NORTH Magazine May/June 2016 by NORTH Magazine

N RTH THE premier magazine for Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Northland

May/June 2016

iLiveNorth

Profiles of the Northland

Charity Spotlight St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fundraiser

Denise Chevalier Editorial Illustrator

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IN THIS ISSUE

6 THE premier magazine for Kansas City’s Northland

MAY/JUNE 2016 Volume 5, Number 1

Allen E. Dillingham

President and Publisher Allen@@KC.TODAY

Richard Ward

Jane Quigley

Contributors

Jeff Gulley

Business Advisor 816-979-1112 Richard@KC.TODAY

Cathy Kline Tiffany Killoren Jim Sparks, DVM

38 Inside

6 14

COVER STORY

NKC High School Renovations ILIVENORTH

About the people who live North

PARKS

CHARITY

Platte County Parks Ranked 1 St. Luke’s Fundraiser

Sections 12 | VETS 14 | iLiveNorth

Account executive 816-979-1111 Jane@KC.TODAY

Design director 816-979-1111 design@KC.TODAY

On the cover: Architecture firm BNIM’s conceptual drawings of the redesigned North Kansas City High School campus. Incoming Superintendent Dan Clemens, School Board President Terry Ward and Interim Superintendent Paul Kinder describe the changes planned.

NORTH Magazine is a publication of Dillingham Communications, Inc. distributed to residents and businesses throughout Clay and Platte counties in Kansas City’s Northland. COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Dillingham Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

NORTH Magazine is published monthly in Kansas City, Mo. (ISSN 2375-5199). Subscriptions for local residents are $30.00 a year. Printed monthly by RR Donnelly in Liberty, MO. NORTH Magazine and Dillingham Communications, Inc., assume no liability for compensation or return of any submitted or unsolicited content in any form, including stories, photos, videos, digital images or artwork. All such materials become the sole property of Dillingham Communications, Inc., and may be used without limit in any discretionary manner. Articles are published for general information purposes only and are not an offer or solicitation to sell or buy any securities or commodities. Investments should be analyzed on terms and risks as they relate to individual circumstances and objectives. Articles contained in the magazine do not constitute tax or legal advice. Readers should seek professional tax or legal advice before making tax or investment decisions. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NORTH Magazine or Dillingham Communications, Inc. Neither the magazine nor the company assumes responsibility for statements or claims made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in NORTH Magazine is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. NORTH Magazine and Dillingham Communications, Inc., shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information nor interpretations, nor any liability for claimed copyright or trademark infringement. The Publisher reserves the right to edit any and all submissions before publication. All inquiries and requests should be emailed to info@KC.TODAY to the attention of NORTH Magazine. Reproduction or use of any contents in this publication, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the express, prior written permission of the publisher.

NORTH COVER STORY

Renovation set for Aug. 2nd public vote North Kansas City School District will have the financial ability to provide a wide range of upgrades and improvements to the school’s physical plant if voters approve the issuance of $114 million in new bonds in an August 2nd election. District officials emphasize there is no tax increase associated with the bond issue. In a public meeting, Board of Education President Terry Ward emphasized that the funding is necessary to provide for ever-increasing student enrollment numbers and to prepare North Kansas City High School for the next century. He emphasized that approval of the bond issue will not mean a tax increase for property owners, but would allow NKC Schools to resolve current overcrowding and provide much needed renovations. North Kansas City Schools has a long tradition of excellence in the Northland. Established in 1913, NKC Schools has grown from two students in its first graduating class to serving nearly 20,000 students. What began in a one room school house is now a system of 21 elementary schools, five middle schools and four high schools. In 2014, patrons of NKC Schools voted to approve desperately needed upgrades and repairs to facilities district-wide. The district proved its fiscal responsibility, delivering “progress-as-promised” by improving safety and security measures and converting as much space as possible into classrooms at nearly every school. The intent was to create enough classroom space to accommodate projected growth for another three years. As the Northland continued to grow and attract new businesses, housing developments and families also continue to move into NKC Schools. Middle school sites currently exceed capacity, as do many elementary schools. Demographers warn that unless something is done, significant redistricting or 6 | NORTH MAGAZINE | may/june 2016

the addition of modular units will soon be required. In addition to capacity issues, the district is also considering another area of great need -- North Kansas City High School. Northtown celebrated its 90th anniversary this year and the iconic building needs modernization to bring it to 21st century learning standards. “In 1979, I began selling real estate in the Northland. It is so important that school bond issues pass, because people like to buy homes in areas where the community supports its schools. I have seen this time and time again,” said Bette Henderson, a longtime local Realtor and NKC High School graduate. NKC Schools’ plan is straightforward: • Two new elementary schools will be built to manage student growth north of State Highway 152. • The district will work on middle school capacity issues while also addressing the 6th grade structure. In many instances, 6th graders are not emotionally nor socially ready to enter the middle school environment. This concept is somewhat anecdotal but test data supports the same concept. To better bridge elementary and middle school transitions, NKC Schools plans to create two sixth grade centers, where students could develop responsibly, supervised by seven teachers, as opposed to one, with more learning time devoted to literacy across all the cirruculum. Two existing buildings – Northview Elementary in the north and Eastgate Middle in the south – will be reconfigured to accomplish this goal. A terrific by-product of this change will be straight feeder patterns from elementary, to middle, to high school – something the District has lacked for many years. “Getting kids coming in from four different elementary schools and starting to form a unified body of vocal musicians

NKC Schools Continued Page 8

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a part of North Kansas City Hospital ILIVENORTH.COM

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

NORTH COVER STORY C o n t i n u e d f r o m Pa g e 6

is pretty challenging. I’ve always felt like right when I have them where I want them vocally, it’s the end of eighth grade and they get split up going to different high schools. That core group of singers will never make music together again,” explained Regina Kellogg, NKC Schools district vocal music coordinator. Staff members and parents believe this change in class feeder patterns could improve student achievement, create a greater sense of community, build culture, and strengthen relationships throughout the system. The 90-year-old North Kansas City High School can no longer accommodate all students’ needs. Due to high enrollment and limited space, numerous classes are forced to meet at a local church in small rooms, not originally designed for student learning. The school lacks a commons space for students to gather and only three of the seven floors are currently handicap accessible – including the library. Current facility constraints cause many programs to suffer due to cramped space. “It is very cramped here in our band room. Rarely do we have the opportunity to meet as a full band,” said Jeremy

Architecture firm BNIM’s conceptual drawings of the redesigned North Kansas City High School campus. Incoming Superintendent Dan Clemens, School Board President Terry Ward and Interim Superintendent Paul Kinder describe the changes planned.

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NORTH COVER STORY Enlow, NKC High School band student. In recent years, NKC Schools has made efforts to create greater equity amongst facilities at its four high schools. Renovations have occurred at Winnetonka and Oak Park. These have included painting and carpeting, remodeled cafeterias, food rooms, tennis courts, football fields, little theaters, etc. Work will continue at these locations, and as needed at Staley High School. The District is now declaring it’s definitely Northtown’s turn. “I have just finished my 19th year of teaching at North Kansas City High School,” commented Randy Jackson, high school theater teacher. “Pretty much what we started with is what we have now.” “Northtown has been a longtime cornerstone of the District. To be able to create a facility comparable to other high schools in the district involves major cost. It is so nice the district is willing to do this and create a great space for the community and kids. I think it’s about time,” Jackson added. The $114 million bond issue will also allow multiple sites, district-wide, to receive roofing, asphalt, and continued improvement in safety and security measures. “I am very proud of our schools. I know from my neighborhood work that without healthy schools, you do not have vibrant neighborhoods. They are absolutely linked,” said Deb Hermann, CEO of Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. Approval of the no-tax-increase $114 million bond issue on August 2 would allow doors to open in all new facilities for the 2018-19 school year. Total renovations at North Kansas City High School lasting into spring of 2019. Incoming Superintendent Dr. Dan Clemens observed that “The future of NKC Schools is bright! We’re performing at an all-time high, receiving a 97.9% on our state report card – an “A” in anyone’s book. The district’s graduation rate is also at an all-time high and more students are successfully enter-

ing post-secondary experiences than ever before. We welcome growth in our high-performing District and so greatly appreciate the partnership we enjoy with our families and communities. Our

best years are ahead of us and I am so honored to work with our Board of Education and community as we lead the District forward.

