Leawood Lifestyle Magazine

Leawood Lifestyle May 2013

admin — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:27:28 +0000

Read the full May 2013 issue of Leawood Lifestyle Magazine.

Editor’s Letter: Made in Kansas City!

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:21:46 +0000

We had so much fun putting this month’s issue together for you.

For months we’ve been planning and sampling and surveying, all in the name of sharing a small bit of our research. As a twenty-five year resident of the greater Kansas City area, (I’m including the KU years here) it’s always been bar-b-que that comes to mind when I think about gifting a taste of Kansas City.

No longer!

I’ve had a ball getting to know a bit about the companies behind so many amazing, locally-made creations. And we’re not just talking about food. While Lauren Claflin researched and wrote about the Kansas City Food Artisans, Judy Spaar was checking out daytrip venues that allow us to watch products being made. Our staff even got in on the action and we created a new department you’ll see on occasion called Staff Picks. It really was a lot of fun and it introduced me to some fabulous products I look forward to using regularly. And to the vendors who didn’t get a nod this year, please know it was all about space limitations. We plan to make this an annual event so let us know about products we should consider spotlighting next time.

The month of May is a busy one around town. But I hope you’ll take the time to enjoy this issue, share it with a friend or take it to the office and try out a new product or two from our pages. And when gift-giving season comes around in a few months, keep these local vendors in mind for some of your holiday shopping. I know I plan to ship some of their tasty goodies around the country and share a different taste of Kansas City with family and friends this year.

Have a spectacular spring and I’ll see you around town!

Lisa Harrison, Managing Editor | Lisa@LifestylePubs.com

Our Favorite Made In KC Products

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:20:14 +0000

We asked the folks around the office to tell us about their favorite products that are made right here in our own neck of the woods. From granola to candles, specialty soaps to salsa, we thought it would be fun share some of our favorites.

Christina Sandberg, Production Coordinator

Handcrafted and grown locally, Somerset Ridge wine is first class! (somersetridge.com) Dennis and Cindy Reynolds are excellent winemakers. My favorite for the spring and summer is their limoncello modeled Citron.

Yummy’s Choice feta cheese and pita chips is also a favorite. (yummyschoice.com) Paired with Somerset wine, a few friends and the great outdoors, they make for a great afternoon.

Darla Hall, Sales Associate

I just love Juan Makkio Salsa. (JuanMakkios.com) It’s made in Lee’s Summit with fresh, all natural ingredients and is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy.

Laura Paszkiewicz, Sales Associate

My husband discovered Meat Mitch BBQ sauce that is made locally in Kansas City. It’s easy to remember the catchy name of my favorite sauce, “Naked”. It is fantastic to find a gluten and corn syrup free sauce, but I love it most for the unique, sweet flavor. They were a third place winner in Memphis in May World Championships and earned a second place in November’s American Royal World Championships in KC. I know we have a lot of BBQ sauce in Kansas City but this one is hands down my favorite pick! (MeatMitch.com)

Dustin Shaw, Sales Associate

My favorite KC originals include Gates BBQ, Topsys and Winsteads.

Mary Beth Stauch, Sales Associate

My ‘Made in KC’ must-haves include Trapp Candles, (TrappCandles.com) Strawberry Hill Povitica Bread- YUM! (Povitica.com) and Original Juan Sauces. (OriginalJuan.com)

Heather Getz, Sales Associate
Savory Addictions Nuts – They are actually smoked, no artificial smoke flavor, and they have an AMAZING Red Wine Blend that will make your palate sing from the pairing! (SavoryAddictions.com)

Lisa Harrison, Managing Editor
I discovered Hippie Chow granola a few years ago and it’s become a favorite way to start my day. Especially the peanut butter banana variety! (EatHippieChow.com)

Kendra Mathewson, Assistant Editor

The delicious, tiny works of art by Christopher Elbow chocolates are a favorite sometimes splurge. (Elbow Chocolates.com)

Carrie Julian, Art Director

I love Hammerpress in the Crossroads. They offer one-of-a kind art prints, posters, cards and custom invitations—all printed in house. (Hammerpress.net) And who doesn’t love Zum products… especially their lavender mist and all-natural hand soaps. (IndigoWild.com)

Leawood Arts Council’s Arty Gras Art Show and Party

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:14:02 +0000

Local patrons of the arts enjoyed a colorful evening gala featuring original paintings, photographs and sculptures, roving entertainment and great food. Photography by Marica Putman.

Bids for Kids Casino Party and Live Auction

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:13:21 +0000

Leawood Rotary hosted its annual event at the Overland Park Sheraton. More than 230 people enjoyed the Las Vegas-themed event and raised $81,000 for local children’s charities.

All the World’s a Stage Gala Auction

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:12:38 +0000

Notre Dame de Sion’s Gala Auction 2013 took center stage at Starlight Theater for the event that raised more than $363,000 for the school. A large cast and crew staged the fun night for 430 guests.

Leawood Poet Publishes First Book

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:11:59 +0000

Leawood poet Arlin Buyert recently published his first book of poems entitled, Where Shadows Take Their Places. The book is receiving excellent reviews from nationally known poets and educators.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser wrote “Your book is elegiac and touching–I hope it finds many readers over the years.”

Poet and educator Jim Moore wrote “Arlin Buyert’s voice in these wonderful poems is a complex mix of sorrow and joy. There is such a sense of loss here, but also of love. These are poems that mark, mourn and celebrate the passages in life that all of us must encounter. They are a pleasure to read, pause, then read again.”

The book is available at AbeBooks.com, Amazon.com and in most local bookstores.

New Food Truck Hits Local Streets

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:10:55 +0000

Chef Baldee’s Pizza is the very first food truck to be licensed in Leawood and the only one to be granted membership in the Leawood Chamber of Commerce.

Chef Baldee’s mobile pizza kitchen offers an authentic New York- style thin crust pizza and features a spicy/sweet sauce. Everything is done from scratch right in the mobile pizza kitchen, from making the dough and sauce to baking the pizza.

The dough is made with extra virgin olive oil which, when rolled through the dough sheeter, creates an authentic New York-Style thin crust. The sauce is patterned after a 50-year old family recipe the chef’s mother found in the Kansas City Star in 1963. It’s made with Marsala red wine, fresh garlic, oregano and 10 other ingredients.

After launching a year ago, the mobile pizza kitchen has been on- scene at events such as the Keim Street Fair, Town Center Plaza’s Shop, Rock and Roll and the Lenexa Spinach Festival.

To book a visit, call 913.605.0988 or email ChefBaldee@gmail.com.

Ault Design-Construction Honored with REMY Awards

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:09:57 +0000

Ault Design-Construction recently celebrated being honored with two awards at the NARI Remodel of the Year (REMY) awards night.

Save The Date For Stems Garden Party

ilsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:09:11 +0000

Enjoy a fun-filled stroll through the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Stems: A Garden Soiree event coming up June 22 from 7-11 p.m. On a lovely June evening you can enjoy sipping wine; tasting delicious food from 20 top restaurants and caterers; appreciate art, music, fireworks, beautiful surroundings; meet friends at the party of the summer; and support the Gardens’ vision of recreational, cultural and artistic enrichment education for present and future generations. Visit StemsSoiree.org.