Discover the advantages of a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. When you purchase a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz, you’re getting excellent value, industry-leading coverage and more. But perhaps the best part of a Certified Pre-Owned MercedesBenz is that it’s a Mercedes-Benz. Browse available inventory at Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City South to join our exclusive family of owners.
LIFESTYLE LETTER
Being a parent has been the greatest honor of my life. I think anyone with children would say the same thing. It is both rewarding and challenging and has pushed me to grow as a person more than anything I have experienced. The pure love you feel the moment you set eyes on them as they enter the world, or the joys of watching your children come into their own and grow into wonderful young adults is something I didn’t understand the full depth of until experiencing it firsthand. I remember being told when I first became a parent that having kids is like having your heart outside of your body walking around the world. If they hurt, you hurt more for them. That couldn’t be more true. As all mothers do, I have spent countless nights over the years worrying for them in one way or another (often in the middle of the night) about something they were going through. And at the same time feeling overjoyed for another child who was experiencing a big win in life.
The emotions of watching your child navigate through the ups and downs of life is something that I wasn’t quite prepared for, but it is so worthwhile. Some of my proudest moments as a parent are not necessarily when my kids have achieved great things, but rather when they have faced adversity bravely, and I had the privilege of having a front row seat at witnessing their strong character shine during those hardships. Oftentimes, the hard life lessons of the journey or health issues we face in life are the parts that refine us and make us better people. As a parent, it is so hard to not want to fix everything for your child so they don’t have to go through the hard times, but in doing so we would rob them of the very process of learning the life lessons obtained from those experiences.
With four kids, ages 15-21, I have had my fair share of watching my kids experience many facets of life from honors and great successes to disappointments and rejection, and it is not for the faint of heart. However, it is worth every bit of the journey, and there is no greater honor than to be there for every part of it.
My two oldest kids are in college now which brings its own set of unique experiences. I love the shift from a parenting relationship to that of a friendship, and thankfully they still need me and my parenting advice even though they are technically adults. I don’t think that ever goes away to be honest, because I still need my parents in my 4th decade of life. While I still have two younger kids, the shift in parenting has me thinking a lot about how fast these years fly by. Everyone told me it would go fast when the kids were little. It didn’t seem to at the time, but now looking back, it feels like those years of princess parties, legos everywhere and little league baseball flew by in a flash. I miss those days so much, but each new stage brings more richness and beauty, and I am thankful for each new milestone of parenting. What an amazing gift it has been that I don’t take for granted.
ANGELA BROOCKERD, EDITOR
@LEAWOODCITYLIFESTYLE
August 2024
PUBLISHER
Cristine Lindholm | cristine.lindholm@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Angela Broockerd | angela.broockerd@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Holly Twaddell | holly.twaddell@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Angela Broockerd, Judy Goppert, Lisa Moyer
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Janie Jones, Jenny Wheat Photography
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
A Garden Soiree was a success as hundreds of people enjoyed the gardens, small plates from several local restaurants, mixed cocktails, craft beers, wine and spirits and ended the evening with a fireworks show. Support of this event goes toward ongoing recreational and cultural enrichment and improvements at the Overland Park Arboretum.
Join us for this exclusive evening on September 21st from 7-10 PM, where culinary delights from the finest restaurants in the area will flow endlessly! From savory bites to sweet treats, prepare to embark on a culinary journey like no other. But that's not all! Sip on refreshing libations, sway to live music, and brace yourself for a few surprises that will keep you on your toes all night long. Learn more and/or purchase your tickets here!
