four-sisters-fighting-for-change

Four Sisters Fighting For Change | The Kranz sisters hope to provide an afghani girl with an education— and a chance at a new life

Article Katherine Bontrager Photography Christina Sandberg Sold into prostitution by her own mother at age 7, Laila was destined to become like countless other little-heard-of tragedies in developing countries far away. But sometimes fate has a funny way of intervening, of changing lives on opposite sides of the world. How else can you explain how four …

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douglas-bowles

Introducing the Art of Douglas Bowles

What brought you to Leawood? I originally came to Kansas City in 1983 as a newly hired artist at Hallmark Cards. My wife and I moved to Leawood in 1995 because it is a wonderful place to live and raise our two amazing children. Bet, my wife, is also an artist. I met her at …

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a-sanctuary-serene

A Sanctuary Serene: A waterfall, ponds and vibrant flowers create an oasis for Leawood couple

Article Katherine Bontrager | Photography Phil Needham The roman poet Ovid recognized the connection between water and the soul. He wrote, “Est in aqua dulci non invidiosa voluptas,” which translated reads, “There is no small pleasure in sweet water.” Diana and Keith Cannon’s Leawood garden—in particular the couple’s gorgeous ponds and waterfall—is translucent truth to …

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writing-a-future

Writing a Future

Article And Photography Lisa Gartland Alex Sher is just 16 years old, but her résumé is already as impressive as an ambitious college graduate. Alex, finishing her junior year at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) this month, is the daughter of Anne Rosenthal and Scott Sher, both of Leawood, and big sister to 13-year old …

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Good Fortune, Hard Work, Family First | A conversation with Leawood’s police chief

Article Lisa Allen |Photography Christina Sandberg Sometimes you just know. Other times, you just get lucky. For Leawood Police Chief John Meier, it’s been a bit of both. He didn’t initially know that he wanted to be in law enforcement. He knew that he wanted to be challenged and to be trusted with resolving issues. …

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napa-valley

Destination: Napa Valley

Article Moriah Schowengerdt | Photography Courtesy of Maroon Wines and Vineyard Imagine waking up to a cool, crisp autumn breeze, the smell of  wine filling the air, and golden rays of sunlight just peeking over the mountaintops. A closer look reveals a speckled skyline of vibrant colors from hot air balloons. Below, the valley is lined …

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Businesses with Good Taste | Small-Batch Food Artisans Fuel Our Economy – and Our Appetites

Article Lauren Collinsworth Claflin Photography Christina Sandberg Americans have always been known for embracing bigness: big, open spaces, big ideas, big companies. Big business is so respected, in fact, that small business owners can sometimes feel…lacking, as if their business isn’t important until it ‘grows up.’ Large corporations are crucial for our economy and infrastructure …

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joan-charbonneau

Necessity is the Mother of Invention | How our neighbor’s unique gifts are making a difference

Article Kendra Mathewson | photography McKenna Mathewson On the surface, Joan Charbonneau doesn’t fit the stereotype of an inventor. Her statuesque figure and Anne-of-Green-Gables beauty defy the inventor iconography of be-speckled, wild-white-haired old men in lab coats. Her gracious, easy-going manner and warm smile, her gregarious personality, vision and leadership skills definitely don’t declare, “mad scientist.” …

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troop-10

Troop 10 Adds Nine Scouts to Eagle Honor Roll

Photography Jim Thomas Leawood’s Boy Scout Troop 10 recently held a Eagle Court of honor ceremony at Blue Valley Northwest High School where the following scouts were honored for achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouting. Timothy MichaeL Helton, Jr. (TJ), son of Nancy and Tim Helton, is an 8th grader at Leawood Middle School. TJ enjoys …

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Four Sisters Fighting For Change | The Kranz sisters hope to provide an afghani girl with an education— and a chance at a new lifeIntroducing the Art of Douglas BowlesA Sanctuary Serene: A waterfall, ponds and vibrant flowers create an oasis for Leawood coupleWriting a FutureGood Fortune, Hard Work, Family First | A conversation with Leawood’s police chiefDestination: Napa ValleyBusinesses with Good Taste | Small-Batch Food Artisans Fuel Our Economy – and Our AppetitesNecessity is the Mother of Invention | How our neighbor’s unique gifts are making a differenceTroop 10 Adds Nine Scouts to Eagle Honor Roll

Curious George Exhibit

The insatiable curiosity of Curious George–the little monkey who has captured the imagination and hearts of millions of children and grownups for 65 years–comes to life May 25 to September 8 at Crown Center. The complimentary exhibit, Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!, will introduce young children to Curious George’s world and lead visitors on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure. The exhibit will be open in the Crown Center Shops Showplace, located on Level 1 of the Crown Center Shops at 2450 Grand Boulevard.

Visitors can operate wheels to help George climb a building, sort and weigh fruits and vegetables at the produce stand, use science skills to putt a hole of mini golf, have their picture taken with the rocket from George’s space adventure, build a whirligig in the country, and much more.

The exhibit will be open to the public during Crown Center’s regular shopping hours. For more information call 816.274.8444, or visit CrownCenter.com.

WWI Museum Exclusive Battlefield Tours

Building on the success of its inaugural battlefield tour in 2012, the National World War I Museum is offering two new tours.

“From Liege to the Vosges” will take place from September 23–October 2, 2013. Participants will tour through miles of landscape stretching from the Belgian Coast to the Swiss Border known as the Western Front. This tour is intended to study the topography and campaigns between 1914-18, the evolution of tactics and terrain with a focus on the achievements and experiences of the American Expeditionary Forces. Travelers will the visit the spectacular battlefields of the Vosges Mountains, the fortress city of Liege and much more.