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CARING FOR YOUR PET

Help Pets Beat Mother Nature

The summer is upon us and we have the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy activities with our pets. In the Northland we are blessed with a number of pet friendly outdoor trails, parks and lakes. The bonding and exercise is beneficial to the heart, mind and soul. But like any excursion, a little planning and preparation is needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing. In the Midwest we have an abundance of parasites and bugs that haunt our outdoors. Most of which we can prevent from causing trouble with appropriate preventative. Fleas and ticks are no match for modern medications, and we have good options that are administered topically and now orally. My preference is in the newer oral medication NexGuard. It comes in a chewable treat form and is given once a month. This oral formulation is great for active dogs that enjoy playing in the water as it cannot be washed off. It has a stellar safety record and yields dependable results. Let’s not forget to give the mosquitoes their due respect. Mosquitoes carry deadly heartworms which too can be easily prevented with a monthly medication. (Dogs and cats are NOT affected by the Zika virus in the news) And of course current vaccinations are a must in areas of higher traffic. 10 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A Y/J U N E 2 0 1 6

Don’t forget about the heat! Our dogs and cats do not perspire on their skin as we do so they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and stroke. Make sure to take clean drinking water with you and offer it frequently. Do not allow your pet to drink from puddles, lakes etc. as this is a recipe for trouble. Our fur babies with fair skin on their noses and around the eyes are susceptible to sunburn as well, so don’t be afraid to apply sun screen labeled for children. Enjoy Mother Nature’s offerings, but please be safe……See ya at the park. Jim Sparks, DVM, is a lifelong Northlander working at Eagle Animal Hospital, Inc. Other than an externship in Alaska, Dr. Sparks has always practiced at Eagle. In 1995, he became the third owner of the now 67-year-old practice. Dr. Sparks and Eagle Animal Hospital have received multiple awards including multiple “Best in the Northland” and the “Pro Patria Award,” which is the highest honor given to civilian employers by the United States Department of Defense. Eagle Animal Hospital was also recently recognized as one of the “KC Smart Companies to Watch.”

EAGLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL: 816-741-2345 • eagleanimalhospital.com

NORTH Magazine selected as a “We Honor VETS” partner “We Honor VETS” is launching in July in the Kansas City Northland in cooperation with Dillingham Communications and NORTH Magazine. The program allows local businesses and groups to visibly display their support of our nation’s military veterans. A VETS spokesman explained, “We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of our founding in 1991, by adding new programs to support veterans. We are excited to launch some of these expanded efforts in the Kansas City area.” “The original VETS mission was to facilitate reunions and reconnect veterans with their buddies. We will continue our reunion programs but our new emphasis will be on the contribution veterans continue to make to their communities after they leave active duty. The new VETS motto says it best: “We served our Nation with Honor and now serve our Communities with Pride.” The new VETS programs will soon deploy to selected media partners in communities across the nation. “One of our newest programs is the “We Honor VETS” affinity rewards program for veterans. We cooperate with community media companies to bring the program to their areas. Veterans enroll at VETS.ORG to participate and there is no enrollment fee.” Sponsors who agree to help honor veterans also receive a variety of advertising, directory and promotional recognition on VETS.ORG and with participating media companies. The History of VETS VETS began as Veterans Electronic Telecommunications Services in the 1990s. Three veteran co-founders first met in the San Francisco area while collaborating in early tech startups

Softguard Systems and SmallFrame Systems. Richard Ward, Peter Lamasney and Jeffrey Loker originally had offices based in Columbia, MO, co-located with GeoTel Corporation, where Ward was CEO and a co-founder of the interactive telecom technology provider. The concept for VETS began when Ward began searching for buddies who had served with him in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. He initiated a dialogue with the American Legion magazine’s assistant magazine editor Ray Mahon and publisher Dan Wheeler to discuss how to improve the Legion’s outfit reunion information. The three men quickly discovered they were all former Navy journalists and developed a close working relationship. Before the reunion information discussions gained much traction, the nation’s attention was grabbed by the military operations known as Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In Indianapolis, Columbia and San Francisco, a new collaborative discussion focused on how the Legion, GeoTel and Softguard could partner to help serve the families of the thousands of men and women being called to active duty. A workable solution was quickly created. GeoTel and Softguard agreed to donate technology and a toll-free number and

the Legion would provide a national network of service officers, local posts and over 3 million members, plus promotion and administrative support. The result was the American Legion’s Family Support Network. President George H. W. Bush, accompanied by Legion leaders, made the first call from the White House to launch the system. Over 30,000 completed requests for assistance were successfully handled during the conflict and the program was recognized nationally with several awards for public service. The success of the Family Support Network encouraged the Legion and GeoTel to rapidly complete their joint project to bring timely reunion information to veterans. In addition to expanding services in the Legion’s magazine, National Adjutant Robert Spanogle approved the develop-

ment of a pay-per-call service to provide reunion information via the telephone. GeoTel had acquired Softguard technical assets and with the program name now shortened to the acronym VETS, pushed ahead to develop new information services for veterans. Outfit reunion information expanded from the Legion magazine to include the official magazine of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, led by publisher Rich Kolb. In the process of helping veterans connect with their former outfits, VETS received numerous requests to help veterans find specific individuals. A buddy locator service called Finders-Seekers was rapidly created. Eppie Lederer, better known to millions of readers as Ann Landers, was also receiving thousands of requests to help find military buddies. She promoted the

VETS service in her syndicated column and the program immediately gained national attention. Lander’s staffers Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell provided the editorial and administrative support. They currently co-author the syndicated advice column “Annie’s Mailbox.” Disaster came to VETS in 1998 when all three founders were diagnosed with cancer. Activities were suspended while each man battled for survival. Ward was fortunate; he survives to continue the VETS legacy into a second quarter-century of public service. In the VETS future are a resumption of reunion information and planning plus a variety of information services and products about medical benefits, real estate and homeownership opportunities, education support and financial security.

NORTH ILIVENORTH

Northland Personal Stories To Be Presented In “iLiveNorth” Feature Many amazing people live in the Northland. NORTH Magazine was founded to inform our community about all the positive aspects of living here. As the magazine division of Dillingham Communications, our primary mission is to inform our readers about all the aspects of Northland life that make this a special place to live. Our goals include informing and promoting the people, civic groups, business, and the special activities of the Northland. We have abundant activities to experience and places to explore. This month we begin to expand those goals to focus on the individuals who enjoy the Northland lifestyle. We’ll use a special domain, iLiveNorth.com to tell the interesting and often incredible stories about our people. The “I Live North” domain name evokes a warm feeling of pride in our community and designates our Northland as a specific place to live, work, shop, learn and play. We think you’ll enjoy knowing more about area business owners, volunteers for nonprofit groups and community lead-

MAYOR KATHY ROSE Kathy Rose keeps active as the Mayor of Riverside, Mo. Public service is part of her DNA. As proof, Kathy gave up a 25-year job to run in 2006 for the Mayor’s office her mother, Betty Burch, had held since 1988 until she suffered a stroke. Kathy has been re-elected continuously since that time. The Mayor is a true booster of all things North. “The quality of life we all enjoy in the Northland, particularly in the City of Riverside, is what keeps families here for generations and welcomes new residents with open arms!”

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ers. Each will discuss their efforts to continue to improve the Northland lifestyle for current residents and future generations. Northlanders are proud to call this area home. They have varied reasons why they live here. Some have been here a lifetime, even generations, others are new arrivals. And our population keeps growing! In future editions, we will feature Northland residents and present their views about the place we call home. We’ll learn why they moved here and ask their views about the quality of life they enjoy. Our hope is that you will enjoy seeing pictures and reading the stories of your friends, neighbors and colleagues. If you are a proud Northlander and a person with an interesting story to tell (or know someone who is) please share a brief summary and contact information with us by email to northlanders@ ilivenorth.com KATHIE QUINN

Kathie Quinn arrived in the Kansas City area 39 years ago from Houston, Texas. The move was for husband Joe, a veteran Air Force pilot, to open a new route for Braniff Airlines in Kansas City. The eventual move to the Northland was preceded by a brief stay in Johnson County, Kansas. Kathie’s career as a software engineer at DST was a great opportunity to meet and make new friends. The family is now comfortably residing in the Northland with their two daughters and families nearby in Liberty and Smithville. “We particularly like the recreation opportunities here,” explained Kathie, “and spend a lot of the summer boating on Smithville lake with our children and grandchildren.”