Join us for the 4th Annual "A Cure for Charlie Pickleball Tournament" on September 14th at Chicken N Pickle Overland Park. Support of this event contributes to the mission to find a cure for rare disease, SLC6A1, and support children like Charlie Fry. Competitive and Recreational Tournaments, online auction, gift card pull and food and drinks available. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/acure-for-charlie-4th-annual-pickleballtournament-tickets-886224089107?aff =oddtdtcreator
The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA) is proud to announce the 2024 Artisan Home Tour on August 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25. For the first time, the KCHBA is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Kansas City as its charitable partner. Habitat was chosen as a way to promote homeownership for all. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to tour 15 of the region’s finest custom homes crafted by skilled artisans and builders. For more information visit https://artisanhometourkc.org
Teacher turned children's author publishes first book
ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Jordan Lowe's path to becoming a children’s book author is both inspiring and heartfelt. Holding a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, she spent five years nurturing a love for reading in first-grade classrooms. The spark for her book series ignited eight years ago when she shared photos from a New Zealand trip with her first grade students who were captivated by the images and eager to learn more.
“I tried finding grade level appropriate geography books to have in the classroom and noticed they were all geared towards intermediate readers with a lot of text and very few pictures,” says Lowe. “I wanted to create a nonfiction geography series that would bring the world into the laps of younger readers who are just starting on their reading journey.”
However, a career change, marriage and starting a family put this idea on hold. In August 2023, dinner with her friend Chelsea Buchanan, an aspiring illustrator, rekindled the dream. They both worked corporate jobs and yearned to pursue their creative passions.
“That night, I asked her to illustrate the manuscript for the first book. Seeing the illustrations not only brought the book to life, but our dreams as well!”
They decided to self publish the series to maintain creative control, leading to the creation of Hen Hat Publishing. Over the past six months, Lowe and Buchanan have navigated the complexities of the publishing world, from formatting and editing to marketing and printing, all while cherishing the journey of creating something meaningful.
“The first book in the series, “The Adventures of Hattie and Hank”, introduces a geography obsessed girl, Hattie, and her trusty travel partner and family dog, Hank. Hattie’s love of geography, adventure and culture stem from her dad’s career as a photographer for a travel magazine. After years of settling for backyard adventures, Hattie and Hank finally get the chance to tag along on dad’s work trip. As the trip comes to an end, her dad accidentally sends his boss the pictures meant for her mom and they end up landing a gig as the faces of a brand new children’s travel magazine.
“This travel magazine is a non-fiction geography series that takes primary grade readers (kindergarten through 3rd grade) to places all over the world with their favorite tour guides, Hattie and Hank. The layout is picture heavy with grade-level appropriate text, so kiddos can confidently enjoy the content independently while laughing along the way. The books in the series are written as we travel to each place—the pictures are made up of photographs taken by me and hand-drawn illustrations created by Chelsea.”
She is inspired by her daughter and husband to bring these stories to life.
“I wanted to create a nonfiction geography series that would bring the world into the laps of younger readers who are just starting on their reading journey.”
“Seeing the world through Hattie’s eyes is a gift that I will never take for granted. Her curiosity for the world around her is inspiring! When Henry and I first met, we decided that we wanted to live a life full of adventure and love. He has shown an incredible amount of love and support for this book writing adventure. We’re expecting our second child in October and we can’t wait to have him join in on the fun!”
Preorders for signed first editions will start in August online. For additional content, videos, free travel itineraries and more, visit Hattieandhank.com
Meet Forrest and Kylie, Father-Daughter duo and passionate Operators of Ward Parkway and the 135th Chick-fil-A
Let us take care of the food, so you can focus on creating memories. Thank you for choosing Chick-fil-A catering!
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Treat Yourself and Your Kids to Exceptional Care at Leawood Dental
ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER
For more than 36 years, Leawood Dental has been serving the Leawood community one smile at a time. The privately owned practice aims to create an environment that sets the standard for exceptional, patient-centered dental experiences, ensuring you always leave feeling cared for and cared about.
“Every smile matters to me,” says Dr. Luke Joliff, D.D.S. “I’m passionate about building beautiful smiles and great relationships with my patients. You will always leave our practice feeling informed, valued and prioritized. No matter your needs, your smile is in capable hands.”
The clean, modern, state-of-the-art facilities are also kid-friendly and offer a children’s play area. Other amenities include a beverage bar, wireless headphones, blankets, pillows, TVs in patient rooms, and a selection of music. Cutting-edge technology and techniques means patients receive the best possible results.
