TODAY Kansas City – Spring 2024

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Welcome to Electric luxury The future of driving begins now.

Pouring over a century of our knowledge into electric mobility, we’re transforming the driving experience, delivering the luxury and performance you expect from Mercedes-Benz. This journey began with the EQS — a vehicle embodying the iconic S-Class, built with a highly advanced electric architecture that forges the path for all upcoming electric models. Mercedes-Benz has the power to shape the next era of mobility. We call it Ambition2039 — our strategy to create a carbon-neutral fleet of passenger vehicles across the globe within the next 20 years.

Experience electric luxury for yourself at Aristocrat Motors and 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

This Year Promises to Be Exciting.

Coming off the successful 2024 Kansas City Auto Show we are looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring for our customers and our communities.

The most noticeable change can be seen as you drive to the Aristocrat campus just off the 67th Street exit of I-35, where our new Mercedes-Benz facility is under construction. I invite you to keep an eye on the construction as it moves toward a grand opening in early 2025.

Until then, we are staying involved with a full year of sponsorships and events at each of our facilities.

Aristocrat Motors Pre-Owned Lee’s Summit has two successful events returning for 2024: Saturday, May 11, it will be hosting the practice ride for Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Tour de Lakes Cycling event. The practice ride will be followed by lunch from the Moose food truck Saturday, June 8, will be the All-British Vintage Car Show. Last year, over 50 vehicles were shown, and the attendees and the owners were treated to a lunch and great car viewing.

Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City, our south store, will once again be active with the Leawood Chamber of Commerce: Saturday, September 21, is the Taste of Leawood, an evening event held at Park Place Shopping Center, a combination of the best south Kansas City restaurants combined with the finest cars.

This will be our sixth year as the sponsor.

Aristocrat Motors will be busy, as well, not only watching our new construction but participating and creating events for our customers: Sunday, June 2, our two Italian brands, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, will be sponsoring Feste Italiana at Zona Rosa shopping center in North Kansas City. The car show features Italian cars and motorcycles. It’s a great party and the vehicles are amazing.

Saturday, October 19, is a day to circle if you own a Land Rover.

It’s the day our Land Rover service team puts on its annual OffRoad Event, “Get the Dirty On.” It’s the opportunity to experience your vehicle in the manner for which it was designed. For the last 10 years, its been a “must be at” event.

Aristocrat Topeka, our BMW and VW dealership, is involved in Topeka and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Mulvane Art Museum.

4 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

Thursday, May 23, the dealership will host a customer and donor party to kick off the annual Mulvane Art Fair, featuring the first showing of the new BMW i4 Art Car, designed by the featured artist of the fair, Jen Unekis.

The weekend of June 8 and 9 is the Mulvane Art Fair, a wonderful way to spend the day strolling though the grounds of Washurn University and looking at great art offerings.

Saturday, September 7, is the celebration of the 100th anniversary and it will be a family event with our vehicles on display at the museum and the adjacent grounds.

I hope to see you at one or more of the events, and let me take just a moment to thank you for your continued support and friendship.

Marion Battaglia, President

HALLS SPRING GARDEN PARTY THURSDAY, MAY 2

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5 – 7 PM

Don’t miss our spectacular women’s fashion and tablescape event: • Exclusive Mestiza New York trunk show • Four stunning tablescape displays designed by Estately • Benefit for Safehome – a nonprofit organization and shelter for survivors of domestic violence Follow @HallsKC and @Estatelykc for more information and to purchase tickets.

EDITOR'S LETTER by ROBERT HELLWEG

How About Some Great News?

As a reader of Today Kansas City, you are aware that one of the key articles in the publication is the not-for-profit article. Over the years, we have covered those who support children, the gifted, and the challenged, and groups formed to serve those needs.

We have also covered education through teaching ensemble music and given a small glimpse of the amazing work done by family shelters and those that support the victims of sexual violence.

A year and a half ago we covered an amazing organization out of Colorado that has an affiliate branch here in Kansas City, Project Cure. This is an article that began with one of the three women who were our fashion models for that issue, Heather Slusher. She served as a volunteer to the organization.

I listened, and I was in awe. I ended up touring the project’s facilities in the “caves” here in Kansas City and got a first-hand look at their mission and their work. Project Cure provides medical equipment and supplies to countries that are in need, either by economics or the result of nature’s fury.

That discussion led to the magazine article landing in my my neighbor Carmen Gramajo-Moser's hands. Carmen is a longtime volunteer and supporter of Medical Missions. With Carmen and Heather’s initial collaboration, a perfect trifecta of Medical Missions, Project Cure, and Kansas University Medical Center resulted in what you can read about in the final article in this issue.

Our fashion shoot that November resulted in new equipment for a Guatemalan hospital.

Heather, Carmen, and we made a difference in children’s and families’ lives in Guatemala.

Thank you, I am humbled by your work and proud of our small role. . .

SOAVE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP MARION BATTAGLIA President KEVIN KILLILEA Vice President ANGIE LEWITZKE Controller CHUCK DAVIS Service and Parts Director KRIS NIELSEN Director of Sales and Manufacturer Relations/ General Manager Aristocrat Motors Topeka ROBERT HELLWEG Marketing Director LARRY MILLER Inventory Director LINDSEY BENEFIELD Internet Manager FERNANDO RICCI Finance & Insurance Director DAVID HUGHES General Manager Aristocrat Lee's Summit JORDAN SCHLOTZHAUER Human Relations Manager HANNAH REESE Digital Manager NEW VEHICLE SALES MANAGERS DAVID ANDREWS Aristocrat Mercedes-Benz KIRK WILLMS Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City CHUCK OBRIEN Porsche Kansas City JOE LEMBERGER Alfa Romeo and Maserati JOE SIRNA Jaguar-Land Rover RILEY HARMON Aristocrat Motors Topeka PRE-OWNED MANAGERS JK CORNELIUS Aristocrat Motors DAN BOYER Mercedes-Benz Kansas City MIKE REID Mercedes-Benz Kansas City DAVID FISER Aristocrat Lee's Summit SERVICE MANAGERS CHARLES FRIEDMAN Aristocrat Mercedes-Benz |

Maserati | Alfa Romeo RODNEY PARKER Porsche Kansas City KEVIN SMELL Jaguar-Land Rover of Merriam ISAAC NICHOLS Aristocrat Motors Topeka JOHN DOOLITTLE Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City PARTS MANAGERS BILL WELLS Aristocrat Motors DAVID BARNES Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City JOE LAWHEAD Jaguar-Land Rover of Merriam KIP NASH Aristocrat Motors Topeka

ROBERT HELLWEG Editor | 913.677.7414 KATHRYN CREEL Creative Director MARCI LINN Copyeditor ALLYSON ELLIS Sales Director | 913.634.3838 AMANI SKALACKI Fashion Director ALISON BARNES MARTIN Fashion Photographer TODAY KANSAS CITY is a quarterly publication by Soave Automotive Group – home of Aristocrat Motors, MercedesBenz 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.

