June is a Very Special Month.

June 2023 goes down as a very special month. You will see the excitement the month held for us in this issue of Today Kansas City. It was Porsche’s 75th anniversary building automobiles.

We celebrated the event with a car show on the anniversary date of June 10. However, in the magazine, it is reflected by a review of the new Porsche 911, Porsche’s iconic sports car, as well as a personal history of the author’s experience with Porsche, by Tom Strongman. Both articles are accompanied by Tom’s award-winning photography.

As for myself, I grew up with Porsche-envy, satisfied in 1972 when I drove a 1967 Porsche 912 Targa from South Bend, Indiana, into my garage in Lincoln, Nebraska. That car was a part of my family for over 20 years, and it was recently replaced by a 1999 911. That is what makes Porsche unique: You are always a Porsche owner; there are times you just don’t have one in your garage.

This issue also highlights something many of us have dealt with, how to live with a dog or another pet and still keep a home that has some sense of design. Patricia O’Dell brings this advice in her article this month and is also something she is adjusting to with a new puppy in her home.

Fashion is always forward in Today, but this issue features Joanne Mullin’s amazing kimonos that are designed and created here in Kansas City. They offer such incredible color and uniqueness, and we hope you all put at least one in your closet.

Additionally, we have a great interview with the outgoing executive director of Variety Club KC, Deborah Wiebrecht, who has been such an influence on the success of our local chapter of this charity. She will be missed.

Finally, Anne Kniggendorf presents a very urban program of bringing poetry to the public, as she highlights a program sponsored by the Kansas City library that puts poetry on the walls of streetcar stops. It’s a program that makes Kansas City just a little more livable and inclusive.

I hope you enjoy this latest issue of what, for me, has become a wonderful way to share our great region and city.

Correction

In the spring issue of Today Kansas City, there was an incorrect credit for the fabulous images of the food at Enzo’s in the River Market. The food images were provided by Courtney Wiebe of Courtney Wiebe Photography in Kansas City.

Soave Automotive Group

MARION BATTAGLIA President

KEVIN KILLILEA Vice President

ANGIE LEWITZKE Controller

CHUCK DAVIS Service and Parts Director

ROBERT HELLWEG Marketing Director

SCOTT SWENSON General Manager Factory Relations

LARRY MILLER Inventory Director

LINDSEY BENEFIELD Internet Manager

FERNANDO RICCI Finance & Insurance Director

MATT ROSENBLOOM Director of Sales Operations

DAVID HUGHES General Manager Aristocrat Lee's Summit

KRIS NIELSEN General Manager Aristocrat Motors Topeka

JORDAN SCHLOTZHAUER Human Relations Manager

NEW VEHICLE SALES MANAGERS

DAVID ANDREWS Aristocrat Mercedes-Benz

KIRK WILLMS Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City

CHUCK OBRIEN Porsche Kansas City

JAY CHEATHAM Alfa Romeo and Maserati

JOE SIRNA Jaguar-Land Rover

RILEY HARMON Aristocrat Motors Topeka

PRE-OWNED MANAGERS

JK CORNELIUS Aristocrat Motors

ROSS STRADA 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.