Lawrence, KS August 2023

LOCAL SERVICES

EXPERT HELP: NEW LEASH ON LIFE AT HUMANE SOCIETY

ENTERTAINMENT

KIDS CORNER: SIGN UP FOR FUN!

TRAVEL

LOCAL LIMELIGHT: COOL MUSEUMS FOR HOT DAYS

LIFE + CULTURE

PET CARE: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GROOMED

Feel

Pet Editors for the Month

Because this is a very special kids' and pets' issue, we decided to let the busy team at Lawrence City Lifestyle take a small break so that we could tell you what it is like to live at the home of the publisher. First off, we want to introduce ourselves. We are Maisey, a small but cute and sometimes noisy Australian Shepard; Ziggy, a precious and crazy kitten; and Nellie, a sweet and loyal mixed blend Doberman/shepherd who is both tall, lean, and loving.

Life here in Lawrence is full of wonderful days frolicking in and out of the doggy door, running about in the garden, sleeping in the sun, and waiting for that clinking sound which means food is going into bowls for our breakfast or dinner. It is sometimes a bit crazy around here. Denise loves to entertain with her partner Karl and often the help of Shannon, who is Ziggy and Nellie's mother. Boy, can they cook! Of course, we want to help, so we're usually in the kitchen or yard waiting for something to fall on the ground or floor.

Maisey visits this excellent groomer named Chrissy at Art of the Groom. You can read about her in this issue. After a haircut, Maisey loves to go for walks with Denise to show off her pretty haircut and bandana to all the neighbors.

Best of all, we all get lots of cuddles, pets, belly rubs, and walks. We meet lots of people who give us even more cuddles. We appreciate our loving family.  The article on the Lawrence Humane Society in this issue can help kids rescue great pets like us and bring them to a home like this one.  We want all pets to be cared for like we are!

Enjoy all the stories in this month's issue, including all the fun things kids can do here in Lawrence to keep active and stay cool, like playing soccer, climbing at the gym, hitting baseballs, dancing, or going to cool museums to see lots of art, fossils, and historical items. We're happy to read about everything to do in Lawrence for kids and pets like us!

P.S.  Please note on the cover, WE DID NOT GET TO GO TO THE ICE CREAM STORE WITH SHANNON'S COOL NEPHEW JACK AND NIECES NAVY AND ELLEN! We would have loved some of that ice cream!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Denise DeTommaso

denise.detommaso@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Linda Ditch | linda.ditch@citylifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Hollie Blakeney | hollie.blakeney@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Nathan Hutchcraft | nathan@fabuluxmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Hollie Blakeney, Linda Ditch, Nathan Hutchcraft

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hollie Blakeney, Humbelina Harper, Kristol Kumar, Morgan Long, Thomas Hall, Shannon Warren, Nathan Hutchcraft

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY

ON DISPLAY UNTIL

+ Featuring art contributions from Kansans of all ages

For a limited time, view our tribute earthwork of Senator Bob Dole created by local artist, Stan Herd.

LAWRENCE CITY LIFESTYLE™

THE JOB THE HAPPY

ISN’T DONE CLIENT UNTIL

IS

MEET THE MAKERS

LAWRENCE ART IN THE PARK

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLIE BLAKENEY

RACHEL RADEMACHER KIM BROOK

Brook is this year’s Art in the Park featured artist! Her art revolves around grief and the aftermath of loss. In making functional ceramic art, she aspires to create sources of respite during those incomplete moments. Gentle bowls to hold soup, cups for warm tea, and vases holding flowers all offer the user tranquil breaths.  Her work is available at Art Love Collective.

As a fused glass artist, Rademacher does not shy away from color. Her pieces are joyful and inspired by the world around her. You can learn more about her work and process at  sglassart.wordpress.com .

2023 SNEAK PEEK

EMMA HIXSON

Hixson’s recent body of work is a series of oil paintings that explores the feeling of comfort and describes it visually. Both mental and physical comfort come into play using color, pattern and subject matter. Her work is available at emmahixsonart.com and Art Love Collective.

