North Magazine March/April 2015 by NORTH Magazine

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

March/April 2015

Wedding season

Get ready with the right fashions and planning

Second chances Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest home is Three Gables in Liberty

Tasty Thai

Family-friendly restaurant

Lawn and garden Spring is almost here!

$5.00 | ilivenorth.com

THE BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT

B ALLYHO O 2015

This event has been rated

Contact Nathan Marticke at nathan.marticke@park.edu or (816) 584-6200 for sponsorship information.

Meritas Health is part of North Kansas City Hospital.

“I like to develop a strong relationship with my patients as their primary care provider.” — Crystal LaGalle, DO, MBA Meritas Health North Oak

With a Meritas Health primary care clinic close to home, it’s easy for your family to receive quality healthcare where and when you need it. • Convenient neighborhood clinics • More than 50 board-certified and experienced primary care providers • Same-day appointments • Extended evening and weekend hours • Network of specialists

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Meritas Health North Kansas City 2700 Clay Edwards Dr., Ste. 400 816.421.4240

Meritas Health North Oak

9411 North Oak Trafficway, Ste. 205 816.691.3546

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To find a Meritas Health physician who can best serve your health needs, call a clinic listed at right or visit MeritasHealth.com.

6450 N. Chatham Ave. 816.741.5542

Meritas Health Pediatrics

2700 Clay Edwards Dr., Ste. 500 816.421.4115

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IN THIS ISSUE

36 Features

26 31 36 40 44 58

EDIBLES & COCKTAILS

Tasty Thai

FASHION FORWARD

LaDeDa in Zona Rosa FEATURE STORY

Three Gables FEATURE STORY

Saving the spelling bee in Park Hill FEATURE STORY

Stand Down with Arthur Fillmore DIVA OF DIY

Tiny House Movement

6 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

Departments

“Confidence comes THE premierfrom lifestyle magazine for Kansas Northland knowing I City’s have “Confidence comes a plan for my future.” March/April 2015 from knowing I have Volume 3, Number 2 a plan for Colleen my future.” Kandie Erickson Cooke Associate Publisher and Editor-in-Chief 816-301-7673, ext. 701 kandie@ilivenorth.com

Is it time to inve with caution or new opportuniti

Did you leave 401(k) money on the table at your old job?

Design Director

Jane Quigley

If you left assets from a 401(k) plan with your Account Executive previous employer, consider an IRA rollover 816-301-7673, ext. 703 Brad Austin with Wells Fargo Advisors. Please keep in mind jane@ilivenorth.com Director of Photography that rolling over assets to an IRA is just one of 816-301-7673, ext. 702 multiple options for your retirement plan. Each OF ENVISION® PLAN brad@ilivenorth.com option OF ENVISION® PLAN HOLDERS KNOW WHERE OF ENVISION® PLAN has different advantages, disadvantages, investment options, and fees & expenses which HOLDERS ARE ABLE TO THEY STAND IN REACHING WILL %HOLDERS SAY THEY % NORTH Magazine , OF ENVISION® PLAN LIVE THE LIFE THEY THEIR FINANCIAL RETIRE ON should THEIR be understood and carefully considered. a publication of Dillingham Communications, Inc. OF ENVISION® PLAN The costs investing and maintaining assets GOALS. HOLDERS KNOW WHERE PLANNED.OF ENVISION® PLAN OWN TERMS. Read ourof free midyear report to find info@ilivenorth.com HOLDERS ARE ABLE TO THEY STAND IN REACHING HOLDERS SAY THEY WILL in an IRA with us will generally involve higher LIVE THE LIFE THEY THEIR FINANCIAL www.ilivenorth.com RETIREmore ON THEIRabout our forecast for the out costs than the other options available to you. PLANNED. GOALS. OWN TERMS. Printed bimonthly by We recommend you consult with your current rest of the year. RR Donnelly in Liberty, Missouri plan administrator before making any decisions Advertising inquiries: jane@ilivenorth.com regarding your retirement assets. As one of Call today to order your copy of our the nation’s largest and most experienced IRA Copyright © 2015 by Dillingham Allen E. Dillingham “2009goals. Midyear providers, together we can find the right strategy Communications, andcourse Publisher These days,Inc. it would be nice to know ifPresident you’re on to reach your financial That’sOutlook.” why Wells Fargo Advisors to help meet your goals. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. allen@ilivenorth.com offers the Envision process, a unique planning tool that helps us get to know your specific needs and goals in order to

98% 95 93 98% Find 95 93out what we think. %

With you when you need Withclarity you when you need a Financial in anWith uncertain youworld when you need clarity in an uncertain world

create your investment What’s more, we make it easytotoreach monitor progress. These it wouldplan. be nice to know if you’re on course youryour financial goals. That’s why Wells Fargo Advisors North (Kansas City, Mo.) ISSNtailored 2375-5199days, Find out what having Envision plan can do forplanning you NORTH Magazine is published bimonthly (6 an yearly issues) by Dillingham Inc.by All contents offers the Envision process, aCommunications, unique tool that helps us get to know your specific needs and goals in order to copyrightvisiting ©2015 by Dillingham Communications, Inc. All rights Reproduction or use in whole envisionyourgoals.com orreserved. by calling us today. create your tailored investment plan. What’s more, we make it easy to monitor your progress. or in part of the contents, without the prior written permission of the publisher, is prohibited. An annual Find out what having an Envision plan can do forCity’s you by subscription is $30.00. NORTH Magazine is distributed throughout Clay and Platte counties in Kansas visiting envisionyourgoals.com or by calling us today. Northland. NORTH Magazine and Dillingham Communications, Inc., are not responsible for the return of INVESTMENTS • PLANNING • RETIREMENT any materials or artwork submitted. Unsolicited photographs, illustrations or articles are submitted at the FA Name risk of the photographer/artist/author. NORTH Magazine and Dillingham Communications, Inc., assume INVESTMENTS • PLANNING • RETIREMENT Compliance-Approved Title Jeff Holloway Sean Harman INVESTMENTS PLANNING • RETIREMENT no liability for the return ofand unsolicited materials and may•use them at their discretion. Articles contained Address and Number FAadvice. NameConsult your tax or legal advisor before making tax or Financial Advisors in the magazine do not constitute tax Suite or legal City Name, State Zipprofessional Compliance-Approved Title information purposes only and are legally related investment decisions. Articles are for general CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Jeff Holloway andpublished Sean Harman FA Name FA Name xxx-xxx-xxxx not an offer9or solicitation to sell or buy• 800-XXX-XXXX any securities orSuite commodities. Address and Number Any particular investment should Westowne Center Jeff HollowayTitle and Sean Harman Financial Advisors Compliance-Approved Compliance-Approved Ti be analyzedLiberty, basedMO on 64068 its Web termsorCERTIFIED and risksAddress as they relate to your individual circumstances and objectives. All E-mail City Name, State Zipprofessional FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Financial Address and SuiteAdvisors Number Address and Suite Numb letters, photos and manuscripts9 Westowne submittedCenter toxxx-xxx-xxxx NORTH Magazine or Dillingham Communications, Inc., either • 800-XXX-XXXX CERTIFIED Jeff Holloway and SeanCity Harmon, Financial AdvisorsPLANNER™ professional Name, State ZipFINANCIAL City Name, State Zip solicited or unsolicited, become the sole property of Dillingham Communications, Inc., and may be used Web or E-mail Address Liberty, MO 64068 9 Westowne Center CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional xxx-xxx-xxxx • 8xx-xxx-xxxx xxx-xxx-xxxx • 8xx-xxx-x and published in any manner whatsoever without limit and without obligation and liability to the author, Liberty,Address MO 64068 9 Westowne Center Web or E-mail Web or E-mail Address photographer, artist orand owner thereof. Articlesuand doBank not necessarily theValue opinions of Investment Insurance Products: NOT advertisements FDIC Insured u NO Guarantee ureflect MAY Lose 816-781-0800 Liberty, MO 64068 NORTH Magazine or Dillingham Communications, Inc. Further, Dillingham Communications, Inc., does not Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Envision® a registered mark of Wells Fargo & or Company andcontributors, used under license. ARE BASED ON AValue SURVEY CONDUCTED BY HARRIS FROM JUNE-JULY 2011FDIC AMONG 1,004 INVESTORS ©2009 WellsisFargo Advisors, LLC.service All rights reserved. 0709-2174 [74039-v1]A1016 816-781-0800 assume responsibility for statements made advertisers editorial is itRESULTS responsible for Lose Investment andINTERACTIVE Insurance Products: u NOT Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Valu Investment andbyInsurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured u nor NO Bank Guarantee u MAY WITH FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS. NOTinINDICATIVE OF FUTUREisPERFORMANCE ORsources SUCCESS.considered NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER CLIENTS. Investment products and services are offered the products and servicesADVISOR advertised. Information NORTH Magazine gathered from Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, (WFAFN), Member a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank of Wells Fargo &HARRIS Company. ©2012 Wells JUNE-JULY Fargo Advisors Financial Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate of Wells Member Fargo & C Investment products andBYservices are offered through Wells Fargo2011 Advisors Financial Network,affiliate LLC (WFAFN), Envision® isFargo a registered service mark of Wells Fargo &SIPC, Company and used under license. RESULTS ARE BASED ONWells Aafﬁliate SURVEY CONDUCTED INTERACTIVE FROM AMONG 1,004non-bank INVESTORS ©2009 Wells Advisors, LLC. All LLC rightsbe reserved. 0709-2174 [74039-v1]A1016 to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot guaranteed. NORTH Magazine and Dillingham Network, LLC. All rightsWITH reserved. 0911-5398A ©2009 Wells Wells Fargo Advisors,Financial All Network, rights reserved. 0709-0792 [77921-v1] A1354 FINANCIAL ADVISOR [88085-v1] RELATIONSHIPS. NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR SUCCESS. NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EXPERIENCE OFLLC. OTHER CLIENTS. Investment products and services are offered ©2011 Fargo Advisors LLC. 0411-1092 [86190-v1] A1516 Communications, Inc., shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information herein through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealerInvestment and a separate non-bank afﬁliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2012 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value or the interpretations thereof, nor any liability for the infringement of copyright, and reserve the right to edit

Holloway and Harman Capital Management

Can you show up early to your retirement party? Can you show up early to your retirement party?

any and all submissions before publication. All inquiries and requests may be sent to info@ilivenorth.com.

©2014 Envision® is a registered service mark of Wells Fargo & Company and used under license. RESULTS ARE BASED ON A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY HARRIS INTERACTIVE FROM JUNE-JULY 2011 AMONG 1,004 INVESTORS WITH FINANCIAL ADVISOR RELATIONSHIPS. NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR SUCCESS. NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER CLIENTS. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank afﬁliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. Member SIPC 1111-2026[87653-v1] A1522

ILIVENORTH.COM

M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The hope of spring

e have almost made it through the winter! The hope of spring is right around the corner! We have such a great issue of North and I’m excited to share it with all of you. We know we have amazing people living amongst us and those unsung heroes are always the most humbling to write about. This particular hero we choose to write about is Art Filmore a Vietnam vet who is making the difference in the life’s of other vets who are struggling. Art is on the front line of the issues that effect many veterans and is offering solutions. Would you be surprised to know one of if not the oldest house in Kansas City is in Liberty? We have a heartwarming story of the two local men who saved Three Gabels. This beautiful Gothic Revival home has seen many things in her lifetime and we know you will enjoy hearing her stories. Who knew that the Spelling Bee was almost a no go? We have a inspirational story on how a Northland mom and a local dentist rolled up their sleeves and took action and saved the bee! Spring fashions will not disappoint. I.O. Metro provided a stunning backdrop for our fashion shoot with LaDeDa! If you have never been to Tasty Thai, your tastebuds will be tempted on seeing the entrees in our restaurant section! This Northland gem also has a great story behind its walls! All of your favorites are also included in this issue, so be sure and check out art with Cathy Kline, fitness with Nick Bolton, life coach wisdom from Mosaic’s Kim Specter, movie reviews by Jim Kline, Dr. Duane Meyer on marketing strategies, the creative and talented DIY Diva Leanne Wright Lee, tax advisor and accountant Scott Kiethly, and the Last Word with Phil LeVota. We also want to thank all of you readers and advertisers for your continued support of NORTH. It is because of you we get to do what we do! We get to bring you the best of the Northland and that is something we truly enjoy!

8 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

Kandie Erickson

Kandie Erickson Associate Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Are You Ready for

Your Special Day? When you’re looking for the right smile for your special day, it can be confusing. You want to be sure that you make the right choice. After all, you’ve invested a lot of time and money preparing for your wedding. You want to be properly cared for. You can be sure that whatever your smile needs are, we’re qualified to handle them. 2-FOR-1 WHITENING SPECIAL Perfect for couples before the big day! Just mention this ad. Good through May 15, 2015.

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Antioch Dental Group

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NORTHLAND EVENTS

Saturday, March 21, 8-10:30 a.m. The Grove at Zona Rosa Cost: free; registration is required at nkch.org or 816-691-1690 Join healthcare professionals from North Kansas City Hospital for health screenings, including a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood draw.

LIBERTY EASTER EGG HUNT

Saturday, March 28, 11-noon Stocksdale Park, Liberty The Easter Bunny will visit Stocksdale Park in an event that’s open to children up to 8 years old.

ADULTS ONLY EASTER EGG HUNT

Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Jowler Creek Winery Cost: $8 per person; registration required www.jowlercreek.com; 816-858-5528 Scour the vineyard for eggs containing not only candies that pair well with wines, but also for some free wine glasses, corkscrews and other prizes.

AVONDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PALM SUNDAY BRUNCH Sunday, March 29, 9 a.m. Avondale United Methodist Church, 3101 N.E. Winn Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Suggested donation: $7 for adults, $3.50 for kids ages 3-10. More information: 816-452-3518 The annual Palm Sunday Brunch features sausage, bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, pastries and beverages. Proceeds help with class mission projects.

