Northland May 2015

Northland

MAY 2015

NorthlandLifestyle.com

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Is In The Air SURVIVING INFERTILITY THE APPLINGS' STORY JUDI'S BAKERY TEMPTS WITH TREATS FITTING IN 'THE DRESS' A FITNESS PRIMER

SPONSORED BY

A PART OF THE MOLLE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

FRIDAY | 05.15.2015 | 8 P.M. TICKETS STARTING AT $25.

Limited VIP tickets also available with premium seating and post-concert reception with the artist.

FOLLY THEATER Park University’s International Center for Music Artist-inResidence Behzod Abduraimov makes his eagerly awaited Kansas City recital debut in a program that showcases his remarkable talents. He will perform Chopin’s “Ballades No. 1-4,” Schubert’s “Impromptu” Op. 142 and the “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” by Liszt/Horowitz.

REMAINING CONCERT DATES

KINNOR PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA SIDE-BY-SIDE PERFORMANCE Sunday, April 19, 2015 – 3 p.m.

Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University Join us for a special collaboration with the Kinnor Philharmonic Orchestra featuring the 2014 Naftzger Young Artist Winner and International Center for Music cellist, Mansur Kadirov, in a performance of Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A minor, op. 129. Led by maestro Chris Kelts, the Kinnor Philharmonic Orchestra will also perform Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 with ICM string students performing alongside members of the orchestra.

Ticket Information:

YOUNG ARTIST SHOWCASE

General Admission: $15 advance online purchase ($20 at the door) Senior Citizens: $10 (age 60 and older) Students: $5 (with a valid Student ID) Park University students, faculty, staff and children (age 12 and under) are FREE.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.

Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, Park University A free concert highlighting the talents of the musicians enrolled in the International Center for Music. This concert is free but reservations are required.

Editor's Letter

Love is in the air!

W

ho doesn't love a wedding? As we march forward into wedding season (May through September now!), many brides are scrambling to put the finishing touches on guest lists, favor baskets and set lists. But marriage is more than the party that you throw for your nearest and dearest. It's a lifelong commitment to loving and learning with someone.

This month's issue is focused on more than just weddings and anniversaries, it's focused on the trials and celebrations that come with meeting your match. As Sarah Hopkins-Chery can attest, sometimes love finds you when you least expect it.

She met her husband at a party while they were both attending Park University. She's from England. He's from Haiti.

Their love story is one that includes learning about cultures, not just favorite bands or foods.

For Matt and Cheri Appling, the wedding was the easy part. When it came to having children, their faith and their marriage was tested as they worked through the trial that is infertility. By connecting with other couples undergoing the same situation, they found support and even wrote a book about their experiences.

Love, as the song says, is a many splendored thing. Its facets can never be explained or quantified, but when you meet that person, 'the one', you know that life will never be the same. To all the people who are searching, stay the course. Love is worth it.

And to those who have found it, keep the faith. Love is a garden. It takes careful tending to thrive, but the rewards are so rich.

MAY 2015 editor Rachel C. Murphy | RMurphy@LifestylePubs.com

sales director Michael Arel | MArel@LifestylePubs.com

advertising sales Marie King | MKing@LifestylePubs.com

contributing writers Lisa Allen, Pete Dulin, Jennifer Higgins, Kenneth Kieser, Peggy Parolin, Moriah Schowengerdt, Tom Strongman

contributing photographers Cornerstones Photography KC, Bill Matthews, Lani Odell, Joel Schneider, Tom Strongman, Moriah Schowengerdt Published monthly, subscriptions are also available for $22 for 1 year, $39 for 2 years by visiting NorthlandLifestyle.com

corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore production director | Christina Sandberg director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Sara Minor ad coordinators | Cyndi Vreeland, Samantha Engel layout designer | Nicole Sylvester

Hugs and kisses,

copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham application architect | Michael O’Connell it director | Randy Aufderheide

Rachel Murphy, Editor RMurphy@LifestylePubs.com

CORRECTION: Northland Lifestyle mistakenly identified Emary Langhorn

as Emery Cerovich on last month's cover. We deeply regret the error.

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

ON THE COVER Love finds you when you least

join us

talk to us

expect it! Just ask Sarah Hopkins-Chery and her husband Lenes. Read the story on page 26.

PHOTOGRAPHY LANI ODELL

NorthlandLifestyle.com

7373 West 107th Street Overland Park, KS 66212 913.599.4300 | NorthlandLifestyle.com Northland Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Northland’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 Northland Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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May 2015

32 26 Departments

26 As Worlds Collide

International couple meets in the middle at Park University.

32 EDU Lawn

Planning and paying for the future.

34 Surviving Infertility

Matt and Cheri Appling bring a hidden struggle to light.

8

Good Times

12

Around Town

15

Page Turners

16

Food & Wine

18

Hot Spot

22

Locally Owned

36

Healthy Lifestyle

40 Open House 46 Driver's Notebook 49 Sold Properties 50 Lifestyle Calendar 58

Parting Thoughts

34 40 Lifestyle Publications Missouri | Colorado | California | Arizona | Texas | Kansas | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Oklahoma | Montana

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Good Times

3rd Annual McTeacher's Night at McDonald's Barry Elementary and Pathfinder Elementary schools teamed up for the event, where teachers and administrators worked behind the counter to serve students and parents, raising nearly $1,000. Proceeds support field trips, educational experiences books and technology.

8

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

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May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

9

Good Times

Relish Catering and Merriment Launch Party

More than 200 people enjoyed an evening of delicious food and cocktails at River Market Event Place, with a variety of culinary delights from their extensive menu, baked goods from 3 Women and an Oven, and coffee from City Market Coffee House. RelishKC.com PHOTOGRAPHY CORNERSTONE PHOTOGRAPHY KC

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Members of the Bishop McCann team

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

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Where your care is personal. nkch.org/CancerCare ©2014 North Kansas City Hospital.

Around Town Sam’s Club near Highway 152 and Flintlock Road. Proceeds will help benefit the Northland Early Childhood Education Center, the Kansas City Police Athletic League and All God’s Children. With the race theme emphasizing heroism for children, both children and adults are encouraged to dress in their favorite superhero costume. More information is available at RaceForHopeKC.com.

CARSTAR WICKLUNDS COLLISION CENTER OPENS IN LIBERTY

AREA PERFORMER TO KICK OFF RACE FOR HOPE MAY 16 The Kansas City Northland Half Marathon and 5K gained a regional connection with their announcement that musician Dustin Williams will perform the national anthem at the start of the event.

A graduate of Liberty High School, Williams is completing his doctorate in trumpet performance at the University of Missouri at Kansas City after earning master’s degree at Florida State University, and bachelor’s at Missouri’s Truman State. After earning his Doctor of Musical Arts this year, he hopes to teach music at the college level. All of this began in his hometown, Liberty.

Besides an opportunity to perform, the Kansas City Race for Hope half marathon and 5k is a good fit for Williams. His father, Craig, is among the organizers, along with Kearney residents Rachel and Gary Chaney.

The race starts at 7:30 a.m.

May 16. That same day, Williams is scheduled for graduation ceremonies at UMKC. This is the first year for the Kansas City Northland Race for Hope, which will begin at 12

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

As the Ford F-150 all aluminum bodied pickup roll into dealerships throughout Kansas and Missouri, CARSTAR Wicklund’s is the only independent auto body shop in the region to open a qualified aluminum repair facility to handle repairs on these – and other aluminum body vehicles.

CARSTAR Wicklund’s opened the new facility with a ribbon cutting event on March 11, for customers, insurance agents and business community leaders.

Aluminum vehicles require different repair methods and cannot be repaired at a non-recognized facility. CARSTAR Wicklund’s has been recognized by CARSTAR for completing the training and preparation to handle structural and non-structural repairs on aluminum vehicles, including the new Ford F-150 pickup. This includes the training and certification of technicians on aluminum repair processes for structural and non-structural jobs, construction of dedicated shop area for aluminum repairs and designation of separate tools and equipment for aluminum repair. In addition, CARSTAR has its own internal certification process that is part of its proprietary EDGE Performance Tier 5.