SUSAN THEROFF

Theroff is primarily a self-taught artist working in graphite, acrylic and watercolor. She focuses on capturing the magic of nature through art so the viewer may revisit the feeling that being in nature brings. The majority of her work focuses on birds, insects and plants. You can learn more about her work at susanktheroff.com .

MARIA MARTIN

Martin loves using mediums and gels to add texture and depth to her work. Her paintings include layers of vertical and horizontal colors, including the addition of textured papers, sketches, smaller paintings, and photographs. You can learn more about Maria’s work at mariasmartin.com

Chef’s Table: 715

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

Shrimp Salad

makes: 6 to 8 servings

ingredients

• 3 cups cooked and chopped shrimp (Chef’s note: You can poach your shrimp in water/lemon juice or buy pre-cooked shrimp)

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 stalk celery, minced

• 1 shallot, minced

• 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard

• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning

• ½ teaspoon celery salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in bowl, place in fridge covered for an hour to marinate.

2. Serve on crackers as a snack or appetizer, spooned into lettuce wraps or as a filling on a classic brioche bun topped with lettuce and tomato.

CHEF KELLY CONWELL’S FOOD PHILOSOPHY

“I think most young chefs start to develop their philosophy wherever their first job lands them and are influenced by the current trends. But as time passes, you find out who you are as a chef and what you want to say. After the pandemic, I felt a shift in my perspective. I realized at the end of the day, good food is good food, whether it’s a $1.25 hot dog at Costco or our $75 32-ounce ribeye.”

WHAT TO EXPECT AT 715

Summer Recipes from a Lawrence Restaurant Favorite

Fans of 715 are in for a treat. Chef Kelly Conwell is sharing these summer-inspired recipes to make at home. Each is easy to create, features seasonal produce, and is perfect to serve on a late summer’s evening.

Co-owner Matt Hyde says, “Guests can expect a bunch of people trying really, really hard to make sure they have a good time. We want people to be transported a bit, kind of escape what challenges they’ve been experiencing…A lot of life happens around the table, over food and drink…To be included in the lives of our guests, trusted like that, it’s a really special thing I don’t take for granted.”

Shrimp Salad

Zucchini Cake with Fudge Frosting

makes: 1 (12- by 14-inch by 2-inch) cake

ingredients

• 1 cup sour cream

• ½ cup buttermilk

• ¼ cup warm water

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 2 eggs

• 1 tablespoon vanilla

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup Dutch process or unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoon baking soda

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 large zucchini, shredded, using a box grater

Fudge Frosting:

• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ½ cup Dutch process or unsweetened cocoa powder

• ½ cup milk

• 1 pound powdered sugar, sifted

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Blackberries

• Lemon verbena

directions

1. For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12- by 14by 2-inch baking pan.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sour cream, buttermilk, warm water, oil, eggs and vanilla on low speed.

3. In another bowl, stir together dry ingredients: flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

4. Using a whisk attachment on a stand mixer, add dry ingredients to wet combining on medium speed for 2 minutes.

5. Stir zucchini into the batter with a spatula. Pour batter into the greased baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes and rotate pan to bake 10-15 minutes more. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting. Garnish cake with blackberries and lemon verbena.

6. For the frosting: Melt butter, add remaining ingredients and whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes.

Peach Caprese Salad

makes: 2 to 4 servings

ingredients

Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning

Salad:

• 2 cups torn leaf lettuce

• 2 medium peaches, pitted and cut into wedges

• 2 large heirloom tomato, cut into wedges

• 4 ounces fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese, torn into large pieces

• 1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves

directions

1. For the vinaigrette: Place all ingredients in bowl and whisk together.

2. For the salad: On large plate, arrange lettuce, peaches, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Drizzle salad with vinaigrette; season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.