ZONA ROSA EASTER PARADE

Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Zona Rosa Town Square Admission: free More info: www.zonarosa.com or 816-587-8180 This great Northland tradition features an appearance by the Easter Bunny, a best-dressed contest for the whole family (best dressed family wins $1,000!), a live performance by Mr. Stinky Feet and more.

REDISCOVER’S FRIENDSHIP HOUSE TOUR April 17-19 3728 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets: $15, available at rediscovermh.org More information: rediscovermh.org or 816-347-3201 Tour the newly renovated Friendship House, ReDiscover’s historic Hyde Park home. Explore the three-story, eight bedroom home and be inspired by the design talents of Mary Carol Garrity of Nell Hills, HGTV Design Star Jennifer Bertrand, Alan Karlin Design, Katy Sullivan Designs, Deep Woods Rustic Décor and Razzberry Wimzy. The Friendship House Tour will provide vital funding to support ReDiscover’s quality mental health and substance use disorder services that help more than 800 women and their children annually.

LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE SYMPHONY CONCERT

Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. Liberty Performing Arts Theatre Tickets: $18; available at www.libertysymphony.org Featuring the music of Sibelius, Bond and Stravinsky with conductor Tony Brandolino.

10 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

LIBERTY SPRING CLEAN-UP WEEK

April 20-24 More information: www.ci.liberty.mo.us Get rid of excess trash, furniture, maintenance materials and carpet during Liberty’s annual spring clean-up. Items must be placed at the curb or roadway on your regular trash day.

PARKVILLE MICROBREW FEST

Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. English Landing Park, Parkville, Mo. Admission: $35; www.parkvillemicrobrewfest.com Come to Historic Downtown Parkville and further your beer education, enjoy outdoor grilled foods and live music.

TWA MUSEUM FUNDRAISER

Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. Signature Flight Support Hangar at 10 Richards Road (Wheeler Downtown Airport) Tickets: $25 before April 15; $30 at the door Reservations: 816-234-1011, twamuseum@gmail.com This 1940s-style Hangar Dance will feature vintage WWII uniforms, ’40s attire and the music of the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra. Plus, take in a quick dance lesson before the festivities begin. Additionally the Heart of America Wing, Commemorative Air Force will offer warbird rides to the public the afternoon of April 25. Contact Bob Robinson at 913-206-8027 for reservations or visit www.kcghostsquadron.org.

HILLCREST HAWAII 5-K

Saturday, May 9, 8 a.m. Zona Rosa Town Square www.enter2run.com/search/event.aspx?id=31877 5K benefiting Hillcrest Transitional Housing of Platte County. Run will be chip timed.

©ISTOCK.COM / MIFLIPPO

MEN’S HEALTH FAIR

Amanda Super Mom by day, master cupcake maker by night. Perfectly balances soccer practice with her own home business. Planning a surprise trip to Disney World for the end of the year. She relies on same-day appointments when her daughter is under the weather.

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS

It’s just the health care Amanda ordered

Eight Convenient Northland Clinics: • Shoal Creek, Kansas City • Highland Plaza, Kansas City • Excelsior Springs • Gladstone • Kearney • Parkville Commons • Platte City • Smithville

For an appointment call: 800.447.6820

Just what the patient ordered

myMosaicLifeCare.org

NEWS & NOTES

Snow & Company opens in Gladstone

urrounded by employees, customers and supporters, Snow & Company celebrated its recent restaurant opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 12. Stationed at 504 NE 70th Street, Gladstone, Mo., Snow & Company christened its newest location in front of fellow Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce members. This frozen bar and eatery enters the Northland community after recently being named America’s No. 1 Frozen Cocktail Bar by Pasta Magazine.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for Snow & Company’s grand opening in Gladstone, the attendees included staff and employees, plus Sheila Tracy, Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce president (front row, left), Brian Hill, Mayor of Gladstone (front row, second), David Mecklenburg, past chairman of Northland Regional of Commerce, and Kirk Davis, Gladstone City Manager.

Associated Audiologists opens Northland location

ssociated Audiologists has opened a new location in the Northland. The new office is at 8350 N. St. Clair Ave., Ste. 175, in Kansas City, Mo. “We’re very enthusiastic about expanding to the Northland,” company president Tim Steele in the most recent Associated Audiologists’ newsletter. “We have a large number of patients who currently drive to one of our other offices to see us. This location will be much more convenient for them.” Associated Audiologists has hired Lainey Lake, who will be based at the new Northland office. Lake previously worked with Advanced Hearing Care in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and before that, she did an externship with Associated Audiologists. Lake earned a doctor of audiology degree

Surrounded by employees, customers and supporters, Associated Audiologists celebrated its recent store opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 22.

from the University of Kansas. It’s been more than 25 years since Associated Audiologists was founded by Jim Wise. In addition to the new Northland office, the company operates five other

12 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

locations: Overland Park, Prairie Village, Leavenworth, Manhattan and Shawnee Mission. Its staff assists people with hearing, dizziness and balance disorders.

NEWS & NOTES

Liberty, Saint Luke’s partner with cancer program

PLANS FOR THE PROGRAM l Provide a comprehensive cancer diagnostic and treatment program at Liberty Hospital to serve as a regional hub for cancer care in the Liberty community and Northeast Kansas City; l Expand coverage by experienced oncologists and hematologists at Liberty Hospital; l Offer multidisciplinary treatment planning; l Offer patients access to industry and National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical studies; and, l Provide on-site infusion and chemotherapy, as well as genetic counseling, rehabilitation, survivorship and support services. Saint Luke’s Hospital currently provides infusion services within Liberty Hospital’s Regional Cancer Center. As the program devel-

iberty Hospital and Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City have finalized an agreement to jointly provide expanded cancer care services at the hospital in Liberty. The program will provide comprehensive oncology services to the Northland and Northeast Kansas City communities in a convenient location. “We are embarking on this partnership with Saint Luke’s to enhance our program for our patients. By creating our Regional Cancer Center, we are providing an umbrella of services that can meet the needs of nearly every cancer patient in the Northland and beyond,” says President and CEO of Liberty Hospital David Feess. “We know that cancer is a chief concern for those we serve, and we want to deliver the best care possible.”

S! Imat E

ESt F REE

G! OVERSEEDIN

ops, Saint Luke’s will have offices for medical oncologists/hematologists at Liberty Hospital, enabling full-time coverage. Through this affiliation patients on the Liberty Hospital campus will have access to supportive services, such as mental health support, nutritional advice during and after treatment, cancer support groups, fitness consultations, massage therapy, educational programs and other services. “Saint Luke’s Health System has a longstanding commitment to partnering with local communities to provide exceptional care for patients close to home whenever possible,” says Julie Quirin, CEO of Saint Luke’s Hospital. “We are pleased to be Liberty Hospital’s partner of choice in providing comprehensive oncology services for its patients.”

5 StEP tURF maNa

GEmEN t PRO GRam!

CORE a ERatIO N

“Service Is Our Product”

816.532.4720 ILIVENORTH.COM

www.pplcservice.com 6400 Five Corners Road Smithville, MO 64089 |

M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

NEWS & NOTES

Eagle Animal Hospital renovations

enovations to Eagle Animal Hospital in Kansas City are on track to be completed by July, despite some pushback from winter weather. Currently, the dog runs, cat condos, ICU area and patient rooms are being updated. A

1,000-gallon salt water fish tank is also being built and designed for the reception area. Eagle Animal Hospital is planning a special grand reopening event for this summer so they can introduce their new digs to their customers and neighbors.

Shepherd’s Center celebrates 25th anniversary

orthland Shepherd’s Center is celebrating its 25th year in the Northland this year. In partnership with its 50 community organizations as well as congregational connections, Northland Shepherd’s Center (NSC) makes a huge difference in the lives of seniors living in Clay and Platte counties. Older adults want to maintain their dignity, continued productivity and independence as long as they can, and the number of seniors living in the northland is growing rapidly. NSC’s clients are 60 years and older and some younger disabled clients who have no other resources. NSC offers essential services such as a health and benefits support team; daily call checks for those without family close by; minor home repairs including safety grab bars; transportation to medical appointments, pharmacies, banks, grocery stores and senior programs; senior companions, friendly visitors, and care calls to offer friendship and reassurance to homebound older adults and

respite care to relieve caregivers. All these services are provided at no cost although donations are greatly appreciated. Additionally, NSC provides excellent enrichment programs to stimulate the mind, body and/or soul including Adventures in Learning, Learning and Laughter, BreakTime Club, Caring Hearts, Caregiver Support, Grief Support Group, Fit for Life Exercise, Just 4 Fun Tours, Line Dancers and Starlight Theater Ushering. NSC also keeps volunteers and clients informed and connected through a bimonthly newsletter and informative Web site. NSC provides a meaningful outlet for its 250+ volunteers (often older adults themselves) to offer approximately 49,000 hours of service to over 2,300 clients annually. ANNUAL FUNDRAISER On April 17, the organization will have its annual gala fundraiser, Jazz Celebrates, at the Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa in Riverside

14 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

from 6 to 10 p.m. The evening includes silent and live auctions, dinner, live music and dancing with the James Rojas Band, comedy and magic featuring David Hagerman and performances by Tiffany Collection Dancers. The master of ceremonies is Jack Harry, KSHB-41 Sports Director, and the auctioneer is Gary Mullet, Cates Auction & Realty Co., Inc. The honorary auction event chair is North Kansas City Hospital which will be represented by Peggy Schmitt, CEO. Over NSC’s 25 years, North Kansas City Hospital has been a great friend, supporter and collaborator. Tickets are $80 per person. To purchase tickets or find out more about NSC, call 816-452-4536, email rgordonscn@kc.rr.com or visit http://northlandsc.org. Additionally, NSC will offer several other unique events throughout the year to celebrate its 25th birthday. For more information, contact Rebecca Gordon, Executive Director, rgordonscn@kc.rr.com, 816-452-4536.

NEWS & NOTES

Hearing Health Associates opens local clinic

earing Health Associates has announced the opening of its first in a series of national clinics at 9 Victory Drive, Liberty, Mo. Tanya Tetzner, BSE, HIS, opens the clinic’s doors Feb. 23. “Hearing loss will challenge our growing, aging population, in numbers previously unseen” Tetzner says, referencing the baby boomer generation, which is entering those years most people confront hearing loss. “It’s a natural part of the aging process, but also onset by our environment. Modern technology makes hearing loss manageable, discreet and effective; early detection and

preventative measures reduce the impact hearing loss can have on our quality of life.” Clinic hours are by appointment. Free hearing assessments are offered during the site’s pre-grand opening. To arrange a free screening and consultation, call 816-4153233. Tetzner is a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist with a background in Real Ear Measurement, Hearing Healthcare Management, Advanced Audiometry and

speech-language pathology. Her postgraduate work was completed at Ozarks Technical College; her undergraduate study was completed at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she earned her degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders. She is a member of the International and Missouri Hearing Societies. Hearing Health Associates is a hearing health-care provider with clinics now open in Liberty, Independence and Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Join us for an

Easter Celebration Sunday, April 5, 2015 7:30 a.m., 9:00 and 10:45 a.m.

Your kids will love Kids Connection at 9:00 or 10:45 (ages birth – 5th grade)

We are a new church passionate about inspired worship, spiritual development and pursuing Jesus together. Join us in the excitement that is happening at Briarcliff. Vernon Armitage, Lead Pastor

LIBERTY LOCATION

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1 free kid’s meal per paid adult meal of equal or greater value. Dine-in only. Kids 12 and under. Must order from kids’ meals. Not valid with other offers.

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ILIVENORTH.COM

M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

NEWS & NOTES

Encouraging encore entrepreneurs

onfronted by displacement, buoyed by the excitement of business ownership, and bound by shared challenges in a new economy, three Kansas City business owners have created EnCorps45, a resource to help professionals reinvent themselves, to support senior entrepreneurs and to recognize existing businesses similarly aligned. Although a members-based organization targeted to those 45 and older, many of EnCorps45 resources are relevant to those of any age embarking on a new adventure. “I envisioned retiring in my 60s with colleagues singing my praises over cake and punch. Then I’d be beginning a life of gardening, travel and the proverbial fishing trip,” says Robert L. Curland, executive director and founding member. “Well, that’s not what happened and when the job and all my plans disappeared, I found myself asking, what’s next?” Curland is not alone. The Kauffman Foundation reports that in 2013, more than one-quarter of all new businesses were started by those aged 55 to 64. Underscored by an unemployment rate of roughly 3.5 mil-

lion in that same age group, Curland and his co-founders, Bob Martin and Terri S. Turner, identified what was from their own experiences, a clear need. “In 2010, with two college-educated daughters living miles away from home, my role as a mother had changed,” Turner says. “With my husband’s encouragement and support, I left my steady job and jumped into the world of risk, business ownership and rollercoaster income. There’s incredible stress riding the risks, the unknowns and the questioning of how to reach financial security should I want to retire or at least slow down a bit.” EnCorps45 provides a business resource to help ride those risks and advance her business, but also to find sympathetic souls to help overcome her challenges. “We’ve found there are millions like us,

who of necessity or design, are toiling in their own ventures, or facing the end of a corporate gig, who have much to give, but are daunted by the real, isolated hurdles of going it alone,” Martin says. While EnCorps45 looks to shine the light on those people and give them the tools to flourish, Martin says it will be the members themselves who guide the What’s Next movement. EnCorps45 speaks to professionals 45ish (and older) looking to explore or enhance their What’s Next experience – in an encore enterprise, career or lifestyle. EnCorps45 is committed to offering professional, personal and community development experiences. It does this by motivating its members to move forward; by elevating members’ skills with diverse education opportunities; and by facilitating social opportunities for connecting professionally with other members, businesses, and non-profit organizations. For more information, visit EnCorps45.com; Twitter at @Encorps45; Facebook at facebook.com/Encorps45LLC.

