W I N T E R 2 02 0 | VO LU M E 4 | IS S U E 4 A P U BLICAT IO N O F THE SOAV E AU TOM OT IV E G ROU P.
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Smartwatch 3 E-Bike 3 2021 Mercedes-Benz 3 Get the hottest gifts before they are gone.
9400 West 65th St | Merriam, KS | 913.677.3300 | aristocratmotors.com
13851 Madison Ave | Kansas City, MO | 816.943.7000 | mbofkc.com Members of the Soave Automotive Group
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
by MARION BATTAGLIA
Thank You. As this year comes to a close, I first want to say thank you to all of you for continuing to support our auto group’s efforts to provide you with the best service and products available. This year has taught us a great deal about ourselves, the culture we have created for our associates, and, to use a traditional word, the family we have built. The pandemic brought the associates closer together, because we all have been directly affected by the result of what we were faced with this year. When the closures were first announced, we stayed open to service your cars, but we also made some changes in our operations, from cutting hours to giving our associates the option of staying home, as we all came to grips with how to deal with Covid-19. We embraced the situation, and for six weeks kept our team together at lunchtime by providing food trucks to serve lunch to everyone. Standing in line and eating together, I believe, bought our associates from all departments closer together. This had the residual effect of helping those trucks survive during a down time by providing them continual business. We increased our respect for each other, and during this challenging time called into focus the respect we have for you, our customers. It is respecting your time when you bring your car in for service or when you are selecting a new vehicle. We never take for granted that you have many choices in auto dealerships. We hope to continue to earn your business. I would like to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a peaceful, less turbulent 2021. .
Marion Battaglia, President
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Bring the magic home. They call it ‘holiday spirit’ because it comes from within.
Find inspiration for every holiday moment at Halls.
CROWN CENTER, LEVEL 3 • 816.274.3222 HOLIDAY HOURS BEGIN MONDAY, DEC. 7 MON – SAT: 11 AM – 7 PM • SUN: 12 – 5 PM CHRISTMAS EVE 11 AM – 5 PM
EDITOR'S LETTER
by ROBERT HELLWEG
A Most Unusual Holiday Season.
SOAVE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP MARION BATTAGLIA President KEVIN KILLILEA Vice President ANGIE LEWITZKE Controller ROBERT HELLWEG Marketing Director 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
Welcome to winter and the holidays. My feelings about this time of the year are always mixed: I love celebrating with family, but I just don’t like the cold and snow. This year is a little bit more of a celebration since it will also be my first as a grandfather. This year also is a year when those celebrations with family might look very different, because travel is a challenge, and more of us will be going over the hills and through the woods to our destinations in automobiles, if we are gathering at all. The season will be one of family gatherings by Zoom and Facetime for many. The pandemic that has caused this change has also resulted in the food section this issue being a little different. Emily and Stewart Lane have given us ideas on where to go on “stay-cations,” a combination of hotels and their restaurants. I hope you enjoy the article, and I hope it might get you thinking about different ways to celebrate. The Lanes’ article also calls to attention another opportunity for holiday celebrations, ordering your holiday dinners from local restaurants instead of cooking. This is strange for me to suggest since I love to cook, but it also addresses a reality that is happening across the nation. We are losing great restaurants during this pandemic. Ordering your holiday dinner from one of your favorite establishments helps support this industry at time of need, and it allows you to maybe do a spectacular breakfast, or brunch, with the leftover energy and time. What it will do is help keep restaurant doors open and their staff afloat. They need our help. I wish all of you a safe, healthy, and peaceful holiday season.
Robert Hellweg, Editor
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 Sales Director | 913.634.3838 KATHRYN CREEL Creative Director MARCI LINN Copyeditor KENNY JOHNSON Photographer ANNA PETROW Photographer TOM STRONGMAN Photographer ALLYSON ELLIS
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 | WINTER 2020
W e l c o m e Home
Live the life you have always dreamed.
Home Featured in the Current Fashion Section 18550 Mission Road Stilwell, Kansas 66085
913-270-1724 MalferKC.com 913-800-1812
WINTER 2020
Features 8 FOOD
Stay-cation Dining by Emily & Stewart Lane
17 KC ORIGINALS Headline.
by Patricia O'Dell
23 AUTOMOTIVE
Volkswagen Atlas: Room For Seven in a Spacious Package. by Tom Strongman
29 FASHION
Getting Outdoors For The Winter. photos by Kenny Johnson | Styling by Amani Skalacki
41 GIFT GUIDE
The Timeless Holiday Gift. photos by Mazzarese Jewelry
50 INTERVIEW
Wendy Doyle: An Empowering Force. by Joel Nichols
54 INTERIOR DESIGN
The Home That HGTV Built. by Stacy Downs
61 NONPROFIT
Giving Kids a Head Start. by Kelsey Cipolla
69 HEALTH Unplug.
by Dr. Linda Moore
attire HALLS glasses EYE STYLE
6 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
FOOD words by EMILY & STEWART LANE | photos by ANNA PETROW
Stay-cation Dining Emily Lane: In the past seven months, we’ve all spent a lot more time at home than usual. Our homes have become our offices, daycares, restaurants, and, consequently, our neverending cleaning projects. So for this edition, we’re focusing on the concept of a “stay-cation” and how even a little change of scenery and a good meal can do quite a bit to change your mood in these strange days. We’re going to share three recommendations of places to escape to, including two hotels with excellent dining options. The first is the Crossroads Hotel, which has earned quite a reputation for itself thanks to contemporary rooms and décor and its rooftop bar, Percheron, with stunning downtown views. Due to the pandemic, their main restaurant, Lazia, currently
is only available for takeout, but if you ask me, there’s nothing better than eating pizza on a hotel bed that you don’t have to make in the morning. Stewart Lane: While at the Crossroads Hotel, we snacked on Margherita pizza and kale salad. Their wood-fired pizza was as classic as can be, perfect chewy crust, sweet yet acidic tomato sauce, and bubbly mozzarella. The kale salad was a refreshing riff on a Caesar salad, featuring torn Tuscan kale, shaved raw lemon, carrot “croutons,” pickled shallots, and a Grana Padano dressing. And, of course, if you’re enjoying the rooftop bar, you must sample one of the creative cocktails on their menu.
