TODAY Kansas City = Spring 2021

SPRING 2021 | VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 1

A PUBLICATION OF THE SOAVE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP.

ARCHITECTURE | AUTOMOTIVE | FOOD | FASHION | NONPROFIT | KC ORIGINALS | DESIGN | ROAD TRIPS

The leader leaps ahead. Again.

MotorTrend® has awarded the E-Class its highest honor for 2021. The entire line, its editors praise, “makes everyone feel special, delivers the best experience, and stands out from the rest of the segment. It does everything right, and does it all naturally.” Its many enhancements are wrapped in a freshly refined design. A sleek new grille and LED headlamps lead the way, while a reshaped trunk and sporty taillamps leave a lasting impression. Come in today for a test-drive at Aristocrat Motors or Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City.

9400 West 65th St | Merriam, KS | 913.677.3300 | aristocratmotors.com

13851 Madison Avenue | Kansas City, MO | 816.943.7000 | mbofkc.com Members of the Soave Automotive Group

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

by MARION BATTAGLIA

A Year of Improved Communication.

I want to take this opportunity to share with you how proud I am of the entire Soave Automotive Organization as to how we have handled the challenges of the last year.

The pandemic created challenges we could have never predicted or expected. During the course of the last year, we have had to close departments in our dealerships or even entire dealerships, as Covid-19 touched a group of the employees and forced others into quarantine.

What we learned from these events is how to create improved or new lines of communication with our associates and with our customers. Communication with associates was imperative because we needed them to inform us when they were not feeling well, or tell us when, as in the early days of the pandemic, they didn’t feel safe coming to work or being out in public.

The auto group has respected the wishes of our associates and made sure they felt safe.

We also learned to increase our communications with our customers. In every case of a positive test result for a customer-facing employee, we immediately did contact tracing, and those customers were called.

Those calls resulted in not only building trust but also demonstrated to me how close the relationships are between our associates and their customers. There was genuine concern voiced: “If it is my advisor, I hope he/she is okay, and please give him/her my best.” It was heartwarming and, again, made me proud.

I thank all of you for your support, your understanding, and your continued faith in our associates and our endeavors. I wish you all good health and safe travels in 2021.

Marion Battaglia, President

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C R O W N C E N T E R , L E V E L 3 • 816 . 2 74 . 3 2 2 2 MON – SAT: 11 AM – 5 PM • SUN : 12 – 5 PM

EDITOR'S LETTER

by ROBERT HELLWEG

Volume V.

SOAVE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP MARION BATTAGLIA President KEVIN KILLILEA Vice President ANGIE LEWITZKE Controller ROBERT HELLWEG Marketing Director

As “Today Kansas City” turns five, you will see changes beyond the new cover design. The magazine, like its editor, has added girth over the winter, growing by eight pages. The magazine’s content has also grown, with the return of Architecture and a “nearby” travel article.

Architecture returns after a two-issue sabbatical while the coordinator of the article took time out to have a baby boy; Teddy is incredibly adorable and my first grandchild.

The writers you have come to know, have enjoyed, and who have helped the magazine grow and mature remain as creative as ever. They are the people who, with their combined talents, make this endeavor such a pleasure every quarter.

Anna Petrow, who captures the incredible food images on a regular basis, as well as special images for certain articles, has expanded her contributions to include a feature on road trips from Kansas City. We are an Auto Group, so it seemed almost past time that we should add this exploration section.

The spring fashion section is set in the Kansas City hotel that was ahead of its time in downtown development, the Westin Crown Center. The Kansas City icon provides the setting for incredible images of our model done by Kenny Johnson, styled by Amani Skalacki, and coordinated by our Art Director, Kathryn Creel. I would be remiss in not thanking Todd Epperley from Hall’s and Shane Somers from the Westin for making this photo shoot happen.

Kelsey Cippolla’s Nonprofit article is about MOCSA, an organization that began in 1969. The Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault was a unique effort by local criminal justice, health, and mental health leaders to provide help to those who have been victims of sexual assault. One of those who worked on this project is our Health writer, Dr. Linda Moore.

And as we have endured the last three months of our history, Patricia O’Dell has taken us to a true Kansas City Original, Harry Truman and the Truman Presidential Library. The Library has just completed a twenty-five million dollar renovation. If you have not visited the Library, I encourage you do take an afternoon and do so; it is truly an enjoyable, approachable, educational experience.

Please stay safe and I hope you enjoy our latest effort.

Robert (and Teddy)

KRIS NIELSEN Sales Operations SCOTT SWENSON General Manager Factory Relations LARRY MILLER Inventory Director MARK DOESCHER Parts Director DAVID HUGHES General Manager Aristocrat Lee's Summit GEOFF BEDINE General Manager Mercedes-Benz

of Kansas City

NEW VEHICLE SALES MANAGERS DAVID ANDREWS Aristocrat Motors KRIS NIELSEN

Maserati | Alfa Romeo of Kansas City

KIRK WILLMS Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City CHUCK OBRIEN Porsche Kansas City JOE SIRNA Jaguar-Land Rover BRIAN MAYER BMW | VW of Topeka PRE-OWNED MANAGERS JK CORNELIUS Aristocrat Motors ROSS STRADA Mercedes-Benz Kansas City MIKE REID BMW | VW of Topeka DAVID FISER Aristocrat Lee's Summit SERVICE MANAGERS CHUCK DAVIS Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City CHARLES FRIEDMAN Aristocrat Mercedes-Benz |

Maserati | Alfa Romeo Aristocrat Motors | Porsche KEVIN SMELL Jaguar-Land Rover of Merriam KEVIN COLE BMW | VW of Topeka RODNEY PARKER

PARTS MANAGERS BILL WELLS Aristocrat Motors RICH WITT

Jaguar-Land Rover of Merriam

DAVID BARNES Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City JAY GILLIHAN

BMW | VW of Topeka

ROBERT HELLWEG

Editor | 913.677.7414 ALLYSON ELLIS Sales Director | 913.634.3838 KATHRYN CREEL Creative Director MARCI LINN Copyeditor KENNY JOHNSON Photographer ANNA PETROW Photographer TOM STRONGMAN Photographer TODAY KANSAS CITY is a quarterly publication by Soave Automotive Group – home of Aristocrat Motors, Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City, BMW of Topeka, and VW of Topeka. Address: 9400 W 65th St, Merriam, KS 66203, 913.677.3300, aristocratmotors.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the publisher.

4 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

SPRING 2021

Features

10

10 ARCHITECTURE

Will COVID-19 Forever Change Our Streetscapes?

by Lynn Carlton & Zachary O’Keefe

16 FOOD

East Meets (Mid) West.

by Emily & Stewart Lane

22 AUTOMOTIVE

Twin-Turbo Performance Wrapped in a Luxurious Package.

