Lee's Summit Lifestyle March 2014

march 2014

Lee’s Summit LeesSummitLifestyle.com

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Arts the healing power

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Listen to Your Mother The Monuments Men of KC Images that Tell Your Story Take a Spring Break from Screens

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Editor's Letter

The Beauty Behind the Art

Please don’t panic–Lisa Harrison is still the eminent editor around here. She graciously invited me to share this space because she knows I love the arts. My name is a little further down the masthead: It’s been a privilege to work as her assistant editor, a writer, and now as national copy editor for all of our magazines.

The daughter of a music composer/conductor/teacher/performer, and a concert violinist, I grew up in a home immersed in music. From the time I was born, my dad’s compositions enriched my life. He wrote symphonies from his head to the paper using a calligraphy pen. He was inspired by poets like John Donne, and by his faith, writing a mass for his master’s dissertation. I had no idea how special that environment was until becoming a parent myself.

I love music, too, but most of my heroes are the painters. Their journeys of persevering and overcoming to create visual beauty inspire me. When I heard that Picasso struggled in math because he kept seeing faces in numbers, I felt less bad about my own problems with them. I find kinship in Van Gogh’s struggle with depression. A class with Lee’s Summit artist Suze Ford freed me from perfectionism to just paint, and thus live. My pastor, Dan Wilburn, is an artist, too, who continually communicates that being an artist is a way of life, not a thing you do.

For this reason, Kansas City artist Jeff Hanson’s story captured me, and I hope will you, too. Writer Katherine Bontrager’s own artful way with words conveys beautifully the message of Jeff’s utterly inspiring life. (Painting a Most Vibrant Future, p. 36) Likewise, Amber Rapp’s incredible path of pursuing her dreams while raising a family and a child with autism blows me away. Since our article about her in September 2011, she has become an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. (It’s a Rapp! p. 42)

march 2014 publisher Steven Schowengerdt | Steven@LifestylePubs.com editor Lisa Harrison | Lisa@LifestylePubs.com assistant editor Kendra Mathewson | KMathewson@LifestylePubs.com chief financial officer | DeLand Shore

director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Carrie Julian chief sales officer Matthew Perry | Matthew@LifestylePubs.com advertising sales Darla Hall | DHall@LifestylePubs.com Laura Paszkiewicz | Laura@LifestylePubs.com

advertising director | Mike Baugher production director | Christina Sandberg ad coordinator | Cyndi Vreeland regional art director | Sara Minor executive assistant | Lori Cunningham contributing photographers McKenna Mathewson, Freeland Photography, Tom Strongman

contributing writers Lisa Allen, Heather Trent Beers, Katherine Bontrager, Chris Clark, Lisa Gartland, Judy Harper Goppert, Megan Browne Helm, Kendra Mathewson, Susan Motley, Merle Nunemaker, Ryan Rosser, Anne Potter Russ, Tom Strongman

These arts issues are among our favorite to create for you. We may live in the Midwest, but our home is rich with culture and creativity. We are pleased to share with you the stories behind the beauty.

Kendra Gensemer Mathewson, Assistant Editor KMathewson@lifestylepubs.com

to support and inspire the artist in their midst. Read more about this hometown hero on page 36.

| LeesSummitLifestyle.com |

it director | Randy Aufderheide Published monthly, subscriptions are also available for $22 for 1 year, $39 for 2 years by visiting LeesSummitLifestyle.com

Inspired by our community,

on the cover The Hanson family has worked together

application architect | Michael O’Connell

by Community ™

join us

Proverbs 3:5-6 Contact us at: P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 913.599.4300 | LeesSummitLifestyle.com Lee’s Summit Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Kansas City’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Lee’s Summit Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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Retirement May Be Far Off, But the April 15 Deadline for IRA Contributions Isn’t.

You have only so many years to prepare for retirement. That’s why contributing to your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is so important. Fortunately, you still have time to maximize your 2013 IRA contribution before the April 15 deadline.

By contributing now, your retirement savings can have more opportunity to grow.

Even if you already have an IRA elsewhere, it’s easy to transfer it to an Edward Jones IRA and begin receiving the face-to-face guidance you deserve.

Call or visit any of our financial advisors in the Lee’s Summit area.

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Retirement May Be Far Off, But the April 15 Deadline for IRA Contributions Isn’t.

Kevin Haines Financial Advisor

Matt Knehans, AAMS Financial Advisor

Thom Schlosser, CFP® Financial Advisor

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You have only so many years to prepare for Anne Pedersen, CFP Matt Sibbing, AAMS ®

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March 2014

Departments

36

12

Good Times

17

Around Town

22

Now Open

24

Local Limelight

26

Your Neighbor

30 Family Feature 32

Terrific Teacher

34

Locally Owned

46 Page Turners 50 Real Wives 52

Worship Time

54 Giving Back 56

Home Matters

60 Healthy Lifestyle 64 Star Students

36 Painting a Most Vibrant Future

A frightening diagnosis led Jeff Hanson and his family to create

66 Hometown Heros

a most colorful future.

71

Sold Properties

42 It’s a Rapp!

72

Driver's Notebook

82

Parting Thoughts

Filmmaking fuels this mom, wife and all-round amazing woman.

32

34

42

Lifestyle Publications Lee’s Summit, MO | Newport Beach, CA | Paradise Valley, AZ | North Scottsdale, AZ | Chandler, AZ | Boulder, CO | Boulder County, CO | Tulsa, OK Springfield, MO | Leawood, KS | Johnson County, KS | Northland, MO | BuckHaven, GA | Perimeter North, GA | Mt. Pleasant, SC | West FW, TX

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Good Times

Mayor’s Character Breakfast

Lee’s Summit honored some of its unsung heroes at the 11th annual event celebrating good character role models and ethical business practices. Nearly 600 citizens attended at John Knox Pavilion. Hosted by Lee’s Summit CARES.

Carl Chinnery presented the Ethics in Business Award to Summit Bank of Kansas City.

Mayor Randy Rhoads presided over the morning’s festivities. It’s an event that makes us proud to live in this great community.

Catholic Schools Week

Our Lady of the Presentation School celebrated their faith with a week of exciting activities and events, culminating in a rousing pep rally where the teacher of the year, Becky Lynch, was honored.

12 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

! s s e r g o r P r o Access f

U.S. Hwy. 50 & Route 291 South Interchange Improvements “No-Tax Increase” General Bond Election April 8, 2014 QUESTION NO. 1 Shall the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $10,000,000 for the purpose of constructing road improvements and acquiring necessary rights-of-way including improvements to the U.S. Highway 50 and Missouri State Route 291 intersection and bridge system?

IMPROVEMENTS Safety • Provide Alternate Access Routes to Area Schools • Replace Deteriorating Bridge

Connectivity • Provide North/South Connection • Provide Gateway to the Heart of Downtown • Provide Pedestrian/Bike Access Across U.S. 50 Highway

Economic Development • Provide Access and Visibility to Vacant Commercial Properties and Existing Businesses What is a NO-TAX General Obligation Bond?

A No-Tax bond issue is made possible when existing bond issues are paid off. As the debt decreases, the City can issue new bonds, with voter approval, and pay them off over time within the current property tax levy. Thus, there is no need to increase the current property tax levy to pay the debt.

cityofLS.net | Elections City of Lee’s Summit • 969.1000

Lee’s Summit Chamber Annual Gala

The elegant evening to celebrate our thriving business community included an auction, three-course meal and musical performances at John Knox Pavilion.

Volunteer of the Year Nick Hadley

Reinhart Food Service, Hall of Fame Inductees

Nancy Kearney Burns and furry friend

Steve and Sue Tominia

2013 Board Chairman Bob Glaser, Summit Bank of Kansas, with Phyllis Balagna/Steppin Out The Studio, Hall of Fame Inductee

A great place to smile!

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Service Service Above Above Self Self

Be Bea...Doer a...Doer

I’veI’ve been been meaning meaning to volunteer to volunteer and and give-back, give-back, I just I just haven’t haven’t quite quite decided decided what what that that something something is. is.

Sound Sound familiar? familiar?

Maybe, Maybe, thethe time time hashas come come forfor you you to to become become a doer a doer . . and and notnot justjust a talker a talker Malcolm Malcolm Bane Bane had had thethe right right idea idea when when he he said, said, “If “If you you wait wait until until you you cancan dodo everything everything forfor everybody, everybody, instead instead of of something something forfor somebody, somebody, you’ll you’ll end end upup doing doing nothing nothing forfor nobody.” nobody.”

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Join Join thethe Lee’s Lee’s Summit Summit Rotary Rotary and and make make something something doers, doers, who who refuse refuse to to simply simply happen. happen.

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Good Times

THCF Youth Advisory Strike Up the Night

The Youth Advisory Council of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation recently held a fundraiser for their endowment which benefits area youth-serving charities. More than 250 students from 13 area high schools invaded Lunar Bowl and raised more than $4,500. Photography by Two McClouds Photography.

Bring The Zoo To Your Classroom for Free Thanks to the Zoological District funding, ZooED is a free program for students who attend school in Jackson or Clay County Missouri

• 2nd and 4th grade teachers will receive training, all curriculum materials, a free Zoomobile visit to their classroom and a free field trip to the Zoo! Lessons are aligned with the common core in language arts and math.

• The 2nd grade curriculum is called Meet the Animals. Students will learn about 26 different Zoo animals and the people who care for them at Kansas City Zoo. • The 4th grade curriculum is called Manage the Animal.

Students will learn about all the jobs that are required to care for 7 different animals.

Please call the Kansas City Zoo Education Department at 816-595-1765 for more information.

OPEN DAILY | kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234

The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

16 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Around Town Backstage - People who work behind the scenes are some of the most important people in a theatre.

Out Front - Greet and serve our patrons in a variety of ways.

Creative Team - These leaders guide a production and have the challenging and exciting task of imagining the show and bringing that vision to life.

ZOMBIES AND SHAKESPEARE IN THE SUMMIT

HIGH SCHOOL MEN’S CHOIR REPRESENTS LEE’S SUMMIT The talented Lee’s Summit North Combined Men’s Choirs performed at White Recital Hall at UMKC in preparation for their ultimate opportunity to sing at Tan-Tar-A for the Missouri Music Educators Association’s 76th Annual Conference. The group represented Lee’s Summit as one of approximately 30 performing ensembles from all over the state of Missouri. The choir is conducted by Steve Perry and Jonathon Krinke.

LEE’S SUMMIT’S GOT TALENT – SEASON 4 Lee’s Summit’s Got Talent has quickly become the metro’s premier talent competition.

Returning this summer for its fourth season, Lee’s Summit’s Got Talent boasts the most talented performers in the Greater Kansas City.

The competition is open to all ages and all types of talent giving performers an opportunity to showcase their unique talents on stage.

This is a true variety show format with singers, dancers, magicians, jugglers, comedians, animal acts and any category in between.

The talent search begins with auditions in April before a panel of judges. Last year 65 hopeful acts auditioned for the chance of moving on to the finale. Twenty acts are then selected to perform in the show in June and compete for the cash prize.

Lee’s Summit’s Got Talent is a fundraiser to benefit the programs of Lee’s Summit CARES, a non-profit community coalition that works to reduce substance abuse and youth violence. For more information about Lee’s Summit CARES go to LSCARES.org.

THEATER GROUP OFFERS VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES Summit Theatre Group is a vibrant community theatre that needs dedicated people working together to make shows happen. Check out all the different ways you can become involved. They have spot for you, on stage or behind it. Visit SummitTheatreGroup.com for more information.

Onstage - Actors for a wide variety of roles are needed for our shows this year.

The quality of performances at Lee’s Summit high schools is phenomenal, and it is still possible to catch two productions before the end of the school year.

LSNorth performs the beloved Much Ado About Nothing next month. Retold for stage and screen, this timeless work examines the games we play when love is at stake. The play will be offered at 7 p.m. April 11 and 12 and at 2 p.m. April 13.

LSWest presents Zombie Prom at 7:30 p.m. April 11 and 12 and 2:30 p.m. April 13.

This musical takes place in the 1950s, following the story of high-school student Jonny who visits the nuclear plant and turns into a zombie.

Tickets and information about the remaining productions is available on the school websites.

GOT ART GALLERY IS THE GO-TO FOR ART DOWNTOWN GotArt Gallery is not only a cool space for local artists to show their work, it’s also a great place right here in town to expand art skills. At the back of the red brick building, classroom space allows for a variety of monthly kids’ art classes and adult classes.

Group class prices range from $45-60, including materials, and check their Facebook page for specials. They only charge to cover a use of space, instructor fee and supply costs as education is central to the non-profit’s mission; they want their programs to be accessible and affordable.

GotArt Gallery also offers private art classes, birthday parties and girl’s night out events that include guided painting classes. Located at 18 SW Third Street. GotArtGallery.org.

March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 17

Around Town CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE SYMPHONY Our Lee’s Summit Symphony is one of the finest community orchestras in the country. If you catch their spring concert this month on March 8, you’ll hear that for yourself with Vaughn William’s English Folk Song Suite, Grainger’s Irish Tune From County Derry, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition. Did you know that ticket sales provide, on average, only about one-third of the Symphony’s revenue each season? Income from other sources such as the Friends of the Lee’s Summit Symphony is critical to sustaining the financial health of the organization and maintaining affordable ticket prices.

Check out the store on Facebook at Roost on 7. Better yet, stop in and take a look around. Open alternating weekends from Thursday through Sunday, as well as any time the “open” sign is on!