LOCAL MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY PUTS THE POWER IN KIDS’ CHARACTER Millennium Academy is proud to be launching the industry’s leading character development program, Powerful Words Character Development! As a Personal Development Center, Millen-

nium Academy is incorporating a new, comprehensive character development program with their fun and exciting Tae Kwon Do curriculum for children ages 4-14. The program forms the backbone from which all of our students can study, grow, develop, learn and become an upstanding member of our community and a confident individual.

“This full education process provides purpose to what we do as teachers—it gives our students something for which to strive, the strength to explore, and a foundation on which to succeed. We feel that by providing several facets to learning, both physical and mental, we can ultimately help our students to grow in a variety of positive ways,” says Dr. Robyn J. A. Silverman, creator of the Powerful Words Character Development System.

Using Powerful Words Character Development, which includes “The Powerful Word of the Month” projects and lessons within the context of a fun, organized Tae Kwon Do curriculum can invite students to listen, share, discover, and reflect— and of course, bring the lessons home to their family. Students and their families can use this positive approach to set, evaluate, prioritize, and achieve goals— building strength, respect, responsibility, and hope along the way. They learn the power of choice, the thrill of accomplishment, as well as the consequences and rewards of certain behaviors.

For more information on Millennium Academy, please call 816.505.9500 or visit KCKarate.com

JUSTIN MCCLAIN AGENCY FARMERS INSURANCE CELEBRATES NORTHLAND OFFICE Surrounded by employees, customers and supporters, the Justin McClain Agency Farmers Insurance celebrated the opening of its Northland office with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 3.

Stationed at 11108 N Oak Trafficway, Suite 207, the agency christened its office space in front of fellow Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce members.

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1528 NE 96th St Liberty, MO 64068 816-781-5444 May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

13

Around Town The insurance office concentrates in providing quality home, auto, specialty and life insurance to its customers throughout the northland and surrounding communities.

ATTENTION CURRENT GLADSTONE COMMUNITY CENTER MEMBERS: BRING A FRIEND AND RECEIVE A FREE MONTH! Bring your neighbors, family and friends! The Gladstone Community Center is rolling out a new Referral Program.

Are you a current member of the Gladstone Community Center?

If so, just bring in a friend to sign up for a new Monthly Auto Debit, Quarterly, or Annual membership and we will add a free month onto your current membership. What a great way to workout, swim and play for free!

Some restrictions apply but there is no limit to the number of months you can get for free!

For more information, call the Community Center at 816.423.4200.

SPORTING CLUB CEO ROBB HEINEMAN GIVES 2015 NRCC BUSINESS EXPO A KICK At the 2015 Business Expo and Luncheon, Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman provided an insightful and honest look into the success of Sporting Innovation and Major League Soccer power Sporting Kansas City.

Presented by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Northpoint Development, luncheon at KCI Expo Center saw Heineman dive into the various ways that he and his business associates were able to construct their successful empires.

With a focus on corporate innovation, branding and technological advancement, the Sporting CEO stated that the companies made it a point to be as forward thinking as possible.

The results were state-of-the-art organizations that better connected with their target markets as well as an ever-expanding digital audience. This relationship between business and customer, and in the case of Sporting KC team and fan, enabled the organizations to design their products specifically for their consumers. With this finger on the pulse type operation, success soon followed.

14

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

MISSOURI DOCTOR BRINGS MCKENZIE TECHNIQUE TO KANSAS CITY REGION Millions of adults suffering from seemingly inexplicable back pain turn to their doctors to help reduce the discomfort and often receive prescriptions for pain medications to manage their symptoms.

While pain medications are certainly needed and of immense help in many situations, there is little doubt that America has become over-medicated. Fortunately, for many types of pain, prescription pain medicine is not the only answer.

It is for precisely this reason that Mosaic Life Care’s Dr. Vikas Agarwal has brought the McKenzie technique to our region. The McKenzie technique, also known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) – focuses on musculoskeletal pain including spine back and neck pain and peripheral joint such as elbow or knee pain.

MDT focuses on why a particular tissue is generating pain and how to address the tissue abnormality responsible for production of pain with simple posture and exercises. For example, studies have shown MDT has shown to effective in roughly 80 percent of acute low back pain patients and usually rapidly within days.

“With this method, we look to treat the cause of the pain rather than just managing symptoms,” Dr. Vikas Agarwal says. “With this type of pain [mechanical], treating the source often eliminates the residual pain.”

While doctors admit this doesn’t work for every kind of pain – like pain coming from cancer or inflammation, MDT can go a long way to help reduce the number of children and adults that become dependent on pain medications, and increase the quality of life for millions of pain sufferers.

GUITAR CENTER OPENS IN KANSAS CITY NORTH Guitar Center, the world’s largest instrument retailer, is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest retail location, a state-of-the-art musical instrument and technology center covering more than 7,000 square feet in North Kansas City, Missouri.

The grand opening took place on April 16 at 9188 NW Skyview Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64514.

Guitar Center’s Kansas City location features modern showrooms equipped with the latest products for musicians. Additionally, the Kansas City store will feature Guitar Center Lessons. Guitar Center Lessons provides music lessons from beginner to advanced featuring certified instructors teaching world-class curriculum as well as one-on-one and group courses. Guitar Center’s GC Repairs, an on-site guitar repair and setup service for stringed instruments and GC Rentals, offering the ability to rent instruments and other gear, are also featured at the new store.

Kansas City customers will also be able to attend free classes every Wednesday and Saturday through Guitar Center Workshops. These classes include introductory instruction on a variety of instruments and Recording Made Easy classes are available for anyone who wants to make the exciting journey into recording their music.

Page Turners

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER WHAT SHE SAID THEN, WHAT WE’RE SAYING NOW

Briarcliff Trails of our Community Presents

EDITED BY ANN IMIG

I

n 2010, Ann Imig organized a live-staged reading event in Madison, WI, to bring together her community—mothers and non-mothers alike—and provide a forum for a diversity of voices to share their personal stories.

These readers spoke honestly and openly about motherhood, family, childhood, and parenting.

And so, the Listen to Your Mother movement was born. This one event quickly grew into an annual national performance sensation, with nearly 40 nationwide events scheduled for May 2015. Now, in LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER: What She Said Then, What We’re Saying Now Imig brings to the page what she helped bring to the stage five years ago with this collection of 56 candid, funny, poignant, unexpected and soul-bearing essays.

The contributors to this powerful anthology bravely share their stories, ranging from hilarious to heartbreaking, showcasing the experiences of ordinary people from a broad spectrum of racial, gender, and age backgrounds. With a roster of writers that includes first time essayists and New York Times-bestselling authors, LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER reflects our diverse contemporary lifestyles and rapidly changing definitions of motherhood.

While some are paeans to the mother we might not have appreciated as children, unaware then of how hard a task motherhood can be, others fully embrace the power of their family matriarchs. A woman faces the painful truth that there is nothing she can do to save her mentally ill, homeless mother from the streets. A military mom raises her baby alone when her husband is deployed to the Middle East.

A mom tries to hold it together while battling cancer. One mother recounts the elation and ultimate heartbreak of an unplanned pregnancy in middle age, while another shares the years of sadness that accompanied her decision to give her baby up for adoption.

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER delivers the collective voice of mothers among us and celebrates less conventional arrangements. Mothers write of their personal struggles in the day-to-day job of mothering, of trying to raise a child who is not spoiled, of navigating single motherhood after divorce or death, and of dreading the body image issues that will one day inevitably undermine a young daughter’s confidence.

“Listen to Your Mother. It’s a cliché, it’s the sixth commandment, and it’s an imperative for curbing children young and old from poor life choices like jaywalking and sixty-four ounce sodas,” Imig writes.