SAYACHI'S "JAROCHOINSPIRED" CEVICHE WINTER 2020| TODAY KANSAS CITY | 9
FOOD
EL: If you’re looking for a totally different stay-cation feel, we think Hotel Kansas City, part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection, is the place to be. Located in the former Kansas City Club and paying homage to the 1920s style, you instantly feel elevated by the grandeur and elegance of the space. At the time of this writing, Hotel Kansas City had just opened, so it’s certainly the newest place you can stay in downtown. SL: The Town Company is the restaurant within Hotel Kansas City, which was developed by Patrick Ryan of Port Fonda fame, and has Johnny Leach (Town, Del Posto, Momofuku) at its helm as executive chef. When we visited, we were directed to the main lounge, filled with low, deep couches, retro-inspired chairs, gray marble, and dark-stained-walnut details. The menu is Ryan’s nostalgic tribute to Kansas City and the Midwest with local cheeses, meats, and seasonal produce prominently featured. The draft beers are all from KC, and the cocktails are a mix of flapper chic and modern mixology. We sampled the fall squashes with chicories, young ginger, mint, and pepitas, as well as the classic burger melt. The squash was bold, imbued with smoke from the roaring hardwood hearth, tender bitter chicory, and crunchy pepitas with high notes of spicy ginger and mint to create a balanced bite of bright and dark flavors. A smooth puree of roasted squash helped add a creamy texture to blend everything together into a deeply satisfying bite. The burger melt was made with dry-aged beef, Hook’s cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, “the sauce” thick-cut toasted bread, and a side salad of peppery greens. It was a perfect medium-rare and kissed by the flames of a real wood fire. Paired with a sharp cheddar cheese and a mound of thinly sliced, tender sweet onions, you can taste the nostalgia.
VERTIGO COLLECTION | stephenwebster.com
Parkway Plaza | 4850 W. 135th Street Leawood, KS 66224 | 913.491.4111 800.735.5112 | mazzarese.com
FOOD
EL: The last place we wanted to share isn’t a hotel but still provides the escape you might be craving. The Campground, located in the Stockyards area of downtown KC, was making the most of “backyard dining” prepandemic, and they’ve stayed true to that style ever since. Sitting around a crackling chiminea while sipping one of their unique cocktails (which, by the way, are worthy of an article themselves) is the perfect way to combat your stay-at-home blues. SL: The team of Christopher Ciesiel and Cristin Llewellyn have created an inviting and comfortable space full of delicious foods. We nibbled on the roasted carrots with yogurt, an unbelievably light and herbal dish with creamy yogurt and crunchy chickpeas – I scraped the plate on this one. 12 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
4050 INDIAN CREEK PKWY | OVERLAND PARK, KS 66207 | 913-313-1207
EYESTYLEOPTICS.COM
FOOD Our main was the flank steak, perfectly cooked and seasoned with roasted petite Yukon golds accented with fresh dill, lemon, and a creamy onion cream sauce. Each bite melted in your mouth but was made exceptional when paired with the herbal potatoes and cream sauce. The culinary touches were clearly thought out, practiced, and exquisitely executed. The Campground provided us with a fun and laid-back evening, listening to music while the fire crackled away. EL: We’d be remiss not to mention that we still are living in a very different world as the impacts of the pandemic continue. We continue to see staple Kansas City restaurants shutting their doors, possibly for good. So we encourage you, especially this winter, to do all you can to support, most especially, our local restaurants. Buy a gift card or order a meal to-go and enjoy it at home. We hope you all stay safe, healthy, and well-fed this winter. Information on the Crossroads Hotel (featuring Lazia and Percheron) can be found at crossroadshotelkc. com. Information on Hotel Kansas City (featuring The Town Co.) can be found at hotelkc.com. Information on The Campground can be found at thecampgroundkc.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.
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KC ORIGINALS by PATRICIA O'DELL
Up with the Chickens. Sally Linville, founder and creative director of The City Girl Farm, grew up on her family farm in Lyons, Kansas. For her 10th birthday her parents gave her a starter flock of chickens. It was love at first sight that developed into a thriving design career in creating “Chicken Footstools” from bronze, wood, and wool that elevate the soul – as well as feet. “I loved chickens from the get-go,” says Linville. “Caring for them was a great experience. They were like pets, and I held them all the time.” While her father managed their farm, Linville’s mother was an interior designer. Both elements of their careers influenced Linville’s path. “In retrospect, I was surrounded by creativity in different realms every day. My dad is amazing. He’s a farmer but also a mechanic and can fix almost anything.” “My mom introduced me to an appreciation of textiles. Both parents are still integral to the making of Chicken Footstools.” After a couple of years at Kansas State University, undecided on her major, Linville fused the skills she observed in her parents and entered the Interior Architecture and Product Design program. She created her first two Chicken Footstool sculptures as a class project.