16

46 INTERVIEW Play It Again.

by Joel Nichols

53 KC ORIGINALS Wild About Harry.

by Patricia O'Dell

60 ROAD TRIPS

Road Trip Review.

by Anna Petrow

by Tom Strongman

68 INTERIOR DESIGN

31 FASHION

by Stacy Downs

Spring is in Full Bloom. photos by Kenny Johnson | styling by Amani Skalacki

Pets During the Pandemic.

74 HEALTH

41 NONPROFIT

Surporting Survivors.

If We Want 2021 to Get Better, We Need a Reset.

by Kelsey Cipolla

by Dr. Linda Moore

6 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

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ARCHITECTURE

words by LYNN CARLTON & ZACHARY O’KEEFE

The pandemic has altered how we design everything from workplaces and educational buildings to sports facilities and airports. HOK’s Lynn Carlton, a regional leader of planning, explains why COVID-19 might also transform our Kansas City streetscapes.

10 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

Will COVID-19 Forever Change Our Streetscapes?

SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 11

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the need for strong design leadership to inform the public spaces that we occupy and enjoy. Planners have long thought of our role in defining the built environment as one that allows us to respond to the most pressing issues of the day, from climate change and social justice reform to economic disparities and public health.

While the COVID-19 impact on built spaces has been discussed in detail, it is our responsibility as planners and landscape architects to consider how this public health crisis and its lingering effects will impact open space, our streets, and the public realm.

WHAT WILL BE THE NEW NORMAL? When collaborating with clients and considering in the context of district design, the streetscape becomes an integral part of the solution for virtually every public-facing building.

In communities where we have large public open spaces that act as community gathering spaces – like the Power & Light District here in Kansas City – we need to plan for flexibility and encourage clients to reconsider the allocation of pedestrian versus vehicular space.

We can do so by creating flexible, satellite storefronts, limiting access points to consolidated common areas, redefining pedestrian and vehicular circulation paths to minimize interactions and maximize space, and reallocating existing street infrastructure to be dedicated social, retail, and dining space.

Even with vaccine distribution underway, public sentiment and concerns about safety will linger, making it increasingly important that retailers, restaurants, and public gathering spaces make adjustments for the foreseeable future. Vehicular access plays an important role in how we plan and implement changes in the Photo by Stephen Shireman

12 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

Parkway Plaza | 4850 W. 135th Street Leawood, KS 66224 | 913.491.4111 800.735.5112 | mazzarese.com

ARCHITECTURE While no one knows exactly when the COVID-19 pandemic will end or when widespread vaccination will be completed, it has inspired us to reimagine our streets as more pedestrian-friendly, active, and vibrant components of the cities where we live.

midst – and wake of – COVID-19. Our streets provide the greatest opportunity to reclaim outdoor space. By limiting vehicular access to one-way traffic or removing vehicular access through the middle of a district all together, parking and drive lanes can be converted into pedestrian zones that allow for additional circulation and expanded popup retail and dining. This approach must be implemented with caution in more sparsely developed areas, as some of the success of retail hinges on visibility from driveby or pedestrian traffic and parking convenience that is inherently available in destination developments.

These strategies will be most effective when implemented in districts that have a critical mass of

business activity, diverse land uses, high visibility, and a mix of vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle access. In addition to the practical benefits, these strategies create placemaking opportunities for a city while supporting respite zones, pop-up public art, wellness opportunities, and more. And the best part of these proposed changes for cities? They are temporary improvements that can evolve as the needs of the community, and response to the virus, evolve.

While no one knows exactly when the COVID-19 pandemic will end or when widespread vaccination will be completed, it has inspired us to reimagine our streets as more pedestrian-friendly, active, and vibrant components of the cities where we live.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Lynn Carlton is a regional leader of planning at HOK and the current chair of the Kansas City Downtown Council. Over her two-decade career, she has led a variety of planning, design and landscape projects with a focus on downtown corridors, mixed-use developments, urban districts, waterfront locations, civic campuses and regional sustainability initiatives. Zachary O’Keefe is a landscape architect at HOK. He has dedicated his career to providing inventive, creative and sustainable solutions for commercial and residential projects.

14 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

4050 INDIAN CREEK PKWY | OVERLAND PARK, KS 66207

913-313-1207 | EYESTYLEOPTICS.COM

FOOD words by EMILY & STEWART LANE | photos by ANNA PETROW

East Meets (Mid)West.

Emily Lane: Travel of any sort, much less international travel, hasn’t been at the forefront of people’s minds for nearly a year now. We’ve grown accustomed to our favorite local takeout, sometimes eaten at our coffee tables amidst an endless stream of news or Netflix. And, as much as I love a classic chopped salad or club sandwich, the flavors of this Asian culinary tour of Kansas City are sure to inspire, delight, and perhaps create new favorites in your go-to orders that will literally spice up the same old routine.

Stewart Lane: The flavors of Thai cuisine have always been a favorite of mine.

Deep, vibrant, and fresh – the exotic spices tickle your tongue and dance across your tastebuds as the heat of chilis warms your core. And Thai Orchid, located in Mission, Kansas, for more than 30 years, serves some of Kansas City’s best Thai cuisine, specializing in spicy curries and bold noodles. The menu is loaded with Thai classics and unique items like the deep-fried taro fries with house-made plum sauce.

Super-crispy batter yields to a soft and delicate shredded taro root that is perfectly highlighted with the sweet sauce. The soft spring rolls, my personal favorite, were packed with shrimp, noodles and a medley of herbs to create a light and refreshing bite.

Of course, we couldn’t ignore the crab Rangoon, unique in that they are made like a little dumpling, allowing for maximum crunch per savory cream-cheese-filled bite. The classic Tom Kha, a coconut-milk-based soup, is accented with ginger, lemongrass, galangal, bird’s eye chilis, and kaffir lime leaves, packed full of poached chicken, bell peppers, and straw mushrooms, bringing both levity and heartiness with every spoonful. The Panang Curry brought a bead of sweat to my brow and a smile to my face. The sweet, savory, and spicy curry was simmered with fresh vegetables and your choice of protein or vegetable. Deeply spiced with complex flavors and just the perfect amount of heat for an early spring day.

EL: It’s very clear to see why Thai Orchid has such a long history and is beloved by so many. They are consistent and always provide a delicious meal. In general, Thai cuisine seems to be more ubiquitous nowadays, but the next two places are in a niche all their own. Chai Shai, nestled in a quiet corner of Brookside, is a cozy Pakistani restaurant built around the principles of street food, spiced tea, and socializing with friends.

SL: While we are not doing as much socializing currently, the food at Chai Shai still radiates the same warmth that comes with friendly debates, shared stories, and laughter. The flavors profile of the cuisine is not of heat, but of the complex chemistry of spices blended in a way so that each play well together but distinct enough on its own to be recognized.