Movie Nights

FREE

8:45/9:00 pm (dusk) Mulberry Lake (across from The Village at Briarcliff) 4150 N. Mulberry Drive. KCMO 64116 Bring blankets, chairs, snacks and the family for an outdoor movie at dusk!

every saturday night JUNE

6

Jurassic Park

[1993]

PG-13

13 into the Woods [2014]

PG

20 the Goonies [1985]

PG

27 desPicable Me 2 [2013]

PG

JULY

11 Godzilla [2014]

PG-13

18 biG hero 6 [2014]

PG

hunGer GaMes: 25 the MockinGJay Part 1 [2014]

PG-13

AUgUst

1

Frozen [2013]

PG

www.briarclifftrails.com

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May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

15

Food & Wine

Setting the Menu PLAN YOUR WEDDING RECEPTION MENU WITH LESS STRESS ARTICLE PETE DULIN

P

lanning a wedding reception is second only to the main event, but no less important for newlyweds and their guests. Larry Roberts, co-owner of Sugar and Spice Catering in Parkville, and Erin Dolan, Trezo Mare’s Events and Promotions manager, offer practical notes on how to plan the reception and menu with minimal stress.

HAVE YOUR CAKE

“When selecting a cake decorator or caterer, look at reviews,” says Roberts. “Ask friends who they used.”

Ask questions about details and lock in pricing.

“Make sure you know what's included. Insist on a tasting,” adds Roberts. “The wedding catering business is famous for advertising one price only to ask clients to pay 50 to 60-percent more once you’ve gone for a consultation.”

PLAN AHEAD

“We book weddings and rehearsal dinners one year out, but I recommend that the bride and groom to-be secure their location as soon as possible,” Dolan advises. “Many spaces are reserved quickly, especially May through July.”

16

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

Dolan begins the planning process 90 days before the set date.

“We discuss table set-up, conduct a food tasting and answer client questions,” Dolan says.

Sugar and Spice books up to 18 months ahead, but has catered large receptions with as little as a few days notice.

“This is usually when a caterer or cake decorator defaults,” says Roberts. “I recommend planning eight to nine months out, so you have the venue and services that you want as opposed to what’s available.”

TABLE TALK

Figure out the budget and preferred meal service – buffet, plated meal, passed appetizers only – in advance. This preparation guides catering discussions with prospective vendors. Ask for options and a detailed list of provided services within budget.

Sugar and Spice’s full-service buffet prices range from $13.50 to $16.50 per person, plus a 17.5 percent gratuity and tax. A typical meal includes a selection of two entrees with sides and non-alcoholic beverages.

“At that price point, the food would be served on clear hard plastic plates with Reflections silverware,” says Roberts. “All serving pieces and staff would be included.”

Appetizer options vary. A basic vegetable tray for $48.50 feeds up to 50 people.

“We do passed appetizers for $40 per hour per server, plus the appetizer cost,” he says.

“For instance, stuffed mushrooms would be $1.95 per person, plus the cost of the passer.

We have a large selection at all price points.”

Trezo Mare’s offers two buffet options at $30 and $37 per person, but can adapt to a client’s budget. The restaurant’s threecourse plated dinner starts at $35 per person, and a four-course dinner runs $40 per person. This menu includes non-alcoholic beverages and bread service.

Parties over 20 require a set menu. Clients pre-select the proper quantities per course. Dolan then works with the couple to create a personalized printed menu. The menu lists pre-selected course options that guests will choose from that evening for dinner. Parties under 20 at Trezo Mare may order from the normal dinner menu.

Trezo Mare also offers a cost-effective Receptions/Catering appetizer-only menu.

RAISE A GLASS

Roberts recommends buying from Gomers in Parkville for a less-expensive approach to providing alcohol.

“Gomer’s is the expert. They deliver and take returns on what’s not used,” says Roberts. “That way, the bride isn't paying a middleman. I provide bartenders at $28 per hour.”

Wine is a smart choice that sidesteps the expense of spirits served at an open bar.

“For large groups, I recommend our house cabernet and chardonnay. Both are Coastal Vineyards from California, and nice middle of the road wines to appease large groups,” says Dolan. “They are also very cost-effective at $21 per bottle. We only charge for those that are opened, and only open them as needed.”

Preparation is essential to planning a successful wedding reception with minimal stress, no matter the budget. Develop a checklist to review, if not working with a wedding planner, and be proactive.

“The main tip I would give to a bride and groom to-be is to personally visit the venue,” says Dolan. “Ask questions to ensure that all expectations can be fulfilled. This is a big day for a couple.

We want to ensure that it is perfect from start to finish.”

Hummingbird Feeders make GREAT gifts for

Mothers Day

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May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

17

Hot Spot

Judi's Bakery SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERY THING NICE ARTICLE RACHEL C. MURPHY | PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL SCHNEIDER

I

n a quiet, unassuming building, set back from the road on Burlington Avenue, lies a haven of baked goods, sandwiches and donuts that will capture the heart and tastebuds of any sugar aficionado--Judi' Bakery. For 35 years, Judi White and her team have been captivating pastry lovers with a huge variety of baked goods, lunch fare and cakes for special occasions from baptisms to weddings and everything in between.

For the sake of full disclosure, I must admit, I have a soft spot for Judi's Bakery. They made my wedding cake, nearly five years ago now. It was a three-layer vanilla cake with lemon curd, covered in a lemon yellow buttercream with white flowers doodled across its sides. Topped with a lemon and an orange instead of a traditional cake topper, it was exactly the kind of whimsical confection that capture what my husband and I were going for on that special day.

It wasn't until recently though, that I thought of Judi's again, as I passed it during a busy workday. The small shop is an oasis of calm during the busy lunch hour with a full range of lunch options, including cold sandwiches, paninis, soup, salad and even boxed lunches for ordering out.

I met a group of colleagues there recently and was pleasantly surprised with the variety and value for the lunch our. Judi's is open at 6 a.m. with a full array of donuts for the busy commuter, including sugar yeast and cake donuts, in addition to the standard glazed. They also offer apple fritters, long johns, cream horns, jelly donuts and bismarks, so no one should go to work un-carbed.

They are open until 3 p.m. for the lunch time crowd. The menu includes a daily special for $5, and includes a menu item, bag of chips and a cookie. All regular menu sandwiches include chips and a cookie as well. Even salads will net you a cookie here and they are really not to be missed.

I chose the special of the day, a smoked turkey panini with spinach and spicy chipotle mayo. The bread was soft and crunchy in turns, with lots of flavor packed between the thin slices. While not overly large, it was the perfect amount when combined with a bag of Sun Chips and a soft chocolate chip cookie.

CONTINUED >

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

Hot Spot

(CONTINUED)

My coworker enjoyed the Berry Delightful, a cold turkey sandwich on the housemade cranberry nut bread with veggies and herbed cream cheese. It combined the sweet and savory qualities of any good post-Thanksgiving sandwich without the cooking and cleanup time. Another coworker that was abstaining from sugar order the salad and was quite satisfied with the resulting plate, replete with fresh vegetables, soft pita bread and a tangy dressing.

But let's get real here: Do we go to a bakery for the salad? No. We go for the carbs and Judi's does the carbs right. I took home several cookies options from a beautiful case of goodies in the ramp up to the Easter holiday. I'm a sucker for good sugar cookies and there's nothing more disappointing than biting into a beautiful chick or bunny shaped holiday cookie only to find that it tastes like cardboard. Not a problem here. The iced sugar cookies were perfectly soft, not too tooth-achingly sweet and large enough that one satisfied but two wouldn't kill you.

I also took a turtle brownie home for the hubby.

The thick slab of chocolate was cakey and decadent, dotted with toffee bits and nuts. It was big enough to share and sweet enough that you needed to. There were so many other options that I wanted to try that I may have to start an exercise regime just to offset the baked goods.

Judi's embodies the quaint small town bakery ideal that so many places lack these days. From her beautiful cakes to her perfectly turned out sugar cookies, quality is key and their friendly service is icing on the cake, so to speak.

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

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Art and Frame:

Northland's Framing Specialist COMPLETING A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE ARTICLE KENNETH L. KIESER | PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL SCHNEIDER

C

ustom framing is a multi-faceted challenge. The wrong frame, glass or matting can mean disaster to an expensive art piece or family heirloom. Every piece is prized; there is no room for failure, just perfection. Imagine the responsibility of saving a family’s images for several hundred years. Today’s graduating high school senior will be tomorrow’s grandmother or grandfather. They may be gone, but their pictures or prized items will be cherished by future generations.