AUTO GROUP EXPANDS TO LEE’S SUMMIT The McCarthy Auto Group recently finalized the purchase of Robert’s Chevrolet. ‘McCarthy Chevrolet Lee’s Summit’ is officially open for business. The McCarthy name has been a trusted name in the Kansas City car business since 1977 and is very excited to add a third Chevy dealership to the family.

The new Lee’s Summit location will now provide even more new and pre-owned inventory for consumers to shop from and three convenient locations to do business. The Lee’s Summit dealership includes a state of the art collision center. With the addition of this collision center, the McCarthy Auto Group now offers five collision center locations to serve the greater Kansas City market.

For more information, visit KCCars.com.

SUMMIT CUSTOM HOMES TO BUILD DREAM HOME

Membership starts at only $30 per year (for an individual) and $50 per year for a couple. Businesses may join for $100 as a Business Sponsor. Students 18 and under may join for $15 as a Young Friend of the Symphony. Donate online or print a Friends’ Form from their website and mail your donation today. Businesses may access the Business Sponsors brochure by visiting the Sponsors page.

Let’s take care of this local treasure. Consider joining Friends of the Lee’s Summit Symphony. For more information, please call the office at 816.401.5251.

NOW OPEN: ROOST ON 7 The Roost on 7 is a new eclectic store that offers a variety of onetime finds for your “roost” from auctions, estate sales, local artists and craftsmen, as well as items available through select consignment.

Located just north of Colbern Rd. on Highway 7, their unique and constantly changing inventory includes, but is not limited to new, current furniture or lighting fixtures for much less than those big box store that we all share a love-hate relationship with; re-purposed, refurbished and some previously owned furniture or home decor items, including the oh-so popular chalk painted pieces; beautiful art (paintings, furniture, jewelry, more...) produced by artists and craftsmen from Lee’s Summit and the Kansas City area; vintage home decor; and antique clocks and curiosities.

18 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Summit Custom Homes has officially announced that they will build Kansas City’s 2014 St. Jude Dream Home. This will be Summit’s 4th annual Dream Home campaign.

“Our Dream Homes are 100 percent donated, from the ground up,” says Megan Fratzke. “Our trade partners and supporters are so amazing. They give so much of their time, talent, and energy to the Dream Home project, and for that we are extremely grateful. The hospital is doing astounding research, which they share freely with other hospitals. We fully embrace the organization and are so happy to be a part of the Dream Home Giveaway.”

To date, Summit has raised more than $3 million for St. Jude’s. In 2012, the company was awarded the “Builder of the Year” and “Zero Hero” awards, and in 2013, they again received the “Zero Hero” award for their net zero home.

The public will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for a chance to win the Dream Home for $100 each, and will go on sale in June. The home is being built in The Shores at Chapman Farms, at 8808 SE 1st Street in Blue Springs.

FIVE FILE FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION SEATS Five candidates have filed for three positions on the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District Board of Education. Filing closed for R-7 Board of Education candidates on Jan. 21.

Candidates (listed in filing order) are Chris Storms, Bill Baird, Terri Harmon, Mark Ousnamer and Craig Scott. Mr. Storms and Mrs. Harmon are current Board of Education members and were both elected in April 2011.

The Board of Education and municipal election will be held April 8. For more information about the Board of Education, visit LSR7.org/school-board/board-members/.

AREA REALTORS WORK TO GIVE BACK Lee’s Summit resident Rob Ellerman and his team of Reece & Nichols Realtors knows the importance of giving back to the communities in which they serve. To show their appreciation of a very successful 2013, they have donated $50,000 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City (BBBSKC).

The team knows that only through our youth will Kansas City continue to grow. They take a special interest in Kansas City’s youth and believe every child deserves a chance to be all they can be. In addition, the team raised more than $30K for St. Jude Children’s Hospital during the year.

“We feel that not only are we giving back from our team members, but also for the clients that have entrusted us with buying or selling their home and in doing so, helped with our success. These donations represent each and every one of them,” says Ellerman.

The $50,000 will go toward the special mentoring programs, their big events and providing free lunches for those children needing assistance.

To find out how you can donate go to BBBSA.org. For more information about the Rob Ellerman Team and their college scholarships, visit TheRobEllermanTeam.com.

A PLACE FOR GOOD NEWS ON LOCAL RADIO If you find yourself feeling tired of negativity that passes for news, gridlocked politicians, the ailing economy, a steady stream of violence, and commentators who confuse opinion with news, you might consider one local radio program. People do amazing, kind and caring things every day and you can hear about them on The Bill Hammond Show.

Every week Hammond creates an oasis of calm in a troubled world. The program features nationally recognized guests as well as uplifting content. A well-known elder law attorney, Hammond’s passion is for his radio program. Tune in to the good news on KCMO Talk Radio (710AM and 103.7FM).

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March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 19

Around Town FROM INSURANCE TO THE MOVIES

Chest Pain?

Act Fast, We Do. That’s what Lee’s Summit Medical Center doctors want you to know about the importance of getting to a hospital emergency room quickly for heart attack symptoms.

The faster you get to treatment, the better your chances of survival and recovery from a heart attack. Lee’s Summit Medical Center has some of the region’s most experienced emergency room and heart care physicians close to you!

2100 SE Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 (816) 282-5060 LeesSummitMedicalCenter.com Lee’s Summit Medical Center is located northeast of the MO 50 Highway and Todd George Road intersection.

20 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Heart Attack Warning Signs • Discomfort in the chest such as pressure, fullness or squeezing • Shortness of breath • Pain in areas of the upper body such as shoulders, arms, back, neck and jaw • Sweating, lightheadedness, and nausea If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 and just get here!

Chest Pain?

Just get here!

The Founder and CEO of a fast-growing Kansas City insurance company, Philip Sarnecki can now add movie producer to his resume. In addition to his 20 years experience in the insurance business, Sarnecki is now getting experience in the entertainment industry through a company he co-owns called Rebel Pilgrim Productions. He has served as executive producer for two movies.

Their latest release was a romantic comedy called A Strange Brand Of Happy, featuring two Grammy Award-winning actresses: Rebecca St. James and Shirley Jones. It was shown at theaters in about 50 cities across the United States last fall, including Kansas City.

The movie was recently released on DVD and is now available in many retail stores, including Walmart. He also produced a comedy called Hitting The Nuts, released in 2010. The two movies have won awards at film festivals in Cincinnati, Louisville and Las Vegas.

The company has a number of projects in the works, including Hope Bridge scheduled for release this summer.

STARLIGHT SEASON LINEUP Starlight Theatre has been a Kansas City landmark since the 1950’s. Over the years the venue has brought the city hundreds of spectacular Broadway shows, amazing concerts and wonderful community outreach programs. It’s always exciting when Starlight reveals their show season for the year. The offerings for 2014 certainly entice a season ticket purchase: Wizard Of Oz - June 10-15 We Will Rock You - June 17-22 Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - July 8-13 The Sound Of Music - July 25-31 Blue Man Group - September 9-14 Order tickets online at KCStarlight. com, by phone at 816.363.7827 or in person at the Starlight Box Office Monday Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

&

Wedding Bells

ellen spaar

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E

llen Harper Spaar and Jaremy Andrew Longley were engaged September 21, 2013, when he

proposed on the front porch of her Brookside home.

The bride is the daughter of Judy Harper Goppert and John Spaar, and the groom is the son of Steve and Cheri Longley. Jaremy is originally from Pueblo, Colo., where he graduated from high school, and Ellen is a graduate of Lee’s Summit High School.

Both attended the University of Missouri - Kansas City. The couple plans a May wedding at Redeemer Fellowship Church in Kansas City. Jaremy’s father, Steve Longley, will perform the ceremony. A reception will be held at the Longley home in Liberty. The couple plans a honeymoon to Boston, Mass.

To share your wedding or engagement news with our readers, email Lisa@LifestylePubs.com for details.

There is no charge to share your news.

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www.americareusa.net • 816.763.6667 March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 21

Now Open

Big Visions for Video Business A/V production shop proudly calls Lee’s Summit home, grows with the city Article Christopher Clark | Photography McKenna Mathewson

S

martphones and their high-definition video capabilities have turned us all into budget Spielbergs and Scorceses. From Vines on Twitter to cat videos on YouTube, few things have democratized multimedia like that little computer in your pocket.

But if you’re in the Kansas City area and you need something a little more…professional, look no further than Cinematic Visions in Lee’s Summit, where Jeremy Wood has been producing polished business-to-business and consumer-oriented video for more than 10 years.

“In the end, the old saying often applies – you get what you pay for,” says Wood. “If you put something less than professional out there for your company, it will cost you, even though you got a great rate for the video. If you pay a little more, and have a professional handle it for you – it will pay off.”

A 1993 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, Wood caught the video bug as a student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he graduated with a degree in communication studies. A job at AT&T led to opportunities in which he created video and audio entertainment for employees there, and it 22 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

wasn’t long before he decided to start a side business with the goal of going full-time on his own.

In 2003 Wood opened Cinematic Visions, and landed in downtown Lee’s Summit in 2008. As Wood puts it, “It was home.” It was probably that spirit that led Wood to raise his family here; he and wife, Melissa, have two sons, Noah, 15; and Jordan, 11.

“The town was growing rapidly, small businesses were sprouting up all over the place, and its proximity to the KC metro area made it ideal for stretching out the company’s wings to see if it could fly,” Wood says. “Lee’s Summit opened its arms and took in Cinematic Visions quickly. The community of businesses is large, but feels like a tight knit group of people genuinely interested in helping each other succeed.”

Cinematic Vision’s main focus is business-to-business video for small firms, but his portfolio includes some fairly big clients.

Companies including UPS, AT&T, Union Pacific and Metcalf Bank have called on Wood’s expertise. To get it done, his team taps a stable of state-of-the-art equipment: a bank of HD cameras, the latest in sound and lighting and best-of-breed computer

hardware and software. Wood uses the tools to produce marketing and promotional videos for online or website use, training and safety videos for companies, even television commercials.

“If it can be filmed, edited or produced, I can help,” Wood says.

Wood’s team not only produces the video but will consult with clients about how to use it.

“That’s probably the most important part of the process. If I can create a great product for you AND show you how to make it work – you’ll trust me, you’ll come back to me again, and we’ll probably end up being friends.”

But Wood said he and his Cinematic Visions team—Diane Robertson, Reuben Samuels, Jessie Chipchase, Jordan Martin and Chardé Stephenson—have the most fun with a show they produce called “Just Down The Road,” a family-oriented travel show about fun things to do and see across the U.S. The show airs on more than 500 stations across the country and reaches around 50 million households, featuring everything from swimming with manatees in Florida to reaching Pike’s Peak in Colorado.

“What makes it unique is we’re not some big production company with 100 crew members putting it all together,” Wood said.

“It’s just five of us.”

Cinematic Visions recently moved out of downtown to new space along Chipman Road. The downtown space was in a good spot, but its location inside a historic building meant it wasn’t always compatible with the demands of a high-tech video business.

And then there are the trains…

“I cannot tell you how many times filming would be stopped to let the train pass through, and just when you thought the coast was clear – another would come down the line,” Wood says.

The new space, in the Brower Building on Chipman, is working out well.

So for those projects that need more than your inner, untrained Speilberg wannabe, consider letting Cinematic Visions get behind the camera instead.

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2/20/14 9:01 AM March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 23

Local Limelight

Giving Motherhood a Microphone The Listen to Your Mother show comes to Kansas City Article Lisa Allen Photography Karen Ledford Photography

L

isten to your mother. Truth be told, I have issues with that phrase…

I stood on the stage of Unity Temple on the Plaza on Mother’s Day eve last year and started an extraordinary 90 minutes with those very words. I read an essay that I wrote about being my mother’s daughter, and then thirteen other women got up, each in turn, and read stories about their own moms, their children, their friends and their lives.

After the show, cast members mingled with those in the audience. As some posed with family for celebratory snapshots, others were approached by strangers who had the same two words to share, no matter which cast member they were drawn to.

Those two words were ‘me too.’ The strangers approached so Erin Margolin & Sarah Guthrie. Back: Lisa Allen & Leslie Lambeth-Kohlmeyer they, too, could share their story. Most hugged, some cried, others simply said ‘thank you for sharing your story. It’s also my story.’

And so it goes with the Listen to Your Mother Show, a phenom- Omaha. Seymour decided to not return for the 2014 show and origenon started by blogger and self-described stay-at-home humorist inal cast members Sarah Guthrie, Leslie Lambeth-Kohlmeyer and Ann Imig in 2010. From I joined Margolin as co-diher home base in Wis- The Listen to Your Mother Show will grace 32 rectors and co-producers. consin, she created a way stages across the country this year. In addition to While every show is to celebrate motherhood different, one thing is giving motherhood a microphone, each city also that involves more than consistent: stories flow brunch or the obligatory chooses a not-for-profit to support. Kansas City’s from heartbreaking to bouquet of flowers. charity of choice in 2013 was Rose Brooks Center. hilarious and topics as diThe Listen to Your verse as loss, postpartum Mother Show will grace This year the Kansas City show will support Wom- depression and the hid32 stages across the coun- en’s Employment Network. den blessings of the evtry this year. In addition eryday weave together to to giving motherhood a microphone, each city also chooses a create an experience that mirrors the joy and the exasperation not-for-profit to support. Kansas City’s charity of choice in 2013 that is motherhood. was Rose Brooks Center; in addition to writing a check for 10 “Motherhood can be a lonely occupation. We take on monupercent of the show’s total ticket sales, members of the cast also mental loads of responsibility, but it often feels like we are the toured the Center and donated a variety of requested personal only ones who didn’t shower that day or feel unable to handle it care items. This year the Kansas City show will support Wom- all!” says Seymour. “I wanted the opportunity to share these stoen’s Employment Network. ries, and for all of us to realize that we are in this together. Some Laura Seymour and Erin Margolin shared directing and produc- days, that means everything.” ing duties as the Kansas City’s show founders. The original cast Many of the cast members learned of the show through social included women from around the metro as well as Wichita and media or at blogging conferences. Because each piece must be orig-

24 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

inal, the show tends to attract writers and bloggers but, as Margolin says, there are no prerequisites to being chosen for the cast.

