managed to become a

money-burning rock star like the character Dusty. I was stuck.

So like a weird art installation, the emptiness I stared at every day turned out to be a statement in itself. Several statements, really: “You have kids. Cha-ching.”

“A leak! Call the roofer$!”

“Forget the wall. Check what’s streaming on Netflix.”

But one day I got tired of the void. I did the unthinkable, at least through Frederick’s eyes: I went to a home furnishings chain store and purchased one of those oversized, mass-produced canvases. It was the kind with the textured paint strokes and paint drips that give the piece an original, fresh-from-the-artist’s-studio look. Not only was the same exact image with the same exact globs of paint selling coast to coast, but this large impressionist-y portrait of an owl was also on clearance.

Yep. I bought a “fake” original. From the clearance bin. But honestly, some of these trendy, faux ‘one-of-a-kinds” are not that bad. Quite a few are gorgeous.

The one I found even coordinated with the colors in the room. And this, according to fictional Frederick, is another no-no, because in the movie he also informed Dusty, “You don’t buy paintings to blend in with the sofa.”

Sure, for the purists out there, what I did might be compared to hanging Spark Notes on the wall. Then I remind myself that only the Louvre has a Louvre staff and a Louvre budget. My blank wall was turning into negative space. Something had to be done.

Big picture: I’m happy with the art in my house, especially the paintings from Aunt Rita and Cousin Mildred. For now, the mass-produced owl is okay. Well, maybe okay-ish, thanks to Frederick.

$25 oFF eVery $200 in materials purCHased 0% FinanCing For 12 montHs*

*Upon credit Approval. Purchase must be paid in full within the 12 month period. Call for details.

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Johnson County Lifestyle | March 2015

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B ALLYHO O 2015

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