Step into the Northland’s Art & Frame Warehouse where this challenge is the job. Walking through the door provides a scene of colors, artifacts and pictures matched with the exact frame and matting. Sean Smith is the owner and master craftsman that makes sure every framed item is treated like a treasured piece of art. After all, for the customer it is.

I recently watched employees of the Art & Frame Warehouse work with a lady that had pictures from their lost home in the Missouri Ozarks. She appeared pleasantly surprised by the options for framing in price, color and even texture. That was not surprising with a couple thousand frames to choose from and any imaginable combination of matting. The real challenge was matching the right colors for the customer’s home.

“I have an art degree from the University of Dallas,” Smith says. “Matching colors is an important part of our business. I studied art and visited Europe for an idea of how they portrayed art. I was fascinated with the retail aspect of framing and pre-

serving beauty. We try to have a frame for every item that can be displayed. We are constantly studying news ways of framing through classes or seminars.”

The vast array of frames in size, color or material offered is astounding. Hand-carved wooden frames from Italy, hand finished or polished is an example of the shop’s unique assortment. Some frames are less expensive while others are more costly, depending on craftsmanship. But a sign by the front door claims the Art & Frame Warehouse is competitive and often lower than craft shops, most notably chain stores.

“We don’t play the chain store game of marking the frame up and selling it for half price,” Smith says. “We just have low warehouse pricing. More importantly, we have many options chains can’t offer in creating beautiful framing.”

Smith buys framing material in bulk, by the truck load; that provides customer discounts for the highest quality.

“This all comes down to custom framing or taking a piece of art and finding a way to present it in a setting that will allow it to be noticed,” Smith says. “We start with a consultation to find out where the picture or item will be presented and find ways to dress up the picture. Some art presents different challenges. For example, a charcoal piece has to be treated if the artist didn’t treat it, and then add spacers to the frame to allow it to breathe and be separated from touching the glass then add the correct piece of glass. Any piece can be framed in any numCONTINUED >

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

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ber of ways. We help guide customers to an agreement of how the finished work should look.”

Wedding, graduation and family pictures are constantly brought in for framing, but recently Smith had a surprise.

“We framed a Sporting Kansas City jersey for the President of the United States,” Smith says. “The jersey was presented to him during a visit. Framing pieces like a jersey, baseball bat, letterman’s jacket or other items is common in our business.”

Original paintings cover most of the walls in Smith’s shop. Some are from local artists and sold on consignment while other paintings are purchased by the store from different cooperatives or galleries.

I was shocked to find that some beautiful, framed original paintings that would cover half the average home’s wall sold for considerably less than $1,000.00. The most expensive piece in Smith’s store was an original of the K.C. Scout with Kansas City skyline painted by a Kansas City artist sells for $2,500.00. Of course there are many framed photos and paintings that are much more affordable for the average buyer. But imagination occasionally comes into play for an exception frame shop.

A good example is a coin display in the shop. The coins are suspended on different levels of museum glass and look like they are floating in space. Unique thinking makes the shop successful in all facets of art display. Smith occasionally visits houses or businesses to do art installations, big or small. Companies like Cerner, Children’s Mercy Hospital and United Missouri Bank use this service.

You can learn more about the Art & Frame Warehouse by visiting their web site at: AFWKC.com or call 816.584.8009.

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

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The Love Story of Sarah and Lenes PARK UNIVERSITY SETS THE STAGE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL MEET-UP

ARTICLE LISA ALLEN | PHOTOGRAPHY LANI ODELL

S

arah Hopkins-Chery almost didn’t go to the Halloween party that changed her life. It was October 2005, her first semester at Park University. She decided to go to the costume party—dressed in a last-minute pirate costume—because everyone on her basketball team was going, and she was a long way from her home in Essex, England. Lenes Hopkins-Chery was at the same party, though he hadn’t planned to be. He and a group of friends showed up—without costumes—and he spotted Sarah from across the room. He knew she played basketball and asked mutual friends for an introduction.

“The funny thing is that I’d said to friends that I knew I was going to marry an English girl someday,” says Lenes, who is originally from Haiti. “When I saw her I thought, ‘Wow.’ I knew I had to meet her. Then when I got home I sent her a message that said, ‘You rock my world.’" The rest, as they say, is history.

After exchanging messages they went on their first date; Sarah wanted to go to TGIFriday’s, and Lenes

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

thought there was one in Tiffany Springs. On the way to the restaurant, Sarah told Lenes his headlight was out, and when they pulled up to the restaurant they realized it was a Ruby Tuesdays, not a TGIFriday’s. They decided to stay, then were pulled over on the way back to campus for the bum headlight.

Even though they came from different countries, Sarah and Lenes were both star athletes at Park University; Sarah played basketball, Lenes ran cross country. Both fell in love with Park University and Parkville before they met; Sarah says Parkville is similar to her hometown in England, minus public transportation, and Lenes says his initial intention of staying for just one semester ended because he fell in love with the city and the people.

They were married in Liberty in September 2009, and worked to incorporate their English and Haitian cultures into their celebration. They flew a Haitian and an English flag and served food from both cultures. Lenes’ mother is a chef and makes what Lenes calls “the most amazing liqueur” from scratch, which was served at the wedding.

Their DJ incorporated everyone in the reception and tried to make the experience as unique as the couple.

When asked how cultural differences affected their relationship, both laugh and tell about the back pews at their wedding.

“There’s a difference between Caribbean time and English proper time,” says Sarah.

“My family is prompt, but Caribbean time is different. Lenes’ family and friends aren’t as strict about being on time; we even had to adjust times for people in the wedding party, so everyone would be there when they needed to be," says Sarah. "If you look at our wedding photos, you can see that at the beginning of the ceremony the back pews are empty. By the time the ceremony was over and we were leaving, those pews were full.

That’s Caribbean time.”

Family dynamics was another adjustment for both. Lenes comes from a large family; he is one of ten siblings. Sarah is an only child.

“My family is loud and there are always a lot of people," says Lenes. "I love to move around and be loud, but Sarah is more reserved. It was interesting to watch her quietly observe while everyone else was so animated.”

CONTINUED >

May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

27

WORLDS COLLIDE

(CONTINUED)

“And when we go to visit my family, he has to adjust to the quiet," says Sarah. "It’s very calm and peaceful there, the opposite of when we’re with his family.”

Though both have graduated from Park University—Lenes with a bachelor’s degree and Sarah with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree—and they still live in Parkville.

Sarah has become an adjunct instructor of communication arts and a women’s basketball assistant coach at Park University. She is also in management at American Airlines. Lenes also has three jobs: he runs a marketing entertainment company, works for an energy company based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and works at Delta Airlines.

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

Their marriage works, they say, because they each understand and respect what matters to the other. Their experience as student athletes instilled a determination to continually achieve goals and both cite an unf linching faith in the other.

“It takes effort and work but it’s worth it," says Lenes. “We make it work because it’s what we both want. We’ve both always been motivated, and we still are. We both have high expectations of ourselves and each other, and we know that it takes time and effort to reach our goals.”

Sarah says the six jobs they collectively juggle may seem like a lot--and it is.

“But it really is true that when you’re passionate about something it’s not really work," she explains. "We don’t do these things—careers and marriage— because they are chores that we have to do. We just do it. We do it because we want to.”

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ARTICLE JENNIFER HIGGINS | PHOTOGRAPHY LANI ODELL

T

he average college graduate is tasked with finding a job, paying back college loans, and the mountain of stress that comes with those two things. For many of these graduates, finding a job that will pay enough to pay back those loans can be difficult. Todd Coleman, director of operations for EDU Lawn Care, hopes to change that with a new business model.

“EDU Lawn Care originally began as a lawn mowing business for my son about four or five years ago," Coleman says. "As a competitive swimmer, with long practices in the morning and in the evening, shift work wasn’t feasible. I wanted to make it a teachable moment, running a business and the responsibility that comes with that. But then we started researching post-secondary options for him, and it became apparent something is wrong with our system. The cost of education is going up in price, and the cost is growing faster than the demand. Then I started thinking if we built stronger communities with kids and business tools, where they built their own business and supported the community, that would be a different atmosphere."