“We’re not looking for a resume,” says Margolin. “We’re looking for stories that resonate for one reason or another. It’s not about structure. It’s about soul.”

Original cast member Jen Mann is accustomed to a large number of readers on her blog, but she’d never before read her work out loud in front of a crowd. When she writes on her blog, she says, she decides what is funny; reading in front of an audience let them tell her, through their laughter, what they thought was funny.

“The show was amazing,” says Rita Arens, who read “Halfway,” “but I was more moved by how quickly I felt intimately connected to my fellow cast members. We’re all now friends and I haven’t made so many new friends so quickly in years. I think it was the intimacy of what we shared.”

A friend nudged Lambeth-Kohlmeyer to audition last year, and she did so without even researching the show. Once she’d sent in her submission, she headed to the show’s YouTube channel and spent hours watching videos.

“I laughed until I nearly peed,” she says. “I was hooked. I laughed, cried and blubbered and I knew that I had to be a part of this. When I read in the show last year, I was forever changed.”

Guthrie says she felt compelled to audition and then join the production team because she believes that motherhood deserves a voice. Margolin agrees, saying she most loves the

purity of the Listen to Your Mother Show message.

“All we need is a podium, a microphone and the stories. That’s it,” she says. “It’s a chance to change lives because we’ve put these stories out there, and it’s an opportunity for me to stretch myself, meet incredible new people and hear stories that will change my heart. How could I not want to do it again?”

Show Time!

May 3 7:30 p.m.

Unity Temple on the Plaza.

To meet the cast, purchase tickets and learn more about Listen to Your Mother: Kansas City, visit ListenToYourMotherShow.com/ KansasCity.

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Your Neighbor

Local Artist’s Career Is ‘In Full Bloom’ Article & Photography Susan Motley

K

irsten McGannon counts herself among the growing number of women who are embarking on new ventures in their “second chapter” of life. For McGannon, that meant turning her lifelong passion for art into a business and she began selling her oil, acrylic and mixed media abstract paintings.

“I’m attracted to bright, energetic colors and the interplay between large fields and washes of color and the thin filament and direction of line,” she says. “My work is inspired by nature, but it’s more about an attempt to convey my feelings - a sense of joy, serenity, or curiosity.”

McGannon’s love of art started at a young age. She has fond memories of wandering through the Nelson-Atkins Museum with her aunt, Annemarie Hunter, who ran the children’s programs there.

“She’s an amazing artist and beautiful person who inspires me to this day,” McGannon explains. “I remember when ‘Sacred Circles’ came to the Nelson and she showed me how to draw the ancient horse that was the exhibit’s centerpiece. It was the first time I knew the thrill of being an artist.”

26 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

McGannon grew up in Johnson County, and went to the University of Missouri.

She hoped to major in Fine Arts but her parents convinced her to get a more marketable degree. She chose advertising. But she’s never stopped painting.

“In college, I had the opportunity to study in Aix-en-Provence, France, for a semester,” McGannon says. “Aix is the home of Paul Cezanne, and I spent many beautiful afternoons standing in front of the motifs he painted. I studied at the Leo Marschutz School of Painting, which was founded by students of Cezanne.”

“I remember walking through the countryside carrying my easel and paints. I felt like I was living in a postcard or an old movie. It was a very special and influential time in my life.”

Back in the real world, McGannon enjoyed a 20-year career in advertising. Seven years ago she quit her job to stay home with her children and was able to focus on

painting again. She was fortunate to study with Kansas City artist Philomene Bennett, along with other regional and national artists such as colorists Casey Klahn and Ken Elliott.

Bennett knew what it was like to be a mother and a painter, as she used to work in her garage so she could watch her children as they played outside.

“This really resonated with me as I had

four young children at the time,” McGannon says. “She made me realize there are no excuses not to paint. If you love it, you will find the time and place to squeeze it into your life. So I did.”

In 2012, with her youngest in school, she felt ready to devote herself to her art.

“Putting your art out for the world to critique can be scary, but I started with a web site and slowly let people know I was ‘in business.’”

O’Home, an interior design shop in Crestwood, was the first to carry McGannon’s art and sold her first piece.

“Making that first sale was one of the most exciting moments in my life.”

More sales followed as people in Kansas City became aware of this talented artist.

McGannon says one of her favorite pieces is “In Full Bloom,” which depicts a field of roses. Tim Groebl, from Parkville, knew his wife loved the painting. For a Christmas present, he commissioned McGannon to do an extra-large version of it to fit a particular space in his home.

Wife Jill Groebl was thrilled.

“The painting is absolutely gorgeous. I love the bright colors, use of textures and the way the flowers look as if they’re danc-

ing off the canvas,” she said. “The fact that my husband and Kirsten worked together to create this surprise made it even more meaningful.”

“I thought it was the most romantic gift,” McGannon says. “I enjoy collaborating with clients or interior designers to create a piece that complements a customer’s home.”

There are lots of opportunities to see McGannon’s art this spring. Her first exhibition will be at the Centric Projects in the Crossroads at 18th and Main. A First Friday opening reception is March 7 from 6-9pm and her work will be on display there through the end of May. She has been selected for a juried show called the Art Event at Kansas City Christian School in Prairie Village April 25 and 26. And, patrons can always view and purchase art at O’Home or via her website (KirstenMcGannon.com).

“I feel so fortunate to be doing what I love,” McGannon says. “I’m happiest creating, putting paint on canvas, experimenting with color, and being inspired by nature. When I’m not painting, I’m thinking about painting or taking photos of what I want to paint next. Inspiration is everywhere.”

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March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 27

Your Neighbors

These Ladies are …

Pretty. Funny.

Article and Photography Lisa Gartland

On a recent wintry Tuesday evening, warm laughter filled the Green Room Burgers & Beer restaurant in Westport. A spirited group was meeting to plan their next show. Five women, funny women, make up a unique act called Pretty. Funny.

Since the 90s, Pearl Rovaris MacDonald of Overland Park has performed improvisational comedy (“improv” for short) at Comedy City. In 2007, her children attended preschool at the Jewish Community Center. The school asked MacDonald if she would consider doing a show for the community, so she asked some of her longtime friends from Comedy City to join her. In addition to MacDonald, the first show included Anissa Gastin of Blue Springs, Megan Mercer of Lee’s Summit and Marian Schafer from the Northland.

As they embraced the challenge, a new era began. They performed in front of a large and responsive audience of approximately 200 people that night. Schafer recalls, “We had great reassurance from the get go.” After that show, they knew they had something special and continued to perform together.

Cindy Ptacek, of Kansas City, the fifth performer of the group, joined later. She happened to see the end of their Christmas show in 2011 and approached the group asking if they ever held auditions. Six months later they had an opening, and Ptacek jumped on board. As the youngest member of Pretty. Funny., the ladies joke that when the rest of them started, “Cindy wasn’t born yet.”

Over time, their routine has evolved into a variety show using a combination of improv, skits, song and dance. Gastin is the group’s choreographer, but the consensus is that “somewhat synchronized movement” is more accurate. Mercer laughs, “I love that we claim to dance!”

The show continues to gain fans, and the recent Christmas show sold out. Gastin thinks that a large part of their success is attributed to the fact that the shows are interactive and that all of the ladies on stage are relatable. “We are real people, and people like that.” It was unintentional that the group started out with all women, but it works for them. The show, however, appeals to both sexes, and audiences are filled with men and women.

Audience participation is significant, and Pretty. Funny. counts on that connection. People come up to them after the show and tell stories; they feel like they know them. During the most recent show, Ptacek revealed that she is expecting her first child as part of the act. Her news was met with cheers and applause from the audience. MacDonald says the biggest compliment they receive is when people approach them and say, “I just want to be up there with you!”

Each member of the group has a “day job.” Mercer is an insurance agent, Schafer is a purchasing agent, MacDonald is a key28 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Front: Pearl MacDonald, Cindy Ptacek, Anissa Gastin and Megan Mercer.

Marian Schafer is standing in the back.

note speaker, Gastin is a school administrator and Ptacek and her husband own the Green Room. All have families, who naturally provide stories that weave their way into the act.

Organizing the show is a collaborative effort. The ladies get together and throw out ideas that change and expand to a point where it is no longer one person’s idea; it becomes the creation of the group.

Egos are left at the door because their collective goal is the best show possible. They agree that it takes each of them and their individual strengths to make it work. Kelsi Smith, of Kansas City, is a behind the scenes member of the group. Happier off stage than on, she is affectionately described by the rest of the group as their own personal “mother of adults,” keeping the show organized and moving.

Pretty. Funny. respects the great ladies of comedy who have come before them. They are a little bit Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Traci Ullman, Lily Tomlin and Gilda Radner. But they are also original, with their own signature that is funny and real.

Their next show is Saturday, March 29, at 5 p.m., at Comedy City.

Find out about tickets at ComedyCity.cc. They also book private parties. Like them on Facebook (facebook.com/pretty.funny.kc), and you can send a message to them for details. Make plans to catch their show, and see for yourself these ladies who are, indeed …Pretty. Funny.

Call for a free, no-obligation appointment 816.554.6166

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March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 29

Family Feature

A Family Effort Father and Son Collaborate to Paint Inspiring Mural at Hazel Grove Elementary Article Judy Harper Goppert | Photography Provided

B

rad Springer is a dedicated father who works in the Creative division at Hallmark. He is very thankful for how welcoming Hazel Grove Elementary School has been to his family for many years so when Sandy Bauer, the school librarian, asked him to paint a mural for the school, he was thrilled. He worked with his son, Joel, to create the artwork.

“Sandy asked me to paint it based on some other artwork I had done in the past. The mural is in the library, so we decided to go with a reading theme,” he says.

“It was a great way for us to leave our mark and say ‘thank you’ to an amazing school, led by Dr. Christopher Troester, who is a great principle, and a wonderful group of teachers who really care about the students.”

Brad has lived in Lee’s Summit for nearly 20 years, and has four children, Jared, 24, Ciara, 21, Joel, 15 and Serena, 10, and all have attended Hazel Grove Elementary.

“There has been a Springer kid consistently at Hazel Grove for 19 years,” he says. “Next year, when Serena is in sixth grade, it will make it 20 consecutive years. I think we are going for a record, if there is one.”

Brad’s reputation as an artist and his long history with the school prompted Bauer to ask him.

30 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

“When I described to him what I had in mind, Brad came up with the perfect idea,” she says. “He and Joel spent a lot of time and created a beautiful mural.”

Brad attended Columbus College of Art and Design. After graduating, he was hired by Hallmark Cards as an artist/illustrator.

“After 28 years, I am still at Hallmark and work with the Creative Visual Studios as a creative director,” he explains.

“My source of inspiration is my father, who hand-pinstripes cars and does hand lettering.

He has done it since the mid50s and is still doing it today.

He and I actually did a few murals together when I was Joel’s age, so I guess painting murals runs in the family. It’s a great way to spend time together.”

Joel is also talented when it comes to drawing, and has been since a very early age.

“Joel talks about going into a creative field and possibly going to some type of design school, so we will see,” says Brad.

This mural is a delightful reminder of how a dedicated family can impact a school, and will no doubt inspire many youngsters for years to come.

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March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 31

Terrific Teacher

From Cajun Music to the Classroom The Diverse World of Mrs. Hume Article Megan Browne Helm | Photography McKenna Mathewson

A

s a recent college graduate, Lee’s Summit West High School teacher Julie Hume wasn’t sure where her philosophy and German degrees were going to take her. She began to explore the diverse world of folk music and honed her string instrument skills with groups that played everything from Afro-Cuban and American Bluegrass to Hispanic Mariachi and French Cajun. But it was through her collaboration with The Center for World Music founder Doug Goodhart, on a trip to play Mardi Gras in tiny Eunice, Louisiana, where she first heard her calling to teach.

“It was probably the best folk experience I ever had. We went down about four years in a row and would play at the traditional, family oriented and church focused Mardi Gras celebrations. The church would have the dances and crawfish feeds and we would play.” She met a famous Cajun musician named Donald Fontenot. “That’s when I decided to be a teacher, I saw this guy and he was this great musician who couldn’t make money playing folk music so he taught elementary school. I watched Donald and I loved those grade school kids. They were learning French. It was like another country and I said, I want to do that.” She added teaching credentials to her degrees and went to Austria in the summers to complete her masters in German.

Now she brings her diverse ethnic experience to the students at Lee’s Summit West High School where they benefit from a broad range of opportunities. They make films for the University of Central Missouri Foreign Language Film Festival each year and can participate in the district’s study abroad program to Menden, 32 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Germany. Hume even has the opportunity to use her philosophy degree. “One of my favorite classes to teach is The Theory of Knowledge which is a requirement for the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.” This year Hume is excited about her Scholar Bowl Team, and her students are starting a group called “The Circle” where students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and peer models meet.

Throughout her tenure in the Lee’s Summit School District Hume has continued to grow professionally. She was the October 2012 Learning for Life Award Winner and the Lee’s Summit German Department was recently chosen as one of the five national German Centers of Excellence by the American Association of Teachers of German. In 2011 Hume was one of 20 teachers in the United States selected for the Berlin Fellowship Seminar on Diversity sponsored by the German government which explored the challenges of immigration and ethnic diversity. Ever seeking to expand her knowledge base, Hume’s latest lifelong learning goals include creative writing and perfecting her claw hammer banjo technique.