The Pakora, potato chickpea fritters, would be the star of any street fare. Crispy bundles are loaded with fluffy potatoes, spinach, fresh herbs, chilis, onions, and spices, mixed with chickpea flour and fried to a perfectly crispy crust ready to dip into a spiced creamy yogurt

16 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

Shrimp Pad See Ew from Thai Orchid

Soft spring rolls from Thai Orchid 18 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

Masala Paneer & Sampler Platter from Chai Shai

sauce. Each fritter is big enough to pull apart, allowing you to enjoy the perfect mixture of crunchy outside with a soft inside.

And you can’t miss the samosas – tender and flaky pastry dough wraps a bold mixture of chicken, beef, or vegetables.

Make sure you dip them into the house-made mint chutney.

Masala Paneer, a classic Pakistani dish, brings together a sauce of sweet and spicy crushed tomatoes enhanced with fenugreek and house-made garam masala with cubes of Indian-style paneer cheese. The blend of savory spice and heat was perfectly balanced with the firm, yet yielding, texture of the cheese. A perfect dish, especially when paired with the fresh garlic naan. Then you can finish your meal with a refreshing mango shake made from fresh mangos, ice, and a dash of spice, perfect for a warm spring day.

EL: Everything we ordered from Chai Shai was devoured quickly. Stewart and I kept going back for seconds, and repeatedly told each other that “we must order this more often!” It should be noted that this is a great place to order if you’re vegetarian; however, even if you’re a diehard carnivore, you won’t miss the meat in these delicious and filling dishes. And now for one more Asian stop… and this time, we’re heading to Nepal.

SL: The culinary traditions of Nepal are not common in our Midwest community, but luckily for us Chef Hemanta Timsina has brought his worldly experience and unique dishes from his homeland to our neighborhood in the form of Olathe restaurant Yuva Eats. What started as a passion for Chef Timsina took him to culinary schools in India and Austria before he landed in Kansas City. His progressive Nepalese cuisine is a passion project, and his dishes reflect his talent.

Being new to the foods of Nepal I asked the chef what I must try, and he was more than happy to share.

Momo Chaat is a traditional street food of crispy fried dumplings filed with spiced meat, shredded vegetables, onions, ginger, and spices. It’s topped with thick soy sauce, yogurt, savory and sweet tamarind, and a fresh and invigorating mint chutney, finished with a squeeze of lemon for a mix of textures, flavors, and spices. The aromas are familiar, yet they feel brand new as each bite brings a new sensation of low warming spices mixed with high acidic and bright flavors. It was a unique and craving-inducing combination that I will surely be back to experience.

The Kukhura Ko Jhol Masu, or “Everyday saucy chicken,” was another departure from the norm. The introduction of

SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 19

Momo Chaat & Kukhura Ko Jhol Masu from Yuva Eats

Szechuan peppercorn, showing the influence of Western China, combined with traditional spices from India create a wholly unique taste journey, a gentle softness of heat and warming spices together with bright hints of ginger and chilies wrapped in a thick sauce around tender chunks of chicken. It is served with the most perfectly light and fluffy basmati rice, or tender buttered naan. Yuva Eats allows you to travel to the foothills of the Himalayas just a curbside pickup away.

EL: As we’ve stressed for the past several editions, the pandemic is still very much a part of our lives and restaurants continue to need us in order to survive. By supporting Thai Orchid, Chai Shai, or Yuva Eats, you’re not only enjoying a culinary journey to a different part

of the world, but you’re also supporting a local business who needs us now more than ever. We hope you grab dinner from one, or all, of these innovative restaurants, pull out some of your favorite dishes and linens, and enjoy traveling from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Thai Orchid is located at 6504 Martway in Mission, Kansas, and more information can be found at thaiorchidkc.com.

Chai Shai is located at 651 E. 59th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, and more information can be found at chaishaikc.com.

Yuva Eats is located at 14967 W. 119th Street in Olathe, Kansas, and more information can be found at yuvaeats.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Emily and Stewart Lane are Kansas City natives who have an affection for hospitality.

Stewart, a former executive chef, makes his career at SMG and loves to cook for friends and family, and Emily manages community impact and philanthropy at JE Dunn Construction. Along with their two-year-old daughter, Evie, they live a life filled with food and culture.

20 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION REFINED FOR THE HOME. ENVIED IN THE INDUSTRY, AND CRAFTED—GORGEOUSLY—IN AMERICA.

SMOKE N' FIRE INC. 8030 W. 151ST STREET | OVERLAND PARK, KS 66223 913-685-1111 | WWW.SMOKENFIRE.COM

AUTOMOTIVE words and photos by TOM STRONGMAN

MASERATI GHIBLI TROFEO

Twin-Turbo Performance Wrapped in a Luxurious Package.

Maserati and Ferrari. Performance and Passion. Two iconic Italian brands deep with legend make a winning combination for aficionados who appreciate automobiles with a blood-red soul.

Maserati’s Trofeo packages inject excitement into the 2021 models of the Quattroporte, Levante, and Ghibli by stuffing a Ferrari-designed twin-turbo V-8 under the hood. Putting the Trofeo package into the Ghibli and Quattroporte “accentuates the two sedans’ sporting spirit, by transforming them into the fastest production Maserati road cars ever,” says Maserati.

Maserati was one of the first companies to introduce the concept of a performance luxury sedan in the 1960s before such a concept really existed. The Ghibli Trofeo takes the luxury-performance paradigm up a notch because it marries tire-spinning performance with an interior that is swathed in rich leather and carbon-fiber trim. Competitors include the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Audi A6.

This is the first time the mid-size Ghibli has been given a V-8 engine, and Maserati says the result is their fastest production road car ever. It can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 4 seconds and has a top track-speed of 203 miles per hour.

That’s not a misprint. This four-passenger, road-legal sedan is capable to breaking 200 mph, a top speed that is greater than all but a handful of exotic supercars. And yet it is perfectly comfortable strolling around town during everyday driving.

22 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

AUTOMOTIVE

24 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021

The Trofeo rides on beautiful Orione 21-inch wheels shod with high-performance Pirelli tires. Aided by traction control and anti-lock brakes and an advanced driver assistance system that predicts driving situations in advance and adapts the engine speed and brakes accordingly.

SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 25

2021 MASERATI GHIBLI TROFEO Engine: 3.8-liter, 580-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 Transmission: 8-speed automatic Rear-wheel drive Wheelbase: 118 inches Curb weight: 4,616 pounds Base price: $109,890 As driven: $120,485 MPG rating: 13 in the city, 20 on the highway

AUTOMOTIVE That’s the beauty of today’s automotive technology: Searing performance coupled with mild manners. Fuel economy is 13 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway, not bad considering the power and performance, but it does require a $3,700 gasguzzler penalty.