6 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

Exceptional Service, POWERFUL NETWORK “Every home has a story... It’s our job to tell that story in the most captivating way possible.” –Trent My mission has always been to elevate the selling experience and deliver exceptional results for my clients. It’s my job as your Realtor to make sure every detail is taken care of seamlessly & professionally we think of the details so you don’t have to!

Here are a few things we do for every listing: • Complementary whole-home staging • Free deep-cleaning before listing • Custom marketing plan • Extraordinary imagery/videography • Elegant print materials/digital media campaigns It would be an honor to speak with you and tell you more about how we’ve been awarded the #1 Small Team in KS by REAL TRENDS 2021–2022.

Warmest Regards,

Trent Gallagher

#1

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Sales in 2022

SMAL L TEAM In KS By Realtrends 2021, 2022

Top 1% REALTO R IN KS

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IN DEPE N DEN T BRO KERAGE I N U S

Trent Gallagher, Founding Partner, REALM® Global Member M 913.439.7846 | O 913.382.6711 | trent.gallagher@compass.com | trent-gallagher.com 4403 W 119th St, Leawood KS 66209

REALM is an invitation-only collaboration of the industry’s top agents that provides us a powerful network,Proprietary Technology resource to better serve our clients and provide national exposure. realm-global.com/about

Active as of November 4, 2022 | Trent Gallagher is a licensed real estate agent affiliated with Compass Realty Group, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. Compass Realty Group offices 913.382.6711 | 816.280.2773.

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SPRING 2024

Features 12 FOOD

A Crestwood Culinary Tour.

by Emily & Stewart Lane

18 AUTOMOTIVE

Giving You Wings to Fly.

by Tom Strongman

24 KC ORIGINALS

Life-Sized Storybook.

by Anne Kniggendorf

31 FASHION

It's All About Color.

photos by Alison Barnes Martin styling by Amani Skalacki

44 TRAVEL

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Discovering Two Charming Sister-Cities on Lake Michigan.

by Patrick Mulvihill

52 INTERIOR DESIGN

Bright and Beautiful: Reimagining a Sunset Hills Kitchen.

by Kate Ruszczyk and Erin Henkel

58 NONPROFIT

Healthcare Is Universal.

by Matt Lancaster

67 HEALTH

Metabolizing Emotions …

Like Regular Recycling and “Taking out the Trash.”

by Dr. Linda Moore

72 FINAL WORDS

Healthcare Needs are Universal.

by Carmen Gramajo-Moser

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START YOUR ADVENTURE

An instantly recognizable silhouette reimagined for the future, the Defender 130 makes the most of every journey. With eight full-size seats and expansive cargo capacity, there’s more space for shared adventure.

Land Rover Kansas City 9400 W. 65th Street, Merriam, KS 913 677 3300 landroverkansascity.com © 2023 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

T R U N K S H O W M AY 1 0T H A N D 1 1 T H

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

A Crestwood Culinary Tour.

Emily Lane: Over a century ago, Kansas City was expanding rapidly. Americans were captivated by modern conveniences such as refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and cars. With rising wages and an influx of new workers, the city needed to expand, and one of the first “subdivisions” created in the KC metro was Crestwood, located in a neat rectangle between 52nd and 56th Streets to the north and south and Oak and Holmes to the west and east.

A chief designer of the J. C. Nichols Company, Edward W. Tanner, who designed most of the Country Club Plaza and Linda Hall Library, would design a row of shops for all of this new neighborhood’s needs. The Crestwood Shops have a vibrant history shared and celebrated by the current tenants who keep the spirit of innovation and neighborly charm alive with incredible food, drinks, and hospitality.

Stewart Lane: Growing up right next door to the shops, our food tour was a personal experience for me. We started the night at the new venture by KC’s most beloved wine expert, Ryan Sciara, at Vita’s Place. Named for his grandmother Vitina, Vita’s embodies cozy and quaint neighborhood charm. Ryan has created a wine list unparalleled in the city with some wonderful cocktail classics like French 75’s and Kir Royal as well as regional specialties like the Bicicletta (Pinot Grigio, Forthave Red, and soda) and the Kalimotxo (Tempranillo, Mexican Coke, and lemon). Currently, the menu features a BYO-Spritz section, or a way to create a spritz with aperitifs from small-batch producers using natural ingredients. This summer, the plan is to switch to a BYO-G&T featuring the extensive gin list, small-batch tonics, and garnishes. But a truly wonderful offering is Vita’s wine bottle list. Ryan uses all of his knowledge, experience, and connections to source genre-exemplary wines from around the world and bring them to Vita’s at some of the best prices in town.

A compact menu works well for the Vita’s space, each dish is full of strong flavors that pair exceptionally well with wines or spirits. The burrata, with balsamic cippolini onions and thinly sliced coppa, was served with a beautiful house-made whole-wheat focaccia bread.

It was the perfect companion for my Badenhorst Caperitif spritz. A plate of oil-cured Italian tuna, with stewed peppers and briny olives finished with flat-leaf parsley and finely grated parmesan cheese, compliments a fine glass of bubbles or a gin martini.

EL: A short stroll down the street, past glittering windows displaying precious antiques, designer clothing, exotic teas, jewelry, and flowers, you enter our next stop, also a more recent addition to the shops, Bacaro Primo. Crafted from the winning team of Earl’s Premier (you’ll remember our review from Fall 2022), Todd Schulte, and Cory Dannehl bring classic American-Italian fare to Crestwood with exceptional cured meats, wood-fired pizzas, house-made pasta, and delectable antipasti.

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For me, the hearth-baked focaccia, which is filled with melty Taleggio cheese, is comfort and decadence all in one. It comes with a garlic conserva for spreading on the bread that will please allium lovers. It’s a can’t-miss menu item.

it is humorous. Playing off the classic flavors of your local mainstream Italian restaurant, this salad is a high mound of sweet spring mix, cherry tomatoes, a sweet and sharp Italian-style dressing, and a generous topping of shredded parmesan cheese.

SL: A Two Eagles Martini, made bare-bones style with only gin and a salted lemon brine finished with a Castelvetrano olive and lemon twist, was the drink of choice to accompany Bacaro’s fried olives stuffed with spicy sausage and roasted garlic. And don’t pass up the salumi bar featuring a rotating selection of imported Italian cured meats and cheese. The Calabrese and Proscuitto di Parma, sliced perfectly thin on an imported hand-crank slicer, were our favorites that night.