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

What developed is not just the average lawn care service, but rather a business model to teach students how to run a business, with a goal of the student graduating from college debt-free, or as close to that as they can get. Employees work on all aspects of the company, from the actual lawn services to networking with businesses and politicians to marketing services and bringing in new clients, and are paid a wage similar to other lawn care companies. Once the employee graduates from college, they are responsible for hiring their replacement, and Coleman hopes they will be set up with the correct business connections and skills to build their own company in the community that supported them.

“What really sets EDU Lawn Care apart is this: every employee is required to put 10 percent of their wages in a 529B college fund—which I can help set up—and then when all A+ money has been exhausted, EDU Lawn Care cuts a check for the matching funds for educational purposes," Coleman explains. "We can help them set up checking and savings accounts too; the key is learning and moving out of education into the business world with real life skills. We’ve been working since October 2014 on the educational side, and so far, we’ve been able to pay for books for all our employees. That’s just with us getting started. Hopefully with a full season under our belt, that will grow."

Jerry Nolte, current Presiding Commissioner of Clay County, has used EDU Lawn Care since the beginning for rental properties.

“It’s a good price for a good product," Nolte says.

"They are not only providing a service, but learning a business. The skills these employees get are skills larger businesses are finding harder to fulfill. These kids are work ready, and the entrepreneurship skills can’t just be found in reading a textbook, but hands on skills. I have confidence they are here for the long term; with the snow removal service, we have a 12-month relationship, and that makes them reliable."

Right now, EDU Lawn Care has been operational in Clay and Platte Counties with four paid employees and four volunteers, but as the business grows, Coleman anticipates more employees, and eventually, satellite offices in other communities. That too is a learning experience for the student--learning how to start a new office, and how to become part of that community.

Services offered are basic lawn care, fertilization, landscaping, and snow removal for both residential and commercial accounts. EDU Lawn Care uses professional equipment only. More information can be found at EDULawn.com.

May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

33

Surviving Infertility Matt and Cheri Appling bring a hidden struggle to light.

ARTICLE PEGGY PAROLIN | PHOTOGRAPHY LANI ODELL

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

M

att and Cheri Appling belong to a club, a secret club that nobody wants to be a part of but neither can they escape: infertility.

An exclusive club? Not by any means. One in eight American couples will experience difficulty conceiving children. It is a burden millions of couples bear, mostly alone and in silence; membership does have its price.

Married in 2006, the Applings, like many newlyweds, decided to wait a few years before starting their family. Four years later, they decided the time was right; they were ready to become parents. The possibility of not being able to have children had never been considered. It was always “when we have a baby,” not “if we can have a baby.” The year 2010 marked the beginning of their season of infertility.

Months went by, then years, nearly five. In the midst of their struggle to conceive, the Kansas City couple became unwilling authors, writing a book they never wanted to write.

But, as it turned out, the story chose them; they certainly didn’t choose it. They felt it was a story that needed to be told, to give others in their “club” encouragement.

Matt and Cheri’s recently published book, Plus or Minus: Keeping Your Life, Faith and Love Together Through Infertility, is not a how to book or even a “how not to book.”

Instead of offering another cure, they gathered some of their closest friends and asked some questions that doctors were not able to answer: What does it mean to survive infertility?

What does it mean to keep your marriage happy and healthy under the strain of infertility?

What does it mean to keep your faith intact when it is being assaulted by infertility?

What does it mean for a couple to preserve their friendships, their family, and their sanity during infertility?

What if we never have a baby?

How do we survive a lifetime of infertility?”

After more than five years of patience, perseverance and even loss, Matt, a writer and teacher with a Masters of Divinity degree, and Cheri, a doctor of veterinarian medicine, were determined to make sense of the countless times they had been held captive by pregnancy tests, waiting for the telltale plus or minus, positive or negative, that would either define them as expectant parents or an exasperated couple.

Throughout their years of attempting to conceive, the authors encountered and befriended other couples in similar situations.

Although the doctors and treatment plans differed, the collateral damage that infertility brings with it--the mental, emotional, marital, social and spiritual damage--were very much similar.

Plus or Minus connects the common struggles shared by the couples, weaving a tapestry of wisdom, stories, experiences and

hope to other couples experiencing infertility. Matt and Cheri explain through experience why infertility is not just a medical issue, but a whole life issue.

“It takes a year to be inducted into the fertility club,” explains Matt.

“At least, that’s what the doctors say. A couple that has been trying to conceive for one year is officially infertile (six months for couples over 35). It was a disorienting year, one in which Cheri and I realized that what was supposed to come naturally was not going to be so natural.

“One of the things we learned quickly about infertility is that it’s a condition that still escapes the public conscience. Most people are not knowledgeable. They don’t know how to speak around infertile couples. They don’t know how to be encouraging without prying.”

Cheri agrees.

“Infertility is still an unknown, a taboo. Infertility will remain a cultural taboo as long as couples refuse to talk about it. By sharing our story and that of friends we met along the way, we hope to be good ambassadors for infertility. We can make infertility normal.”

Devout Christians, Matt and Cheri share in the book how they balanced faith and the promises of modern medicine, artificial insemination and frozen embryos.

“Our faith governed our moral choices," says Matt. "It guided our marriages and influenced our day-to-day decisions. But, pursuing infertility treatment was not a day-to-day decision. Understanding our faith in the midst of making such extraordinary decisions about reproduction posed a problem.

They offer encouragement to couples struggling with infertility.

“Fertility’s a struggle that no one asks for, but everyone has a struggle of some sort," Matt says. "Although it can be agonizing at times, believe us when we say that there are so many hidden gifts that a season of infertility brought to our marriage. We just have to have eyes to see them. Infertility gave us eyes to see just how miraculously, audaciously beautiful life really is.”

This story does have a happy ending. Matt and Cheri welcomed their son, Calder, on Dec 27, 2014. Although the tears shed at the end of 2014 were tears of joy, the memories of the arduous journey to parenthood remain an important chapter in their lives.

By reading “Plus or Minus,” one discovers that for every minus experienced by the couples, there are also many plusses. On this, Matt and Cheri agree.

“The plusses are sacred things that two people share when they have been through years of heartache together. Plusses are all the things that we understand because we have grieved and lost and struggled and prayed and doubted. All of us may see and touch and possess these plusses, these gifts of infertility, if only we have the eyes to see them, the hearts to understand them and the courage to take hold of them.”

Plus or Minus: Keeping Your Life, Faith, and Love Together Through Infertility is an important book that will do wonders to remove the stigma from infertility, offer renewed hope and dignity of suffering couples, and provide wisdom to those who want to love and care for them better.

The book, published by Moody Publishers, is available at Christianbook.com, Amazon, and other online retailers.

May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

35

Healthy Lifestyle

Getting Ready for the Big Day T

ARTICLE LISA ALLEN

he question has been popped. The answer was yes.

Now what?

Now the planning begins, and there’s no shortage of things to think about: the venue, the vows, the meal, the music, the flowers, the honeymoon and the clothes. Where to start?

With the bride, of course.

Wardrobe stylist Anna McConnell says to start with the dress.

“The dress determines the tone of the wedding. Will it be formal or low-key? By checking bridal magazines you can identify which designers’ gowns appeal to you, so you can select a store that carries those designers. Work with your body type and avoid gowns that are too trendy,” says McConnell.

It’s important to wear appropriate lingerie—bra and shapewear—when trying on dresses, and bring along a pair of shoes with a heel similar to what you plan to wear at the wedding.

“Most importantly,” says McConnell, “remember that it’s your dress.

Limit the number of people who join you at the fitting; too many opinions make it too confusing.

You should feel comfortable and be able to sit, stand, dance and feel absolutely gorgeous!”

Denise Vaughn, director/owner of Define Fitness, a ladies-only fitness studio in the Northland, says that timing is everything when it comes to looking your best on your big day.

“It’s important to start at least a month before your wedding day,” says Vaughn. “If you want to lose weight, cardio four times

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

each week and weight training three times each week is ideal. If you just want to maintain and tone, three times a week for each is best.