Central Exchange and Northland Chamber host networking event for women The Central Exchange and the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce have partnered to bring networking and professional development opportunities to women of the Northland. Their first event together was held at Cascone’s and was a huge success. Central Exchange member Denise Mills spoke on effective networking skills. The next event will be held at Piropo’s on May 13. For more information, call the Central Exchange at 816-471-7560.

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NEWS & NOTES

New research to help prevent amputation

arl Stark, M.D., is leading the nation in cutting-edge research to regrow arteries in people with critical limb ischemia (CLI), a severe form of peripheral artery disease that significantly reduces blood flow to the hands, feet and leg and causes severe pain. Complications from CLI can result in amputation. As a vascular surgeon and director of North Kansas City Hospital’s Wound Healing Center, Dr. Stark is conducting stem cell clinical trials using stem cells harvested from the patient’s bone marrow. His study seeks to determine if treatment with adult stem cells taken from the patient’s own bone marrow can improve healing and prevent amputation. “This treatment is a game changer for patients at high risk for losing a limb and for whom nothing else works,” Dr. Stark says. Once harvested, the stem cells most likely to assist in re-growing the impaired arteries are selected, concentrated and then infused into the affected limb’s arteries to form new ones. The new arteries restore blood flow to the affected limb, increasing the likelihood of a healthier leg. Because Dr. Stark uses

stem cells obtained from the patient versus a donor, the risk of side effects is essentially removed. “We are yielding incredible results with these trials,” says Dr. Stark, who adds that early trial results show improved limb recovery rates at 60 percent. “We are seeing a lot of interest from

around the country in our stem cell clinical trials,” Dr. Stark says. “North Kansas City Hospital is at the forefront of this research.” Dr. Stark has been in practice for more than 30 years. He specializes in vascular surgery and is a leader in open and endovascular surgical techniques and chronic wound treatment.

30-minute scan can detect lung cancer risk By Timothy J. Pluard, M.D. Medical Director, Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute

©ISTOCK.COM / 18PERCENTGREY

urvival following a cancer diagnosis is largely dependent on how far the cancer has progressed before detection. Thus, screening tests to detect cancer at an earlier stage have been an important strategy to reduce cancer deaths. Screening has been effective with mammograms for breast cancer, pap smears for cervical cancer, and colonoscopy for colon cancer. Lung cancer, however, remains the leading cause of death from cancer. Although treatments for advanced lung cancer have improved and patients are living longer, most patients with advanced lung cancer ultimately die from the disease. Thus, earlier diagnosis is critical to improving survival

from lung cancer. Now there is an effective screening tool for lung cancer: low-dose CT (computed tomography) scanning (LD-CT). It is similar to standard CT scans but does not require an IV for contrast and uses lower doses of radiation. It can be completed in less than 30 minutes. In a national study, more than 53,000 people at high risk of lung cancer based on their smoking history underwent screening with annual LD-CT and reduced the risk of dying from lung cancer by more than 20 percent. This is a benefit that is similar to those of screening mammography. HIGH RISK CRITERIA l Age 55-74 l Current or former smoker within the last 15 years l At least 30-pack-year history of cigarette

use (pack years = packs smoked per day x number of years smoked) There is a tradeoff with any screening test – false alarms. Abnormalities may be seen that require the patient undergo a biopsy but ultimately turns out not to be cancer. A critical part of minimizing these false alarms is having the scans performed in a center with specific expertise in interpreting the scans. At Saint Luke’s Hospital, screening results are immediately reviewed with the patient by a physician specializing in chest radiology. Saint Luke’s offers a comprehensive lung cancer screening program, and a brief health survey will determine if you qualify for the low dose CT scan. The cost is $240 and includes the low-dose CT scan, results reading and a personal consultation with a thoracic radiologist. For more information, contact Saint Luke’s at 816-932-6800.

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SPOTLIGHT ON CHARITY

Harvest Ball Society distributes $452,000 to area nonprofits

ots of smiles and a few tears of happiness were evident Jan. 20 as 2014 Harvest Ball Society President Michel Ann Kaiser presented checks totaling $452,000 to 30 area nonprofit organizations. HBS members raised the funds by hosting two annual events: the Adorn Style Show & Brunch in September and the Harvest Ball in November. Since 1987, nearly $7.5 million in grants have been given to organizations that primarily serve people in need in the Northland. “Our theme for 2014 was Seeds of Service…Harvest of Hope,” Kaiser says. “Throughout the year, HBS members planted Seeds of Service with hard work and generous giving. Thanks to their efforts, we have now provided a Harvest of Hope to 30 charities that enrich, stabilize and strengthen the lives of people in the Northland and beyond.” NONPROFITS THAT RECEIVED HBS FUNDING: l Alphapointe Association for the Blind l Angel Flight Central l Assistance League of Kansas City l Autism Works, Inc. l Children’s Mercy Northland l Clay County Clothes Closet l Concerned Care, Inc. l The Family Conservancy l The Farmer’s House

Representatives of nonprofit organizations serving the Northland posed for a photo with Michel Ann Kaiser, (seated center), 2014 Harvest Ball Society president. l

Gilda’s Club Kansas City Harvesters – The Community Food Network l Heartland Habitat for Humanity l Hillcrest Transitional Housing l HOPE.wrx l Liberty Meals on Wheels l Miles of Smiles, Inc. l MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) l NorthCare Hospice & Palliative Care l Northland Assistance Center l Northland Christmas Store l Northland Early Education Center l

l l l l l l l l l

Northland Health Care Access Northland Meals on Wheels, Inc. Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. Shepherd’s Center of the Northland St. Charles Food Pantry Synergy Services, Inc. Tri-County Mental Health Services, Inc. Women’s Employment Network YMCA of Greater Kansas City

For descriptions of each nonprofit receiving a grant, visit http:// harvestballsociety.org. Grants for 2015 will be announced in April.

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Contact Kandie at 816-269-1974

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARITY

Sympony Guild presents Cabaret Concert

o passport is required for “European Adventure,” the Kansas City Symphony Guild’s annual Cabaret Concert on Sunday, April 19. The Kansas City Symphony under the direction of Associate Conductor Aram Demirjian will perform music from Bohemia, Austria, England and Russia to a select group of 400 patrons in the Embassy Suites KCI ballroom. “European Adventure” begins with a silent auction and cocktail hour at 4 p.m. followed by dinner, a live auction, the concert and dessert. The event is a fundraiser for the Symphony and tickets are on sale now for $90 per person, with a portion of each ticket being tax deductible. For more information or to buy a ticket, go to www.cabaretconcert.org.

Some of the auction items for the fundraiser include two sets of Royals Diamond Club Level tickets and a limousine ride to and from the game donated by Leader Worldwide Chauffer Services, a gourmet dinner for eight prepared by symphony musicians and served by members of the Guild, hot air balloon ride, symphony concert and dinner at Webster House, original artwork by Margarita Tinder, a handmade afghan and baskets of wine. The Kansas City Symphony Guild is in its 43rd year of providing fundraising and musician support for The Kansas City Symphony. The Cabaret Concert is the only time during the year the Kansas City Symphony performs in the Northland for the public.

Feed Northland Kids receives 2014 Northland Giving Circle award

Feed Northland Kids meets the needs of chronically hungry Northland children by providing them with nutritional weekend food backpacks. One in five Northland children may otherwise go hungry. Currently, 2,930 students receive weekend food backpacks; the need has nearly tripled since 2009. The grant will help provide weekend food for underprivileged children and help expand the program within Clay and Platte counties.

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PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE

They call me Winnie By Tiffany Westphal Killoren, writing on behalf of Winnie

y name is Winnie; yes, as in Winnie the Pooh. My journey is long and complicated and, to be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure how old I am. Does it really matter? I always try to be young at heart. Sure, I’m an adorable Beagle, but we all know that’s not the first thing that people notice about me. I only have one eye. Well, let me clarify. I have one normal eye, and one super-cool Super Pup eye that allows me to have x-ray vision and identify doggie treats buried miles away. OK, OK, perhaps I’m exaggerating a bit, but my oneeye status can be a bit unsettling to people who are meeting me for the first time. See, I believe that we’re all unique in different ways and this is just my most unique trait. My people, Eric and Natalie Sligar, are the best. Natalie volunteers at the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter, which is where she found me. How cool that they decided to bring me into their family. All in all, I consider myself super lucky. I have a family who loves me, a warm bed, and plenty of food to fill my little belly. Honestly, food is about the only thing that makes me move quickly. I typically prefer to just chill and soak up life around me in a super zen way. I don’t let anything rattle me. Ask Natalie; she brought me to the shelter with her one day and actually had me hang out in the Cat House. Most dog dudes might not appreciate that very much, but I really didn’t mind. Cool cats fit in with my laid-back and quiet way of life. In fact, some people might say that I’m similar to cats because my morning routine includes coughing like I’m working on a hair ball. So, no, I might not look like all of the other dogs out there, but that’s OK. Adorableness comes in all shapes and sizes,

and my family considers my imperfections absolutely perfect. I’m unique and my family loves me just the way I am. Just ask my three-legged cat sibling.

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CARING FOR YOUR PET

NorthCare Hospice & Palliative Care We Deliver the Kind of Excellent Hospice Care That We Would Want For Ourselves and Our Loved Ones

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rg o . e areHospic

Stop the spread of Leptospirosis By Dr. Jim Sparks

he mainstream media is good about informing us of re-emerging disease around the world such as Measles and Ebola. But did you know that there is a re-emerging disease affecting our pets, primarily dogs, right here in the Northland? It doesn’t stop there; this disease is Zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans from both our pets and wild animals. It is called Leptospirosis (Lepto). Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is spread by animals such as deer, raccoons, opossums, fox and rodents. Pets acquire the disease from contaminated soil and water, where the bacteria can remain viable for up to six months. The diagnosis has increased over 600 percent in the last five years thanks to urban sprawl and the wildlife adapting to suburbs and cities. As a Northland native, I can attest that the wildlife population has exploded in every neighborhood. The disease is difficult to diagnosis and often starts out as flu-like symptoms. The treatment of Lepto requires hospitalization with intensive antibiotic and intravenous fluid therapy. Even with appropriate treatment, 80 percent of dogs will have some degree of short- term or chronic kidney disease. If left untreated, the bacteria will also affect the heart and cause failure of the kidneys and/or liver leading to loss of life. The good news is that the disease is preventable with a simple and safe vaccine. Thus, we are now recommending that most of our canine patients be vaccinated. It may be cliché, but with Leptospirosis it rings true: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 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.”

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TRAVEL: FRANCE

The Louvre in Paris.

The Place Stanislas is a large pedestrianized square in Nancy, Lorraine, France.

The iconic Eiffel Tower.

Put romance on the itinerary

By Toni Cracraft

elight in the Gothic architecture of Rouen. Lose yourself in the exquisite gardens of Giverny. Walk the cobblestone streets of provincial Vernon and share the splendor of Paris, the world’s most romantic city. You’ll be creating lifelong memories when you visit France. Paris is a city that never lets up, always packed with wonderful things to see and do. While you may be tempted to spend

your time in a café enjoying the French way of life, it would be a shame to miss the fantastic experience of world-famous landmarks and museums, chic shopping, wonderful restaurants and strolls along the banks of the River Seine. You’ll want to take advantage of the great metro system so you can see as much as possible. The only hard part is deciding where to go first. Visiting the Eiffel Tower is an amazing

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way to start your day of sightseeing. Built in 1889 as a part of the Universal Exhibition, it is now the symbol of Paris. Ride to the top and you can see 45 miles on a clear day. Know that there will be long lines so try to go early in the day. Just north of the Eiffel Tower, at the end of the of the famous Champs-Elysées shopping street, is the Arc de Triomphe. Walk up to the top for an alternative view of Paris. Later, enjoy the Champ

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de Mars which is a great park or a boat ride on the River Seine where an excellent guide will brief you on the history of the river. Next, visit the Pyramide du Louvre. This world renowned museum is one of the largest museums in the world, offering close to 35,000 objects of art to explore. At night it’s lit up to give you a beautiful place to walk around. Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, consider dining at the Kong restaurant with its glass rooftop letting you gaze at the Parisian scene below. This is the perfect way to end the day. If you have a free day or two, consider a short train ride to Nancy to visit the Place Stanislas. This famous Unesco sight is stunning with its 18th century architecture. The main plaza is surrounded by museums, small shops and cafes. You can also board le Petit Train for a guided trip of the grounds. Why not stay over in one of the beautiful historic buildings or a maison d hotes (guest house); they offer very charming lodging. There are so many places to visit and sights to see, from the romantic to the historical, so consider France for your next holiday and be prepared to create lifelong memories.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Toni Cracraft is a Certified Travel Professional and Accredited River Cruise Agent with over 14 years of experience as owner of Voyages Plus Travel Shoppe. Her specialty is Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales, with extensive small group travel experience. You can reach her at 816-471-3900, at voyagesplus travelshoppe@aol. com or at RiverCruiseWorld.net.

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HEALTH CARE: DENTAL BITES

Can a clean mouth help you lose weight? By Brenda Bailey

an brushing and flossing regularly help you with the battle for weight loss? Surprisingly, a clean mouth may help shed a few pounds and here’s why: When you brush and floss regularly, you’ll cut down significantly on the amount of bacteria living in your mouth. Excessive oral bacteria leads to gum disease which causes inflammation. This body wide inflammatory response has been linked to stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and even death. Any of these health complications can make it more difficult for you to work out and lose weight. If you don’t have poor dental hygiene and thus have a decreased risk for these health complications, you’ll have more endurance and be able to work out more often in order to lose weight. Part of maintaining good oral health is keeping away from sugary snacks and drinks – fewer calories taken in, healthier teeth – and maybe even a few pounds lost. Brushing after meals helps you feel full. Really, it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full, but usually we just keep eating. Get up after that meal,

brush your teeth, and give your brain a chance to catch up with your stomach. Any weight loss plan involves watching your diet and increasing your activity levels. Brushing and flossing alone won’t win the battle of the bulge but they can be one more tool in your weight loss toolbox.

ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brenda Bailey is a retired educator. Presently, she is a board member of the American Diabetes Association and practice administrator at Antioch Dental Group in the Northland. fredbaileydds.com 816-452-9700

u High expectations for student behavior & achievement u 98% of SPX graduates go on to college u Faith based curriculum/value-centered approach in every class u Exceptional academic achievement & athletic success u 90% of SPX students are involved in one or more of our 35 sports & activities u College credit classes u Cultivation of leadership skills through classes & activities

SPX High School 1500 NE 42nd Terrace Kansas City, MO 64116 www.stpiusxhs-kc.com 24 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

YOU it.

to live

love it.

be A WARRIOR!

©ISTOCK.COM / MOCKER_BAT

we want

PET ADOPTIONS

Rescue me

Animals waiting for adoption in Parkville have lots of love to give

©ISTOCK.COM / MOUSE_SONYA

ost of us do it. We change the channel when we see a sad commercial about animals in need and look away when faced with the reality of homeless four-legged friends. It’s too sad of a situation, too difficult to handle when we feel like there’s little we can do to help. Ask any animal lover and they’ll swear that their pets feel the same emotions that we do, which makes it all the more difficult to acknowledge the number of dogs and cats lost, abandoned, and desperate to find a family. Those who volunteer at the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter feel the same way, but the love they feel for homeless animals is greater than any desire they may have to do the easy thing and look the other way. You might be surprised when you walk into this shelter. You don’t feel sad; you feel energized by the work that the volunteers are doing and excited to see the animals who are well-fed, content and happy to just be taken care of. Run almost entirely by donations and through fund raising events, this no-kill shelter provides a vital community service by offering animals a safe place to stay until they can find a home. Although the ultimate goal is to place these animals in a loving and permanent environment, not everyone is in the position to adopt a homeless pet. And, that’s okay; with fundraising events, personalized tribute bricks, and event sponsorship opportunities, there is more than one way to help these animals in need. In fact, the simple donation of treats, toys, and plasticlatch dog collars are always appreciated and a great way to show you care. Leslie Page, President of the Shelter’s Board of Directors, works primarily in the Dog House and talks about each of the animals with true affection. Recalling their numerous adoption success stories with pride, it’s clear that Page and the other volunteers are as happy as the animals themselves when they find a good home. Walk into the shelter

and a wall of framed photos welcomes you, the smiling faces of dogs adopted and those still in need of a home show that they are loved as much as possible during their stay and treated like the volunteers’ own. “Even if you adopt an animal from a nokill shelter, you’re saving a life,” Page says. “Adopting from a no-kill shelter means that you’re creating space for another animal to be taken in.” The Cat House is equally fun to tour, the felines lounging peacefully, raising their heads slightly to see who the new person is who entered the room. Although it’s hard for some to imagine, many of the animals have been brought back to the shelter after significant periods of time with their families, circumstances now changed and the animals in need of a home. For these animals, the adjustment can be difficult and their need of a loving family more important than ever. And, if you’re looking for a way to get actively involved without actually adopting a new pet, there are many fun opportunities available. Volunteers are always needed at the shelter or during local events, such as

the Paws in the Park Dog Walk Festival, Bow Wow and Meow Luau Auction, and Annual Pawsta Dinners, all of which are a fun way to meet the animals and help raise muchneeded funds to support their continued care. FOPAS Fabulous Finds, a thrift store in downtown Parkville, is run by shelter volunteers and is always looking for donations to add to their inventory. Or, if you’re looking to adopt an animal someday, consider first serving as a foster family for particular animals who could use an extra hug at the end of the day and soft pillow to curl up on. Rather than consider the plight of homeless animals a sad one, perhaps we should look at it as an opportunity to get involved and make a positive change in their lives. The next time you see the lady bug mailbox marking the entrance to the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter on Highway 9, consider pulling in to make a new furry friend or two and see what you can do to help. To learn more about animals in need of adoption or how you can get involved in the upcoming Go Fish fundraising event on April 26, visit www.parkvilleshelter.com.

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EDIBLES & COCKTAILS

Tasty Thai There’s something for everyone at this family-run restaurant By Tiffany Westphal Killoren

ho doesn’t love something spicy every once in a while? If spicy basil fried rice doesn’t sound like the perfect way to warm you up, maybe the Thai hot wings or bell pepper curry will hit the spot with their unique blend of seasonings and fresh ingredients. With an extensive menu of noodle dishes, fried rice, and specialty dishes for those who are up for trying a little squid stir fry or shrimp dumplings, Tasty Thai has something for everyone – mild, hot and spicy, and many options in-between. After arriving in the United States over twenty years ago, owners Dom and Marisa Wiruhayaran decided to offer a taste of their homeland cuisine to Kansas City by opening their first restaurant. With two locations now available – one in Liberty and the original restaurant on Prairie View Road – Tasty Thai has become a favorite of Northlanders who regularly stop by to try something new on the menu and enjoy it in the cozy family-friendly atmosphere. Although the cuisine speaks for itself (banana and sticky rice dessert, anyone?), the Wiruhayaran’s love of their homeland and Thailand’s beautiful culture is brought to guests through both the extensive menu options and the original decorative pieces that welcome all who enter. And, if you love Tasty Thai’s specialty sauce, the Tiger Cried Sauce made of chili peppers, lemon juice and fish sauce is now available for purchase. Now that will add a little zing to your step.

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EDIBLES & COCKTAILS

I L I V E N O R T H . CO M

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EDIBLES & COCKTAILS

Tasty Thai’s specialty sauce, the Tiger Cried Sauce, is now available for purchase.

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FEATURE: THREE GABLES

Second chances Old school values at the heart of a historic home saved for future generations By Tiffany Westphal Killoren

ake a moment to think about what life was like almost two hundred years ago in 1824. Imagine young children working in fields, a one-room school house warmed by a single wood-burning stove, and a time when luxury items included a piece of fresh fruit or molasses candy. Picture a time when “from scratch” was the only cooking option and clothing made no statement, heavy and unbreathable fabrics the standard for clothes that made daily life both uncomfortable and unforgiving. We can read about life in the 1820s, but imagining what it was truly like is difficult in an age where comfort, convenience, and efficiency stands tall at the top of our list of expectations. Thanks to two men, there is one house that allows visitors a glimpse into this past life – a step back in time to a day when fires burned after a long day in the fields and children played without worry on its land. Welcome to Three Gables, a now picturesque snapshot of a time gone by. With three pitched roof peaks along its front, the charm of the home and its property make its near demolition just a few years ago almost unimaginable. Considered one of the oldest homes in Kansas City, Three Gables’s

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FEATURE: THREE GABLES

I L I V E N O R T H . CO M

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FEATURE: THREE GABLES construction dates back to 1824 and – like anything that has survived this long – it has an interesting story to tell. Travel to 9550 N.E. Cookingham Drive and take that step back in time for yourself. You can’t miss the charming white house with green shutters, an amazing architectural jewel on three acres nestled in the middle of a developing area near Shoal Creek in Liberty. You feel it almost immediately, its rocky drive a gateway to a quieter time that is still captured in the trees that tower overhead and the brick pathway that invites you to come inside. For a house almost 200 years old, its list of past owners is surprisingly short, perhaps a testament to the love that each of them had for a house that represents the very things in life that are the most difficult to let go. For current owners Andy Mackey and Mike Yeates, Three Gables has blessed them with more than they could ever take from the property. As owners of The Real Estate Store, Mackey and Yeates are in the business of forward thinking – they are experts at identifying development potential and work closely with clients on real estate deals. Such generic description doesn’t do either of them justice, however; their renovation of Three Gables speaks more to their personal values than ability to identify the next great real estate venture. They’re the first to admit that, if anything, this venture has turned into an adventure that they stumbled upon. Some might say that those are the best kind. “Our values are embodied in this house,” Mackey says. Sitting with Mackey and Yeates in the exposed brick front room – a part of the house that was added during its extension in 1860 – you can’t help but be affected both by the energy of the house and the genuine affection that both men feel for the space. Affection and respect; it becomes instantly clear that Mackey and Yeates consider themselves the lucky ones, all of their sweat and hard work devoted to restoring the house a small price to pay for the privilege that they feel in making such a valuable piece of history available to the community. Business partners, perhaps, but Mackey and Yeates are so much more. They didn’t set out to find an endangered Kansas City

property and pour themselves into saving it. In fact, you might say that Three Gables found them, its energy so inviting that there seemed little choice other than to give it a voice to tell its story. Sure, it would have been easy to buy the property and destroy the house, its location ideal for development. Had the house been destroyed, however, its voice would have been quieted forever. That

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simply wasn’t an option for Mackey and Yeates; they could tell that the house had so much more to say. With the original two-room house built in 1824, the following years brought changes to both the home’s ownership and structure. And, it was during the recent renovation process that the house seemed to be guiding Mackey and Yeates to find its

FEATURE: THREE GABLES

hidden gems, a charming game of hide and seek where the house held all of the secrets. Take, for example, the magazine from 1957 that had fallen behind a radiator and told of a more simple life with pictures of family on its cover. Original planking peeks out from under the wood floors in places and the walnut staircase spindles, which were spun by hand, are absolutely perfect in their slight imperfections. Hidden treasures still regularly surface – buttons from a Civil War uniform and an Canadian half-cent from 1811 among the most recent finds. Nearly three years after their purchase of the property, the work for Mackey and Yeates continues. Although their Real Estate Store’s office is located in the house, they welcome anyone to stop in and take a look around. In fact, they encourage it. Although Mackey and Yeates own the house, it’s clear that they feel like it belongs to the community, the lessons that it can teach far more valuable than any learned from a history book. Yeates believes that, as far as society has come in technology and progress, people still seem to crave the simpler times in life that are virtually impossible to replicate these days. “Everyone these days wants an acreage

and a homestead,” he says. “We want people to come and see this.” Because Mackey and Yeates invite anyone interested to experience the property for themselves, they’ve made sure that any trip will be worth the time. With a small farmyard in the backyard, children can feed the goats, chickens, and other animals, gathering as many eggs as they can carry in the process. Live nativity scenes welcome holiday gatherers to sit on hay bales and experience something that is hard to find anywhere these days – a sense of peace and moment to reflect. Although Three Gables is their most unique venture, Mackey and Yeates consider it intertwined with their business as a whole; in fact, the old house in need of love and commitment seems to embody the moral foundation on which their business model is based. With their business booming these days, Mackey is quick to attribute their success to something greater than themselves. Currently in the process of developing 100 acres for new housing in the Liberty School District and achieving impressive sales results with the use of high tech marketing techniques, Mackey attributes much of the business’s recent success to the values that

underlie their decisions. “I believe that a lot of our good fortune comes from karma,” he says. “A business will benefit from doing the right thing. We wear our values on our sleeve.” Yeates agrees, both men at a loss for words to describe how significant of a role Three Gables has played in their lives. “It’s a labor of love,” Yeates says. “Part of everything we do continues to be put back into this house.” Describing the property’s impact, especially on children who feed the farm animals and explore the property in the carefree way that only children can, Yeates recalls a particularly memorable moment when he and his 8-year-old son hung an American flag outside, its symbolism profound. “Through this property, we’re showing an appreciation for our forefathers,” Mackey says. “This house has survived every war.” Walk around the house and you can feel it yourself, a palpable energy that still sings of days filled with quieter moments and families gathered around the warm fire. Days when the world didn’t move quite so fast and you can still sense the sweet smell of molasses candy lingering in the air.

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FEATURE: VETERAN FOUNDATION

Protecting our own

Kansas City veteran gives back to those who have given so much By Tiffany Westphal Killoren

alor. It means different things to different people. It can mean courage and putting another’s needs ahead of your own. It can be a word or action that uplifts someone when they feel like the world is weighing them down. It can be a silent outstretched hand, a gesture of genuine concern that needs no thanks or recognition. Valor can be defined, but it cannot be limited; its potential for improving lives and making an indelible mark on those it touches as limitless as the depths of the human heart itself. Arthur Fillmore is many things. He is a husband, father, grandfather, attorney, and proud Northlander. Where others see conflict, he sees the potential for resolution. Where others see disagreement, he sees a chance for discussion and compromise. And, where others see little hope, Fillmore sees new beginnings and endless opportunity. Fillmore is also a Vietnam veteran; he has seen extensive combat and understands that some experiences in life can’t be left behind or locked away in some safe corner of your mind. He understands because he’s lived it, the residual impact of war no more evident than when he instinctively dove for cover in the stands during a 1970 Missouri football game when the celebratory canon was fired. Fillmore understands that coming home for our military men and women is not as simple a packing their bags and getting on a plane. Some baggage stays with them, carried like an invisible weight on their back that nobody can see and they can never take off. Some veterans return and struggle with physical, emotional, and mental challenges, the person that they once were unfamiliar to the person that they’ve now become. Fillmore understands that he’s fortunate; his life is one filled with blessings and the resources to handle all that life may throw his way.

