After almost 50 years in Downtown Lawrence, we would like to reintroduce ourselves.
WSA
Wilkerson, Saunders & Anderson is now
Thanks to all of our patients who voted us Best of Lawrence. We look forward to continuing to deliver the highest level of dental excellence & care to Downtown Lawrence & surrounding communities.
831 Vermont Street • Lawrence • 785.843.6060 • thedentistsinlawrence.com
THANK YOU LAWRENCE,
for voting us Best in Lawrence five years in a row!
Open 7 Days a Week
Mon-Fri 9am-8pm • Sat 8am-8pm Sun 11am-7pm
Salon Di Marco & Day Spa Hair • Skin • Body
Book Online Today! sdimarco.com Gift Certificates available - Salon and Spa Packages available
Full service hair and nail salon • Full body waxing Facial and body treatments • Massage and Reiki
733 Massachusetts Street • 785.843.0044
DEAR READER, Welcome to the Best of Lawrence magazine! We have hosted this contest and released this magazine for several years now, each time adding some new variation. This year, we divided the event into two separate processes. We have 1) LM Choice—editorial selections of some of the brightest community highlights of the past calendar year as determined by community panels set up through Lawrence Magazine and 2) People’s Choice—the online voting contest administered and hosted by the Lawrence Journal-World. You can read more about the online voting on page 8. However we change the format from year to year, we recognize that the fundamental goal of the Best of Lawrence event remains the same— to honor Lawrence as a community, to honor the businesses, individuals, organizations and ideas that make the community a better place to live. Even if your favorite Lawrence teacher or Lawrence live music venue is different from the one that won the voting contest we sponsored, you probably share with us a belief that living local matters. Without that belief, we might have a city, but not a community. Here’s to our community. Here’s to Lawrence.
ON THE COVER
PUBLISHER Scott Stanford
SUNFLOWER PUBLISHING PRODUCTION MANAGER Shelly Bryant
the
City
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Joanne Morgan Ariele Erwine ART DIRECTOR Jenni Leiste
WITH AWARDS COVERING
New Restaurant Yoga Instructor Burger Nonprofit Shop Pet and 180+ other categories
Her tail might not have wagged during the photo shoot, but rescue dog Millie is excited to be on this year’s cover honoring one of her favorite winners, the Lawrence Humane Society.
—Best of Lawrence staff Allie, Ariele, Jenni, Joanne, Katy, Kelly, Leslie, Nathan, Nick G., Nick K., Scott and Shelly
LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
Photograph by Brian Goodman
EDITORS Kelly Gibson Nathan Pettengill COPY EDITOR Leslie Andres ONLINE VOTING DIRECTOR Nick Gerik WRITERS Fally Afani Becky Bridson Amber Fraley Thad Haverkamp Cheryl Nelsen Nick Spacek PHOTOGRAPHERS Fally Afani Kevin Anderson Jeff Burkhead Jason Dailey Brian Goodman Nick Krug Racheal Major Adam Smith Michael Snell Bill Stephens Lulu Stevens Doug Stremel DOG MODELS Duke Millie MARKETING Allie Sebelius
Duke was a little too excited to be on the cover, so Millie stepped in. Good dog, Duke! Good dog, Millie!
SUNFLOWER PUBLISHING CONSULTANT Katy Ibsen PUBLISHED BY:
645 New Hampshire | Lawrence, KS 66044 | www.bestoflawrence.com
4
Table ofContents 11
45
BEST FOOD & DINING
BEST HEALTH & FITNESS
12–13: LM CHOICE Steve Noble’s celebrity cocktail, Chef Vaughn Good’s fantastic tweak, new restaurants spread across town … and more
46–47: LM CHOICE MusDogs for the win, a Lion bounces back from cancer, gold medals on the diamond, over the course and on the tables … and more
14–22: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Overall Menu, New Restaurant, Bakery, Thai Food, Breakfast Spot ... and more
48–52: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Hiking/Biking Trail, Eyewear or Vision Center ... and more
25
55
BEST COMMUNITY
BEST SERVICES
26–27: LM CHOICE Indigenous Peoples Day, Relay for Life’s door-to-door hero, positive politics … and more
56–57: LM CHOICE Pancakes serve youth, coming to the aid of a fellow business owner, assisting Willow … and more
28–34: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Shop Pet(s), Local Nonprofits, Art Galleries ... and more
58–66: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Hair Salon, Pet Care, Veterinarian, Photographer ... and more
35
69
BEST SHOPPING
38–43: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Music Store, Pets and Pet Supplies, Window Display ... and more
M O RE A BO U T T H E VOT I N G A N D T H E MA K I N G O F T H E M AG A Z I N E O N
PAGE 8!
70–71: LM CHOICE Card Table Theatre tackles the big issue, Barry Crimmins (let’s just officially adopt him now), Theatre Lawrence’s versatile lineup … and more 72–78: PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Local Band, Happy Hour ... and more
6
Best of Lawrence 2017
Photograph by Brian Goodman
BEST ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
36–37: LM CHOICE Arise, ye nerds! Shops host shops, events boost economy … and more
Breakdown
A by - t he- numb er s look at se l e c te d p o r ti o n s o f B e st o f Law re n c e o n l i n e vo ti n g
317,123 TOTA L
262,369 BAL L OT
VOTES
NUMBER OF REGISTERED ACCOUNTS: 8,846
VOTES
CATEGORIES WITH MOST POPULAR BALLOT MOST OVERALL VOTES CHOICES, BY TOTAL VOTES
NUMBER OF CATEGORIES ON BALLOT: 184 DAYS IN THE CONTEST: 28 BREAKDOWN OF VOTES BY CATEGORY COMMUNITY
54,754
WRITE -IN VOTE S
1
BAKERY
2
AMERICAN CUISINE
3
BREAKFAST SPOT
4
BARBECUE
5
GROCERY STORE
1
(Best Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt) 2
3
LADYBIRD DINER (Best Place to get Pie)
5
ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
HEINBACH LARKIN DDS (Best Dental Practice)
6.9%
FOOD & DINING
24.7%
43%
25.7%
11.3%
12.5%
21.8%
14.2%
15.3% SHOPPING
LADYBIRD DINER (Best Diner)
11.6%
SERVICES
THE BURGER STAND (Best Hamburger)
4
HEALTH & FITNESS
SYLAS & MADDY’S
VOTERS BY ZIP CODE 66049 66044 66047 66046 Other Includes zip codes from surrounding communities (Baldwin City, Eudora and Lecompton) and beyond
12.8%
Mini-articles
as s e e n o n Pe o p l e ’s Ch o i c e p a ge s
A short profile of one of the five finalists and the approach that has won them loyal fans
Anatomy of success
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
An overview of the unique aspects that defined this year’s finalists in a particular category
Lawrence is a unique market, and these are the trends in each category that define our city
VOTER’S
VOICE
Guide to ...
Explanations of choices from verified voters selected as a focus group from this year’s ballot
What sets apart the top three finishers? Here are some crucial factors that define each of them
The Photographers BRIAN GOODMAN
Cover, Section Openers, LM Choice
8
Best of Lawrence 2017
NICK KRUG
LM Choice Photographs
RACHEAL MAJOR
People’s Choice Photographs
MICHAEL SNELL
LM & People’s Choice Photographs
Creating a naturally beautiful smile designed specifically for you!
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“The most wonderful part of our practice is when your family becomes part of ours.”
Thanks for voting for us 6 consecutive years in Best of Lawrence!
– Ranjbar Orthodontics
4828 Quail Crest Place | 785.832.1844 | ranjbarorthodontics.com
An Elite Preferred Invisalign Provider
Making Lawrence Families Smile for Over 20 Years.
Fine Arts Unique • Functional
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Visit us in beautiful
Downtown Lawrence 825 Massachusetts Street Lawrence KS 785-843-0080 Also visit us at: Country Club Plaza 4740 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO
Thank you for voting for us!
Also shop at: phoenixgalleryart.com
M-F 11-10:30 | Weekends 9-10:30 | www.715mass.com
721 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence
FOOD DINING LM CHOICE
PG.
12-13
Steve Noble’s celebrity cocktail, Chef Vaughn Good’s fantastic tweak, new restaurants spread across town … and more
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
PG.
14-22
Photograph by Brian Goodman
The Best of Lawrence in the realm of food and dining as determined by our community online voting contest. American Cuisine Bakery Barbecue Barista Breakfast Spot Burrito Caterer Chef Chinese Food Coffee or Tea Shop Cookie Delivery Dessert Diner Dining Ambiance Ethnic Market
Fast Food French Fries Fresh Produce Grocery Store Hamburger Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt Indian or Middle Eastern Food Italian Food Lunch Spot Mexican Food New Restaurant Outdoor Dining Overall Menu Overall Restaurant Pizza
Place to Get Pie Restaurant Dish Restaurant for Kids Restaurant to Watch a Game Salad Sandwich Seafood Secret Menu Steak Sushi Tacos Take Out Thai Food Vegetarian or Vegan Food Waitstaff or Service Wings
bestoflawrence.com
11
for 2017 An editorial selection of highlights and accomplishments from the past calendar year in the realm of Lawrence food and dining.
CELEBRITY COCKTAIL Steve Noble’s “Riggle Reloaded” In his tenure as lead bartender of the Oread Hotel’s Bird Dog Bar, Steve “Scuba” Noble has served everyone from displaced college students to celebrities like Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav. In October, Noble revamped the bar’s cocktail list and added a drink crafted especially for his favorite visiting celeb, Rob Riggle. The comedian/ character actor and KU alumnus remains a diehard Jayhawk basketball fan. When in Lawrence, he makes the Oread his home-away-from-home, and Noble his go-to bartender. In honor of Riggle, Noble created the “Riggle Reloaded,” a housemade bloody mary crafted especially for the actor but available to all. So, if you want to try a great cocktail named after a great comedian and made by a great bartender, go to the Oread and ask for “Scuba” to set you up.
Steve Noble created a stand-out cocktail in honor of Rob Riggle and his love of Lawrence.
The Panel 12
Best of Lawrence 2017
ROSE FAMBROUGH artist and bartender
THADDEUS HAVERKAMP LM writer and panel chair
RACHEAL MAJOR LM photographer and business owner
JOHN MONAGHAN
programmer and foodie
DANIELLE SULLIVAN
assistant director at KU financial aid/ scholarships
POPEYE’S rice & beans
SLIM CHICKENS
signature sauce
waffles
biscuits
FRIED CHICKEN CONVERGENCE In case you hadn’t noticed, 2016 was the year of new fried chicken chains rushing into town. Here’s a Venndiagram breakdown of three of the popular new restaurants to analyze prime fried chicken success.
fried chicken on bone
spicy flavor texas toast
Louisiana roots
RAISING CANE’S chicken fingers
special lemonade
MESSING WITH SUCCESS
Photographs by Brian Goodman, Nick Krug, Lulu Stevens
Vaughn Good Successfully Tweaks a Favorite Chef Vaughn Good has won a wide following in Lawrence since opening Hank Charcuterie, Lawrence’s gourmet, farm-totable butcher shop, in 2014. Last year, Good risked scaling back the butcher’s counter to offer full-service dining. “We realized quickly that people wanted to come in and order food, deli style,” says Good. “A couple of sandwiches at lunch quickly evolved into dinner options, weekend brunch and extended hours. I think for a while we were operating with split personalities— kind of torn between the It is tempting charcuterie counter and to stick the restaurant and it was with a confusing to customers.” proven If offering brunch, formula, but that sandwiches and deli meats never wasn’t enough, Good makes you added a full bar too. the best. “We finally embraced it and decided if we were going to be a restaurant, we needed a bar.”
ANNEX THIS Let’s Just Consider it Lawrence Lawrence residents have known for a while about the Myers Hotel in Tonganoxie. This historic inn first opened in 1879, but in the past year Kate and Jesse Brubacher installed a first-class but unpretentious cocktail bar in the quaint little Tongy B&B. Worth the short drive (with a designated driver).
AROUND TOWN Lawrence restaurants expanded across town in 2016. Here are our picks for best geographical expansions
The Sweet, Bitter Aftertaste Long may they linger on our palates, three legendary Lawrence restaurants were lost in 2016 L A FA M I L I A Beloved downtown family-owned Mexican restaurant PA N D A G A R D E N Pioneer in affordable, authentic Chinese cuisine BIGG’S BARBEQUE DOWNTOWN Mass. St. branch of Lawrence classic
NORTH
The Levee opens to make North Lawrence a contender for brunchhub
EAST
Bon Bon lands in town, putting the eastside back into fine-dining central
WEST
The reinvention of Marisco’s into J. Wilson’s keeps a westside anchor
bestoflawrence.com
13
AND WINN TH E
. E S ARE .. R
AMERICAN CUISINE 1) Free State Brewing Company 2) The Burger Stand 3) Ladybird Diner 4) 715 5) Merchants Pub & Plate BAKERY 1) WheatFields Bakery Café 2) Munchers Bakery 3) 1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe 4) Great Harvest Bread Co. 5) Eileen’s Colossal Cookies
FOOD & DINING
BARBECUE 1) Biemer’s BBQ 2) Bigg’s Barbecue 3) Hank Charcuterie 4) Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q 5) Mr. Bacon BBQ BARISTA 1) Chelsea Rae, The Roost 2) Adam Lott, The Bourgeois Pig 3) Louis Wigen-Toccalino, Decade 4) Alycia Futrelle, The Bourgeois Pig 5) Beau Moody, The Oread
LAWRENCE VOTED. THESE ARE THE RESULTS.