EL: For your mains, the menu is broken into sections which include pizza, pasta/risotto, pesce/carne (fish/meat), and contorni (side dishes). You can tell there is something for every palate. One of my favorites is the Cavolo Nero pizza, which is made with ricotta, taleggio, mozzarella, and crunchy pistachios on top. It’s a truly unique type of pizza and will easily serve two or three people.

In a menu of heavy flavors and rich pastas (all of which are excellent, mind you), a good salad is a welcome sight. The Insalata di Verdura was a plate of winter flavors and textures. Sweet and crisp apples, tender roasted delicata squash, ricotta salata, and tender baby greens were dressed with apple balsamic vinegar and toasted pine nuts. The “Our House Salad’’ is as obligatory as

The Bucatini with guanciale, egg yolk, and Pecorino is the best version of a carbonara, and the Pappardelle with braised wild boar ragu is a popular choice for pasta lovers. For a protein-forward entree, try the Scarpariello, roasted chicken with cherry peppers and sausage, or the Scampi alla Primo, the team’s take on a classic shrimp scampi. With endless options, you’re certain to leave content and satiated.

SL: Since the babysitter was beckoning, we headed home before dessert, but I’m certain Emily has consumed the profiteroles at Crestwood’s Aixios Bistro dozens of times. We’d certainly recommend popping in there for a nightcap or a delicious French dessert.

Whether you live in the neighborhood, or the next state over, the Crestwood Shops have been a gathering place providing hospitality, neighborly charm, and memorable experiences to the citizens of Kansas City for more than 100 years and counting. Go see why for yourself!

SL: The Spanish Octopus was a must try for me. Octopus can be very difficult to work with, but in the right hands, incredible flavors can be created. The Blu Hwy chefs did not disappoint. Crispy outside skin with tender, juicy meat laid on a bed of mashed English peas, crunchy sweet hazelnuts, spicy Fresno chilies, and a simple lemon vinaigrette were crafted with knowledgeable hands. The English peas were the perfect textural and flavor complement to the bold octopus, chilies, and tart vinaigrette.

Learn more about the Crestwood Shops at crestwoodshops.com.

Vita’s Place is openplans Wednesday, Thursday, and from 4:00 EL: So whatever your summer holds, weSunday hope you p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. add a visit to Blu Hwy to your list, and take a journey through Reservations can be made atthe vitasplace.com. their menu without leaving city limits.

Bacaro Primo is open Monday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 Friday Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Blup.m.

Hwy,and located in and the South Plaza area at 5070 Main Reservations can be made at bacaroprimo.com.

Street in Kansas City, is open Monday through Friday for Aixois happy Bistro ishour, openand Monday to and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. lunch, dinner, Saturday and Sunday and from 7:00 a.m. to dinner.

10:00 p.m.

Reservations be made for Saturday brunch, happy hour, and More informationcan and atreservations aixois.com. can be found at BluHwy.com.

Warm woods, worn leather, and textured fabrics span the bar, dining room, and outdoor patio at Blu Hwy.

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

ABOUT AUTHORS Stewart, a former executive makes career in business and Emily and Stewart Lane arechef, Kansas Cityhis natives who have andevelopment affection for hospitality. loves to cook for friends and family; Emily is communications strategist with anfor arts Stewart, a former executive chef, makes hisa career with SMG and loves to cook friends background.

Along with their daughters, Evie and Catharine, they live a life filled with and family, and Emily is a marketing communications manager with an arts background. food, culture, anddaughters, creativity. Evie and Catharine, they live a life filled with food, culture, Along with their and creativity.

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4050 INDIAN CREEK PKWY | OVERLAND PARK, KS 66207 | 913-313-1207 | EYESTYLEOPTICS.COM

AUTOMOTIVE words and photos by TOM STRONGMAN

MASERATI’S MC20

Giving You Wings to Fly.

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This stunning mid-engined sports car can really “fly.”

SPRING 2024 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 19

The MC20 mid-engined sports car is a bold step into Maserati’s future, a halo car whose glow casts a light of possibility and excitement over the entire brand. It showcases the company’s vision and pays homage to the company’s sports car roots that date back to its founding in 1914 in the city of Bologna. The waist-high bodywork bulges in all the right places, like an athlete whose body has been toned in the gym, yet it is also sleek and smooth because it was shaped in the wind tunnel. On the road it slips through traffic like a shark among whales, and you never really notice the low height until you pull alongside a full-size pickup truck or try to get out of the butterfly doors, which is not easy for folks “of an age.”

Nestled under the rear window, the mid-mounted 3.0-liter 90-degree V-6 delivers 621 horsepower and 538 foot-pounds of torque, which is pretty amazing given the 3.0-liter displacement.

Maserati says the engine utilizes a pre-chamber combustion system derived from Formula One; it has twin spark plugs and both direct and indirect fuel injection. Cranking out 207 horsepower per liter for a car that gets decent fuel economy (15 in the city

and 25 on the highway) and meets stringent emissions standards are quite an accomplishment. Pure racing engines were not that powerful just a few years ago. The transmission is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic that can also be shifted manually by paddles on the steering wheel. Maserati says the MC20 can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds and has a top track speed of 202 mph.

The transmission has two buttons on the console, one for Drive or Manual, and one for Reverse. There is no Park button. Park is automatically selected when the engine is turned off or the emergency brake is engaged.

You might think that much horsepower makes the MC20 finicky, but it is just the opposite. It is content to cruise around town at low rpm, feeling as docile as a family sedan. A stab of the throttle whips your head back as the wheels scrabble for traction, but I didn’t really probe the car’s limits because it was brand new and because you really need a track for such shenanigans.

About the styling, Maserati explains: “We conceived the car almost as a dynamic sculpture. Its clothing, the bodywork,

represents beauty and purity, and the chassis, the carbon-fiber lower section, expresses technology and extreme performance.”

From sketches and drawings a handcrafted model evolves into a complete vehicle.

“Aerodynamics had a fundamental role in sculpting the forms of this born-to-run sports car. Nothing is purely ornamental; there is a reason for every stylistic feature, either aerodynamics or cooling. The massive work in the wind tunnel enabled the design of a car with the sleekest of lines, with no need for a movable spoiler that would have detracted from its form.”

“The aim was to integrate the aerodynamics organically, as if the car had evolved naturally. Everything has a purpose, such as the deflector on the door which also completes the line of the wheel arch, while keeping the airflow glued to the car.”

The MC20’s base price of $230,000 is more than competitive when compared to other cars in this class such as McLaren and Lamborghini. The car photographed here had a sticker price of $287,495 due to options such as ceramic brakes, premium sound system, carbon-fiber interior trim, 20-inch Mmx wheels,

three-layer paint, heated front seats, carbon-fiber roof, and Alcantara interior. The MC20 is also available as the opentopped Cielo Spyder and an electric version is planned for the future.