Chef Conwell's recipe ready to enjoy

The Importance of Being Groomed

SHOPS LIKE ART OF THE GROOM KEEP YOUR DOG NEAT, CLEAN AND HEALTHY

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HUMBELINA HARPER

Since kids are getting spiffed up for the start of school, why not get the family dog cleaned and clipped by a professional groomer? A good wash, haircut, and nail trim help eliminate summer grime. Plus, a groomer can be a dog’s first line of defense when it comes to their health.

Groomer Chrissy Spencer, co-owner of Art of the Groom Pet Salon and Art Studio, says dogs shed skin cells just like people. It’s this dander that causes reactions in people with allergies. She recommends washing a dog every three to four weeks since that is how long it takes the skin cells to reach the surface. Not only will this help people feel better, but it also helps pets with allergies keep them in control.

“Nail trims are also very important,” she adds. “If nails get too long, the dog can start walking on their nails. Then the nails stab into their paw pads. It can also start changing their bone shape because they can’t walk correctly.”

Groomers are also skilled at removing mats, which form when a dog’s fur becomes tangled and knotted. Spencer notes keeping dogs matfree prevents hot spots from developing, which are those itchy patches dogs can’t keep from scratching. While grooming, she also looks for

Spencer says, “There have been dogs where I've felt a small lump, and the owners came back and told me I saved their dog's life.”

fleas and ticks and often will notice teeth issues the owner may have missed.

Most importantly, since groomers see clients’ dogs more often than the vet, it isn’t unusual for them to spot a possible medical issue even before the owner knows the situation. Spencer says, “We can notice small lumps and bruising on the skin, that can be a big health concern. There have been dogs where I’ve felt a small lump, and the owners came back and told me I saved their dog’s life.”

Artist Alec Joler is Spencer’s partner in both life and work. He spent the past year upgrading the shop’s 100-year-old building to ensure the comfort and safety of the canine clients. The spa-like grooming area has dog beds and kennels should a pet need a break to de-stress. There is also a fenced-in backyard for potty breaks.

Joler’s studio is in the front portion of the shop. That’s where he works on his current projects, including doing commission photos, sketches, and portraits of clients’ family pets. His work decorates the walls.

“We figured with her grooming and my art, we could sort of combine the two and turn it into something a little more than just another grooming shop,” he says.

Spencer has eleven years of experience as a groomer. She has each dog owner fills out an intake form describing the animal’s temperament and needs. Then she takes her cue from the dog regarding how stressed they may feel and how quickly she can work. If the dog needs a break, it gets one.

The couple’s two standard poodles, Bossa Nova and Rio de Janeiro, are the official shop dogs. They help some dogs calm down when there’s stressed. However, if a canine doesn’t play well with others, the shop dogs hang out with Joler in his studio.

Joler says, “Chrissy is introverted, so I don’t mind being the sort of the frontof-the-house guy. But I’ll tell you, I never thought I would co-own a grooming shop. With two poodles. Never in a million years. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Art of the Groom is located at 1906 Massachusetts Street. Call 785.423.2041 for more information.

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HUMBELINA HARPER

Happy Kids at the Dentist

TEAMWORK BETWEEN PARENTS AND PEDIATRIC DENTISTS MAKES AN EXAM A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE

A trip to the dentist can be fun for kids. Really! Of course, it’s not the same caliber as going to the zoo, movies, or birthday party, but it doesn’t have to be an anxious time full of tears.

Pediatric dentists like Casey Rhoads, DDS, MDS, and Rebecca Ferns, DDS at Honey Bee Pediatric Dental Co., have two to three years of specialty training to help children feel at ease during an office visit. The procedures they perform aren’t different from the ones done on adults. However, they have behavioral management techniques to help kids feel comfortable during an exam.

“We are moms and treat all our patients like our own kids,” says Rhoads. “It’s a lot of feeling out the kid. Just trying to make their experience a good one so if it ever comes time for a treatment, they trust us. They know we’re there to help them, and this doesn’t have to be a scary place.”