This 3.8-liter, twin-turbo gem spins up power as sweetly as the blender that whips your morning smoothie, and the 580 horsepower delivers a bigger kick than a double espresso. One dab of the throttle and you’re definitely awake.

Using a twin-scroll turbocharger for each cylinder bank yields a wide powerband and accounts for the engine’s ability to be docile at low speed and fierce when the throttle gets flattened. Stab the Sport Corsa button on the console and you’ll unleash the beast.

The exhaust becomes throatier, the throttle more responsive, and all 580 horses strain to run. That’s when you really understand why the Trofeo is so special. Launch control.

The Trofeo rides on beautiful Orione 21-inch wheels shod with high-performance Pirelli tires. Aided by traction control and antilock brakes and an advanced driver assistance system that predicts driving situations in advance and adapts the engine speed and brakes accordingly. Maserati says this system intervenes more smoothly than most vehicle stability control systems. It also offers Level 2 Autonomous Driving.

Maserati’s Skyhook suspension system – yes, that’s the actual name – uses acceleration sensors to continuously monitor and adjust the dampers, or shock absorbers, at each wheel in real time. Consequently, the Ghibli responds intuitively to driving conditions. Comfort is the default suspension setting and Sport is selected by a switch on the console. In Comfort, the ride quality is compliant at moderate speeds. I would be concerned about the vulnerability of the rims on rough roads, however.

The interior is rich in luxurious details that underline the Trofeo’s sporty personality without sacrificing the typical Maserati elegance. A high-resolution, 10.1-inch display with multi-touch function is integrated into the center of the instrument panel. The center console has a spot for wirelessly charging cell phones.

The Trofeo’s cabin underlines the car’s sporty, high-performance nature of the Trofeo. The interior is wrapped in what Maserati calls “Pieno Fiore” full-grain natural leather. The seats are deep and comfortable, with the Trofeo logo embroidered into the headrests. Carbon fiber accents are used throughout, and the car I drove had the optional exterior carbon fiber trim package. Even the tiniest interior detail such as the small analog clock perched atop the dash is impeccably styled to emphasize elegance.

When you’re tired of being entertained by sound of the V-8 engine, you can tune your ears to one of two sound systems: The Harman Kardon Premium Sound System (four woofers, four tweeters, one centre fill, and one sub with amplifier, giving a total of 650 W) is standard, and the Bowers & Wilkins High Premium Sound System (15 speakers totalling 1,280 W) is optional.

SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 27

AUTOMOTIVE

As expected for a car in this segment, the list of driving assistance and safety features is extensive. Adapative cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot assist, traffic-sign recognition, forwardcollision warning, advanced brake assist, and autonomous emergency braking are all there. Active Driving Assist is a Level 2 autonomous system that keeps the car in its lane in concert with the adaptive cruise control. It still requires “hands on the wheel” but reduces driver fatigue, according to Maserati.

A rearview camera, cross-path detection and optional surround view are also standard.

Maserati has a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty.

Performance runs deep in the history of Maserati.

According to the company’s website, Rodolfo Maserati, a railroad worker, and his wife, Carolina, had seven children, “all of whom inherited their father’s passion for speed and performance.” In 1914, the Maserati brothers – Alfieri, Ettore, Ernesto, and Bindo – opened the Officine Alfieri Maserati “car workshop” in Bologna, Italy. The Tipo 26, born in 1926, was the first car to carry the Maserati name and Trident logo that was inspired by the fountain of Neptune in Bologna. If the brothers could experience the Trofeo today, it would be beyond their wildest dreams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / PHOTOGRAPHER Tom Strongman has a degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri and was formerly the director of photography and then the automotive editor of The Kansas City Star. Tom, a member of the Missouri Press Association Photojournalism Hall of Fame, has written about and photographed cars for more than three decades.

MARINER

WEALTH ADVISORS R ANKE D

TOP FIVE

NATIONALLY RANKED. LOCALLY BASED. Mariner Wealth Advisors has been nationally ranked in the top five 2016 - 2020 RIA Firms by Barron’s. While we are thrilled with this recognition, we believe the true measure of our success is helping our clients arrive at their financial destination.

Because putting clients first isn’t just our motto – it’s our mission.

Why not have a conversation with a top-ranked firm?

913-647-9700 | www.marinerwealthadvisors.com 5700 W. 112th St., Suite 200, Overland Park, KS 66211 *Barron’s awarded the 2020 #5, 2019 #4 and 2018 #3 Top RIA Firms rankings to Mariner Wealth Advisors based on data compiled for Mariner Wealth Advisors and the 2017 #2 and 2016 #1 rankings to Mariner Holdings based upon data compiled for Mariner Holdings’ registered investment adviser subsidiaries. The number of firms included in the rankings were: 20 (2016), 30 (2017), 40 (2018), 50 (2019) and 100 (2020). Barron’s publishes rankings based upon a number of criteria and the firms’ filings with the SEC were used to cross-check the data provided. The listing includes numbers of clients, employees, advisors, offices and state locations. The award is not indicative of future performance and there is no guarantee of future investment success.

For additional information visit www.barrons.com.

Mariner Wealth Advisors (“MWA”), is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in the State of Kansas. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. MWA is in compliance with the current notice filing requirements imposed upon registered investment advisers by those states in which MWA maintains clients. MWA may only transact business in those states in which it is notice filed or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from notice filing requirements. Any subsequent, direct communication by MWA with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. For additional information about MWA, including fees and services, please contact MWA or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you invest or send money.

Defy the ordinary

Ghibli Trofeo Maserati of Kansas City 9400 W 65th Street, Merriam, KS 913.677.3300 | maseratiofkansascity.com

©2021 Maserati North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Maserati and the Trident logo are registered trademarks of Maserati SpA. Maserati urges you to obey all posted speed limits.

FASHION photos KENNY JOHNSON | styling AMANI SKALACKI

Spring is in Full Bloom.

attire HALLS jewelry MEIEROTTO JEWELRY glasses EYE STYLE model ALI of Voices& hair by KATYANNE TRAFFAS | bijin salon and spa makeup by SHAYLA NASH | shaylanash.com location THE WESTIN KANSAS CITY AT CROWN CENTER SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 31

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Enjoy Union Station, all of Crown Center, the Streetcar, and the outdoor heated pool area.

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For almost 50 years, the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) emergency crisis line has offered support to sexual assault and abuse survivors and the people around them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It’s part of an extraordinary legacy for the organization, which got its start in 1969 as an effort between criminal justice, health, mental health, and other professions that came together to address the needs of those that had been sexually assaulted.

“Today, MOCSA continues to be the sole rape crisis center serving the greater Kanas City metro area, and we have a unique service model that focuses not only on advocacy and response and support, but also education and prevention, as well,” explains President and CEO Julie Donelon. “We look at it from a very holistic point of view to impact the issue and change the culture in our city.”