NORTH ILIVENORTH MARY JORDAN Mary is an Assistant Principal at Eastlake Middle School in the North Kansas City School District. She has been in education for 30 years and continues to enjoy the challenges and benefits of helping children learn. What she enjoys about living in the Northland is the “sense of humanity” that results from connections to people of all types and the sense of belonging that comes from that community feeling.

JESSICA LINDSEY Jessica Lindsey is one of those familiar faces that greets many Northlanders each day in her role as Customer Service person at the Parkville office of the Missouri Motor Vehicle licensing agency. She moved to the Northland in 2015 for “a change and a new adventure.” As a graduate of Grandview High School in the southern part of the KC Metro, Jessica spent a lot of time learning about computers. She lives in the Falcon Falls area and enjoys meeting and visiting with her neighbors and friends. “The Northland is a great place for young adults. There are a lot of activities and the highway system lets me easily get to other areas when I want to go there.”

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NORTH ILIVENORTH DON AMENTROUT Don Armentrout owns and operates the multi-chair Barbers Plus of Platte Woods. He’s one of the traditional barbers who finishes his tonsorial efforts with a hot lather shave of his customer’s neck and a trim of random guy-follicles like brows and ears. Armentrout is originally from Salisbury, Missouri and discovered the Northland when stationed at Ft. Leavenworth during his Army days. His future bride was working in Kansas City and furlough trips to see her took him down Highway 9, before there was an I-29. The countryside reminded him of his hometown and he liked the country feeling so near to the city. The couple settled permanently in the Northland when Don left the Army. Known as much for his golfing and sports interests, Don says that he still enjoys being close to all the activities of the city with the great community feeling he gets from “Living North.” RICHARD CULL Richard “Dick” Cull has been getting his hair cut by Don for more years than either would admit. Cull has been a resident of the Northland since arriving here in 1959. “It’s a great place to live!” He says the Northland has obviously changed through the years, but the friendly spirit of

cooperation of the people has remained constant. A resident of Lake Waukomis, Cull has served as mayor of the community and continues to be active in many civic endeavors. He is founder of Diamond Manufacturing in North Kanas City and sister companies H-O-T Fire & Safety and KC Plastic.

We’re full of it.

Authentic KC food and drink, that is.

Our menu features steaks, chops and seafood designed with a creative flair by our Executive Chef. All can be perfectly complemented with a hand-crafted cocktail or wine selection. Enjoy an unmistakably authentic Kansas City experience. Only at Providence New America Kitchen, in the Hilton President hotel. For reservations, call (816) 303-1686 or go online at providence-kc.com. Complimentary Valet Parking for our Providence guests

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4/12/16 12:36 PM

NORTH NEWS & NOTES

Riverside Facility Celebrates National Nursing Home Week National Nursing Home Week was celebrated in early May at Riverside Nursing & Rehabilitation at 4700 Cliffview Drive, Riverside. Kathy Rose, Mayor of Riverside, read a proclamation congratulating the staff and residents on their weeklong activities celebrating the event.

A celebratory balloon release by residents concluded the recognition ceremony.

Carlton Beatty, Interim Executive Director, introduced key staff and recognized the support services rendered to the facility by public safety officers of the City of Riverside police and fire departments.

GET BACK IN THE SWING!

Physical therapy can help you get back in the game! Northland Physical Therapy has the most established physical therapy clinics in Kansas City with the only on-site aquatics program north of the river.

www.northlandpt.com

Chosen as one of 2011â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25 under 25ÂŽ Best Small Companies in Kansas City

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NORTH REAL ESTATE These reports are provided by the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors® (KCRAR.COM) as a public service. Comparisons of residential real estate activity in Clay and Platte counties are shown in year-to-year comparisons for April 2015 and 2016, the latest month for which data has been compiled. The Northland is one of the fastest growing areas of the Kansas City metropolitan area. New home construction is underway as large areas of land are developed. This growth also expands the marketplace for existing housing, an ideal bell-weather for job creation and economic growth.

Local Market Update for April 2016 A Research Tool Provided by the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS®

Clay, MO April

Year to Date

Key Metrics

2015

2016

Percent Change

Thru 4-2015

Thru 4-2016

Percent Change

Closed Sales

430

473

+ 10.0%

1,267

1,352

+ 6.7%

Average Sales Price*

$177,934

$192,150

+ 8.0%

$171,231

$188,744

+ 10.2%

Median Sales Price*

$163,100

$179,900

+ 10.3%

$152,000

$170,000

+ 11.8% - 10.6%

Days on Market Until Sale Percentage of Original List Price Received*

- 11.8%

96.9%

97.7%

+ 0.8%

95.4%

96.7%

+ 1.4%

549

614

+ 11.8%

1,742

1,945

+ 11.7%

817

- 36.7%

2.1

- 43.2%

Pending Sales

1,290 Inventory Market Update for April 2016 Local

ASupply Research Tool Provided by the Kansas City Regional Association of3.7 REALTORS®

* Does not account for sale concessions and/or downpayment assistance. | Percent changes are calculated using rounded figures and can sometimes look extreme due to small sample size.

April Platte, MO

2015

473

430

1,290 817

April Key Metrics

2015

Closed Sales Average Sales Price*

+ 10.0%

Median Sales Price*

160

167

$229,133 + 8.0% $190,000

$258,165 $228,950

Thru 4-2015

+ 4.4% + 12.7% - 36.7% + 20.5%

Inventory

483 $229,544 $194,725

Percent Change

510

+ 5.6%

$251,119 + 9.4% - 43.2% $215,000 + 10.4%

Supply - 20.2%

98.4%

+ 2.8%

94.9%

96.8%

205 232 Rolling 12-Month Calculation

+ 13.2%

699

740

Inventory Supply $210,000

2.1

Thru 4-2016

95.7%

Percent Change

Year to Date

- 22.2%

Percentage of Original List Price Received*

Historical Pending SalesAverage Sales Price

2016

Avg. Sales Price 81

Closed Sales Days on Market Until Sale

3.7

$192,150

$177,934

2016

512

428

- 16.4%

3.8

2.8

- 26.3%

+ 2.0% + 5.9% All HMLS — -Clay, MO — --

* Does not account for sale concessions and/or downpayment assistance. | Percent changes are calculated using rounded figures and can sometimes look extreme due to small sample size.

$200,000

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April

$190,000

2015

2016

NUTRITION: HEALTHY SUMMER

Put Summer In Your Diet By Sarah Laidlaw Summer has arrived, leaving many of us wondering what happened to our New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier. It is not too late! Now is the perfect time to reconsider your diet — so out with the calorie laden winter comfort food (not to mention all that holiday fare) and in with summertime fruits and veggies. Before delving into the healthier food choices one thing you may want to think about is seasonal allergies. Do you suffer from watery eyes, congestion or a runny nose then trees and grasses are in full bloom? If so, you may be suffering from oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Generally not related to gluten or dairy intake or a less than clean house, OAS happens when you come in contact with pollen such as birch, grass or ragweed. If you are allergic to members of the daisy family, you may suffer at other times of year as well, when exposed to foods in their family. What to do? First of all, make sure that your immune system is not run down since allergies are an response of your immune system to irritants from the environment. Including foods that fight inflammation such as salmon and other omega-3 rich fish, broccoli, citrus fruits, colorful berries, mushrooms, and yogurt will help boost your immune system and keep even allergies at bay. If you still have reactions, then consider avoiding the foods that trigger the response, or if you really enjoy the offending food, then consider cooking or peeling it. Foods your body may think are pollen and trigger an allergic response: • Birch Pollen Allergy – watch out for Almonds, apples, carrots, celery, cherries, coriander, fennel, hazelnuts, kiwis, peaches, parsley, pears and plums. • Grass pollen allergy – watch out for celery, melons, oranges, peaches, and tomatoes • Ragweed allergy – watch out for bananas, chamomile, cucumbers, dandelion greens, Echinacea, melons, tomatoes, sunflower seeds and zucchini. Now you are ready to tackle the produce aisle or farmer’s market – but what to choose? The obvious are foods that provide the most “bang-for-their