The MC20’s all-new carbon-fiber monocoque chassis was a specialized task that required the help of motorsports giant Dallara, an Italian company that has built racecars for IndyCar and Formula One, among others. The MC20 went through more than 2,000 hours of wind-tunnel testing and more than 1,000 computational fluid dynamics simulations to fine-tune the aerodynamics and arrive at a chassis that has a curb weight of just over 3,300 pounds.

The carbon-fiber chassis makes use of underbody aerodynamics that helps keep the top of the car sleek and sensual with rounded contours that echo classic design. The nose contains a grille that is recognizably Maserati, complete with Maserati’s Trident emblem that was inspired by Bologna’s fountain of Neptune. The MC20’s twin-turbo engine is named Nettuno, after the Roman god Neptune.

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Upward-opening “butterfly” doors pivot forward so the driver and passenger can get into the cabin with a minimum of interference; although getting out requires some deep knee bends. The cabin is understated and driver focused.

The interior shapes are simple, with few sharp corners, and the upholstery and interior materials are black to prevent reflections on the steep sloping windscreen. Plus, black lends a feeling of understated elegance. There are two LCD screens in the instrument panel, one in front of the driver for gauges and one in the center above the console. Maserati emphasizes that “everything is laid out just like the cockpit of a racing car, with functionality and visibility paramount.”

The central tunnel is clad with carbon fiber and only carries the switches that are absolutely necessary. The rearview fine-tune aerodynamics and atway a chassis hasthe a mirrorthe is a video screen that is arrive a clever to get that around curblimited weightview of just over 3,300 pounds. out the rear window.

The Maserati carbon-fiber use of underbody aerodyandchassis Sabelt makes collaborated on the design and namics that of help theseats. top of car sleek and sensucreation thekeep MC20 A the composite structural shell, al with rounded contours that echo classic design.

The nose equipped with power adjustments and lumbar system, repcontains a grille that is recognizably Maserati complete with resents the essence of the MC20 project. the Trident emblem.

The MC20’s Sonus faber audio embodies the translation Upward-opening “butterfly” doors that pivotillustrates forward to so both the of its name, “handmade sound,” how driver and passenger can get into thetechnologies cabin with aand minimum brands desire to pair innovative skillful of interference.

The cabin is understated, and driver focused. craftsmanship.

The interior are simple, with fewthe sharp anda There isshapes a tiny luggage space under frontcorners hood and the upholstery and interior materials black to car prevent reslightly larger compartment at theare back of the that can flections on the steep two sloping windscreen.

Plus, black lends hold one or maybe soft-side carry-ons. a feeling of understated There two screens Maserati’s decisionelegance. to develop a carare that is LCD 100-percent in the instrument panel,may one have in front of the driver for gauges “Made in Modena” been an ambitious project, andbut onethe in the center above Maserati emphasizMC20 shows thatthe theconsole. company can compete with es that “everything laidno out just like the cockpit of a racing other exotic carsiswith apologies.

car, with functionality and visibility paramount.” The central tunnel is clad with carbon fiber and only carries the switches that are necessary.

Maserati and Sabelt collaborated on the design and creation of the MC20 seats. A composite structural shell, equipped with power adjustments and lumbar system, represents the essence of the MC20 project: sportiveness at a high quality and performance level.

The MC20’s Sonus faber audio embodies the translation of its name, “handmade sound” that illustrates how both brands desire to pair innovative technologies and skillful craftsmanship.

Committing the MC20 to production is a bold statement from Maserati about how it sees itself, both today and in the future when an all-electric version will be available. That forward vision is necessary for a company that has such a long and storied history.

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / PHOTOGRAPHER 26 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SUMMER 2022 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 UMMER22_TODAY.indd 26 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.

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5/19/22 1:11 PM

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KC ORIGINALS words by ANNE KNIGGENDORF

Life-Sized Storybook.

As the nation’s newest and only immersive museum for children’s literature opened on March 12, 2024, “Rabbit hOle” cofounder Pete Cowdin jokes that what he’s most looking forward to is a trip to Mexico.

He and Deb Pettid, his business partner and wife, have been building the Rabbit hOle since before they shuttered their decades-old bookstore, the Reading Reptile, in 2016, also on March 12.

And maybe the couple will go to Mexico after the opening, but, he says, more seriously, what he’s really looking forward to is “seeing how people engage with the museum and the exhibits. That’s something we’ve thought about for a long time.”

Once the Rabbit hOle’s home – a 100-year-old former paint-can-manufacturing building in North Kansas City at 919 East 14th Ave. – is at capacity with exhibitions, visitors will have a universe of life-sized characters and beloved fictional locations to interact with. It’s no wonder engagement is on Cowdin’s mind.

But with 150,000 square feet, reaching capacity will take several more years.

As it is, on opening day, the first floor and the second floor will be mostly up and running with more than 50 books represented, a small printing press, a library, and an automat-style café, but nothing yet on the third floor, fourth floor, or the roof.

Attached to the museum is an industrial warehouse manned by a couple dozen local artists whose full-time work is to transform the one-dimensional worlds of picture books into immersive, interactive art – and keep them safe and looking good.

Emily Hane, the organization’s development and grants manager, says the only museum even slightly similar to the Rabbit hOle in scale and feel is St. Louis’ City Museum. But that attraction is not about stories.

Like walking into a pop-up book, worlds familiar but

SPRING 2024 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 25

new greet visitors immediately. Just on the other side of the front door is a massive burrow at the base of an even larger blue tree that will eventually grow through the building’s roof.

“This is Fox Rabbit’s burrow, the founder. You will never see him, but he is how we access the storybook world,” explains Hane.

She calls the burrow a “discoverable environment.” Visitors can look through the fictional Fox Rabbit’s papers about the experiments he does on plants and wander the rooms of his space to learn more about him.

While that is fun, Hane says meandering through the burrow also has a purpose: It functions to “disorient” visitors, so that the cares of the outside world fall away, and their thoughts are trained on discovery and imagination, priming them for what happens when they make it beyond the ticket counter.

There, they’ll find images from books, some that visitors will not have seen since their own childhoods or the childhoods of their children, all around them.

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For instance, Margaret Wise Brown’s 1947 classic, Goodnight Moon, has a room of its own that includes a large stuffed black cat before a cozy fire, an adult-sized rocking chair, bed, and a bookshelf. Climbing onto the bed and chair, touching the picture frames, picking up the phone’s receiver, and opening the drawers are encouraged.

So, if Fox Rabbit’s burrow hasn’t done the job of disorienting the visitor, the exhibitions themselves will.

From H. A. Rey’s Curious George to Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidwalk Ends, John Steptoe’s 1960s Harlem bookstore in Uptown to Pura Belpré’s Perez and Martina, chances are that every person who enters the space will know several of the stories and have to stop and wonder how images that have lived in their imaginations could now be tangible and larger than life.