BREAKFAST SPOT 1) The Roost 2) Ladybird Diner 3) The Big Biscuit 4) Milton’s 5) First Watch
Anatomy of success
BEYOND THE “SIDE”
BURRITO 1) Chipotle Mexican Grill 2) El Potro 3) Burrito KING 4) TACO ZONE 5) Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
BEST SALAD
CATERER 1) Maceli’s 2) Hy-Vee 3) Culinaria 4) Bigg’s Barbecue 5) Evan Williams Catering
CHINESE FOOD 1) Encore Cafe 2) Oriental Bistro & Grill 3) Jade Garden 4) China House 5) King Buffet COFFEE OR TEA SHOP 1) Alchemy Coffee & Bake House 2) La Prima Tazza 3) The Roost 4) Java Break 5) Z’s Divine Espresso
14
Best of Lawrence 2017
S TA R S A L A D S
VEGGIE LOVE
N E V E R FA I L S
BEET UP
Perhaps more than anywhere else in Lawrence, Ingredient moved the salad from side-dish status to main attraction. Fresh. Customized. Green goodness.
Jason’s Deli has defied stereotypes with its abundant salad bar choices and core vegetarian options. This west Lawrence chain believes the sandwich can be your side.
There is exactly one house salad on the regular menu, but that’s enough. Consistently fresh and satisfying, the house salad at Wheatfields Bakery Café pairs with almost anything.
The Merchants Cobb at Merchants Pub & Plate does the heavy lifting, but the beet variations, like the fresh nettle cheese and smoked beets have their own strong following as well.
Photograph by Kevin Anderson
CHEF 1) Rick Martin, LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar 2) TK Peterson, Merchants Pub & Plate 3) David Nigro, Maceli’s 4) Vaughn Good, Hank Charcuterie 5) Brad Walters, The Basil Leaf Cafe
! ket Mar y it l C Loca Your
ou y nk a e h c n T e r local Law it eping for ke
23rd & Louisiana | Lawrence, Kansas | checkersfoods.com
Like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter @CheckersFoods!
AND WINN TH E
. E S ARE .. R
COOKIE 1) Eileen’s Colossal Cookies 2) Hot Box Cookies 3) WheatFields Bakery Café 4) Munchers Bakery 5) The Merc Co-op DELIVERY 1) Pizza Shuttle 2) Ramen Bowls 3) Jimmy John’s 4) Minsky’s Pizza 5) India Palace DESSERT 1) Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream 2) Ladybird Diner 3) WheatFields Bakery Café 4) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar 5) Dairy Queen DINER 1) Ladybird Diner 2) The Roost 3) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar 4) The Big Biscuit 5) Sandwich Bowl DINING AMBIANCE 1) 715 Restaurant 2) Merchants Pub & Plate 3) J. Wilson’s 4) Bon Bon 5) Paisano’s Ristorante ETHNIC MARKET 1) Au Marché 2) Checkers 3) Mediterranean Market & Cafe 4) The Merc Co-op 5) Brits
FRENCH FRIES 1) The Burger Stand 2) Five Guys 3) Dempsey’s Burger Pub 4) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar 5) Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers FRESH PRODUCE 1) Checkers 2) Lawrence Farmers Market 3) Sprouts Farmers Market 4) The Merc Co-op 5) Dillons GROCERY STORE 1) Dillons 2) Checkers 3) Hy-Vee 4) The Merc Co-op 5) Sprouts Farmers Market
16
Best of Lawrence 2017
VOTER’S
VOICE
FREE STATE BREWERY OVERALL MENU
For many, it is the longtime standards such as the black bean quesadilla or the cheddar ale soup. For others, it is the non-traditional brewery dishes such as the beet nicoise salad or the asparagus-and-crab omelet that Free State Brewery has mastered and made its own. Either way, the Free State menu has helped define the taste of Lawrence for decades—food that is fundamental, adaptable and always delightful.
“At The Roost, it’s the staff, the atmosphere, everything. You feel at home and surrounded by friends with amazing food. To me, It embodies the spirit of this town.” —Michele Montour
Photograph by Doug Stremel, Jason Dailey
FAST FOOD 1) Chipotle Mexican Grill 2) Burrito KING 3) Culver’s 4) Runza 5) Firehouse Subs
for your votes! Texas Roadhouse is proud to be a part of the Lawrence community Check out our Basketball Legends mural and Star Bar!
MUCHAS GRACIAS
FOR VOTING FOR US! Mexican Food | Margarita |Burrito |Taco
FRESH TORTILLAS MADE DAILY
New outdoor patio seating, coming June 2017!
785-331-2500 WWW.ELPOTROKC.COM 3333 S. IOWA ST. LAWRENCE, KS (IN FRONT OF THE MOVIE THEATER)
AND WINN TH E
. E S ARE .. R
HAMBURGER 1) The Burger Stand 2) Dempsey’s Burger Pub 3) Johnny’s Tavern 4) Burgers By Bigg’s 5) Culver’s ICE CREAM OR FROZEN YOGURT 1) Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream 2) Orange Leaf 3) Cold Stone Creamery 4) Dairy Queen 5) Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers INDIAN OR MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD 1) India Palace 2) The Mad Greek 3) Zen Zero 4) Aladdin Cafe 5) Mediterranean Market & Cafe ITALIAN FOOD 1) The Basil Leaf Cafe 2) Paisano’s Ristorante 3) 715 4) Genovese 5) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar LUNCH SPOT 1) Terrebonne Cafe 2) Free State Brewing Company 3) Ingredient 4) WheatFields Bakery Café 5) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
NEW RESTAURANT 1) Bon Bon 2) J. Wilson’s 3) Mass Street Fish House & Raw Bar 4) Texas Roadhouse 5) The Levee Cafe OUTDOOR DINING 1) Cielito Lindo 2) La Tropicana 3) 23rd Street Brewery 4) Hank Charcuterie 5) Merchants Pub & Plate OVERALL MENU 1) Free State Brewing Company 2) Merchants Pub & Plate 3) 23rd Street Brewery 4) 715 5) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar OVERALL RESTAURANT 1) Free State Brewing Company 2) Merchants Pub & Plate 3) 715 4) The Burger Stand 5) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
BON BON NEW RESTAURANT
From the folks who brought us The Burger Stand comes Bon Bon, a little café in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District. Order a bun and a cocktail with a cheeky name to enjoy en plein air on the front patio, or order a few menu items to share in the cozy dining room. VOTER’S
VOICE
“Cheddar ale soup from Free State is one of those things that makes the search for a downtown parking place totally worth it.” —Bill Picking
18
Best of Lawrence 2017
Photographs by Racheal Major, Jason Dailey
MEXICAN FOOD 1) El Potro 2) Cielito Lindo 3) Mi Ranchito 4) Port Fonda 5) Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
DINER DOES WORK Sandwich Bowl provides one of Lawrence’s never-ending menus. Plenty of sandwiches, soups, burgers and much more to satisfy any appetite.
DOES WORK The Roost’s bloody mary extravaganza (as noted on the menu); offering everything from The Classic to Ol’ Smokey.
DOES WORK LiMESTONE Pizza + Kitchen + Bar offers locally-sourced ingredients and earth-conscious practices in recycling and reducing waste, such as composting. Diners can help save the planet and fill their tummies all in one fell swoop.
DOESN’T WORK (BUT STILL WORKS; WE’RE JUST BEING PICKY) Ladybird Diner is much like Mary Poppins: Practically perfect in every way. If Lawrencians wished anything more of Ladybird it would be late-night hours, when a plate of fries and a chocolate shake is the ideal meal after catching an epic show downtown.
WHEATFIELDS BAKERY CAFÉ BAKERY
Home to row upon row of crusty or tangy or hearty boules, bagels and loaves. It might be handcrafted, hearth-baked bread heaven. And don’t overlook the decadent pastries in the counter window. These beauties are difficult to resist (though we recommend succumbing to those dessert urges when they strike).
MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE + HERBAL PRESCRIPTIONS Shannon L Ryan, L.Ac , Dip.OM lawrenceacupuncture.com 843 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, KS 66044 ph: (785) 371-1141 | fax: (785) 246-5809
NEW PATIENTS $20 OFF use promo code: best of lawrence
AND WINN TH E
. E S ARE .. R
PIZZA 1) LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar 2) Papa Keno’s Pizzeria 3) Minsky’s Pizza 4) Rudy’s Pizzeria 5) Johnny’s Tavern
Guide to ...
best pizza
PLACE TO GET PIE 1) Ladybird Diner 2) Perkins Restaurant & Bakery 3) WheatFields Bakery Café 4) Alchemy Coffee & Bake House 5) The Roost RESTAURANT DISH 1) The Bill Self, 23rd Street Brewery 2) Margherita Pizza, LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar 3) Cheddar Ale Soup, Free State Brewing Company 4) Fish and Chips, Free State Brewing Company 5) Pad Thai, Zen Zero
Artisan Pizza
Everything a LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar is made with love, from scratch, with ingredients provided by local farmers. And your pizza? It’s baked at 1,000 degrees in a limestone oven named Maggie.
RESTAURANT FOR KIDS 1) Cici’s Pizza 2) Ladybird Diner 3) McDonald’s 4) Jason’s Deli 5) Buffalo Wild Wings RESTAURANT TO WATCH A GAME 1) Johnny’s Tavern 2) 23rd Street Brewery 3) Set’em Up Jack’s 4) Buffalo Wild Wings 5) Jefferson’s
huge slices
SANDWICH 1) Terrebonne Cafe 2) Yello Sub 3) WheatFields Bakery Café 4) Sandwich Bowl 5) Jimmy John’s SEAFOOD 1) Yokohama Sushi 2) Terrebonne Cafe 3) Merchants Pub & Plate 4) Mass Street Fish House & Raw Bar 5) 715 SECRET MENU 1) Cafe Beautiful 2) The Burger Stand 3) Free State Brewing Company 4) John Brown’s Underground 5) Oriental Bistro & Grill STEAK 1) Six Mile Tavern & Chop House 2) LongHorn Steakhouse 3) 715 4) Texas Roadhouse 5) Merchants Pub & Plate
20 Best of Lawrence 2017
ZEN ZERO THAI FOOD
Zen Zero isn’t the most-Thai of places. In fact, the Asian fusion restaurant intentionally balances its menu with a range of national specialties. But for years, Zen Zero has won and maintained a particularly loyal following by consistently serving an excellent short list of Thai dishes. Its Pad Thai is a Lawrence standard, and its Tom Kha can make you a believer.
Papa Keno’s is the spot if you’re looking for crispy crust and slices bigger than your face. Try a unique combination of toppings or a plain slice of cheese. Either way, you’re going home full and happy.
Embrace the Lawrence Vibe
Minsky’s is a Kansas City transplant we’re happy to adopt. A favorite for downtown workers at lunchtime, Minsky’s pizza is loaded with premium toppings. And they bring it right to your house if you ask nicely.
Photographs by Racheal Major, Kevin Anderson
SALAD 1) Ingredient 2) Jason’s Deli 3) WheatFields Bakery Café 4) Merchants Pub & Plate 5) Panera Bread
Anatomy of success
A QUICK WRAP ON THE LAWRENCE BURRITO BEST BURRITO
NO MATTER HOW YOUR CAR GETS DAMAGED, WE’LL MAKE SURE IT GETS FIXED RIGHT AND ON TIME. Remember, where you get your car repaired is NOT your insurance company’s decision, it’s YOURS. So make the right choice, bring your car in today.
(785) 331-4434 MADE-TO-ORDER
S I Z E M AT T E R S
Crowd favorite Chipotle is the chain that packs in the townies and the gownies with personalized options.
It’s true. Your car weighs a good bit more after you pick up a Burrito King burrito for lunch. Stuffed with goodness.
SPECIALS
ESSENTIALS
Two days of the week are burrito specials at El Potro. And one of those dishes is the “KU Burrito.” Flattery (plus taste!) wins you fans.
Taco Zone starts with quality, gourmet fillings that go in anything. Tacos, burritos … heck, we’d eat their fillings wrapped in a napkin.
VOTER’S
VOICE
“Burger Stand is the hamburger taken to the next level. Your first bite is like a mystical experience.” —Michele Montour
bestoflawrence.com
21
| 2951 Four Wheel Dr. Lawrence, KS 66047
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
AND WINN TH E
. E S ARE .. R
ITALIAN FOOD DOES WORK Legendary dishes like Basil Leaf Cafe’s tortellini cordon bleu set a restaurant’s reputation. Even if you’ve never had the dish, you’ve heard raves about it.
SUSHI 1) Wa Japanese Restaurant 2) Yokohama Sushi 3) Oriental Bistro & Grill 4) Tokyo Sushi Bar 5) Kobe Japanese Steakhouse TACOS 1) Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 2) TACO ZONE 3) El Potro 4) Port Fonda 5) Tres Mexicanos Mexican Grill & Cantina
DOES WORK A bit of American-Italian atmosphere is key. It makes the food taste better, no? Paisano’s has just the right balance, where the signature Frank Sinatra martini feels right at home.
TAKE OUT 1) Ramen Bowls 2) Encore Cafe 3) China House 4) Jade Garden T-5) The Basil Leaf Cafe T-5) Zen Zero
DOES WORK
THAI FOOD 1) Zen Zero 2) Thai-Siam Restaurant 3) Baan Thai Restaurant 4) Encore Cafe 5) Little Saigon Cafe VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN FOOD 1) The Merc Co-op 2) Zen Zero 3) Encore Cafe 4) Ingredient 5) India Palace WAITSTAFF OR SERVICE 1) Ladybird Diner 2) Free State Brewing Company 3) The Roost 4) Merchants Pub & Plate 5) 715 WINGS 1) Jefferson’s 2) Buffalo Wild Wings 3) Henry T’s 4) Johnny’s Tavern 5) Biemer’s BBQ
Trust them. Restaurants like 715 thrive on creating unusual, but delicious combinations such as their shrimp and crab pizza. It’s possible they can go wrong, but we haven’t tasted failure yet.
THE ROOST BREAKFAST SPOT
How ambitious was it to step into the location of a legendary Lawrence eatery, switch it up and make it all your own? Yes, very. But how successful has The Roost been doing just that? Yes, very. Those crowds standing outside on any given weekend don’t lie, The Roost is one of the city’s favorite spots to treat visitors to breakfast and leave them with good, warm sensations about Lawrence. From the staff, vibe and breakfast specials—this is a delicious way to start a good day.