buck” — colorful fruits and vegetables with immune enhancing and health promoting properties. But not so quick! Even seasonal produce can have its drawbacks and we want to choose wisely. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) identified foods in 2015 that, based on pesticide tests performed on produce and collected by federal agencies from nine years prior, had the least amount of chemical and pesticide residue, were the safest to consume. They developed the “Clean 15” or foods with the lowest pesticide residue and safest commercial produce to buy. These include: • Avocados • Sweet corn • Pineapples • Cabbage • Sweet peas (frozen) • Onions • Asparagus • Mangoes • Papayas • Kiwi • Eggplant • Grapefruit • Cantaloupe (domestic) • Cauliflower • Sweet potatoe Then, there is the “Dirty Dozen – Plus” – those that are most important to buy organically, or if you are lucky enough, to grow yourself. Many farmers’ markets now offer organic produce or produce produced without pesticides or artificial chemicals. This group

includes: • Apples • Peaches • Nectarines • Strawberries • Grapes • Celery • Spinach • Sweet Bell Peppers • Cucumbers • Cherry Tomatoes • Snap Peas (Imported) • Potatoes • Hot Peppers • Kale • Collard Greens One caveat is, if you cannot always purchase organic, it is still healthier to eat small amounts of the foods, well washed or peeled, because of their overall health promoting benefits. So occasional conventional strawberries or bell peppers may be OK, but a steady diet of them, along with numerous other “Dirty Dozen” items may not. Here’s to a healthy and allergy free summer! ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Harding Laidlaw, MS, RDN, CDE, practices integrative and functional nutrition in Western Colorado. She is editor of The Integrative RDN, the newsletter of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics practice group Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine. She is author of numerous articles on nutrition and sports nutrition, as well as consumer and college level publications.

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NORTH BUSINESS

iWerx Brings Gigabit Speed and Incubator Office space to NKC iWerx principal John Miller (at left), and Jim Hampton (at right), Executive Director of the Clay County EDC, share a moment while welcoming guests. Providing co-working counsel on the project is Innovation Café’s Dave Teeman (center), who owns and manages a coworking space in Kansas City, MO. North Kansas City – (NewzAdz) A North Kansas City business incubator is developing space for startups and multi-generational business in a 29,000 square foot building at 1501 Burlington, North Kansas City. Built in 1929, the building was a regional headquarters for Kroger Grocers and included a large refrigeration unit, loading docks, and storage for non-perishable goods. Today it is home to multiple business tenants, Stor-Safe Warehouse corporate offices, and self-storage units. “We couldn’t be more excited…not just to be launching an adventurous new undertaking, but to create something that can have a positive and lasting impact on our city, our region and two states’ economies,” says John Miller, iWerx managing partner. The building has begun a significant renovation, maintaining the original structure’s architectural integrity while re-using many of its original materials. The renovation includes 25,000 square feet of co-working and office space with an additional 4,000-square-foot event pavilion. Kathy Warman, Warman Architecture-Design is the lead designer on the project. Several local and state public agencies are supporting the project. iWerx is partnering locally with EnCorps45

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to manage iWerx’s day-to-day operations, including programming, curriculum and development. “This is an incredible opportunity to nurture co-generational entrepreneurs, in an array of industries, but certainly with an emphasis on technology and innovation,” says Robert L. Curland, EnCorps45 executive director. EnCorps45 is a community organization that engages encore entrepreneurs and those companies who similarly support businesses owned and operated by Baby Boomers. iWerx is also partnering with LiNKCity, a North Kansas City-based internet service provider. The site will offer up to 10 gigabit connectivity, including point-to-point connectivity with the City. Access to data transfer will be some of the fastest in the nation. Providing co-working counsel on the project is Innovation Café’s Dave Teeman, who owns and manages a co-working space in Kansas City, Mo. Teeman explained, “The breadth, enthusiasm and experience of this team represents a powerful catalyst for what we believe will take business incubation into a new generation.” Innovation Café provides access to professional infrastructure: workspace, internet and utilities, conference rooms, and business services. A member-based co-working space, Innovation Cafe gives its members a professional place to conduct business. Stor-Safe is a family owned and operated property management company with more than one million square feet of storage and warehousing space in the Kansas City metropolitan market. For more information: 816.588.9130; info@iwerx.org or www.iwerx.com

NORTH BUSINESS

Sandi Schmude Sells Northland Homes With Skill, Knowledge & Personal Service

North Kansas City – (NewzAdz) OK, so pronouncing her surname can be a bit of a challenge at first, but those who have placed their trust in Sandi Schmude (pronounce it “Schmoody”) will never forget to say her name or the professional way she helped them with their real estate needs. Sandi’s clients are glad to share their experiences: Doug Milner is a veteran auto sales manager who lives in the Northland and works in KCK. He knows how the buying process is supposed to work: good salesmanship starts with listening. Doug purchased a condo in early June. “I had looked with another agent and wasted two weeks looking at property I didn’t want. Sandi listened and showed me exactly what I wanted and we signed a contract the first day. She knows the market and saved me a lot of time and effort.” One of the key attributes in a real estate professional is their knowledge of the community they serve. Sandi has an impressive extensive list of experiences as a community leader. She was elected to three terms as a member of the Board of Education for the North Kansas City School District and served seven years as a Girl Scout leader. Most recently, Sandi headed the Kansas City Symphony Guild where she led record-breaking funding efforts. An active Rotarian, Sandi has been president of the Parkville Rotary, is a Paul Harris Fellow and has traveled extensively, including to foreign countries, in support of Rotary activities. Sandi is among the top Realtor designation and award recipients state-wide. Many people know at least five people who have real estate licenses and would welcome their business. However, when it’s time to pick a qualified agent, the first criteria should not

be friendship, but professionalism. Many of Sandi’s clients say the process was reversed for them. They didn’t know Sandi, because they were referred to her by those who had engaged her professional services. After working with her, they then became friends. “It’s been over a year since I bought (and sold) a home with Sandi,” says Gary Birch. “We found the new home we wanted and Sandi sold our home in Liberty in 3 days. She still checks on us and is always available for advice. When I see a small flag in our yard on a holiday, I know Sandi is the one that put it there. I’ll be a loyal customer for a lifetime.” Sandi’s knowledge of the current real estate market is impressive. “Right now, we need good properties to meet the high demand for buyers,” she reports. “The Northland is growing because we have a high quality of life, great schools and interest rates are still low. It’s a time for sellers to get top dollar for their homes. Contact Sandi to discuss your current or future real estate needs. Call or text her cell (816-729-5500), email sandi@homeinkc.com or visit her website at www.homeinkc.com. Sandi Schmude is definitely a name to remember when the topic is real estate.

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NORTH PLATTE COUNTY PARKS

Platte County Provides Best Quality of Life in Missouri Robert Wood Johnson Foundation cites access to exercise opportunities and healthy environment as key factors

Platte County Parks & Recreation efforts include restoration of the Dorothy Day Log Cabin, built in 1850 and acquired in 2002. In the accompanying photos Department Director Brian Nowotny conducts a progress tour to County Commissioner Beverlee Roper and Park Board member Neal Davidson. Neil Rogers oversees the restoration work.