Ferns adds, “We try to make things silly and goofy for them so they forget what’s happening. We don’t say the scary words. We don’t say shot. We say, ‘Oh, here’s our sleepy juice.’ We don’t say, ‘Here’s my drill.’ We say, ‘Oh, here’s my water toothbrush.’ So just a lot of those kind of words to help calm them down.”

Parents also play an essential role in helping their children have a pleasant dental experience. Some tips Rhodes and Ferns recommend are:

• Before a baby’s teeth start to show up, a parent can lean them back in their arms and use a soft washcloth to rub their gums gently.

• When a tooth erupts, brush with a toothbrush and a rice-sized bit of toothpaste.

• Read books to the kids about going to the dentist.

• Take turns pretending to be a dentist and looking into each other’s mouths.

• Build up the visit as a fun experience. For example, after an exam at Honey Bee, kids get a balloon and a goodie bag with a toothbrush.

Ferns and Rhoads are certified in sedation dentistry for kids over-stressed at the dentist, so little ones are more comfortable during the exam. They also are trained to perform laser treatment for lip and tongue ties.

To learn more about Honey Bee Pediatric Dental Co, visit online at honeybeepdc.com.

GET INSPIRED EAT & DRINK SHOP LOCAL

Back to School Banking

TIPS ON STUDENT MONEY MANAGEMENT FROM TRUITY CREDIT UNION

August marks the migration of kids back to school and college students back to Lawrence. Chad Wagner, Assistant Marketing Manager, answered a few questions about helping young people manage money.

LCL: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PARENTS TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT MANAGING MONEY?

WAGNER: The art of saving. Teaching them how to save at a young age just to get them accustomed to it and how important it is can really go a long way.

LCL: WHAT ARE THE ACCOUNTS PARENTS CAN OPEN FOR KIDS?

WAGNER: We have what we call a Johnny Appleseed account for children up until the age of 12. To try and encourage savings, we send out postcards that a parent and child can bring into a branch. If they deposit at least three dollars, they get a prize. Then, when

the child reaches 12, we meet with them to talk about money management and best practices.

LCL: IS THERE A BENEFIT TO A COLLEGE STUDENT OPENING A TRUITY ACCOUNT?

WAGNER: Because Lawrence is a university town, you have kids coming from all over the U.S. A lot of credit unions are part of a Shared Service Center program. Wherever you are, you can pull up a list of every ATM that won’t charge you a fee or every credit union branch where you can go to make a transaction into your Truity account even though it’s not our branch. All you need is your I.D. and your account number.

To learn more about the programs Truity Credit Union offers parents and students, visit truitycu.org or go to one of the three Lawrence branches.

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN LONG

ARTICLE

Cool Museums for Hot Days

KID-FRIENDLY AND EDUCATIONAL INDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT!

Kansas summers are hot. Really hot! But don’t despair. Lawrence has several excellent heat-busting museums with lots for families to see and do.

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

What kid doesn’t like dinosaurs? That is just one of the reasons KU’s Natural History Museum, part of the Biodiversity Institute, is a local treasure. With four floors of exhibitions, including the historic Panorama, Kansas Silvisaurus dinosaur, Bugtown, and the Bee Tree, many memories are made here. And something exciting is coming in August! VENOMventure, a STEM education escape-style game, will be onsite. The exhibit features a strange and mysterious plant on a rampage. It is perfect for groups of two to five people aged eight and up. This special traveling show requires reservations, which can be made at 785.864.4450. You can also play the Natural History Mystery, where you visit exhibits, work out puzzles, and solve a mystery. It is suitable for ages seven and up.

WATKINS MUSEUM OF HISTORY

Watkins Museum is conveniently located in downtown Lawrence and is a great place to take a chill break from the hustle and bustle of Mass Street. Operated by the Douglas County Historical Society, the Watkins’ programs and exhibits explore the history of this area. The museum has a number of great family activities available, including its Victorian Playhouse, scavenger hunts, and the Lawrence Look Back Machine.