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KC ORIGINALS
“I was inspired by the furniture designer Francois-Xavier Lalanne,” she says of the late artist who incorporated animal shapes into his furniture designs. Linville worked the entire semester creating a mold for the chickens’ bronze feet, a wood core for the body, and “feathers” from felted wool to create two classic white chickens and named them Henny and Penny. “They were on display in the school, and people asked so many questions about how they were made, which was great. Then they started asking if I was going to make more, and could I make a Rhode Island Red – and other breeds.” Linville graduated in the midst of a recession, a challenging time to find a job. “I loved the flexibility and variety of college life,” she says. “And I grew up in a creative environment watching my parents who were independent in their careers. So, when people were interested in buying the chickens, the business began and has evolved organically over the last 10 years.” Linville was lucky that during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic many of her craftspeople – there are more than 20 – have been able to continue to work at home. But she has met challenges with supply.
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“Because supply chains were down, we couldn’t get bronze, and we had to work with what we had for a while. But we ended up putting together a really special flock with bright colors for the Fiesta Collection, which we released on Cinco de Mayo. They have funny names like Little Salsa and Little Guac. We had a tremendous response from our collectors.” Linville’s inspiration comes from everywhere. This summer she and her co-creative director, Carly Pumphrey, designed a collection of 12 Chicken Little Footstools inspired by Gee’s Bend quilt designs. The quilt-makers are a group of AfricanAmerican women who have lived in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, for generations. Linville worked with their licensing agency to obtain permission for the project and to provide compensation to honor their artistry. “It was a huge learning curve on a lot of different levels. In the end, we ended up with a collection fashioned with a patchwork of feathers full of patterns and colors.” Linville’s ability to fuse different influences into the chicken collections, as well as custom designs, has been successful. The studio has a loyal following and many of her collectors have growing flocks of chickens in their homes.
ARISTOCRAT MOTORS IS PROUD TO BRING AN ICONIC KANSAS CITY BRAND TO LEE’S SUMMIT
Lee’s Summit is one of the fastest growing communities in the Kansas City metropolitan area and home to many of our great customers. To serve the pre-owned vehicle buyers in Lee’s Summit we have opened Aristocrat Motors Lee’s Summit. David Hughes, our General Manager, and his professional staff look forward to meeting you and presenting a wide variety of cars, trucks and SUV’s.
STARTING YOUR SEARCH FOR YOUR NEXT VEHICLE?
Stop in for a COMPLIMENTARY VEHICLE APPRAISAL AND CAR WASH.
704 SE Oldham Court | Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 (913) 677-3300 | aristocratmotorsls.com Member of the Soave Automotive Group
David Hughes
General Manager
KC ORIGINALS
“During the shutdown many of our collectors adopted new chickens or gave them as gifts. It was so generous.” Local designer George Terbovich carries Linville’s work in his shop, George in Crestwood. The chickens often find homes in his clients’ houses. “We are so thankful for George,” Linville says. “He has shared our story with so many people.” But The City Girl Farm chickens do not always remain local. “There are lots of chickens in California. It seems they’re the right vibe. California’s been keeping us busy for years. Last year a shop in London found us, so we are delighted to have our first international retailer. We actually developed a new breed of “Fabulous Tail Roosters” at their request. Developing these retail relationships has become an important part of our business.”
Linville credits her team with keeping production moving and quality high. “When I had my daughter three-and-a-half years ago, I could not do all that I had before. I continue to live in this delicate tension between work and parenting.” She recognizes that releasing control has opened up new paths of artistry and smoother production systems at the studio “I work with amazingly gifted people, who have come on board and love the chickens. By identifying and synthesizing their strengths, we can do so much more together and have a lot of fun doing it! My position has transformed into being a steward of the company and the gift of the idea of a Chicken Footstool.” The City Girl Farm chickens are available through select retailers and online at thecitygirlfarm.com.
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.
20 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
Ignite creativity and explore the possibilities. Your future kitchen starts here. Curate your custom Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliance package with the Roth Living Showroom team. Schedule your virtual consultation or make an in-person appointment today! Country Club Plaza | 601 West 47th Street Kansas City, MO 64112 rsvpkcy@rothliving.com | 816.556.3322
22 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
AUTOMOTIVE words and photos by TOM STRONGMAN
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS
Room For Seven in a Spacious Package.