Hane says the Rabbit hOle takes “the fidelity to the original illustrations super, super seriously.”

That’s important for numerous reasons, one of which is that

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botanicals in about 100 combinations before they found make persimmon jelly,” Meg says. the Evanses another agricultural “It’s forward, very fulfilling being plan able to toadd deliver something that meets a recipe.

Pettid and Cowdin have personal relationships with many of Moving to their business: their own agave.

They’ve pur-that we the expectation andgrowing then actually meets the promise What they authors’ landed on does include juniperwhich – for is legal pur-howelement the authors, estates, or publishers, largely 40 not acres in Arizona and will this coming December, made, just to donors but toplant the people who created the books poses –received but alsopermission white peppercorn, cardamom, lemon zest, chased they’ve to recreate the images. says, it’llthat be nearly seven years they’ll be able and Jeff the estates are involved andbefore the publishers,” Cowdin excoriander, and, mostly persimmon.

The Rabbit hOle is a strikingly, labor of love built on trust and backed bythough, distillthat theirthat’s crop. the thing that probably blows people plains. and “I think “We had like an Daniel enormous persimmon tree on our property,” big names Handler (aka Lemony Snicket), Kate DiCa-to harvest says the goal is to be a single-estate manufacturer. “Evaway the most.”

Meg says her childhood homeallnear Hermann, Missouri. millo, and about Brian Selznick who were on the museum’s national Meg the process of being single is important.

So, is how He of and Pettid agree that the bestestate thing about the project She says they wanted to bring in elements from their farm ery part advisory board. estate means from together dirt to bottle, it is all on us.” vision, resulting in their team has come to commit to this and heritage and even experimented cornhusks andandsingle And, after raising $15 million through awith capital campaign it takes theirs will be of the first large-scale in seen heoff, says are “some the most beautifulagave thingsfarm I’ve ever other things that grew all40 around receiving donations from out ofthem.

50 states, Cowdin and Pettid If what United States, my own life.” which sounds not only like great bragging “Persimmon reallythey came something that we the in have achieved just the vision setout outwith to create years ago. loved and have good memories around. Grandma used to rights for Mean Mule, but for Kansas City.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anne Kniggendorf is a staff writer/editor at the Kansas City Public Library. She's the author of Secret Kansas City and Kansas City Scavenger, and a freelance writer for various local and national publications. Visit her website: annekniggendorf.com.

28 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SUMMER 72 SPRING 2024 2022

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Discovering Two Charming Sister-Cities on Lake Michigan.

44 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

Family vacations are a double-edged sword – especially as an adult. On one hand, a vacation is a vacation, no matter which way you spin it. On the other, “Forced Family Fun” (or “Triple F” as my mother has fondly branded it over the years) tends to feel like another obligation rather than a time for relaxation. But not in Michigan.

Every other summer, my adult siblings and our significant others pack our cars and make the drive northeast – carefully setting our GPSs to avoid the ever-present Chicagoland traffic – to meet my parents on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. With a niece and a handful of nephews in tow, six generations of my family have now vacationed in Douglas and Saugatuck, Michigan: two sister cities that provide their own unique quirks and charms to keep us coming back for more.

Tucked away in the western edge of the Wolverine State, these twin towns offer an idyllic retreat for those seeking a blend of relaxation, culture, and outdoor adventure. While Douglas and Saugatuck are often mentioned in the same sentence, locals and seasoned travelers alike will point to their distinctive characteristics, catering to any mood, personality, or vacation preference.

Since my late grandfather first visited with his grandparents

46 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

in 1928, my family has always stayed in Douglas, the smaller and quieter of the two townships. First settled in 1851 as a lumber mill town, Douglas is now defined by a laid-back cottage culture that prioritizes early morning strolls, long days on the beach, and obligatory evening “wine walks” down Lakeshore Drive.

In downtown Douglas, fine art galleries like the Water Street Gallery showcase an eclectic mix of contemporary paintings, drawings, sculptures, and glassworks by local and regional artists. Located in a historic school building, the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum showcases the region’s maritime heritage and its role as a haven for generations of artists. However, Douglas’s main attraction, according to my niece and nephews (and confirmed by me), is a 70-year-old, 16-foot-tall root beer barrel that has been converted into a concession stand serving a full menu of specialty hot dogs plus, you guessed it, ice-cold root beer.

Saugatuck – the larger of the two cities – is best known for an energetic yet quaint downtown district comprised restaurants, cafes, and a bustling waterfront shopping district. The scenic boardwalk invites leisurely walks and provides a frontrow seat to the colorful parade of boats sailing by. Don’t let the local skippers have all the fun though: from retro and “donut”

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boats to pontoons and yachts, both Saugatuck and Douglas have plenty of rentals available so you can take the whole family out on the water.

The boardwalk is also home to the Saugatuck Chain Ferry, the only remaining human-powered chain ferry of its kind remaining in the country (and one of only three in the world). Established in 1836, the ferry shuttles tourists and locals alike from Downtown Saugatuck to Mount Baldhead Park. Agreeably priced at just $1 for children and $3 for adults, the ferry saves its passengers from a three-mile walk around Kalamazoo Lake into town, but its value lies more in its kitsch: there’s a simple camaraderie that comes from sitting with up to two dozen others on a nearly two-century-old ferry (affectionately named “Diane”) while watching a college kid hand crank your way 100 yards across the Kalamazoo River.

On the other side of the chain ferry lies Saugatuck’s Oval Beach, which has been recognized by both National Geographic and Condé Nast as a must-visit beach destination. Oval Beach is characterized by powdery sand, crystal-clear waters, and the rolling dunes of Mount Baldhead that loom over the coastline. For anyone looking to work off a decadent lunch (or sweat out the previous evening’s wine walk), the 302-step climb to the top of Mount Baldhead is worth it for the views of the lake and downtown Saugatuck alone.

48 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

Across the inlet to the north, Saugatuck Dunes State Park boasts miles of hiking trails that wind through more towering sand dunes, verdant forests, and 2.5 miles of pristine beaches.

The park is also home to the sand-covered ruins of Singapore, Michigan, a ghost town sometimes referred to as “Michigan’s Pompeii.” Originally the site of an 1830s lake port and lumbering town that overshadowed both Douglas and Saugatuck, Singapore was completely deforested of its white pine trees in the 1870s due to the demand for lumber after the Great Chicago Fire. With no protective tree cover, the dunes soon reclaimed the town. Today, only a myriad of wildlife calls this coastal paradise home.

While nature ultimately led to Singapore’s demise, Douglas's and Saugatuck’s proximity to natural beauty have made the region an artistic enclave for creatives who are drawn by the stunning surroundings. In fact, Saugatuck’s Ox-Bow School of Art has nurtured generations of artists since its inception in 1910. Visitors can still enroll in workshops or simply wander through the campus, once home to prominent artists, Pulitzer Prize-winning poets, and pioneering creative minds from around the world.