“The experience here was amazing!” says one patient named Jallisa. “It was a double book for my toddler and myself, and it was my son’s first time. The hygienist was patient, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. I was most nervous about my toddler being antsy, but everyone was so welcoming and took great care of us.”
With comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, Leawood Dental offers a full suite of specialty procedures, including clear aligner orthodontics, implant placement and restoration, oral surgery, cosmetics, and endodontic root canal treatment.
“We strive to be comprehensive in our care for both adult and pediatric patients,” Dr. Joliff says. “We provide a fun, comfortable atmosphere for our pediatric patients. Our staff and doctors go above and beyond to create positive experiences. We always take the time to walk through every single finding and every question with parents to create the most informative appointments possible.”
Leawood Dental has 17 employees, including three dentists—Dr. Luke Joliff, Dr. Meghan Hamilton and Dr. Nick Mehlin. All doctors have a “diverse skill set and extensive experience” in treating patients of all ages and health. “All six full-time hygienists have the highest training and are very experienced with both pediatric and adult patients,” Dr. Joliff adds.
Dr. Joliff says that he and his team love to create comfortable, exciting, and fun appointments for their pediatric patients.
“As we all know, children truly brighten your day!” he says. “My associate doctors and I love working with kids. Many children have preconceived notions and apprehension of the dental experience, just as adults do. Nothing beats the smile on children's faces after a fun appointment and a visit to our amazing treasure box. I also love being able to take time communicating and informing parents of everything they need to know to help their children keep a healthy smile.”
Dr. Joliff adds that he loves serving Leawood and living in the KC community. He and his wife Taylor have two daughters, Margot (3) and Louise (1), and a golden retriever named Mac. “We have so many great patients from all over Leawood and the greater KC area. It’s an honor to be a part of our patients’ lives and to help them become their healthiest, most confident selves. I feel like there is a kindhearted thread that ties everyone in Kansas City together. Of course, I'm biased, but I'm grateful I have the opportunity to serve the kindest community on the planet.”
Leawood Dental is located at: 1551 Granada Ln. Suite 200 Leawood, KS, 66211
Call 913.794.3191 or schedule online at leawood.dental
IMMERSE YOUR TASTEBUDS IN SEAFOOD HEAVEN AT AQUA PENNY’S.
ARTICLE BY JUDY GOPPERT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Raw, cooked, cold, hot, sauced, stirred, grilled…’tis the season for seafood. Enjoy an upscale but not pretentious atmosphere as you dine to your heart’s desire at Aqua Penny’s coastal seafood restaurant and oyster bar.
“Seafood means something different for most people. For example, the Midwest is fresh water, the Northeast is one thing, South becomes something much different, and the West coast is its own animal!” noted Michael Werner, a local concept design and development specialist and Managing Partner with Aqua Penny’s.
Owned by local culinary powerhouse couple, Penny and Doug Mufaka, Aqua Penny’s is conveniently situated in Leawood’s popular Park Place Shopping Center. Following an extensive $1.4 million transformation, it takes over the former Gordon Biersch space.
You will feel like you are sitting on the dock of the bay and certainly not in Kansas anymore! Seat yourself on their expansive wrap around patio spaces or browse the raw bar. Special features will wow you, including decorative lighting, statues, a bar made of oyster shells and wall art. They feature both indoor and outdoor private event spaces.
Aqua Penny’s flies in seafood daily for the best and freshest fish-fare. Chef Penny Mufaka and her culinary team have created an imaginative menu that takes a deep dive into the pearls of the sea, including fresh shucked proprietary oysters, clams, mussels, crab, shrimp, lobster, scallops and a wide selection of fresh catch fish options. And caviar is having a moment right now.
The creative and well-thought-out menus take a deep dive into the fruits of the sea, offering light fare and more substantial dishes to satisfy every midday appetite for lunch and brunch. From clean and delicate to big, bold flavors, there is a wide variety of special dishes, with flavors not found in other Kansas City seafood restaurants.