BY HOLLIE BLAKENEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

KU’s Natural History Museum

A family checks out The "Bunker" mosasaur at the KU Natural History Museum

The Victorian Playhouse at the Watkins Museum of History

Through the end of August, students are invited to the Watkins to pick up a Pocket History Packet! Each packet directs them to find an artifact or exhibit at the Watkins or other museums in Douglas County. Students can take their packets home to learn more about the topic and participate in an activity. Once the activity is finished, the student will bring the packet back to the Watkins and receive a small prize. The museum supplies some items needed to complete the activities, but families will need crayons, colored pencils, markers, scissors, and glue sticks. Each time students complete a packet, their names will go into a raffle to win prizes! The raffle will take place at the end of August 2023.

HASKELL CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM

After a long break, the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum has reopened. Often overlooked by its larger university neighbor in Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is the premier tribal university in the United States, providing a quality education to Native American students. The Cultural Center celebrates the living culture and heritage of all tribal peoples and is a record of the university’s history. Exhibits include one honoring Native Veterans, with information from when Haskell was a military school to the Navajo code talkers of WW II. Another exhibition focuses on the struggles and successes of the children who attended the government school from the 1880s onward.

SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART

There is a lot to see and do at the beautiful Spencer Museum of Art, the only comprehensive art museum in the entire state of Kansas. Located on the campus of The University of Kansas, the museum houses over 47,000 works CONTINUED

of art and objects of cultural significance, and the recently reopened collection galleries currently host four new exhibitions.

Families are warmly welcomed at the museum. Selfguided tours, art bingo, interactive gallery guides, and scavenger hunts are some activities available to introduce

the DETAILS

KU NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Dyche Hall

1345 Jayhawk Blvd. biodiversity.ku.edu/visit Free admission, with a suggested donation of $7 for adults, $4 for children. All proceeds support the museum.

WATKINS MUSEUM OF HISTORY

1047 Massachusetts St. watkinsmuseum.org

Admission is free.

HASKELL CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM

Haskell Indian Nations University 155 Indian Ave. haskell.edu/cultural-center

Admission is free. HCCM is only open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART

The University of Kansas 1301 Mississippi St. spencerart.ku.edu

Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

art to young people. On August 26, the Spencer is holding an Art Cart event focusing on contour drawing. This hands-on activity is open to children and adults from 1 to 4 p.m. Another great new feature at the Spencer is the free parking! Guests can park in the parking structure across the street, then have their tickets validated at the museum.

Just some of the 47,000 works of art at the Spencer Museum of Art

Taste of Lawrence 2023

GOOD FOOD FOR A GOOD CAUSE

ARTICLE BY KRYS O’BRIEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE CHAMBER OF LAWRENCE KANSAS

Get your taste buds ready! This year’s Taste of Lawrence will be at The Lied Center of Kansas on September 14th from 4 to 7 pm. Celebrate this annual event which honors local educators, while sampling snacks and sips from area vendors. There will also be food trucks, live entertainment, door prizes, and more!

Executive Director of Lawrence Schools Foundation, Dena Johnston, says, “We appreciate the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce welcoming our educators to the annual event and celebrating with many of our schools’ business and LEAP partners.” For tickets or more information, please visit the visit  lawrencechamber.com .

Your Chamber Staff having a blast at Taste of Lawrence

Almost too pretty to eat! Almost

There are so many beverage booths to choose from!

These bite-sized sliders from Dempsey’s hit the spot!

A few of the GOATs from Leadership Lawrence, Class of 2022, enjoying Taste of Lawrence

Jason’s Deli was all smiles handing out delicious desserts!

Timeless Comfort in Lawrence

Rethinking Pet Adoption at Lawrence Humane Society

A NEW LEASH ON LIFE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATHAN HUTCHCRAFT

Through the years, the Lawrence Humane Society has evolved beyond just rescuing animals, to rewriting the narrative of pet adoption. When choosing a pet, the romanticized notion of “love at first sight” often comes to mind. However, the shelter challenges this stereotype.