Platte County ranked #1 out of 115 counties in Missouri for quality of life in a new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Platte ranked second highest for health factors. The 2016 County Health Rankings compares differences on a broad range of indicators that affect quality of life and health among almost every county throughout the US. Platte County’s top ranking reflects residents’ high priority on health as evidenced by their support for parks, schools, roads, alternate transportation, and safe neighborhoods where they live and work. Over the past fifteen years Platte County implemented a comprehensive Parks System Master Plan to create six new parks, over thirty miles of trails, programming at all locations to engage the widest community participation, and two indoor community centers operated through a unique partnership with the YMCA. “As a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to healthy 22 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A Y/J U N E 2 0 1 6

living, the Y is grateful to partner with Platte County to operate our two community centers and provide a variety of programs that help improve quality of life for residents of all ages,” said David Byrd, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. Platte County residents support the YMCA’s with a membership density that surpasses any others in the Kansas City area. “From chronic disease prevention and management to social activities, our programs impact quality of life not only by improving physical health, but also enriching the quality of mental and social well-being.” Platte County also supports an informal and friendly economic environment that results in safe neighborhoods and healthy business sectors - retail, office, and industrial - including the Kansas City Midcontinent International Airport. Public investment in a reliable transportation network contributes directly to private investment that results in resident happiness. “Platte County’s unique quality of life provides the perfect

NORTH PLATTE COUNTY PARKS complement to excellent business opportunities,” noted Alicia Stephens, Executive Director of the Platte County Economic Development Council. “It’s all about choices – the choice of a competitive location for business AND a choice place that provides a unique work-life balance. Platte County’s quality of life ranking equates to accessibility, amenities, education, safety and most important - working together toward the common goal of making Platte County a premier location.” The County Health Rankings, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI), compares counties within each state on more than 30 factors impacting health such as education, jobs, housing, exercise, commuting times, and more. Over the past seven years the Rankings, available at www.countyhealthrankings.org, have become an important tool for local communities working to build a culture of health. About Platte County Parks and Recreation With a commitment to improve the quality of life for all citizens, Platte County has made significant improvements in the area of parks and recreation over the past fifteen years. In 2000 the County owned only one 18-acre park for its residents. Since then, by collaborating with every city, school district, and numerous nonprofit organizations, the County has been able to leverage its resources to provide a wide variety of parks and amenities while avoiding duplication of services. More information on the County’s long-range park master plan is available at www.platteparks.com. About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are working with others to build a national Culture of Health enabling everyone in America to live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www. rwjf.org/facebook.

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A BIT FARTHER NORTH

St. Joseph Sculpture Walk In downtown St. Joseph As the latest installation of pieces in St. Joseph’s Sculpture Walk went up throughout downtown during the first part of June, the local buzz was already generating. “The same day I witnessed two people admiring the new sculpture in front of the Allied Arts Council building, another couple came into the office to get a brochure on the new walk schedule,” said Teresa Fankhauser, Executive Director of Allied Arts Council. The Sculpture Walk is a program of the Allied Arts Council that introduces contemporary outdoor public art and sculptures to our community. The Walk is a year-long exhibit of national, juried, outdoor sculptures displayed in Downtown St. Joseph and includes an eclectic mix of 17 sculptures from artists nationwide. This year the sculptures truly come from all over

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www.StJoMo.com

the United States – from as far away as Brooklyn, NY; Santa Fe, NM; and the State of Georgia. Some pieces come from much nearer to home: Kansas City and Nebraska. Some of the early favorites bring whimsy and nostalgia to our fair streets. Inspired by stories of wild pigs getting huge, artist Dale Lewis brings us “Hogzilla,” a steel armature piece covered in salvaged stainless steel. Likewise, “Cow and Calf” by artist James Burnes, combines the natural elements of the earth with the ingenuity of manmade steel. Burnes hopes to “explore how one informs the other and how together they create new understanding, reminding us of our earthbound roots.” Standing sentinel over the Allied Arts Council office is “Icicle” by artist Joan Benefiel, built to capture appears to be carved directly from it. Benefiel says she

A BIT FARTHER NORTH is “inspired by the spark of magic that occurs when the expressive power of the human form meets (my) favorite medium.” She sculpts her figures first in clay, plaster and wax before casting them in the most technically advanced luminous resin, resulting in breathtaking incandescent forms. Several bronze forms are also present this year, such as “William’s Secret Garden” by Pokey Park. Park used her youngest son as inspiration, immortalizing him and the rabbit he brought home from school in her piece. Human form sculptures are always popular, perhaps because it’s easy for the audience to imagine themselves in the piece. How can you be involved? Help determine the People’s Choice Award by picking up a Sculpture Walk brochure from various downtown businesses and voting for your favorite. Voting is open from now until January 2017. If you fall in love with one of the sculptures, it can be yours! All sculptures currently on display are on loan to the Allied Arts Council for a year, but are all for sale! Many of the smaller pieces are perfect for your home or office space, and the larger pieces are great for gardens, office parks or retail spaces. The sculptures come from all over the country and add creativity and sophistication to any property whether a home or business. For a full list of sculptors and a map for the Sculpture Walk, please visit www.stjoearts.org.

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NORTH ARTS

Denise Chevalier, Editorial Illustrator, Master Naturalist

Denise Chevalier is a recognized artist who created a successful line of cards for Hallmark. To say she is creative is an understatement. When she retired she did not stop. For the last twenty-five years she and her husband Kirk have lived in the Bluffs of Parkville. Together, they built their home and enjoy filling it with art. They also collected Rex and Lady, two West Highland white Terriers. As Denise explains, “Throughout my career, I’ve primarily created illustrations to enhance the emotion of the written message. As an editorial illustrator, my goal is to communicate through my unique visual voice – add depth to meaning and speak to the heart through pictures.” Although Denise is not limited to watercolor, she certainly has her way with

that medium. Samples of her wood carvings, pastels, oils, Foix Bois, fine furniture and musical interests make up their creative home. Her replica Stickly chair and ottoman in the living room invite you to stay awhile but the temptation to tour the house will not allow it. Welding, landscaping, sculpting, building are all verbs Denise uses and the term “I can’t” is definitely not in her vocabulary. The maple composite cabinet in the kitchen was supposed to be a tool cabinet but when Denise and Kirk decided to update the kitchen, the idea of a spice cabinet worked. Two antique mallets with different lengths were recruited as handles. The powder room is lined with a collection of folk art by J. Borges and Howard Finster who Denise met in Georgia.

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Around the corner is a little music room with antique accordion and a mandolin on the piano. Another musical instrument is welded above the window, as if a curtain rod waits to be played. Resting on the back of the Steinway sits one of Denise’s Automata, a carved wooden box with moving parts. As you turn the box’s crank, a fox rotates, aiming a mallet for the squirrels who pop up to tease him. Upstairs in the master bedroom, the irregular bur oak limbs used as posts for the bed were slow-dried in the basement for three years then enclosed in plywood boxes to make the joinery square.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cathy Kline’s murals can be seen at the Parkville Athletic Complex, Piropos, Zona Rosa, The Peach Tree and Burlington Creek’s Watercolors High Fashion. Cathy Kline Art Gallery 8701 N. River Park Dr. Parkville, MO 64152 913-449-4460 www.cathyklineart.com

NORTH ARTS

A master naturalist, Denise raised 25 Polyrhemus moths from caterpillars. As they emerged from cocoons, she fed them oak leaves and built them a home of an ornate bird-cage-looking edifice. She welded the cage from scratch, not by repurposing a former bird cage. Her studio, a well lighted downstairs room with large window, invites a back yard view. Her landscaping ability is a whole other story. Her drafting table is surrounded by shelves filled with inspirational childhood clues like a toy playhouse. Watercolors are ready and waiting. Another table for layout and design is close by. A comfortable sofa rests beneath the window for contemplation. Planting tables flank the wintering plant-lined hallway. Denise welded the tables and laid the tile surfaces. Artists do double duty; they are resilient people who make what they need. As we toured the home, art was abundant at every turn. The rich collections of Audubon prints, small original paintings family collectables do not say “materialists” but speak of a couple who

cherishes the memories of family. Denise’s father hooked the blue rug in the guest room and her mother painted the pillow on the bed. Her sister’s art is also well represented. Kirk built end tables and a special craftsman stand to support the family’s heirloom globe. The treed back yard is a special place. First, there is the southern view of the bottom land. The Foix Bois steps lead you around the multi-leveled yard past the Koi pond with waterfall to the lawn donkey, a place of reverence. A cement altar emits light from within through the embedded glass bricks and glass rods. The two-seated wooden swing adds to the long list of creations. Around the corner is an outdoor stone carving studio and planting area. Denise is related to screen star Maurice Chevalier who appeared in Gi Gi and sang the familiar ‘Thank Heaven for Little Girls.’ Denise is an incredible artist, and we may all thank Heaven for her. More of Denise’s work can be seen at her website: http://denisechevalier.com