DOESN’T WORK Endless pasta bars and kneedeep lasagna dishes might have been a fad at one time— and still might be somewhere. But not in Lawrence. This year’s winners focus on dishes that are good tastes in good proportions.
OUSEKEEPING Unlimited
We specialize in residential cleaning. Locally owned since 1987 in Lawrence. 1611 Saint Andrews Dr Lawrence, Kansas, KS | (785) 842-2444 | www.housekeepingunlimited.com
Thank You Lawrence! We are proud to continue to serve our community.
FIVE YEARS IN A ROW!
lawrencelandscape.com 785.843.4370
Thanks for voting us
Best of Lawrence Mature Living
Providing senior options for the Lawrence community for over 40 years.
1429 Kasold Drive | Lawrence, KS 66049 | 785-841-4262 LawrencePresbyterianManor.org Independent Living • Assisted Living Health Care • Rehabilitation • Memory Care
BRANDON WOODS HAS MORE OPTIONS FOR SENIORS Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care - Alzheimer’s/Dementia Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Care
1501 Inverness Drive | Lawrence, KS 66047 | 785-838-8000 www.brandonwoods.com Pet Friendly
COMMUNITY LM CHOICE
PG.
26-27
Indigenous Peoples Day, Relay for Life’s door-to-door hero, positive politics … and more
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
PG.
28-34
Local Store Owner Mascot Mature Living Community New Business Park Place of Worship Place to Have Kid’s Birthday Party Place to Hold Event Place to Take an Out-of-Towner Place to Work (100+ employees)
Place to Work (under 100 employees) Private Music Lesson Instructor Public Servant Shop Pet Social Media (business) Social Media (individual) Social Media (organization or nonprofit) Teacher (grades 6-8) Teacher (grades 9-12) Teacher (grades K-5) Teacher (higher ed)
Photograph by Brian Goodman
The Best of Lawrence in the realm of community as determined by our community online voting contest.
Administrative Assistant Art Gallery Artist (painting, sculpting or mixed media) Artist (photography or digital images) Bank Community Leader Credit Union Event (annual) Event (seasonal or recurring) Family Fun Hotel Local Nonprofit
bestoflawrence.com
25
for 2017 An editorial selection of highlights and accomplishments from the past calendar year in the realm of Lawrence community.
NATIVE PROCLAMATION The Red Society drum group performs a Cherokee song as Professor Dan Wildcat, Lori Hasselman, Alexander Rodriguez and Amy Bousman (some of the leaders of the movement to declare Indigenous Peoples Day) gather at Haskell Indian Nations University.
The Panel 26
Best of Lawrence 2017
ED HAWKINS
account manager for Reuschoff Security
Lawrencians as well as students and faculty from Haskell Indian Nations University gained approval from the Lawrence City Commission for the second Monday of October to be designated as an annual celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day. Lori Hasselman, a Haskell student who helped draft the proclamation, organized a walk to city hall and
HEATHER LAWRENZ
digital media specialist for the William Allen White School of Journalism
coordinated the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, says, “Celebrating the truth as well as our existence and continued resilience as a people is such a better alternative than perpetuating the myth of discovery.” Others who worked on presenting a resolution to the city commission were Haskell student Barb Wolfin, Haskell professor Daniel
RHONDA LEVALDO
adviser for Indian Leader at Haskell Indian Nations University
Wildcat, and community members Amy Bousman and David Crawford. Wolfin, now working for her tribal nation, says, “Indigenous people are wrongfully thought of as people of the past. Now is the time for my people, Native, Tribal, Hawaiian, Alaskans, the original caretakers of the land, to be rightfully recognized and respected.”
URSULA MINOR
community leader
CHERYL NELSEN
LM writer and panel chair
DOOR-TO-DOOR, DOLLAR-BY-DOLLAR Bob Silipigni—Cancer Fighter The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser depends on volunteers, and in Lawrence, Bob Silipigni has collected donations for 17 years. “I’ve worked the community, and I found out what they’ve been through. My God, all the walking wounded. Everyone has a story,” says Silipigni. In his lifetime, Silipigni has collected approximately $460,000, mostly by walking door-to-door throughout the city. In 2016 his
POLITICAL WINNERS In a year of toxic politics, three Lawrencians provided bright spots JAMIE SHEW
Photographs by Brian Goodman, Michael Snell and Watkins Museum of History
Douglas County Clerk whose office started non-partisan “I’m Voting” campaign to bring all people to the polls
DEBARRE JOHNSON
Private citizen who initiated and carried out a voting drive to empower historically underrepresented black community
DOUGLAS SPRADLIN
Lawrence barber who tamed Bernie Sanders’ legendary, independent-minded hair before the presidential candidate spoke to a crowd of 4,200 in Lawrence
THE SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART $8M
privately funded by nearly 200 donors & foundations
A TWO-STORY
30,000
sq ft of exhibition and educational spaces transformed
TWO
window to provide a view of historic Marvin Grove
new educational spaces to allow short-term installations
Colleague preview party with
Student preview party with
KU and community partners
KU students
800
1,200
Gala reopening weekend with
3,000 GUESTS
collection of $62,366 earned him the Relay for Life of Douglas County Award from the ACS. Silipigni points out that he does the Relay for Life with a team from Lawrence High School, but his work begins months before the June event. Seven days a week he carries his clipboard with spaces to fill in the names and donations of the people he meets. “I’m spiritually driven, and the American Cancer Society has been my vehicle,” Silipigni says.
Picture-Perfect, “Help-Portrait” Every family deserves a portrait, and these volunteeers made a high-quality photo session accessible for lowincome families JESSICA JANASZ lead organizer for the Lawrence branch of the national movement that gave family portraits to those who have never had one before. CANDICE FERREIRA provided families hair styling and makeup ahead of photo session J E R RY WA N G took photographs of the families in professional studio set-up
ART OF CONVERSATION In 2016, the Watkins Museum of History and the Lawrence Arts Center began a partnership on a programming series, The Art of Conversation, involving discussions between experts on topics of social justice and the public. Topics have included race, incarceration, segregation, sports, art and veterans’ issues. Will Hickox, assistant programs coordinator at the museum, describes the series as successful, with large turnouts and fascinating discussions. bestoflawrence.com
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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 1) Lori Nation, Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital 2) Carrie Combs, Rodrock Chiropractic 3) Linda Love, Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital 4) Steve Swyers, The Merc Co+op 5) Debbie Carter, Kansas Visiting Nurses Association ART GALLERY 1) Cider Gallery 2) Spencer Museum of Art 3) Phoenix Gallery 4) Lawrence Arts Center 5) KU Natural History Museum ARTIST (PAINTING, SCULPTING OR MIXED MEDIA) 1) John Sebelius 2) Stan Herd 3) Jeromy Morris 4) Clare Doveton 5) Louis Copt
COMMUNITY
ARTIST (PHOTOGRAPHY OR DIGITAL IMAGES) 1) Jeremy Osbern 2) Ann Dean 3) Jeff Burkhead 4) Trina Baker T-5) Racheal Major T-5) Tim Forcade
LAWRENCE VOTED. THESE ARE THE RESULTS.
BANK 1) Capitol Federal 2) Commerce Bank 3) US Bank 4) Peoples Bank 5) Central Bank of the Midwest COMMUNITY LEADER 1) Mike Amyx 2) Caleb Stephens 3) Dennis “Boog” Highberger 4) Matthew Herbert 5) Kurt Goeser CREDIT UNION 1) Truity Credit Union 2) Meritrust Credit Union 3) Mainstreet Credit Union 4) Mid American Credit Union 5) Envista Credit Union EVENT (ANNUAL) 1) Transformations Charity Gala 2) Busker Festival 3) Lawrence St Patrick’s Day Parade 4) Free State Festival 5) Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade EVENT (SEASONAL OR RECURRING) 1) Deja Brooks presents Cabaret Brunch 2) Lawrence Farmers’ Market 3) Final Fridays 4) #AssJamz 5) KU basketball games FAMILY FUN 1) Lawrence Public Library 2) EPIC Fun 3) Sports Pavilion Lawrence 4) Sunfire Ceramics 5) Royal Crest Lanes
28 Best of Lawrence 2017
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
LOCAL STORE OWNER DOES WORK
DOES WORK
Be there. Where do you find successful, community-favorite local store owners? At their shop. Linda and Tom Cottin have a crew, but they’re also on-site, engaging with their customers.
Know your goods. Owners such as Jennifer and Matt Richards of Made represent the personal curation approach. Their deliberately chosen stock reflects their style applied to their customers.
DOES NOT WORK DOES WORK Community. Checker’s owner Jim Lewis is legendary for his service of pioneering personal delivery of groceries to shut-in customers. Services like these build community.
Sally Zogry, executive director of Downtown Lawrence, urges Lawrence business owners to avoid these two big mistakes: 1) Relying only on location and foot traffic and 2) changing business hours without communicating that change to customers.
Anatomy of success
CLASSROOM WISDOM HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
C A R I N G ( F O R C O M M U N I T Y, F O R S T U D E N T S , F O R S U B J E C T M AT T E R ) “The one constant I think you would find across the board would be the commitment to caring—caring about the process of education, caring for the community, caring for the content, and caring about students, of course.” —David Platt, Lawrence High School
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING “Teachers who consistently provide opportunities for their students to ‘learn how to learn,’ as opposed to just throwing information at them, create lifelong learners, which is the ultimate goal.” —Laura Porter, Bishop Seabury Academy
Photographs by Michael Snell and the Lawrence Journal-World
HONESTY (WITH YOURSELF AND YOUR STUDENTS) “During my early years of teaching, I felt like I was being a caricature of myself every day. As I got older, I felt like being open brought me closer to students and them more willing to open up and share. They have to trust you to give their all.” —Hilary Morton, Free State High School
VOTER’S
VOICE
“The best Art Gallery hands down is Lawrence Arts Center for showcasing local artists.” —Debbie F.
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If you voted for us, thank you so much. If you don’t yet know who we are, we’d like to take the opportunity to introduce ourselves ... with same day appointments, a Patient Answer Line, and some genuine professionals to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle. We’ll continue to work hard and make sure we’re the best in Lawrence for many years to come.
• Walk in service Monday-Friday beginning at 7:30am Saturday 8 am to Noon
• Patient Answer Line – 830-9990 Our nurses have the answers to your questions.
AND WINN TH E
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HOTEL 1) The Eldridge 2) The Oread 3) Double Tree by Hilton 4) TownePlace Suites Marriott 5) SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Guide to ...
social media
LOCAL NON-PROFIT 1) Lawrence Humane Society 2) The Willow Domestic Violence Center 3) Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence T-4) Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center T-4) Just Food
(nonprofit)
MASCOT 1) Baby Jay, University of Kansas 2) Big Jay, University of Kansas 3) Chesty the Lion, Lawrence High School 4) Freddie the Firebird, Free State High School 5) The Indians, Haskell Indian Nations University
LOVE GARDEN
MATURE LIVING COMMUNITY 1) Brandon Woods at Alvamar 2) Lawrence Presbyterian Manor 3) Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living 4) Neuvant House of Lawrence 5) Babcock Place
Cool cats go to Love Garden. And cool cats live at Love Garden. Sam, Chardonnay and Stuffing, to be precise. Just poke your head in (but close the door behind you before Stuffing tries to escape) and you might catch a glimpse of not one, not two, but three fluffy friends, ready and willing to help you find your next favorite album.
NEW BUSINESS 1) Delaney & Loew 2) Mass Street Mercantile 3) The Art House 4) KB & Co. 5) Spell of the Meadow PARK 1) South Park 2) Clinton Lake State Park 3) Prairie Park 4) Centennial Park 5) Buford M. Watson, Jr. Park PLACE OF WORSHIP 1) Corpus Christi Catholic Church 2) St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 3) Plymouth Congregational Church 4) First United Methodist Church 5) Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence PLACE TO HAVE KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY 1) Pet World 2) LOL Family Zone 3) Lawrence Gymnastics and Athletics 4) Indoor Aquatic Center 5) Royal Crest Lanes
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Best of Lawrence 2017
SHOP PET(S)
VOTER’S
VOICE
“I voted Mrs. Brown, 2nd grade at Schwegler Elementary school, because you can tell she cares about her students. She helps when needed and keeps us parents informed!” —Kristen L.
Laying Down the Law
Serving up a plate of justice with a warm side of sass, the Lawrence Police Department’s Twitter account keeps all of us in line in the best way possible.
furry friends
Puppies. Everywhere. And kittens, too. The Lawrence Humane Society’s social media is all animals, all the time, plus useful pet owner info and details on upcoming events. It’s basically the happiest social media feed.
talk nerdy to us The Lawrence Public Library’s social media is quirky and informative, encapsulating the library vibe in a social media context. And they’ve mastered the art of a well-timed reaction gif.
Photographs by Fally Afani and Racheal Major
LOCAL STORE OWNER 1) Linda and Tom Cottin, Cottin’s Hardware & Rental 2) Jim Lewis, Checkers 3) Matt and Jennifer Richards, Made 4) Kelly Corcoran, Love Garden 5) Dan and Karla Hughes, Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop
Thank you Lawrence for inviting me into your homes and your lives and always inspiring me to be better.
Casey Williams REALTOR®
In order to grow with this great community, I’m expanding—look for my new team, THE WILLIAMS GROUP, Summer 2017.
with THE WILLIAMS GROUP
INTEGRITY
www.caseywilliamsrealty.com (785) 550-1302
caseywilliams@kw.com
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HUMANE SOCIETY
PLACE TO HOLD EVENT 1) Abe & Jake’s Landing 2) Maceli’s 3) Cider Art Gallery 4) Liberty Hall T-5) The Castle Tea Room T-5) The Oread PLACE TO TAKE AN OUT-OF-TOWNER 1) Downtown Lawrence Inc. 2) Allen Fieldhouse 3) Free State Brewing Company 4) The University of Kansas 5) The Burger Stand
LOCAL NON-PROFIT
For 66 years, the Lawrence Humane Society has given homeless animals in Douglas County a chance at a new life. Once harbored in a house on Indiana Street, the shelter now occupies 18,000 square feet on East 19th Street. It continues to find homes for animals in need and reunite lost pets with families. In 2016, the Humane Society helped with the adoption of 2,587 pets. That’s pretty pawsome, if you ask us.