SERVING THE COMMUNITY MOCSA serves Kansas City through three major programs: advocacy, counseling, and education and prevention.

In addition to the emergency crisis line, which is always answered by a live person, MOCSA also provides hospital advocacy, sending a staff member or volunteer to offer support or intervention while survivors undergo sexual assault

exams at area hospitals. The organization’s advocacy efforts continue, whether a survivor goes through the criminal justice process, wants help navigating a school’s Title IX procedures, or needs assistance breaking a lease to get out of an unsafe situation.

“Survivors often feel like they’re to blame, like they’ve done something wrong,” Donelon says. “They’ve seen how other survivors are treated when they come forward, through the news stories or the media or from reactions from friends and family that they’ve heard, and so a lot of times, they’re just very uncertain of what to do and who to tell, because they’re very vulnerable. They understand that likely their character will be attacked, but not that of the perpetrator’s. We want to make sure that we do everything to allow the victims to come forward and get the support that they need while they work their way through that whole process.”

MOCSA offers counseling programs for those 4 years and up who have been impacted by child sexual abuse, as well as adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and adult and adolescent survivors of sexual violence. Additionally, the nonprofit works in more than 30 area school districts providing education and awareness programming for preschoolers through college students, as well as to community and professional groups. MOCSA also delivers Safe Bar training in

SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 41

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NONPROFIT by KELSEY CIPOLLA bars and restaurants throughout the community to help educate staff about how to respond when they see dangerous situations.

The organization’s impact is considerable. The education and prevention department serves 65,000 annually. In 2019, MOCSA saw 1,500 individuals for counseling services, and it assists 1,400 annually through advocacy efforts, in addition to answering about 5,500 calls per year on the crisis line.

During the pandemic, MOCSA shifted to offering services remotely, including counseling and hospital visits. Donelon says her team has also noticed a shift in community need during this unprecedented time: More people are dealing with relationship violence as sheltering in place is encouraged and access to social support systems is limited. Sadly, child sexual abuse cases are also on the rise, since many children don’t have the access they once did to trusted adults outside their home they can confide in.

CHANGING THE CULTURE Despite the troubling times we are in, there is cause for hope. Donelon says she has seen a dramatic shift in attitudes regarding sexual assault during her 25 years working in the advocacy space.

“It has gone from people not talking about it, people keeping it a secret and being ashamed and embarrassed about it, to having open conversations,” she says. “I’m just so optimistic because we’ve come some far in those 25 years I’ve been in the field, and I’ve been able to see the progress.

I’m really eager for the next 25 and to see what more progress we can make.”

Unfortunately, Donelon says myths about sexual assault are still pervasive in our society: That the victim was “asking” to be assaulted because of how she/he was dressed or behaving; that rapists are strangers that strike in isolated locations; and that only women can be victims.

“I think the biggest challenge is changing the community’s perception about sexual violence,” Donelon says.

“People often think sexual violence is something that happens to other people. But we know that sexual violence can happen to anyone, and does. The people that we work with, these survivors, are children, are mothers and fathers, are brothers and sisters, are family members, are friends and colleagues. Nobody is immune from it, and I think it’s really important that people understand it’s not just something that happens to other people. Because of that, we all have a role to play in preventing sexual violence and responding to it.”

To learn more about MOCSA, access the organization’s services, or offer financial or volunteer support, visit mocsa.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelsey Cipolla is a local writer, editor, and social media specialist. Kelsey has covered everything from the Kansas City culinary scene to home design, health, fitness trends, hidden gems, and nonprofit in the Kansas City community.

SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 43

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INTERVIEW words by JOEL NICHOLS | photo by ERIC WILLIAMS

Photo by Peter Obetz

Play It Again.

Jan Kraybill is a Grammy-nominated musician. Her talent as an organist has taken her around the world. She’s played with the Kansas City Symphony for more than three decades and is the Organ Conservator at the Kauffman Center. She also rides a hog.

How did a girl from Colby, Kansas, find her way into concert halls all over the globe?

Dad was an architect, but he absolutely loved music. I got a lot of my passion for music from him. I got my training for music from mom. When I was three, I remember the piano coming into our house. I remember how beautiful it looked. My mom said, ‘This is a musical instrument, and you have to respect it. You’re not allowed to pound on it.’ I had my first lesson the next day.

I couldn’t wait to learn where middle C was.

You were the kid that actually practiced?

With a brief exception in fifth grade when I was going to be a volleyball star. I couldn’t wait until the next lesson. So, I was really weird.

From the age of three, you’re playing the piano. When did you make a detour to the organ?

When I was 14, an organist at church said she’d give me lessons so that she could have a Sunday off. I didn’t realize that was going to be an opening to something so fantastic in my life.

Multiple keyboards and buttons and settings and, you also have to play with your feet! The physicality of playing the organ is amazing. You must be well-coordinated.

Well, my dancing really stinks. I can only dance with my seat on the bench.

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INTERVIEW The organ is such a complex piece of machinery. You’re part artist and part technician.

Absolutely. The number of keys from bottom to top varies, the color of those keys varies, the shape of those keys varies. It’s just incredible. Getting to know an organ that’s new to me is like getting to know a fascinating new person at a party. I need to find out what makes him tick.

In much the same way, I love working on my own bike. I love knowing how it works. I love listening for the change when something’s going wrong. It’s the same thing playing the organ. I love the machinery of it. I love knowing when I push down a key exactly what’s happening.

Your “bike” is a Harley-Davidson. When did your love affair with motorcycles and the open road begin?

My now husband showed up for our first date, 35 or 40 years ago, on a motorcycle. I opened the front door, saw the bike, and said ‘So, we’re taking my car?’ He said, ‘No we’re taking the bike and I brought an extra helmet.’ I said, ‘I’m not getting on one of those things.’ He said, ‘Why would you knock something when you haven’t even tried it.’

We’re leaning into a curve and I could feel the power of the engine. I realized that I could reach out and touch concrete. It was that moment, that combination of adrenaline and danger and fear and courage, that I decided I wanted my own bike. Learn my own skills. Take my own risks.

Every time I play in public there’s a risk involved. That’s part of the attraction. On the bike, it’s a different risk but it’s still adrenaline and anticipation of a ride.

The juxtaposition of organist and Harley rider does grab people’s imagination!

True! We used to go on a Saturday breakfast ride with a bunch of guys. I was almost always the only female. One morning we’re sitting in a booth with a couple of riders we don’t know having a typical conversation. ‘Where do you live?’ ‘What’s your bike?’ ‘What do you do for living?’’ I said,

‘I’m a church organist,’ and what always happens is people start apologizing for their language. One of the guys asked what church. I told him and he says, ‘You’re my church organist!”