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RESTAURANT GUIDE MODERN AMERICAN Justus Drugstore Restaurant $$$$ Smithville 106 W. Main St. American, Modern American, organic Eighty Eight at The Elms $$$$ Excelsior Springs 401 Regent St. Mediterranean, Modern American Piropos $$$$ Briarcliff Village 4141 N. Mulberry Dr. Latin American, Argentina, steakhouse Shields Manor Bistro $$$$ Platte City 121 Main St. American, seafood, steakhouse Bonefish Grill $$$ Burlington Creek 6334 N. Lucern Ave. American, seafood Trezo Mare $$$ Briarcliff Village 4105 N. Mulberry Dr. American, Italian, seafood The Grille by Piropos $$$ Parkville 1 W. 1st Street Latin American Cork & Brew $$$ Liberty 8 E. Franklin St. American, pizza, seafood

Pearls Oyster Bar $$$ Ameristar Casino 3200 American Dr. Seafood Houlihan’s $$ Zona Rosa Modern American 8660 N. Boardwalk Ave. ASIAN – JAPANESE Tokyo Japanese Steak House $$$ Gladstone 7 NW Barry Rd. Japanese, steakhouse, sushi Kato Japanese $$$ Zona Rosa 6340 NW Barry Rd. Japanese, sushi

ASIAN – INDIAN Seva Cuisine of India $$ Liberty 8674 NE Flintlock Rd. Indian, Pakistani, vegetarian Swagat Fine Indian Cuisine $$ Zona Rosa 7407 NW 87th St. Indian, Pakistani, vegetarian Taj Mahal $$ Liberty 917 W. Liberty Dr. Saffron Indian Restaurant $$ Zona Rosa 8140 NW Prairie View Rd.

Zara Sushi $$ Parkville 10925 45 Hwy. Japanese, sushi Wasabi Japanese Sushi Bar $$ Liberty 9763 N. Cedar Ave. Japanese, sushi ASIAN – CHINESE Bo Lings $$ Zona Rosa 8670 NW Prairie View Rd. Chinese, Dim Sum China Wok $ Zona Rosa 6048 NW Barry Rd. ASIAN – THAI Tasty Thai $$ Platte Woods 7104 NW Prairie View Rd. $$ Liberty 1912 Star Dr. Asian, Thai, vegetarian

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BARBECUE Smokehouse Barbecue $$ Gladstone 6304 N. Oak St. $$ Zona Rosa 8451 NW Prairie View Rd. Barbecue, steakhouse Smokin’ Guns BBQ $$ North Kansas City 1218 Swift Ave. Barbecue Dickey’s Barbeque Pit $$ Liberty 66 S. 291 Hwy. Barbecue Hawg Jaw BBQ $$ Riverside 4403 NW Gateway Ave. Barbecue

Smokebox BBQ Cafe $$ Tiffany Springs 10020 NW Ambassador Dr. American, barbecue BURGERS, WRAPS, SANDWICHES Longboards Wraps & Bowls $$ Gladstone 6269 N. Oak Trafficway $$ Liberty 1173 W. Kansas St. Hawaiian, Teriyaki Jersey Boyz $ North Kansas City 315 Armour Rd. Sandwiches, subs Little Store & Deli $ North Kansas City 2107 Knox Breakfast/brunch, burgers, sandwiches, subs

Philly Time $ Briarcliff Village 4151 N. Mulberry Dr. American, burgers, sandwiches LC’s Hamburgers Etc. $ Platte Woods 7612 NW Prairie View Rd. Hayes Hamburger & Chili $ Gladstone 2502 NE Vivion Rd. COMFORT FOOD Stroud’s $$ Kansas City 5410 NE Oak Ridge Rd. American, fried chicken

RESTAURANT GUIDE Corner Cafe $ Riverside 4541 NW Gateway Ave. $$ Liberty 8301 NE Flintlock Rd. American, breakfast/ brunch, dinner Roxanne’s Cafe $ Parkville 6264 Lewis Dr. American, breakfast/ brunch Nelle Belle’s Diner $ Claycomo 150 E. US 69 Hwy. American, breakfast/ brunch, dinner FRENCH Avalon Cafe $$$ Weston 608 Main St. Cafe des Amis $$$ Parkville 112 Main St. ITALIAN Cascone’s Italian $$$ Kansas City 3737 N. Oak Tfwy. Italian Bravo Cucina Italiana $$ Zona Rosa 7301 NW 87th St. Italian Cafe Italia $$ Parkville 160 English Landing Drive Italian, seafood, steakhouse MEXICAN Ixtapa Mexican Cuisine $$ Zona Rosa 7130 NW Barry Rd.

Margarita’s North $ Gladstone 7013 N. Oak Tfwy. Rancho Grande Cantina $ Parkville 11015 NW MO-45 $$ Liberty 921 W. Liberty Dr. El Maguey $ Gladstone 7831 N. Oak Tfwy. Tortilla Flats $$ Gladstone 3716 NE Antioch Rd. American, Mexican, Southwestern Luna Azteca Mexican Grill $$ Tiffany Springs 10004 NW Ambassador Drive $$ Burlington Creek 5918 NW 63rd Terr. Mexican, Spanish Jose Pepper’s $ Briarcliff Village 4125 N. Mulberry Dr. In-a-Tub $ Kansas City 4000 N. Oak Tfwy. $ Platte Woods 8174 NW Prairie View Rd.

$$ Zona Rosa 7007 NW Barry Rd. $$ Gladstone 221 NE Barry Rd. $$ Liberty 205 N. State Route 291 Italian, pizza, sandwiches, subs Van Till Farms $$ Rayville 13986 Hwy. C Wood-fired pizza, wine Kelso’s Pizza $$ North Kansas City 300 Armour Rd. American, pizza, sandwiches Pizza Shoppe $$ Liberty 8584 Church Rd. $$ Platte Woods 6640 NW Prairie View Rd. $$ Gladstone

9329 N. Oak Tfwy. PUB FOOD Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum $$ North Kansas City 323 Armour Rd. American, pub food, sandwiches 54th Street Grill and Bar $$ Liberty 9251 NE Barry Rd. $$ Gladstone 303 NE Englewood Rd. $$ Zona Rosa 7200 NW 86th Terr. Pub food Paul & Jack’s Tavern $$ North Kansas City 1808 Clay St. American, burgers,

pub food The Brass Rail $ Gladstone American, burgers, pub food 4940 NE 81st St.

Crazy Olives Bar and Grill $$ Argosy Casino 777 NW Argosy Pkwy. American, burgers, Italian

Tanner’s Bar and Grill $$ Gladstone 6024 N. Antioch Rd. American, burgers, pub food Helen’s J.A.D. Bar and Grill $ North Kansas City 2002 Armour Rd. Burgers, pizza, pub food

Rusty Horse Tavern $$ Parkville 6325 Lewis St. American, burgers, pub food

Dirk’s Sports Bar and Grill $ Zona Rosa 8132 NW Prairie View Rd. American, pub food

810 Zone at Harrah’s $$ Harrah’s Casino 1 Riverboat Dr. American, pub food Brick House Cafe & Pub

Conrad’s Restaurant and Bar $$ Liberty American, seafood, steakhouse 210 State Hwy. 291

NOW OPEN IN MARTIN CITY

Margarita’s amigos

PIZZA Stone Canyon Pizza $$ Parkville 15 Main St. $$ Zona Rosa 8630 NW Prairie View Rd. American, pizza, sandwiches, subs Leo’s Pizza $ Gladstone 408 NW Englewood Rd. Pizza, sandwiches Minsky’s Pizza