Collecting enriching life experiences and sharing them with others is a dominant theme in Hume’s life. From her creative collaborations with folk musicians from all walks of life to the inclusive attention she gives her student’s academic and social success, it is through the diversity of human experience that all paths connect.

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Images that Tell YOUR Story Freeland Photography in downtown Lee’s Summit is a premier photo studio Article Kendra Mathewson | Photography Provided

L

ooking through a Freeland Photography wedding album is almost better than being there in person. The images really do tell a story. The close-ups whisper the details you probably wouldn’t even notice if you had been.

Every lusciously produced photo says, “Isn’t the bride beautiful?” “Wasn’t the setting surreal?”

“Doesn’t everyone look happy?” all the while capturing the uniqueness of each couple’s “Happily Ever After” nuptials.

Wedding photography isn’t all they do but it’s sure what they’ve been recognized for excelling at. Their recent Wedding Hall of Fame induction officially designates them as one of the best in the country, and for seven years they’ve been voted one of the Kansas City’s top wedding photographers. They offer contemporary, photojournalistic, portraiture and traditional wedding photography, as well as family and individual portraits, and corporate including clients like Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Comcast and the Sporting Kansas City Events to name a few.

The man behind the name on the building—and the camera—is Mike Freeland. He has a long history in the photography business, 34 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

getting his start working at premier H&H color lab and gaining an understanding of the process and technical aspects of the business before taking a camera in hand at his first job with Reed Wagner Studios. (He took 100,000 images per year with little margin for error with film costs.)

“I have an advantage in the business of photography because the professionals I apprenticed with in the early 1990’s had been in the trade for decades (some as early as the 1950’s) and perfected angles and light,” Freeland says.

Interestingly, music also plays a role in who he is and how operates. As a child he was a gifted classically trained pianist who by the age of 9 was performing complex pieces in 16-hands piano programs with multiple grand pianos. He recognizes the same processes at work in playing classical music—the math, physics, rhythm, coordination, heart and creativity to create musicality— all factor in to photography.

The end result is creative, but just like with music there are patterns and structure to support the beauty of the song, Freeland has a scientific formula, “recipes,” that support his ability to have a completely blank canvas at each event and still make every wedding unique.

Photo by McKenna Mathewson Mike Freeland has been behind the camera lens for 20+ years.

Freeland is not only a creative type as a photographer, he is busi- image that captures exactly what’s there. We present life-like colness minded and reads more business publications than photography. or and lighting, no Photoshop filters.”

“I have a lot of passion for business and studying other successIn an increasingly competitive business, Freeland Photography ful people,” he says. is poised to have its best year yet. Their wedding business is still An innovator, he has always been on the cutting edge of the in- escalating, not shrinking, and approaching 100 weddings in 2014. dustry, is flexible, out front, in- tune with what customers want and Six years ago commercial photography was a nonexistent part of this is how he continues to lead in a tough, competitive industry. their business, now it is second to the weddings.

“We grew our business model from a product base to a ser“The immediacy of the world we live in presents opportunities vice-based business where we get paid for our skills not our for us to provide good photography instantly,” he says. They do prints,” Freeland explains. One of the craziest things other pro- photo shoots for press conferences and other needs. fessionals thought he was doing is teaching photography classNot to mention the photography classes… es over the past 2 ½ years. But the additional revenue generated Freeland is poised for the future and already has a plan for takalone has paid the first few years of investment into a new facility ing his company in the next direction of wedding photography in (and transitioned into many new clients for those attending). the area of turnaround.

But Freeland doesn’t take credit for all the great photos coming “Now with Facebook, people do not want to wait,” he says. out of his studio; he also employs a full-time staff and has 10 differ- “We are going to set the standard for post production in photogent photographers that shoot with him. They raphy. We already provide same day share a collaborative exchange of knowledge turnaround for corporate clients and and experience in a light-hearted and playful are working on narrowing the wedding environment. Who else prominently displays post production that is arduous and Freeland Photography in the reception area a portrait of a wedding time consuming down to a few weeks.”

320 SE Douglas party running from a T-Rex? (That Pinterest Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 Pictures really are worth 1,000 words. cult image was produced by Amanda Jones.)

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Check out some of the stories Freeland “Last year our post production quality Evenings and weekends by appointment Photography is telling with pictures on their doubled because of the hire of our retoucher, 816.272.5625 website: FreelandPhotography.com Traci,” he says. “We have a crisp, clean sharp

Details

March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 35

Painting a Most A frightening medical diagnosis forced Jeff Hanson and his family to find a future more colorful than they ever dared imagine.

Article Katherine Bontrager | Photography Provided

P

art of Jeff Hanson’s personal mantra—and that of his supportive parents—was to always focus on what one can do rather than what one can’t.

After all, Jeff’s “can’t” list was a little intimidating: due to neurofibromatosis (a genetic condition affecting the nervous system, muscles, and more), ADHD, and an optic glioma (a slow-growing tumor in the optic nerve resulting in severe vision loss), Jeff would never be a lawyer, nuclear physicist, or follow his father into the medical field. In fact, he’d never even be able to drive a car or do other activities most of us take for granted.

But a funny thing happened along the way. Somehow, through happenstance, good ol’ ingenuity, and faith, Jeff’s “can” list far exceeded even his very hopeful parents’ 36 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Jeff with A Day at Daytona

Afternoon in Provence

his joie de vivre. (After all, how many children have their final radiation treatment in a full tuxedo and top hat?)

And from there, Julie explains, things progressed in a most surprising fashion. “In essence, Jeff built a business backwards. After chemotherapy and radiation, he wanted to ‘give back.’ So he sold his hand-painted note cards. Jeff’s watercolor note cards gradually transitioned to original acrylics on canvas. At the invitation of his pediatric ophthalmologist, Jeff started donating original paintings to live charity auctions. He formed an LLC at age 15 and to date has painted approximately 1,300 original acrylic canvases.”

Heavily textured and vibrantly hued, the canvases cover the family’s basement floor and lean against the walls. Shelves overflow with paint and supplies. This truly is a family affair: Jeff gets his inspiration from the family’s summer travels. (His favorite trip was a cruise of the Mediterranean in the summer of 2007. On his wish list are trips to Australia and New Zealand.) Julie organizes the commission, philanthropic, and forsale orders, and procures the specially made canvases that can support Jeff’s thick use of acrylic, modeling paste, woven canvas, and wires. Hal and Julie help Jeff with the smaller details in his paintings, and at the order of their son, fill in small areas of color and varnish the finished product.

The trio gathers in the basement from one to two hours a day working on the canvases, which are incredibly labor intensive and usually take eight weeks for completion. (By limiting the amount of time spent painting, it ensures that Jeff doesn’t tire, or “burn out,” and leaves plenty of room for him to find inspiration and keep his painting fresh. After all, there’s a lot of life out there for the 20-yearold to experience.)

Jeff averages about four months behind on commissioned orders, which stream in from his website, JeffreyOwenHanson. com, from countless charities, and from the aLOFT Hotel in Park Place, which exhibits and sells Jeff’s spectacular spectrum of colored works.

Hal maintains his position as the emergency room medical director in Ottawa, while Julie devotes herself to helping not only Jeff ’s burgeoning business but also helping parents whose children

dreams. He is now a world-recognized artist, thriving businessman, friend to Sir Elton John, world traveler and philanthropist—painting and donating more than $1 million worth of canvases for charitable causes before the age of 20.

What could have been a life of limitations has become anything but. As Jeff’s father, Hal, says, “We refused to let Jeff’s condition define us. There was no wallowing in self-pity and saying, ‘Well, your life is over.’ We had to redefine ourselves and champion on.”

And champion on the family did. With Hal and his mom, Julie, by his side, Jeff underwent radiation and chemotherapy at the young age of 12 to treat the tumor on his optic nerve—which Jeff nicknamed CLOD— effectively shrinking it and providing Jeff with splotchy, “Swiss-cheese” vision of about 20/80.

Painting note cards provided a welcome distraction during treatments—and a calming effect on Jeff’s ADHD tendencies. The Gelato and Geraniums vibrancy he created on the cards mirrored

continued >

March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 37

jeff hanson

(continued)

Below: Tuscan Breeze Right: Highland Hills

Above: Nightfall in Nice

have been diagnosed with optic gliomas and neurofibromatosis. Still, it’s only a matter of time before Jeff ’s grand adventure pulls Hal from the ER and into what has become a family business—and a very notable one at that.

After all, it’s not many kids, let alone seasoned artists, who count Sir Elton John, Susan Sarandon and Warren Buffett as owners of their original artwork. Jeff’s commissions include paintings for Fortune 500 corporations, hospitals and private collectors.

And while such accolades might lead to bravado, instead, it’s led to yet more giving. In fact, a dream to meet Elton John, granted through Make-A-Wish, further propelled Jeff’s desire to give back. The then 14-year-old presented Elton with a $1,000 check benefiting his AIDS Foundation in 2007. This surprising move on Jeff’s part led to an even more surprising 38 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

move on Elton’s—inviting the family to join him in Dubai for a concert and later his private estate in England. It is proof of another Hanson family motto: Generosity begets generosity. Jeff believes that “Every act of kindness helps create kinder communities, more compassionate nations and a better world for all… even one painting at a time.”

He has donated more than 100 canvases to charity, including Make-A-Wish, Children’s Tumor Foundation, American Heart Association, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. His actions have garnered some serious attention: Jeff was a People magazine “Heroes Among Us” and appeared on CNN’s “Impact Your World.” The Huffington Post readers voted Jeff “Top Kid Making a Difference,” and he was awarded Prudential’s prestigious National “Spirit of Community” Award. In 2012, the United States Small Business Administration selected Jeff as its Region VII “Young Entrepreneur of the Year.”

And the adventure continues: Jeff now has cornered the couture, hand painting gorgeous gowns, bow ties and cummerbunds. His art was seen on a 2014 Porsche 911 GT at the ROLEX 24 at Daytona in January. Patrick Dempsey wore a matching helmet, signed by Jeff and the actor,

which will be auctioned benefitting the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The $750,000 effort was the largest fundraising campaign in the foundation’s seven-year history. And the family is considering licensing Jeff’s artwork in gift items, such as ceramic platters, scarves, handbags and more.

Yet the spirit of giving back continues as well, with the family putting the finishing touches on a scholarship that Jeff will grant in 2014.

Hal jokingly has referred to the unexpected unfurling of this business as a classic case of “the blind leading the blind.”

Yet Jeff ’s philanthropy-first business model has been a resounding success. And in the process, he’s taught his parents so much about the beauty of ever-evolving goals and dreams.

Hal recently outlined the family’s incredible journey in his book, Lessons From CLOD: An Inspiring Story of Art, Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship.

“It’s not the challenge, but rather the response to the challenge that defines you,” Julie says. And what a response the Hanson family has had. In an effort to share their inspiring tale, the trio plan to start traveling and sharing Jeff’s story, as told in Lessons From CLOD, in a one-hour keynote motivational presentation, with the book being the takeaway for attendees.

Also available on Amazon and the Church of the Resurrection’s bookstore, the beautifully bound tome captures Jeff’s very unlikely adventure—and highlights just how often life’s best journeys are the most unexpected ones.

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It’s a Rapp!

Filmmaking fuels this mom, wife and all-round amazing woman.

Article Kendra Mathewson | Photography Provided

FADE IN: INT: RAPP LIVING ROOM – DAY CRACKLE. Flames flicker in the fireplace. A steaming cup of Starbucks coffee sits on the table. We see AMBER RAPP typing away, the laptop keys clicking beneath her fingers. Children frolic upstairs, their laughter punctuates the air while AMBER puts to page what she envisions for the screen.

AMBER Could you bring me another cup of coffee, darling?!

I

t’s written like a screenplay, but this is an actual scene from Amber Rapp’s life. Amidst the normal routine of motherhood and managing a family, this local woman makes movies.

Not the YouTube kind on her smartphone, but actual, theater-worthy, sit-in-a-plush-seat-with-your-popcorn-and-soda short films.

42 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

We first met Amber a couple years ago when she contacted us about a book she had just written during her then-toddler’s daily naptime, and published herself. (Embrace Your Call, LSL Sept 2011).

She’d always desired to be a writer and wanted her story to encourage others to pursue their dreams, too. You’d think that was a happy ending, but Amber was just beginning her “once upon a time.”

A lot of press releases come across our “I discovered this amazing community desk and in the years following our artiof filmmakers, screenwriters, people that cle, we noticed Amber’s name popping were so diverse,” she says. She attended KC up in other places—the KCFilm Fest, on Screenwriters and learned from critiques the local news. The book she’d written there. Then she heard about the KCWIFT hadn’t made the bestseller list, but someshort film competition. thing else was going on.

“I was a finalist, which completely Turns out, Amber has since discovblew me away.” She didn’t win the conered another calling: screenwriting and test, but her screenplay received a stage filmmaking. Since 2011, she has writreading--a performance with profesten, directed, produced and even acted sional actors. “When I saw my short in a number of short films. She entered screenplay performed on stage, I fell her first screenplay in the 2012 Kanin love with the actresses, with seeing sas City Women in Film & Television my story on the screen.” She met then(KCWIFT) Short Screenplay CompetiKCWIFT President Michelle Davidtion and was a finalist. That screenplay son, KSHB’s KCLive host and filmbecame the short film, Wrong Number, maker who took Rapp under her wing.