During the summer months, both Douglas and Saugatuck host dozens of family-friendly events, including art fairs, outdoor

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That said, perhaps the best use of your time would be to do nothing. My fondest memories from Michigan – and, really, from any family vacation – come from lazy, sunburnt afternoons on the beach, long meals spent around a table on a screened in porch, and sauntering family walks along the lake.

In a family that’s constantly on the move, the shore of Lake Michigan has the remarkable ability to make time slow down.

Our big personalities are dwarfed by the immenseness of the landscape. Even my loud, boisterous family finds time to quietly reflect with one another while catching impeccable sunsets together. Simply put, immersing ourselves as a family in the simple pleasures of small-town living doesn’t quite feel so “forced” when we’re together in Douglas-Saugatuck.

ABOUT THE WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Anna Petrow and Patrick Mulvihill call Kansas City home, but they have been known to find themselves off the beaten path. Born and raised in Kansas City, Anna is a culinary and lifestyle photographer with a knack for letting her camera lens guide her travels. Patrick is a writer, an enthusiastic travel companion, and a proud St. Louis native who uses each new trip as an excuse to eat five meals a day.

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Bright and Beautiful: Reimagining a Sunset Hills Kitchen.

52 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

INTERIOR DESIGN by BY KATE RUSZCZYK AND ERIN HENKEL | photos by NATE SHEETS

SPRING 2024 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 53

Nestled just south of the Country Club Plaza, the pocket community of Sunset Hills is punctuated with quiet, tree-lined streets and expansive properties that exude Old World charm. In the heart of that neighborhood, Jason and Lisa Pottenger found a unique home with both contemporary and rustic touches. While they’ve lived in the home for nearly 10 years, they decided it was finally time to de-’80’s their high-gloss, teal kitchen and create a functional and sophisticated space that works now and into the future.

The team at id | bp was brought on board to design a timeless kitchen with quality materials, fixtures, and appliances that could outlast even their time in their forever home. The Pottengers were also interested in minimizing clutter, creating a more efficient layout, and accommodating their large family. The kitchen needed to do its primary job but also serve as a warm and welcoming gathering space.

The modern home features some distinctly rustic elements, including expansive wood-timber beams and columns throughout. The kitchen is open and highly visible to all the main living areas, with airy 16foot ceilings. The design team set to work blending their modern preferences with the home’s more rugged details to create a clean, minimalist space with materials and textures relevant to the context of the house.

To meet the project goals, the design is visually grounded by a solid wall of tall, dark-stained white-oak cabinetry. This wall captures the majority of the functional requirements of the kitchen, which allows the adjacent wall to be lighter and layered with more visual interest. Natural materials meld with the home’s modern forms. To the right of the range, an extension of the counter with custom reeded-glass cabinets increased the footprint of the kitchen and offered delineation between the kitchen and dining room.

The owners came to the project with an open mind and willingness to reimagine how they currently use their kitchen. To address their desire to declutter, several significant moves were made to streamline the space. An ancillary room adjacent

54 | TODAY KANSAS CITY |SPRING 2024

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to the kitchen, previously used as an office and storage space, was repurposed as a butler’s pantry. This expanded the modest kitchen footprint and allowed the owners to hide some secondary appliances, including their coffee maker, microwave, and an additional sink. Located just adjacent to their backyard entertaining space, this move also provided an opportunity to improve the owners’ outdoor entertaining experience by adding a thoughtfully designed wet bar to the butler’s pantry.

Wall space was extremely limited, making it difficult to locate all of the desired appliances, fixtures, and storage in a manner that felt clean and cohesive. These limitations meant rethinking traditional kitchen storage solutions, which was a welcome challenge with the trusting client.

Integrated Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances helped balance beauty and functionality, creating a visually simple and cohesive design aesthetic.

Sleek appliance garages hide countertop clutter. Plates and glassware are now stored in drawers rather than upper cabinets. These visually simple, nonconventional solutions have also proven to be highly convenient – making the design successful while minimizing upper cabinet clutter. While they wanted to keep a television in the space, id | bp proposed hiding it behind a cabinet to not detract from the design when not in use.

As art collectors, the Pottengers have a deep appreciation of artistic touches, which elevated the design and created moments of interest. They fell in love with an Ijen Blue Quartzite slab, which became the backsplash, and adds movement and color to the neutral space. A large-scale light fixture feels artistic and unexpected, drawing people into the room and serving as a conversation piece.

The end result is a contextual, functional, and elegant kitchen that reflects the home’s architecture and is brimming with character and authenticity.

56 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

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HopeKids Kansas City.

While it may be said that laughter is the best medicine, it’s often in short supply for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses – especially when it comes to a child. In fact, more than half of parents of a child dealing with one of these illnesses suffer from acute stress, and 80 percent of siblings experience elevated levels of posttraumatic stress.

Lucky for Kansas City, then, that Abigail Swafford – parent, educator, and executive director of the local chapter of HopeKids – has taken it upon herself to provide ample opportunity for these children and families to experience hope, community, love, and laughter.

Swafford relocated to Kansas City about seven years ago from Chicago, where she worked as a special education teacher. She has an 18-month-old daughter, Charlotte, and, as a new mother, she wanted a way to work with children and give back to the community outside of the often rigid schedule and structure of public education. She joined the fledgling chapter as program manager in 2022 and was responsible for planning HopeKids events – of which there were roughly 300 last year alone.

HopeKids is an organization for families of children dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

Many such organizations exist, but HopeKids takes a unique approach.

“What we do differently is we include the entire family,” Swafford says with pride. Indeed – according to HopeKids’ most recent survey – 89 percent of siblings feel meaningfully involved in programming, and 93 percent of families report feeling increased togetherness. At HopeKids events, which include

museum visits, sporting events, theater performances, private movie screenings, prince and princess parties, superhero breakfasts, and so much more, the entire family comes together to feel some normalcy.

“In the end, they just want to be kids,” says Swafford. “So much of their life is dominated by doctor visits, hospital stays, and needle pokes. Their siblings spend so much time in waiting rooms. They don’t want to be treated differently. They want to bowl, they want to play laser tag, they want to do an Easter egg hunt . . . they want to make memories with their families and friends.”

HopeKids provides a place for sick children and their families to come together and experience the best parts of community and childhood. Swafford remembers one little girl whose family joined after she received a cancer diagnosis.

“They started going to a lot of theater performances – Starlight, Kaufman, and the KC Rep. That’s what she wanted to do with her mom.” That child’s cancer has since gone into remission, and she is trying to become an actress. “She was so inspired by all the shows she got to see. She was recently in her first production and even donated tickets for other HopeKids.”