It’s good to mix things up, too,” says Vaughn. “You can’t just run or just lift weights. Women are often afraid of bulking up with weights, but that simply doesn’t happen. No one should be worried about weights; in fact, lifting helps with weight loss and with looking lean and toned. Also, changing things up with different workouts will shock the muscles and help you reach your goals. It might be cliché, but variety really is the spice of life and the secret to looking your best.”

Vaughn says that even though brides are tempted to focus on areas like arms and back, toning or losing weight in isolated body spots is impossible.

“Ideally, working out is already a part of your everyday routine,” says Vaughn. “If not, try to make it so. As much as you might want to, don’t overdo it; instead, make it something that you’ll keep up with even after the wedding.

Have fun with it, and make it a lifestyle.”

Both experts agree that the most important part of prepping for the big day is to relieve as much stress as possible by doing what you can and not worrying too much about all the unknowns.

“Hiring a wedding planner is a good idea,” says McConnell. “Alleviating stress is key to being relaxed and glowing on your big day.”

Learn more at Anna-McConnell.com and DefineFitnessKC.com.

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From WeddingDress Memories to Baby Bedding HOW I GAVE MY BABY GIRL’S ROOM AN HEIRLOOM DÉCOR

ARTICLE MORIAH SCHOWENGERDT PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTINA SANDBERG & PROVIDED

T

here has never been a time in my life where I felt more beautiful than on my wedding day. Wearing that gorgeous, white gown made me feel like a real princess. The only sad thing about wearing that beautiful dress was knowing that I would wear it for just one day.

Like most brides after their wedding, I considered preserving my gown. But the thought of it sitting in a box at the back of a closet seemed not only pointless, but like a big waste of money. That’s when my mom and I had a great idea.

The idea came just months before I conceived my first child. My mom was looking at the train of my dress and said, “Wouldn’t this make a beautiful baby blanket?” It hit us both at the same time: My wedding dress would make the most beautiful baby bedding. And so we were off to find someone with the talent to make that very thing happen. And then we met Marilyn Arnold.

Arnold has been sewing since she was a teen-ager. When we met her at a networking event, she told us how she turned wedding dresses into beautiful heirloom pillows that become a special keepsake for women.

“I see women cry when they first look at the pillows I made from their wedding dresses. It’s very moving,” says Arnold. We asked her how she felt about turning my dress into a baby bedding set.

She was excited about the project from the start. Since it was her first time with this kind of a effort, she took extra special care and paid CONTINUED >

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Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

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Meritas Health Complementary & Internal Medicine 2750 Clay Edwards Dr., Ste. 215 816.691.5400

Meritas Health Gashland 9411 North Oak, Ste. 100 816.436.1800

Meritas Health North Kansas City 2700 Clay Edwards Dr., Ste. 400 816.421.4240

Meritas Health North Oak

9411 North Oak Trafficway, Ste. 205 816.691.3546

Meritas Health Oakview 6080 North Oak Trafficway 816.453.9232

Meritas Health Park Plaza

To find a Meritas Health physician who can best serve your health needs, call a clinic listed at right or visit MeritasHealth.com.

6450 N. Chatham Ave. 816.741.5542

Meritas Health Pediatrics

2700 Clay Edwards Dr., Ste. 500 816.421.4115

Meritas Health Platte City 224 Marshall Rd. 816.858.2200

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Make Meritas Health your home for healthcare.

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Meritas Health Vivion 2000 NE Vivion Rd. 816.453.1314

Open House

(CONTINUED)

very close attention to how I wanted it to look.

Some people might think it took some nerve for me to trust someone with my wedding gown and a pair of scissors. I’ll admit I was more than a little bit nervous, but I am so glad I did it. After completing the set, Marilyn shared her own excitement.

“Creating the baby bedding was so exciting for me. This bedding is a combination of two of the most amazing days of a couple’s life, their wedding and the birth of their first child,” says Arnold.

In our opinion, she absolutely knocked it out of the park. When I first laid my eyes on the finished project I was astounded. It was perfect for our baby girl’s room. She would be arriving in just a month and the bedding was just what we needed to put the final touch to her room. With just a few “mommy adjustments” to the bumper, her nursery looked complete. It was just as I had imagined: soft, elegant and dreamy.

Today our little princess is seven months old and loves to snuggle up to that cozy bumper.

We have received so many compliments about how beautiful her nursery is and mostly how elegant and stunning the baby bedding is. It brings me great joy to see that my wedding dress is being used on a daily basis in our home. Not only is it getting used by me, but with care through time, I hope to pass it on to my daughter to use with her own babies.

Visit MarilynArnoldDesigns.com for more information on Arnold’s company.

Endodontics | Periodontal Treatment | Whitening Crowns & Bridges | Bonding | Veneers General Family Dentistry | Pediatric Specialty

B

amily De n t is ry F tr

y

er

Dr. Michael P Berry

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Specializing in Infants, Toddlers, and Adolescents WELCOME BACK

Dr. Michael Kemmling General Family Dentist

42

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

6004 N. Highway 9 Parkville, MO 64152

816-746-5437

childrenstoothdoc.com parkvillefamilypediatricdentist.com

Your First Choice In Quality Home Health Care

Skilled Nursing Care Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Tele-Health Home Monitoring

vnakc.com • 816-531-1200 May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

43

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Driver's Notebook

Mid-Year Changes Enhance Volvo’s S60 ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPHY TOM STRONGMAN

A

fter last year’s styling tweaks to the S60, Volvo has given the car a midyear update that includes more technology and in-car connectivity.

One example is Volvo On Call, a smartphone app that lets you lock and unlock the car, read the fuel level, odometer, average speed and average fuel consumption remotely. It was most handy on a recent cold morning because I could start the car in my driveway so it could warm up but still keep the doors locked.

Volvo calls their system Sensus Connect, and it is a subscription service that comes with six months free. The driver can create a Wi-Fi hotspot inside the car for passengers to connect smartphones, tablets or laptops. The 7-inch color monitor in the center of the dash can display navigation information as well as on-screen owner’s manual. Several cloud-based apps such as Pandora, Stitcher and Yelp are also available.

S60 prices begin at $33,750 for the T-5 and top out at $46,950

(816)452-GUNS 287 US Hwy 69 Claycomo, Missouri

Come check out our 2 well lit,

well ventilated ranges

for the T6 all-wheel-drive R-Design Platinum. I drove a T6 Platinum from Volvo’s press fleet and its sticker price was $46,525.

The S60 is available with one of four engines. The front-wheeldrive T5 Drive-E has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 240 horsepower; the all-wheel-drive T5 has a turbocharged, 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 250 horsepower; the T6 Drive-E has a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder with 302 horsepower; and the all-wheel-drive R-Design has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 325 horsepower.

The transmission is an eight-speed automatic that can be shifted manually with paddles on the steering wheel.

I drove the T6 that manages to pump 302 horsepower from just 2.0-liters, a number that would have been an impressive number for a racing engine not many years ago. Volvo is able to achieve this level of CONTINUED >

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46

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

Meyers Funeral Chapel northland

The Meyers Funeral Chapel family welcomes you to our completely renovated, open-concept funeral home, with elegant finishes and modern touches. We are conveniently located in the quaint setting of downtown Parkville.

As we start our seventh year as members of this community, we sincerely express our gratefulness for your friendship and trust. —Todd, Nikki, Evan & Avery DeMint

401 Main St. Parkville, MO

MeyersFuneralChapel.com 816.741.0251

Driver's Notebook

(CONTINUED)

performance by utilizing both a supercharger and a turbocharger. The supercharger provides extra power at very low speeds while the turbo kicks in extra zip at high speeds.

The result is an engine that feels twice its size. It delivers excellent power from idle to top end and is rated at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 35 on the highway.

Fuel economy is aided by a start/stop function that shuts off the engine when the car stops. The driver can select the Eco + mode that activates coasting when the throttle is released and disconnects the air conditioning compressor from time to time.

I don’t like the jerkiness of the start/stop feature and I always turned it off.

The S60 can be equipped with a suite of safety technology features, several of which take control if the driver is not paying attention. A pedestrian/cyclist detection system alerts the driver to a person or cyclist in the road and, below 22 miles per hour, will automatically apply the brakes. City Safety will automatically brake the car to a stop below 31 miles per hour to avoid a collision. Lane keeping will tug the car back into the lane if it wanders. Other features such as blind-spot detection system, cross-traffic alert for the rearview camera, stability control, anti-lock brakes and corner traction control are useful driver aids.