Volkswagen’s 1959 “Think Small” ad campaign has been ranked as one of the best of the century by Ad Age and defined the company for decades. Fast forward 62 years, and how things change. “Think Atlas” might be a better ad for today’s Volkswagen because it is a popular seven-passenger SUV that is larger than any other vehicle in the company. Engineered from VW’s MQB platform architecture, Atlas is 200.7 inches long, 78.4 inches wide, and 70.1 inches high. It is assembled in Chattanooga, Tenn., and typifies how the automotive industry has changed and evolved to suit the needs of families on the go. Carpooling in a 1959 Beetle would be a challenge. Of course, Volkswagen also builds smaller vehicles, and, in fact, has recently introduced a 2022 compact SUV called the Taos that will go on sale in the second quarter of 2021. A whole family of electric cars is on the way, as well. But back to the Atlas. Because it slots into a segment populated with vehicles such as the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, and Mazda CX-9, the Atlas has three-row seating and a spacious interior. For folks who want a sportier version, the Atlas Cross Sport has two rows of seats and a slightly lower roofline. The Atlas comes in eight different trim levels. The base S, with a four-cylinder, starts at $31,555. Add 4Motion all-wheel drive and the base price is $33,455. Models SE w/Technology and above are equipped with the VR6 engine. Prices start at $38,345 for front-
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2021 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SEL PREMIUM Engine: 3.6-liter, 276-horsepower VR6 Transmission: 8-speed automatic 4Motion all-wheel drive Wheelbase: 117.3 inches Curb weight: 4,614 pounds Base price: $48,995 As driven: $50,825 MPG rating: 16 in the city, 22 on the highway
AUTOMOTIVE wheel drive and $40,245 for all-wheel drive. The model I drove, an SEL Premium, had a base price of $48,995 and a sticker price of $50,825. Before we go any further let’s take a quick look at the two available engines. The 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder develops 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from a low 1,600 rpm. That should give it good off-the-line throttle response. The 3.6-liter, narrow-angle VR6 has direct-injection and it cranks out 276 horsepower 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine utilizes a crossflow aluminum-alloy cylinder head design, twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing. It is capable of towing 5,000 pounds. Fuel economy is rated at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway. Each engine is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system drives the front wheels under light load, but a center differential adds power to the rear wheels in a fraction of second, as conditions require. An advanced control unit activates a multi-plate clutch in the center differential and quells wheelspin almost before it begins. The center differential also functions as part of the electronic stability control and can briefly brake a wheel that is slipping. The 4Motion system has four settings: Onroad, Offroad, Snow, and Custom Onroad. A generous cabin is the heart of an SUV and the Atlas doesn’t disappoint. It makes maximum use of its three-row seating layout to offer space for up to seven adults, boasting a cavernous 154 cu-ft of total passenger volume. Headroom is generous, and rearseat legroom, at 37.6 inches, is huge. The second-row bench seat splits 60/40, reclines and can slide forward up to 7.7 inches. The second row folds and slides forward, even with a child seat in place, to provide easy entry to the third seat. Maximum cargo volume is 96.8 cubic feet when all rear seats are folded down. Cargo capacity is 55.5 cubic feet with the third seat folded and a smallish 20.6 cubic feet when all seats are up. Second-row captain’s chairs are an option on models above SE w/Technolgy. The Atlas interior is classic Volkswagen: clean and functional, with a premium feel. Driver controls are positioned for ease of use. A 10-inch TFT instrument display offers 21 viewing options, including digital gauges, car status, navigation, driving data, phone information, and driver assistance features. The driver can even select a full-screen navigation view. A center touchscreen controls many of the vehicle’s functions as well as smart-phone connection. The seat position, shifter height, and the spacing between the pedals are all designed to suit drivers of all sizes. Overhead, roof rails are standard should you need to add a
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AUTOMOTIVE
rack for cargo. A power tailgate is standard on the Atlas SE, while on the SE w/ Technology and higher models the tailgate can be opened with a kick of the foot below the rear bumper when the key is in range. That’s a huge benefit when your arms are full of grocery bags. As one would expect, the Atlas is brimming with technology. Items such as lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking are all available. But going one step further, the Atlas has “maneuver braking” that detects static obstacles front and rear while moving between 1 and 6 miles per hour and applies the brakes. Great for avoiding bikes in driveways, shopping carts, and such like. Park steering assist is available on the SEL Premium and it can automatically steer the vehicle into parallel and
perpendicular parking spaces (the latter both forward and in reverse). When it comes to vehicle connectivity, Atlas can connect to smart phones and has Apple Car Play, Android Auto, and Mirror Link. Volkswagen Car-Net has several features such as Remote Access, Safe and Secure, and Hotspot. Safe and Secure is a subscription service that offers automatic crash notification, emergency assistance, anti-theft alert, and stolen vehicle assistance. The price is $99 for one year. The Hotspot connects through Verizon or T-Mobile for $20 a month. Atlas has a four-years, 50,000-mile warranty and the 10,000- and 20,000-mile scheduled maintenance services are free for two years or 20,000 miles.
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.
26 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
Maverick Landscaping Flagstone Patios / Outdoor Kitchens Outdoor Fireplaces / Screened Porches Wood Fired Pizza Ovens / Composite & Cedar Decks
913-915-2905 Call today! MAV E RIC K L AN D SC APIN GIN C . CO M Stone supplied by Sturgis Materials.
ADVENTURE STARTS HERE, AGAIN.
Every Certified Pre‑Owned Land Rover vehicle is subjected to a rigorous 165‑point inspection and is protected by up to a 7‑year or 100,000‑mile limited warranty† and complimentary roadside assistance. What’s more, the Range Rover Evoque won the 2019 ALG Pre‑Owned Value Award for retaining its value better than other vehicles in its class.* Now, get the Certified Pre‑Owned Land Rover vehicle you’ve always desired, for less than you might expect at Land Rover Merriam. Land Rover Merriam 9400 W. 65th Street, Merriam, KS 913 677 3300 AristocratLandRover.com Warranty - Up to 7-Year/100,000 - Mile Limited Warranty Coverage from original in-service date, along with the disclaimer* (this warranty message is strongly encouraged and is the main emphasis of the CPO program) *ACPO Coverage, including limited warranty and roadside assistance, expires up to seven years from the original in-service date or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Original in-service date is the earlier of the new-vehicle retail sale or in-use date, as reported to Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. Select vehicles may have the option for different warranty terms. Vehicles with the 7 years/100,000 miles limited warranty are limited in supply and only available at participating Land Rover Retailers. See your authorized Land Rover Retailer for complete terms and conditions.