The LHS adoption counselors diligently learn about each family’s lifestyle and needs, matching them with animals based on unique behavioral characteristics. This approach is complemented by a comprehensive foster program, which enables the counselors to understand the animals’ behaviors more deeply.

“We want to change the general perception of the purpose of an animal shelter,” says Executive Director, Shannon Wells. “It’s not just about providing a home to animals but ensuring their long-term happiness and stability in their new families.”

This shift in perception involves educating prospective pet owners about the varying needs and personalities of pets. If a family has frequent travel plans or seeks a more independent pet, a cat could be an ideal choice. Dogs, who require more responsibility, are recommended for families with children ready for the added petcare responsibilities. This shift to

focusing on the pet’s behavior and the adopting family’s lifestyle is already seeing a trend, with more people opting to adopt cats over dogs in recent years.

For those seeking an alternative pet, LHS has handhelds, such as birds, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. Birds, while less tactile, can still be perfect for families based on their lifestyle, while rabbits and hamsters offer more cuddliness, albeit needing gentler handling.

Embracing a new family pet involves a healthy transition period. Animals often need several weeks or months to adjust to their new living situation. A lot of attention, love, supervision, and positive reinforcement can make this transition smoother.

“When it comes to puppies and kittens, you get the behavior that you teach,” Wells emphasizes. “The first fourteen weeks are a critical socialization time to affect life-long behavior.”

The shelter goes the extra mile by offering programs designed to ensure long-term success for adopted pets in their new homes, low-cost spay and neutering, and temporary boarding for people undergoing life’s challenges. By shifting the narrative from shelter to educational hub, LHS is changing the pet adoption landscape, one paw print at a time.

Sign Up for Fun!

Kid-friendly Activities for Preschoolers to Young Adults

From scaling walls to expressing themselves through dance, children in Lawrence have many exciting activities to explore. Tour some of our town's popular spots offering unique opportunities for your child to build skills, friendships, and memories.

ARTICLE BY NATHAN HUTCHCRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS HALL AND MORGAN LONG

CLIMBING WALL

If you've ever watched a child at play, you know they're natural climbers, whether it's scaling the furniture or climbing trees in the park. A place like Climb Lawrence capitalizes on this intrinsic ability to foster confidence, community, and exercise in a fun-filled, energetic environment. Children as young as four can learn grips and foot holds on the climbing wall, with the difficulty level increasing to match their age and skills. Climbing also builds a community of young people motivated by conquering the wall, not competition.

Climb Lawrence Climb Lawrence

SOCCER

Perhaps the number one reason running around and kicking a ball is one of the most popular sports for kids is that everyone can play. Sporting Kaw Valley soccer club has programs for kids as young as three. The Coed Recreational League for kids from kindergarten to fourth grade is popular because the emphasis is on enjoyment and active participation. All teams are formed to ensure equal representation of genders and ages to keep things fair and balanced. And there's no need for tryouts - all are welcome.

BATTING CAGE

For kids who like stepping up to the plate, watch their faces light up in a batting cage. Places such as D-Bat Lawrence serve young ball players from age three on up. The indoor, automated pitching machines throw out both baseballs and softballs at speeds ranging from 35 to a thrilling 70 mph, ready to challenge and develop skills at every level.

D-Bat Lawrence

DANCE

For kids attracted to the arts, dance is the perfect way to burn off excess energy. Studios like Sunflower State Dance have classes in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, modern and tap—something for every interest.

The studio dances to a different beat, promoting age-appropriate and family-friendly dance styles catering to children ages 2 to 18. From the first hop and skip of a 2-year-old to the confident pirouette of a teen, their play-based learning strategy ensures that every twirl and step is more than just a move—it’s an experience. The studio’s vibrant atmosphere buzzes with the energy of young dancers exploring the world through rhythm and movement.

At Sunflower State Dance, the goal is to ignite passion and stir the imagination. Children learn to tell the essence of a story through dance. It’s not about the perfect moves. It’s about the journey of self-expression.