PLACE TO WORK (100+ EMPLOYEES) 1) The University of Kansas 2) Grandstand Glassware and Apparel 3) Lawrence Memorial Hospital 4) The Merc Co-op 5) Lawrence Public Schools PLACE TO WORK (UNDER 100 EMPLOYEES) 1) Pennington & Company 2) Pet World 3) Lawrence Public Library 4) Maceli’s 5) Free State Brewing Company PRIVATE MUSIC LESSON INSTRUCTOR 1) Dylan Bassett 2) Laura King 3) Evelyn Falen T-4) Jamie Bone T-4) Leah Younger
SHOP PET 1) Junior at Topiary Tree 2) Sam, Stuffing and Chardonnay at Love Garden Sounds 3) Lassie at Lucky Dog Outfitters 4) Kya at Tooter & Tillaye’s Home Goods 5) Dinah at The Dusty Bookshelf SOCIAL MEDIA (BUSINESS) 1) Hurst Diamonds T-2) Love Garden Sounds T-2) Ladybird Diner 4) 715 Restaurant 5) The Burger Stand SOCIAL MEDIA (INDIVIDUAL) 1) LarryvilleLife 2) Will Averill 3) Micki Hadley 4) Jeremy Osbern 5) Phoggg SOCIAL MEDIA (ORGANIZATION OR NONPROFIT) 1) Lawrence Police Department 2) Lawrence Humane Society 3) Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association 4) Lawrence Public Library 5) The Willow Domestic Violence Center
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Best of Lawrence 2017
Guide to ...
best park Lawrence Central
The town’s original gathering spot, South Park continues to be Lawrence’s heart of green for playtime, festivals, concerts, protests, lazy days and even weddings.
A Big Splash
Kayaking, fishing, trail-riding and camping make Clinton Lake State Park one of the most popular summertime spots. It’s natural, wild and beloved.
Green Education
Home to the city’s Nature Center, Prairie Park combines education with an enjoyable trail that seems to take you away from all the town’s bustle and noise.
Photographs by Michael Snell and Racheal Major
PUBLIC SERVANT 1) Matthew Herbert 2) Dennis “Boog” Highberger 3) Mike Amyx 4) Marci Francisco 5) Leslie Soden
TEACHER (GRADES 6-8) 1) Ericka Waller, South Middle School 2) Melanie Bartlow, Veritas Christian T-3) Maria Pope, South Middle School T-3) Laura Hochman, South Middle School 5) Danielle Lotton-Barker, Southwest Middle School TEACHER (GRADES 9-12) 1) David Platt, Lawrence High T-2) Laura Porter, Bishop Seabury Academy T-2) Keri Lauxman, Lawrence High 4) Hilary Morton, Free State 5) Jeanne Yantzie, Lawrence High TEACHER (GRADES K-5) 1) Jennifer Catlin, Langston Hughes 2) Susan Lomshek, Schwegler Elementary 3) Jennifer Wilk, Hillcrest Elementary 4) Leslie Downing, Langston Hughes 5) Shannon Biggerstaff, Veritas Christian TEACHER (HIGHER ED) 1) Dylan Bassett, KU 2) Anne Patterson, KU 3) Sarah Polo, KU 4) Mary Klayder, KU 5) Stephen Ilardi, KU
SPENCER ART GALLERY ART GALLERIES
Spencer Art Gallery offers something for every art enthusiast. With more than 45,000 works housed in the space, Spencer Art Gallery’s recent renovation was a necessary one. Phase I of the renovation, completed in 2016, enlarged the lobby, expanded learning and study spaces and extended the view of Marvin Grove on KU’s campus.
Photograph by Michael Snell and Brian Goodman
SHOPPING LM CHOICE
PG.
36-37
Arise, ye nerds! Shops host shops, events boost economy … and more
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
PG.
38-43
The Best of Lawrence in the realm of shopping as determined by our community online voting contest.
Antique Store Bike Shop Bookstore Children’s Clothes Convenience Store Department Store Dress Shop or Formal Wear Electronics Store Flower Shop Furniture Store Gardening Store Gift Shop Hardware Store Jewelry Store KU Souvenir Shop
Men’s Clothing Store Music Store Pets and Pet Supplies Place to Buy a New Car Place to Buy a Used Car Retail Clerk/Customer Service Secondhand Store Shoe Store Sporting Goods Toy Store Unique Store Vintage Clothing Window Display Women’s Clothing Store
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for 2017 An editorial selection of highlights and accomplishments from the past calendar year in the realm of Lawrence shopping.
RISE OF THE NERD GENERATION First they were laughed at, then they got purchasing power There was a time when “nerd,” “geek” and “gamer” were pejoratives— but now that seems as if it was a long time ago and in a galaxy far, far away. With Boom Comics’ official opening last year in an expansive, landmark West Lawrence location— many Lawrencians will know it as the former home of Kief’s Audio/ Video—the city now has four stores devoted to the fantasy, super-hero, board-gaming lifestyle. The nerd generation is here to stay—and they have money and the stores to cater to them. Astrokitty holds the Downtown and East Lawrence side of town, as part of Game Nut on Massachusetts Street. In the south-central portion of town, Hometown Games can be found just off of 23rd and Louisiana. Rolling Gnome holds the northwest section
on Sixth Street, and then there’s Boom in the southwest. And that’s not counting the Game Nut/Astrokitty branch store on Iowa Street. Each store has a regular following and hosts events such as tabletop miniature battles, youth-centered Magic tournaments, beer-drinking older-set strategy game sessions and more. “We’re in a gaming renaissance. Role-playing games, board games and comics are hot right now,” says Joel Pfannenstiel, manager of Astrokitty at Game Nut. “No matter how many stores we will have at the end of this year, the people in Lawrence are into gaming. Because we are a college town and a younger-crowd tourismdestination point, this will always be a community that supports gaming in general.”
Father and daughter, Jack Low and Eisley Low, bring some Star Wars cosplay glamor to Astro Kitty at Game Nut.
The Panel 36
Best of Lawrence 2017
FALLY AFANI
LM writer and panel chair
LINDSEY SLATER
communications director at Lawrence Chamber of Commerce
SALLY ZOGRY
executive director of Downtown Lawrence
Not Pictured: Mike Logan owner of the Granada Theatre and Abe and Jake’s Landing
BRING ’EM WITH BEER “Visitor spending is crucial to our economy,” notes panel member Mike Logan. So one way to keep local business thriving is to host popular events. And centering them around craft beer never seems to hurt either. Last year saw addition of a new event, bringing a total of three big beer festivals for Lawrence.
BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH
Photographs by Brian Goodman, Nick Krug
Our Shops Got Shops! Over the last year, a new trend started popping up Downtown that gave small businesses a step up. Boutiques started banding together, sharing a physical space to allow several vendors to operate out of a single physical location. This structure started showing up in stores like Phoenix Underground, Vintage Chic, KB & Co., and Mass St. Mercantile. Downtown Lawrence Inc’s Sally Zogry says the goal was to keep a popular holiday shopping trend year-round. “Some of these boutique businesses started as shopping shows at holiday time The Phoenix without a brick-andGallery, mortar location,” she managed by says, adding that the Sue Shea, is part of format also allows several the trend regional artists to display of stores their work locally. opening Zogry says the separate boutiques personal experience of on their shopping is something premises. that always appeals to the consumer, even in the online age. “There are many who still like to see and feel the products in person, especially with art, because people want to pick out something and have a personal experience doing it.”
OKTOBERFEST LAWRENCE Not just barrels of fun, but one of the many heritage/tourism traditions vital to Lawrence economy—here’s a breakdown of what makes it possible
1,300 PEOPLE ATTENDED THROUGHOUT THE DAY x 700
x 100
BEERS OF THE KAW New in 2016, featuring brewers along the Kaw and benefiting Friends of the Kaw
KANSAS CRAFT BREWERS EXPO
Now in its fourth year, a gathering of special Ad Astra brewers
OKTOBERFEST
Hosted by St. John’s as an homage to the parish’s GermanAmerican heritage, this is the longestrunning Lawrence beerculture event
CUT THOSE RIBBONS! Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are the hallmark of a growing business and retail community. Last year, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce held 47 ribbon cuttings with the two biggest categories being restaurants, 9, and retail shopping venues, 7. Significantly, 15 of the ribbon-cutting ceremonies were not new businesses, but expansions, remodels or relocations—signs of healthy growth. And one of these ceremonies was to celebrate Owens Flower Shop marking 70 years of business, a milestone almost any retailer would admire.
700 BEER STEINS SOLD
16 FOLK DANCERS
15 DIFFERENT BEERS
Live Shopping Events Ideally, nobody needs an excuse to shop— but a new Downtown shopping event this past year cemented a trio of Lawrence shopping celebrations …
MOONLIGHT MADNESS The newest edition, an evening of fall fashion and merchandise discounts in October
10 MUSICIANS
6 FOOD VENDORS
F I N A L F R I D AY S Shopping for the art lovers, now in its 7th year DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE SIDEWALK SALE The oldest, grandest Lawrence shopping event; a summertime blowout that packs the city with visitors
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AND WINN TH E
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ANTIQUE STORE 1) Lawrence Antique Mall 2) Topiary Tree 3) Amy’s Attic Interiors and Antiques 4) Tooter and Tillaye’s Home Goods 5) Blackbird Trading Post BIKE SHOP 1) Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop 2) Cycle Works 3) The Lawrence Re-Cyclery 4) Dick’s Sporting Goods 5) Lawrence Vintage Cycle BOOKSTORE 1) The Dusty Bookshelf 2) The Raven Book Store 3) Friends of the Lawrence Public Library 4) Signs of Life 5) The Toy Store CHILDREN’S CLOTHES 1) 2 Shy Kids Children’s ReRun Store 2) Target 3) Gap 4) Kohl’s 5) T.J. Maxx CONVENIENCE STORE 1) QuikTrip 2) Kwik Shop 3) Hy-Vee Gas 4) Jayhawk Food Mart 5) Zarco DEPARTMENT STORE 1) Weaver’s 2) Kohl’s 3) Target 4) T.J. Maxx 5) Bed Bath & Beyond DRESS SHOP OR FORMAL WEAR 1) Weaver’s 2) J.Lynn Bridal 3) White House | Black Market 4) Aneita’s Alterations 5) Spectator’s ELECTRONICS STORE 1) Best Buy 2) Game Nut Entertainment T-3) Target T-3) UNI Computers 5) GameStop FLOWER SHOP 1) Owens Flower Shop 2) Hy-Vee Floral 3) Englewood Florist 4) Dillons Floral 5) Pendleton’s Kaw Valley Country Market FURNITURE STORE 1) Winfield House 2) Lawrence Habitat for Humanity ReStore 3) World Market 4) Eagles’ Rest 5) Tooter and Tillaye’s Home Goods
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Best of Lawrence 2017
SHOPPING LAWRENCE VOTED. THESE ARE THE RESULTS.
Guide to ...
best Unique Store International Flavor Jonesing for a trip across the pond, but don’t have the time to take a vacation? Stepping into Brits is like stepping off a plane at Heathrow and indulging in all things British (sweets and tea are a must!)
Creative Gifts
The perfect place to find a gift for your quirky friend, or a little something for yourself. Wonder Fair Gallery provides a world of whimsy and a heavy dose of wares from local artists.
Learning is Fun
For all the science nerds out there, Wild Territory Science & Nature Store is for you. Get your geek on with science kits and geodes and model rockets. Say hey to Cardboard Einstein while you’re there.
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC
Photograph by Racheal Major
MUSIC STORE
What is the secret for any music store’s success? Is it marketing? Location? The biggest inventory of day-glo electric ukuleles? Sure, all those things help, but the key factor seems to be musicians. Beautiful Music, and each of the other finalists in this category, has a strong following of loyal musiciancustomers, and an equally impressive group of guitar-strummers, drummers, key-bangers or vinyl-spinners behind the counters. These are businesspeople by day and performers by night who speak a common language and know the same tunes as the fellow musicians who walk into their shops.
VOTER’S
VOICE
“I voted for Weaver’s because the store has many styles from which to choose, and its staff is very helpful.” —Clara Westphal
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40 Best of Lawrence 2017
PETS AND PET SUPPLIES
Not only can you find toys and treats for your pet at Pet World, but kids can also take part in one (or several) educational programs developed to encourage curiosity and sensitivity to critters big and small. Spend some time with the birds and the tortoises, or enjoy watching the fish. Knowledgeable staff can help you find the right pet for your life (and teach you how to care for it).
Anatomy of success
BLOOMING LEGENDS GARDENING STORE
SPRING TRADITION
CURB APPEAL
GREEN GEAR
Howard Pine’s is equally a garden store and thinktank of greenhouse experts which has become a regular springtime pilgrimage for generations of Lawrencians.
The eye-catching displays at Clinton Parkway Nursery bring in the hard-core gardeners and the beginners looking to beautify their yards.
The farmers’ market at Cottin’s Hardware & Rental has the greens while the store provides the seeds and the gear to keep the greens coming.