FASHION photos KENNY JOHNSON | styling AMANI SKALACKI
Getting Outdoors For The Winter. attire HALLS glasses EYE STYLE models NOELLE & FRED of Voices& hair & makeup by DEBRA DANIEL from FLOCK SALON WINTER 2020| TODAY KANSAS CITY | 29
About The Location. Thank you to Malfer and Associates for allowing TODAY Kansas City access to this unique and beautiful property to shoot our winter fashion section. This amazing home, sitting on 14.2 acres, will welcome you as soon as you enter the front gate. Drive along the beautiful countryside entrance with views of longhorns as you approach the estate home. You will be welcomed with the captivating covered front porch that is connected to a stately portecochère. This stunning property offers all the charm of country living with the finest upscale finishes. 18550 Mission Road | Stilwell, KS 66085 Listing by Kristin Malfer Malfer & Associates, ReeceNichols 913-800-1812 MalferKC.com
PHOTO BY TOM STRONGMAN
The Van for Your Life. Over one hundred years of leadership brought us to this. The new Sprinter is an innovative van, with a unique inspiration. It’s not about us — it’s about you. It’s the van you would build. Modular. Customizable. Scalable. With hundreds of variations and solutions so you can create a vehicle that’s ready to meet your needs today and tomorrow. It has the brawn to get the job done and the brains to keep you safe, connected, and cost-efficient along the way. Built for you and your life.
13851 Madison Avenue | Kansas City, MO 816.943.7000 | mbofkc.com Member of the Soave Automotive Group
ARTISTS’ ORIGINAL WORKS — LOCAL TO INTERNATIONAL. PAINTINGS | SCULPTURE | CERAMICS | GLASS | JEWELRY | HANDCRAFTED GIFTS
(Left) Abstract #34. (Rght) Abstract #24. Photography on metal by Paul Bonnichsen.
ARTIST SHOWS AND WORKSHOPS | IN-HOME ART CONSULTATIONS SPECIAL COMMISSIONS | PET PORTRAITURE | CUSTOM JEWELRY DESIGN
4020 INDIAN CREEK PARKWAY | OVERLAND PARK, KS | 66207 | 913.341.FIVE | GALLERYVFINEARTS.COM
GIFT GUIDE photos courtesy MAZZARESE
The Timeless Holiday Gift.
Omega Seamaster 300, 42mm
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GIFT GUIDE photos courtesy MAZZARESE
Omega Planet Ocean Chronograph 45.5mm
Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage 42mm
42 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback 43mm
Shinola The Canfield Sport 45mm
Alpina Seastrong Diver 44mm
Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey 40mm
Shop Online Now! www.ManosWine.com 12 (187ml) bottles per box | contains alcohol | please drink responsibly
WINTER 2020| TODAY KANSAS CITY | 43
GIFT GUIDE photos courtesy MAZZARESE
Shinola Vinton 38mm
Frederique Constant Highlife 41mm PHOTO BY TOM STRONGMAN 44 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
Carl F. Bucherer Pathos Diva 34mm
Frederique Constant Slimline Classic 30mm
Omega Planet Ocean Rosegold and Steel 43.5mm PHOTO BY KENNY JOHNSON
Indelible The Atlas Cross Sport brings a bold style and a modern performance to the road. A sleek, raked roofline and unique bumpers and badging makes the Atlas Cross Sport look as good as it performs. Whether it’s V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces or the available two-tone Vienna leather in the Atlas Cross Sport, comfort is always in style. With driver-focused media, touchscreen displays and a variety of driver assistance features, the Atlas Cross Sport has a suite of convenient tech features at your fingertips. Come into Volkswagen of Topeka and experience the remarkable Atlas Cross Sport for yourself.
Starting From
30,545*
$
Volkswagen of Topeka
3030 S. Kansas Ave | Topeka, KS 785.266.8480 | VWTOPEKA.COM * Vehicle shown: 2020 Atlas Cross Sport R-Line S. Starting MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price. Specifications, equipment, options, and prices are subject to change without notice. Some items may be unavailable when vehicle is built. Ask your dealer about availability of options and verify that the vehicle includes the equipment you ordered.