We have a lot of people who answered the bell when our country needed them, but we’re not answering the bell for them. We are trying to raise awareness of the magnitude of the problem and the plight that these people have suffered. — ARTHUR FILLMORE

Because not all veterans are so fortunate, Fillmore decided to offer them a helping hand to give them the lift that they need. “I realized how broad spread the problem was,” Fillmore says. “PTSD leads to dysfunction in personal and professional lives and is often accompanied by addictive behavior.” In 1992, Fillmore attended his first Stand Down event in San Diego, a two to three-day event that provided homeless veterans services that they need to get back on their feet and, most importantly, to be reminded that someone cared. Stand Down events – which reference the “stand down” period during combat when military are able to get a hot meal, clean uniform and rest – are truly that for those veterans who are now without a home, job, or hope for a better tomorrow. “I knew that, if I hadn’t had the stability that I had at home, I would have ended up the same way,” Fillmore says. “I just thought, this isn’t right. They deserve better than this.” The following year, Fillmore and Robert Waechter founded Heart of America Stand Down Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides homeless veterans in Kansas City the assistance that might not otherwise

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be available to them. With Stand Down events now held in 151 cities nationwide, Fillmore and Waechter’s foundation organizes events in Kansas City to provide services to veterans that range from job training and tax preparation to medical exams and hair cuts. Organized by the efforts of about 700 volunteers, 100 percent of proceeds help local veterans. And, with about 1,800 homeless veterans at any given time in Kansas City, the services provided by Fillmore’s foundation can be life-changing to those who attend. “We call those who attend MIA, Missing in America,” Fillmore says. “We tell them that we’re here to honor you, not judge you.” Although extending a helping hand to those in need may help to address an impact, the core of the problem itself is far-reaching. “For the Vietnam generation, we forced them to internalize everything,” Fillmore says. “We created the demon that took over their souls and the downward cycle is fast.” It is this internalization of traumatic memories and experiences that Fillmore believes is at the root of many veterans’ inability to fully re-engage upon returning home. Although Stand Down events provide homeless veterans some of the much needed services that they need to get back on their feet and trusted people to lean on, the events eventually end and many veterans return to the streets. Although these Heart of America Stand Down Foundation events show veterans that someone cares, they are still left to try build a life without the most basic of human comforts – a home. Understanding that a soft place to land at the end of the day represents so much more than just walls and a roof over their heads, Fillmore wanted to provide homeless veterans with this essential first step toward rebuilding their lives. “We were seeing the same people every year,” Fillmore says. “I thought, wouldn’t

FEATURE: VETERAN FOUNDATION it be great to have a stand down event twenty-four seven.” And, in June 2014, that dream became a reality with the grand opening of St. Michael’s Veterans Center, a 58-apartment unit complex that provides permanent housing for homeless veterans. Working with Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joe and Yarco Company to obtain funding and design a space that would best suit veterans’ needs, Fillmore now serves on the Center’s Board of Directors. The award-winning development is now in Phase II of its construction, which will include an additional 58 housing units and eventually a 7,500 square-foot center that will provide veterans on-site therapeutic and informational services. Fillmore credits Mayor Sly James and other leaders with their continued support of the project. Although Fillmore has been involved with many projects that engage his mind, he considers his work with local veterans a passion that engages his heart. “We have a lot of people who answered the bell when our country needed them, but we’re not answering the bell for them,” he says. “We are trying to raise awareness of the magnitude of the problem and the plight that these people have suffered.” To learn more about upcoming Stand Down events and how you can help, visit www.kcstanddown.org.

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SMALL BUSINESS: MARKETING

THE MARKETING PLAN

From point A to point B (and beyond)

ne of the major points I wanted the reader to understand after reading the last installment was that the field of marketing should be viewed as more than simply advertising and sales. Marketing is comprised of many interconnected moving parts and pieces. If we set out to create a marketing plan that details the firm’s marketing efforts and takes into consideration all of these components, this can seem like quite a daunting task. For this reason, many firms do not have a written marketing plan. Without a marketing plan that defines the firm’s critical marketing metrics and establishing a baseline to measure changes in performance against, how can the firm know if it is allocating the scarce marketing resources effectively? In a larger context, how does the firm know if is operating efficiently? Even though Marketing is my field, I do not think l am biased when I suggest a firm is likely not operating as effectively or as efficiently as it could with a marketing plan. Individual marketing plans are as different as one firm is from another; however, there

are many common elements that should be included in a solid marketing plan. There are books written on creating marketing plans, but at a very high level, one component is a description of a firm’s product (or service), as well as a description of the firm’s customer. Another component would be the marketing metrics and the components of these metrics – market share, the dollar amount and unit sales of the product, the profit or loss, and other vital measures – that quantify the performance of the firm. A third component should be a clear understanding of where the firm is today based on these marketing metrics along with a specific and measurable plan detailing where the firm wants to be at some designated point in the future. This should include an estimate of what it will cost the firm to reach this destination. In this installment my goal is to demonstrate why it is important to understand the firm’s products and customers, and in the next installment I will discuss marketing metrics and charting a course that is specific and measurable.

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Let’s begin with a simple mathematical example. Feel free to pull out a blank sheet of paper or open Excel and work these out with me. Let’s assume a firm’s current average monthly sales revenue is $10,000. This is generated by a customer base of 250 customers, who spend on average $40 per sales transaction each month. These numbers serve as our baseline in the following two scenarios. In the first scenario, the firm would like to increase the average monthly sales revenue by $2,000, from $10,000 to $12,000. This is an increase of 20 percent using the baseline of $10,000 in average monthly sales revenue. The firm chooses to pursue a strategy of increasing the average sales transaction to accomplish this goal. This requires an $8 increase in the average sales transaction, using the baseline of $40. The resulting new average sales transaction is $48. The firm will maintain the existing customer base of 250, but each customer now spends on average $48 per sales transaction per month. The firm’s average monthly sales revenue is now $12,000. How does the firm increase the amount

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By Dr. Duane Myer

SMALL BUSINESS: MARKETING of the average sales transaction? If the firm knows its product line well, it can determine if it needs to expand the existing product line or promote the existing product line. For example, a coffeehouse may introduce breakfast sandwiches or pastries in an effort to entice a purchase along with the usual cup of coffee. Or, a restaurant may introduce a bundled price for an appetizer, entrée, and dessert to increase the purchase frequency of appetizers and/or desserts. The key with any effort to increase the average transaction amount is to avoid negatively impacting the existing margins in the process. In the second scenario, assume the same $2,000 increase in the average monthly sales revenue. Here the firm chooses to pursue a strategy of attracting and maintaining new customers (and assumes the purchasing behavior will be $40 just like an existing customer), which requires the acquisition of 50 new customers. Now the firm will have a customer base of 300, who spend on aver-

age $40 per sales transaction one time each month. The firm’s average monthly sales revenue is now $12,000. If the firm knows its existing customers, it can determine the best tactic(s) so as to attract 50 new customers. The firm could provide an incentive to existing customers for referring a new customer. Or the firm might advertise to encourage a competitor’s customer to switch their allegiance to this firm. Extolling the virtues of a superior benefit the firm offers, such as outstanding customer service or convenient location, can persuade a competitor’s customer to try the firm (the firm MUST make sure it delivers on the promise of outstanding customer service or there may not be any repeat purchases by the new customers). After digesting these examples I hope you agree that understanding products and customers is vitally important. This knowledge is a significant benefit to the firm when creating its next marketing campaign.

The firm can clearly articulate the goal of seeking to attract new customers or increase customer loyalty or build the brand to those involved in the creative design and placement of the advertisement. Dr. Duane Myer is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He is also a consultant who works with firms on the creation of marketing plans, as well as the development, execution, and measurement of an effective marketing strategy. He has earned a B.B.A. with a concentration in small business management from Iowa State University, and an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Kansas. If you have a question or a comment, he can be reached at duane.myer@pepperdine.edu.

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COMMUNITY: SPELLING BEE

From left: Kevin Choe, Dr. Nahel Niknom and Dr. Jeff Klein

Saving the spelling bee

Community and Park Hill School District work together to save beloved tradition By Tiffany Westphal Killoren

-R-A-D-I-T-I-O-N. Standing at a microphone and articulating each letter of a given word has been a longstanding school day tradition, sources dating the first spelling bee back to 1825 with an official National Spelling Bee following a century later. There’s something to be said for having the confidence to stand in front of an audience and spell word after word, visualizing the letters and asking for context when needed for the really tough

ones. The winning word in the first National Spelling Bee in 1925 was gladiolus, and the winning words last year – feuilleton and stichomythia – are probably not ones that you find reason to use every day. That’s kind of the point. In a time when spell check automatically corrects our mistakes and dictionaries are available at our fingertips, the students who excel at spelling bees do so because they devote countless hours to preparation and show an intense

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dedication to the process. Spelling bees may not be necessary to a student’s success in school, but they represent something far more than a list of words that most of us have never heard of and will never use. Spelling bees represent work ethic, dedication, and an ability to remain calm under pressure and, despite its value, it is a tradition that is at serious risk of being abandoned. This year, Park Hill School District came dangerously close to experiencing that loss

COMMUNITY: SPELLING BEE first hand. Without a regional competition available for students to participate in, hardstudying grade schoolers found themselves without any means to qualify for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Sabrina Wiewel found this frustrating and simply unacceptable; her daughter, Peyton, won the Northwest Regional Spelling Bee last year and continued on to nationals. After devoting countless hours toward preparing for this year’s competition, Peyton and other spelling whizzes like her would be excluded from the national competition unless something miraculous happened. And then something miraculous did. The Scripps National Spelling Bee agreed to allow the Park Hill School District to selfsponsor a spelling bee, the winner of which would proceed directly to the national competition. That meant that the avenue to the next round had been identified, but it now just had to be organized – no small feat when you consider the cost of the spelling bee and sending the winner to nationals to be somewhere around $6,000. Determined to make that happen, however, those who refused to let the spelling bee fade away sprung into action. “We needed to fund raise,” Wiewel says. “The community and schools needed to come together.” With the guidance and support of Dr. Jeff Klein, Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services for the Park Hill School District, Wiewel and other spelling bee supporters started to brainstorm about the best way to raise the thousands of dollars needed to selfsponsor the district’s spelling bee. “I was overwhelmed by the passion and energy that the students and parents have for the spelling bee,” Klein says. “I thought, how many times do we praise a student and send them to a national competition for something that they’ve achieved academically?” Providing Park Hill students this chance became a priority for Dr. Klein and all involved. “One child’s success represents an accomplishment of the District as a whole,” he says. Prepared to approach local businesses and request a portion of the needed funds, Wiewel couldn’t have been more surprised when she received a response from the first business contacted. Dr. Dustin Burleson, of Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric

Dentistry, offered to cover the entire cost of the spelling bee himself. What would prompt such a generous gesture by a local business? Well, it seems that everyone has a spelling bee story or two and Dr. Burleson’s experience years ago was at the heart of his desire to help save the spelling bee for students in the area. During his sixth grade spelling bee, Dr. Burleson misspelled the word “surgery” and he has never forgotten. “With 12 family members who are dentists with surgical degrees, it was a little embarrassing to misspell the word surgery,” he says. “Looking back, 25 years later, it’s kind of funny that I now have a doctorate degree in dental surgery.” And, because he considers spelling bees as offering something more than word usage, Dr. Burleson wants to see the tradition continue for generations to come. “Spelling and vocabulary are obviously important in building a foundation for strong readers and learners,” he says. “I believe it is important to support children in their desire to achieve, compete and stand in front of an audience with confidence. If we can teach more children these skills, I’m confident we can develop stronger leaders, lifelong learners and better communities.” Because of a community’s involvement, a school district’s dedication to its students, and one man’s commitment to providing boys and girls the opportunities that he once had, students in grades five through eight in the Park Hill School District were eligible to participate in the spelling bee on Feb. 21 at the Park Hill South High School. When the students took the stage, perhaps they knew of the efforts that it took to get them there; it’s more likely that they were too focused on articulating the spelling of a challenging word to think of the role that their community and schools played in getting them the opportunity to do so. That’s OK; the important thing is that they were there and given their chance to shine. Dr. Burleson simply wants students to study hard and do their best, quoting Teddy Roosevelt’s words of wisdom – “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” What an ebullient ending to the story. E-B-U-L-L-I-E-N-T.

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FINANCE: TAX TIPS

How to make tax time less stressful Be an ant, not a grasshopper

you a grasshopper? Every CPA office has lots of both types. Ant clients usually get refunds; the ant clients who do owe, knew that they would owe, and they came prepared for it. An ant brings a pen and paper to a meeting with a CPA and scribbles furiously as we speak, bless their hearts. And then there are the grasshopper clients. The fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pantsers, the never-quite-able-to-get-aheads. Sure, they’d love to do the right thing, the prudent thing, but they’re always too financially strapped. A grasshopper client won’t hesitate to go to HR and change paycheck withholdings to get more cash. We usually don’t hear from a grasshopper until mid-March at the earliest. Predictably, grasshoppers are “shocked. SHOCKED!” when they learn that they will owe taxes. They might mutter something about getting a second opinion or ask a lot of questions about installment agreements and settling the tax debt.

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t’s that time of year again. Yes, I regret to inform you that it’s tax season. Don’t try to save yourself now, it’s too late. The time for planning has passed and the day of reckoning is here. Do you remember the fable about the ant and the grasshopper? The grasshopper spent all summer singing and dancing while the ant was storing food, and then when winter came the grasshopper realized he had made a huge mistake. During this tax season ask yourself: were you an ant last year or were

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FINANCE: TAX TIPS

If you’re a grasshopper, you may be a very nice person, but rest assured that you are not your CPA’s favorite client. If you’ve ever threatened to fire your accountant and you thought you saw a concealed smile, you just might be a grasshopper client. And then there’s the worst-of-bothworlds client, the toxic combination: grasshopper clients who are self-employed. They view taxes as a borrowing arrangement. Some of them are aware that the penalties for failure to pay estimated taxes are small (if you saved all of your tax money in a savings account and paid it all on April 15, the penalty for doing that is very low). Since they invariably have big plans for their cash, and tend to be an optimistic bunch, they put off paying until it all comes due. I don’t have to tell you how that usually ends. The time to start thinking about taxes is not March. It was January – of last year.