Photographs by Bill Stephens
GARDENING STORE 1) Howard Pine’s Garden Center & Greenhouse 2) Clinton Parkway Nursery 3) Cottin’s Hardware & Rental 4) Earl May Nursery & Garden Center 5) Westlake Ace Hardware Garden Center GIFT SHOP 1) Phoenix Gallery 2) made 3) LMH Gift Shop 4) Brits 5) Wonder Fair HARDWARE STORE 1) Cottin’s Hardware & Rental 2) Westlake Ace Hardware 3) Ernst & Son 4) Menards 5) The Home Depot JEWELRY STORE 1) Marks Jewelers 2) Goldmakers Jewelry 3) Hurst Diamonds 4) Kizer Cummings Jewelers 5) Phoenix Gallery KU SOUVENIR SHOP 1) Kansas Sampler 2) KU Memorial Union Bookstore 3) Jock’s Nitch 4) Phoenix Gallery 5) Dillons MEN’S CLOTHING STORE 1) Weaver’s 2) Kohl’s 3) JoS. A. Bank 4) hobbs. 5) JCPenney MUSIC STORE 1) Love Garden 2) Mass Street Music 3) Beautiful Music Violin Shop 4) Richards Music Store 5) Supersonic Music PETS AND PET SUPPLIES 1) Pet World 2) Pawsh Wash and Pet Health Market 3) Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital 4) Lawrence Humane Society 5) Lucky Dog Outfitters & Pet Supply PLACE TO BUY A NEW CAR 1) Crown Automotive 2) Laird Noller Automotive 3) Briggs Auto 4) Dale Willey Automotive 5) Jack Ellena Honda PLACE TO BUY A USED CAR 1) Laird Noller Automotive 2) Crown Automotive 3) Dale Willey Automotive 4) Johnny I’s 5) Academy Cars
PET WORLD
Thank you for your vote and confidence.
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
A FINALIST IN:
FURNITURE STORE
• Women’s Clothing • Men’s Clothing • Dresses/Formal Wear • Window Display • Department Store • Shoe Store
DOES WORK Ensemble. Winfield House thrives by curating furniture selections as part of a design ensemble and feel. Even when you buy separates, you take away a vibe.
DOES WORK Mission. Lawrence Habitat for Humanity ReStore is based on its highly respected mission of co-creating affordable housing. The goods are quality with purpose.
DOES WORK Connections. Lawrence’s branch of the World Market chain succeeds with a personalized approach in management, customer service and display.
901 Massachusetts
(785) 843-6360
DOESN’T WORK Fleece the students. You can make money selling shoddy furniture to short-term resident students. For a short time. After all, those students will return to the community—but not to a bad business— as time goes by.
GARDEN ART • PET DISHES • DINNERWARE
VOTER’S
VOICE
“Goldmakers has been my favorite jewelry store for decades. There is not a day that goes by that I am not wearing something from their store.” —Laura Kirk
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Our Studio is Your Studio Pottery & Fused Glass Projects & Parties
Drop Off Kids 9+ yrs with Friend(s) for Creative Kid’s Projects $6-$12
Sunfire Ceramics 1002 New Hampshire
749-2828
EVENING HOURS & WINE FRIENDLY STUDIO PARTIES $12 PER GUEST INC POTTERY WWW.SUNFIRECERAMICS.COM
We
FACEBOOK.COM/SUNFIRECERAMICS
Lawrence since 1997
BIRTHDAY • SIP & CREATE • FUNDRAISER • SCOUTS
FREE PARTY ROOM & PARTIES “TO GO”
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AND WINN TH E
Anatomy of success
SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE FLOWER SHOP
42 Best of Lawrence 2017
CUSTOMER SERVICE The key to being successful, according to Owens, is paying close attention to customer needs and style, and ensuring they get exactly what they envisioned.
VA R I E T Y
GAME NUT ENTERTAINMENT WINDOW DISPLAY
With legendary displays such as the Game of Thrones sword-throne and the Pokemon showdown, Game Nut has consistently delighted passersby and raised expectations for what a window display should do. Here, the purpose is not to encourage window-shopping or display goods, but to establish a brand and a feel for the character and originality of the store—and at doing this, they are game-winners.
Giving a customer options, whether big blooms or tiny succulents, can make all the difference. HyVee’s floral selection promises an arrangement for every occasion.
AVA I L A B I L I T Y You never know when you might need to send some flowers or a gift to brighten someone’s day. Englewood’s 30 years of experience backs up the promise of on-time delivery and excellence.
Photographs by Nick Krug and Michael Snell
RETAIL CLERK/CUSTOMER SERVICE 1) Hurst Diamonds staff 2) KB & Co. staff 3) Avril Dexter, Tooter & Tillaye’s Home Goods 4) Emily Decker, Ruff House Art 5) Becky Popp, Hurst Diamonds SECONDHAND STORE 1) Arizona Trading Co. 2) Lawrence Habitat for Humanity ReStore 3) Plato’s Closet 4) Ditto A Resale Boutique 5) Social Service League Thrift Store SHOE STORE 1) Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. 2) Ad Astra Running 3) Shark’s Surf Shop 4) Famous Footwear 5) Garry Gribble’s Running Sports SPORTING GOODS 1) Dick’s Sporting Goods 2) Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop 3) Ad Astra Running 4) Garry Gribble’s Running Sports 5) Jock’s Nitch TOY STORE 1) The Toy Store 2) Wild Territory Science & Nature Store 3) Astrokitty Comics & More 4) Walmart 5) Target UNIQUE STORE 1) Mass Street Soda 2) made 3) Brits 4) Wonder Fair Gallery 5) Wild Territory Science & Nature Store VINTAGE CLOTHING 1) Wild Man Vintage 2) Arizona Trading Co. 3) Lawrence Antique Mall 4) Salvation Army Thrift Store 5) Plato’s Closet WINDOW DISPLAY 1) The Toy Store 2) Game Nut Entertainment 3) Weaver’s 4) hobbs. 5) Brits WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE 1) Weaver’s 2) KB & Co. 3) Kohl’s 4) Eccentricity 5) T.J. Maxx
stepping
stones
This year we are proud to celebrate 30 years of providing quality care and education for children 2 months - 11 years.
843-5919
steppingstones-childcare.org
ORAL HEALTH DELIVERED: COMPASSIONATELY COMPREHENSIVELY CONVENIENTLY (Open Monday-Saturday)
Grant Larkin, DDS • Marvin Heinbach, DDS • Jeff Larkin, DDS
Come experience why nearly
4000 Patients
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01 •2
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10 East 9th Street • Suite C/D Lawrence • 785-749-2525
3
Downtownlawrencedentist.com
201
call us their dental home
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• 2015 • 20
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Thank you for once again voting us Best of Lawrence!
HEALTH FITNESS LM CHOICE
PG.
46-47
MusDogs for the win, a Lion bounces back from cancer, gold medals on the diamond, over the course and on the tables ‌ and more
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
PG.
48-52
The Best of Lawrence in the realm of health and fitness as determined by our community online voting contest. Nurse Optometrist (individual) Orthodontic Practice Pediatric Care Personal Trainer Pharmacy Physical Therapy (group or office) Psychiatrist Psychologist Spa Sports Medicine Surgeon Yoga Instructor (individual)
Photograph by Brian Goodman
Acupuncture Chiropractor Dental Practice Eyewear or Vision Center Family Medical Practice Golf Course (traditional and disc) Gym or Fitness Center Hiking and Biking Trails Martial Arts Massage Therapist (individual) Massage Therapy (group or office) Medical Clinic Mental Health Counselor
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for 2017 An editorial selection of highlights and accomplishments from the past calendar year in the realm of Lawrence health and fitness.
COMBINED POWER Middle School Football For seven weeks, young athletes from the Central Liberty Memorial Middle School football team blocked, tackled and drilled their way through one of the hottest times of the year knowing they probably would never play a game because the smaller school did not have enough players to to field a full squad. But then, at a meeting of district athletic directors, an idea emerged to combine the Central team with another squad. One week into the season, Central and Southwest middle schools joined their programs. The all-star team first beat city rivals South (24-16) and then West (14-12) to claim the City Championship. Tad Gellender, whose son Connor attends Southwest and place kicked for the team, described the experience as awesome. Connor who beforehand did not have a lot of experience playing football now plans to compete at the next level. “He got a taste of winning, and he wants to continue on in high school,” says Gellender. “He was really excited and happy. We weren’t supposed to win it. We were the underdogs, so it was pretty neat.” Proud members of the “MusDogs”—the combined football squads of the Central Liberty Memorial Mustangs and the Southwest Middle School Bulldogs—pose at one of their two home fields.
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Best of Lawrence 2017
BECKY BRIDSON
LM writer and panel chair
KARREY BRITT
communications director at LawrenceDouglas County Health Department
BOBBY NIGHTENGALE
sports writer at Lawrence Journal-World
AUDREY POPE TROWBRIDGE LHS track coach FSHS staff
GRANNY BASKETBALL DEBUTED AT ALLEN FIELDHOUSE IN DECEMBER 2016 The league is for women over 50 and is based on historic basketball rules; the local team, the Kansas Greyhawks, is part of a larger national trend.
Health Heroes So often, health is about the daily slog rather than the big victories. Here are three daily winners of 2016. CHRIS MAXWELL Ran his first mile in February 2016 and went on to lose 100 pounds through the year. By November, he ran the Billy Mills 10k. M A R I LY N H U L L Breast cancer survivor and personal fitness advocate who spearheaded and assisted many of the biggest community health issues of past year.
6 26 8
PLAYERS ON COURT FOR EACH TEAM
EARL BARNES At 25, he lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, but Barnes continues to expand his active life as a firefighter, tactical medic, scuba diver, Ironman triathlete, husband and father.
TEAMS ACROSS THE NATION
STATES HAVE TEAMS
BLOOMERS FASHIONABLE AND MANDATORY ATTIRE
SOCKS Photographs by Brian Goodman, Nick Krug, Nike
TENDING TOWARD WILD, LIKE THE PLAYERS
GOLD WINS
These teams had dramatic title wins in 2016
BASEBALL
The Lawrence Team Performance Diamondbacks, a baseball team for 12-year-olds coached by Jim Moore, won the Kansas USSSA State 12AAA Championship.
ONWARD HASKELL A big victory went to Shane Flanagan and Haskell Indian Nation University women’s basketball team, who entered the NAIA national tournament in 2016. The Indians beat College of the Ozarks in the conference tournament after not having defeated them since 2001.
X-COUNTRY
The Free State High School girls’ cross-country team won the 6A state title, the second time in the squad’s history.
POOL
Lawrence Sharp Shooters pool team won the Northeast Kansas APA 8-Ball Championships and advanced to the world championship in Las Vegas.
CANCER PICKED THE WRONG LION Izzy Ginavan, Youth Survivor Imagine one day sitting in class near the end of your freshman year in high school and the next lying in a hospital bed with severe abdominal pain and doctors crowded around you combating a tumor the size of a volleyball. This—and 12 weeks of intensive chemotherapy—was what student-athlete Izzy Ginavan faced. But she had her crew behind her. Ginavan, who will be a senior at Lawrence High School, recalls how caring and attentive the doctors and nurses were, and she passes on much of the credit for her survival to them. She is also indebted to her family and to her mother, who was by her side throughout the ordeal. “My mom went through the most with me,” says Ginavan. “She was the best caretaker out of all the different nurses I had and I had incredible nurses at the hospital. I love my mom.” Ginavan will mark the crucial 5-year cancerfree anniversary in May 2020, but she’s already returned to an active life. She plays the viola for the school’s orchestra and was a member of the sub-state championship basketball team that competed in the most recent Class 6A state championship tournament. Ginavan credits her teammates and coach Jeff Dickson for turning the team into a powerhouse. “We’re kind of like the team at school that everyone admires and looks up to,” says Ginavan. “Even if they don’t say it, we can tell they do.” We’d say the same of her.
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48 Best of Lawrence 2017
HEALTH & FITNESS LAWRENCE VOTED. THESE ARE THE RESULTS.
Guide to ...
best gym or fitness center People Power
Sports Pavilion Lawrence has become the ultimate community recreation center with a weights room, exercise machines, hoops and courts for the masses.
Club It
With two locations—one recently renovated, Genesis Health Club bookends the town with popular group courses and personalized training.
Strength of Time
Lawrence’s long-time leader in empowerment fitness and strength, Body Boutique continues to adapt and innovate over time.
Dance Days
Jazzercise Lawrence Fitness Center is the Lawrence franchise that endures because of a loyal following and a social cardio program that produces results.
VOTER’S
VOICE
“I voted for Family Medicine Associates due to their friendly staff and convenience of their walk-in clinic.” —Debbie F.
Photographs by Nick Krug
ACUPUNCTURE 1) Ad Astra Community Acupuncture 2) Body Specific 3) Lawrence Acupuncture: Integrative Health 4) Southwind Health Collective, LLC 5) Kinetikos Bodywork Therapy CHIROPRACTOR 1) Advanced Chiropractic Services 2) Rodrock Chiropractic 3) Body Specific 4) Risley Chiropractic 5) Peak Performance Health Center DENTAL PRACTICE 1) Heinbach Larkin DDS 2) Wilkerson, Saunders & Anderson DDS, LLC 3) Peterson, Krische & Van Horn, DDS 4) Free State Dental 5) River Rock Family Dental EYEWEAR OR VISION CENTER 1) Lawrence Family Vision Clinic 2) Drs. Dobbins & Letourneau 3) The Spectacle 4) The EyeDoctors 5) Atteberry Eye Centers, LLC FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE 1) Family Medicine Associates, PA 2) Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics 3) Family Centered Medicine, LLC 4) Lawrence Family Practice Center 5) The Internal Medicine Group, Lawrence Memorial Hospital GOLF COURSE (TRADITIONAL AND DISC) 1) Eagle Bend Golf Course 2) Alvamar Country Club 3) Lawrence Country Club 4) Centennial Park 5) Orchards Golf Course GYM OR FITNESS CENTER 1) Sports Pavilion Lawrence 2) Body Boutique 3) Genesis Health Club 4) Jazzercise Lawrence Fitness Center 5) The Summit HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS 1) Clinton Lake Trails 2) The Kansas River Trails 3) Mutt Run, Off-Leash Dog Park 4) Burroughs Creek Trail and Linear Park 5) Prairie Park Nature Trail MARTIAL ARTS 1) Prime Martial Arts 2) Premier Martial Arts 3) CrossFit Lawrence 4) Rivers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 5) Lawrence Tae-Kwon-Do School MASSAGE THERAPIST (INDIVIDUAL) 1) Lisa Lahm, Body Specific 2) Jennifer Baldwin, Renew by Jennifer 3) Jessica Crockett, Merkaba Wellness Center & Spa 4) Leslie Denison, Salon Di Marco & Day Spa 5) Mendy Morgan, Massage Intuition
Thank ThankYou You
FO R V OFor TI N G FOUS! R US! For Voting • • • • • •
Dr. Chris Wertin DC Dr. Chris Wertin DC Dr. Colleen Auchenbach DC Dr. Colleen Auchenbach DC Dr.Dr. Mary Huss Huss DC Mary DC Wertin Dr.Dr. KyleKyle Wertin DC DC Wertin Dr.Dr. EricEric Wertin DC DC Dr. Jessica Speidel DC Dr. Jessica Speidel DC
1605 Wakarusa Drive
407 Sycamore Street
13027 Kansas Avenue Bonner Springs KS 66012 913-721-5530
123 Dakota Street Holton KS 66436 785-362-7500
1605 Wakarusa Drive 13027 Kansas Avenue 123 Dakota Street Lawrence KS 66047 Valley Falls KS 66088 Lawrence, KS 66047 Bonner Springs, KS 66012 Holton, KS 66436 785-842-4181 913-721-5530 785-945-6137 785-842-4181 785-362-7500
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PEDIATRIC CARE 1) Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, PA 2) Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics 3) Family Medicine Associates, PA 4) Lawrence Pediatrics, PA 5) Family Centered Medicine, LLC
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HIKING/ BIKING TRAIL
Hiking trails alone can provide time for quiet contemplation and reconnection with nature. But hiking trails with your favorite canine? Even better. Mutt Run near the Clinton Lake Dam has plenty of trails through wooded areas, open fields, creek beds and plenty of off-road, off-leash terrain for you and your puppy pal to explore together.