Rapp’s first film. “Two strangers connect when and has played at film festivals like Car“She’s the best mentor,” says Rapp. a wrong number brings them together.” mel Film Festival, Newport Beach Film “She introduced me to a bunch of exFestival and The Omaha Film Fest. tremely talented people in the industry.”

But let’s rewind a bit. How did she get from novel writer to Including Patrick Rea, who directed Wrong Number in June 2012. screenwriter in the first place? Though her book got favorable “It was a life-altering experience. I got to see how the film reviews, it was clear that novels were not going to be her future. evolved from the filming stage to the editing stage to the addi“I happened across some screenwriting workshops in KC,” she tion of the music composition and how all that marries together says. “I had this story I wanted to tell that I thought might work to make this beautiful piece,” she says. She was hooked. well as a screenplay.” She didn’t have any formal writing instrucFrom there she has gone on to craft stories and collaborate tion. She did her best, though, to put her story in proper screen- with others to create more films. She was also recently inductcontinued > play format and then took it to a BlueCat Screenplay workshop, which was founded by writer and KU grad, Gordy Hoffman, brother of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

“I didn’t know how bad that first screenplay was until I proAmber Rapp’s films have a kind of Alfred Hitchcock/ gressed a little further in my journey,” Rapp recalls. “Gordy HoffAgatha Christy feel. man was so encouraging, guiding me in how it should be struc“Dark comedy is my forte. That’s what I like to tured, where the holes were, what direction I should be taking. write, watch on TV. I love Castle, stories with a dark The feedback I got encouraged me there was a nugget I should sense of humor and irony,” she says. pursue.” The workshop also revealed something else.

Filmography

2014 Good Conduct (producer) GLOW (in process)

2013 I Do (executive producer, writer, actor) The Hourglass Figure (co-writer)

2012 Wrong Number (executive producer, writer, actor)

At home with her family, Samuel (10), Vanessa (8), Joseph (6) and husband, Jeremy.

Rapp says hers is really also the story of Kansas City Women in Film & Television, a caring group committed to supporting filmmakers. For more information, visit KCWIFT.com.

March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 43

it’s a rapp!

(continued)

ed as president of KCWIFT. Her latest project is a KCWIFT documentary she’s helping Annie Walsh create through KCWIFT’s first Missouri Arts Council grant the two applied for and won. The film is called GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) about an urban Kansas City non-profit.

All the while these dreams were manifesting, Rapp drove kids to school and back three times a day, planned birthday parties, helped with homework, cooked dinners, packed up her family and moved to acreage south of Kansas City…and their son got diagnosed with autism.

“During that time the filmmaking really gave me an outlet because my days were filled with going through the motions but I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she says. Having the support of friends and family makes balancing it all possible.

“I spend a lot of time in the car because my kids go to private Christian school, so I do a lot of things over the phone,” she explains. “The great thing about KCWIFT is they get it. We are women and have so many roles to fill, even if you don’t have kids.”

She encourages women to pursue their interests.

“Giving time to our dreams is a source of self esteem. It makes you happier. And when you’re happy you exude that to everyone around you. I pursue my passion because it makes me feel better

about me, and when I do, that overflows into everything else in my life: parenting, marriage, volunteering.”

“The last couple years have just been amazing,” she says. “I haven’t given up on the idea that I will be a novel writer, but right now I’m getting so much satisfaction from screenwriting and filmmaking, and being part of that community.”

On the movie set for Masterpiece, co-directed with Meagan Flynn. Also pictured is Michele Taylor, makeup artist and stylist.

AMBER winks and smiles, turns and walks into the sunset with her family.

(Article writer made that part up.)

FADE TO BLACK. (Because this is definitely NOT THE END for Amber Rapp.)

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46 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

welve-year-old Jeffrey Owen Hanson decided to give his optic glioma a name: CLOD. Intentionally dull, slow and non-threatening. Like a clod of dirt. Not something as serious as the brain tumor that was slowly robbing him of his eyesight, and stealing his parents’ hopes and dreams for their only child’s future.

CLOD taught the Kansas family many life lessons throughout the seven years that followed. They learned that it was not the challenge (CLOD), but rather Jeff’s response to the challenge, that defined him.

To pass the time during chemotherapy, young Jeffrey painted watercolor note cards and sold them at his driveway bake sale, “Jeff’s Bistro,” to raise money for charity and for his own needs. In the years that followed, both his philanthropic spirit and his artistic abilities began to blossom, despite his low vision.

Considering himself as only an “accidental artist in a backwards business,” Jeff transitioned from watercolor note cards to acrylics on canvas.

Jeff donated his paintings to charity auctions, and his exposure as an artist grew exponentially. Today, business magnate and philanthropist Warren Buffett has a Jeffrey Owen Hanson painting hanging in his home. Entertainer Elton John asked Jeffrey to paint a series of works for an Elton John AIDS Foundation sponsored African orphanage. Another lesson learned: generosity begets generosity.

Lessons From CLOD was written by Jeffrey’s father, Hal Hanson, an emergency

room physician, who, up until his son’s cancer diagnosis, had been very much in control of his life, his career and his future. The book, which is available through Amazon.com as an e-reader or hardbound, takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows following a pediatric illness, offering a road map to lead beyond adversity.

Now 20 years old, Jeffrey Owen Hanson has earned a reputation not only as a renowned artist, but also as a most generous philanthropist. Through direct contributions and his paintings donated and auctioned for charity, Jeffrey generated $1 million for charity by his 20th birthday.

ONE MILLION BY 20!

Lessons From CLOD is the story of what one visually impaired kid from Kansas can do. A kid with contagious generosity, setting an example for individuals and corporations to become more philanthropic – to change our world. A kid who responded to a challenge and redefined himself. Jeffrey Owen Hanson is defined by art, philanthropy and entrepreneurship. Not as the kid down the street who lost his vision to a brain tumor.

For more information about Jeffrey Owen Hanson, visit JeffreyOwenHanson.com.

© 2012 Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser® Beer, St. Louis, MO The stylized no. 29 and the RCR checkered flag logo are registered trademarks of RCR Enterprises, LLC. The name, likeness, signature of Kevin Harvick and the Kevin Harvick, Incorporated, logo are registered trademarks of Kevin Harvick, Incorporated, and are used under license from Kevin Harvick, Incorporated. All trademarks and the likeness of the no. 29 race car are used under license from their owners.

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introducing

Kaye Lynn Acton real wives of lee’s summit Q: Who/what lives in your house?

A: My husband Larry; our son Andrew, a senior at LSN; Maddy, a first grader, Austin a two year old; Cocoa our chocolate lab and finally Jerri, our tabby cat.

Q: Do you work outside the home? If so, where?

A: I am a nurse, but work in the IT field supporting the software system clinicians use for HCA MidAmerica division. I also own the Lee’s Summit Jazzercise where I work with and teach with the most amazing group of women I’ve ever known.

Q: Are you a native Kansas Citian or transplanted to the area?

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Q: Do you have a favorite gadget or gizmo?

A: I’m secretly attached to my iPhone (well I suppose it’s not really a secret since I always have it with me!) I use it for work and play all day long.

Q: Share a unique fact about your life.

A: I’m the oldest of seven children. I am blessed to have the most incredible siblings ever. I’m not sure I would have said that as a kid, but I couldn’t live without them now.

And my favorite is getting to be an aunt three and a half times over on my family’s side plus two times on my husband’s side.

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Worship Time

Gathering to Worship at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church LSL: Tell us a bit about your church.

LSL: What are some of the missions you are involved with?

WCUM: “The church with the BIG green roof.” We hear that a lot. Indeed

WCUM:

we do have a somewhat large green roof but there is SO much more to us than our building. Our church hosts six worship services every Sunday morning: Sanctuary: 8:00, 9:05, 10:10 & 11:15 a.m. Worship Center: 9:05 & 10:10 a.m.

The Sanctuary hosts a mix of services – traditional to contemporary.

You are surrounded by traditional stained glass and pews. The Worship Center is completely contemporary live band, audio visuals fill the room.

You can even bring in your coffee. We really like the idea of giving our community the choice of the type of worship they want to experience.

Childcare is available during all services. Our Squirm & Giggle Room allows parents to enjoy the sermon while rocking or playing with their young ones.

52 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Missions is the heart of WCC. There are so many, from our Food Pantry to mission trips to Russia and Nicaragua.

A few years ago, we started a Harvesters BackSnack Program for kids in need of food after school and on the weekends; We now provide more than 175 backpacks each week.

Our church adopted the village of Los Pinos, Nicaragua. Last fall we sent an entire shipping container filled with basic needs.

We have ongoing trips scheduled and plan to assist in building 25 homes in 2014.

At the end of this month, we host our annual Prom Boutique… hundreds of dresses and accessories are collected throughout the year then set up like a huge department store for girls to come shop for FREE.

children, jewelry making, small group Bible studies and FREE fitness classes for all levels.

Men’s Ministry: Tuesday Morning Men’s Gathering for devotions, coffee, stories and pastries. There is also softball, a bowling league & basketball.

Fellowship Opportunities: Softball, tae kwon do, volleyball, Bible studies, book clubs, scrapbooking/crafts, playMission Statement: group, golf, frozen meals group, Connecting People to Jesus Christ landscape team. Care groups 4725 NE Lakewood Way are available for divorce, canLee’s Summit, MO 64064 cer, fibromyalgia, prayer, adop816.795.8848 tion, career guidance.

WoodsChapelChurch.org Music Ministry: Jazz band, Pastor Jeff Brinkman gospel choir, traditional chapel choir, handbells, children’s choirs for kids ages 3-6th grade, orchestra and praise bands.

Coffee Bar: Open every Sunday morning with lattes, smoothies, pastries and donuts.

Details

LSL: Tell us about some of your programs.

WCUM: Well,

we are literally running out of space in our article, so to be quick we will give you a brief highlight of our programs: Children’s Ministry: A life-size, parent-approved Tree House. Kids can check in on Sunday mornings beginning at 8:55 a.m. and enjoy some play time on the Tree House with slides and all. They will learn Bible stories while tasting food and enjoying skits with interactive learning. We also have Upward Basketball & Cheer, Family Movie Nights, a special Easter event, Vacation Bible School and more.

Student Ministry: Students hang out in a place we like to call the SMB (the Student Ministry Building). They have summer mission trips for junior and senior high, student-led Bible studies and special events over school breaks. There is also a club for 5th & 6th grades, Club 56.

In this on-going series we hope to introduce our readers to many area communities of faith. For details about a spotlight, contact KMathewson@LifestylePubs.com.

Women’s Ministry: We have a “mom’s only” mission group, social events, special speakers, daytime groups for moms with young

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Giving Back

Ronald McDonald House Charities Where families find comforts of home Article Judy Harper Goppert | Photography Provided

W

hen a child gets sick, the world stops. Parents are thrown into an unknown world of doctors, medical expenses and fear. That is where Ronald McDonald House Charities steps in and provides warmth and care in an impossibly difficult time.

With Children’s Mercy in our own back yard, those of us who live in the Kansas City metro area are lucky to have a world class children’s hospital available for any emergency or illness our children might experience. It is hard to imagine what it would be like to have to drive for hours, and take up residence to be near our child while he or she is treated for a chronic illness.

Holly Buckendahl, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, shares a story of one family who recently had to do just that.

“Chase is a sweet but mischievous six year old with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a cancer that targets his nerve tissue. He was diagnosed when he was just one, and he and his family have been staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC) on and off throughout his treatments,” she says. Chase’s family lives two hours away from Kansas City and he cannot get his needed treatment 54 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

anywhere else. RMCH-KC provides the family a suite that accommodates his medical needs, warm meals, a refreshing shower and support from the friends they’ve made at the House. “Most importantly, they don’t have to stay at a hotel or in their car when Chase is receiving his weekly treatments. They can fully focus on supporting Chase in his treatment and recovery because RMHC-KC takes care of the rest.”

Philadelphia Eagles football player Fred Hill, and his wife, Fran, started RMHC in 1973, and since then nearly 300 houses have been built worldwide. The Kansas City Chapter of RMHC was established by a group of volunteers in 1980 with the opening of the twenty-seventh house in 1981 with a capacity for 11 families. Today there are two houses adjacent to Hospital Hill in Kansas City. The Ronald McDonald House on Cherry Street, located at 2501 Cherry Street, opened in 1988. In 2006, RMHC increased its capacity to serve families when it opened a new Ronald McDonald House in Longfellow Park located at 2502 Cherry Street. Together, the Houses provide temporary lodging for 60 families each night while their children undergo vital medical care. Twelve suites at the Longfellow House serve immuno-suppressed children and their families.

“Our homes offer a warm and welcoming place to sleep, as well as full kitchen facilities, laundry facilities, living rooms and recreation areas to provide a homey environment where families may relax away from the stresses of the hospital and meet other families experiencing similar crises,” Buckendahl notes.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room, located within Children’s Mercy Hospital, opened its doors in March of 1997 bringing the com-

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BIRTHDAY PARTY forts of home inside the hospital, providing support and respite for in-patient pediatric families. The Family Room offers seven sleeping/napping rooms to families with patients in the Intensive Care Units, and a kitchen, showers, quiet room, family conversation area with television and a small reference library. The concept of a Ronald McDonald Family Room was pioneered in Kansas City and since its inception has spread to nearly 200 hospitals worldwide.

Buckendahl is excited about the fact that a third, 20-bedroom Ronald McDonald House will open in Kansas City. They are currently building and working on raising the funds necessary for this $4.5 million project.