The suspension is tight but not harsh and the handling is responsive and athletic. I was impressed with the lack of noise on the highway.

The S60’s cabin is spare but elegant in a Scandinavian style. The test car’s two-tone

48

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

2015.5 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E Platinum ENGINE: 2.0-liter, 302-horsepower four-cylinder

CURB WEIGHT: 3,472 pounds

TRANSMISSION: Eight-speed automatic

BASE PRICE: $39,000

Front-wheel drive WHEELBASE: 109.3 inches

AS DRIVEN: $46,525

color scheme was bright without being gaudy. The seats were excellent.

PRICE: The base price of the test car was $39,000. Options included Sensus Connect, 19-inch wheels, metallic paint, heated front seats, blind-spot detection and the Platinum package. The Platinum package includes a Harmon Kardon premium sound system,

MPG RATING: 24 city, 35 highway

adaptive cruise control, collision warning with full auto brake, pedestrian/cyclist detection with auto brake, driver alert, lane keeping aid, rear park assist and retractable side mirrors. The sticker price was $46,525.

WARRANTY: Four years or 50,000 miles. Service is free at 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 miles.

Sold Properties

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Average List Price

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86%

175

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320

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$624,000

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98%

NC

The National

$499,975

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92%

103

Forest Ridge Estates

$549,800

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$466,376

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263

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$428,690

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53

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18

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6300 N Lucerne Avenue • Kansas City, MO 64151 • 816.746.2777 May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

49

Lifestyle Calendar

May MAY 7-9 A NIGHT ON THE TOWN MUSICAL THEATER HERITAGE AT CROWN CENTER, CROWN CENTER SHOPS, LEVEL 3.

You'll enjoy a fabulous 90-minute performance with tableside bar service. This is an Musical Theater Heritage original event, specially designed and crafted to highlight the individual performer, their stories, favorite songs, and anything else they'd like to share.

816.221.6987 or MTHKC.com Photo Bill Mathews

MAY 9-JUNE 7 46TH SYMPHONY DESIGNERS’ SHOWHOUSE HYDE PARK

Step inside the historic Hyde Park home (96 Janssen Place) transformed by the area’s top designers. The KC Symphony Alliance will host the 46th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse Spring Tour, which is the longest running fundraising Showhouse in the country. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For more information visit Showhouse.org.

MAY 9 SOPHIE'S RUN5K RUN WALK LAKE WAUKOMIS

MAY 8

Sophie's Run is a 5K road race. Proceeds benefit children in surrounding communities with special needs. It is a great family event featuring children's entertainer Dino O'Dell along with children's activities, a kid's dash and team competition.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER WITH THE KC SYMPHONY

MAY 9

KAUFFMAN CENTER

NORTHLAND ANNUAL WALK FOR THE HOMELESS

Mary Chapin Carpenter joins the KC Symphony for a very special evening of music from her debut orchestral record "Songs from the Movie."

This winner of multiple Grammy Awards is still breaking new ground, promising a unique and memorable evening. KCSymphony.org

ZONA ROSA

MAY 9 MOTHER’S DAY TEA – FANCY & FUN. ANNA MARIE’S TEA SHOP, LIBERTY

With joy we offer a beautiful place to celebrate your mom, sisters, and grandmothers, a quiet yet giggly nook of others who, like you, want to celebrate “mom”. So, come and join us for the queen of all tea parties, Mother’s Day Tea 2015. Tea time set aside for your mom, grandmother and you. AnnaTeaShop.com 50

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

This 5K family fun walk is an event that raises awareness and funds to support Hillcrest in its mission to transition homeless families to self-sufficiency. Participating in the Walk for the Homeless is an excellent way to show your support for Hillcrest and the families they serve.

MAY 15 & 16 VOLKS-WESTON WESTON

Join fellow Volkswagen enthusiasts from around the region for a car show of up to 150 vehicles, swap meet and camp out as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mo-Kan Volkswagen Club. MoKanVWClub.org

Weston Family Clinic and Medical Spa Family Practice (Infants to Geriatrics) • HCG Weight Loss Program • Cosmetic Injections by Physician Botox®/Dysport/Juvederm/Voluma XC • Esthetician Services / Laser Spa Services

Debra C. Keith, D.O - Family Practice

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18215 State Route 45N Weston, MO 64098

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Creekwood Medical Building II 200 NE 54TH Street, Suite 125 Kansas City, MO 64118

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Revel in creative black-tie attire and help us fundraise for our 1,100 animals.

Celebrate the opening of our new orangutan exhibit with a “party under the canopy” complete with ape-mazing cuisine and fabulous entertainment from:

Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band

Barclay Martin Ensemble

Big Time Grain Company

DJ Kirby

KC All Stars

Right On Red

Katie Guillen & the Girls

JUNE 5, 2015 816.595.1234 | JAZZOOKC.ORG

May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

51

Lifestyle Calendar

MAY 15 & 16

who will also receive the American Jazz Museum's 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. AmericanJazzMuseum.org.

DISNEY FANTASIA LIVE IN CONCERT KAUFFMAN CENTER

Join us for a thrilling performance of Disney's groundbreaking marriage of symphonic music and animation. Magnificent music from the original 1940 version will be performed while Disney's stunning footage is shown on the big screen.

KCSymphony.org

MAY 17 8TH ANNUAL WOOFSTOCK 1 MILE DOG WALK/5K RUN ZONA ROSA

ARMED FORCES AT BIG SHOAL CEMETERY BIG SHOAL CEMETERY

Honoring those veterans buried at the historic Big Shoal Cemetery, the morning activities for the Armed Forces Day Celebration will take place on the grounds of the Big Shoal Heritage Area and include a gun salute, speakers and period military demonstrations.

MAY 25

This fun animal/canine race features a family festival filled with pet-related vendors, contests, prizes and fun galore! All proceeds benefit the Northland Animal Welfare Society (NAWS).

U.S. AIR FORCE BAND CONCERT MULBERRY LAKE AT BRIARCLIFF VILLAGE

Celebrate Memorial Day with an exclusive, live concert by the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America "Phoenix Brass" Ensemble. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, drinks and picnic dinners to enjoy this free family-friendly concert celebrating our nation’s freedom.

MAY 23 MARILYN MAY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GEM THEATER

The Jammin' at the Gem concert series concludes with Marilyn Maye,

MAY 23

Marilyn Maye

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816.888.7930 McCriteKC.com 52

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

You deserve more time outside with your fa mily!

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816-984-0525 completehardscapes.com May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

53

Visit Us Online!

Lifestyle Calendar

MAY 29 FESTA ITALIANA ZONA ROSA

Enjoy an amazing assortment of Italian food favorites, a beer garden, an Italian Car Show and much more. Plus, novelty booths will line the streets. The festival will feature a designated children’s area with a variety of activities including inflatable bounce houses and slides.

JUNE 5-6 HOSPITAL HILL RUN CROWN CENTER SQUARE

What’s on our Website? past issues - Business Directory Current Articles get your news in our publications

Visit us often at NorthlandLifestyle.com 54

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

The 5K run/walk will take place on Friday night at 7 p.m. The renowned 13.1-mile half marathon and 10K races are run Saturday at 7 a.m. All races start and end at Crown Center Square. For registration information, visit HospitalHillRun.com

JUNE 6 FREE MOVIE NIGHTS MULBERRY LAKE AT BRIARCLIFF VILLAGE

Enjoy a free showing of "Jurassic Park" (1993) PG-13 at 8:45 p.m./dusk at Mulberry Lake across from Briarcliff Village. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks. For more information, visit BriarcliffTrails.com.

GALLERY QUALITY FRAMING AT WAREHOUSE PRICES. Come in today and save.

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At Art & Frame Warehouse, quality framing at the lowest possible cost is our goal. And our gallery selection has thousands of frames, oils, art, and mirrors.

