remodel-comfort

Leawood Family Finds Comfort in Remodel

Article Susan Fotovich McCabe | Photography Brian Turner At one time, Jeff and Christine Kinney’s unfinished Leawood basement served their four children well. It was the perfect setting for indoor skateboarding and roller skating. But as the kids got older and Jeff and Christine yearned for a more refined lower level, the Kinneys got to …

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tavern

Tavern in the Village Upscale but Casual American Style Cuisine

Article Sharmin Meadows | Photography Brian Turner Opened in February of 2011, Tavern in the Village in Prairie Village is definitely worth checking out. Locally owned and operated, Tavern in the Village’s concept is the vision of owner and Prairie Village native Kelly Manning, an established local restaurateur with more than 20 years in the …

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cabin-fever

8 Cabin Fever Cures for Johnson County Kids

Article Brenda Mott Now that the holidays are over and Jack Frost has blown into town, it’s time to get the kids’ wiggles out with some indoor fun. We’ve compiled a list of eight entertaining indoor activities for kids, both young and old. So, whether your kids are big or small, you’ll always find something …

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l-boutique

Unique Treasures Abound at New Leawood Boutique

When L of a Boutique opened in Leawood a few months ago, it was a dream come true for owner Lynette Henkel. While the store is new, Henkel is an old pro at finding and selling unique gifts, purses and jewelry and clothing. She’s been running the business out of her house for 10 years. …

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joy-of-running

Life-Changing After-School Program Combines Life Lessons and the Joy of Running

Article Ann E. Butenas | Photography Tammy Pence You better watch out! There are some girls on the run in a neighbor- hood near you, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. No, they are not running from anyone or anything, but they are definitely running toward something absolutely amazing. In the …

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Leawood Family Finds Comfort in RemodelTavern in the Village Upscale but Casual American Style Cuisine8 Cabin Fever Cures for Johnson County KidsUnique Treasures Abound at New Leawood BoutiqueLife-Changing After-School Program Combines Life Lessons and the Joy of Running

Editor’s Letter | How’s Your A.Q?

As my staff and I assembled this most amazing issue, which spotlights fine and performing arts in our community, I realized that I desperately need to improve my A.Q.–my ‘arts quotient.’ Why? Because I haven’t yet been to the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts or JCCC’s Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art; I haven’t seen a play or been to the Nelson-Atkins in years, and sadly, I’ve come to realize that reading the newest book in the Sue Grafton “Alphabet Detective” series or working my way through the pile of 1990 romantic comedies that I checked out from the library really doesn’t give me the material to hold up my end of a conversation based on current cultural goings on in Kansas City or what’s hot on the New York Times bestsellers list.

Thanks to some of the articles in this month’s issue, I learned that our community is littered with community theaters, choirs, symphonies and even a brass band. Who knew? Surprisingly, one can be a patron of the (local community) arts without having to drop $90 per ticket on an upper balcony, last row seat.

This little A.Q. project will brighten up the cold and icy days of February; give me interesting material for cocktail party conversation, all the while improving my knowledge of the visual and performing arts. It’s a win-win proposition.

On another note entirely, with the arrival of the New Year, we decided it was time to debut our new interactive websites. Our readers who like to surf the Internet will find more content, coupons and streaming postings on the new sites. They include all feature articles rather than just a few as had been the case in the past, an interactive calendar that includes helpful links, a page featuring special promotions from our advertisers and streaming Facebook and Twitter postings. In addition to the new websites, the magazine’s Facebook pages will now include give-aways nearly every week. We hope you’ll check it all out at JohnsonCountyLifesytle.com and look for us on Facebook.

Neighbors, I invite you to join me and improve your own A.Q, and I’ll see you around town!

Lisa Harrison, Managing Editor
Lisa@LifestylePubs.com

 

 

Brookwood Elementary School’s HiP Team Excels

Brookwood Elementary School’s HiP Team (“i can make a Healthy Planet”) has accumulated new awards and accolades. At a recent Shawnee Mission Board of Education meeting, HiP Team Founder and Brookwood parent, Jill Grotzinger delivered the Leawood school’s green news. Fourth grade students, Katie Cooper and Caroline McCaffree, provided their perspective on how students are working to further the school’s green initiatives.

Leawood City Council member Debra Filla discussed the city’s efforts to collaborate with citizens to increase recycling, encourage conservation and promote green during the team’s monthly meeting.

Brookwood has earned awards from Bridging the Gap and the Johnson County Environmental Department. Brookwood implemented a comprehensive waste reduction program throughout the school. Comingle bins were added to all rooms to recycle.

Last year, the school went from sending nine bags of lunch trash to the landfill each day to one. Last year, Brookwood recycled more than 24 tons of paper and enrolled in Funding Factory, which provides an environmentally responsible way to dispose of toner cartridges, iPods/mp3 players, laptops, digital cameras, cell phones and GPS devices. Brookwood provides crayon and battery recycling too. LL

SASSY Approves Merger with Heartland SPCA

Young at heart) recently merged with Heartland SPCA, allowing SASSY and Heartland SPCA to expand programs serving senior adults and senior pets.

SASSY offers a unique approach to solving two community problems while benefitting shelter pets and lonely seniors. By promoting “seniorappropriate” shelter pets and removing some of the barriers to pet adoption, seniors can lead a more fulfilling and productive life, and homeless pets can find a permanent, loving home.