“Our other goal this year is to raise the resources necessary to operate three Houses and the Family Room in Children’s Mercy Hospital – a $500,000 increase from years past,” she says. “We hope to do this through corporate giving, individual giving, estate gifts, events and foundations. We also rely on our two signature events, the Trent Green Golf Classic in June and The Red Shoe Shindig in September.”

RMHC-KC served more than 5,000 families last year, with an average stay of nine days per family. That number will increase by at least 1,000 in the years to come with the new House. With a small full-time staff, they are dependent on compassionate, dedicated volunteers who are sensitive to families’ needs.

Volunteers and donors come in so many different shapes and sizes.

One such giving guy is Lee’s Summit artist Jim Ware, who did a painting demonstration at an anniversary party for Lifestyle Publications last year. He sold his painting, Plaza Holidays, in a silent auction at the end of the party, with the money going to RMHC-KC. RMHC-KC has great need for volunteers and support: front desk staffing, assisting families, housekeeping, hospitality and donating bedding supplies like blankets, bedspreads and mattress covers.

Volunteer groups are needed to provide meals for families, and assistance is always needed for large projects such as yard work, gardening, painting, window cleaning and basement organizing/cleaning.

Or join the Red Shoe Society and lend your creativity to fundraising.

Visit RMHCKC.org for volunteer forms and answers to questions.

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Home Matters

Come Clean this Spring Article Heather Trent Beers

S

hake away winter doldrums and welcome sunny days with spring cleaning! Before you hit the bike trails, though, add this task to bust clutter: Ditch expired drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides a convenient and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) started the program in 2009 to educate the public about medication abuse and to safeguard the water supply by offering a way to get rid of old and unwanted medications.

Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., members of the community can safely leave expired or unneeded over-the-counter and prescription medicines with police officers at designated drop-off sites. Lee’s Summit CARES, whose mission is, in part, to help “the community to significantly reduce substance abuse,” coordinates the event with the Lee’s Summit Police Department. According to the DEA, Lee’s Summit’s Take-Back event was second by weight in Missouri in April 2013.

Drop-off locations this year include Hy-Vee (Ward and Rice roads), Price Chopper (Woods Chapel Road and Greenwich Drive), John Knox Village (The Manhattan Room at Chipman Road), St. Luke’s East Hospital (The Diagnostic Center at St. Luke’s Boulevard), and Lee’s Summit Medical Center (the main entrance lobby at Blue Parkway). Both hospitals will offer drive-through service for people who don’t want to leave their cars.

Monica Meeks, program coordinator for Lee’s Summit CARES, says, “Sign up for our electronic newsletter at LSCares.org. We will include any Take-Back location updates in the April e-newsletter and will also post it on our Lee’s Summit CARES Facebook page.”

An officer with the Lee’s Summit Police Department suggests these tips: 1. Plan ahead. Gather medications in a storage container such as a grocery bag and store them safely prior to drop off.

2. If possible, leave medications in original containers. That way there is less chance of little pills falling out or spilling before disposal. Removing personal information from labels is not necessary.

56 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

The DEA seals, secures and incinerates each drop box within a few days. Neither police officers nor the DEA count or keep records of drugs turned in. The process is completely anonymous. Just seal it, drop it off and be done.

3. Do not bring needles, lancets or syringes. The officer suggests placing these in an empty laundry detergent bottle, sealing it with the lid, and disposing with regular trash.

4. Other items not accepted include thermometers; bloody or infectious waste; hydrogen peroxide or business/hazardous material waste; and aerosol cans. Inhalers are accepted, however, since DEA incinerators are made for combustible material.

5. Offer to help gather expired medications for elderly family members or friends who can’t make the event. Flushing medications down the drain or toilet is never recommended. Meeks says, “Between spring and fall Take-Back dates, remove medications from their containers and mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter.

This makes them unpalatable to pets and children. Then throw the sealed bag in the trash.”

So, this spring, definitely take time to pump up the bicycle tires and repair the lawn mower, but also clear out old medicines. Spread the news: April 26 is a day to make your home cleaner and safer.

Then get out there and soak up that long-hoped-for sun.

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Parent’s Corner

Take a Spring Break from Social Media Removing the Digital Mask Article Ryan Rosser

T

hroughout schools, hammers thunder against their bells, signaling the day’s end. Excited hands shove books into bags.

And feet scurry out of classrooms, down crowded corridors and through doors marked “exit.”

It’s Spring Break, a time for children and teens to do anything but learn.The very title of this venerable vacation week expresses rejuvenated life through separation from stress. Homework can wait.

They’ll disconnect from their studies, but remain connected online. Unless your teens unplug from their digital persona they’ll continue to be entrenched in gossip, drama, and image. The pressure to remain connected is 24/7. You can take the kid out of the school hall, but you can’t take the school hall out of the kid.

Profile pictures portray the best of us. Friend counts, like counts, comments and shares place a numeric value on self-worth.

And a driving need for attention flaunts photos best kept private.

But promoting a false or not-quite-true image actually isolates us from one another. The eventual outcome is loneliness. This is true regardless of apparent confidence or ability. Social media,

58 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

therefore, is a misnomer. It fails as a medium for true social interconnectivity. It’s depressing. Literally.

Our social persona feels vital to our survival. It’s no wonder most teens balk and fight when asked to unplug. But despair not ye parents of burgeoning millenials, for there is a solution! Here are six steps to help you and your teens navigate the social media mine field this Spring Break.

1. Communicate early and often. Invite your teens into creating a plan to unplug. Empower them to make wise choices. Take unplugging for a test run before Spring Break. National Day of Unplugging is March 8. Join the movement at NationalDayOfUnplugging.com.

2. Turn off the tech. It’s difficult to unplug, but it can be done. Set limits. Here are some to try: No tech until noon. No tech in the evenings. No tech on Wednesday. No tech at the dinner table.

Charge your portable devices in the kitchen overnight. Keep them out of the bedrooms. Unplugging can include social video games

and television for your vitamin D-deprived child. Whatever unplugging looks like for your family, be consistent.

3. Turn on creativity. Give your kids an artistic gift. Is Instagram your child’s favorite? Give them a bag full of disposable cameras. Does your kid prefer Facebook?

Moleskine journals and good pens are a great combo for keeping track of low-tech status updates. Give them a reason to unplug, and get creative!

4. Engage the world. The tech may be off, but that doesn’t mean friendships have to be put on hold. Gather a few of their best buds, grab a Frisbee and prepare a picnic. They’ll laugh out loud as their digital emoticons become real-life, actual smiles. Craft the stories they’ll share when asked, “What did you do for Spring Break?”

5. Encourage their inner qualities.

Break the mask. Compliment the qualities and gifts that go unseen. Your nerdy kid knows they’re smart. Your athletic kid knows they’ve got game.

Recognize the hard work it’s taken to get them there. No one has a greater potential to call out the truth more than an engaged parent.

6. Do it together. You’re a family. A team.

Be willing to accept the same boundaries for yourself that you ask of your child. Turning off the tech isn’t punishment. It’s a recalling of family and friends together. When you choose to disengage social media for yourself along with your teen, you send a bold message: They’re worth engaging.

It won’t be long before books are removed from bags, seats are taken and the break is over. So make this Spring Break count. Even without the retweets and friend requests.

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March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 59

Healthy Lifestyle

Spring Clean Your Skincare Routine D

epending on your skin type, winter months usually call for heavier skin care products (cream cleansers, creams versus lotions, moisturizing masks), but as the weather warms, it can be helpful to transition into lighter products. Give your skin a break and opt for light products that provide a deep clean and add radiance as well as protection.

•

Add a Cleansing Makeup Remover: Warm weather makes our skin more prone to breakouts, which means we need to take extra care in ensuring our faces are squeaky clean. Adding a step into our routine that removes all makeup before we cleanse (instead of just the makeup on our eyes) will give us a truly clean experience (bonus if the makeup remover also removes dirt and impurities.)

Try Merle Norman Cleansing Water Makeup Remover ($20, Merle Norman Studios, MerleNorman.com), which uses Micellar Water to dissolve makeup, dirt and impurities before cleansing

60 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

•

Switch to a Gel Cleanser: The addition of sun and sweat on your face

requires a cleanser that’s able to cut through such warm weather delights without drying out your skin. Often the rich textured ‘winter’ cleansers leave skin well nourished, but aren’t able to remove the environmental effects of warm weather like a gel cleanser can.

Try DECLÉOR Aroma Cleanse Fresh Purifying Gel ($27, DecleorUSA. com) to leave the skin clean, hydrated and radiant.

•

Change the Vitamins in your Serum: Many people reach for a Vitamin A-based serum in the winter – and for good reason. Vitamin A is one of anti-ageing’s most celebrated ingredients. But the catch is that it makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays. During the warmer months, swap out your serum for a Vitamin C-base variety with antioxidants – which will fight signs of premature aging caused by the drying effect of the sun and other environmental damage. Try ASAP Skin Products Super C Serum ($89, SkinStore.com) to boost collagen production, eliminate redness and encourage skin healing.

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Healthy Lifestyle

Your Mouth is Talking.

Are You Listening?

I

’ve always loved the slogan that the Missouri Dental Association used a few years ago for its oral health campaign: ‘Your Mouth Is Talking. Are You Listening?’ because it really is so important we listen to what our mouth—our oral health—may be telling us about the rest of our body, our total health. Many times we ignore what could be some important warning signs, and need to pay attention if we want to remain healthy. A sobering thought is that numerous study results have been published correlating the potential of periodontal (gum) disease to cardiac disease.

We can’t take a look at the inside of our chest, but we can our mouths. Are your gums sometimes red and irritated, and bleed when you brush? Do you have problems with bad breath? These are not definitive signs of a heart attack waiting to happen, but maybe your mouth is communicating a need to pay better attention to it. When we have such oral symptoms, it can be a sign of inflammation. Bacteria present in the mouth when inflammation is present can enter the blood stream and increase the risk for heart disease.

There are also other ramifications, or potential systemic issues, like an increased likelihood of stroke, and problems with diabetes management. Even in pregnant women, gum disease has the

62 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

potential to contribute to premature births and low birth weight.

In older adults, aspirational pneumonia can be a real problem, and some studies suggest that as many as 10 percent of deaths related to pneumonia may be caused by poor oral hygiene and oral bacteria.

The really good news is this is a preventable disease. You can do your part by brushing and flossing twice daily to improve your oral hygiene. It’s also important to have regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations to insure that you are maintaining good oral health, and receive any treatment necessary to keep your overall health intact. We are very fortunate in the Kansas City region to have many outstanding dental professionals–general practitioners, specialists, and dental hygienists–many of whom received their training at the UMKC School of Dentistry, which is one of the highest ranked dental schools in the nation.

For the sake of your health and well-being, listen to what your mouth may be telling you.

This healthful information provided by Merle A. Nunemaker, DDS, practicing with Sheila R. Jungmeyer, DDS PC & Associates. More information is available at JungmeyerDental.com.

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The Big Test Tutoring Benefits Two Area Students Article Judy Harper Goppert | Photography McKenna Mathewson & Provided

T

he ACT test is perhaps the most important way high school seniors secure scholarships and get into their select colleges.

No surprise students aspire to achieve the best score possible.

That is where Club Z! In-home Tutoring comes in. Club Z! is a one-on-one, in-home tutoring service. Coral McLaughlin, a senior at Lee’s Summit High School, and Bailey Horlander, a senior at Lee’s Summit West, both raised their text scores significantly after tutoring with Club Z!.

“Our Z! Prep includes 15 hours of tutoring, 7.5 hour of Math/Science and 7.5 English/Reading. Each student receives two tutors, one for Math/Science and one for English/Reading,” says Jayme Richardson, owner and area director. “Students meet with each tutor once a week for an hour and a half. Students are motivated by their homework scores as they go up every week. We have an ACT consultant that oversees the entire process and makes sure to use strategies that fit the students’ strengths, weaknesses, goals scores, super scores and scholarships. ACT scores are very random and are not always indicative of a student’s work ethic, classes taken, or GPA. Any student can score any score. We see so many students that are down on themselves because of their ACT score. Z! Prep is about beating the ACT. This year we designed our Club Z! Connect Program where we offer complimentary tutoring for elementary and high school students in need. In the high schools we offer a complimentary ACT Prep program. We call it the Z! Prep Connect. This year we awarded a Z! Prep Connect scholarship to each high school.”

Bailey is the daughter of Jim and Becky Horlander, and has one younger brother, Ben. An IB student at LS West, she was disappointed with her first ACT score and sought help.

“At first I was a little nervous,” says Bailey. “Club Z! helped me not only with my ACT score, but with my confidence. It was such

64 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

an amazing opportunity and my tutors were so kind. I am so glad I got to have this experience.”

Before Club Z! Bailey says she was scared to send in her ACT score for fear she would not be accepted to college. But after Club Z! tutoring, when she received her score she knew she could start applying without hesitation. She’s still considering college options and may run cross country on scholarship at Longview next year. She plans to major in graphic design and art history with a minor in business.

Coral is the daughter of Lori and Shawn McLaughlin. A National Honor Society student, she decided to join Club Z!, because she wanted to increase her ACT score and reduce her stress level.

“I also wanted a chance to be more prepared and study for the test,” she says. “I had already taken the test twice before with no help in studying and wasn’t able to change my score. But after Club Z! I improved my score by five points. I have been accepted to Drury University in Springfield.”

Coral plans to major in international political science.

Richardson says these two students are excellent examples of Club Z!’s effectiveness.