Start figuring out what your income for the year will be. Then when you file the previous year’s return, ask yourself whether this year’s will be much different. If the answer is yes, ask your tax advisor what to expect next year. If you’re going to owe, find out what you can do about it. You might look for ways to reduce your taxable income, or you may just decide to pay the higher taxes; either way, you have all year to plan for it. By next tax season, there will be no surprises; you won’t even think much about it, you’ll already be thinking about the following year. Contact your tax advisor at some point during the year if anything about your financial situation may change. Make projections of how much you might owe, and don’t withdraw money from your retirement accounts until you know what the tax consequences are. Because trust me, you’d much rather be an ant.

GET BACK IN THE GAME!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott S. Keithly, CPA, is the founder and President of Kansas City Tax Mediation, LLC. He specializes in helping taxpayers solve tax problems, and he also has regular seasonal tax clients. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California State University– Fullerton and a master’s in Accountancy and Information Systems from Arizona State University.

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FITNESS: CARDIO

You gotta have a plan By Nick Bolton

CONTACT THE AUTHOR

Keep your eye out for Nick’s new book this spring called “10 Minutes to Fit” – www.10minutestofit. com.

very year I observe the same behavior in the gym – New Year’s Resolutioners race off to the nearest health club, lace up the new tennis shoes, and jump onto the closest treadmill – to begin the annual fat-melting process. With eager anticipation they crank up the speed of the tread to a jog or run pace. And they’re off! Trudging along at a pace that’s hardly manageable, they take as many opportunities to hold onto the machine for dear life as they can. I get it… you want to go for the quick fix that you don’t need to think about – cardio. But WAIT! If you honestly want results, you might want to reconsider your approach. What problems do you see with this scenario? UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS Listen, fat doesn’t just fall off the body when you run. In fact, there’s a fairly complex method to which body fat is used for energy expenditure, resulting in a leaner, meaner you. This process takes time and effort, so be patient. Here’s where the phrase “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” comes into play. Be consistent and DO NOT give up – you will undoubtedly see results if you stick to the plan.

NO PLAN OK, you need one of these. Going at fitness without a plan is almost a guaranteed recipe to be hard on the body and hard on the spirit. I’ve said it before, not having a plan is like leaving your house and not knowing 48 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

where you want to go (let alone, how you want to get there). Have a plan and then EXECUTE that plan. CARDIO STRESS When was the last time you went to the track and ran sprints? I understand that your plan may not be to run sprints but just to run. My point is, your body is probably not ready for the abusive pounding of your feet on a hard surface. This trauma is very hard on the joints that have been sitting, basically unused in a fitness sense. Now, consider the added weight you’re carrying since you tried running last and think about the added stress your body is taking. Not only does this stress your bones and joints to the point that serious injuries can easily happen, but it raises the stress hormone, cortisol, making it nearly impossible to lose body fat. In fact, you risk burning up your muscle tissue and protecting your body fat. This is one of the No. 1 reasons for dramatic decreases in metabolism. Basically, you could actually be accelerating your rapid decline in fitness. Without getting into it too much, I’ll tell you that there is a solution to your problems, one that can reverse all of the effects of cardio and even some effects of age. It’s called resistance training. Look around and you most likely will NEVER hear a negative aspect of proper weight training. Key word here being, “proper.”

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For more information and videos, subscribe to www.youtube.com/ firehousefitnesskc and facebook. com/NickBolton FitnessModel. Contact him at nick@ ilivenorth.com or visit firehousefitnesskc.com.

LANDSCAPING: PLANTS

Counterclockwise from left: Purple Haze®, Double Take Scarlet Storm® and Heuchera Carnival Coffee Bean®.

Top plant picks for 2015 By Susan Mertz, Loma Vista Nursery

rowing a beautiful garden is much easier when you start with the right plants. Loma Vista Nursery has been growing plants for the Kansas City area since 1991. With over 650 varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, ornamental and native grasses in production at our container farm south of the metro area, we have quite a few to choose from when selecting favorites. Our selections for the list of Top Plant Picks for 2015 have many things in common – easy to grow, relatively untroubled by disease or pests and tolerant of Kansas City’s ever changing weather. It was easy to choose the Carnival series of heucheras for the Top Plant Picks list. We have found this group of coral bells holds up well in our hot, humid summers and provides color in the shade garden. For hot dry spots

needing a colorful groundcover, we selected the Sunsparkler sedums – Lime Zinger®, Dazzlebery®, Cherry Tart®. For early color in the garden, forsythias have been a long time favorite of gardeners. We decided to change it up with the new and bold Double Take Quince®. This isn’t your grandmother’s quince. No thorns, no fruit. Just beautiful orange, pink and scarlet camellia-like flowers in the spring. We are continuing a bold color accent in the summer with our favorite small vine, Summer Jazz Fire Campsis. Perfect in the landscape or in a container, Summer Jazz Fire has orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. A plant for all seasons, we selected Spring Flurry Serviceberry® for our list of top trees. Spring Flurry has fragrant white flowers in the spring followed by edible fruit. It finishes the gardening year with colorful fall foliage. ILIVENORTH.COM

LOMA VISTA

I-435 and NE 96th Street, 5901 NE 96th Street, Kansas City, Mo. lomavisanursery.com Join us for our annual Spring Open House, April 24-26 for special promotions, activities for kids and top plant picks. We’ll also have patio container design ideas.

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HEALTH: REFRACTIVE SURGERY

Seeking 20/15 in 2015 Refractive surgery can free you from your glasses and contacts By Randy T. Jackson, M.D., and Glen C. Pate, O.D.

re your glasses nearby? If so, you are not alone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 66 percent of Americans need them, according to a National Eye Institute survey. For some, glasses are a continuous frustration; they are easily lost, broken, smudged, and interfere with many sports and exercises. Contact lenses have limitations of convenience, comfort and the chance of infection with overnight wear. With state-of-the-art technology, refractive surgery can eliminate or greatly reduce the need for glasses or contacts. These procedures span all adult age ranges and glasses prescriptions, including astigmatism. The type of surgery recommended depends on the shape of each individual eye. Vision is clear when the eye focuses light directly on the retina. Blurred vision occurs when light is instead focused in front or behind the retina. This blurred vision falls into three main refractive categories. Hyperopia, farsightedness, is the inability to see up close. Myopia, nearsightedness, is a difficulty seeing far away. Astigmatism, a corneal shape more oval than round, blurs all distances. One additional problem that occurs after age 40 is presbyopia, the reduced ability to change focus from distance to near. This creates the need for bifocals and reading glasses. Reducing dependence on glasses requires changing the optical power of the eye. This change is made by reshaping the cornea, adding an implanted lens, or replacing the natural lens of the eye. LASIK surgery is the creation of a corneal flap, with either a metal blade or femtosecond laser, followed by a reshaping of the cornea with an excimer laser. This

Femtosecond laser and disposable interface

Intraocular lens

procedure has a rapid recovery time and generally allows for excellent vision and comfort by the morning after surgery. Significant improvements have advanced both the formation of the flap and the laser pattern for reshaping the eye. Eight years ago, our Discover Vision

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Centers moved to a femtosecond laser instead of the traditional mechanical microkeratome. This all-laser procedure provides a very uniform and highly customizable flap while eliminating the need for a metal blade. This is sometimes referred to as sub-Bowmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keratomileusis or blade-free LASIK. After the flap is lifted, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. The pattern of this reshaping now includes wavefront optical corrections. This goes beyond the typical myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism to more subtle refractive errors that can affect vision. For example, the peripheral cornea commonly has slightly more myopia than the central portion. Wavefront LASIK improves the quality of night-time vision compared to previous forms of LASIK. PRK is a procedure that also reshapes the

HEALTH: EYE SURGERY

Let us make an IMPACT on your outdoor living space! FANTASTIC FIREPLACES

cornea with an excimer laser, but without the creation of a flap. This procedure is a safer alternative than LASIK for those with thin or irregular corneas. Vision results are similar, but the healing time is slower by several days. For the unlucky few who are extremely nearsighted, to the degree that they are not LASIK or PRK candidates, there are phakic implantable lenses. This procedure places a permanent lens adjacent to the iris. These lenses are FDA approved for nearsightedness up to -20 diopters. For those over age 50, vision can also be corrected with cataract surgery or a refractive lens exchange for people who have not yet developed a cataract. The procedure is the same in either case. First, a small incision is made in the cornea. Then the natural, often cloudy, lens of the eye is removed with ultrasound. A new silicone or acrylic intraocular lens is put in place of the natural lens. This surgery precludes future cataract development and gives a stable long-term correction of vision. There are a variety of lenses that can be implanted. Toric lenses reduce astigmatism. Accommodating lenses can, to a limited degree, change focus from distance to near. Multifocal lenses provide multiple distances where things are clear in each eye. Monovision lenses are selected for a different focal point in each eye. For example, a left eye focused for driving and the right eye for reading. These refractive surgeries are safe and effective, but no surgery is entirely without risk of complication and side effect. A discussion about visual needs and expectations is important to help an experienced refractive surgeon match the above technologies. 20/15 or 20/20 vision is never guaranteed. It is important to take the time to understand the anticipated benefits, limitations, and risks prior to any surgery.

OUTDOOR KITCHENS

PATIO AND FIREPLACES

STONE SEATING

IMPACT Outdoor Living can make your outdoor living space a showcase. We specialize in irrigation installation, maintenance and repair, low-voltage lighting, outdoor kitchens, hardscapes, water features and landscape design and construction.

Mike DeDonder, owner

816-605-0406 â&#x20AC;˘ www.impactoutdoorliving.com

Step into

Spring fashions

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Randy T. Jackson, MD is a fellowship trained refractive surgeon and Glen C. Pate, OD, is a refractive optometrist with Discover Vision Centers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Northland. ILIVENORTH.COM

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LANDSCAPING: OUTDOOR LIVING

Making the move to outdoor living By Mike DeDonder ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike DeDonder is the owner of IMPACT Outdoor Living in Kansas City. Call him at 816-605-0406 to help improve and maintain your space while being environmentally responsible and saving some green.

pring is here! The birds are chirping. The weather is warming up, and your outdoor space is in need of attention! If you have low voltage lighting you may think it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require maintenance, but to prolong its life and ensure its effectiveness there are things you need to do yearly. Each fixture needs to be checked for leaking seals and properly working bulbs. To save money, have LED bulbs placed in each fixture. It costs a little more upfront, but you will see the savings over time. Keep your home safe and beautiful by having your timer checked and adjusted each year. After a long winter, the plants, shrubs and beds in your yard need to be cleaned up. Leaves accumulate in the crevices and under dead plant material. Removal and replacement or trimming of plants and fresh, thick mulch will revive the look of your beds. Plants are hungry as they put on new foliage. They need to be fed to make sure you get vibrant colors and longest life. And if you plan to reseed your lawn, the earlier the better! Irrigation system owners know June 1 will be here before you know it. Backflows needs to be tested by a certified specialist each year before that date. No need to wait for the city to send you a letter threatening a fine or water cessation, book your startup! Many companies offer specials if you prepay for the startup and winterization in the spring. To get the most out of your system and to get the most bang for your buck, have your outdoor specialist check for proper coverage and leaks. There are many new water saving products

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on the market which can also save you money. Work with your professional to set the controller for the proper watering schedule. According to the latest news in home design, the product trend report is focused on the outdoors. More and more homeowners are turning their deck or patio into major entertaining spaces. As the kitchen is the heart of the home, many are looking for ways to move that space outside so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to leave their guests while they tend to food or drink. Outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and hardscapes provide a place for you to entertain friends and family for special events or for a beautiful spring evening. Work with your outdoor professional to make your home a functional showcase for showers, birthdays, weddings and graduation parties.

FITNESS: COMMITMENT

Is your lifestyle preventing fitness? By Nick Bolton

CONTACT THE AUTHOR

For more information and videos, subscribe to www.youtube.com/ firehousefitnesskc and facebook. com/NickBolton FitnessModel. Contact him at nick@ ilivenorth.com or visit firehousefitnesskc.com. Keep your eye out for Nick’s new book this spring called “10 Minutes to Fit” – www.10minutestofit. com.

©ISTOCK.COM / GEBER86

wo months into the year and I’ve seen the inevitable falloff from the active gym-goers. Either you already reached your new year’s resolution or you already gave up. I’ve been in the industry long enough to know and understand the reasons for failed resolutions. Let’s get real for a minute. In order for a fitness goal (or resolution) to work, you MUST BE COMMITTED. Commitment does not mean trying haphazardly for a relatively short period of time, expecting remarkable results. Guys, this fitness thing takes time. In order to see any reasonable changes, you must stick with it. Think about anything worth pursuing in life… you don’t just go for a few weeks or a month chasing it. Most likely it’s on your mind all the time and you strive constantly until you attain it. Fitness isn’t just about spending an hour in the gym three days a week. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, that’s only a small part. It’s about all the choices you make between workouts. How you eat,

sleep, reduce stress, what activities you do for fun, etc., all play a vital role in your overall success. It’s about a new lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t need to be perfect all the time, but you DO need to be smart about how you approach daily activities. When the daily focus is about health, the journey becomes all that more simpler. In fact, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that if you start changing one aspect, the others will also become easier. For example, if you focus on eating a bit healthier and try and get up to move your body more, you will probably sleep much better, waking up more refreshed for the following day. Make a commitment to yourself to finally change your life. Each day, make at least one conscious decision to do something healthy. Every week, add another healthy decision to each day. Before long, these decisions will add up to a changed lifestyle. Stop putting it off day after day and get started now. ILIVENORTH.COM

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ART: PAINTING IN FRANCE

The colors of France By Cathy Kline

fter reading Madeline during the second grade, I set my sights on traveling to France to paint. I would buy a poodle, twist my hair into a French roll and wait to turn 17. I would wait much longer before realizing that dream. I never lost the desire, and five decades later I was finally packing to go. Thirteen men and women from all over the United States met in France for one reason and one reason alone – to PAINT…or so I thought. The first stint of the trip began in Paris. Taking the subway, devouring the Louvre and Musee’ d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Double Decker bus tour, Luxembourg Gardens, French Market and dining experiences kept us hopping those first five days. Quite honestly, as much as I wanted to see the sites, I was itching to paint. Next stop was Vernon where we connected with impressionist Monet’s Giverny which was only a short walk from our B&Bs.We reveled in the possibilities and after five days the evidence of our inspiration found expression. We learned that you better be fast when taking the train; the conductor refuses to wait. Imagine grappling with your bag of clothes and your bag of art supplies which contains an easel, paints, brushes, canvases, paper towels, wipes, pliers etc. I will never forget that we conquered that challenge. Madeline would be proud – forget Madeline; Monet would be proud! We traveled to Provence to paint in Le Barroux. The view along the way was reminiscent of the farms of Kansas and Missouri. The patchwork landscape was familiar until a castle would appear on the horizon. I did my best to capture the sun-baked patina on walls of pink and yellow. Acid vineyard greens and golden leaves held purples in the palm of every vine. The blues

Artist: Chris Willey

Artist: John Grisnik

that filled the sky could be described as Monaco Blue or Provence Blue or Ultramarine Cobalt and Cerulean Blue with a dab of white. The orange sherbet pushups offered on summer days as a child were the same shade of wonderful on every tiled roof. The visions we held in our minds have been put down on substrates and we are ready to share our paintings photographs and stories with you.