Sunflower State Dance

Sunflower State Dance

Sunflower State Dance

Chef’s Table:

RAMEN BOWLS

CHEF LACEY ENNIS SHARES RECIPES FOR SELL-OUT SPECIALS AND A BELOVED COCKTAIL

Sweet & Spicy Chicken Karaage

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound boneless chicken thighs

• 3 eggs

Dredge

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 2 cups flour

• 2 1/2 tablespoons onion powder

• 2 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

• 1 tablespoon white pepper

Sauce

• 2/3 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/3 cup pineapple juice

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tablespoons sriracha

• 2 tablespoons gochugaru

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon salted butter

DIRECTIONS

1.  Whisk together all the dredge ingredients in one bowl.

2. Whisk eggs well in another bowl.

3. Cut chicken thighs into bite-size pieces.

4. Coat cut chicken in dredge mixture, then place into egg mixture, then back into dredge mixture.

5. Fry chicken in 350-degree oil until cooked through and golden brown.

6. While the chicken is frying, whisk together all sauce ingredients except butter and pour into a saucepan.

7. Heat sauce over medium heat until it starts to simmer, then add butter.

8. Once the butter is melted and mixed into the sauce, add in your fried chicken, tossing to coat.

9. Serve on white rice and garnish with sliced scallions.

ARTICLE BY CHEF LACEY ENNIS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PROVIDED BY CHEF LACEY ENNIS

Cucumber Lime Gin & Tonic

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ounces Empress Gin

• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice

• 1 ounce agave syrup

• Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic Water

• Cucumber

• Lime

DIRECTIONS

1. In a shaker, muddle a 1-inch piece of cucumber. Add gin, lime juice, agave, and some ice. Shake well.

2. Line the inside of a 13-ounce highball glass with thin cucumber slices. Add ice to the top.

3. Strain shaken gin mixture over ice and finish with tonic water. Garnish with a lime wheel

Crab

Rangoon Nachos

INGREDIENTS

• Wonton wrappers

• Imitation crab

• Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce

Rangoon Sauce

• 16 ounces cream cheese

• 2 3/4 cups half and half

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• Pinch black pepper

• Sliced scallions for garnish

• Black sesame seeds for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut wonton wrappers into triangles and fry in 335-degree oil until crispy.

2. Chop imitation crab into small pieces.

3. Prepare sauce by heating cream cheese and half and half in a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking until smooth. Add seasonings.

4. To assemble nachos, create a bed of wonton chips, sprinkle imitation crab over the top, and drizzle with white sauce and sweet chili sauce. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.

report

A sample of recently sold properties in Lawrence, Kansas.

Raise The Curtain

THEATRE LAWRENCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JAMIE ULMER EXPLAINS

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTRODUCING THEATER TO CHILDREN

LCL: DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST THEATER SHOW YOU EVER SAW?

ULMER: I can’t remember which one came first, but it was either “Fiddler on the Roof” or “The Music Man” by the high school in the town where I grew up. They would do a matinee performance for the elementary school as their final dress rehearsal. As a second grader, that was my first real introduction to theater. And I just remember being blown away by what they were doing.

LCL: WHY SHOULD KIDS BE INTRODUCED TO THE THEATER?

ULMER: There are studies that conclusively prove the sooner you introduce kids to the arts, the better. If that’s taking them to a museum, a little concert, or enrolling them in a class, the sooner you expose kids to quality arts, the more they will see its value. That’s why here at Theatre Lawrence, we’ve been pushing to expand our education programming.

LCL: WHAT DO YOU OFFER?

ULMER: Emily Giles is our education director. She has done a tremendous job of expanding what we offer educationally from our School’s Out, Theater’s In program to the summer camp workshops. We’re offering music and introduction to theater classes for even little, little kids. We had to put a disclaimer in the Tiny Troopers program enrollment form saying the child must be potty trained. But the sooner you introduce them to theater, the better.

To sign kids up for Theatre Lawrence classes or check out the new season that begins in September, visit theatrelawrence.com.

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA DITCH AND PROVIDED BY THEATRE LAWRENCE