Anatomy of success
A HOLE IN ONE GOLF COURSE
LUSH GRASS
WALKABILITY
Playable grass is an important element for any golf course. Jayhawk Club’s (formerly Alvamar) zoysia grass is tolerant and known for standing up to the elements, which is important when facing hot Kansas summers.
Lawrence Country Club’s course boasts proximity from greens to tees. The rolling hills and challenging hazards make this course fun for golfers of varying skill levels.
E N V I R O N M E N TA L VA R I E T Y The front half of Eagle Bend Golf Course is open, while the back nine is shady and wooded—plus golfers might spot a bald eagle along the course.
Photographs by Nick Krug and Racheal Major
MASSAGE THERAPY (GROUP OR OFFICE) 1) Body Specific, LLC 2) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa 3) Massage Envy Spa 4) TherapyWorks 5) Elevate MEDICAL CLINIC 1) Family Centered Medicine, LLC 2) Family Medicine Associates, PA 3) Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics 4) The Internal Medicine Group, Lawrence Memorial Hospital 5) Lawrence Family Practice Center MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR 1) Jill Flessing, Health Care Access 2) Vicki Condra Williams, V. Condra Counseling Services 3) Shelly Goscha, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center 4) Kendall Heiman, Paramount Recovery 5) Cari Chapman NURSE 1) Amy Vestal, Sports Medicine and Performance Center, University of Kansas Health Systems 2) Nancy Lahm, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, PA 3) Joni Lawrence, Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics 4) Karen Roberts, The Internal Medicine Group, Lawrence Memorial Hospital 5) Shelly Bennett, Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics OPTOMETRIST (INDIVIDUAL) 1) Chad Mies, Dr. Kevin Lenahan Optometrist T-2) Jacob Letourneau, Dobbins & Letourneau Eye Care T-2) Kenny Trummel, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic 4) Kevin Trummel, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic 5) Michael J. Atteberry, Atteberry Eye Centers ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE 1) Ranjbar Orthodontics 2) Oread Orthodontics 3) McColm Orthodontics 4) Edwards & Wilson Periodontics, PA 5) River Rock Family Dental
MUTT RUN OFF-LEASH DOG PARK
Don’T MiSS anoTHer MoMenT ! Don’t let your leaky bladder hold you back any longer! Laugh, cough and jump with no worries!
Dr. Dahl is board certified in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, and specializes in urinary & fecal incontinence, pelvic prolapse, and vaginal rejuvenation using the MonaLisaTouch
Practice Locations: 1112 W 6th St, Ste 212 Lawrence, KS 66044-2249 Phone: 785-727-7900 Fax: 785-727-7901
515 SW Horne St, Ste 102 Topeka, KS 66606-1758 Phone: 785-783-0123 Fax: 785-727-7901
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
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YOGA INSTRUCTOR DOES WORK
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Variety of practices and convenient class times. Om Tree Shala’s early morning flow and candlelight evening practices accommodate almost any schedule.
DOES WORK Environment. Open, airy, and calming, Westside Yoga’s chi is welcoming to new and seasoned yogis alike.
DOES WORK
LAWRENCE FAMILY VISION CLINIC EYEWEAR OR VISION CENTER
As a practice that has been a part of the Lawrence vision community since 1983, Lawrence Family Vision Clinic knows what it takes to be the best. A compassionate crew of eye doctors provides friendly and comprehensive exams, while the office staff loves to help pick out stylish frames.
Perks. Belonging to a yoga studio can be expensive, but the option of a student, teacher or senior discount at Om Tree Shala helps. As does the stock of locally made kombucha in the fridge.
DOESN’T WORK It feels like a chore. No exercise should feel like a hassle. All of the finalists make yoga a rejuvenating experience—one that allows students to forget they spent all day glued to an office chair, so they can return home aligned physically and spiritually.
Photographs by Steven Smith and Racheal Major
PERSONAL TRAINER 1) Wayne Jackson, Go Hard Training 2) Josh Hilger, Genesis Health Club 3) Tracey English, Tracey English Fitness 4) James Findley, Athletic Republic 5) Fernando Rodriguez, Underground Lab PHARMACY 1) Sigler Pharmacy 2) Dillons Pharmacy 3) Walgreens Pharmacy 4) Hy-Vee Pharmacy 5) Jayhawk Pharmacy PHYSICAL THERAPY (GROUP OR OFFICE) 1) OrthoKansas, LLC 2) TherapyWorks 3) LMH Therapy Services 4) Neu Physical Therapy Center 5) Bird Physical Therapy PSYCHIATRIST 1) Hiten Soni, Interpersonal Psychiatry 2) Joseph Douglas, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center 3) Elias Chediak T-4) Maria Ilardi, Ilardi Psychiatric Services T-4) Nana Dadson PSYCHOLOGIST 1) Sara Godinez 2) Patrick Nicholas 3) Laura Talley 4) Anne Owen 5) Barrie Arachtingi SPA 1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa 2) Body Specific, LLC 3) AesthetiCare Medical Spa 4) Lada Salon & Spa 5) Sensora Spa SPORTS MEDICINE 1) OrthoKansas, LLC 2) Sports Medicine & Performance Center, University of Kansas Health System 3) TherapyWorks 4) Advanced Chiropractic Services 5) Sport & Spine SURGEON 1) Dr. Jeffrey C. Randall, Sports Medicine & Performance Center, University of Kansas Health System 2) Dr. John W. Keller, Keller Plastic Surgery 3) Dr. Richard G. Wendt, OrthoKansas, LLC 4) Dr. Cheryl Rice, Lawrence General Surgery 5) Dr. Neal D. Lintecum, OrthoKansas, LLC YOGA INSTRUCTOR (INDIVIDUAL) 1) Chessa Carter, Westside Yoga 2) Sharyn Harley, Om Tree Shala 3) Jennifer Nelson 4) Ambika Selvan, Om Tree Shala 5) Crystal Casey Shepherd
Seven days a week is the best we can do. If you need us, WE’RE THERE. FAMILY MEDICINE is a medical specialty dedicated to the comprehensive care of the whole person and family−regardless of gender or age−from the beginning to the end of life. Family physicians are trained to provide personalized care for at least 85 percent of a person’s medical problems, and to coordinate the specialty care that may be needed for the rest. Our commitment to you is accessibility to medical information and assistance 24 hours a day. We do this by providing a broad range of medical services, seven days a week, delivered with a personal touch while using the latest of medical technologies. Our on-call doctor is available by phone to talk to you at any time, day or night. And, since the best medical care is delivered in person, we maintain extended office hours on weekdays as well as provide office hours for urgent care on Saturdays and Sundays.
www.lfmo.com • 785-331-1700 • 1220 Biltmore Drive
Your Hometown Team
At Lawrence Otolaryngology, we’ve been a part of the Lawrence community for 31 years. We are proud to be your hometown option for audiology services, including diagnostic testings, hearing screenings and one of the largest selection of hearing aids and accessories in our area. We serve our patients every day, with the time and attention it takes to truly be a partner in their hearing journey. And, our patients say it best... “Our daughter recommended we come to Lawrence Otolaryngology for our hearing aids and we’re sure glad she did! Everyone we’ve worked with, from the doctors to the audiologist, have been kind and paid attention to all our needs. We would definitely recommend them to our friends... And we have, often!”
—Archie and Sally, LOA patients
Misti M. Rank
Jami S. Johnson
MS CCC-A
MS CCC-A
Meryl Lockling AuD
Kay Bassett HIS
Questions about your hearing? We look forward to the opportunity to answer your questions and treat you like we’ve been treating your neighbors for more than 30 years.
Call 785.841.1107 or visit us online at www.lawoto.com
I nterIor P aIntIng S pecialty W all F iniSheS D ryWall S erviceS c eiling t extureS
c abinetry - n eW or r eFiniSh F urniture r ehab /r epurpoSe
e xterIor P aIntIng S iDing /W ooD r eplacement W inDoW /D oor r eplacement D eck /F ence r epair
D eck /F ence S taining p oWer W aShing
D esIgn c olor c onSulting D eSign /D ecorating S erviceS
Best Painting Service! Thank You for Voting Us
3010 F our W heel D r ., S te . 1 l aWrence , kS 66047 (785) 423-4464 WWW . kbpaintingllc . co m
Thank you for voting us The Best in Lawrence 6 years in a row! Kent T. Peterson, DDS • Matthew F. Krische, DDS • Keith D. Van Horn, DDS
Family Dentistry 530 FOLKS ROAD • 785-842-0705 • WWW.PKVDDS.COM
SERVICES LM CHOICE
PG.
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Pancakes serve youth, coming to the aid of a fellow business owner, assisting Willow ‌ and more
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
PG.
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The Best of Lawrence in the realm of services as determined by our community online voting contest.
Law Firm Lawyer Mortgage Broker (individual) Nail Salon Painting Service Pet Care Photographer Plumber Printing Service Property Management Company Real Estate Agency Realtor Roofing Company T-Shirt or Screen Printing Tanning Travel Agent Utility Company Veterinarian
Photograph by Brian Goodman
Accountant or Tax Consultant Auto Body Repair Auto Service Repair Barber Childcare Center Cleaning/Maid Services Computer Repair or Service Dry Cleaner or Laundry Electrician Event Planner Financial Advisor Flooring Hair Salon Hair Stylist Hearing Aid Provider Insurance Agency Insurance Agent Interior Designer Landscaping Service
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for 2017 An editorial selection of highlights and accomplishments from the past calendar year in the realm of Lawrence services.
SERVICE TO FELLOW SMALL BUSINESS OWNER The Friends of Frank Dorsey Frank Dorsey, owner of Frank’s North Star Tavern, was struck by a hitand-run driver while riding his bicycle in May of 2016. He ended up doing a long stint in the hospital while the bills piled up. Almost immediately, fellow business owner Meghan Heriford, of Ladybird Diner, organized a benefit auction for Frank and his family. “Meghan Heriford is an utter goddess,” says Best of Lawrence panel member Hilary Morton. “Ladybird Diner has gone out of their way to show support of people of color in our community, women in our community, and hula-hoopers and sidewalk-chalk lovers from every walk of life. She helped a great deal with Frank.” Frank’s wife, Sarah Mathews, says she was grateful for the help that came not only from Meg, but from numerous community members while Frank was in the hospital. “I was still
new at my job at the library, trying to single parent and trying to run the bar ... all while being the most frazzled and stressed I have ever been in my life.” In addition to the benefit auction at Ladybird, Mathews says that local trivia host Andy Morton held a benefit trivia event, and family friend Karen Allen started a GoFundMe account to accept donations. She says people “dropped off food left and right,” and the Frank’s North Star Tavern staff, along with local bands, planned more than one benefit show at the bar. “The outpouring from the community was totally overwhelming,” says Mathews. “I realized then how much people love Frank. Everyone seemed so eager to help us. I’ll never forget that feeling.” Frank is now back on his feet and behind the bar.
Thanks to help from colleagues and friends, Frank Dorsey is recovered and riding again.
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AMBER FRALEY
LM writer and panel chair
DAVE GREENBAUM
owner of DoctorDave Computer Repair
MATTHEW HERBERT city commissioner
HILARY MORTON
choral music director for Lawrence Free State High School
SERVICE SCISSORS Douglas Spradlin of Standard Grooming Supply barber shop Throughout 2016, Spradlin gave residents of the Lawrence Community Shelter
PANCAKE GRAND SLAM AMERICAN LEGION
Every year, the Lawrence post of the American Legion holds a pancake feed to raise money for local boys’ baseball and girls’ softball teams. It’s a large undertaking that involves …
PROFESSIONAL CUTS FREE OF CHARGE DONATED BARBER CHAIR GRATIS HAIRSTYLE ADVICE
PROVIDING WARMTH 150 POUNDS of pancake mix
134 POUNDS of link sausage
Service to Victims According to Megan Stuke, director of community development at the Willow Domestic Violence Center, many local businesses and individuals contribute to the shelter’s success. But in 2016, there were a few standouts.