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Artist: Cathy Kline

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

ART: PAINTING IN FRANCE

“French Market” by artist Cathy Kline

OOH LA LA – PLEIN AIR & STUDIO PAINTINGS OF FRANCE

Currently on display at The Cathy Kline Art Gallery through April. Reception on Friday, March 27, 6-9 p.m., at the Fourth Friday Art Exhibit. Catered by The French Bee Bakery.

FEATURED ARTISTS Chris Willey, oil, acrylic and pastel John Grisnik, acrylic l Loreta Feeback, pastel l Todd Feeback, photography l Marilee Means, pastel l Gloria Gale, acrylic l Vicki Thompson, pastel l Cathy Kline, oil and mixed media l l

Cathy Kline (left) painting in Paris. ILIVENORTH.COM

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LIVE LIFE WELL WITH COACH KIM

Rest for the weary soul What is your rest quotient? By Kim Specker, Life Transformation Coach ICF-PCC

o you ever feel like your output exceeds your input? Are there too many tasks in a day for the time and energy you have to give? What are the symptoms of needing rest? When was the last time you intentionally evaluated your rest quotient?

A weary soul’s story

Kim Specker is a member of the Life Coach Team at Mosaic Life Care. To learn more about Mosaic Life Care or locate a physician, service or office near you, visit www. MyMosaicLifeCare.org. Changing the way we care for you by changing the way we help you look at your life.

WHAT IS LIFE COACHING?

Working with a life coach will help you create your own solutions for life’s challenges, hurts or barriers. A coach asks powerful questions and offers professional insight and support for the client as together they discover solutions for some of life’s challenging situations. Request your complimentary coaching session today. Email Kimberlie.Specker@ MyMosaicLifeCare.org .

“I don’t feel anything anymore, I am emotionless. I don’t know what is happening to me. What is wrong with me?” asked the women who appeared to have it all together according to the western world’s standard. Her facial expression and demeanor didn’t match a sense of desperation; after all, she had come to see me in search of a more satisfying career. After nearly a half hour of sharing her life story, she experienced what we call in coaching terms, a personal, ah-ha moment … “I don’t think I have really rested since I was 12 as I have worked two and sometimes three jobs.” Twenty-three years of racing to make sure she “got it all” had now taken its toll on her mind and body. Exhaustion, emotional numbness, apathy and resentment had taken over her physical and emotional state. She could not imagine that this is all there is to life at age 35. She began to realize the “lifeless” feeling was due to so much more than just her career; events, experiences and non-life-giving relationships also played a roll. Literally, she had begun the emotional shut down as her physical body demanded rest. She was experiencing burnout. Nothing or no one could stop her, nothing except her body and mind crying out for a reprieve from the demands of work and life.

What is enough?

Western culture seems averse to allowing people to create a space for rest and quiet in their schedules. This woman’s story is all too common in today’s world. People are numb, consumed by over-thinking, overfunctioning or often anxiety filled because they don’t see themselves as being enough. How can individuals stop these behaviors if they don’t feel they are enough? When does one reach ENOUGH? Decades ago American culture built in automatic guidelines for “what is enough” for us. Until the 1970s there were laws and ordinances that kept the

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community almost at a standstill one day a week. They were called “Blue Laws” which prevented businesses from being open on Sunday. Agrarian roots also built in a time to rest; the winter season came so that farmers could renew and prepare for the spring planting and the fall harvest. Somehow western culture has overridden the need for renewal in the name of return on investment, increased productivity and enhanced performance driven by a “have it all” mentality. How did rest and quiet get put aside for countless activities and assignments? I believe it comes from a cultural shift in the perception of the value of productivity over the value of quality of life. Rest isn’t respected; it is perceived as laziness or unproductive. Personally, I have wrestled with this concept for long time. I thought if I rest or renew I will get behind, or more honestly, what would other people think if I wasn’t bustin’ it. I began to discover that if I put proper rest, renewal and recreation in my life plan I would experience more creativity, productivity and most important, being present for the relationships that really matter to me.

What to do about weariness or burnout

Let’s look at some ways to take back some time to refocus, renew and quiet. Sabbath or intentional rest was by design a day of renewal. Without rest and renewal priorities become disheveled and eventually health and relationships suffer for it. Here are a few suggestions for establishing a restful and quieting routine in your life: l Know your boundaries for what you are willing to participate in or say yes to. l Take your thoughts captive. Example — Don’t let the voices say — “You are lazy if you rest.” l Stop to see what is missing in your life. l Give yourself permission to live a life that is enough. Don’t compare yourself to others. l Make good use of the time within your day. l Remove demanding taskmasters. l Spend time developing or increasing your joy. l Develop a game plan for life. l Take time to become whole. l Practice the sovereignty of spirituality.

LIVE LIFE WELL WITH COACH KIM

DEFINE YOUR REST QUOTIENT Add up the total of the scores and divide by 9 and this is your Rest Quotient. If the score is below 5, perhaps you could benefit from taking some intentional time to develop a rest and renewal plan for yourself.

The Rest Quotient Assessment

Here are some thought-provoking questions that will help you determine your rest and quiet quotient. Rate yourself on a score of 1 to 10. 1= failing 10= consistent success I have made an advance decision about when and how I will pursue rest and quiet.

I have an intentional time block in which I connect with friends and family.

I have set aside weekly time for rest and relaxation.

I have a true work-free zone in my week.

I have blocks of agenda-free time. 1 ÂŠISTOCK.COM / MAROS_BAUER

I have set apart time to listen to my spirit. 10

I have time in which I cut off all access to me (phone/ computer/social media). 1

I have time set aside for true recreation. 1

I have at least one day a week with restorative sleep. 1

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DIVA OF DIY

The Tiny House movement Think small to make a big statement By Leanne Lee

Like our page at: Diva of DIY

Follow me at: Diva of DIY

Follow me at: @divaofdiykc

s part of my 2015 Home & Garden Trendsetter of the Year award, I have had the pleasure of touring the United States sharing my passion for upcycling. Last month I was asked to decorate a “Tiny House” built by The ReStore Habitat for Humanity in Des Moines, Iowa. I am not going to lie – when I heard them refer to a “Tiny House,” I thought to myself, “How tiny could it be?” Well, very! A Tiny House is considered any dwelling under 500 square feet (most are under 300). That’s smaller than most of our master bedrooms alone. Crazy, right? Not at all. The Tiny House movement is a real thing! At first I was a bit hesitant, but I could totally get on board with something like this once my kids are grown. After all, the vast majority of Americans only spend five conscious hours in our homes, yet we spend one-third of our income paying the mortgage. The Tiny House movement is popping up all over the country. There are tiny house communities in Portland, Ore., Austin, Texas, and Newfield, N.Y., and I just learned that there are a few Tiny Houses even in Kansas City! So, who lives in a Tiny House? Most appear to fall into one of three overlapping categories. The first consists of young people who see a Tiny House as a means of owning a place while avoiding property taxes and rent, since they can often find places to park their house for free. The second group includes older men and women who have either sold or walked away from a house they couldn’t afford. A subset of this group is retired couples whose children are gone and who want to live more simply. Both these groups include transients or people for whom a Tiny House is temporary. The third group is composed of people determined to live environmentally responsible lives – to live “lightly,” as they put it. According to Greg Johnson, the publisher of

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a Tiny House Web site called ResourcesForLife.com, to inhabit a Tiny House, “you have to remodel your sense of what success is and how important it is to you to convey to the outside world, ‘Hey, I have a big house and a big car and I’m successful.’ If you have a piece of inner tranquility, you don’t have to prove anything to anybody.”

The home I decorated

The main living area is 160 square feet with a 60 square-foot loft above. Here’s a few features of this Tiny House: l Propane stove l Farm sink l Shower l Compost toilet l Queen-size bed l Library/reading nook l Dining table (flipped up for space saving) l Gas fireplace

DIVA OF DIY My favorite space was the kitchen. Look how gorgeous it is! The sink is a farmhouse-style sink and even one that I’m jealous over. You can recreate the same knockoff West Elm Orb that is sitting on the orange serving tray made from a cabinet dining room table, as well as the dipped baskets for your own home.

The Tiny House is built on a trailer chassis so you don’t need a building permit; however, a typical trailer park most likely will not accept them because they’re above the height limit. So before you go building a Tiny House, be sure to find out your limitations of where you will be building yours! Look how bright and fun this space is! Did you see the flooring? The picture doesn’t do it justice – it’s simply beautiful. You’ll notice the dining table that I refurbished for the space. It just went with the space and was a perfect fit! The pillow on the chair was made from a placemat – and it DID NOT involve sewing.

Here’s my favorite piece that came from the ReStore. I transformed this tired old table into a stunning dining table for three with Amy Howard One Step Paint in graphite (see photo above – it’s on the left). I also used the same paint for the kitchen cabinets.

Steps to living tiny l l l l l

If you haven’t used something in your house for a year, get rid of it. Go paperless – digitize everything you can and eliminate clutter. Eliminate debt – liberate yourself mentally from expenses. Set goals – long-term goals outweigh short-term impulses. Prioritize joy – focus on relationships and your personal impact instead of material possessions.

I had to add a little Diva to the Tiny House and add something special to the outside. As some of your know, I have a love for Habitat for Humanity ReStores, and when I found the pieces to create two upcycled decorations for the outside, I couldn’t resist. The Upcycled Dragonfly is so cute, I might end up making a few more for friends and family. Not to mention the Upcycled Bird Feeder Made from a Chandelier is always a huge hit! ILIVENORTH.COM

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NORTHLAND REAL ESTATE

Top 5 exterior home maintenance tips

ith warmer weather around the corner, now is the time to think about giving your home a little TLC after the cold February we had in Kansas City. By taking care of the little maintenance repairs for your home, you will prevent the costly repairs down the road. Plus they will help with the structural integrity of your foundation, save energy, avoid water issues, and keep your home properly running.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Audra Heller is a licensed broker in Kansas and Missouri, a REALTOR®, President of the Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce and volunteer in her community. She has extensive real estate knowledge internationally and locally. She has worked for developers in Australia, throughout the United States and in Kansas City. Audra Heller & Associates is a leading real estate team in the Northland specializing in relocation, luxury homes and marketing the Northland as a great place to live, work and raise a family. You can reach her at 816-268-6028 or at AudraHeller@KW.com

LANDSCAPE AND DRAINAGE Trim trees off your roof and side of your home and prune all bushes so they don’t touch the house. With spring showers around the corner, now is the time to “thin out” trees to avoid falling tree limbs in your yard. A certified arborist will correctly trim your trees for more natural light, safety and the health of the tree. Proper drainage away from your home is a must. Walk around your home to look at the landscaping to make sure it slopes away from your foundation. Inspectors recommend a six-inch slope variance in the first 10 feet from your foundation. Fill with gravel if there are big holes, then top off with dirt and mulch or grass seed. It is important to avoid water pooling around the foundation, which can seep into the basement. This can cause long-term damage, including foundation cracking and moving, which are expensive repairs. ROOF AND CHIMNEY Have a roofer do an inspection to make sure all your wood shingles, composition shingles or tile roof are properly attached. This is an inexpensive inspection; in fact, if you do not mind heights, grab a ladder and binoculars to do it yourself. Rain, snow and high winds

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can damage your fireplace chimney. Stones can chip away, bricks can loosen and wood trim can rot, creating areas for water to leak and animals to make a new home. Contact a certified chimney sweep company to inspect. HVAC You should have your heating and air conditioning inspected biannually, so now’s the time to make that appointment. They will change filters, check all working parts, hoses, coils, etc. It is good to clean out the air conditioner with an industrial type vacuum (i.e. shop vac) to suck out all the partials, leaves, small twigs and dirt. Often people use their hose to wash it off, but that sometimes just pushes some of the leaves and twigs into the unit. Also you want to make sure the hoses and wires going into your home are securely sealed to the wall. Often the seal loosens causing a gap and an area for rodents to enter your home or rain to leak inside. DECK, PATIO AND WOOD ROT REPAIRS Spring is the time of year when we notice the most damage, especially in the Midwest where we experience large temperature fluctuations. Assess the color of your home and update it for a little more pop in your curb appeal. It is recommended to paint your home every 5-10 years depending on the type of paint used. Be sure to look for wood rot to replace – don’t just paint over! Sherwin Williams makes a great duration paint to last longer between paintings. If you have siding on

By Audra Heller

GUTTERS, DOWNSPOUTS One of the most important items on your to-do list is making sure your gutters are clean and downspouts are connected properly. Now that we’ve survived fall and winter, most of the leaves have fallen from your trees onto your roof and into your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause roof leaks, erosion around the foundation and foundation leaks. This is one of the easiest, least expensive tasks and one of the most important! Walk around your home and make sure all downspouts are properly attached. If the ground has settled so they no longer connect, pick up an attachment at the hardware store to connect them. If your home does not have French drains, be sure the gutters extending from your home are angled away from the house.