The same thing happens, in reverse, when I’m at an organist convention! Everybody has things in their life that seem to be in conflict with each other, which, actually, just create the total person.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joel Nichols has been interviewing fascinating people from Kansas City and around the nation for 35 years. Today, he does freelance work for a number of area organizations, as well as emcee events in our town. Please, visit Joel Nichols Communications, online.

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KC ORIGINALS by PATRICIA O'DELL

Wild About Harry.

Harry S. Truman is ours. Born and raised in Missouri, Truman became the 33rd President of the United States after the death of President Franklin Roosevelt, and while he has devotees around the globe, we hold him as close as neighbor or friend. For the last year, the board and staff of the Truman Library Institute and the Truman Library and Museum in Independence have worked to reimagine and renovate the library and museum that honors Truman’s legacy and his contribution to history.

“Harry Truman rose to the occasion, and I think that’s the story that resonates with people,” Kurt Graham, director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum says. “The world is a fundamentally different place because this farmer from Missouri ascended to the highest office in the land. The lines on the map are literally different because of him.”

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KC ORIGINALS

When it was time for the library and museum board and staff to initiate the campaign to update the facilities, they began to consider how to communicate the significance of Truman’s legacy by reimagining the museum. While the primary focus was telling Truman’s story and his historical significance, they were aware, too, of the very personal connection so many people have with Truman.

“People tell me constantly that Truman is their favorite president,” Graham says. “In fact, it is I seldom don’t hear it. People on both the left and the right [politically] are interested in, engaged by, and appreciative of the legacy of Harry Truman.”

While Graham is aware that President Joe Biden is placing a bust of Truman in the Oval Office, he notes that Truman’s legacy is honored on both sides of the aisle.

“Ronald Reagan was a Truman supporter back in the day. George W. Bush said wonderful things about Truman.

Truman went home every night with three-ring binders and read through white papers. He was very informed and he was decisive. I think the way he went about making a decision is what inspires people to hold him in such high regard.”

Graham and his board entered the renovation with the awareness of how significant Truman is to so many people. As they reimagined the library and museum, they began by identifying their priorities.

“The exhibits that were installed 20 years ago had held up very well,” Graham says. “But we know more now. So much has been researched and written. We had the opportunity to tell a better story.”

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In addition, they knew that they had the opportunity to enhance the telling of Truman’s legacy through a more compelling physical space.

“We put a new entrance on the backside of the building, so the main entrance is all glass and features the presidential seal. As you walk in, there is a straight line of sight to the inner courtyard where Harry’s and Bess’s gravesites are. There are windows up near the ceiling and natural light floods the space.”

Graham says when he tours the site with people that they are immediately engaged.

“It’s almost cathedral like,” he says. “I always feel as if this entrance is becoming of the legacy of our 33rd president. From the beginning, we wanted to do something so that before people saw an exhibit or read a single label, they would say, ‘Wow, Harry Truman must have mattered.’”

As the board and staff began to approach the renovation, they knew that connecting with a 21st century audience would be different both from a historical perspective and a physical one.

“We now had the opportunity to do justice to Truman’s experience in World War I, his recognition of Israel, and his civil rights record.”

He notes that the Korean conflict, which he says cost Truman both personally and politically, was previously a single panel.

“Now it’s an entire room with interactive media, a film, and a couple of collections that are recent acquisitions that tell the story of the war from the bottom-up perspective that Truman would have appreciated as a soldier.”

SPRING 2021 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 55

KC ORIGINALS While media has its place in the exhibits, the team was careful not to overwhelm visitors with screens. They were well aware that even young children are familiar with swiping and pushing buttons, so they made sure to include tactile interactions along with visual.

“We felt as if swiping for more information at every turn would be as tedious as reading printed cards. So, we have some very hands-on elements where the visitor opens a door or flips a lever to discover something new. There’s a combination of things that make it a ‘wow’ experience.”

A striking example is the 14-foot-tall globe that visitors can walk into and discover the fractured world that Truman had to put back together [following World War II].”

Adam Sachs’s family has been friends with the Truman family for three generations.

“My grandfather and Harry Truman were good friends throughout their adult lives,” Sachs says. “They served in Jackson County government together, and had a shared interest in politics and public service.”

Sachs is a board member of the Truman Library and involved in fundraising for the renovation.

“We were fortunate with the timing of our project. We were able to round up extremely generous support from our benefactors prior to the pandemic, and the museum was already scheduled to be closed for renovations during 2020.

We were very honored that people were willing to open their pockets and support the renovation.”

Sachs thinks the reopening, which is planned for 2021, will be timely.

“The importance of understanding history, and the lessons we can learn by studying the leadership styles of successful Presidents, is perhaps more important now than at any time in our nation’s history. I am hopeful these renovations will help make this history come to light for generations to come.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Patricia O’Dell started the lifestyle blog “Mrs. Blandings” in 2007. Her curiosity led her to write about designers, artists, business owners, and industry leaders. She’s been published in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Chicago Tribune, Flower magazine, Kansas City Spaces, and The Kansas City Star, as well as archdigest.com and elledecor.com.

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ROAD TRIPS words and photos by ANNA PETROW

Road Trip Review.

Spring has sprung, we made it through the winter, and it’s the perfect time to reward yourself with a little road trip. The drive itself from Kansas City through southern Missouri and into Arkansas is breathtaking any time of year, but the bright greens of freshly growing grass will be sure to put a spring in your step as you make your way to Bentonville: home of great eats, beautiful hikes, and, of course, the world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. You can’t go wrong wandering around this darling little town, where friendly locals will be happy to give recommendations– but, just in case, here are some suggestions for a fun-filled weekend itinerary: Fuel up before your museum visit at Onyx Coffee Lab, a coffee roaster that has risen to fame for its dedication to finding the finest coffees in the world with transparency of practice. Located just off the quaint town square,

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this location is the company’s first custom built shop. The 360-degree white-tiled bar is stunning, with baristas mixing up unique seasonal concoctions with on-trend ingredients like turmeric, matcha, and even chili powder.

The main attraction, of course, is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which this spring will showcase Crafting America, featuring over 100 works in ceramics, fiber, wood, metal, glass, and more unexpected materials and representing a diverse story of the American craft from the 1940s to present day. Highlighted artists will include Ruth Asawa, Peter Voulkos, Jeffrey Gibson, Sonya Clark, and more. The recent acquisition Companion Species: Speech Bubble by Marie Watt (Seneca) will also be on view, as well as the breathtaking permanent collection of American art that catapulted the museum into fame.

Crystal Bridges Museum

Onyx Coffee Lab

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ROAD TRIPS

21C Museum Hotel

WHERE TO STAY? For art lovers, the 21C Museum Hotel, of course. Each floor – in fact, each room – is home to unique art. The hotel is like an extension of the museum itself, complete with art galleries (open to the public, even if you aren’t staying the night) throughout the lobby.