Of course, not every family has such a happy ending to their struggle. Another thing that sets HopeKids apart is that they continue to support the family in the event that they lose their child.

“A lot of other organizations, if the child passes away, the services stop,” says Swafford. “But those siblings need support more than ever.

SPRING 2024 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 59

Those parents need bereavement groups. We have families continue to show up, pass around wheelchairs and supplies they don’t need anymore.”

Swafford recalls a family with seven children who joined soon after one of the children received his/her diagnosis. “They lost their child two years ago, but they’ve really found comfort in HopeKids.

They’re at every event, their children are always connecting with other children, and they’re happy to be there.”

HopeKids provides a wealth of opportunities for these families

60 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

to be families. They provide family portraits twice a year – and as Swafford says, “each time we do, you know that for some families, it will be their last picture together.” They partner with local stables to provide equestrian experiences, from grooming to trail riding.

Donors supply gifts year-round for a November gift market, so that families can pick gifts for Christmas free of charge and before the holiday season. The organization has strong connections with the Royals, Current, Sporting KC, and Comets to get children out and even provide stadium tours.

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The organization already serves 460 families, but Swafford wants to expand its reach – potentially four or five times over.

“We haven’t yet become a household name like some others. We think families need to know about us as soon as they get that diagnosis.” She calls on the community to help increase visibility – “we’re always looking for volunteers, for more conversations with people, to put on lunch and learns, to partner with local media; we’re open to anything that increases our exposure.”

Surprisingly, half of HopeKids’ funding comes from individual donors who see the impact the organization has on families. But Swafford is also hopeful about increasing corporate sponsorship

and HopeKids’ donor base.

“We put on 300 events, but 200 of them had a waitlist.

A lot of our events have a capacity of 30 people. We want to increase that to 100 people,” she says, but they need more support to do so.

HopeKids will hold several fundraising events this year – a Kentucky Derby party on May 4, the HopeWalk at Legends Field on June 22, and the Charity Golf Classic on August 19. And while Abigail Swafford and her team will continue the work of spreading hope to families who need it most, she has just one ask of Kansas City: “Spread the word.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Though originally from a small town outside of Kansas City, Kansas, Matt Lancaster lives in Lawrence with his wife, son, dog, and cats, where he works as a program director for the University of Kansas School of Business.

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Metabolizing Emotions …

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SPRING 2024 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 67

Exercising, journaling, and meditating are powerful outlets for what you feel and experience. Typically, these practices help in preparing you for the challenging feelings you or those you love and care about are dealing with.

I regularly hear the laments about family, friends, and colleagues who hesitate or struggle to openly and honestly express what they feel, think, want, and need. When someone shares that concern, I carefully turn the question around to, “What about you? Is it challenging or, perhaps a struggle for you to talk about your thoughts, feelings, and anxieties?”

The question is more important now than ever because of the stress we have begun to experience quite regularly – from gun deaths to political “craziness,” we are confronted with useless loss of life and its resulting trauma. The impact of our challenging relationships and the chaos around us in our cities and our world are essential to acknowledge. It’s truly more stressful than we are sometimes able to face and, then, exercise the needed self-care.

While it’s important to be connected and caring for those people central to our lives, it’s essential in times of chaos to take time to pay attention to yourself. If you frequently stop yourself from saying something that is important or troubling to you out of concern for others or just hesitation to share, you are

68 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2024

possibly compounding the negative impact of stress.

The less frequently you share, the less you are “metabolizing” feelings, creating a buildup, or too much “trash” that you haven’t “taken to the curb.” If you feel comfortable experimenting, write as extensively as you are comfortable and examine the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations about your life day to day.

Our bodies are capable of storing unresolved, unexamined, and unexpressed feelings – operating much like a “trash compactor.” And our bodies are capable of storing these unresolved, unexamined, and unexpressed feelings, also operating like a trash compactor.

And when we are overloaded with unexpressed thoughts, feelings, and concerns some people erupt and dump far too many intense feelings for others to handle. Some hold on far too long and become overly anxious, depressed, or even physically ill.

Regular self examination coupled with permission to share feelings and concerns simply keep us more centered and connected to both others and ourselves.

To practice the best possible self-care, protecting yourself from the build up of negative feelings and not overloading your trash compactor, consider building in some new behaviors/practices that simply strengthen your ability to manage challenges: • Exercise regularly. A good 20 to 30 minutes of cardio helps a great deal.

Most people can’t sustain a bad or challenging mood through 20 minutes of cardio. You attain a natural lift. It doesn’t “fix” what’s going on, but exercise reduces stress and even clears out distressing feelings.

• Journal daily. The more you write down what you are feeling, the more release you feel. It’s important to use paper and pen. Skip the computer/tablet/phone.

The connection from your brain to paper isn’t “magical,” but it opens your mind and heart as well as your gut feelings in ways that will surprise and enlighten you.

• Meditate daily. The focus calms the brain and makes you deeply aware of the present moment rather than ruminating on whatever upset or worried you.

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HEALTH

When our “trash compactor” is spiritualtravels.info overloaded, there’s retreatfinder.com simply no more room prayereleven.org to stuff feelings in, and so the lid flies off and timbercreekretreat.org you are faced with potential relationship damage.

RETREAT LINKS….

You may confirm doing exactly what you are doing is great; Imagine time away where reflection is the primary objective – with a journal and pen close by for recording thoughts and you may reflect on new things, options for going forward, and feelings. Writing with pen on paper creates a valuable or something right in between. It’s simply finding your own reconnection to the brain. However, if you feel better with a newed sense of direction. And if you discover all you need is to stare at the water, mountains, or woods and rest somewhere laptop, go for it.

For a simple start, a first step if you’ve never tried medita- other than the comfort of your home, own it. Meditation can tion, is simple breathing exercises. The most simple, and you simply affirm we are on the right path. Or, it can open hearts, eyes, toyou something new, slightly new, or dramatically preparing for the challenging feelings you or those you love might it now, just we as an experiment, thewell following exer- minds, The try reality is that suffer physicallyis as as emotionally Meditation, retreating, allowsMost whatever to surface. and care about are dealing with. importantly, you are less cise: Breathe in to outlet the count of four, hold your breath to thebe-different. without a healthy for important feelings.

The buildup Meditation also helps with healing.

Far too many have exlikely to overload your trash compactor. count of seven and release very to the … comes difficult to hold in and is slowly more likely tocount resultof ineight an unnecduring this difficult time and both emoAnd, tragic finally,loss there is one more argument you might slip and fall releaseoutburst throughor pursed lips, like preparing whistle. essary unpleasant encounter or to fight.

WhenRepeat our “trashperienced and healing is needed.