“Bailey and Coral both have excellent grades, take IB courses and have very high GPAs, however their ACT scores did not reflect this. Both girls had taken the test many times and were not happy with their scores.” Our Z! Prep Connect scholarship will be an annual scholarship awarded to a senior at each high school in the Lee’s Summit School District.”

Club Z! has served the Lees’ Summit community for eight years and is a Lee’s Summit School district business partner.

To find out more, visit ClubZTutoring.com.

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Hometown Heros

Real-Life Monuments Men Part of Nelson-Atkins History

Paul Gardner - Director

Laurence Sickman 1943

Legislation Would Award Congressional Gold Medals Photography courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Archive

A

s excitement has been building for the release of the Sony film The Monuments Men, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art applauds six real-life Monuments Men who either worked in or closely with the museum. Monuments men and women, commissioned by Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, were tasked with the protection, recovery and preservation of millions of Europe’s masterpieces during the Nazi occupation.

“The men and women involved in this selfless effort to keep art objects safe during a dangerous time in history showed immense courage,” says Julián Zugazagoitia, CEO and Director of the Nelson-Atkins. “We are deeply in their debt for preserving these treasures for humanity.”

The Bloch Lobby will host an archival materials display that includes postcards, manuscripts, newspaper clippings and biographies of the Nelson-Atkins’ Monuments Men. “My research has shown that these six men brought to their military duties the same passion for art and culture that made them so valuable to the Nelson-Atkins,” says MacK66 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

enzie Mallon, a researcher in the European Painting & Sculpture Department. “They took their responsibilities as protectors of these monuments very seriously.”

The museum employed four of the Monuments Men and maintained strong ties with two others. Paul Gardner, the first director of the Nelson-Atkins, served as director of the Fine Arts Section of the Allied Military Government in Italy. Another former director, Laurence Sickman, was assigned to General MacArthur’s Tokyo headquarters after the Japanese surrender and served as a technical advisor on collections and monuments, making trips to China and Korea to assess the level of damage to monuments in those countries. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his war services.

The first curator of European Art at the museum, Patrick J. Kelleher, served as the head of the Greater Hesse Division of the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section. Otto Wittmann, Jr., the first curator of Prints for the museum, was part of the OSS Art Looting and Investigation Unit.

Langdon Warner served as the Asian art

advisor to the Trustees of the Nelson-Atkins in 1930, and was a close colleague of Sickman.

He helped found the American Defense – Harvard Group, a precursor of the Roberts Commission, Roosevelt’s task force. James A. Reeds served with the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section in France in 1944.

He taught linguistics at University of Missouri at Kansas City and served as a docent for the Nelson-Atkins.

During World War II, the Nelson-Atkins served as a safe house for more than 150 paintings and tapestries from collections on the East and West coasts.

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt from Missouri recently introduced a bipartisan bill that would award Congressional Gold Medals to all 350 of the men and women referred to as Monuments Men. The Monuments Men, starring George Clooney and Matt Damon, was released nationally in February. The film is based on the book The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel.

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Pastoral was painted in 1940 by Ted Gillen. Often mistaken for WPA art, these type of murals—which were installed in post offices across the country—were actually commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Section of Painting and Sculpture.

Established in 1934, its purpose was to place high-quality art in public buildings. This mural currently hangs in the former Post Office at 220 SW Main, Downtown Lee’s Summit—the future home of the Lee’s Summit Historical Museum.

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©2013 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ™, ®, and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP. Products distributed in the USA by BRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right to discontinue or modify product models, features or price at any time. Not all riding conditions are appropriate for inexperienced or beginner riders. Always ride safely and responsibly. *Excludes freight, delivery charges, taxes and registration fees. 2107360

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Our Lady of the

Presentation School

Open Enrollment begins March 3, 2014 Call for a Tour Our Lady of the Presentation School 150 NW Murray Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 816-251-1150

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“Lee’s Summit’s Catholic School”

March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 67

S pe a k i ng Ou t A gainst A merican’ s Sil ent Ca ncer

ASK THE DOCTORS

More than 50,000 Americans die from colorectal cancer each year, yet a simple screening can help prevent it. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the board-certified physicians at Summit Gastronenterology are experts in the care of colon cancer and its prevention.

(L toR:) Richard Lozoff, M.D., Mallory Grassmuck M.S., R.D., L.D., Amy Waller APRN, Todd Kilgore M.D., Frank Totta D.O., Andrea Gray APRN-BC, Mary Lynne Lucido M.D., Jeffrey L. Schlachter, D.O., Kit Bartalos D.O.

Q: No one in my family has had colorectal cancer.

Do I still need a screening?

Yes. Only 10 to 20 percent of patients who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer have a family history. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States and it’s a silent killer that almost never presents with symptoms. Unlike lung, prostate and breast cancers, colorectal cancer has polyps as an identifiable precursor for cancer. If we find polyps during a colonoscopy, we remove them endoscopically.

Q: At what age should I get my first screening and how frequently do I repeat screenings?

For healthy men and women with no family history of colorectal cancer, we recommend your first screening at age 50, or age 45 for African American patients. If a family member has had the disease, your screenings should begin 10 years prior to the age when that person was first diagnosed; so if your mother was diagnosed at age 45, your screenings start at age 35.

The frequency of screenings depends on initial findings. If your initial screening reveals no polyps and you have no family history of the disease, you may not have another screening for 10 years.

Trust us. Let us take a look.

Schedule your colonoscopy soon.

Q: What are polyps?

Polyps are an overgrowth of abnormal tissue in the colon. Think of it as a skin tag. Some are benign, but almost all of them have pre-cancer potential.

There are multiple types of polyps and we cannot determine which might become cancerous or at what rate. Regardless of the type, we remove them and send them out for biopsy. The biopsy tells us what type of polyp it is and helps us determine further recommendations. It’s also worth noting that approximately 25 to 30 percent of patients who receive a screening colonoscopy will have precancerous polyps. That’s 1 in 3 or 4.

Q: What is preparation like for a colonoscopy?

Patients are put on a clear liquid diet 24 hours before the procedure and they do a bowel preparation; typically that involves consuming 64 ounces of a liquid laxative to completely flush the system. While most patients will tell you that is the worst part of the experience, it’s critical to the success of the screening.

SUMMIT GASTROENTEROLOGY

Q: What discomfort might I experience after the colonoscopy?

It’s painless. Summit Gastroenterology performs colonoscopies under sedation, and when a patient awakes from the procedure, there’s no physical evidence or discomfort to suggest they’ve had a screening. Some patients experience a little gas after the procedure. Good news is that to prevent gas, Summit Gastroenterology uses carbon dioxide to inflate the colon to diffuse the gas, so the discomfort is gone by the time patients awake from the procedure.

Q: What are the key preventative measures for colorectal cancer?

As with all cancers, keeping a healthy lifestyle is key to reducing your risk. Your best way to reduce the risk of developing polyps is to maintain a healthy, high-fiber diet, exercise and no smoking.

Q: What if my insurance won’t pay for a colonoscopy?

Most, if not all, insurance providers cover initial screenings. We now have insurance companies calling patients saying, “You’re 50 and we’ve noticed you haven’t had a colonoscopy.”

Initial screenings are covered almost universally by insurance and Medicare or Medicaid.

15.6 million Americans are at risk for colorectal cancer.

Those who find it early can beat it.

The physicians, nurses and staff at Summit Gastroenterology are committed to providing our community with world-class care, close to home and the resources, tools and services to ensure a better quality of life. As part of our vision, we are proud to answer any questions you may have. Call us at (816) 554-3838 to discuss options and schedule your appointment.

110 NE Saint Luke’s Blvd., Suite 530 Lee’s Summit, Missouri • (816) 554-3838 SummitGI.com

Richard Lozoff, M.D. Jeffrey Schlachter, D.O. Frank Totta, D.O. Mary Lynne Lucido, M.D. Kit Bartalos, D.O. Todd Kilgore, M.D.

Summit Lifestyle_History Hope.indd 70 Lees Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | and March 2014 1

2/6/14 2:18 PM

Sold Properties

Recently SOLD Lee’s Summit Properties neighborhood

original list

sold $$ %sold/orig

dom*

bdrms full/half bath

floorplan

Eagle Creek

$225,000

$220,000

98%

39

3

2/1

1

Villas at Summit Ridge

$229,900

$225,000

98%

133

2

2/0

0

Raintree Lake

$239,900

$238,000

99%

81

4

3/1

1

Summit Wood

$250,000

$233,000

93%

21

4

4/1

1

Lakewood

$258,000

$243,000

94%

138

4

2/2

2

Golden Fields

$273,000

$273,000

100%

0

4

2/1

1

Parkwood at Stoney Creek

$274,950

$274,950

100%

279

4

2/1

1

Bellmont Farms

$285,000

$277,500

97%

32

4

3/1

1

Arborwalk

$291,384

$291,384

100%

0

3

2/0

0

Arbores

$297,500

$285,000

96%

106

4

3/1

1

Lakewood

$325,000

$327,000

101%

289

4

3/1

1

Deer Valley Estates

$325,000

$304,000

94%

228

4

3/0

0

Lochkirk

$325,000

$312,000

96%

38

4

2/1

1

Legacy Wood

$329,900

$329,900

100%

0

5

4/1

1

Dalton’s Ridge

$339,900

$359,345

106%

0

4

3/1

1

Fairfield Woods

$345,000

$335,000

97%

115

4

3/0

0

Woodland Shores

$359,900

$340,000

94%

202

3

3/0

0

Chapman Farms-The Shores

$366,580

$377,937

103%

0

4

3/2

2

Paddock at Richardson Ranch

$380,000

$366,000

96%

68

4

4/1

1

Summit Wood

$404,061

$414,200

103%

0

4

3/2

2

$412,413

$412,413

100%

0

5

3/1

1

Winterset Valley New Longview

$452,000

$497,244

110%

0

5

4/1

1

Winterset Park

$465,000

$465,000

100%

79

4

4/1

1

Raintree Lake

$520,000

$465,000

89%

97

3

3/1

1

Woodland Shores

$539,900

$539,900

100%

0

4

3/1

1

Toni Tygart

Information obtained from Heartland MLS for the period of 01/1/14 to 01/31/14. *DOM=Days on Market.

“Real Estate is my business...

Lee’s Summit is my home.”

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www.ToniTygart.com March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 71

Driver's Notebook

Buick’s Sub-Compact Encore is a GM First Article and Photography Tom Strongman

T

he Buick Encore is the opposite of what one imagines a utility vehicle to be. It is short and stubby, downright tiny compared to most utility vehicles.

Buick, once known for full-size cars with big engines, is after a young audience with the sub-compact Encore because older, traditional Buick buyers would surely think it too small. The Encore looks to be among those on the leading edge of a trend toward smaller-than-compact utility vehicles. Competitors include the Mini Countryman and the Fiat 500L. My first thought, after a recent visit to Italy, was that the Encore would be right at home in the cramped quarters of Europe.

Apparently, so does General Motors, because it sells versions overseas under the Vauxhall and Opel badges.

The Encore, based on the Chevy Sonic platform, seems to be the epitome of downsizing. Originally, most sport-utility vehicles were based on pickup trucks with body-on-frame construction, but the quest to cut weight and improve efficiency led to crossover vehicles that were car-based.

My reaction to the little Buick left me a bit confused. It was quiet and solid, and it rode surprisingly well considering the short wheelbase. The Premium test car had a long list of convenience items, including a heated steering wheel and dual-zone climate control, but it needs more power and a bigger cargo hold.

Base prices for the 2013 models start at $24,200 for front-wheel

72 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

drive and $25,700 for all-wheel drive. There are four trim levels.

An all-wheel-drive Premium model tops out at $32,230 and that seems like a lot for a vehicle this size.

The 2014 model is available with blind-zone monitoring and cross-traffic alert for the rearview camera.

The Encore is surprisingly tight and solid. Wind and road noise have been nicely muted, and the turbocharged, 1.4-liter engine goes about its business with hardly a sound. With 138 horsepower, the engine has modest performance, and I sometimes wished for more power while accelerating onto the freeway. A full load of passengers would certainly zap acceleration.

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Driver’s Notebook

(continued)

Front-wheel drive is standard, and the optional all-wheel drive system shifts power to the rear wheels only at low speeds.

One reason the car is so quiet is because Bose Active Noise Cancellation uses ceiling mounted microphones to detect engine noise while a computer issues counteracting sound waves through the audio speakers.

The upsloping beltline and smallish rear side windows make the vehicle look tall and a bit disproportionate, but the style grows more familiar with each passing day. I expected the back seat to feel closed in because of the small windows, but I didn’t feel that way.

The front seats were not especially comfortable and the cabin is pretty narrow. Rear-seat legroom is better than I expected for a car with such a short wheelbase. Buick says six full grocery bags will fit with the back seat upright.

Folding the split back seat to expand cargo space was a bit tricky. The bottom seat cushions have to be tilted forward before the back can fold, and the headrests interfered with the back of the front seats. The front passenger seat back folds forward to accommodate long items.

The test car had leather seats (heated in front), Bluetooth for phone and music, rear-view camera, tilt steering column, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, anti-lock brakes, traction control, vehicle stability control and 10 airbags.

The instrument panel had easily readable gauges, upscale textures and an array of nicely designed buttons on the center stack.

A seven-inch screen displays audio and navigation information.

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The test car’s base price was $28,190. Options included 18-inch chrome wheels, navigation system with AM-FM-satellite radio and carbon black paint. The sticker price was $30,925.