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CONFIDENCE DOESN’T TAKE DETOURS. THE BMW X5.

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With an available mighty 456-horsepower engine, enhanced suspension for absolute driving comfort or a sportier driving style, and a fully redesigned interior, the BMW X5 is always ready, no matter the challenge ahead.

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Chef Matthew McClure's regionally inspired cuisine at 21C Museum Hotel's restaurant, The Hive.

Stop by The Hive for brunch, a fabulous dinner, or a quick round of handcrafted cocktails.

The 21C’s love of art extends beautifully to their menu, where Chef Matthew McClure pays homage to the culinary identity of Arkansas with refined Southern plates featuring local ingredients — like the sorghum roasted duck with pecan relish.

Walking to Crystal Bridges from 21C Hotel is a breeze. The winding hiking path from the town square takes you past unique sculptures and beautiful landscapes with the signature Arkansas table rock. After the museum, if you’re craving exhibits of a more nostalgic nature, the Walton 5 & 10 pays homage to American retail giant Walmart, telling the story of the Walton family. The gift shop is a blast to the past with all kinds of toys and candy you may have long since forgotten, but that you will be tickled to remember.

For more culinary adventure, head to town favorite Flying Fish for a bite. The oysters on a half shell pile high on tin platters and go great

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ROAD TRIPS alongside some fried jalapeño chips and homemade hush puppies. Dine in or takeout is quick and fresh, so if you prefer to grab your grub to go and take it to a brewery patio, Bike Rack Brewing Co. is the perfect spot to wash it down with a cold one. Head to their location on 8th Street to take in the colorful murals while you sip on their signature brew, the Urban Trail, a crisp, refreshing beer with a low hop profile. If you’re feeling bold, the Angus Chute oatmeal stout has plenty of flavor. Don't miss the many shops throughout the 8th Street Market building– Markham & Fitz has some of the state's best bean-to-bar chocolate, and Sweet Freedom Cheese has everything you need for your next picnic.

For a memorable evening out, be sure to snag a reservation at Preacher’s Son. Nestled inside of a restored church with soaring ceilings, Chef Neal Grey has created one of the most unique dining experiences around, and diners flock in from all over the nation to experience his cuisine, which revolves around the seasonality of Northwest Arkansas’s finest ingredients. You’ll find nods to both classical training and Southern heritage here, too, with dishes like Coq au Vin with mushrooms and dirty rice, and shrimp & grits with chicken chorizo and farm-fresh egg. Don’t miss a trip downstairs to Undercroft, an intimate speakeasy where you can imbibe in well-crafted cocktails in an ambiance like no other.

Art, great food, cold drinks, a beautiful drive . . . there’s nothing like a little getaway to welcome a new, fresh season of life after a challenging year for all. Wishing you happy and safe travels!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anna Petrow is a culinary, travel and lifestyle photographer based in the Midwest, following her lens coast to coast and beyond. Anna’s wide-ranging clientele includes James Beard award winning restaurants, multinational corporations and international newspapers and magazines. Her work has been published in the New York Times, Food & Wine, Fathom, Jetsetter and beyond.

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INTERIOR DESIGN by STACY DOWNS

Pets During the Pandemic.

They’re happy we’re working from home, and we’re glad they’re the 24-7 office mate we never knew we’d need.

Each day, I give thanks for a mutt named Jack who is helping me get through the pandemic.

He certainly is cute with his glossy black-and-white coat, confident strut, and upright tail that curves into a C. It’s not just me or my husband or our two sons who think he’s quite fetching. During our daily walks, it’s the three motorists who’ve literally stopped in traffic to shout “good-looking dog!” And the homeowners who’ve run out of their houses to ask about him. And the kids who have asked me if they could, with parental approval, pet this sweet dog. Indeed, it’s a rare day that Jack doesn’t get at least one compliment as we take our usual five-mile trek through parks and neighborhoods.

This daily connection to others that Jack provides is a balm to my soul in our new socially and physically distanced world. Ever since last March, when offices and schools went online to remote working and learning, he’s been tail-wagging-ly by my side.

Our day starts at 5:30 or 6 a.m. when Jack paws at me to let him outside while I pour him food and water. And soon after, he scratches at our mudroom door to nudge me toward his leash. Sorry/not sorry, Ronald Reagan, but I think Jack is the Great Communicator.

When my husband, Richard, and I start lacing up our shoes, Jack goes atwitter, jumping up and down because it signals his favorite time of day: walking time. It’s become the best part of our day, too. Not only are we getting much needed exercise, no matter the weather, in sunshine, wind, rain or snow, we are also listening to audiobooks.

One of the things the stress of the pandemic temporarily stole was my ability to read books, my usual favorite solitary past time.

But I was too busy worrying about my kids logging onto screens each day to learn, and fretting about my parents going anywhere, even the grocery store, with their health conditions. And I spent my days writing letters and articles about COVID protocols for students, faculty and staff for the university I work for, as well as trying to help

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INTERIOR DESIGN

One of my friends who also has been working from home the past year takes kitty instead of coffee breaks these days.

my clients’ evolving business needs they are grappling with.

So sitting still and concentrating over the printed pages of books was much too much for me for months.

But Jack’s love of walking got me listening to books. Together, my husband and I have enjoyed biographies, mysteries, and novels before starting each workday. One of the standouts has been “Travels with Charley in Search of America” by John Steinbeck. The 1960 memoir details the renowned author’s road trip across the country with his beloved black poodle.

We listened to Steinbeck’s words as we walked Jack on his favorite route, where he spontaneously jumps to scale shoulder-high retaining walls and sits expectantly at a fence post affixed with a homeowners’ mailbox containing bone-shaped biscuits. When I stare in awe and wonder at beautiful Jack, it’s not surprising that Steinbeck brought

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Charley around for his 38-state journey. Our furry friends are both ice breakers and just downright great company.

You’ve probably read about pandemic pets, how dog and cat adoption, sales, and fostering numbers increased in 2020 along with spikes in leashes and pet toys, according to Nielsen numbers and Chewy pet-supply subscription-box data. Indeed, my social media feeds have surged with selfies of my friends with their new furry BFFs. One of my friends who also has been working from home the past year takes kitty instead of coffee breaks these days.

Her daily ritual with Tasuki (pronounced toss-key), a shorthair orange tabby (think Garfield), has become “where’s Tasuki?” He hides in different spots around the house, usually the last place they were playing together.

She’s discovered Tasuki really does sleep a lot during the day, but that he gets active while she’s working at

DESIGN TIPS FOR LIVING WITH DOGS AND CATS I tell everyone my house is seriously “Jacked” up. Our dog, Jack – a mix of Bassett Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Jack Russell Terrier, Weimaraner, and 50 percent unknown – has left his indelible mark on our lives and home.