NORTHLAND REAL ESTATE

Your neighborhood market watch

your home, be sure it is securely fastened. Your deck might need to be power NEIGHBORHOOD NO. OF LOWEST HIGHEST AVERAGE AVERAGE HOMES SOLD SALE PRICE SALE PRICE SALE PRICE DOM washed, stained or painted. Secure all Bent Oaks 4 355,000 660,000 524,375 287 loose nails and boards and make sure Briarcliff 1 440,000 440,000 440,000 49 all hand railings are securely fastened Briarcliff West 13 294,000 1,200,000 541,300 121 and stable. If you have a patio, make Carriage Hill Estates 24 218,000 343,000 298,700 128 sure there are no holes developing Claymont 18 89,250 305,000 172,725 95 underneath. When water does not drain Copperleaf 38 310,690 712,000 484,320 112 properly, it can cause the dirt to wash Embassy Park 22 215,000 386,000 303,259 117 away around the corners/edge of the Hills of Monticello 10 260,000 380,000 316,290 94 patio. This creates a great home for small Hills of Oakmont 20 121,200 248,000 189,435 51 animals, which in turn creates a bigger Riss Lake 60 307,000 1,750,000 491,457 123 problem for you. River Hills 4 335,000 420,000 388,750 120 Don’t have the time, tools or abilRiverchase 1 410,000 410,000 410,000 247 Shoal Creek Valley 17 135,101 1,239,700 484,867 89 ity to do these repairs yourself? Don’t Staley Farms 37 220,500 722,744 409,979 141 worry. Contact your local Chamber of The National 33 315,000 1,270,000 501,672 159 Commerce, Angie’s List or view some of Thousand Oaks 79 238,000 670,000 388,686 135 the trusted partners our clients use by Tiffany Greens 21 283,750 733,900 467,014 151 logging onto www.audraheller.com and Tremont Manor 8 350,000 627,200 470,025 135 clicking “Trusted Partners” on the left Weatherby Lake 13 366,000 768,000 498,729 69 side of our Web site. All these resources Woodneath Farms 48 253,232 520,800 357,046 129 will provide you a few companies to call Disclaimer: Based on information from the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® or Heartland and get multiple quotes in writing. MLS for the period of Feb. 1, 2015, through Feb. 20, 2015.

Redeem Yourself Accidents happen. What really matters is what you do next. Call the collision repair shop you trust to make your car look like new, at a price that won’t wipe out your bank account. Add us to your contact list today!

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MOVIE REVIEWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

STILL ALICE ★★★★

KINGSMAN ★★★★

MCFARLAND, USA ★★★

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 99 min.

Rated: R Runtime: 129 min.

Rated: PG Runtime: 128 min.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s. Currently about 5.2 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to double in the next 35 years. “Still Alice” is the story of Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) who at age 50 begins to struggle with memory. She is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, which is rare at her age and is unstoppable in its advance. Alice also learns that there is a 50/50 chance she could have genetically passed it on to her children. The movie is full of strong performances by an accomplished supporting cast including Alec Baldwin and Kristen Stewart. And Moore is brilliant in her portrayal of Alice in her Oscar-winning performance. It is difficult to recommend this movie as entertainment. It is brutally honest about a devastating disease which is likely to affect us or our loved ones soon. However, “Still Alice” needs to be seen, if for no other reason, than to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s.

Harry Hart (Colin Firth) is a member of an exclusive, secret and unaffiliated spy organization called the Kingsman. He has recruited Eggsy (Taron Egerton), who must compete to fill an opening in the agency created by the death of one of their agents. Eggsy learns that his father was a spy with Kingsman, but was killed in the line of duty. The Kingsman are also engaged in a struggle with Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) a tech genius who has decided to save the world from global warming by destroying a large portion of the population that he believes is to blame. “Kingsman” is a modern blend of the Austin Power and James Bond movies. Jackson delights in his role as the evil villain. “Kingsman” is packed with special effects, spy gadgets, and some great stunts. It also contains a good deal of graphic violence, but if you can tolerate it you should find this fast-paced and actionpacked experience thoroughly entertaining.

Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a high school football coach. In 1987 he and his family arrive in McFarland, Calif., where he has been hired to teach and coach. McFarland is a predominantly Hispanic and impoverished community where many teenagers must wake at 5 a.m. to work with their parents in the fields before school. Jim quickly runs afoul of the head football coach and must step down. After discovering that some of his P.E. students have the requisite athletic ability, Jim asks to start the school’s first cross country program. “McFarland, USA” is not a great movie. It is predictable and long, and although the acting is fine it has no memorable performances. It is neither visually or technically exciting and leaves you wanting more. It is, however, heartwarming, inspirational and uplifting. It is the story, its message and the fact that it is based on true events that makes it a movie worth seeing.

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While Jim’s occupation is public accounting, his passion has always been movies. He fondly remembers special evenings set aside for his family to enjoy movies together as a young boy. He soon became an avid fan and is known in local circles for his eagerness to go to the theater as often as possible. Jim is often sought out for his opinions on which movies to see and created his own movie review blog. Jim is a lifelong Kansas City native and is looking forward to sharing his opinions of movies with Kansas City in NORTH Magazine.

UPCOMING DVD RELEASES March 6 • The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 March 10 • Night at the Muesum 3 March 17 • Annie • The Penguins of Madagascar March 24 • Into the Woods March 31 • The Imitation Game • Wild April 21 • Taken 3 April 28 • Paddington • The Wedding Ringer

Looking for your first home together?

Sandi Schmude, (that’s Schmoody) Realtor ABR, CRS, GRI, CIPS Cell: 816-729-5500 Office: 816-777-3111 sandi@homeinkc.com www.HomeInKC.com

Spring Open House Promotions, activities for children, refreshments

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A great garden begins with locally grown plants. ILIVENORTH.COM

M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

RESTAURANT GUIDE MODERN AMERICAN

ASIAN – JAPANESE

Justus Drugstore Restaurant $$$$ Smithville 106 W. Main St. American, Modern American, organic

Tokyo Japanese Steak House $$$ Gladstone 7 NW Barry Rd. Japanese, steakhouse, sushi

Eighty Eight at The Elms $$$$ Excelsior Springs 401 Regent St. Mediterranean, Modern American

Kato Japanese $$$ Zona Rosa 6340 NW Barry Rd. Japanese, sushi

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

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

Trezo Mare $$$ Briarcliff Village 4105 N. Mulberry Dr. American, Italian, seafood

China Wok $ Zona Rosa 6048 NW Barry Rd.

The Grille by Piropos $$$ Parkville 1 W. 1st Street Latin American

Tasty Thai $$ Platte Woods 7104 NW Prairie View Rd. $$ Liberty 1912 Star Dr. Asian, Thai, vegetarian

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.

Hawg Jaw BBQ $$ Riverside 4403 NW Gateway Ave. Barbecue

Taj Mahal $$ Liberty 917 W. Liberty Dr. Saffron Indian Restaurant $$ Zona Rosa 8140 NW Prairie View Rd. 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

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 $$ Kansas City 5410 NE Oak Ridge Rd. American, fried chicken Corner Cafe $ Riverside 4541 NW Gateway Ave. $$ Liberty 8301 NE Flintlock Rd. American, breakfast/ brunch, diner Roxanne’s Cafe $ Parkville 6264 Lewis Dr. American, breakfast/ brunch Nelle Belle’s Diner $ Claycomo 150 E. US 69 Hwy. American, breakfast/ brunch, diner

Margarita’s

ASIAN – THAI

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

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DAILY SPECIALS: Monday: Chicken hard taco and cheese enchilada Tuesday: Buy one get one ground beef hard taco Wednesday: Buy one get one ground beef soft taco

DAILY SPECIALS: Thursday: Ala carte burritos 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

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

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

RESTAURANT GUIDE 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

El Chupacabra Mexican Grill $ North Kansas City 2417 Burlington St. 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. 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 $$ Zona Rosa 7007 NW Barry Rd. $$ 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 Pizza 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

Helen’s J.A.D. Bar and Grill $ North Kansas City 2002 Armour Rd. Burgers, pizza, pub food

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

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

Crazy Olives Bar and Grill $$ Argosy Casino 777 NW Argosy Pkwy. American, burgers, Italian Rusty Horse Tavern $$ Parkville 6325 Lewis St. American, burgers, pub food

Brick House Cafe & Pub $$ Smithville 111 N. Bridge St. American, burgers Nick & Jake’s $$ Parkville 6325 Lewis Dr. American, pub food

STEAKHOUSES Em Chamas Brazilian Grill $$$ Burlington Creek 6101 NW 63rd Terr. Brazilian, steakhouse Journey Wood-Fired Steaks $$$$ Argosy Casino 777 NW Argosy Pkwy. Steakhouse Range Steakhouse $$$ Harrah’s Casino 1 Riverboat Dr. Steakhouse Ventana Gourmet Grill $$ Excelsior Springs 117 W. Broadway St. Burgers, Italian, steakhouse

Celebrate life’s milestones at Ventana! Rehearsal dinners • bridal showers • anniversaries • birthdays graudation parties • baby showers • promotions

Paul & Jack’s Tavern $$ North Kansas City 1808 Clay St. American, burgers, pub food The Brass Rail $ Gladstone American, burgers, pub food 4940 NE 81st St. Tanner’s Bar and Grill $$ Gladstone 6024 N. Antioch Rd. American, burgers, pub food

Private dining room available for special occasions 117 W. Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. • Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

ILIVENORTH.COM

M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 1 5

THE LAST WORD WITH PHIL LEVOTA

National voice from the Northland Author Kenneth Kieser has made a career of writing about the outdoors By Phil LeVota

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phil LeVota is a local trial attorney who has been involved in politics for more than 25 years. As a longtime prosecuting attorney before going into private practice, Phil has been involved in the community for many years. He has held many elected positions and is a board member of a domestic violence shelter, while also being active in the metro area and nationwide as a radio talk show host and television commentator/ analyst. He recently won an Emmy Award for his work on hosting the TV program, “Power of KC.”

ou might assume that a Missourian who has been inducted in the Missouri Waterfowler’s Hall of Fame and the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame would hail from the Lake of the Ozark area or a remote rural area, but you would be wrong. He’s a Northlander! Kenneth L. Kieser is a freelance outdoor writer of 39 years with several thousand bylines in newspapers and top outdoor magazines, mostly about Missouri outdoor resources. He has penned a weekly outdoor column in the Independence, Blue Springs and Grain Valley Examiner for 28 years and also wrote a weekly outdoor column for The St. Joseph News-Press in the 1980s and 1990s mainly about Missouri hunting and fishing environmental issues. Kenny gave Missourians some great information when he wrote the weekly news releases for the Missouri Department of Conservation, Kansas City office and thousands of people have read these stories which included assorted topics like butterfly migrations, deer hunting regulations, or snakes in the garden. Kieser has written for most outdoor magazines over the past 39 years. And most of his stories have involved or someway included Missouri. He has several thousand bylines to his credit. Kenny has also authored books: “Ride the Trail of Death,” “Black Moon’s Revenge” and “Missouri’s Great Flood of ’93 – Revisiting an Epic Natural Disaster.” The latter book about the 1993 flood was released by Northeast News in June 2013 with over 80 of Kieser’s photos from the flood, mostly in the Kansas City area. This book was honored by the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers as first place in their book division of the 2014 Excellence in Crafts awards. And it was in this context where I first learned of Kenny. This year while working in the Missouri State Capitol Building, Missouri State Representatives John Rizzo and Kevin Corlew told me about a bill they were co-sponsoring, House Bill 793. They told me a story about this book that is clearly the best piece of history about that event and that it is so good that the state

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ought to designate it as the official record of that incident. Representative Rizzo’s and Corlew’s bill states: “The book entitled Missouri’s Great Flood of ’93 – Revisiting an Epic Natural Disaster by Kenneth L. Kieser is selected for and shall be known as the official state work chronicling the 1993 flood. The historic flood of 1993 encompassed a nine-state area in the Midwest during the summer of 1993. This book provides a comprehensive document of history that outlines how the flood occurred meteorologically and how those who lived through the flood survived and rebuilt after the flood waters receded.” So it seems that our Northlander’s work about the flood has been recognized to be considered the official state record of that disaster. So our neighbor Kenny is not only a widely recognized expert on nature but he is also involved in giving back to his community. In the 1990s, he developed fishing programs for mentally and physically challenged children with the Easter Seals and the Kansas City Chiefs at Smithville Lake. Since then he has expanded the fishing and hunting program for single parents and healthy kids. Our boys in blue over at Kauffman Stadium even honored Kieser’s work in kids fishing, mentally and physically challenged outdoor programs, and healthy living in 2011 by inviting him to attend the game and sit in the coveted Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat. In other community projects, Kieser designed a writing program for sophomores at Park Hill High School and with Principal Brad Kinchaloe conducted seminars at West Platte in Weston, Mo. Several students from Park Hill were honored with awards for their writing and some students even received national recognition. This guy from our neighborhood is an amazing writer, a fantastic community member, and an awesome guy. And I will be honored to be there in Jefferson City on March 20, when he receives yet another award: “Missouri’s Outdoor Communicator of The Year.” Kenny was nominated by two of his heroes in outdoor writing, Thayne Smith and Bobby Whitehead, which makes the honor that much sweeter.

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