20 GALLONS
of pancake syrup
45 GALLONS of OJ
Photographs by Brian Goodman, Nick Krug
13 GALLONS T R I N I T Y E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H Frequently supplied crucial items; jumped into action for specific cases; helped pay for emergency shelter for family; responsive during non-business hours; “invaluable to our organization” CANDICE FERREIRA Hosted crucial diaper drive when Willow hosted unusually high number of infants and toddlers; provided stock of diapers that carried Willow through following month H Y- V E E Donated holiday meals, provided full turkey dinners for Thanksgiving; provided support at difficult and stressful time for families
Cottin’s Backs the Water Protectors
of milk
545 VISITORS
fed (approximately)
$5,000 DONATED
to support boys’ baseball and girls’ softball programs in Lawrence
Near the end of 2016, Lawrence resident Shine Adams decided to take a week off from his job at the Lawrence Community Shelter to help resupply the water protectors camped at the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. What started out as a gesture of goodwill turned into a sort of community-fueled quest. “Quite a few people contacted me by Facebook or texted me or just came and gave gifts for me to take,” says Adams, who spent about a thousand dollars of his own money to purchase supplies. Even though supplies would help keep people— many of them U.S. war veterans—alive and healthy in cold conditions, the event was also becoming increasingly viewed through the lens of a partisan national political culture. Nonetheless, Shine found an ally in Cottin’s Hardware store on Massachusetts Street. “When I went to Cottin’s and I told them, I found out Linda Cottin was a vocal supporter of the water protectors, and they offered me the wonderful deal on
propane and other things,” Adams says. “The biggest gift Linda gave was giving supplies at cost; going to the trouble to order everything without making a dime off the whole thing.” Cottin’s Hardware had also been donating warehouse space to serve as a drop-off and pick-up site for supplies for those traveling to the camps in North Dakota. Adams loaded down his pickup truck at the beginning of December with his dear friend Abraham White Weasel, whom Adams says is like a son to him, and the two took turns driving. Though they were told the drive would take about 11 hours, with a loaded pickup and lots of wind and icy roads, the drive took closer to 24 hours. Adams and White Weasel stayed at the camps for four days, helping to cook for the water protectors there. “I get such a warm feeling from Lawrence. Lawrence is so special and tight-knit. When word gets out that somebody is doing something good, people come out to support it. I wish I could’ve done more, but I did what I could,” Adams says. bestoflawrence.com
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ACCOUNTANT OR TAX CONSULTANT 1) Hume’s Tax Service 2) Roark & Associates, PA 3) Caroline H. Eddinger, CPA, LLC 4) Kahn & Associates Inc. 5) Mize Houser & Company AUTO BODY REPAIR 1) Hite Collision Repair Center 2) Bryant Collision Repair 3) Auto Accents & Collision Repair 4) Steve’s Auto Plaza Body Shop Inc. 5) Crown Automotive AUTO SERVICE REPAIR 1) Westside 66 and Carwash 2) Lawrence Automotive Diagnostics Inc. 3) Crown Toyota 4) D & D Tire Inc. 5) Slimmer’s Automotive Service BARBER 1) Downtown Barber Shop 2) Amyx Barber Shop 3) Rex’s Stadium Barber Shop 4) Watson’s Barber Shop 5) Larry’s Barber Shop CHILDCARE CENTER 1) Stepping Stones 2) Raintree Montessori School 3) Hilltop Child Development Center 4) Googols of Learning 5) Lawrence Montessori School CLEANING/MAID SERVICES 1) Rapp Cleaning & Restoration 2) Buckingham Palace Housecleaning 3) Neat Freak Cleaning 4) Housekeeping Unlimited 5) Sue Bee’s Cleaning COMPUTER REPAIR OR SERVICE 1) DoctorDave Computer Repair 2) UNI Computer 3) Geek Squad 4) iGurus 5) DPI Inc. DRY CLEANER OR LAUNDRY 1) Scotch Fabric Care Services 2) Eco-Logic Dry Cleaners 3) Lawrence Laundromat 4) 31st Street Coin Laundry 5) Hillcrest Coin Laundry ELECTRICIAN 1) Danielsan Electric 2) Lynn Electric & Communications Inc. 3) Mel Lisher Electric 4) Randall Electric 5) Jeff Weaverling Electric, LLC EVENT PLANNER 1) Kasey Dietrich and Lara Komosa, Maceli’s 2) Carmen Hocking, A Beautiful Wedding 3) Leila Ahvarhoush, Abe & Jake’s Landing, Be Seen! Event Planning 4) Whitney Webber, The Eldridge and The Oread 5) Whitney Nicole Juneau, Fashioned Events
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SERVICES LAWRENCE VOTED. THESE ARE THE RESULTS.
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
PRINTING SERVICE DOES WORK
DOES WORK
Make it Lawrence. Even in an industry dominated by chains, Minuteman Press franchise owner Dee Bisel forges and sustains local connections.
The TopCity connection. Pro-Print represents a trend in area businesses that open shops in Lawrence and Topeka. It’s a manageable expansion.
DOES WORK
DOESN’T WORK
Adapt. Technologies change rapidly in this industry, and the FedEx Kinko’s branch is an example of adapting a storefront for emerging consumer needs.
Limited investment. This is a brutal industry in the sense of how much investment it requires for even a small storefront. Top-line printers and even cutters don’t come cheap.
PROFESSIONAL TILE & FLOORING INSTALLATION SERVICES
With over 5 years experience, Top Tier Tile is proud to offer the highest quality tile and flooring installation services at affordable prices. Tile Flooring / Tile Showers / Accent Walls / Hardwood Backsplash / Countertops / Laminate / Vinyl
785.917.0996 / TOPTIERTILELLC.COM Serving Lawrence, Kansas and surrounding areas
STATIC HAIR SALON HAIR SALON
Haircuts are an easy way to refresh your style and feel like a million bucks. Static Hair Salon strives to provide Lawrencians all the edge they desire, or a simple trim, whatever suits their fancy. Experienced (and fun) stylists help clients feel their most beautiful and live their best hair lives—one snip at a time.
VOTER’S
Photograph by Racheal Major
VOICE
“Brian McFall has helped us purchase four different homes in Kansas and Oklahoma. There is no way I would trust anyone more than Brian.” —Bill Picking
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INTERIOR DESIGNER 1) Rynette Designs 2) Jane Bateman Interiors 3) KB Painting 4) Paradise Carpet One Floor & Home 5) Tooter and Tillaye’s Home Goods LANDSCAPING SERVICE 1) Lawrence Landscape 2) Green Concepts Lawn & Landscape 3) Turf Masters Inc. 4) Pine Landscape Center 5) Low Maintenance Landscaping
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Guide to ...
best plumber Decades
Locally owned with three decades of plumbing experience, the Action Plumbing crew serves Lawrence homes and businesses.
PAWSH WASH
Home Sweet Home
Nearly 45-years old, the familyowned Kastl Plumbing company started in the Kansas City area and relocated to Lawrence.
PET CARE
When it comes to pet grooming, it’s best to take your furry family member to someone who probably loves him or her as much as you do. Pawsh Wash lets you groom your pet yourself, or have a pro primp your pup.
Father and Son
Jim Bost Plumbing is smaller in size than the other top-3 finishers, but also a heritage family business with more than 30 years of experience.
Photograph by Racheal Major
FINANCIAL ADVISER 1) Emily Hill 2) Scott Solomon 3) Ryan Catlin 4) Tony Hayden 5) Bryan O’Connor FLOORING 1) Kring’s Interiors 2) Paradise Carpet One Floor & Home 3) Menards 4) Pod’s Discount Carpets 5) Artisan Floor Company HAIR SALON 1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa 2) Static Hair Salon 3) Salon Pearl 4) Paisley & Stripe 5) Moxie Hair Studio HAIR STYLIST 1) Kevin Shutts, Static Hair Salon 2) Penny Strasser-Tuckel, Paisley & Stripe 3) Katy Skepnek, Moxie Hair Studio 4) Courtney Quirarte, Salon Pearl 5) Roxanne McCoy-Klaus, Static Hair Salon HEARING AID PROVIDER 1) Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates, LLC 2) Lawrence Hearing Aid Center 3) Kaw Valley Hearing 4) Beltone Hearing Center 5) Speech Language Hearing Clinic, University of Kansas INSURANCE AGENCY 1) Justin Moravec, American Family Insurance 2) Ron King, American Family Insurance 3) Cody Anno, State Farm 4) CEK Insurance 5) DJ Flummerfelt, American Family Insurance INSURANCE AGENT 1) Cody Anno, State Farm 2) Ron King, American Family Insurance 3) Justin Moravec, American Family 4) D J Flummerfelt, American Family Insurance 5) Ryan Sparke, Farm Bureau
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We’ve got LaWrence covered 9 locations and growing i n c lu d i n g r es i d e ntial m u lti fam i ly an d c o m m e r c ial n e i g h b o r h o o d c e nte r s. whether you want to live close to campus or around town or eat and shop at some of the best restaurants and stores in lawrence.
www.cherry-hill-properties.com
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CLINTON PARKWAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL VETERINARIAN
Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital has made its mission to care for pets near and dear. The team of veterinary professionals offers professionalism and solutions when a pet needs medical attention. The hospital is also VOTER’S
VOICE
“I voted for McGrew Real Estate. They take family life seriously and work very hard professionally as well. Real estate can be very difficult. McGrew is a family.” —Dayna Lee
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a home away from home if Fido needs to be boarded. Finding the best vet for your pet can be a challenge, but the folks at Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital hope to make that decision an easy one.
Photographs by Kevin Anderson and Racheal Major
LAW FIRM 1) Stevens & Brand, LLP 2) Petefish, Immel, Heeb & Hird, LLP 3) Barber Emerson, LC 4) The Swain Law Office 5) Frydman Criminal Defense LAWYER 1) Sarah G. Swain, The Swain Law Office 2) Matthew Hoy, Stevens & Brand, LLP 3) Calvin J. Karlin, Barber Emerson, LC 4) John Frydman, Frydman Criminal Defense 5) Jade Brown, A&E Legal Services MORTGAGE BROKER (INDIVIDUAL) 1) Hakan Wildcat, Meritrust Credit Union 2) Casey Owens, PrimeLending 3) Diane Fry, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation 4) Danielle Hugunin, Peoples Bank 5) Brian McFall, Landmark National Bank NAIL SALON 1) Salon Di Marco & Day Spa 2) Envy Nails 3) Nail Citi 4) Nail Arts 5) Chieu’s Nail Salon PAINTING SERVICE 1) KB Painting, LLC 2) Mesler Roofing and Exteriors 3) Natural Breeze 4) Starlight Painting 5) Dennis J. Brown Painting PET CARE 1) Wakarusa Animal Hospital 2) Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital 3) Pawsh Wash and Pet Health Market 4) Pet World 5) Bradley Animal Hospital PHOTOGRAPHER 1) Jeff Burkhead, Backstory Photography 2) Trina Baker Photography T-3) The Crystal Image T-3) Oh Snap! Photography 5) Schaumburg Photography PLUMBER 1) Action Plumbing 2) Kastl Plumbing 3) Jim Bost Plumbing T-4) Chaney Incorporated T-4) Jayhawk Plumbing PRINTING SERVICE 1) Minuteman Press 2) FedEx Kinko’s 3) Pro-Print 4) Copy Co 5) Printing Solutions
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY 1) Cherry Hill Properties 2) First Management 3) Midwest Property Management 4) Lawrence Property Management 5) Tuckaway Management REAL ESTATE AGENCY 1) McGrew Real Estate 2) Stephens Real Estate Inc. 3) Keller Williams Realty Diamond Partners 4) Realty Executives Hedges Real Estate 5) American Dream Realty REALTOR 1) Nick Lerner, McGrew Real Estate 2) Greta Carter-Wilson, Keller Williams Realty 3) Casey Williams, Keller Williams Realty 4) Kimberly Williams, McGrew Real Estate 5) Tom Harper, Stephens Real Estate, Inc. ROOFING COMPANY 1) Alpha Roofing, LLC 2) Mesler Roofing 3) Garrison Roofing 4) K S R Roofing 5) McLaughlin Roofing T-SHIRT OR SCREEN PRINTING 1) Acme 2) Happy Shirt Printing 3) Grandstand Glassware and Apparel 4) Blue Collar Press 5) LFK Press TANNING 1) Ultimate Tan and Spa 2) Mango Tan 3) Sun Tan City 4) Body Boutique 5) HD Tan TRAVEL AGENT 1) Carmen Hocking 2) Amanda Storm, Amanda’s Travels 3) Beverly Falley, Island Dreams Travel 4) Travel Leaders 5) AAA UTILITY COMPANY 1) City of Lawrence Utilities 2) AT&T U-Verse 3) Westar Energy 4) Black Hills Energy 5) Bowersock Mills & Power Co. VETERINARIAN 1) Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital 2) Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital 3) Animal Hospital of Lawrence 4) Lewis Veterinary Clinic 5) Bradley Animal Hospital
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BACKSTORY PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHER
Like the other finalists in this category, Jeff Burkhead of Backstory Photography is a people person. A professional communications director by day, Burkhead takes up his camera outside of work to specialize in portraits and in bringing out a subject’s character and personality. Collectively, these photographers make Lawrence look its best, one face at a time.
Photographs by Backstory Photography and Racheal Major
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Trends
LAWRENCE HAIR STYLES ACCORDING TO PENNY STRASSER-TUCKEL OF PAISLEY & STRIPE
SOURCE FOR IDEAS Social media, particularly Instagram, is the big source of inspiration.
BOLD CHOICES Edgier looks, undercuts and pixie-cuts for women.
COLOR Hand-painting hair, particularly with rosegold peachy or silver-grey tones.
KNOW THY CLIENT Consultations with stylist, then trusting stylist to choose the right match.
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Trends
EVENT PLANNING ACCORDING TO LEILA AHVARHOUSH, OWNER OF BE SEEN! EVENT PLANNING WEDDINGS RULE In Lawrence, the biggest events are still weddings. This is reinforced by the KU connection, as young couples return to marry in the city they first met or fondly remember.