For those who prefer land fare, Aqua Penny’s has a nice selection of options to choose from, including creative and exciting meat and vegetarian dishes to satisfy any appetite. A light lunch or the day’s main meal, Aqua Penny’s lunch and brunch menus offer it all.
About the raw bar…it is truly the focal point and differentiator in the restaurant space, with features like Aqua Penny’s proprietary Boston Tear Drops. Oysters that begin their lives in the tidal flats of Crowes Pasture Beach in East Dennis, Massachusetts, where Quivett Creek and Cape Cod Bay meet. Named for their teardrop shape, a bite into one gives a burst of salty ocean initially that mellows to sweet vegetable notes with a hint of cream. And their Rappahannock River Pearls from the Chesapeake Bay. Farmed near the mouth of the Rappahannock, where the full force of the river meets the Chesapeake Bay, the mineral-rice freshwater is unmistakable and infuses their River Pearls with sweet notes and low salinity.
“They spent months working with local purveyors to sample and try to feature premium oysters from the west and east coast, including black magic from Thunder Cove, soft shell crab fresh from the gulf shore and Walleye just caught from Lake Superior,” continued Werner. “There are two sides to their menu. On one side you’ll find core classics like lobster tail and seafood and saffron resembling fare from a fish house on the East coast, the ‘comfort foods.’ On the flip side discover featured shareables, entrées, sweet bites and more to nosh and create a social, communal experience.”
“A guest will forget what they ate, but they won’t forget how you made them feel.” - Michael Werner
“There are two sides to the menu. On one side you’ll find core classics like lobster tail and seafood and saffron resembling fare from a fish house on the East coast, the ‘comfort foods.’ On the flip side discover featured shareables, entrées, sweet bites and more to nosh and create a social, communal experience.”
When it comes to cocktails, how about 100-plus different bottles of wine and champagne? Their motto: Create an experience for people, then allow them to create their own.
“A guest will forget what they ate, but they won’t forget how you made them feel,” Werner confirmed.
With this food, it is a pretty good bet that you won’t forget that shrimp, oyster, drink or lobster you enjoy!
This is the sixth restaurant opened by these two, with Bamboo Penny’s, Kc Thai, Str-eatz Mexican Restaurant, and another creation, Penny’s in the Village, a Thai Restaurant, set to open in Fall of 2024 in the former Blue Moose/Gravity space at 4160 W. 71st Street in Prairie Village.
Aqua Penny’s is located at 11652 Ash Street, Leawood, Kansas 66211. Visit aquapennys.com and find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Hours: lunch, Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; brunch Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Creating a relationship between you and your canine based on confidence, reliability and reward can turn a good dog into a great dog.
Whether your pup has the obedience of a dog show finalist, or social behavior that makes you want to play dead around others, you can develop more owner confidence with help from this expert trainer.
“Socializing your dog is beneficial for both dogs and their owners,” says Taryn Tyler, founder and owner of Teacher Turned Trainer LLC. “It creates confidence for both dogs and owners and displaces the anxiety we feel when our dogs aren’t behaving like we want them to.”
Taryn says that boundaries can be learned by dogs of any age.
“There’s a nasty perception along the ‘can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ line of thinking,” she says. “While you can’t take a dog with serious behavioral issues and completely turn them around 180 degrees, you CAN make improvements in how you understand your dog and how they understand you. Dog training isn’t just for struggling pups either. Creating a relationship between you and your canine based on confidence, reliability and reward can turn a good dog into a great dog.”
Taryn stresses that teaching a dog to sit or stay is less about tricks and more about the relationship that builds between animal and owner. “That, in turn, fosters an environment where the next time a family hosts Thanksgiving or has friends over, my clients and their dogs fall into the habit of obeying commands because of the confidence built through all the work put in beforehand.”