DAILY SPECIALS: Monday: Chicken hard taco and cheese enchilada Tuesday: Buy one get one Open-air or enclosed ground beef hard taco patio catering available Wednesday: Buy one get one to small parties by ground beef soft taco Now serving breakfast appointment Thursday: Ala carte burritos at select locations Friday: $2 off taco salad Saturday: Fajitas! www.MARGARITASAMIGOS.com

JOHNSON COUNTY (913) 631- 5553 7890 Quivera Lenexa, KS

KANSAS CITY NORTH (816) 468-0337 7013 N. Oak Gladstone, MO

LOCATIONS LIBERTY (816) 781-3031 1910 Victory Drive, Suite B Liberty, MO

NOW OPEN! DOWNTOWN (816) 931-4849 2829 SW Blvd. Kansas, City, MO

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MARTIN CITY (816) 26-7421 13401 Holmes Rd. Kansas, City, MO

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SPOTLIGHT ON CHARITY

Gilda’s Club Kansas City offers free support for those fighting cancer You have cancer. Three life changing words – not only for the person diagnosed, but for their family and friends. Coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis means understanding not only the impacts on physical wellbeing, but also on emotional health. Social and emotional support, educational information and resources are needed to help navigate the experience from diagnosis through recovery and beyond. Gilda’s Club Kansas City provides all of this and more – for free – to anyone in Kansas City impacted by cancer. When Northlander Mary Linna Woods visited a close friend in Nashville, Tennessee, who had recently been diagnosed with cancer she witnessed first-hand the important role that Gilda’s Club can play in supporting this journey. Mary Linna was determined to bring Gilda’s Club to Kansas City, and found a partner in fellow Northlander, Jolene Shaw. Jolene and Mary Linna shared the vision of how Gilda’s Club Kansas City could provide support groups, individual counseling, educational workshops, and – most important – a place for anyone impacted by cancer to find a community of support. That vision came to life when Gilda’s Club Kansas City opened Clubhouse doors in midtown more than four years ago. Now support groups such as Living With Cancer, Friends and Family, Post-treatment, Bereavement Groups, and groups dedicated to specific cancers meet regularly. Individuals receive counseling to help make treatment decisions. Healthy lifestyle classes are abuzz with members painting, practicing yoga, and

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learning about nutrition. Members are empowered through educational workshops on a wide variety of financial and cancer-related topics, as well as resource and referral services. And Gilda’s Club Kansas City program of support is evidencebased and completely free for participants. In addition to the Clubhouse, classes are offered at North Kansas City Hospital and other organizations throughout the community. Gilda’s Club is able to provide these free programs thanks to the generous support of individuals, corporate sponsors, grants and special events. On April 17, Annaleigh Ashford Lost in the Stars – a classic cabaret performance with an eclectic mix of music woven together through fabulous, funny storytelling was presented at Yardley Hall, Johnson County Community College. Golf Fore Gilda golf tournament was held at Oakwood Country Club on May 20. For more information, to make a donation, go to GildasClubKC.org or call 816-531-5444.

NORTH HEART HEALTH

The Key Numbers That You Need to Take to Heart There’s a good reason why we cardiologists are focused on trying to get your numbers in line—specifically your blood pressure, blood sugar and bad (LDL) cholesterol numbers. Levels that are out of line can put you at greater risk for heart disease, especially if you have diabetes. A new study from the Heart Disease Prevention Program at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, confirms that only 7 percent of participants with diabetes in three major heart studies had met recommended levels, putting them at higher risk for heart disease. The findings of this study demonstrate the need for persons with diabetes to better manage their blood pressure, blood sugar and

LDL cholesterol levels, all prime indicators of future heart disease. The participants who had diabetes surveyed in the UCI review were enrolled in three heart studies between the late ‘80s and early 2000s, when treatment was not as good as it is now. Still, more recent data show that only 25 percent of Americans with diabetes achieve all three of these targets. The good news is that those in the heart studies who did control all three factors had a 62 percent lower risk of developing heart disease. Even effectively managing just one of these risk factors translated to a 36 percent lower risk for heart disease, and managing two was linked to a 52 percent lower risk.

Dr. O’Keefe is a cardiologist with Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, located in Lee’s Summit at 20 N.E. Saint Luke’s Blvd., Suite 110, 816-931-1883. Also read Dr. O’Keefe’s newsletter, From the Heart, online visit: http:// www.saintlukeshealthsystem. org/saint-lukes-cardiovascularconsultants-newsletter.

So what are the target numbers we’re looking for when you come in to see the cardiologist, especially if you have diabetes? ●● Blood pressure—under 130/80 mgHg—While blood pressure can fluctuate from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over. About one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure. ●● Blood sugar (HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin)—under 7 percent—This test measures your average blood glucose control for the past two to three months. It is more convenient because no fasting is required. An HbA1c of 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent means you are at high risk for the development of diabetes and you have prediabetes. Diabetes is diagnosed when the HbA1c is 6.5 percent or higher. ●● LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)—less than 100 mg/dL— LDL cholesterol contributes to plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result. Another condition called peripheral artery disease can develop when plaque buildup narrows an artery supplying blood to the legs. Ideally, we would like to see this number between 35 and 70, an ideal cardioprotective range. This research confirms that tightly managing these numbers for individuals diagnosed with diabetes can greatly reduce the risk for heart disease. For some patients, we can manage these numbers organically through diet and exercise alone. But for many people, healthy numbers can be hard to achieve. If your numbers don’t measure up, and it’s tough for you to reach them through diet and exercise alone, we have many effective medications to manage blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Importantly, we have medications that not only improve your numbers, but also make you live longer, and prevent heart attacks, heart failure and strokes. See your cardiologist or your primary care physician to determine your risk for heart disease and diabetes, and discuss the best strategies to get your numbers in line. I L I V E N O R T H . CO M

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NORTH EDUCATION

Northland Teacher Helps Children Love to Learn By Tiffany Westphal Killoren Walk into the Educational Therapy Center in downtown Parkville and you’ll see something special. Tall shelves are arranged to form individual classrooms hold colorful games, puzzles, and activities that appeal to different ways of learning. The learning processes are as unique as the students who use them. For children with dyslexia, the Educational Therapy Center offers the tools needed to continue learning in a way that works with how their brains process the world. “People think dyslexia is about reversing letters, but it’s really more an auditory issue,” explains Lorrie Wolf, founder and Director of the Educational Therapy Center. “They can’t pull together individual sounds. It’s a flag that they’re relying on visual memory.” Wolf’s commitment to help individuals with dyslexia stems from personal experience. Her daughter was diagnosed with the learning disability at a young age. Wolf recalls that at three and four years old, her daughter would hold a book wrong and turn the pages backwards. She also noticed that her daughter wrote her name backwards in preschool and didn’t like rhyming games. Although Wolf and her husband were told their daughter was fine and shouldn’t be compared to her twin brother’s progress. The couple continued to see red flags and became proactive. Stationed in Hawaii at the time, they obtained a diagnosis and enrolled their daughter in a school that fit her needs. The difficulty in finding suitable learning resources prompted Wolf to become certified to work with students who have dyslexia and other related learning disabilities.

Lorrie Wolfe uses therapy aids and individual attention to help a young client develop better learning skills.

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DID YOU KNOW? Although there’s no quick and easy test to determine if a child has dyslexia, certain characteristics signal that further assessment is needed. These include late speech development, difficulty pronouncing words, confusion with before/after or right/left, difficulty learning the alphabet and word retrieval. The child may also reverse letters, omit or misread small words, have difficulty learning and distinguishing letter sounds, and making many spelling mistakes.