Some things, my family can live with easily (the light sprinkling of Jack hair) and other things require more serious solutions (the time he turned our sofa into a chew toy). A few things we’ve learned along the way:

her computer. He runs around and wants her to chase him. So she does when she can, or she settles for petting his soft, fine fur between meetings and urgent emails.

Jack also wants attention as I sit working at my dining table/desk – especially when I’m on Zoom. He’ll jump up on my banquette and join the meeting, and stare and smile at the screen — it’s a good thing actions like this have become acceptable WFH office etiquette.

As I’m spending practically 24/7 from home, Jack has another move he likes to make. I’ll be hugging my husband or one of my sons, and Jack will come bounding across the room. He can’t miss out on a group hug, and thanks to him, neither can we.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stacy Downs writes about all things design and is a partner at MAD Creative, a branding and communications firm in Kansas City.

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Use indoor-outdoor upholstery fabric. One of my friends, who is a designer, said I’d be amazed when I saw the newest indoor-outdoor fabrics. I reupholstered a large ottoman with a kiwi-colored velvet textile. When Jack leaves a muddy paw print on it, as he does, I simply wipe with a dry cloth and it looks like new. Convinced, I’m reupholstering a sofa and dining room chairs and banquettes with it.

Corral their gear — and yours.

Like the other members of the family, Jack has his own peg in the mudroom for his winter coat and leash. His treats are stored in a canister like our snacks are. Chew toys go in the same spot like our remotes do. Important tip: If you get a puppy or kitten, store irreplaceable items (like the heirloom wedding present throw my aunt knit me) away until or if they move past the baby, biting stage.

Strive for excellence, not perfection.

Exercise patience because, like people, pets cause accidents that leave their mark on places inside the home. If I can’t Magic Eraser it, reupholster it, or touch it up with paint, I shrug and consider it part of my home’s “paw-tina.”

HEALTH by DR. LINDA MOORE

If We Want 2021 to Get Better, We Need a Reset.

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When the clock struck midnight in 2020, one question: Have you made any resolutions for the New Year? Surveys suggest that about 50 percent of us make resolutions and that most have abandoned them by mid to late February. But as we unpack the challenges, the pain, the losses — on so many levels — and the uncertainty resulting from the pandemic, we certainly need reflection and change. What that change involves will differ for each of us; but for most it does demand focus on what’s next and what we need to feel healthy, whole, and on track.

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HEALTH

So, at the most basic level, consider this: Write down all your negative feelings about this past year.

The list can be as long as needed. Put it aside, and next write down all the positive feelings about this year. And finally write the most simple goal you have for yourself as this year unfolds.

Is resolving to change on multiple levels going forward into 2021 with confidence the best idea? Consider this: Resolutions have a “ring” that feels commanding, demanding, forceful, and, to some who’ve reported in conversation, punitive in nature,even suggesting, “What a slouch I’ve been this year” and, therefore, “I must get a grip on myself.” Shorthand: resolutions, for most, speak to our failures.

Consequently, I’m suggesting the more basic act of setting goals. Just a word change? Not really. The things we think about, the specific words we use as we reflect, register differently in our frontal lobe. While resolutions appear

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to have a negative impact, goal setting is aspirational.

And it speaks to the better nature in us.

Start with a simple example: If you resolve to clean your desk and thoroughly sort the pile of stacked up files and find you have not done so in days, even weeks, it’s fairly easy to give yourself a hard time. (Feel free to insert your more serious examples, like losing weight, exercising regularly, resolving conflicts with friends and family, considering working toward a promotion or going back to school, perhaps retiring, or figuring out next steps after this challenging, and in some cases damaging, isolation.) But back to the “punitive” thoughts

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HEALTH in our heads, such as, “I am a slug, lazy, disorganized, and hopeless.” Some people can go even further with thought distortions … ”I never follow through, so I’ll never get this done.” It’s no use to try to change; it never works.”

If you quickly reject the idea that you think like that, give yourself a moment to at least check in with your version of self-talk and mild to serious distortions. We all have them, but we are also all different.

Try shifting gears. If you make it a goal for what you aspire to do, you can typically count on different outcomes.

Sometimes you actually do it because it feels more like a choice versus an order you’ve given yourself; and, sometimes, you decide that it’s not necessary to have it at the top of your list, because of other things that have been important to identify as priorities.

If this isn’t yet feeling like a legitimate distinction, test it. Take one thing you are hopeful of changing in your life, no matter how big or small. First make a written resolution about the change or goal. Write it down. Read it over. “I resolve/or promise/or commit to ______.”

Sit back and test how it feels, and pay attention to the thoughts that come into the foreground of your mind.

Typically, most of us initially feel good about a resolution . . . stronger, a better person for resolving. However, next watch for the confounding and confusing thoughts that come into your mind, such as, “I don’t want to,” “I haven’t succeeded before,” “I always say this and I really can’t do it,” and anything else you know is a common and familiar self-negating thought.

Now repeat the process with a statement of a goal. Ensure that the language in each process is truly different: My goal/intention is to _____ in the next ____ weeks/ months. And, again, listen for the thoughts. Hopefully they are more realistic and even might include doubts about your commitments. But doubt can be more easily managed versus distortions like, “I never succeed,” “I know I won’t really be able to do it.” Doubt is “it will be

hard” and “I want to try.” Let yourself reflect on the difference. It may seem far too subtle, but it’s different in your brain.

Depending on the time of the new year you are reading this, most of us know 2021 can be better than 2020, regardless of our life circumstances, losses, and challenges in navigating this very difficult, and painful year … whether personal and/or family health, work challenges, the pressures of isolation or limitations, financial and educational challenges … and the complexity of emotional and psychological struggles that almost all have had, on some level. The list for many is long.

So, at the most basic level, consider this: Write down all your negative feelings about this past year. The list can be as long as needed. Put it aside, and next write down all the positive feelings about this year. And finally write the most simple goal you have for yourself as this year unfolds.

Mostly, acknowledge things are changing dramatically and feelings are up and down. Writing about what you feel and setting a goal for change are almost always helpful in the process. And when you tap into challenging feelings, always remember it’s a good thing to reach out to someone you feel comfortable talking to. Just that basic process helps!

And for a footnote, to go deeper in your reflection, use this idea from psychologist and author Tara Brach. She says, consider RAIN: R- Recognize what is happening.

A- Allow the experience to be there just as it is.

I- Investigate with interest and care.

N- Nuture with self compassion.

My goal: to encourage everyone I interact with to wear a mask, maintain recommended social distancing, and to wash your hands. And if my goal even remotely annoys you, ask yourself what that’s about.

And please take care of yourself and those you love

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Linda Moore has been in practice in the Kansas City area for over 25 years and is a published author on personal and family issues.

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