A native of Johnson County, Taryn went to Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and the University of Kansas where she received her degree in Elementary Education. She taught elementary school for five years in the Shawnee Mission School district before she changed careers. She began her certified dog-training
business in 2022 and has seen huge success in only two years. Her wedding pet-handling business is on track for its busiest wedding season yet and is booking into 2025. She and her husband live in Waldo and are the proud dog-owners of Sinclair (Staffordshire Terrier), Glenda (Great Dane) and Tallulah (Terrier mix).
Taryn is a positive reinforcement, force-free trainer, rewarding positive behaviors and ignoring negative ones. Her sessions are in-home where behaviors are likely to present themselves. “It’s easy to learn in a clinical environment, but if you can’t carry the behaviors into the real world, then what’s the point? How does a dog respond when a spouse or kids come home, or when everybody’s silent family member—the Amazon guy—drops off a package? These scenarios happen organically through in-home training that are hard to replicate in a facility.”
Taryn then meets clients for field trips in public places like parks or dog-friendly stores. She says she loves to see the “light bulb moment” in dog training.
“You can see the wheels turn in a dog's head when we’re working on a new skill or behavior, and they get so excited the first time they do it right without correction or redirection.”
Even dogs with a troubled history can achieve improvement.
“We all love our dogs, but they can be stressful when they can’t seem to click in our home environments. Working with my clients and dogs to just get back to a baseline of comfortability is so rewarding. Luckily, we usually move further than that pretty quickly.”
Her long-term goal is to start a dog daycare that caters to reactive dogs like Sinclair, to give them space and tools to socialize in an environment where their struggles aren’t as magnified. “If anyone out there has some extra real estate and wants to pet some dogs during their workday, please let me know!”
• Socializing is more than taking your dog in public. When the doorbell rings or a visitor comes into the house, what’s our expectation for the dog? When we’re in public and the dog’s attention is diverted, what’s our plan to refocus them? Socialization is 99 percent working on small steps as part of a larger plan.
• Socializing isn’t about our dogs being the center of attention in public. Everyone loves seeing a dog, but our best outcome for the dog is to go unnoticed. Sitting by our side, ignoring external stimuli, remaining calm—those are things we strive for when socializing a dog.
• When socializing dogs with other dogs, I suggest starting small. Take a walk with another dog to get them to just exist in the same vicinity. Once they’re able to not be excited by the other dog, work on limited playing in controlled environments.
• If someone comes into your home, let them know what boundaries you’re working on with your dog.
Once your dog is able to socialize with other pets, playdates are a great way to encourage good play
behavior. One way to celebrate your pup’s birthday is to celebrate with their favorite furry friends. Here are a few helpful tips for making your gathering a success.
• Set up play areas for your furry guests to enjoy. This can include a doggy pool or splash pad, chew toys, frisbees, and don’t forget the pet-friendly bubbles.
• Offer party guests birthday attire such as a birthday hat, bandana or party outfit. Set up a photo wall for pet owners to get photos with their furry friends in their birthday outfits. Better yet, make it a costume competition, and invite guests to come dressed up ready to show off their pup’s attire.
• Create a treat display with a pet-friendly birthday cake and various chewy snacks for guests to give their pups.
• Party favors are a must to end your festivities with a bang. Fill party bags with bouncy balls, treats, and pet-friendly bubbles to send your guests off with a smile.
For more info, contact Taryn at: teacherturnedtrainer@gmail.com teacherturnedtrainer.com
Instagram: Teacher_Turned_Trainer
Facebook: Teacher Turned Trainer
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
Just a short three hour drive from Kansas City, Branson is bustling with activities for all ages to enjoy. The beauty of the hill country, and the access to multiple entertainment options and outdoor adventure makes this a unique and adventurous getaway. Spend a day exploring all the entertainment district has to offer from go karts, to bumper cars, specialty shops, dining, outlet malls and more, or explore a cave on the outskirts of town. If a country-styled theme park is on
the itinerary, be sure to visit Silver Dollar City which is nestled in the heart of the Ozark mountains. This award winning adventure park has something for everyone for the young and the young at heart, to adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers. The adventure doesn’t stop there, as the park boasts culinary country delights and a variety of popular treats like their famous salt water taffy, and entertaining shows are offered at various times throughout the day.