NORTH EDUCATION

DID YOU KNOW? The Orton-Gillingham approach, used since the 1930s, relies on multi-sensory instruction in oneon-one interaction between the student and teacher. Students are taught using auditory, visual, and kinesthetic-tactile exercises. The approach is derived from the research of Samuel Torrey Orton, a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist, and Anna Gillingham, a psychologist and educator. The current International Dyslexia Association was originally named the Orton Dyslexia Society when it was founded in 1949. Founded ten years ago in Parkville, The Educational Therapy Center offers specialized tutoring and instruction in reading, spelling, fluency, writing, and comprehension. Although students do not need a clinical diagnosis to attend the Center, an official assessment and diagnosis is helpful to determine the correct therapy options. Studies suggest between 10 to 20 percent of people have dyslexia. These are staggering statistics when one thinks of how many people struggle through life trying to mask the difficulties they have to read, write and spell. Dyslexia cannot be “cured.” There is no roadmap for how to diagnosis the condition. Specific challenges vary by individual. Some confuse letters and sounds (e.g., b/d, p/q, etc.), and have difficulty hearing syllables within words, understanding spelling or sentence structure. Such challenges may go unnoticed at school, or worse, mistakenly interpreted as a student’s lack of motivation or a poor work ethic. Why people are born with dyslexia is a complex situation. Genetics are a known component because the disability occurs often in families. “Sometimes, parents don’t know they had dyslexia when they were little,” Wolf explains. “They learned to adapt.” Dyslexia is often not diagnosed because students perform at acceptable levels in school. Many dyslexics are above-average in intelligence and develop clever ways to adapt or cover-up their learning disability. The Educational Therapy Center currently has 64 students enrolled in its programs. The Center provides one-on-one instruction using the Orton-Gillingham Approach. “We teach to the student’s intelligence and adapt to who they are and where they’re at,” Wolf explains. “The instruction is individualized, but conducted with a particular scope and sequence.” The instruction methods can seem daunting to an observer who doesn’t have dyslexia. Most non-dyslectics can’t explain why certain words are spelled a certain way, nor describe the rules that apply to the use of words. Answering these questions is a key to the Educational Therapy Center’s ability to help students with the disability. By using a structured process, tutors teach language rules that provide dyslexics with the tools

to process words that most people do naturally. Wolf’s Center has 17 tutors and she is looking for more. She conducts extensive training to make sure all instruction is consistent, comprehensive, and in accordance with the OrtonGillingham Approach method. Because most children come to the Center in the third or fourth grade, many have already fallen behind in school. “We go as fast as we can, but as slow as we have to,” Wolf says. Although dyslexia is considered a learning disability because it impairs an individual’s ability to process information according to society’s framework, Wolf emphasizes the unique and wonderful way that dyslexics often see the world. “Dyslectics have a gift that allows them to see things other can’t,” she explained. “Many great thinkers, strategists, doctors, and entrepreneurs have been able to accomplish great things because they looked at the world differently than others. “They see the big picture. It’s the minutiae that gest them.” Wolf’s daughter? She’s now grown and has a career as an accountant. A look of pride beams on Wolf’s face when she describes her daughter’s accomplishments. According to Wolf, many dyslexics are drawn toward careers that focus on math and science. Many people are surprised when they learn the number of surgeons and other professionals who have the disability. In the final analysis, success can depend on how dyslectics look at life. A surgeon is able to see the body as a whole in a way that others may not. Perhaps as dyslexics use the tools to develop skills they need to function in a world that most people take for granted, we could actually learn something from them.

DID YOU KNOW? According to The International Dyslexia Association, dyslexia is neurologically-based because the brain of a dyslexic develops and functions differently from the brains of others. “Not better, not worse, just differently.” Those differences can sometimes result in amazing skills and personalities, a fact made clear by the list of accomplished individuals who are known to have dyslexia: • • • • • • • • •

Thomas Edison, inventor Magic Johnson, athlete Whoopie Goldberg, actress Anderson Cooper, CNN reporter Ann Bancroft, explorer George Patton, military leader Hans Christian Anderson, writer Henry Winkler, actor Nelson Rockefeller, political leader

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SPOTLIGHT ON CHARITY

The Salvation Army Hosts 7th Annual Civic Luncheon Featuring EmmyWinning Anchor Deborah Norville The Salvation Army of Kansas and Western Missouri was host to its 7th Annual Civic Luncheon, presented by UMB Bank, on Thursday, May 12, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. This year’s event featured keynote remarks from Emmy Award-winning news anchor Deborah Norville of Inside Edition. Founder, President and CEO of ECCO Select, Jeanette Prenger, and Chairman and CEO of UMB Bank, Mariner Kemper, were Co-Chairs of this year’s Civic Luncheon. The event theme was Hope Works, an initiative which supports all of the Salvation Army’s programs and services in the community and responds to the changing

needs of the Kansas City metropolitan area. In addition to Norville’s keynote speech, three award recipients from Kansas City were honored with The Salvation Army’s highest awards, given to those who have exhibited extraordinary service on behalf of others. Mark and Jennifer Bailey were recognized with the William Booth Award, while Joanne Collins received the Others Award.

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NORTH EVENTS

A Night of Jesters And Jazz At Courtyard At Briarcliff A benefit for Saint Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North Hospital on April 1 helped raise funds to purchase a 3D mammography machine for the Breast and Imaging Center at Barry Road.

Eros of Quixotic

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NORTH EVENTS

Jane Brown, Ed and April Dougherty

Imagine Committee pictured (from left) Ashley Sweeney-Emmons, Lisa Cole, Aimee Paine, from Saint Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jan Kauk and Matt Wenzel ILIVENORTH.COM

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Flaming dessert flanked by hospital staff and guests

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cathy Kline’s murals can be seen at the Parkville Athletic Complex, Piropos, Zona Rosa, The Peach Tree and Burlington Creek’s Watercolors High Fashion.

Nora Hildreth, Gerry Rhodes 40 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A Y/J U N E 2 0 1 6

Cathy Kline Art Gallery 8701 N. River Park Dr. Parkville, MO 64152 913-449-4460 www.cathyklineart.com

Quixotic contortionist

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

City of Fountains By Allen E. Dillingham

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allen E. Dillingham is Publisher of NORTH Magazine and President of Dillingham Communications, Inc. He is a seventh generation Northlander, and is grateful to serve on several area boards of directors. Those boards include Kansas City, Missouri Parks & Recreation, The American Royal, Native Sons & Daughters of Kansas City, Friends of the Zoo and The Labor Management Council. He can be reached at allen@ KC.TODAY.

As we head into summer, with Memorial Day celebrations finished, temperatures are trending higher and the pools are open. The dark green of the spring bluegrass is slowly turning less green as we see hotter weather and less rain. One place where residents can go that will remain wet (and a little cooler) throughout our Midwest summer is at a Kansas City fountain. World-renowned for our parks, boulevards and fountains, Kansas City is host city-wide to 48 publicly-owned fountains. These are turned on every year on Fountain Day, the second Tuesday in April. The City of Fountains Foundation and the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department work together to maintain our beautiful fountains and organize Fountain Day. The City of Fountains Foundation (go to http:// kcfountains.com/ to learn more and donate to this great

organization) has helped raise significant funds over the last 40-plus years to repair and restore many of our fountains. Last year, the Foundation and KC Parks renovated the iconic J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain on the Plaza. It was the location of last year’s Fountain Day. This year, work was completed on the William Volker Memorial Fountain by UMKC and the Northland’s Children’s Fountain located off Highway 9 and Burlington on the northern border of North Kansas City. On June 21, the Children’s Fountain will hold a birthday celebration. That exact day celebrates 21 years since the fountain was originally dedicated. There will be some refreshments and short speeches, so come down at 11:00 a.m. The fountain statues have been fully restored and the concrete bases rebuilt. The fountain looks terrific! Visit http://kcparks.org/event/ childrens-fountain-birthday-

party/ for more information. As always, thanks for reading NORTH Magazine. We hope to bring you informative articles about health, nutrition, finance, pets, travel and the arts. We will salute our veterans as the new VETS partner in the city. Highlights of interesting and successful people and businesses will be in every issue, along with articles describing all the great work our Northland non-profits accomplish. You will also see commentary from a wide variety of Northland leaders to keep you up-todate on trends, new projects and the good work of business organizations, school districts and government agencies that make the Northland a better place to live, work and play. Please let me hear from you if you have an interesting story or would like to see us write about a particular topic. Drop me a note at allen@kc.today . Thanks for reading!

Children’s Fountain located at North Oak & NE 32nd Ave. 42 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A Y/J U N E 2 0 1 6

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| NORTH MAGAZINE

| NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015