KANSAS REALITY Outdoor receptions are a great concept and they appear to be wonderful fun in films, but unpredictable Kansas climate necessitates an indoor backup location.
DEMOGRAPHICS There is a rise in older couples marrying, and in Lawrence the trend seems to be couples in their late 20s and early 30s planning their first marriage.
VOTER’S
VOICE
“Downtown Barber Shop—‘Jay and the ladies’ as they are sometimes known around town—is one of those special places in Lawrence that you can walk into and feel oddly comfortable that somehow you know everybody there.” —Matthew Herbert
Your Unique Event Space In Downtown Lawrence
. Wedding Receptions . Corporate Functions . Holiday Parties . Graduation Parties . Bridal Showers and more...
For Wedding Events contact: kiley@abejakes.com
For Private Events contact: leila@abejakes.com
8 E 6th St Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785.841.5855 | www.abejakes.com
ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLIFE Photograph by Brian Goodman Photograph by Doug Stremel
LM CHOICE
PG.
70-71
Card Table Theatre tackles the big issue, Barry Crimmins (let’s just officially adopt him now), Theatre Lawrence’s versatile lineup … and more
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
PG.
72-78
The Best of Lawrence in the realm of services as determined by our community online voting contest.
Bar Bartender Beer Selection Date Spot Happy Hour Liquor/Wine Store Live Music Venue Local Band Place to get a Cocktail or Mixed Drink Place to get a Margarita Tattoo Shop Wine List (restaurant)
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for 2017 An editorial selection of highlights and accomplishments from the past calendar year in the realm of Lawrence entertainment and nightlife.
HIT REVIVAL Card Table Theatre Card Table Theatre has brought independent theater productions to Lawrence for 20 years. This past year, the troupe staged an all-female production of Bertolt Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Eagles Lodge #309. At the time, it seemed a tad farcical to equate a 1941 Chicago-based allegory for the rise of Hitler—in iambic pentameter, no less—with a reality star running for president, but in retrospect, the Will Averill-directed production has come to seem somewhat prescient. “I don’t think we went into it with the vision of making this version darker: it just is,” says Kitty Steffens, who played the title role of Ui. “It’s just a conclusion you can’t help but come to when you see it. It’s not that we are intentionally adding lines to make it seem more relevant and be darker. It’s just shaped by our current public consciousness.” The play was revived for a second run on the weekend of the presidential inauguration at Kansas City’s Fishtank Theatre, with an encore Lawrence performance the weekend after. A year later, it remains a somewhat controversial and provocative interpretation—but causing an audience to think is one mission of theater. Besides, adds cast member Erica Fox, “we didn’t make this up.”
Kitty Steffens portrays a benevolent—and actually not too benevolent — dictator for our times.
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JULIA GOOD FOX Professor and pop culture maven
RICHARD NOGGLE
Man about town
AILECIA RUSCIN
Photographer and business owner
NICK SPACEK
LM writer and committee chair
ANNE TANGEMAN
Communicator and musician
ART HIT
THEATRE LAWRENCE’S SPECTACULAR SEASON, BY GENRE
This Must Be the Place
20% 10% MUSICALS IMPROV
Adam Smith and Troy Moth’s This Must Be the Place premiered at the Cider Gallery for October’s Final Friday art walk for a show that continues to leave an impression. Evocative imagery of the wild frontier, that the artists described as a “collection of photographs taken on the road,” were printed so large that they allowed viewers to imagine themselves walking through Utah’s Zion National Park alongside the artists. Wildlife and landscape photography was given new life through new eyes with this spectacular show.
20% 20% DRAMA VARIETY HONORARY LAWRENCIAN
20% 10% COMEDY CONCERT
Photograph by Brian Goodman, Lawrence Arts Center and Adam Smith
Barry Crimmins After the story of Barry Crimmins’ life, Call Me Lucky, received a rapturous response at the 2015 Free State Festival, Crimmins returned to Lawrence in 2016 to shoot his first-ever special, Whatever Threatens You, at the Lawrence Arts Center. Produced and directed by comedian Louis CK, the standup comedy routine blends humor with scathing political satire. Crimmins describes the event as having “really been something else,” with Lawrence as his top choice. “I told the people at the Lawrence Each year, Arts Center that I Lawrence is fortunate to wanted to do it there,” host dozens explains Crimmins, of national who sported an celebrities. “LFK” T-shirt for the But nobody embraced and recording, mentioned challenged the town’s abolitionist Lawrence like past and challenged comedian Lawrence to remain Barry Crimmins. committed to that heritage. For Crimmins, the show marked the comeback of a remarkably talented and esteemed comedy veteran. “I’ve been fortunate again and again,” says Crimmins. “Hit some bumps early on, but kinda landed in the right spots along the way—and one of them is Lawrence, Kansas, a town I just love.”
AND ONE “STELLA!” SCREAMING CONTEST.
Entertainment on Social Media 3 Events that Set a Standard for Online Community #PORCHLANDIA An entire day on a porch in East Lawrence shared with the whole world. Talking, eating, drinking, and singing. @LAWRENCEKS_PD Always professional by police standards, but clever enough to go viral and end up on national TV news segments. piKAWchu SHOWDOWN Pokemon Go match against Topeka with @eXploreLawrence and @lawrenceks for the good guys.
TRIBUTE CONCERTS The world lost legends, and Lawrence honored with song
JANUARY 30
We Could Be Heroes: A David Bowie Tribute at the Granada with Katlyn Conroy and friends, CS Luxem and friends
MAY 14
Girls Rock Lawrence Rockit Launcher, The ’80s Ladies at the Cider Gallery with Heidi Gluck as The Pretenders, Katlyn Conroy as Kate Bush, and Casey Guest as Madonna
NOVEMBER 30
Beautiful Brother: A Live Tribute to Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly at the Granada with Dave Shelton, Joe Sears of the band Page 7, Michael Hamm, and more.
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BAR 1) The Sandbar 2) Red Lyon Tavern 3) Free State Brewing Company 4) 23rd Street Brewery 5) The Bourgeois Pig BARTENDER 1) Dave Johanning, The Sandbar 2) Adam Lott, The Bourgeois Pig 3) Ian Sotomayor, Free State Brewing Company 4) Bryan Love, Red Lyon Tavern 5) Jesse Fitzpatrick, LiMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar BEER SELECTION 1) Free State Brewing Company 2) Merchants Pub & Plate 3) Cork & Barrel 4) On The Rocks 5) 23rd Street Brewery DATE SPOT 1) 715 2) Merchants Pub & Plate 3) The Basil Leaf Cafe 4) Free State Brewing Company 5) Liberty Hall HAPPY HOUR 1) Merchants Pub & Plate 2) 23rd Street Brewery 3) The Eldridge 4) SONIC Drive-In 5) 715 LIQUOR/WINE STORE 1) On The Rocks 2) Cork & Barrel 3) City Wine Market 4) Alvin’s Wine & Spirits 5) Mass Beverage LIVE MUSIC VENUE 1) Liberty Hall 2) The Granada 3) The Jazzhaus 4) The Bottleneck 5) Lied Center of Kansas LOCAL BAND 1) Kim and The Quake 2) Truckstop Honeymoon 3) SELLOUT! 4) Thunderkat 5) The Sluts PLACE TO GET A COCKTAIL OR MIXED DRINK 1) The Eldridge 2) 715 3) The Bourgeois Pig 4) John Brown’s Underground 5) Six Mile Tavern & Chop House
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ENTERTAINMENT LAWRENCE VOTED. THESE ARE THE RESULTS.
THE LAWRENCE FACTOR
COCKTAIL/MIXED DRINK DOES WORK
DOES WORK
DOESN’T WORK
Finding the right deal to keep folks coming back. The Eldridge is well known for its Thursday night martini night, which started in 2007. Ten years later, it’s still going strong.
A rotating cocktail list that changes with the seasons. John Brown’s Underground’s drink menu includes seasonally inspired libations to satisfy almost any palate.
Off-brand spirits, beer and wine. Lawrencians want cost-effective choices, but they also want familiar brands.
Anatomy of success
WHAT’S ON TAP BEER SELECTION
THE ORIGINAL
BEAUCOUP BEERS
Free State Brewery features in-house brews of daring seasonal flavors, new additions and always the old favorites such as Copperhead Pale Ale.
By tapping a wide-range of craft brewers, Merchants Pub & Plate switches up their taps daily to ensure each happy hour is equally happy, but never the same.
CITY COVERAGE
MASSIVE ON MASS.
Topping the votes for the retail store beer selections, Cork & Barrel has two locations to cover parties across town while its 23rd Street shop offers a special, vast craft brew section.
It’s a retail store, but the locally owned On the Rocks also hosts free beer tastings each week and thrives in providing specialized craft brews with Lawrence audience in mind.
VOTER’S
Photograph by Jason Dailey and Racheal Major
VOICE
“I love Port Fonda for their variety of margaritas. Some days you’re digging a blood orange marg, other times you want something traditional, and I can get both in the same spot. And the music they play is some grade-A margarita-day-drinking material.” —Katie Oliver
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PLACE TO GET A MARGARITA 1) Cielito Lindo 2) Port Fonda 3) El Potro 4) Mi Ranchito 5) Fuzzy’s Taco Shop TATTOO SHOP 1) BDC Tattoo 2) Abraxas Tattoo Co. 3) Skin Illustration Tattoos and Hairdoos 4) Miller Tattoo 5) Lawrence Tattoo Company WINE LIST (RESTAURANT) 1) 715 2) Merchants Pub & Plate 3) Six Mile Tavern & Chop House 4) Genovese 5) The Eldridge
VOTER’S
VOICE
“I voted for Lawrence Tattoo Company because Chris Lahue is a wonderful artist and has done six of my tattoos.” —Russ Platt
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Anatomy of success
DISTINGUISHED DRINKS LIQUOR/WINE STORE
CUSTOMER SERVICE More often than not, employees at On the Rocks are more than happy to help you locate exactly what you’re looking for, and then have a conversation about that particular spirit, wine or beer.
SELECTION
TA S T I N G S
Cork & Barrel stocks more than 2,200 wines and keeps 37 full beer coolers. A large selection helps to find what you need to whet your whistle.
City Wine Market’s free wine tastings, led by City Wine’s own certified wine professionals, help customers expand their knowledge and taste preferences.
FINE WINES-CRAFT SPIRITS-WALK-IN BEER CAVE
Guide to ...
Live Music Venue Downtown Gem
Kris Kristofferson celebrated his 80th birthday with a 2016 concert at Liberty Hall, the cozy theater venue that brings in big names and bands.
Big Stage
The party-concert place for national acts as diverse as Carly Rae Jepsen and George Clinton, The Granada also hosts local favorites.
FINE CIGARS
THE PREMIER DISCOUNT LIQUOR STORE IN LAWRENCE!
Play It to Me
A bit crowded. A bit narrow. A bit muggy. And way legendary. The Jazzhaus is a musician’s spot to hear other musicians.
VOTER’S
Photographs by Kevin Anderson and Racheal Major
VOICE
“Basil Leaf is the best place for a date because it’s small, cozy, and quiet with lovely lighting.” —Laura Kirk
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PARTY SHOP
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR AT lawrenceontherocks.webs.com
SONIC HAPPY HOUR
We admit, we were baffled when Sonic started showing up on the Happy Hour ballot results over the last few years. Maybe it has something to do with the chain’s many locations across the city or Lawrence’s now mostly forgotten history as a temperance stronghold (there was a time). But there is also truth in numbers. The 2-4 p.m. rush for Sonic’s Happy Hour of half-price shakes and brightly colored drinks is real, particularly during the hot Kansas summer. Cheers! VOTER’S
VOICE
“The best bartenders in Lawrence are Chris Neverve and Trina. Chris has my heart for sure. He’s fun and cheerful when you need it. He lets me complain and we don’t deserve him. If you don’t know who Trina is, you need to get downtown more often. No last name needed. Tell her I sent you!” —Dayna Lee
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Anatomy of success
WINNING TASTES WINE LIST
KIM AND THE QUAKE LOCAL BAND
Somewhere, at some point, some music snob decided that cover bands were not really authentic music groups. And one catchy tune later, music fans across the nation rejected that notion. Kim and the Quake, led by Kim
Murphree, is one of those hard-working cover bands that knows its music and its audience equally well. This talented group can gauge the crowd and get it dancing with the power of favorite tunes for the here and now.
Guide to ...
WINE BY THE GLASS Merchants Pub and Plate’s wine list offers ample options for wine by the glass, giving refined palates the power of single-serving choice.
Photographs by Fally Afani
best Bar Dance on the Bar
Grab your pals and head to The Sandbar for an evening full of bar-top dancing and sugary drinks accompanied by adorable toys.
Pub Vibe
It’s hard to beat free popcorn and darts, but add in 28 different beers on tap and the best place to catch a soccer game, and Red Lyon Tavern has it all.
VA R I E T Y 715’s well-curated variety of wines built to match the menu. Among top choices available is Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, the “It Girl” of reds.
Local Beer
Stuff of Lawrence legend, Free State Brewery is the spot to pop in and enjoy an award-winning beer brewed on site.
P E R F E C T PA I R I N G S Genovese’s specialty food & wine pairing dinners are curated by local experts and are meant to bring out complementary and satisfying flavors in both your entrée and your wine.
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8 0 0
N E W
H A M P S H I R E
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Best of Lawrence Winners 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016
8 0 0 L O F T S . C O M
L , AW U O Y R E K E, NC
THA N
Lawrence’s only full service and pure gasoline station!
FOR OF 60 YEARS BUSINESS. Full-service / Seven days a week / Tires and tire repairs Oil changes / Maintenance / Batteries / No charge for air
2017 Chrysler Imp eria
l 1957 WESTSIDE 66 AND CAR WASH Imperial Crown
2815 West 6th St. (785) 843-1878
THANK YOU L A W R E N C E !
Proud to be part of Kansas for over 90 years!
WE
HAV E
T HE
B E ST
CUS TO MERS
&
AS S O CI ATES!