After a day of exploring the sites and activities that Branson has to offer, wind down with a lakefront stay at Chateau on the Lake. This impressive resort offers breathtaking views of Table Rock Lake and access to a lakefront beach for swimming and sunbathing, or visit the marina for water sport rentals, boat rentals or fishing. Rental rates are reasonable and offer a way to spend time enjoying the expansive and clear Table Rock water. If spending time at the resort is more down your alley, Chateau by the Lake offers a large lakefront pool, indoor pool, on-site spa, multiple restaurants with expansive menus, bar service, sports courts, movie theater room and an ice-cream shop. Enjoy watching the sunset at one of the many indoor or
• Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa chateauonthelake.com/
• Chateau Marina: Boat and water sport rentals available as well as kayaks, paddle boards and fishing. | chateauonthelake.com/resorts-branson/marina | Spa Chateau booking: chateauonthelake.com/resorts-branson/ branson-missouri-spa
• Silver Dollar City: Book your tickets in advance online and check for special discounts | silverdollarcity.com/
• The Branson Landing: Shop, Dine and Explore | bransonlanding.com/
• Fantastic Caverns | explorebranson. com/profile/fantastic-caverns/489
• Aquarium on the Boardwalk aquariumattheboardwalk.com/
• The Haygoods | thehaygoods.com/
• Dolly Parton Stampede: Dinner and Show | dpstampede.com/branson
outdoor seating areas that offers breathtaking views of the pool and lake. If visiting on the weekend, be sure to stay for Sunday brunch from the award-winning chef at Chateau Grill. From the fine dining offerings at the Chateau Grille and casual dishes at Atrium Cafe to the snacks and espresso bar at the Sweet Shoppe and spirited drinks at the Library Lounge, you’ll find something for everyone.
Don’t forget to save time to take in one of the many shows Branson has to offer. One of the most popular shows, and for good reason, is seeing the Haygoods at Clay Cooper Theater. This electrifying, engaging and thrilling show is a must-see. The visual effects, lighting, array of musical instruments and smartly choreographed dances leaves the audience wanting more. Bring the whole family for this one, because it
is enjoyed by all ages. The 6 Haygood siblings embody talent and class. Another well-loved show is Dolly Parton’s Stampede. This dinner show attraction features horses and trick riders, special effects, and amazing performances while enjoying a 4-course meal.
The adventures are endless, and seasonal attractions are offered all year round. While spring and summer are popular times to visit the area due to the access to Table Rock Lake, fall and winter offerings are festive and the perfect location to make family memories and enjoy the sights, tastes and smells of the season.
OVERLAND-PARK LOCAL ANNA GLENNON SHREDS
COMPETITION AS 9-TIME JET SKI CHAMPION AND 1ST PLACE ELECTRIC POWERBOAT RACER
ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY
PROVIDED
“My parents did a great job helping us find our passions and turn them into careers.”
Professional Jet Skier, Overland Park native, Anna Glennon, 28, cut her teeth on watersports when she was just a toddler at the Lake of the Ozarks, according to her grandmother.
“I have a picture of Anna with me on a Sea Doo with a pacifier in her mouth,” says Bonnie Glennon of Overland Park. “Now she’s a World Champion and 8-time U.S. and Canadian National Champion.”
Anna grew up at her family’s lake home, where she and younger sister, Jessie, learned to ride stand-up jet skis. Anna credits her father, John, with her start in racing.
“My father was a gear head growing up and studied to become a master mechanic,” Anna says. “His influence led me to find an interest in motors and powersports at a young age, and he made a point to teach me the mechanical side of things—I wasn't allowed to sit on my hands
by any means. My younger sister raced for a short time, before she found her own passion as a musician. My mother is the glue that keeps us together and taught us to be kind and gracious. My parents did a great job helping us find our passions and turn them into careers.”