THE NEW GENERATION OF JAGUAR
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2020 JAGUAR F-PACE You may not be able to manipulate the weather,but you can outwit it. With available All-Wheel Drive, Intelligent Driveline Dynamics‡ and the JaguarDrive Control® system§, the Jaguar F-PACE and the Jaguar XE are designed to handle weather conditions with confidence year-round. Visit your local Jaguar Retailer today. Jaguar Merriam 9400 West 56th Street Merriam, KS 66203 913-677-3300 www.aristocratjaguar.com
Vehicles shown: 2020 Jaguar F-PACE S with optional equipment. ‡This feature is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving, nor can it overcome all extreme circumstances. Please consult the owner’s manual or your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for more details. §Do not use Jaguar InControl® features under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. *Class is cars sold by luxury automobile brands and claim is based on total package of New Vehicle Limited Warranty, Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance, 24-Hour Roadside Assistance and Jaguar InControl® Remote & Protect™. For complete details regarding offer shown or Jaguar EliteCare coverage, please visit JAGUARUSA.COM, call 1.800.4.JAGUAR / 1.800.452.4827 or visit your local Jaguar Retailer. © 2020 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
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INTERVIEW by JOEL NICHOLS
48 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
Wendy Doyle: An Empowering Force. Wendy had a little lamb. Really. When she was growing up in Johnson County, Missouri, she received a lamb as a gift. For Wendy Doyle, the greater gift was a grandmother who blazed trails. As president and CEO of United Women’s EmpowermentUnited WE (formerly the Women’s Foundation), Wendy builds on the legacy of her grandmother to create real, positive change for all women, and by extension, all of society. How did your grandmother and family relationships play a role in where you are today? My grandmother was a tax accountant back when women really didn’t do that. My grandpa was an attorney. His office, really a suite, was on the first floor of their building, and her tiny office was tucked away upstairs. I think a lot about that just in terms of proximity. The barriers that she broke and all that she
accomplished by being focused on delivering excellent work product rather than "I'm a woman and you’re a man." In 1991, a group of forward-thinking community leaders created the Women’s Foundation, devoted to philanthropic outreach aimed at equity and opportunity. You still do that but, with the new name, United WE, you also have a new focus? We are investing more in research, then using that research to look at where we can make a big impact on policy. Creating systemic change. We, intentionally, want to be more inclusive, reaching out to women of color and women in the LGBTQ community. We want more women and men coming together to solve problems such as pay equity and creating entrepreneurship opportunities. One of those problems is making sure women are in the room when decisions are made. That brings us to The Appointments Project.
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INTERVIEW
Working with Mayor Sly James, we piloted the project in 2014. Based on research by the University of Kansas, we looked at the barriers for women to participate civically. What's holding women back from engaging? The key insight from our research is that women want to be asked to serve. Women typically think of their children, school, a nonprofit, church. They aren't thinking about giving time to their city or state. We created the The Appointments Project to get women appointed by elected officials at the city, county, and state level. The project is now in 28 cities in Missouri and Kansas. We’re taking it across the nation. If you could snap your fingers and make one policy a reality for women, what would it be? The number one issue for women and men is paid family and medical leave. We need permanent laws in place for everyone, so they people don’t have to choose between family and work. The United States is the only industrialized country in the world without it. It's good for the bottom line in business. It's good for employees. It’s good for families. We need it. We’ve made some progress in Missouri and Kansas. Both governors signed executive orders for state employees to have a paid family policy, and that signals to companies: you can do it, too. We're starting to see little bites at the apple. There’s a new factor in everyone’s equation right now, the coronavirus pandemic.
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We’re concerned about the long-term impact COVID-19 has on women economically. The question will be: can women recover because of being put in this position of working from home, trying to be the caregiver of the children and, now that school is in session, being the teacher, as well. Juggling all of these things. We will see the ripple effect for years and years. We started this conversation talking about your grandmother. You’re also a twin. Do you think that played any role in what you are doing now? Absolutely. For example, my twin brother’s curfew was an hour later than mine. So, in our teens, I'm advocating: We’re
the same age! Why does he get to stay out later? ‘Well, because that's not appropriate for a young woman.’ Now I do this work today and look back to how I was raised. There was a little bit of disparity in our family, in a loving way. I know I am asking for a generalization, but what is the status of women today? Women are more willing to take risks than you have seen before whether she’s starting a business or trying for that promotion. Women are coming together. More women running for elected office than ever before. Women are empowered, inspired, working together. We have a long way to go, but I think this gives us hope.
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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MARINER
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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.
INTERIOR DESIGN by STACY DOWNS
The Home That HGTV Built. We talked to designers — including KC’s own Tamara Day, host of “Bargain Mansions” — about the impact the network has on how we live. During our extraordinary time, when so many of us are working and learning in the place where we sleep, it’s no wonder that we are focusing more on making our 24-7 environment home sweet home. HGTV, originally Home & Garden Television, is more popular than ever in its 27 years on the air. The home-improvement network’s Nielsen ratings surged more than 20 percent in the months after the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States. “What I love about HGTV is that it gives consumers a vehicle to see new ideas in action that they could apply to their home,” says Sara Noble, owner of Noble Designs in Kansas City. “It gets people excited about home renovations.” It’s given all of us Chip and Joanna Gaines, the hosts of “Fixer Upper,” who helped popularize the farmhouse look with shiplap siding, apron sinks, open kitchen shelving, vintage signs, and white tile with dark grout. Each time you go to Target, there’s the brand Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, a collaboration between the store and the Gaineses. Closer to home, HGTV brings us “Bargain Mansions” with Tamara Day of Kansas City. She and her home-renovation collaborators, including her father, Ward Schraeder, showcase available houses on both sides of the state line: the old and the simply dated are prime opportunities for major makeovers. Noble appreciates Day and her show and is enthused about the local connection, featuring familiar houses and the craft and tradespeople who work on improving them.
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Tamara’s Biggest Design Request Right Now:
HOME OFFICES/ HOMEWORK STATIONS “Of all of the ways we’re newly living in our homes, this is the area where I’ve received a huge uptick of questions,” says Tamara Day, between hearing from “Bargain Mansions” fans as well as her online design platform, her local in-person design firm and shop, Growing Days Home in Prairie Village.
TAMARA'S EXPERT ADVICE Be intentional. Staying organized when working or learning from home can be challenging, but putting things in designated areas for the books, binders, pens, and paper makes a big difference. Give extra attention to tech. Make sure you have a charging station and cords always ready. Consider bulletin boards. It’s handy for people to put up their schedules or for students to display their artwork. Brighten up with color. It could be as simple as a plant or vase of fresh flowers. WINTER 2020| TODAY KANSAS CITY | 55
INTERIOR DESIGN
Each time you go to Target, there’s the brand Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, a collaboration between the store and the Gaineses.