Price

Four years or 50,000 miles with a sixyear, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Warranty

Buick Encore Premium

1.4-liter, 138-horsepower four-cylinder Transmission: Six-speed automatic Front-wheel drive Wheelbase: 100.6 inches Curb weight: 3,190 pounds Base price: $28,190 As driven: $30,925 MPG rating: 25 city, 33 highway Engine:

At A Glance

I am surprised that GM’s smallest utility vehicle is a Buick. The Encore has decent passenger space and is quiet and well-equipped. The four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission deliver good fuel economy.

Point:

Counterpoint: The Encore has to plow new marketing ground to reach Buick buyers. Cargo space is fairly small, and a loaded, allwheel-drive model seems pretty pricey given the vehicle’s size.

Test drive the new Buick Encore at Dave Cross Motors, now located at 1101 NW Blue Parkway.

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Lifestyle Calendar

March

MARCH 7-9

March 15

SPRING OPEN HOUSE

Emerald Isle Parade

DOWNTOWN

Downtown

Get excited for spring by shopping in Downtown Lee’s Summit.

Merchants will introduce new items for spring 2014. Customers also can enter to win a Downtown Lee’s Summit shopping spree. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. DowntownLS.org

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by enjoying this annual parade featuring floats, walking groups, Irish dancers, musicians and more.

Other activities include an Irish Breakfast and Gold Coin Hunt for children. New this year is the Blarney Brew Off, a home-brew competition and tasting. DowntownLS.org

March 8 Lee’s Summit Symphony

March 15

Spring Classic

Head Shave for

Lee’s Summit High School

Hope House

The Symphony performs its Spring Classic Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Lee’s Summit HyVee stores until noon on the day of the concert or online until 6 p.m. the night before each concert (subject to availability). All remaining tickets will be available at the door prior to the performance. Or, visit LSSymphony.com.

Lee’s Summit

To raise funds for Hope House, participants agree to have their head shaved by the highest bidder.

Nick Swearngin, organizer. For information on donating, visit FirstGiving. com/hopehouse. Event follows the Emerald Isle Parade. Head shaving and silent auction held at Lee’s Summit Fire Fighter’s Association, 322 SE Douglas. HopeHouse.net/headshave

March 9-17 (Spring Break)

March 15

St. Paddy’s Week

Independence

Paradise Park

Enjoy a fun filled afternoon including lunch and a preview of the latest spring fashions from Alissa’s. A fundraiser for the continued estate preservation and presentation of the beautiful Bingham-Waggoner Estate.

Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.; lunch at noon. $25. Make reservations by calling 816.461.3491.

Irish eyes are a-smiling. St. Paddy’s week kicks off Spring Break at Paradise Park. Discover tons of leprechaun-approved fun and springthemed adventures as the outdoor attractions open up for another merry season of magical entertainment.

March 13-16

Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show

Kansas City Fashion Week

March 18

Union Station

Polar Obsession

Kansas City Fashion Week’s fifth consecutive showcase in the historic Union Station showcases more than 33 designers. This season is a sure fire show stopper of the 2014 Fall/Winter collections. KCFashionWeek.com

Kauffman Center

76 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

A photojournalist exploring Earth’s most remote and extreme environments, Paul Nicklen faces incredible hardships and personal danger in pursuit of intimate and powerful images of iconic wildlife. Program starts at 7:30 p.m. KauffmanCenter.org

March 2014 | Lee’s Summit Lifestyle 77

March 27-April 13

April 4

Bernstein’s Broadway

Park University Van Cliburn

Crown Center

Tribute Concert

The Off Center Theater presents a salute to America’s most gifted composer, Leonard Bernstein. Featuring West Side Story, Candide and more.

MusicalTheaterHeritage.com.

Kauffman Center

March 28 Fourth Friday

Don’t miss the 10th anniversary celebration of Park University’s International Center for Music. The debut concert for the ICM at Kauffman Center features international artists Stanislav Ioudenitch and Behzod Abduraimov in a touching homage to Cliburn, a treasured American pianist who passed away in 2013. Tickets at Kauffman Box Office, 816.994.7222 or KauffmanCenter.org.

Downtown

Explore downtown Lee’s Summit for art, music and theatre events.

Visit participating businesses and restaurants for cultural art fun.

April 5 Eagle Egg 5K/Run/Walk Summit Christian Academy

Summit Christian Academy (SCA) will be hosting the 5th Annual Eagle Egg 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. including a kid’s Easter Egg hunt, free food and a variety of fun children’s activities and games. EagleEgg5k.com

March 28 HBA Home Show Bartle Hall

A 66-year tradition, the Home Show together with the Flower, Lawn and Garden Show showcases new opportunities and choices for homeowners to get a jump on spring home and garden projects. This year HGTV Dream Home Giveaway Host Monica Pedersen shares her interior design expertise. Don’t miss this event! KCHomeShow.com.

March 28, 29, April 4-6 Summit Theatre Group Presents “Boeing Boeing” MCC LONGVIEW

A comedy directed by Adam Arterbridge. One bachelor in the 1960s and his fiancés--all of whom are stewardesses on different airlines on different time schedules until one fateful day when they all land in New York at the same time.

78 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Lee’s Summit Community Calendar Do you have a free weekend and find yourself looking for something to do? Are you planning a special event or festival? Check out LSTourism.com for a comprehensive list of community events.

If your group is planning an event, check here first to make sure it doesn’t conflict with other local happenings.

If you listed your home today,

would you get its maximum value?

If you’re unsure, talk to Frank.

He’s Lee’s Summit’s expert in maximizing the value of your home.

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REALTOR®

816.875.1711 | successx10@yahoo.com

Platinum Partners 1201 NE Windsor Drive Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated.

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o

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Art & Photography Portrait Gallery (816) 461-5400 portraitgallery.com

Automotive

Dave Cross Motors (816) 524-3636 davecrossmotors.com Executive Automotive (816) 524-6100 executiveautomotive.com Lee’s Summit Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep,Ram (913) 687-8041 leessummitdodgechryslerjeep.com

Child Camps, Care & Tutoring

Club Z & Home Tutoring (816) 965-0090 clubztutoring.com

Community Events & Organizations City of Lee’s Summit (816) 969-1000 cityofls.net

80 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce (816) 524-2424 yourstrulyls.com Lee’s Summit Rotary (816) 524-0923 lsrotary.com

Dentists & Orthodontics

Sheila R. Jungmeyer DDS, PC & Associates (816) 554-1600 jungmeyerdental.com Spencer & Spencer (816) 607-6000 spencerdental.com

Dry Cleaners

Ross Miller Dry Cleaning (816) 554-6656 rossmillercleaners.com

Education

Our Lady Of Presentation School (816) 251-1150 olplsschool.org Park University (816) 746-2579 park.edu/enroll Summit Christian Academy (816) 525-1480 summit-christian-academy.org

Entertainment & Recreation Kansas City Zoo (816) 513-5800 jazzookc.org

Lee’s Summit Parks and Rec (816) 969-1500 lsparks.net Paradise Park (816) 246-5224 paradise-park.com Reno’s Power Sports KC (816) 942-8900 renoscanam.com The Nelson-Atkins Museum (816) 751-1286 nelson-atkins.org Xtreme Gymnastics & Training (816) 347-8008 xtremefamilyfitnesskc.com

Fashion & Accessories

Meierotto Midwest Jewelers (816) 453-1111 mjewelry.com Once Upon a Child (816) 246-8539 onceuponachildleessummit.com Revive (816) 554-2252 reviveleessummit.com

Rodgers The Diamond Store (816) 525-6061 rodgersdiamonds.com

Financial Services & Planning Edward Jones 1-(800) ED-JONES edwardjones.com

RBC Wealth Management/Haynes & Woodward (913) 451-3572 rbcwnfa.com/ hayneswoodwardinvgrp

Florists

Alissa’s Flowers & Interiors (816) 254-7727 alissasflowers.com

Grocery

Cosentino’s Food Stores (913) 749-1616

Health & Wellness

Awaken Whole Life Center (816) 565-4017 awakenwholelifecenter.com Jazzercise of Lee’s Summit (816) 551-0627 The Center For Rheumatic Disease (816) 531-0930 centerforrheumatic.com

Home Builders & Remodelers

Dill Enterprises Inc. (816) 554-3455 dillenterprises.com

Home Design & Furnishings

A&M Home Furnishings (913) 438-3868 amhomefurnishings.com Frontier Furniture, LLC (913) 897-8995 frontierfurniturellc.com Guthrie-Stoddard Inc. d/b/a Budget Blinds of Lee’s Summit (816) 554-7779 budgetblinds.com/leessummit Seasonal Concepts (913) 642-4999 seasonalconceptsonline.com

Home Services

HOME Window Cleaning, LLC (816) 284-6189 letthelifeshinein.com KC Wood (913) 422-3320 kcwood.com Midwest Lifetime Roof Systems (913) 393-3008 lifetimeroofsystems.com ProConcreteFX, LLC (816) 866-7239 proconcretefx.com

Sound Bytes KC (816) 525-8823 soundbyteskc.com

Summit Gastroenterology (816) 554-3838 summitgi.com

Insurance

Truman Medical Center-Lakewood (816) 404-6755 trumed.org

State Farm - Michael Chapman (816) 525-6868 trustchapman.com

Restaurants, Food & Beverage

County Beverage Company (816) 525-4550 beeresponsible.com

Salons & Spas

Le Cachet Lounge, LLC (913) 244-5771 lecachetlounge.com

Real Estate

Medical Clinics & Facilities

Gale Team (816) 808-3780

Bennett EyeCare Midwest (816) 454-2020 bennetteyecaremidwest.com

Keller Williams Platinum Partners LC (816) 875-1711 frankpaszkiewicz.yourkwagent.com

Community Blood Centers (816) 753-4040 savealifenow.org

Summit Plastic Surgery & Med Spa (816) 347-0026 drchhatre.com

Senior Living & Services

Foot Care Specialist (816) 246-4222 jfosterdpm.com

Renee Amey Team RE/MAX Elite (816) 795-2595 reneeamey.com

Lee’s Summit Medical Center (816) 282-5060 leessummitmedicalcenter.com

Summit East Plaza Apartments (816) 524-8222 summiteastapts.com

Simply Home Companion and Personal Care, LLC (816) 246-6300 simplyhomesenior.com

Mid America Rehab Hospital (913) 491-2400 midamericarehabhospital.com

The Carter Group Keller Williams Eastland Partners (816) 350-4455 choosecarter.com

Summit View Terrace (816) 763-6667 americareusa.net

Midwest Physicians/HCA Midwest Health System mymidwestphysician.com

Home Instead (816) 554-6166 homeinstead.com

Specialty Shops Cargo Largo (816) 350-6101 cargolargo.com

Toni Tygart Real Estate Group (816) 795-2500 tonitygart.com

Saint Luke’s East Hospital (816) 347-4660 saintlukeshealthsystem.org/ eastcancercare

Henry’s Antiques, Collectibles & Tea Room (816) 524-3992 henrystearoom.com

Religion

Woods Chapel United Methodist Church (816) 795-8848 woodschapelchurch.org

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Parting Thoughts

An Artist in the Hand Words Anne Potter Russ

I

thought I could just…become an artist. It looked that easy, at least in my house growing up, anyway. My dad had a degree in classical music theory and composition. He could play the piano, create pen and ink drawings, carve wood and do needlepoint. My mom earned her degree in theatre set designing. She could recite poetry, do needlepoint, write and draw, and had a wicked sense of humor. How could I not have inherited at least one of those skills?

Well, we were about to find out that sometimes genetics play cruel tricks on parents. For the next decade my father set out to discover my hidden talents. “I’m going to teach you to play the piano,” my dad beckoned. For some reason the grand piano had ended up in the basement, which I was convinced, was haunted by bears (don’t ask). So, trembling… down I went week after week with one piece of “easy” classical sheet music and my very impatient teacher. It took about a month to figure out that I didn’t know an ebony from an ivory and had no inclination to sort things out.

“Oil paints!” he excitedly pronounced as I opened my Christmas gift. I promptly spilled turpentine on my bedroom carpet. But, I was excited by the colors and the texture of the paint. Too bad the end result looked like a sea-sick cow on a brown farm with yellow spots.

“Sculpture, my dear…wax sculpture! That’s what we are going to do together, with a professional teacher!” Off we went, just me and my artistic genius dad, to see Elma – the premiere sculpture and painting teacher of the ‘70s. Little did I know that wax sculpture was an Olympic sport. We each received a heavy brown slab of hard wax, 82 Lee’s Summit Lifestyle | March 2014

over which we hung a light bulb with a wire cage to soften things up a bit. We cut, carved, smooshed and morphed the wax out of the slab and onto a wire form filled with paper towels. If I couldn’t paint a normal cow, how on earth was I supposed to make a head, a face and fine features out of ten pounds of hard wax? Meanwhile, Leonardo Da Vinci over there was refining the eyelashes of his creation. Elma was being tested at every turn, and really all I had to show for my efforts was a wax-encrusted light bulb that was surely a fire hazard.

I didn’t exactly fail sculpture, but let’s just say that the milkshakes after the evening lessons were the best part. So, three strikes later, I was practically deemed someone else’s child. My school art teacher didn’t have much more luck. My yarn-on-paper flower gave new meaning to the words, “gluey mess.” She didn’t even try to disguise her disgust. “Oh, honestly, Anne…can’t you keep the glue out of your classmates’ hair?”

Today, I appreciate the arts with the best of them. I am a proud supporter of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Quality Hill Playhouse, the Kansas City Symphony, The Kansas City Ballet, The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City Rep, The Jazz District at 18th and Vine, and The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum…just to name a few of our local treasures. I may not be capable of drawing a stick figure, but I can admire the talents of others. Oh, wait – I never tried interpretive dance…

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