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JUNE 6 MIDWEST TEA FEST JC NICHOLS AUDITORIUM AT THE WWI MUSEUM AT LIBERTY MEMORIAL

The Inaugural Midwest Tea Fest will feature a tea market with boutique loose leaf tea vendors and tea related hand crafts, educational presentations throughout the day on various tea related topics, focused tasting sessions and intensive workshops with tea industry experts, hourly door prize drawings, and free tea tastings all day long.

MidwestTeaFest.com

-Shadowboxes -Rare & limited editions -Corporate design -Designer accounts -Military memorabilia -Cross stitch -Home consultations -Sports memorabilia -Unique art

Call to schedule a residential or corporate art consultation

JUNE 6 LIBERTY ARTS SQUARED HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LIBERTY SQUARE

The 2-day festival will begin with an evening of fin visual arts and crafts booths and headlining musical entertainment on June 5th from 4-9pm. The following day, will feature a full range of exhibits and activities with musical and performance arts, interactive and children’s arts, and visual arts and fine crafts.

8642 N. Boardwalk Avenue Kansas City, MO 64154

816-584-8009 www.afwkc.com

May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

55

business directory ANIMALS & ANIMAL CARE Wild Birds Unlimited (816) 415-4303 wbu.com

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY Art & Frame Warehouse (816) 584-8009 afwkc.com

J. Schneider Photography (816) 738-6085 JSchneiderphotography.com

AUTOMOTIVE

Precision Collision Center (816) 781-9630 precisioncollisionkc.com

CHARITIES & FUNDRAISERS

Heartland Habitat For Humanity (RESTORE) (913) 648-6001 heartlandhabitat.org/restore

DENTISTS & ORTHODONTICS Antioch Dental Group (816) 452-9700 fredbaileydds.com

Berry Sousa Dental (816) 746-5437 childrenstoothdoc.com Burleson Orthodontics (816) 533-7566 burlesonorthodontics.com Dentistry for Children (816) 548-3400 kidsdentistkc.com Jim Anderson, DDS (816) 454-3336 jimandersondds.com

EDUCATION Park University (888) 319-9522 park.edu/icm 56

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION Kansas City Zoo (816) 595-1234 kansascityzoo.org

Prairie Fire Museum (913) 647-5160 visitprairiefire.com Show-Me Shooters Indoor Range (816) 452-4867

FINANCIAL SERVICES & PLANNING Bank Liberty (816) 407-9200 banklibertykc.com

Equity Financial Services Group (913) 587-4322 equityfsg.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS Anu Aesthetics (816) 359-3310 anuaesthetics.com

WestGlen Gastrointestinal Consultants (816) 221-9898 westglengi.com

HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

Seasonal Concepts (913) 642-4999 seasonalconceptsonline.com

HOME SERVICES

Advanced Home Energy (913) 226-3201 advancedhomeenergykc.com Budget Blinds of the Northland and Kansas City (816) 505-5515 budgetblindskc.com Complete Hardscapes LLC (816) 984-0525 completehardscapes.com

Midwest Lifetime Roof Systems (913) 393-3008 lifetimeroofsystems.com Rock And Wall Landscape (816) 392-7262 rockandwalllandscape.com Safe Haven ADT (816) 205-4166

MEDICAL CLINICS & FACILITIES Fairway Eye Center (913) 491-9123 fairwayeyecenter.com Meritas Health (816) 691-2021 meritashealth.com Mosaic Life Care (800) 447-6820 mymosaiclifecare.org North Kansas City Hospital (816) 691-2000 nkch.org/cancercare Pediatric Care North (816) 587-3200 pediatriccarenorth.com Saint Luke’s Health Systems (913) 317-7139 saintlukeswalkin.com

Meyers Funeral Chapel (816) 741-0251 meyersfuneralchapel.com

PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE

Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development (816) 455-2500 huntmidwestkc.com The Rob Ellerman Team Reece & Nichols Realtors (816) 304-4434 therobellermanteam.com Wolfe-Sweeney & Associates LLC (816) 746-2777 wolfesweeney.com

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE The Rim (816) 883-8996 the-rim.com

SALONS & SPAS Sunlight Day Spa (913) 754-0831 sunlightdayspa.com

SENIOR LIVING & SERVICES

McCrite Plaza at Briarcliff (816) 888-7930 mccritekc.com

Visiting Nurse Association (816) 531-1200 vnakc.com

Senior Helpers (816) 455-9300 seniorhelpers.com

Weston Family Clinic & Medical Spa (816) 640-2762 wfcmedspa.com

SPECIALTY SHOPS

OTHER

Briarcliff Trails (816) 805-6820 briarclifftrails.com

Great Guns (816) 781-2323 greatguns.us

TRUTH IN NUMBERS

85%

Our New Business Comes From Referrals

We love our customers and they love us. That’s why word is spreading about our top quality work and superb customer service.

Give Precision Collision a try and you’ll see why Precision Collision earned the 2011 and 2012 Best of the Northland Award.

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I-35 Hwy & Pleasant Valley Rd.

816.468.4011 PrecisionCollisionKC.com

816.781.9630

TOW SERVICE

816.291.0497 Available 24/7

May 2015 | Northland Lifestyle

57

Parting Thoughts

Parting Thoughts WORDS RACHEL MURPHY

W

e threw a great party. Everyone said so. We had a garden wedding, complete with bubbles, late blooming roses in October and a perfectly sunny day. We danced to one of my favorite bands and talked to what felt like a million people. It was a blur; a beautiful, colorful, joyous blur.

And yet, I can honestly say that I love my husband more now, more completely, more honestly today than I did on October 3, 2010. In the past four years, we've grown together in a way that I didn't imagine. We've faced and defeated mountains of debt, horrendous fights over minuscule things and survived each other's driving. He makes me laugh with his strange old man impersonations, nerdy TV addictions and generally off beat sense of humor.

He drives me crazy with his home improvement ADHD and impatience with life in general. But still, I love him more now than I did then. And I think it's high time that I told him.

The love letter is a lost art and my penmanship leaves much to be desired. I tried writing out a sonnet from Shakespeare once for him but after squinting through my chicken scratch, I think it lost a bit of its charm. So here's my own take, in black and white and glossy.

Dearest Husband, When first we met, I didn't know what to make of you. I had big plans and none of them involved living in the suburbs with two dogs and a never ending housing project. I was hitting the road, traveling the world and I wasn't looking back. Of course, I wasn't looking forward either. Not really. When I see the map of the world now, and think of it without you, it seems pointless.

Since our first rocky year of fights over the dishwasher, negotiation of cleaning styles and management of money, we've grown into a lean, mean, married machine. I know at the end of the day, there's no one I would rather see than you, even if it's just across the couch or cuddled up on the floor with the dogs. Your eye for beauty inspires me and your love of discovery matches my own.

You push me to do things that I'm scared to do and I think that I do the same for you. You are the only person that could entice me to go SCUBA diving at night. We are each other's opposites. I'm scared of depths. You're scared of heights. I'm a detailed travel planner and you're happy to let me take the wheel (figuratively, not literally). I look at the long term of our finances. You look at the long term of our life. You're the only person that could make me look stable and responsible. I love that you dream and dream big.

And when heartache hits, you are the one that lets me know that it's okay to let it out. To talk about my feelings, to rail at the world or even you, if I need to. That bottling it up doesn't make it 58

Northland Lifestyle | May 2015

go away. In the darkest hours of my life, you were there, with my hand in yours, ready to fight battles for me and for us. And when I was ready, you were there with a smile and a laugh, strong arms, sushi and bourbon. You understand and embrace that I'm not the wife you thought I would be, and that I'm growing into it a little more each day.

So thank you for being part of our team. I don't know what the future holds, but as long as we hold tight to each other, we will make it. I said it once, and I'll say it again. I do, I will, and I will never stop loving you.

Forever yours, Your wife

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Know what questions to ask.

Make a confident decision.

1

What exactly is advanced care?

Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry combines art, science and experience to provide your family with extraordinary orthodontic care. Get to know us and learn how our expertise can work for you. For a complimentary consultation and digital x-rays with one of our orthodontic specialists, go to burlesonortho.com/secondopinion or call (816) 533-7568 for free, friendly phone advice.