On “Bargain Mansions,” you’ll see Day with a sledgehammer, knocking down walls and hanging drywall, something her dad taught her to do as a child. She appreciates he took the time and patience to teach her, which is something she tries to do with her four children. “Moms will message me that their daughters saved up to buy a sledgehammer and that their kids are helping with the demo,” Day says. “What I really hope HGTV has done is that it has inspired people to not be afraid, to see that if I can do it, you can do it. I’m just a mom hanging out with her kids. I want it to show others that if you have the desire to do something, you can figure out a way to make it happen.” Besides empowering people by stretching their comfort levels, Day believes HGTV is responsible for turning design from expensive and aspirational to affordable and attainable.
“There’s not just one look like Tuscan or French County. There are lots of styles they’re seeing on lots of shows,” Day says. “As a result, people have become bolder in their choices. Instead of trying to get a house that looks like the Joneses', people are striving for unique and personalized.” One issue Noble has with HGTV is that they give consumers unrealistic expectations about timelines. The 30-minute segments don’t sufficiently depict the weeks and months it takes for remodeling, including the labor and ordering furniture and appliances, which take even longer now due to COVID-19-related supply-and-demand delays. However, HGTV admittedly does provide family-friendly escape. “Women, men, children, and even dogs like home-renovation shows,” Day says. “It’s happy television, the relief we’re all looking for in the current world we’re living in.”
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.
56 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | WINTER 2020
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Roof dropped. Hammer soon to follow. Finally, a sport utility vehicle with far more than its fair share of sport. Featuring more muscular, sharper proportions and a sloping flyline that recalls the iconic sports car design you expect from a Porsche. And like any Porsche, it’s meant to hit curves hard.
The Cayenne Coupe. Shaped by Performance.
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©2020 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times. European model shown. Some options may not be available in the U.S.
NONPROFIT by KELSEY CIPOLLA
Giving Kids a Head Start. When Growing Futures launched in 1965, it was one of the first Head Start programs in the country. More than 50 years later, the Johnson County nonprofit is still providing early education opportunities and family support services to the community – and the job is only getting bigger, says Director of Development and Community Relations Jessica Hoffman. “Poverty has continued to increase,” she says. “Right now, there are over 32,000 people in Johnson County who are living below the poverty threshold.” More than 3,000 of those Johnson County residents are children 5 and under, according to United Community Services of Johnson County data, and thousands more people earn just over the threshold, which is $21,780 for a family of three. During the past decade, Johnson County's population grew by 20 percent, but the number of people living in poverty increased by 134 percent. While Growing Futures started by serving 17 preschoolers in 1965, today it serves over 222 kids annually and maintains a waitlist filled with other kids and families who have need of the nonprofit’s services.
A HELPING HAND Growing Futures is one of several Head Start programs serving Johnson County. President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the Head Start program in the same year Growing Futures was founded, and although offerings have evolved over the decades, the nationwide program aims to promote the health and school readiness of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children from low-income families in communities around the country. Growing Futures offers numerous programs to address those needs. Home-based Early Head Start serves pregnant women, infants, and toddlers up to age 3, providing home visits and group socialization activities that promote secure parent-child relationships and supports parents in offering quality early-learning experiences. Children 6 weeks to 3 years old can participate in the Early Head Start, a program based on site at Growing Future’s Early Education Center. An on-site preschool program is also available for kids 3 to 5 years old.
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NONPROFIT
Staff members observe children for mental health or behavioral concerns and work closely with parents to support children through consultations, counseling, and play therapy. Additionally, Growing Futures’ disabilities and school readiness specialists identify kids with disabilities and coordinate services to help them be successful. But the organization doesn’t just work to help kids – it can connect participating families with community resources and support systems, whether they’re facing food insecurity or want help reviewing a resume. Comprehensive family services also ensure families receive dental exams and vision screenings. “They’re essentially getting their head start, as well,” Hoffman says of parents.
ADAPTING TO COVID-19 Already contending with increased need in the community, Growing Futures has been further challenged by COVID-19. In the spring, the nonprofit shifted its programming to offer remote virtual learning opportunities to children and families. Children came back to school in early
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September to a hybrid virtual and in-person model. “We have a phenomenal staff, and they have been very flexible and very able to pivot on very short notice in these ever-changing times,” Hoffman says. “They’ve been so creative and so adaptive.” But the program experience is far from the only facet of operations affected by the pandemic. Hoffman says an increasing number of families have been applying to Growing Futures programs this year as households lose sources of income. Meanwhile, funding options are becoming more limited. Although Growing Futures receives federal funding, they’re responsible for raising more than $400,000 annually through monetary donations, in-kind donations, or volunteer hours, which requires support from community partners, corporate sponsors, and individuals. Grants the organization normally could have applied for have shifted to provide more targeted COVID relief, and individual donors and community partners may be hesitant to make a donation during a period of such economic uncertainty. “Donations are slowly trickling in, but it’s taking a lot
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NONPROFIT of creativity to host fundraisers now in a virtual climate,” Hoffman says. Growing Futures accepts monetary donations online, but there are plenty of other ways community members can get involved, from volunteering on outdoor projects at the center, to donating supplies on the organization’s wish list, which range from classroom items like paper and books to health supplies such as diapers and disinfecting wipes. Growing Futures has also partnered with The Ripple, which Hoffman describes as an online marketplace where people can sell items and have the proceeds go directly to a nonprofit of their choice. Help is needed now more than ever as new families continue to apply to Growing Futures’ programs, Hoffman says. “We have a waitlist we maintain of at least 100 children at all times, so the need is definitely there, and that’s leading us to try to grow and expand, as well,” she explains. “We’re hoping to launch a capital campaign soon for a new facility.” To learn more about Growing Futures, including how to help, visit growingfutureseec.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.