Anna recalls her dad taking them to a race in Lawrence, KS when she was about 15.
“My sister and I saw 10-year-olds racing, and I jokingly told my dad that we could easily do this. That was the only sign he needed! He researched how we could compete in our first race, and we started piecing together our own program.”
In 2013, Anna won her first national championship. With her dad as her mechanic, Anna took the Men’s Classic Two-Stroke World Championship title. To date, she remains the only woman to do so in International Jet Sports Boating Association history.
After graduating from the University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg) in digital media communications, she moved to the Jet Ski capital of the world, Lake Havasu, AZ, to continue training and to focus on marketing and media in powersports.
Known as Jetgirl777, Anna is now the owner of MotorActionMedia.com and Jet Girls Racing. Her work has been featured in nearly every personal watercraft magazine in the world, along with video production on YouTube’s Jet Girls Racing.
“Unlike a lot of professional racers, I still maintain a day job as a PR executive,” Anna says. “I also build and maintain all my personal race equipment myself and do all my personal marketing. It's a lot of work, but it all pays off.”
Her biggest payoff yet is her recent 1stplace finish in the E1, the world's first all-electric powerboat championship sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body of powerboating.
The championship features 12 mixed-gender teams competing in electric RaceBirds. Several celebrities have become owners, including NFL’s Tom Brady, Actor/Producer Will Smith, and Team Miami, owned by Musician Marc Anthony—five-time Grammy winner and minority owner of the Miami Dolphins.
Anna signed with Team Miami as a pilot, along with Erik Stark of Sweden. The competition began in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on February 2, 2024 and will conclude in Hong Kong in November at the Grand Prix Finale.
“Joining the E1 World Championship has been one of my favorite adventures of my career,” Anna says. “I was invited to participate in their Pilot Academy last year. I was trained by official UIM instructors in powerboat racing and tested the one-of-a-kind RaceBird in Lake Maggiore, Italy.”
Based on those results, Anna received offers from other race teams, but she chose Team Miami.
“It’s been a joy to be with Team Miami. The energy and environment have been wonderful, and it all starts with Marc. While he may be a superstar, he levels with
us as human beings and lives every minute with us. The whole team is fiery and passionate about racing, yet we've come together like a family despite being thrown together in this unique new adventure.”
Anna says at the season opener in Saudi Arabia she was just hoping to run a good race. “We ended up qualifying 10 seconds faster than everyone else. It was eye-opening that we could be competitive in this championship.”
Then came Venice, Italy and more recently Puerto Banus, Spain, where they battled conditions the RaceBird had never experienced. Choppy waters, 10-foot swells and technical failures eliminated Team Brady and others, but Team Miami raced to 1st place in front of thousands of spectators.
Anna says the journey has been incredible.
“As a kid from Kansas, I cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity,” she says. “Not only to represent my country, but to represent ‘the little guy.’ On top of living out a childhood dream, I’m also a part of something bigger. E1 Series works to preserve and restore precious waterways through charitable projects. As someone who grew up around the water— and whose life was ultimately shaped by it—it means a lot to be part of a race series that also doubles down on good causes.”
Anna says she’s grateful for support from friends and family throughout her career.
“I’m very proud of the person I’ve become thanks to powersports.”
“These days I tackle a lot of challenges alone, but I feel confident knowing I have great people in my corner who care about me. As someone who grew up an outcast, an ugly duckling, and felt as though the world kept trying to beat me down—it's important for me to remind people to keep pushing. Hard work is rewarded, good people connect with good people, and at some point a
door will open for you to stick your foot in it. I'm very proud of the person I’ve become thanks to powersports. I used to be so shy and unsure of myself. Powersports has given me a new passion for life. To race around the world as part of my career—it’s a dream.”
facebook.com/jetgirlsracing https://linktr.ee/jetgirl777
Summertime is busy time, and that often means eating on the go. Whether you’re at constant baseball games or meeting up for a regular play date, you’re probably bringing food along with you to feed your crew. And there’s no meal that’s as on-the-go friendly as the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
And don’t get me wrong — I love a PB&J. But months of eating anything can get a little old, and this summer, I started to wonder if there was a way to zhuzh up the ol’ standby.