Understanding what back on:physical “It causes more trouble to talk about it.” It’s a fairly comthis four times.

Then do it again.

And take ano minute payto at-stufftional compactor” is overloaded, there’s simply more to room think,thought feel, want, needyet is important to try determine andand belief, regardless, to let itwhat go and, intention to feel.lid flies off and you are faced with poten-youmon feelings in,how andyou so the possible.

The more you reflect, While stead,are atboth leastdesirable consider and facing into the hard conversations.

Meditation techniques tial relationship damage.range from simple breathing exercis- changes and write about what you think the more I truly understand how challenging thatand is forfeel, so many of us, I also esIn like this to silent repetition of a overload, mantra (a many word or phrase)experito meditate, addition to the emotional people you’ll achieve. challenge is to make these two diffi- to one know how much The positive change learning to talk openly listening to guided instructions relaxation and resting ence physical symptoms, suchfor asdeep chest pain, difficulty breath-clarity years have a positive outcome when and where possible. creates. the mind. ing normally, stomach pain, discomfort in the solar plexus, andcultanother personal getaway is Timber Creek, elegant worldeasy is far more challenging righta quite now, from dramatic To whatinend?

When Consider the mindthose is allowed to truly quiet tightness the throat. symptoms as your body MyOur center an hour drive from Kansas City. The website, political differences to bottom-line concerns about our physical down … especially when applied after long persistent struggling for your attention.

Our systems areterm, very smart and willretreat has information for options across the Trust safety and emotional well-being, and we need one another. stress … feelings andeffort thoughts emerge thatour areattention truly helpful make every healthy possible to get beforetimbercreekretreat.org, is forof you to take yourself, recogthat My thewish majority those yougood knowcare andof care about, and you will to each of us as we contemplate where we’ve been, where country. escalation. the past yearsand have been a challenge that we aretrash to benefit fromtwo talking processing … and taking that weExercising, are now, journaling, and whereand we want to venture forward outlets today fornizing meditating are powerful trying to accurately evaluate. curb! and inyou thefeel future. what and experience. Typically, these practices help instill the

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.

66 | | TODAY TODAYKANSAS KANSASCITY CITY | | SPRING SUMMER2024 2022 70

THE 2024 JAGUAR F-PACE

EXCEED THE UNEXPECTED

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FINAL WORDS by CARMEN GRAMAJO-MOSER

Healthcare Is Universal.

Healthcare is a universal need, and some places need it more than others. In many of the underserved places in the world, like San Lucas Tolimán in Guatemala, healthcare is sometimes nonexistent.

Options for specialties, economic limitations, long distances to travel, and a lack of resources make healthcare sometimes impossible for many. The closest national hospital is two hours away, with a minimum fee of Q3,000, or $400, which might include services the patients will not use and will not get reimbursed.

When you work as a farmer and make less than $7.50 a day, Q200 is a major sacrifice. Add another Q100 to Q200 ($13 to $25) to cover round-trip transportation costs for the patient and one companion, and it’s easy to see how unattainable it can be.

The hospital in the village of San Lucas Tolimán was built in the 1990s and has been the main medical facility for local Guatemalan doctors and visiting surgery groups. Throughout the years, the hospital has been equipped as donations allow, but much of the equipment is outdated or nonfunctional. We are seeking to supply the hospital with working equipment and updates to equipment for its continued growth. With the now 11 specialty groups visiting from all over the United States for surgical services, such as plastics for burn victims, general surgery for much-needed gallbladder surgery, hernia treatments, and gynecological services for women’s health.

This is my 17th year working with two area groups that travel the distance to provide much-needed assistance:

SPRING 2024 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | 73

To learn more about our partnership and efforts with Project CURE visit give.projectcure.org/SanLucasTomilan

The KU Plastic Surgery Department and Medical Missions Foundation.

I have been lucky and grateful along the way to have encountered connections and supporters that have opened doors to bigger and greater opportunities, such as Robert Hellweg introducing Project CURE to our efforts through the

74 | TODAY KANSAS CITY |SPRING 2024

Today Kansas City magazine feature. Two years later we are working toward a container shipping in the fall to provide many more years of sustainability and longevity to the community of San Lucas and the people of my home country of Guatemala.

To learn more about our partnership and efforts with Project CURE visit give.projectcure.org/SanLucasTomilan

Michael Stern, music director

UNWIND. RECHARGE. REFRESH. Joshua Bell

Michael Stern

Pops Concert

Classical Concert

Classical Concert

Classical Concert

Friday & Saturday, May 17-18 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m.

Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, June 14-15 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 16 at 2 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, June 21-22 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m.

MICHAEL STERN, CONDUCTOR JOELLE HARVEY, SOPRANO KELLEY O’CONNOR, MEZZO-SOPRANO KANSAS CIT Y SYMPHONY CHORUS, CHARLES BRUFF Y, CHORUS DIRECTOR

MICHAEL STERN, CONDUCTOR

Sci-Fi Spectacular

JACK EVERLY, GUEST CONDUCTOR JOHN DE LANCIE, NARRATOR SARAH TANNEHILL ANDERSON, SOPRANO KANSAS CIT Y SYMPHONY CHORUS, CHARLES BRUFF Y, CHORUS DIRECTOR Boldly go with your Kansas City Symphony on this extraterrestrial journey through the music of classic sci-fi television and movies.

Experience an out-of-this-world concert featuring music from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Star Trek,” “E.T.,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and more. Tickets from $40 for adults and $28 for children.

Mahler’s “Resurrection” Stern’s Farewell with Friday & Saturday, May 31-June 1 at 8 p.m. Symphony Sibelius and Barber Joshua Bell and Ravel MICHAEL STERN, CONDUCTOR JOSHUA BELL, VIOLIN GUILLAUME CONNESSON Flammenschrift (Flame Writing)

F.J. HAYDN Symphony No. 59, “Feuersinfonie” (Fire Symphony) The Elements for violin and orchestra (selections) KEVIN PUTS “Earth” EDGAR MEYER “Water” JAKE HEGGIE “Fire” VIEUXTEMPS Violin Concerto No. 5 RAVEL Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé Tickets from $39.

MAHLER Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is one of his most deeply emotional works. The stage and choral loft will be filled with musicians bringing you music that touches the soul.

Tickets from $25.

MENDELSSOHN Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream BARBER Symphony No. 1 SIBELIUS Symphony No. 1 With a virtuosic program to close the Kansas City Symphony’s magnificent 2023/24 season, Maestro Michael Stern shares music that inspires him.

Tickets from $39.

Next FREE Happy Hour Concert is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15.

CONCERTS ARE HELD IN HELZBERG HALL AT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.

ORDER NOW

(816) 47 1-0400 / kcsymphony.org

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1900 Diamond Parkway, N. Kansas City, MO 64116 www.mjewelry.com