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Confidence found. “People might not like something small about the way they look. You change those small things and they are suddenly bursting with confidence. They just seem brighter, happier. It’s something that could be unnoticeable to someone else. It’s about the way they feel personally about themselves and the way they project themselves. That’s the part of it I like the most — changing their self-confidence, changing their attitude through good work.”
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HEALTH by DR. LINDA MOORE
When There Are Too Many Challenges, Too Many Questions, Too Many Restrictions, and Too Much Advice, What Do You Do?
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HEALTH
To UNPLUG AND STEP BACK, the simplest questions are:
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
1) How do your stress symptoms show up? Are they physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual? If you answer yes to all of the above, then prioritize. 2) What’s the stress symptom that concerns you the most? If it’s physical – muscle aches and pains, poor sleep, change in appetite, then focus your self-care on things like exercise, an effort at a consistent sleep routine, attention to an eating plan, and perhaps supplements/ vitamins. 3) If it’s behavioral, just getting even simple things done is a struggle. Make lists of things you want and need to do; prioritize them and dedicate specific times for completing tasks. 4) Finally, if it’s emotional, or spiritual, learn to meditate and practice a technique regularly.
– Anne Lamont
One possible answer to so many questions might be found in this quote from author Anne Lamont: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” My best translation is – take your time, pause, stop, and step back. And consider repeating that same action several times a day. Regardless of your life, work, and family circumstances, we are all in challenging times, and, at the moment, the majority of us are at least mildly “stir crazy.” And, there are more difficult decisions ahead. We have jobs to do, families to care for, community responsibilities, and challenges from all sides of government, including the outcome of the elections; and, at the same time, we are challenged with the necessity to make wise choices, manage self- care, and to find ways to maintain connections with the people we love.
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In the midst of sorting things out and establishing priorities and best practices, there is an abundance of both scientific health necessities and psychological “must dos.” Too much information can create the perfect storm for frustration. Reinforcing that concern, a client recently shared that a daily link on her phone – IDEAS FOR SELF-CARE – had become more annoying than helpful. Consequently, my suggestion: If you are annoyed by the do’s and don’ts for getting through this quite-taxing, anxiety-provoking pandemic and the demands and changes dictated for staying healthy – and, I must add, alive – it’s simply time to acknowledge that too many self-care instructions/suggestions/dictates – including this one – are putting many on overload. And, in spite of that reality, paying attention is essential, because the situation we face in our states and in the country is with us for a longer haul than we might want.
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HEALTH
Regardless of your personal approach to the challenges, my suggestion is to “unplug,” step back, reflect, and focus. As holidays approach, the best thing for many, especially the extroverts among us, would be a big or even small event – plans for holiday and family celebrations and special occasions … football games and other sporting events. Most people are anxious to talk, and celebrate, and hug people we love and like. Regardless, those historic, typical, traditional things we have been accustomed to embrace aren’t the best things to actually DO without unprecedented precautions. If you DO pay attention to science and trustworthy news, and I deeply hope you do, you already know that recommendations for holidays are to avoid gatherings if you don’t know precisely where people have been and who they have interacted with – including your families. Acknowledging there’s a growing and fairly natural resistance to such precautions, I still struggle when I read the governor of New York had to shut down a 10,000-person wedding. That plan, at least to me, is a bit “off the page,” even for those of us who might be high risk takers or perhaps feel “science” is hard to manage, even believe. Regardless of your personal approach to the challenges, my suggestion is to “unplug,” step back, reflect, and focus. Take the pressure off for the things you think you should be doing and focus on the basics of health and self-care even when they feel more restrictive than you want. And give yourself credit if you believe you’ve done a quite good job managing a truckload of restrictive time already. The winter months will be more challenging, and as long as we trust science, it’s possible to dial
back, find simple efforts at self-care, and manage the restrictions necessary for health and well-being. Science tells us the basics: wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands. Psychology is telling us countless things to do – often far too many to sort through. Consequently, my suggestions are to address the areas of your life where you feel pressure, and then prioritize your own self-care in balance with the efforts you make to show up for those you live with and work with daily. The point of what to do is to focus on just one thing at a time. Once you feel the one thing is helping, move on to an additional effort. Just don’t try too many things at once. If you take all the advice from what you read, including articles like this one, you will likely bog down. And as you try just one thing at a time, include the simple task of “unplugging” several times a day – step back and stare out the window, maybe step outside for a few minutes, even if it’s not ideal weather. Clear your head. And, as you unplug, try this breathing technique: Breathe in to a count of four; hold your breath to a count of seven; and exhale through your mouth, slowly, to a count of eight. Repeat this exercise four times. Finally, acknowledge that if we are to get through this challenging season and still enjoy our families, friends, and holidays, we have to have a plan. It needs to be simple, basic, easy to act on, and it needs to acknowledge that we are in a challenging health crisis that demands the best from all of us. And as always, reach out if you need to talk.
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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