Members of SASSY support program initiatives including SASSYmeals, SASSYfunds, and senior-appropriate volunteer activities. SASSYmeals partners with area Meals-on-Wheels programs to distribute pet meals to those receiving meal assistance.

To learn more about the SASSY Program, contact SASSY program director Barbara Ross at 913.742.7318 or at BRoss@HeartlandSpca.org.

Volunteer to be a Part of KC’s All-Star Summer

The 83rd All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 10 at Kauffman Stadium. In addition to the All-Star Game, All-Star Summer festivities bring a variety of events to Missouri. Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest, Taco Bell All-Star Sunday, XM All-Star Futures Game, Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, Gatorade All-Star Workout Day and the State Farm Home Run Derby will span the fiveday event (July 6th-10th).

The Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation is looking for volunteers to assist with all the events surrounding the presentation of the 2012 Midsummer Classic. If you would like to apply to be an MLB All-Star Summer Volunteer or a Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest Volunteer, please visit KansasCity.Royals.mlb.com and click on All-Star Game Volunteer Registration.

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older as of June 30, 2012 and will be required to sign a release of liability and eligibility form and are subject to background checks.

Your Future Address Launch Party

Your Future Address, a low, flat fee, full-service real estate brokerage firm is celebrating its grand opening on February 9, from 6-9 p.m. at ARTichokes Art Gallery in Leawood. Sponsors for the event include LeaderOne Financial, Continental Title, ARTichokes and Home Warranty of America. The public is invited to attend.

Your Future Address will serve the greater Kansas City area, including all of Lee’s Summit. ARTichokes is located in Mission Farms at 10557 Mission Rd. in Leawood. To learn more about Your Future Address, contact Katie Yeager at Katie@YourFutureAddress.com.

 

National Pancake Day Benefits Children’s Hospitals

IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants, invites guests to enjoy free pancakes while supporting a worthy cause as part of its philanthropic National Pancake Day, February 28. Setting its most ambitious fundraising objective yet, at $2.7 million, the family-friendly restaurant chain hopes that this seventh year will be lucky for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

On National Pancake Day, more than 1,500 IHOP restaurants across the country will serve each guest a free short stack of IHOP’s signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. In return, guests are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to support the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital or another local charity.

Now Open in Leawood

Several new businesses now call Leawood home. Fo Thai is now open at the One Nineteen shopping center, located on the southeast corner of 119th and Roe. To learn more about its unique Asian cuisine, visit FoThaiRestaurant.com. Title Boxing Club recently opened its doors at 12150 State Line Rd. Visit TitleBoxingClub.com to learn more about this fitness facility. Oliver’s Pizzeria is now open at Parkway Plaza, on the northwest corner of 135th and Roe. And Regus has opened an office at Park Place, 5251 W. 116th Place, Suite 200. Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces offering fully equipped offices, professional meeting rooms, business lounges and video communication

 

Cocoa for a Cause

Leawood Middle School eighth grade students Charlotte Barth and Caroline Kinney hosted Cocoa for a Cause during the Wilshire subdivision holiday light show in December. For the third consecutive year, this annual event raises money for the Lisa Barth Memorial Chapel in the Elizabeth Ann Hall Patient Tower at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Charlotte’s mom, Lisa, was a long time nurse in the cardiac unit at Children’s Mercy and passed away in 2008 of a brain tumor. Lisa’s vision was to create a place where patients, families and staff could go for prayer, meditation, reflection and comfort. It will feature 3,000 square feet of space and will include a library, family room, outdoor garden and much more.

The donation-only hot chocolate was available to crowds that attended the dazzling, multi-evening light display set to music on a local radio station frequency.

In three years, Cocoa for a Cause has raised more than $5,000 toward construction of the chapel, which is scheduled to be complete in September.

 

Comfort Keepers Opens Area Offices

Comfort Keepers is happy to announce the opening of three new offices in the Kansas City area as of Jan. 1. The new locations include Zona Rosa, Crown Center and the Country Club Plaza. For addresses, visit ComfortKeepers.com.

Comfort keepers recently assembled nearly 10,000 meals to help feed hungry seniors as part of its Stop Senior Hunger program. Because the company is so close to meeting its goal of 10,000 meals, it will celebrate its 10th anniversary by making one last push for financial donations. Please consider donating to its online virtual food bank that benefits Harvesters at OurFoodDrive.com. Every $5 helps!

Kansas City Camp Mishawaka Reunion

Former and prospective campers, staff members and friends of Minnesota’s Camp Mishawaka will gather for their annual Kansas City reunion on February 2 at the Carriage Club.

Whether you are new to Camp Mishawaka, a veteran camper or Camp alumnus this event is for you. Started in the North Woods of Minnesota in 1910, Camp Mishawaka has a wonderful tradition of Kansas City campers who look forward to renewing their connections. For prospective camp families, it is a perfect time to meet campers, camp families, past and current staff members and learn about the benefits of a traditional residential camp- and Camp Mishawaka in particular. The reunion and information meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Carriage Club, 5301 State Line Rd., Kansas City.

If you are unable to attend, but still interested in learning more about Camp Mishawaka visit CampMishawaka.com.

 

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