The second tour will take place in August 2014 visiting the battlefields of Gallipoli. This walking tour incorporates the initial landings of April 25, 1915, through to the eventual evacuation in January 1916. One of the most comprehensive tours available, participants will reach seldom-visited spots via mule tracks, dried up gullies and quiet beaches of the peninsula.

Both tours are limited in the number of participants. Visit  TheWorldWar.org/travel.

Call for Artists

Howard Alan Events announces a call to artists in the greater Kansas City area for the upcoming Downtown Art Annual…Downtown Kansas City Art Fair from May 17-19. Local artists are encouraged to apply and take part in one of Kansas City’s premier art events of the year. Applications at ArtFestival.com and Zapplication.org. Contact: info@artfestival.com or 561.746.6615.

BWW Teams Up With Boys & Girls Clubs

With a passion for sports and a commitment to giving back, Buffalo Wild Wings® recently announced it will focus its philanthropic efforts in support of youth sports in underserved communities through its Team Up for KidsTM initiative, and a new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America that is designed to bring sports into the lives of kids who need it most.

Through Buffalo Wild Wings’ support, Boys & Girls Clubs of America will create and enhance flag and tackle football and dance line programs and increase opportunities for kids to participate at Clubs across the country. The partnership also will include education and training programs for administrators and volunteer coaches for use across all team sport programs.

Buffalo Wild Wings expects to raise more than $1 million over the next two years through a variety of promotions including sauce and seasoning bottle sales as well as numerous in-store fundraising activities, with a $600,000 commitment in 2013.

SME Junior Earns Perfect SAT Score

Ada Throckmorton, a junior at Shawnee Mission East, scored a per- fect 2400 on the SAT exam. Of the 1.7 million students who take the SAT, less than a one-tenth of 1 percent achieve a perfect score.

To achieve a perfect score on the entire SAT exam, a test taker must earn a perfect 800 score in the areas of critical reading, mathematics, and writing. The SAT consists of 10 separately timed sections, which include an essay, multiple choice questions, and a mathematics section that requires a student-produced response.

Ada said to prepare for the exam, she read a lot and used the results of her PSAT to improve in weak areas. Ada said she also attributes her success to having quality teachers.

She is involved in her school’s environmental club and the debate and forensics program and hopes to pursue studies in environmental science or engineering after high school graduation.

Summer Camps at STA

It’s not too late to start planning your summer fun. Saint Thomas Aquinas High School offers many opportunities to participate in sports and non-athletic camps for boys and girls in grades K-8. It’s a great way to learn and develop skills in an enjoyable, positive Christian setting. Sports camps include baseball, football, basketball, soccer, cross country, cheer, speed and agility, volleyball (individual and team) and wrestling.

Check the Saints’ website for dates and times. They also offer several non-athletic camps that include “Act Like a Saint” designed for aspiring actors entering grades 5-8, chess for grades 3-8, as well as two cooking classes, cake decorating for grades 5-12 and Kids in the Kitchen for grades 3-8. From May 28-July 27; costs range from $30 to $85. Call Michelle, 913.319.2416, for times, dates, fees and registration information or go to: StaSaints.net/SummerCamps to register online.

Johnson County is Healthiest in Kansas

Johnson County has the healthiest residents in Kansas, according to the fourth annual County Health Rankings, released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The Rankings are available at CountyHealthRankings.org.

The County Health Rankings rate the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states. Nationally, the data revealed that unhealthy counties have more than twice the rate of premature deaths than healthy ones and childhood poverty rates are twice as high in unhealthy counties. The Rankings allow counties to see how they compare to other counties within the state based on a range of factors that influence health including high school graduation rates, obesity, smoking, and family and social support.

“It’s not just doctors or hospitals that help us be healthier–it’s the people who build roads, teach kids, pass laws and create businesses,” says Lougene Marsh, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. “Moms and dads, students, coaches, and volunteers from all walks of life create change. We all have a stake in creating a healthier community and maintaining the high quality of life we enjoy in Johnson County.”

Johnson County was ranked the second healthiest county in Kansas in 2012.

Cancer Center Opens at SMMC

Long known as a leader in surgical and inpatient cancer care, Shawnee Mission Medical Center will open an outpatient Cancer Center in mid-2013 on the hospital’s Merriam campus, conveniently located at I-35 and 75th Street. The Cancer Center will offer a full array of oncology services, including medical oncology, infusion and radiation therapies, and other integrative treatments. In addition, the Center will offer a PET/CT scanner that provides advanced imaging and treatment planning.

The new Cancer Center will complement the hospital’s current oncology offerings, which include an inpatient oncology department, surgical services and the first accredited Breast Center in Kansas City. Shawnee Mission Medical Center’s oncology program is accredited with commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer

The Cancer Center will begin offering medical oncology and infusion services in July, with the remainder of the services being offered by December.

Chef gives back to the community

Chef Aarón Sánchez, who in 2011 opened the popular Mexican eatery, Mestizo, is helping local charities and having fun for Cinco de Mayo at the restaurant. Sánchez competed at the Newhouse Shelter Inspired Celebrations event at the Sheraton Hotel Convention Center in April with other local chefs and was judged by Chef Debbie Gold and others. Later in the week he participated in the first annual Comida Culinary event to benefit the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City. Mestizo will host its annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta over several days from May 2-5. Events include a private dinner with Sánchez on May 2 and a family-friendly brunch on May 5. Disco Dick and the Mirrorballs will perform on May 4 at 7 p.m. and Viva KC will give salsa dance lessons on May 5 at 7 p.m. More information can be found at MestizoLeawood.com.

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