I was actually inspired by a sandwich at one of my favorite places to eat. All the restaurant’s sandwiches feature cheese. So color me surprised when I found that they had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the menu — with the addition of sheep’s cheese. And cue more surprise when I discovered that it was absolutely delicious.
CHANGE UP YOUR PB&J GAME BY DISCOVERING NEW WAYS TO ENJOY THE OL’ STANDBY
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID
All summer, I was craving this sandwich, a fresh PB&J sandwich on sourdough. I decided to try my own at home with what I had on hand, which was goat cheese. And it opened up a whole new world for me.
The PB&J with goat cheese started being my standard poolside sandwich this summer, and then I started talking to other people about it, spreading the gospel of the PB&J with cheese, and they would share their PB&J innovations with me. You could toast them! Put chips on them! Add bacon! The possibilities were endless.
The PB&J is so nostalgic and, yeah, sometimes, you just want a really basic one on white bread with grape jelly and creamy Jif like you had when you were a kid. But it’s also fun to be playful about it, which is nostalgic in its own way, too — being innovative and doing something a little weird or against the rules, just like when you were a kid.
Change up your bread: One easy way to liven up your sandwich is to use different bread. That sourdough you may have learned to make during the pandemic is a perfect bread to use, or you could opt for milk bread, a Japanese option that is fluffier and sweeter than white bread.
Get nutty: While most toddlers would balk at crunchy peanut butter, you’re an adult! You can try new things! If you don’t have the crunchy type on hand, you can also just add peanuts between your layers of peanut butter and jelly to get that crunchy fix.
Toast it: One of my favorite ways to make an “elevated” PB&J is to simply toast it. It’s really similar to grilled cheese — make your PB&J, and then spread some butter on the outside on both sides. Melt some butter in a pan and add your sandwich, flipping once browned. If you want to get really fancy, sprinkle some powdered sugar on before you cut into it. I promise it will be your new late-night craving.
New spreads: You probably already have a go-to jelly for your PB&J (mine is strawberry), but change it up a bit and try raspberry or apricot. Honey is a great addition, too! I’ve also heard ginger or lemon preserves are great, or you could try swapping the peanut butter out for something different nut butter, or even something worldly like tahini, which is a ground sesame seed paste with a similar flavor to peanut butter.
Fresh fruit: This is probably the simplest way to up your PB&J game, since technically, you’ve already got fruit on your sandwich in the form of jelly. Try adding some smashed raspberries or cut strawberries to yours next time you make one!
Add some spice: Putting some spice on your PB&J can add some interest. Sambal, an Indonesian chili paste, is a good option because it lends itself to sweetness, or Sriracha is an easy one since it’s a common fridge staple. I’m also a big fan of gochujang, a mildly spicy Korean paste with a hint of sweetness. It’s best to mix your spice in with your peanut butter before spreading it — it’ll remind you of satay!
Chip in: Probably the wackier idea you’ll see here, and one a toddler would either love or abhor, but chips on sandwiches are a great way to add crunchiness and saltiness to any sandwich — especially the PB&J. Apparently, Channing Tatum loves to eat Cheetos on his PB&J, though I’ve had others tell me they love to add Doritos — both the Nacho and Cool Ranch variety — to theirs, too.
Say cheese: As I said earlier, you’ve gotta try cheese on your PB&J. I’m a fan of goat cheese, specifically the honey variety, but plain versions or those with dried fruit are great, too. The trick is to set it out for 15-20 minutes before making your sandwich to soften it a bit, so it’s easier to spread on delicate bread.
It’s bacon!: Bacon lends itself well to peanut butter because it’s also both sweet and salty. If you’re opposed to adding straight-up strips of bacon to your sandwich, a bacon jam, which you can buy or make at home, is a good stepping stone to getting out of your comfort zone.
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